“You mean, take advantage of the pain we’ve inflicted on both Rita and Christopher,” I say. My grip tightens on the wooden arms of the chair.
“Rita wasn’t well, Alex. And as for Christopher, well everything will be sorted after today’s interview. Don’t forget he’s been financially taken care of too.” There’s now a stoic look etched across Paul’s face.
Two days ago, I was looking forward to taking a well-deserved break from being out on the road for the last ten months. Actually, come to think of it, I’ve been working nonstop for the better part of the last eighteen. But now it seems like my workload has increased, not decreased. There’s no break in sight between now and Christmas.
“The money’s been wired through,” Lucy says, looking up from her phone toward Paul.
“See, Christopher’s been taken care of.” He points at Lucy while looking at me in the mirror.
A knot forms in my stomach, just as a knock comes from the door.
Rob opens it to a man dressed in black standing outside.
“We’ll be ready for Alexander on set in five minutes,” he says.
“Great. Thank you.” Rob nods and closes the door.
Connie gets up and grabs a Diet Coke from the fridge.
“Right.” She turns to face me, pulling open the tab and taking a sip. “Let’s go over everything one last time before we head out.”
I roll my eyes, and catch the smirk on Erica’s face in the mirror.
“What’s the name of the film?”
“Disposed,” I say, bluntly.
“What’s the film about.”
“It’s a psychological thriller set in New Mexico at the turn of the century, where a guy seeks revenge on a town that destroyed his family.” My voice is so monotone, it’s flatlining.
I feel like I’m a child in school, being made to recite times tables back to the teacher.
“I hope you’re not planning to answer these questions as flatly as you’re answering them now,” Paul interjects.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize the cameras were rolling.”
“Now, now boys.” Connie looks back and forth between us as I let out a sigh. “Let’s just focus on getting this done, shall we?”
I let out another deep breath as Paul returns his attention to his phone and Connie continues questioning me.
“What drew you to this role?”
“I always wanted to be an actor when I was growing up, but I ended up pursuing a career in music instead. Then a few months ago, I got approached to do a film, and when I read the script, I fell in love with it.”
The irony is I still haven’t read the script, I’d acquired the rights to the book, and I didn’t grow up wanting to be an actor. That came when I was older.
Connie leans back on the table, setting the Diet Coke down to take her glasses off and look at me, as if that makes her able to understand me better.
“Now, Roberto has been briefed not to ask you any direct questions about your sexuality, and if there is any hint we’re heading in that direction, I will jump in. However, we do need to address the footage that leaked and shut down the rumors.” She reaches for another piece of paper.
I still haven’t seen how bad things are. Paul is still holding my phone prisoner.
I want to see what’s been written, to defend myself against what is being said. But I know that will only make things worse and feed the trolls.
“I appreciate that you’ve turned down the offer to have us contract someone to assume the role of your girlfriend for the next year or two. With that in mind, we will continue with the narrative that the person in the video was a movement coach, hired by the production company to prepare you for the role, before we pivot to cover one of the key points we want to get across: How excited you are to begin shooting the film this summer and your gratitude to the fans for makingStolen Momentsthe number one song in the world.”
I shake my head. Not in disapproval, but at how good she is at all of this.
