The Winning Game

The décor of the Summit Centre was just as pretentious as the awards show itself. Everything had been meticulously chosen in the same shade of cream; the lighting, the tablecloths, the dishware, the flowers. Ruby sat at her assigned table staring at her nameplate in front of her place setting. She wished that Joel had come with her, at least it would have been someone to talk to. Instead, his nameplate and empty seat beside hers would be a reminder of how alone she really was. She was surprised he hadn’t at least called or sent a text. After 10 years of marriage, one would think he’d have wanted to say good luck, for the moment put the divorce aside, especially since it was so new. Ruby awkwardly scrolled through her phone even though she had been told not to do that at events like these. She hated these things.

Elizabeth Clarence made her entrance, grand as usual, with her sparkling champagne colored dress flowing behind her. The lights in the room seemed to catch every shimmer on her body. Her teeth gleamed white; her blonde hair pinned back a la Marilyn Monroe revealed her pearl earrings. The crowd flocked to Elizabeth the way moths are drawn to lightbulbs. This was a relief for Ruby, who could take a few moments to breathe knowing nobody would be looking at her, and rehearse again in her mind what she practiced to say if she wins.

“Oh, hey there Ruby”, Elizabeth walked towards her showing all her teeth as she smiled. She bent down towards Ruby who was still seated and kissed both of her cheeks. Inwardly Ruby rolled her eyes at how cliché this woman was. How fake. But on the outside, she smiled and nodded along.

“Just wanted to come by and wish you the best of luck tonight.” Elizabeth’s blue eyes bore into Ruby’s soul. “Your work is so important, and if you don’t win, just know I think the world of you.”

The crowd around Elizabeth put their hands on their chests and made the same noises one makes when a mother shows her newborn baby. Ruby’s brain was telling her to speak, to say anything before the awkward silence stretched any longer. “Are those press on fingernails?” She managed to get out and could hear muffled gasps from Elizabeth’s entourage. Elizabeth pressed her lips together for a moment then responded.

“I know how much you love the environment Ruby, so you’ll understand when I say that I would never wear something so hideous as press on nails. They’re made of plastic, no?” Her mouth formed a smile but her eyes said otherwise.

Once again Ruby forced herself to say something.

“Yes. Of course. I apologize. I’m just, uh, nervous. Good luck to you as well.”

She caught herself looking at the empty space beside her with Joel’s nameplate glaring back at them.

“No Joel tonight?” Elizabeth asked with a spice in her voice that hadn’t been there until now.

“No. Nope. Something came up.” Ruby looked away.

Elizabeth tapped Ruby on the shoulder in a mock sympathy gesture which silently said sure it did, honey.

“Well I wish you luck.” Elizabeth’s words came out hollow, she didn’t look at her when she said this, but rather was letting the rest of the room know that the conversation had ended. She fluttered away with her people following closely behind her.

Ruby’s table began to fill in with Directors from foreign films who didn’t speak much English. This was a relief to Ruby. She didn’t feel the need to make small talk. A smile in their direction would suffice. As the night bore on, Ruby began to sweat. She hated crowds and the anticipation that her name might actually be called made her want to vomit. She excused herself to use the washroom.

Once alone, she exhaled loudly, pushing the thought of Joel with another woman out of her mind. Why now? Why did he have to hurt her so badly while her career was really taking off? And who was the woman? He had said it just wasn’t working anymore, that he had met someone. It crushed her. She figured it was probably someone he’d met at work, a young intern or something. Tonight was about her, though. She looked in the mirror and fixed her curls that had come loose in the humidity of the night. She touched up her lipstick as her dark brown eyes seemed to sink into the space behind her. She had waited her whole career for this moment to be recognized. She wouldn’t let Joel, or Elizabeth, ruin this for her. She took a quick breath to snap herself out it, and exited the washroom while a staff member ushered her quickly to her seat whispering,

“Your award is up next.”

“And the winner of the Environmental Documentary goes to……Bakelite – written and directed by Ruby Summers”.

Her ears were ringing over the applause. Standupstandupstandup, she repeated in her mind. She reminded herself to smile. It felt like an out-of-body experience as an invisible force seemed to move her towards the stage. She recited her speech flawlessly, and as she walked down from the stage, she caught a glimpse of the tight-lipped Elizabeth who suddenly realized the cameras would be on her so flashed her smile at Ruby and mouthed “congrats”.

After the awards ended, Ruby managed to dodge the reporters and the crowd outside. She found her limousine and collapsed into the back where a bottle of champagne was waiting for her.

“Congrats Miss Summers” Her driver said as he shut the door. She took a sip, enjoying the cool bubbles sliding down her parched throat. She glanced at the award beside her and couldn’t help but smile. She’d won. She picked up her phone, wanting to call Joel, but instead she scrolled her social media to see what her fans were saying.

Suddenly, there in the comment section of her photo with the award were the glaring words from one of her fans that she wished she could unsee.

Elizabeth? It’s Elizabeth?!