The Score Chapter 17: Allie – Rehearsal Frustration and a Painful Realisation

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Allie recalls her first audition at age twelve and the valuable feedback she received. She reflects on the advice of acting coach Jack Emery, who taught her to channel negative energy from difficult colleagues into her own performance. During a rehearsal for a play, her scene partner Mallory Richardson repeatedly forgets her lines, forcing the director to call “Text!” every few seconds. The rehearsal ends early in frustration. Afterwards, Allie learns from her agent Ira that the Brett Cavanaugh play she wanted to audition for is only casting male roles, a major disappointment. Seeking comfort, she texts Dean but receives no immediate reply. She realises that her impulse was to talk to him emotionally, not just for sex, which frightens her because she vowed to keep things casual. She calls Hannah, who is at a bar celebrating a hockey win. Hannah casually mentions that some girl is “licking Dean’s face,” triggering a surge of jealousy.

Key Events

Allie describes her first casting experience at age twelve and Jack Emery’s advice to use negative energy in performance.
Rehearsal with Mallory Richardson is stalled by Mallory’s inability to memorise lines; director Steven ends the session early.
Allie’s agent Ira calls with bad news: the Brett Cavanaugh play is male-only, so she cannot audition.
Allie texts Dean to vent about her day but receives no reply; she becomes anxious.
She verbally chastises herself (“Er ist nicht mein Freund”) and accidentally says it aloud to a passerby.
She calls Hannah, who is at a bar; Hannah mentions that a girl is flirting heavily with Dean.
Allie feels a sharp pang of jealousy and worried that her emotional attachment is growing.

Character Development

Allie: This chapter shows her growth as a performer – she tries to apply Jack’s advice during rehearsal. More importantly, she confronts her own emotional needs. Her instinct to turn to Dean for emotional support signals that she is developing deeper feelings, contradicting her claim that the relationship is purely casual. Her jealousy upon hearing Dean is with another woman reveals her vulnerability and fear of being hurt.
Mallory Richardson: Though minor, she serves as a foil: unprepared and unprofessional, highlighting Allie’s dedication.
Dean: Not physically present, but his lack of response and the reported flirting create tension and push Allie’s internal conflict forward.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Actually Evidenced Here

Performance vs. Authenticity: Allie must channel genuine frustration into a scripted role; later she struggles to act indifferent about Dean when her true feelings are anything but indifferent.
Control vs. Chaos: The rehearsal is chaotic because Mallory cannot control her lines; Allie tries to control her emotions but fails when she hears about Dean.
Boundaries in Casual Relationships: The chapter explicitly questions the possibility of a “no strings” arrangement when one person starts to want emotional intimacy.
Jealousy as a Warning Signal: Allie’s visceral reaction to the news about Dean functions as a narrative clue that she is more invested than she admits.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 17 is a turning point in Allie’s emotional arc. Until now, she has insisted that her arrangement with Dean is purely physical. Here, she catches herself wanting to share her day with him – a hallmark of romantic attachment. The chapter ends with a cliffhanger of jealousy, setting up major conflict for the next chapter. Simultaneously, the rehearsal and casting news reinforce her professional struggles, reminding readers that Allie’s life is not only about Dean; she is also an ambitious actor facing real setbacks.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What advice did Jack Emery give Allie about difficult acting colleagues, and how does she try to apply it during the rehearsal?

Jack told Allie to use negative energy from other actors and channel it into her own performance, especially when the characters are in a tense relationship. Allie tries to do this by letting her frustration with Mallory fuel her portrayal of the angry sister in the play.

2. Why does Allie’s reaction to texting Dean worry her?

She realises that she texted Dean not to arrange sex but to vent about her bad day and seek comfort. This contradicts her belief that their relationship is emotionless and casual. She fears she is already acting like a girlfriend, which goes against her intention to keep things uncomplicated.

3. What information does Hannah give Allie that triggers a strong emotional response, and what does this suggest about Allie’s feelings?

Hannah says that some girl is “licking Dean’s face” at the bar. Allie feels a physical jolt of jealousy and anxiety, suggesting that she cares about Dean more than she is willing to admit and that the casual arrangement may be unsustainable.