I shivered as I walked into the empty theater. It was a little spookier than normal with no one else around. The director had asked me to come in today to work on some extra choreography for our upcoming production of Peter Pan. This was my first serious role outside of my college's theater but playing Wendy was my dream. I was the youngest member of the cast and I desperately wanted to impress the director so I would take any extra guidance he would give me.
"Oliver?" I called into the cavernous space. My voice echoed back to me, amplifying the chills already racing up my spine. Thankfully, he appeared from behind the curtains.
"Ah, Grace. Thank you so much for coming in on your day off." He smiled. He was on the younger side of the directors I'd worked with and a little bit more demanding. I didn't really like him, but I was happy to play nice for the possibility of more roles in the future.
"Why don't you get fitted in the harness and then you can put on your costume. I know you haven't worked in productions that use harnesses before so I'd like you to get more comfortable." I nodded and swallowed forcefully. To create the illusion of flight, I would be wearing a stage harness underneath my costume with specific cutouts where the harness could be connected. I hadn't admitted this to anyone, but I had a fear of heights that had plagued me since I was a kid. Hanging from the ceiling 20 feet above the ground freaked me out, but I couldn't risk losing this part. I would just have to endure it. Without giving myself time to ponder my impending fate, I headed backstage to change. As Wendy, I would be wearing a gossamer blue gown that was tight around my ribs but flowed down to my ankles.
"Grace, are you ready?" I heard Oliver call. I hadn't even managed to get the harness on, there were too many straps and buckles. Usually I had the costume technician there to help.
"Um, no I'm struggling a little with the harness." I confessed. I stood in my bra and underwear just lost with what felt like a pile of spaghetti in my hands.
I saw the curtain move in the corner of my eye and Oliver walked in with little pretense.
"Oliver!" I jumped. "I'm changing!"
"Oh please Grace, it's not anything I haven't seen before. Let me help you with the harness." I reluctantly handed him the harness and he detangled it with expert fingers. I first stepped through the leg holes and then Oliver held the harness so I could put my arms through the straps that would secure my shoulders. His featherlight touch on my shoulder blades made me shiver. The harness clipped right underneath my breasts, forcing them to be put on display. I caught his eyes lingering
"I'll just need to tighten these." He said gruffly. Abruptly, he yanked the straps securing my legs and I yelped.
"That feels a little tight..."
"Do you want to fall from 20 feet in the air?" He asked. I shook my head and he moved on to the straps at my hips, pulling them equally as taut. There were two more straps that wrapped underneath my ass. I felt Oliver's hand brush over my skin as they found their way to the spot where my thigh met the rounded cheeks. I felt his touch curve around the globe of my ass but the cinching of the strap quickly replaced that sensation.
"Finish getting dressed and I'll meet you on the stage." He nodded, double checking the straps.
I quickly finished putting on my dress before walking out to meet him. His gaze drawled disapprovingly at the dress, though I couldn't understand why. He was the director after all. If he didn't like something, he could change it.
"I'm going to attach the harness to the pulley system so you can start to get comfortable and then we'll work on the choreo for the "flying to Neverland" scene."
"Well, could we maybe practice the choreo before I have to do it in the air?" My last ditch effort to procrastinate the inevitable.
"No, that's a waste of time," He said. "You'll have to do it in the air anyways so you might as well just practice it now." Perhaps he could sense my reluctance because he added, "We'll take it slow."