Without You I Have Nothing by J A Scooter Page A

the table. Still standing, he spoke again,
his voice calm yet intense.
    “I don’t know what
happened as a result of that kiss. It’s none of my business but I can assure
you that Peter will be the villain as he has the ability to carry this play. I'm
prepared to replace you but not him. If the two of you can’t work together then
you're gone… he stays!”
    Unable to believe what
was being said, Jennifer listened, stony faced and white with shock.
    “There’s not a woman
in the society who wouldn’t change places with you. To be in his arms and to be
kissed like that - well the women of the society admire him and he really is
their idol. He’s such a powerful yet gentle presence and protects them all. Not
once has he made a pass at any of them or dated anyone.
    “Then you arrive and
it’s obvious to us all that you hold his heart in your hands and you're too
blind,” his eyes narrowed to slits, “or too self-centered to notice it.”
    He stared at her for
a long time before proceeding.
    “Peter would be most
annoyed about my revealing some of his history so please don’t mention you
know.”  Still staring at Jennifer who merely nodded, the Director sat and leant
across the table to stare into--- her eyes.
    “Some years ago three
men lay in wait for our women to leave a rehearsal. They sprang on one woman
and, as they dragged her into a car, they began ripping her clothes off -
making it obvious what they intended doing.”
    The director’s words
were enough to plunge Jennifer back to her teenage years.
    As his words wafted
over her, she felt herself falling and she had to struggle hard to stop her
body pitching to the floor.
    She grasped the edge
of the table tightly until her knuckles were white as her memory took her back
to that dreadful night of her school ball. She shuddered uncontrollably and
sobs racked her body as she relived her own terrifying ordeal. Memories
struggled to the surface from deep down in her soul where they had remained
hidden for so long. Her body reflected that torment as both her arms and her
cheek bones began to ache with memories of that night.
    Oblivious of her
distress the director continued. “Peter flew across the car park and hurled one
of the attackers against the wall where he lay still. The other two produced
knives and all Peter did was laugh. 'Put them away or you're dead.' were
Peter’s words in a voice that really terrified me. He didn’t seem in the least
worried.
    “The second attacker
lunged towards Peter and then screamed as his own knife buried itself in his
throat. The third man was watchful and danced around Peter searching for an
opening until Peter tired of his antics and...
    “When the police
arrived there were three dead men, a car full of drugs and guns and one very
frightened but very grateful member of the cast. Immediately the police had
finished their investigation into the incident, Peter took the woman home. She
later told us all how gently he undressed her, showered her and put her to bed.
He spent that night and a lot more nights with her until she felt safe.”
    Jennifer looked up
and began to speak but the director interrupted her.
    “No, don’t you dare
insult the man!  He didn’t bed her. Yes, he undressed her that first night then
sat beside the bed holding her hand and calming her nightmares. He even
arranged and paid for her therapy.
    “Several rehearsals
later the remainder of the gang arrived in three cars to exact revenge. Peter
calmly ordered me to call for ambulances and for police backup.
    “Six men armed with
clubs - no knives - were determined to beat him to death. All Peter could do
was laugh - a glorious rib-tickling laugh - that seemed to echo across the
parking lot. Then he spoke and his voice was enough to bring fear into my heart.
'Why didn’t they send the men instead of the boys?'
    “We could hear the
wails of the sirens as he proceeded to tear the brave gang to shreds. Not one
was left standing and some were on