One box, in particular, made me grin. Lexi had packed the bar. I was torn between shipping it home where my dad was supposed to no longer drink or see if Lexi wanted it. I didn’t want it around if I planned to be in training for baseball season. Then again, I could have one kick-butt party.
After my shower, I was ready to go. Manaia was back from his airport trip. I found Lexi already in the car. She must have thought I wasn’t taking her. Honestly, I hadn’t thought about it. I was confused as to what the protocol was for a meeting like this.
In the past, we’d met at a restaurant, and everyone had brought someone with them. When we pulled up, we were right behind Rita James, who had Kent with her. Kent was both Rita’s and my manager.
Rita came to my car and opened the back door to let me out.
“I was so sorry to hear about your dad. How is he doing?” she asked as she hugged me.
“He’s home, so I assume he’s okay. We’re taking it as a wake-up call because his father’s death was due to heart problems.”
“And your mom?” Rita asked.
“She was a little shaken up, but she’s holding it together. I can’t wait to get home so I can check on them myself.”
“I was sorry to hear that Brook’s moving. Will you try the long-distance routine?” she asked.
“No.”
“I bet the girls will be lining up,” she said as she took my arm and led me to the house.
“With only a semester of high school left, I think I’ll focus on baseball and leave girls to college,” I said, realizing that was what would happen.
“Halle’s single,” Rita offered.
“Is she? I’ll keep that in mind. Who knows what’ll happen when we travel to New Zealand and only have each other there,” I said to tease her.
She looked up at me and smiled. Rita was a terrible matchmaker. I think that is a mother’s prerogative, though.
Chubby Feldman was waiting for us at the front door.
“Rita, gorgeous as ever. And there’s my secret weapon. David, welcome,” he said as he kissed Rita’s cheek and then shook my hand.
I stepped into the foyer and was reminded of what true success can bring. Chubby’s home was one of the truly spectacular Hollywood mansions. If my horde moved in here, I might lose one or two of them in this sprawling estate. I’d been here once before at night for a party. Seeing it in the daylight showed how special it was.
“You’re the last two to arrive,” Chubby continued as he led us into the house towards the back. “I decided to have our lunch outside since it’s such a nice day.”
When we stepped out back, I only had a moment to survey the scene before two girls came sauntering up. It was Mia Hilliard, who was cast as Bianca Fields, my love interest in the film, and Isabel Alexandra, Ben Doman’s girlfriend and star in the recent
“Mia. Isabel,” I said in greeting.
Mia had a confused look when she realized that Isabel was standing beside her.
“You two know each other?” she asked.
“I met Isabel through her boyfriend, Ben Doman. He and I were in
“I just got the role. I play Miss Moneypenny, M’s secretary.”
“Well, welcome aboard. It will be nice to have a friendly face on set,” I said.
As soon as I said it, I knew I’d made a misstep. Isabel blushed, and Mia gave us a questioning look.
Lexi appeared at my side.
“I think they’re ready,” she said to save me from myself.
Everyone was sitting at a long table. There were placards with our names on them, so we knew where to sit. Chubby was at the head of the table with Stewart Thatcher, who would be James Bond, to his right, and with Rita next to Stewart. I was on his left with Mia next to me. Next to Mia was Mark Harm, our producer, and across from him was Isabel.
Then there were actors I hadn’t met yet. There was Grant Quigley, an older Brit, who would play M, the chief of MI6. Next was Gustav Drax, who had a heavy Eastern European accent and would play our villain. Finally, there was Geoffrey McGowen, a younger Scottish nerdy hipster, who would play Q, part of British Secret Service and the ‘gadget guy.’ Further down the table were Lexi, Kent, and the other actors’ entourages.
Once we were all seated, the waitstaff appeared with salads. Once everyone was served, Chubby got our attention.
“This is the most nerve-racking time for me. We’ve assembled the cast, the writers have given us the script to work from, locations have been secured, and we’ve worked out the storyboard. Now we have to execute the plan. I hate waiting. If we could, I would have us start shooting tomorrow.”
We had a good lunch, and I exchanged my number with the rest of the cast. Rita acted like a den mother and took us under her wing. With her unofficially in charge, I knew we would be okay.
Chubby pulled Lexi, Kent, and me into a room with Mark Harm.
