*****
AS PROMISED, THE DAYwas busy and a little hurried. Although I didn’t have a lot of time to waste, I still wanted every scene to be as good as it could be. Then again, I’d never been one to do multiple takes just to get one little detail perfect.
When the time finally came for Darling to come on set, I felt a twinge of nerves and wondered if she’d shaken off her concerns about Kenneth.
True to her word, she had, indeed, shaken off all her distractions and had become the Fanny Price I knew she could be. She was brilliant. Every word from her mouth was true, every gaze intense.
“Cut!”I called out at the end of the final scene of the day.
Darling turned to me, her eyes questioning whether I was to call for another take or not.
“That was great everyone. You are all free to go enjoy a fine dinner. Enjoy a relaxing night, what’s left of it, because tomorrow we have another long day.”
I was exhausted and sensed the same from the cast and crew that had worked for over fourteen hours.
Everyone gathered up their things and emptied the set while Darling let out a satisfied and relieved sigh and simply leaned back against the wall.
“Darling,” I called to her.
She frowned as she came to me.
“No worries,” I immediately said. “You’re doing great. In fact, I just wanted to tell you how happy I am with the chemistry you have with Matthew. It’s magical.It reads so beautifully on the monitor. I have no doubt it will be spectacular on the big screen.”
“Thanks. Then again, Matthew and I have known each other for so long. It’s only natural that we have that ease between us.”
“Indeed. But then how do you explain your exceptional chemistry with Ricky. That exquisite tension is so delicious between you two. There’s a push and pull. A come and go that keeps us on the edge of our seats.”
“I guess we...”
“You don’t have to answer that,” I quickly said on seeing her discomfort. “You and Matthew. You and Ricky. Matthew and Susie. Ricky and Susie. It’s all good. All great chemistry.”
Her forced smile was slightly bittersweet, and I couldn’t help but wonder why.
“I just wanted to share with you how pleased I am with your work. After our conversation this morning I feared you might think I was unhappy with you, but it’s quite the opposite.” I lightly slapped her shoulder. “I’m very happy, indeed.”
She shook her head then nodded. “Thank you.”
“It’s a relief for me to see all this chemistry without my having to push the issue. Some actors never find that chemistry with their actresses. It’s incredibly frustrating.”
I realized I was rambling on and she, nervous and tense, seemed eager to leave.
“I’ll see you later,” I finally said, giving her permission to leave.
*****
WITH THE CAST AND CREWseated in the smaller ballroom, I stood and raised my glass of apple juice. “Before we all dig into this wonderful and well-deserved meal, I’d like to thank you all for this first week of production. You’ve all worked more efficiently, more consciously and more diligently than ever before. Don’t think that I haven’t noticed the added effort you’ve all put in.”
I looked from a starlet to a gaffer to an experienced actress to a boom operator, all of them pleased with the recognition I offered them.
“We have one more week to go, to get the final scenes done.” I looked to Ricky. “That includes scenes of you on a horse.” I turned to look at Matthew. “And a scene of you in the garden.”
Both men smiled and nodded.
“In the meantime, everyone, enjoy!”
The main meal was brought out and everyone reverted to their more intimate conversations, some discussing their trade, others discussing politics and others discussing food or fashion or cars...whatever came to mind.
“I do love to hear that pleasant murmur of conversation,” I told Hugh who nodded as he shoveled pork and rice into his mouth.
