“Cassidy has decided to take some time off until you go to Japan. I was thinking about just sending Paul. Personally, I want to go to LA for a few weeks. With Halle starting to be recognized, we need to add to our staff to give her the same level of security as you and Rita are getting,” he explained.
“I doubt I’ll be doing too much while I’m there. It’ll be mostly baseball 24/7,” I predicted.
“That was what we were thinking. Plus, Paul enjoys working with you. He knows if the situation goes to pot, you can handle yourself. Not that I ever want you to do that,” he scolded.
“I promise,” I said and gave him my best little-angel face.
I was disappointed that it didn’t even faze him. You couldn’t use a look like that too often, or it lost its effect. I would have to perfect a new one. ‘Lost puppy in a rainstorm’ might be a good choice. That would involve big sad eyes and some whimpering. Oh … I knew what would really sell it: add the trembling lower lip. I could nail that!
◊◊◊
“And cut! That’s a wrap, David,” Kitty said.
The crew all clapped, which caused me to blush. I hadn’t expected them to do that.
“Tomorrow night, we’re having a going-away party for David. You’re all invited,” Kitty announced.
I strolled around and talked with each one of them to start to say goodbye. I couldn’t believe it had only been four weeks; it seemed much longer. When I was done, Kitty and Roger pulled me aside.
“You were so much better than I expected,” Kitty said.
“Don’t believe her. We thought you were perfect for this role,” Roger said.
“No, I mean it. I listened to Laurent complain for months as we prepared. I guess I just assumed he knew what he was talking about. You’d only done that space movie,” she explained.
“That ‘space movie’ only made about five times what this movie will make,” Roger reminded her.
“Acting isn’t about making money,” Kitty said.
“It doesn’t hurt,” I shot back.
“No, I guess it doesn’t,” she admitted. “What I wanted to say is I was wrong about you. Even Laurent was happy with your acting, which you will never believe, but he was.”
“I think we’ll just have to agree to disagree on that one,” I said.
“I wanted to say that you’re good at this, and if I were your agent, I’d convince you to go full time. The camera loves you, and you take direction like a dream. When more people in the industry hear how easy you are to work with and what you can deliver, you’ll be set for life.”
“What she’s doing is preparing to lowball you on the next picture she needs to cast,” Roger teased.
“My agent is Saul Gessler. Good luck with that.”
“David, this has been interesting. Thank you for not punching Laurent, even though he deserved it,” Roger said.
“Do you need me for tomorrow?” I asked.
“No. Enjoy your last day in Cuba. The party will be in one of the ballrooms. I expect you to save me a dance,” Kitty said.
It was finally over. Thank God.
◊◊◊
I returned to my room to box up my stuff. Fritz wanted to have it ready to ship home first thing in the morning. The plan was to only keep out what we could carry on. That meant we wouldn’t have to wait at baggage claim once we got home.
Cassidy joined me when she was done with her own packing. This trip had been good for us. She was one of the best people I knew, and I was lucky to call her ‘friend.’
◊◊◊ Saturday June 11
The key word for today was relaxation. The plan was to take advantage of the pool, catch some rays, and just hang out. Throughout the day, people stopped by to say goodbye. Word must have leaked out to the hotel staff. Cassidy just rolled her eyes at me because I really did talk to almost anyone who would listen.
Soon it was time to take a shower and get ready for the party. Fritz, Paul, and Cassidy all came to my room when they were set. I did a double-take because Cassidy had worn a dress. I was smart enough not to make a wisecrack. It reminded me that she wasn’t just my buddy, but a young woman.
I’d found that someone had left me one of Rick’s costumes that I’d worn in the movie. I put on white skinny-leg pants and a button-up sweater with a white shirt and a bow tie. With my black glasses and period haircut, I looked like I’d stepped through a time machine.
“You need to see if you can land a role on
It was a television series set in the 1960s.
“I would if it were still on the air,” I said.
Mom had been upset when they’d canceled it after eight seasons.
“It’s kind of cool,” Cassidy said, checking me out. “This outfit has a vintage vibe that sets you apart.”
Fritz wasn’t about to be drawn into a fashion discussion.
“I’m hungry. Let’s go and see what they have at the party,” he weighed in.
◊◊◊
It seemed the theme of the party was rum. I broke down and had a mojito or three. Paul told me that in the States, they used peppermint to make the drink. Here, they used spearmint. The combination of sweetness, refreshing citrus, and mint flavors hid the potent kick of the rum. After my third one, I was feeling it.
