Bryson’s voice rang out across the room. “Ok, everyone, take your seats. Let’s get started.”
I readied myself.
In the center of the room, a series of tables were arranged in a large U shape, with enough seats to accommodate the main cast, a handful of writers and producers, some key people from the network, and Bryson, our show runner.
From my seat, I watched as the rest of the room took their seats, and I smiled across the space at my good friend and co-star Wesley.
Next to me sat Olivia, who played Meira, co-lead and center of the love triangle that was the norm for these types of shows.
Keeping close to the room’s edges was a small camera crew and photographer, busy capturing behind-the-scenes footage that would get spliced into the promo stuff. I was sure the show’s Twitter account would be trending in under an hour. I’d already been warned that we were expected to participate in more publicity this year.
Liv nudged me in hello while Bryson cleared his throat. “Welcome to the first table read for season three of The Guild.” Claps and a light cheer echoed around the table.
Bryson began reading aloud. “Interior. Night. Laying on the ground is Meira, unresponsive. Ares is crouched over her, his bloodied hands cradling her face. Cut to a wide shot of the both of them alone in the darkness. The destroyed house around them is still. Silent.”
“We hear a gasp and come back to a tight frame as Meira awakens. They stare into each other’s eyes, and Ares smiles, teeth bloody …” Bryson pointed to Wesley, who then said his line, “You took your time, sweetheart. Thought I was going to have to come down there and get you.”
Wes continued, and I sat back, making myself comfortable. Despite being the lead of the show, I didn’t have any lines until page ten.
The show was based on a series of extremely successful books and unsurprisingly focused on a love triangle between Wes, Liv, and myself. I played Ryder, a detective with The Guild; Liv was Meira, a witch ingenue I’d rescued in season one from the god Ares, who was played by Wes, villain turned anti-hero over the course of season two. We had gods and magic and ridiculous fights with CGI. We also had the highest ratings of any show on the air right now.
Yes, it was as campy as it sounded. I absolutely loved every minute of it.
The table read stopped and started throughout the morning, allowing the writers to tweak certain lines as they heard them, and we were only a third of the way through before we broke for lunch.
I turned to my left, glad for a chance to finally catch up with Olivia. “Hey, Liv, how are you? Busy summer?”
Liv looked refreshed and relaxed with her honey-colored hair thrown up in a loose bun. She dropped her glasses onto her script and smiled brightly. “Hey! Yes, it was a busy break. I shot a small indie feature up in Toronto last month, then flew out to LA to do the rounds out there. Fit in a trip to Hawaii with some friends. The usual.”
“Oh, of course, totally normal activities,” I said, sarcastic, and her light laugh chimed throughout the room.
She leaned in conspiratorially. “A little birdy told me you were caught creeping out of another model’s hotel last weekend.” It didn’t surprise me that she’d heard. Gossip traveled fast in this business.
“I’m not one to kiss and tell,” I said, but Liv knew me well enough to read into my smirk.
“Unlike Wes,” she said, moments before a hand sharply slapped down on my shoulder. “Talking about me already, Liv?” Wes said.
When I stood to hug him, I was freshly reminded of our physical differences—the four extra inches he had on my six-foot frame, his long, lean limbs wrapping around my broader muscular body, and his grown-out black curls contrasting with my short, blonde cut. “Hey, Wes, how are you?”
He looked every bit the devilish rogue the show sold him as. “Great, man! I’m fucking ready, you know?”
“Tell me about it. This season is looking good.”
“It really is. Did you see the fight we have in episode three? It’ll be nice to kick your ass for once.”
“Only in the fakery of TV magic would you ever be able to beat me, so enjoy it while it lasts.”
“You wish, man.” Wes laughed, clapping me on the shoulder for the second time. “Hey, what are you doing later? We should catch up properly. There’s a bar downtown I gotta take you to. It’s totally weird, looks like the inside of my grandma’s house, but the drinks are killer, and the bartender is hot. Called The Basement.”
“Sounds interesting, but I can’t tonight. I’ve got a wardrobe fitting first thing in the morning.”
“Next week then. Let me know.” And then he was off to chat with one of the film crew, who, from her giggling response, definitely had a crush on him.
Before the break ended, I checked my messages, noting two missed calls. One was from Sarah, my baby sister, and the other from my agent, Terry. I dialed his number without listening to the message.
“J! Glad I caught you. I’ve got good news; we finally got the offer on that teen movie series. It’s a three-picture deal, lead role, filming in Vancouver next year.” Terry’s ever-present optimism wasn’t dulled by the phone connection.
“That’s great, Terry. Any word on the Michaels script?”
