Todd was rambling on about staging. Robert was helping move the props. Chad was one of the props. Susie and Ty were in the back running lines, while Robert helped Todd with the props.
"No, the mannequin doesn't look right back there, Robby. Bring it forward Stage Left. That's a bit better," sighed Todd.
"Still not right?" Todd asked releasing Chad's bulge, as he set the mannequin's feet on the stage. He kept his arm around the mannequin's waist to keep in from toppling. He was sweating profusely from the hot lights and the exercise of dragging tables and the check out counter in addition to the mannequin.
Chad was so happy being held by the warm hunky Robert, it reminded him that he used to be hunk. At least he wasn't naked, but he was dressed in I'll fitting dorky clothing.
"Weren't there any better costumes for the dummy, that looks like something out of a 1920s movie," Todd complained.
"Yeah, he looks more like a Sporting Goods Store Mannequin. He should be in shorts or something. I was at the Y this morning, I've got my Speedo, you want to see how that looks on him? I'll get him out of these clothes." Robert was already unbuttoning Chad's collar, and his fingers danced down Chad's torso undoing Chad's shirt buttons.
Chad thought, you've stripped mannequin's or other guy's before! He did like that Robert was referring to the mannequin as "he" and "him" instead of "it" like Ty, Susie and Todd did. He did enjoy the jock actor's musky sweaty odor too, it reminded Chad of the locker room. He had felt so fragile when Ty struggled carrying him, but in Robert's arm he felt safe and secure.
"Hm," Todd the director said thoughtfully.
Chad was completely naked draped over Robertd's left arm while the mannequin was in the crook of his right arm.
Todd said, "I've got it. We have to have the mannequin naked at the start of the scene and we'll start with its butt facing the audience. Then you will come in and stand next to it. It's built just like you. Then you start dressing him slowly. Maybe you could bring in some of your clothing to put on the dummy. They should fit better than those other clothes."
"But I'm not in that scene."
"No, but you work at the same store as Salesman #1- Ty. That's how he knows you aren't serious about any women, so he can tell Susie that you're available. You won't have any lines, and Suzie and Ty will be in far stage right except for when he walks over to get the tie off the mannequin. Or better yet, we start with you undressing it, taking off the suit and tie. Then while you're putting on the beach clothes, he comes over and you hand him the tie. Anyway you practice slowly undressing, and dressing the mannequin while Ty and Suzie read their lines." He turned his head and shouted, "Ty, Suzie, get up on Stage Right."
"What's Robert doing on stage?" Ty asked.
"You know the script has no stage direction, but seeing Robby with the mannequin, I suddenly understood your soliloquy," Todd said.
"I don't have a soliloquy," said Ty.
"Oh, it was in the original script. I cut it when Aristede was in your part, but I'm putting it back in. Now I'll need you and Robert to practice your read through with his pantomime with the mannequin. So he faces the audience when you mention his chiseled chin, and stands and stretches to show off his shoulders when you mention his broad shoulders. Okay, Ty. Oh, and Robert could you put the suit back on the mannequin. Then when the curtain goes up, it will be facing out the front window. You pick it up, and carry it over to where you are now. Then Ty enters and looks busy until the mannequin is naked, then Suzie enters. Got it."
As Robert carried Chad over to the front window, he whispered to Ty, "Aristede is going to be so pissed to hear that Todd's doing the whole soliloquy, that at least triples your lines in the play. It's why he quit, being asked to supply the mannequin wasn't an issue, but when he quit he took his mannequin and went home."
"Oh," remarked Ty. "Do I have more stage time with Suzie?"
"Oh, yeah, probably ten more minutes."
"What am I supposed to do while Ty's talking?" Suzie complained.