“Got it,” Phule said with a curt nod. “Forgive me for not recognizing you, Ms. Watkins. Though I’m familiar with the name, I rarely have time to watch the holos, and am woefully ignorant when it comes to the various entertainers, much less their current positions in the pecking order. Now then, what can I do to help you?”
“I was just checking on the showroom’s availability for rehearsals and was told that I was going to be working with a live stage crew instead of a computerized setup-by your orders.”
“That’s correct,” the commander said. “Is there a problem with that?”
“Aside from the fact that a live crew never handles their cues the same way twice, not at all,” the singer said sarcastically. “Look, Captain. It’s been a long time since I worked in front of an audience. I’m going to have my hands full remembering my own cues without wondering whether or not the follow spot is going to be on me or on the piano when it comes up.”
“I guess my information was incorrect,” Phule said. “I was told that you would prefer to work with a live crew, provided they were competent of course.”
“Oh?” Dee Dee frowned. “Who told you that?”
“I’m afraid I did, love.”
She turned toward the speaker, then did a visible double take.
“Lex? My God, is that you? I didn’t recognize you in that getup. Did you enlist or something?”
The actor shot a quick glance at Phule before answering.
“Just a temporary arrangement, I assure you,” he said with a smile too easy to be genuine. “As far as the stage crew goes, would it help at all if I gave you my personal reassurance that things will be handled properly?”