We are all...

When you go to an audition like this one, sort of an all-hands meeting for Bay Area performers, to potentially portray a smart-looking doctor for a pharmaceutical company, and they want "real people," you realize how beautiful and diverse we all are. We are all beautiful! The cute, petite, little old lady with the designer white hair perfectly cut, she wearing a periwinkle blue top covered with her white lab coat; the gorgeous Latino-looking guy with the black/blue shiny curly hair and brilliant big black eyes (and, I've seen him before, maybe in L.A.); the George Clooney look-alike who sat next to me, regaling me with casting stories; the hot black guy in the lapis-blue cashmere V neck, and Corey, man, where were you? I heard them call you, but didn't get to see you! You'd be perfect!

You also realize how most of us, over 21, with expressive features and adherence to wardrobe, could portray a doctor, and how difficult it is, finally, for the company and its various casting directors, at all levels, to make a decision.

I vote for me!

Because I was well prepared. I had the right hands (not young, but groomed) and nails, the right coiffure, and I wore the white coat, one of my basic costume investments. Not only that, but when asked to talk about myself - just so they could hear me and watch my face in motion - I was interesting. I told them about being from New Jersey and living in the East Bay and teaching copyediting at the university, and working as a full-time editor and tech writer, and, of course, that I speak fluent Spanish and French. (Anyone listening? How about casting an actress like me as a 3-in-one? Capture me in all 3 languages, speaking the exact same text.)

Came home happy. In a few days I'll know if happy and delusional are the same thing, this time.