“I get it. I’m just jealous that it’s not me. The part that really sucks is I see it when you two are together. It would be so much easier if Brook were a bitch and I could hate her. It’s just hard to stand back and watch you two be so sickeningly happy,” Halle said and smiled for the first time to let me off the hook.
“So, you’re okay with it? I don’t have to worry about you?” I asked.
“God, I love you,” she said and wrapped me in a bear hug.
“Uhm … people are watching,” I said as I looked over her shoulder.
“Let them.”
“Perfect!” Kitty said. “Did you get that on camera?”
She looked at the crew, and they nodded.
“Good,” she continued. “Send it to the writers. I want this scene rewritten along those lines.”
Halle pulled away from me and had a sheepish expression.
“Did you set me up?” I asked with a half-smile.
She nodded. I guess anything for the art. Now I would have a permanent reminder of this talk.
◊◊◊
I found Ben Doman in my dressing room.
“Smooth. I’m going to have to remember that the next time I get in a bind,” he teased.
I deserved that. Our talk had been a little too public for a conversation that serious.
“I find it better to not get into those kinds of binds,” I sagely advised.
“Sometimes, it can’t be helped.”
I disagreed, but I wasn’t going to argue with him. Ben was part of the LA culture and wasn’t a choir boy.
“Today’s my last day,” I shared.
“I heard that. We only have a few more weeks, and then I’ll start looking for my next job,” Ben complained.
“Saul told me about a new TV show on HBO. You might get in touch with him,” I suggested.
“You do know that it’s unheard of for a fellow actor to tell another about a possible role.”
“Why is that?” I asked.
“Because we all need the work, and most of us would give up our firstborn to get a role.”
“If I wanted the role, I would get it anyway,” I teased.
Ben barked out a laugh.
“You’re a jerk sometimes, but that’s why I like you,” he said, and then got suspicious. “Why don’t you want it?”
It was my turn to laugh.
“Dude. I haven’t even seen the script; Saul pitched it to me not ten minutes ago. Plus, I have to get back to high school.”
Ben rolled his eyes at me. He thought I was an idiot to be going to high school when I could be making money doing TV or movies. Then I had an idea.
“Hey, did you hear they’re casting for that new Superman TV show? I was half-tempted to see if I could get something on it,” I suggested.
If my inner ten-year-old was in charge, I would play a superhero.
“Do you know who to call to get an audition?” Ben asked.
“No, but I know who does.”
“Frickin’ Saul,” Ben moaned.
“You already have Kent managing you and use our other services. Why not see if Saul would represent you and complete the team?” I suggested.
“But he’s such a douche.”
“He’s the douche who will keep you working. Believe me, Saul Gessler is all about the dinero. He only makes money if you are. Plus, what’s your agent doing for you right now?” I asked.
“If I know her, she’s banging the talent to get them to sign with her,” he said and then blushed.
“Well, do tell,” I teased.
“Dawson, you’re a sick bastard. She’s old enough to be my mom.”
“Ben, Ben, Ben …” I said, shaking my head. “I bet Saul would do
That earned me a slug in the arm. Our fun was stopped when I was called onto the set to do my last scene.
◊◊◊
It was weird to hear Halle give me back almost line for line what I’d said to her earlier. I told Kitty I should get a writing credit for baring my soul and them pirating what I’d said. She told me she was all out of favors for me today.
While I’d been doing my scene, Manaia had packed up everything in my trailer. I was amazed at all the stuff I’d accumulated when I saw it in the back of the car. I wondered if he’d packed up some items that might not really be mine.
But I quickly forgot about it because we were headed to our dress rehearsal for the TV show, which aired tomorrow night. Halle would join us when she wrapped for the day.
◊◊◊
It didn’t take us long since the studio was only a little way down the road from where we’d just been. Once we arrived, we were sent to where we needed to be. I paused for a moment to take in the stage.
Instead of being straight across the front like you’d see for a play, they’d built two bump-outs for large TV cameras. With their placement, they could capture off-angle shots from each side. That allowed the director to have the actors stand at a slight angle. It would look like they were talking into the camera when they were in fact speaking to another cast member.
An impressive array of gear was hanging down from above the stage. The room itself probably seated a couple hundred people. Towards the back, in front of a glassed-in room overlooking everything, was another large camera. The glass room was where the producer, director, and all their minions would be stationed to manage the show.
Manaia and I had just reached the center of the stage when a frazzled young man came rushing out from the back.
