Oakbrook Lakewill be a little different than the other movies I’ve starred in. This time I’m staring alongside the famous Andrea Block, an actress who is several times more famous than I am, and working with her will do wonders for my career. Ever since the casting was announced a few months ago, my social media followers skyrocketed. All of this results in more gigs and more money to take care of my mom. Ultimately, that’s why I’m here doing this, and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity.
Once we arrive on set, I’m directed to my trailer which is right next to Andrea Block’s trailer. I’ve actually never met her before. Her assistant is rushing around talking on the phone, all in a tizzy because Andrea hasn’t arrived yet. I’d get chewed out by my agent if I were late to a call time, but something tells me the famous Andrea Block will get a break for being a little bit late. She’s the highest billed actor for the entire film.
In my trailer, I get another coffee and sit in front of a lighted mirror for hair and makeup. I try making friendly small talk with the guy who does my hair and the woman doing my makeup, but they’re all business and don’t seem to care for conversation. About an hour later, I’m all set and wearing my outfit for the first scene of filming. Today’s scene takes place in a park, which the city has shut down for filming purposes. All the people who will be mulling around in the park are paid extras, not regular citizens.
“Take a seat, Trev,” the director, Paul, says. No one calls me “Trev” instead of Trevor, and it’s a little weird that he’s doing it now. The lines across his forehead are deeper than usual and he looks annoyed. “We’re still waiting on Andrea.”
“She’s still not here?” I ask, looking around.
“She’s in hair and makeup,” he gruffs before walking away to give directions to some crew member.
When the famous actress finally emerges from her trailer, she’s in pajamas with expertly-styled messy hair—the costume she wears for the opening meet-cute scene.
“Hi, Andrea, it’s nice to meet you,” I say, reaching out my hand to shake.
She looks me up and down, her expression blank. “I have a boyfriend, just so you know,” she says, pursing her lips as she stares at me. She doesn’t even make an effort to shake my hand, but she does point a finger at me as if I’m a little kid. “So there will be no small talk, and no extra kissing. Keep your hands off me unless we’re specifically shooting a scene.”
“Okay…” I have no desire to date or flirt with this woman and it’s extremely presumptuous of her to think as much. I was just saying hello to the person who will be in nearly every scene with me for the next sixty days. “Can I ask whatextra kissingmeans? I’m pretty sure we have to kiss in the script.”
In fact, I know we have to kiss in the script because I’ve read the script but I’m trying to be nice here. I have to kiss someone in every one of these wholesome romance movies I’ve starred in. It’s a romance, after all. That’s the point of the entire plot.
“Twice,” she snaps, looking at me like I’m the world’s biggest idiot. “There are two kiss scenes. I will record each scene in one take, and nothing more. Get it right the first time, or they can just CGI a kiss into the final footage, I don’t care. But I’m not here to make friends, TV boy.”
TV boy? She said the words like they were an insult, but it’s kind of funny and I have to hold back laughter as she turns on her heel and marches over to her starting position near water fountain.
Paul claps me on the back and says, “You’ll get used to it. She hates everyone and everyone hates her.”
“So why is she in this film?” I ask soft enough for only him to hear.
He chuckles then slides his thumb over his fingers in that gesture that means money. “The studio puts up with a lot for the amount of cash she rakes in. Lucky for you, your fame will grow since you’re in the film with her. We all win.”
“Riiiight…” I put on a polite smile despite what I’m feeling inside, because I’m a nice guy and Andrea’s attitude problem is her problem, not mine. But if it were up to me, I wouldn’t hire anyone who walks around treating everyone like crap and pretending the world revolves around them.
We start filming and Andrea becomes a totally different person. She’s actually an incredible actress because she transforms from a rude actress to sweet fictional character the moment the director yells, “Action!”
Andrea’s playing the love interest in the film, so she acts like she likes my character, just as the script reads. And then each time the director cuts a scene, she instantly morphs back into a cold, uncaring brat.
It’s kind of fascinating. I’m awed at her talent, even if I’m repulsed by her personality.
The first day of filming is long and exhausting, but soon we’re on the final scene of the day, which takes place at a banquet hall that overlooks the lake. I’m talking with one of the actors while Andrea does a solo scene, when suddenly a loud shriek fills the air. People rush over to Andrea, who is screaming profanities and crying at the same time.
“What’s going on?” I ask our director as he walks by.
“Andrea’s arm is broken,” he says with anger and disappointment in his voice. “It looks bad. An ambulance is on the way.”
“Whoa,” I say. “That’s awful.”
He snorts in agreement. I get the feeling that Andrea Block was casted for this film against his wishes and now he’s about to call someone and tell themI told you so. But to me, he simply shrugs and says, “You know what they say… the show must go on.”
CHAPTER5
Annie
The panic sets in around midnight. It was easy to hang out with my best friend today, ignoring the truth of my situation, shoving it into the far recesses of my mind while I had fun with Julie in Sterling, Texas. But now I’m all alone on a futon in Julie’s office-slash-spare bedroom and the reality of my situation comes crashing down on me.
I need a job.
I don’t have much money saved, and even if I start applying for jobs tomorrow morning, it’ll take days to get an interview, and a second interview, and a hiring date… and then weeks after that for a paycheck. I need to eat. Julie bought my dinner tonight, but I can’t just keep mooching off my best friend. I need a job now.
