I offer a smile. “I agree. It looked fantastic to me. Flailing at the end of a line is basically all we do, anyway.”
Haley giggles and waves her hand. “Oh, stop it. You don’t have to make me feel better. You’re like,actuallya professional. I’m just…” A blush rises to her cheeks. “Well, this is my first real movie.”
“First of many,” Bella says. Her comforting smile flicks toward me. I know what she’s saying:if you get along with Haley, there’s a career in this for you, too.
Fuck, this is an incredible opportunity.
A whiff of rotten seaweed hits my nose, and I suppress a shudder. I don’t know how I’ll make this work, but I will.
“Oh, I’ve totally not introduced myself,” Haley says. She reaches out a gloved hand, and I match her gentle grip. “I’m Haley O’Hare.”
“Good name for a star.”
Her blush deepens, eyes widening. “You really think so? To be entirely honest, I auditioned to be one of the henchmen…hench-women? Hench-people?” There’s something real and charming about Haley’s bashful awkwardness that Christine’s humble brags totally lack.
“A feature set is a lot to adjust to.”
“We’re nearly done though, shouldn’t I have adjusted already?”
“Cut yourself some slack. We’re just here to have some fun and follow directions.”
I tilt the last statement toward Bella, who nods approvingly.
“You’ve been in a feature film before?” Haley asks, hopeful. I never thought I’d have a star looking up to me, but, well, here we are.
I nod. “As a hench-person. So, I can tell you have good taste.”
She giggles, then covers her mouth. “Sorry, I’m so awkward. I promise I’m not usually like this.”
“What happened to Alanna would rattle anyone,” I offer. “I don’t want you to feel like I’m here to replace her. The show goes on, but we take care of our own, y’know?”
Haley’s expression softens, and she relaxes a bit. “Yeah… I’m just so worried for her.”
“I can tell you from experience, she’ll be alright. She’s pissed as hell, I’m sure. Already sick of being doctored. But stunt people are tough. She’ll bounce back one way or another.”
“Well said.” Bella puts a hand on my shoulder, and it’s my turn to blush.
Fuck, I still can’t believe I’m here working withtheBella Zepper.
Camera and lighting assistants move in around us, adjusting the scaffolding to prepare for the next shot.
“What’s up next?” I ask. This question, at least, is fair game; I’m not expected to know the production schedule already.
“Melinoë has to get up off the ground,” Haley says with a hint of wryness. “I think I can manage this one, though.”
A production assistant, a plump woman with a clipboard, calls from nearby, “Haley? Makeup’s ready for you!”
“Oh, gotta go get covered in dirt. See you soon, Mylo!” She gives an awkward little wave, then scurries over to the assistant. They chatter, voices trailing away.
“Anything I can get you?” asks another assistant, a young Maori local.
“Oh, no, nothing. I’m just fine. Or—well, sorry, if it’s not too much trouble, I could use some more water.”
“Here you go.” The assistant grins and offers me the fresh bottle that was already in his hand.
“Oh, thank you.” I hope he’s that good at anticipating needs and he didn’t give me the bottle he’d gotten for himself.
“No worries.” He nods and disappears into the bustling set.
