“You’re spiraling,” Liza said.
“Maybe you could talk to her?” I suggested. “Ask her why she would do that?”
“Sweetie, my next meeting is here. Keep your head up; that’s the only thing you can do.”
Liza hung up before I could tell her that it was the only thing Icouldn’tdo right now. I’d kept my head up for so freaking long. I was tired.
“Hi,” the woman next to me said, leaning closer.
I put my phone down, curious.
“Hi?”
“You were at theDon’t Be Sad!party?”
I didn’t want to think about that night. The look of total bewilderment on Marshall Wild’s face when I’d recited my lines to him, hoping to jog his memory. He had no idea who I was, because I was nobody. I shook my head, trying to make it all fade away.
The woman looked funny. “Oh, I could have sworn.”
“No, I… Yes, I was there,” I mumbled.
“You’re an actor. You’re in the movie, right?”
That wasn’t a question; it was a minefield.
Though clearlyshedidn’t seem to know that. Her smile was warm and inviting, like we were already friends or something. I nodded.
“I’ve heard it’s amazing. I work in publicity for the studio, but I haven’t seen it yet. I know that sounds weird, but we’ve been so busy.”
Finally, I recognized her. “You were handling the guest list at the party.”
“Only until my boss pulled me over. Some things went down with Odetta Olson. You know what I’m talking about by the sounds of it.”
She pointed her chin at my phone. How much of my conversation with Liza had she heard? I responded with a half shrug.
“I’d love to talk to you about it. Can I buy you lunch? I’m Marnie by the way. Marnie Redd.”
I didn’t have anything to do before my flight home tomorrow, but I wasn’t in the mood for company.
“I, um…”
She bit her lip. “We all want the movie to succeed, right?”
I didnotwant the movie to succeed anymore, but admitting that would make me sound petty.
“Of course.”
“Well, my job is to make sure it gets as much good press as possible. And we’re not off to a great start, as I’m sure you know.”
I had no idea what she was talking about. I’d pretty much been locked inside my hotel room since the end of the premiere with my phone turned off.
Marnie didn’t let my silence deter her. “You were on set. You experienced it firsthand. Weneedyour perspective.”
“My agent wouldn’t want me sharing anything—”
“It’ll be between you and me. What’s your name again?”
“Lou. But I should ask my agent first. Liza is funny about this stuff. What happens on set stays on set, you know?”
