Keely looked at Holly and Ayra. “The music you two are working on is going to ground the mood of this movie.”
Ayra nodded. “What we have is definitely more somber and moodier than any of the other movies we’ve worked on. But we’ve strayed from being overly melodramatic.”
I watched them, these women who loved Jane Austen and her work so much. It was easy to see how their love for her had brought them together, but it was also clear that they all had a great fondness and respect for one another.
The ease with which they shared ideas, accepted each other’s criticism of those ideas and how they were able to laugh about it all was charming. They’d quickly become the sisters I’d never had.
“And what say you, Darling?”Holly said. “You worked on the script. Should we go dark or keep it all light and lively?”
“There are a few scenes exposing Fanny’s introspection. Not that we should turn this into a heavy drama that dwells on how she was bullied as a child, but the script doesn’t shy away from it. I think those introspective scenes should certainly reflect her difficult childhood.”
Keely stood up and ran her hand over her tiny belly. “Well, thank you all for indulging me this afternoon. I don’t know if it’s my hormones or what, but this morning I woke up feeling the need to have my vision of this movie reinforced. I was filled with doubts, something that has never happened before. Is it because the material is more complicated or is it simply me, I don’t know. Either way, I appreciate all of your input, and I do believe we have the right tone for this Jane Austen novel.”
We parted ways and I headed outside to the garden, eager for a breath of fresh air. Small groups of actors worked here and there, including Ricky and Susie Sweets.
They were well cast for the part of Henry and Mary Crawford, the haughty and well-to-do siblings. There was even a slight resemblance if one looked closely enough at the depth of their eyes and the slope of their noses.
I sat by the large fountain, watching their interactions.
They worked well together, their banter amusing and easy. Susie’s Mary was almost comical at times while Ricky’s Henry oozed charm, even when playing against his sister.
“Oh, my God!”
The high-pitched shriek startled everyone who froze and turned to the sound of the shrill woman, Britney. She’d sauntered out to the gardens wearing a super short skirt and a tight crop top. With an added bounce to her step, she headed down to the water fountain, her eyes steadfastly on Ricky.
“I can’t believe it’s really you. I just loved your last movie,” she gushed as she essentially nudged Susie out of the way and fawned over the handsome actor. “You were so sexy, so commanding.You must really work hard to keep your body in such good shape. And believe me, it is really in good shape.” She ran her hand over his chest.
“Thank you,” Ricky said with a proud and crooked grin. “I do my best.”
Susie fidgeted, clearly miffed by Britney’s unexpected interruption. But instead of complaining or displaying her anger in any way, she went up to Britney with a bright smile on her face.
“I really love your little skirt,” she said, almost in a manner that Mary would. “Wherever did you get it?”
Britney, unable to ignore a compliment of any kind, turned to her and smiled. “I got it at a fashion show this spring. It’s the latest in deconstructed haute couture. Devin Clyde is an up-and-coming designer with such great ideas. It’s a one of a kind. At nine hundred and sixty-five dollars for such a thin strip of fabric, it’d better be.”
Ricky winked at Susie and backed away from the chatty pair and made his way to me.
“Saved by my most talented sister,” he said. “I didn’t realize that moving the film’s production here came with a built-in fan club.”
“Britney doesn’t shy away from letting people know exactly how she feels.”
“I do appreciate one’s capacity to be frank.”
Then you’ll appreciate Britney, I wanted to say.
“And what of you, Miss Fanny?”he said with a charming smile. “Here I am rehearsing with Susie who is to play my sister, when I really should be rehearsing with you. We have so many fabulous scenes together...truly fabulous.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Despite his charm, I felt uneasy around him. There was something slimy about him, something that I could not bring myself to trust.
“If you have the time, perhaps we could find a quieter place to run through a few scenes.”
He flipped through the script and stopped at a particular scene. “Here we go. Henry and Fanny stroll through the forest as she rejects him.”
I nodded. “That is a heavily charged scene.”
“Okay then. Let’s go.”
We walked to the edge of the forest, passing a number of actors and crew members along the way.
