‘Sorry, guys, I thought it was on silent,’ I said, running over to my bag. There was a strict ‘no phones’ rule during the working day and we were all supposed to be practising ahead of filming starting next week. One accidental beep or bleep when the cameras were rolling could ruin an entire scene and cost thousands.
Danny frowned. ‘It’ll be instant dismissal as of Monday.’
Who the hell was calling me? I pulled out my phone. Phoebe. I pointed to the door. ‘I’ll just be a minute,’ I whispered. No news was good news with Phoebe. She had so many clients that once I had a booking, I didn’t hear from her for weeks. It must be an emergency. I tapped the green button and walked through the coffee lounge towards the front door.
‘Hang on Phoebs,’ I whispered. ‘I can’t speak till I’m outside.’ Tanya frowned in disapproval as I ran past and out the front door. ‘What’s going on?’ I breathed into the phone.
‘Sorry to call while you’re at work, but this is a biggie,’ she said, sounding strangely flat. ‘I wanted you to know as soon as I knew.’
‘Know what?’
‘Brace yourself – I’m not going to sugar-coat it. There’s been a cock-up with your booking. Apparently, the director had specifically requested theAlien Attackwoman come in and oversee the prosthetics. You know the one – Gem Adams. She was booked for the gig a while back and obviously has her own make-up artist and assistant. The long and short of it is that you and Lucy won’t be needed.’
‘Whattttt? But I’m here and working? I haven’t seen her. We’ve already started!’
‘I know. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Apparently, Gem couldn’t start until the beginning of August – AKA the day after tomorrow – hence the muddle only coming to light today. She sent through her list of demands this morning by all accounts. She’ll be wanting a tropical fish tank and bowls of blue Skittles. You know the type.’
Gem Adams was a legend in the world of make-up and prosthetics. She’d won an Oscar for her work onAlien Attackand her masks had been so magnificently creative, it was hard to believe there were actors in there, and they weren’t alien beings from another planet.
‘But the good news is, it’s LATV’s mistake, so you’ll still get paid. In fact, I’ve already played hardball and you’ll be getting your fee upfront for the whole month. They are extremely apologetic about the whole thing and happy to throw money at it.’
‘OK. Well, that’s a relief at least.’ My financial panic subsided momentarily, but my disappointment was still going strong. ‘If they’re paying me anyway, can’t I just stay and work with Gem? I could learn so much from her.’
‘Sorry, my love, she’s got her own people, so no can do on that front.’
I was gutted. When Phoebe had landed me this booking, I’d been so excited. Even though it was only for a few weeks’ cover, it was something. I’d been so looking forward to finally getting some film experience and broadening my CV. A month’s pay was great, but it wouldn’t last long if I didn’t have long-term work.
‘Do you think you’ll be able to line me up a new job in a month?’ I asked.
‘I’ll do my best, but you know what it’s like – they book the teams up way in advance for the big productions, so it might not be on another film just yet. Sorry, Abi, I know what a disappointment this must be for you.’
‘I thought this was the big one, Phoebs,’ I said, sadly.
‘So did I. But something will come up. Hot property like you? Once word gets out Abi Mason is available, you’ll be snapped up, no problem.’
‘You think so?’
‘Iknow so,’ Phoebe said, reassuringly. ‘See it as a free month off. The universe is giving you a paid break – and you deserve it. Go on holiday, relax, enjoy yourself.’
‘Hmm, I’m not sure I feel that happy about it yet. I was having a great time getting stuck in with Lucy and now I’m leaving before I’ve even started. When do they want me to finish?’
‘Erm… like… anytime really. Today. Now?’
‘Now? Right now? They don’t want me to hand over to anyone? And Lucy’s going too?’
‘Yes, but I’m not sure if her agent has been told yet, so don’t say anything.’
‘She might cotton on when I start packing up my suitcase?’
‘Hmm yes. Good point, love, maybe wait till the end of the day then, once she’s gone home.’
‘OK,’ I said, sadly.
‘You’ll get your money as a lump sum this week, so don’t worry about that. And this isn’t the end of your Hollywood dreams, Abs,’ Phoebe said. ‘I’ve got wind that the new Marvel film is coming to Elstree in November, so let me get my nose in on that and I’ll see if I can get you in.’
That cheered me up a bit. A Marvel movie would be a better platform to establish myself.Moonmenwas a one-off blockbuster. If I got in with Marvel, that would keep me in freshly squeezed celery juice for many years to come.
Six
