“Other than killing the project.”
“Are you kidding? People are already forming fan clubs for this film. I hope you like Comic Con, because it’s going to become a permanent part of your life.”
“I’m more curious why Claude picked Chloe Daschle for the lead.”
In the bluish light of the projector, Jeremiah frowned. “Youknow, you can talk yourself out of success if you want, but, Chloe, why not just take the opportunity and run with it?”
Chloe slumped down in her chair. He was right. Of course. Why not call upon her experience to own the role instead of trying on various forms of self-deprecation?
Jer aimed the remote at the projector. “Roll ’em.” He laughed. “I always like saying that.”
“What? No popcorn and candy?” Chloe said. “What kind of cheap theater is this?”
“The kind where the wife doesn’t believe in carbs and sugar,” Jeremiah said, pressing his finger to his lips as the older kids, one by one, snuck in and crawled into the wide theater seats. “But what I ate in New Zealand stays in New Zealand.”
“You know your kids are listening.”
Jer spun around, offering the boys a high five as film rolled against the screen. “They have their daddy’s back.”
On the screen, Esther leaned against a tree watching the battle on the field. Chloe cringed, seeing herself on screen, imagining what she’d do differently. But there were no retakes after Zarzour blew through.
“Is this the final?”
“Almost.”
Chloe held her breath as Esther ran to the wounded Hamilton. This was her death scene.
Was she believable? Did she wear the part well? Did her appearance put the viewer in mind of an aristocratic woman raised in the backwoods of South Carolina?
As she watched Esther kneel over Hamilton and confess her love, Chloe felt her sincerity, felt her love.
My dearest Esther,
I love you.
Affectionately Yours,
Hamilton Lightfoot
Chloe brushed away a tear and swallowed a mixture of emotions. She’d confessed her love to Jesse and signed it,Affectionately Yours.
Up on the screen, Esther leaped at the redcoat, dagger in hand. “Death, you cannot have me!”
Behind her, Ezra muttered, “Cool move.”
But for Chloe, it was nothing but tears.
“Beautiful moment,” Jeremiah whispered. “What were you feeling?”
Chloe smiled softly. “Alive.”
The camera zoomed in on her as she lay crumpled on the ground. Chloe winced. She could’ve posed better, but in truth, she didn’t remember anything after her declaration.
The screen faded to black. She sighed. “Think that death scene was good enough for Zarzour?”
She started to stand and stretch, but the screen brightened. Hamilton was carrying Esther into the morning light.
“You captured that?” Chris had scooped her up after a run-through on the battlefield. Right before Zarzour arrived.
