I put a few things on my plate, still feeling guilty about it after what the guy at the door had said. More actors enter the tent to get food, and soon Trevor is the center of attention. The actors are talking about scenes, Andrea Block, and all kinds of stuff. I feel completely out of place, so I take my plate and slip outside, hoping to find a nice shady tree to sit under and eat.
A crew member sees me and gives me much the same look the last guy had.
“Extras wait over there.” He points across the park to an area where a few dozen people are hanging out, some sitting on folding chairs and some sitting on the grass. Others have blankets spread out on the ground, as if they knew they’d be stuck waiting around all day and came prepared.
“Thanks,” I mumble as I make my way over there.
A plastic bi-fold sign sits on the grass. EXTRA WAITING AREA, is all it says.
I recognize a few of the people from the café scene I sat through earlier. A young woman about my age, with blond hair and heavy makeup waves at me when she sees me.
“Come sit over here,” she says, patting the extra space on her blanket on the ground. “You’re Andrea Block’s stand-in, right?”
“Yep,” I say. “I’m Annie.”
“I’m Jackie.” Her smile turns to shock when she sees my plate. “You’re not supposed to eat at craft services. It’s for the real actors only, not us.” She pats the lunch kit next to her. “We have to bring our own food.”
“Yeah, I discovered that a little too late after Trevor told me to go with him.” I suck in air through my teeth at the memory of that guy looking down on me like I’m some kind of peasant. “I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Wait…theTrevor Owens told you to go to craft services?” Her eyes are wide and excited, like she’s just heard something extra scandalous.
I shrug. “I guess he thought it would be okay since I was filling in for Andrea Block, but the guy totally griped at me for it, so it was awkward.”
“Oh my gosh, you’re so lucky you got to talk to him,” she says, biting her lip like a schoolgirl with an epic crush. “I keep hoping I’ll get the chance, but so far they haven’t even used me in a scene yet.”
“So you just sit here all day?” I ask.
“Yep. Extras hang out until they’re needed. If you’re lucky, you’ll get selected for a non-speaking role. Like being someone who gets coffee spilled on them or something. Then if you’re extremely lucky, they’ll have you say a line, which means you can get your SAG membership.”
“I have no idea what any of that means,” I say with a chuckle as I eat the food I’m technically not supposed to have.
“Girl, how do you not know about SAG?”
“I’m not an actress,” I say with a shrug. “I’m a nurse. I thought I was being offered a nursing job but it ended up being a stand-in job for the character playing a nurse.”
Jackie cocks an eyebrow like she can’t believe the story I’m telling her.
I sigh. “Trust me, it’s exactly as weird as it sounds. But I need the money so I’m here until I find a better job.”
“Wow,” Jackie says. “You’re not even trying to get up close and personal with the celebrities, and you got to hang out with Trevor Owens on your first day. You are just filled with luck.” She leans over and rubs her elbow against mine. “Hopefully some of your luck will wear off on me,” she says with a snort of laughter.
“How long have you been doing this?” I ask as I nibble on some food.
“Two years. I’m working to pay for my college.”
“Do you make much money as an extra?” I’m not sure if the money I’m earning for the next two months are standard salary or maybe a bit more since I’m standing in for the main actress, but it’s not much money at all.
“Nah,” she says, waving her hand. “I’m in it for the side benefits…” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“What does that mean?”
“Trevor Owens is quickly becoming a hot commodity.” She holds up her phone, wiggling it as if the very existence of her phone answers my question.
“Are you trying to date him?” I guess.
She barks out a laugh. “Ugh, I wish. I mean, sure. If he wants to, I’d date him in a heartbeat, but I am a realistic, practical woman so I know that’ll never happen. What I’m saying is that candid photos of Trevor Owens are going for more and more money as he gets more famous. I talked through email with two guys from the media who are offering twenty-five thousand dollars for a candid shot of Trevor. Even more money if I can catch him doing something that goes against his nice guy persona.”
My eyes widen. “You mean like… paparazzi type photos?”
