“April 18thEverything Under the Sunpremieres at the Tribeca Film Festival. That’s less than a week from now.”
“Congratulations. That’s fantastic news.”
“It is. I still can’t believe it’s happening. It’s like a dream.”
“As an experience, how isBlack Sheepdifferent fromEverything Under the Sun?”
“It’s different on many levels. I’m personally attached toBlack Sheep. Raoul Garcia, the writer, is a close friend of mine. I was there when he wrote it, and I loved every part of that story. To be given the chance to transform it into something you can actually see is…amazing.” I crossed my legs. “I’m also so lucky to have such adventurous talents to work with. Artists who are not afraid of change and taking risks. For instance, Mike Gennaro goes through a complete makeover to play a villain for the first time.”
“A villain? That’s something you don’t see quite often. How are we supposed to hate Mike Gennaro?”
“I know, right?” I leaned forward. “Well, the beauty of this script is that only the audience can decide whether to hate Chuck Sullivan, the character Gennaro plays. There’re a lot of gray areas here, and you may wind up sympathizing or even rooting for him in the end.”
“That’s very interesting. I can’t wait to see this movie already.”
“Thank you. It’s a very emotional story and full of controversies.”
“Not to mention it’s packed with super sexy stars.”
“Uh…that too. Well, give a single woman casting approval, and this is what you get.” I let myself blush. According to Lahey, Mike’s publicist who had been media coaching me for the past months, a little awkward humility played well on TV. “I never thought I could have that many handsome superstars on one set.” A little humor, too. “Who are all conveniently single, by the way. It’s very distracting, Tracy.” I made a face. “But I’m a professional. I can handle it-ish.”
The interviewer laughed. “Well, you heard her, boys.”
“I’m still single, too. Just saying.” I shrugged. “Just saying.”
Tracy laughed again. “If you get to date any one of that stunning cast, who will it be?”
“That’s a trick question. I can’t date any of them because I have to manage the whole team. I think it’s very difficult to be the boss of someone you date.” I still had no idea how I was going to do that with Mike.
“But on-set romances between actors and directors happen all the time.”
“Um…yeah, they do. It’s mostly the female lead who falls for the male director. When it’s the other way around, and you’re The Kid on set, I don’t think the odds are in my favor.” I giggled. “I’m staying optimistic, though.”
“That’s the spirit,” Tracy squeaked. “Before we go tour this amazing set, I have to ask you one last question. I know you’ve been asked this a million times, but people are pretty convinced you are in fact Mike Gennaro’s love interest—”
I tilted my head. “Oh, God. That thing again. Please don’t ask.”
“I’ll be fired if I don’t.”
“Okay. Whatever I say, people are going to believe what they want to believe. Just ask yourself one question. I’ve been single for almost three months, and I see Mike every day. If I wasthat girl, why hasn’t he asked me out yet?”
“He hasn’t?”
“Nope.”
“Do you want him to?”
I took my time, as if I was indulging in a fantasy, easing my way into it. “Who wouldn’t?”
Scene55
Maggie
I shot the first two scenes on the schedule—Mike-free scenes—familiarizing myself with the new work dynamics, gaining momentum. Not that it was less intimidating to work with some of the A-list stars in Hollywood, but it was easier than starting with Mike. This project was much bigger than the former, and he’d spared nothing to hire the best crew—I now had four ADs for God’s sake—and build the most detailed sets. The last thing he needed was a nervous director who didn’t know how to manage a big-budget feature.
Black Sheepwasn’t just Raoul’s dream or mine.
It was Mike’s.
