If you'd like to tell me what a wonderful writer I am or that I royally suck, feel free at: XenaNut@hotmail.com. Please refrain from sending suggestions or corrections. That's the job of my publisher's editor.
Helix
by
Kim Pritekel
Part 2
Chapter 4
Rae tapped her pen against the yellow legal pad she'd brought with her into the rented space they were using to hold auditions. They'd already seen a parade of hopefuls, and she was beginning to get antsy. Tonya had noticed: toe and pen tapping to some unheard beat in Rae's head. The brunette was squirming in her seat, and it seemed as if only half an ear and eye was on the cold read being performed before them.
"You okay?" she whispered, nudging the younger woman.
"Huh?" Rae straightened in her seat, realizing just how out of it she was. "Yeah. Fine." She gave her friend a smile, then turned her attention to the actor who was just finishing up. She felt horrible as she realized she hadn't heard more than three words he'd said. He finished with a flourish, looking expectantly at the two women set up next to the camera that had recorded his mediocre performance.
"Thanks a lot, Brandon," Tonya said. "We'll be back to you within the next few days."
"Great! Thanks." The handsome young man grabbed his jacket off one of the metal chairs set up, then jogged up the narrow staircase that would lead to the front door of the building.
Left alone with a few moments before the next hopeful would appear, Tonya turned to Rae. "What the hell is wrong with you? I don't think you've paid one bit of attention to the last three folks who came through. Rae, you're the one who wanted to do this. All of this could have been handled by the Casting Director, but you insisted on, not only being involved, but taking control for the locals."
Rae was surprised by Tonya's vehemence. She stared at her, eyes wide.
"We can't bring these people back, Rae. It's not practical, and for someone like you, who is needed in five different places at the same time, don't have time. So, all that said, what the hell is up?"
"Nothing. I'm sorry. I'll watch the tapes tonight." Rae ran a hand through her hair, leaving it a mess. "I'm just really tired."
"Well, kiddo, you'd best find a way to get more sleep and actually eat something, because we've still got three weeks of pre, six weeks of principal, then another month of post." Tonya slapped Rae on the leg, then gave it a friendly squeeze. "You'd better get going. You're do at the studio in twenty minutes."
Rae glanced at her watch. "Shit!" She pushed back from the table, slapping her laptop shut and gathering her gear before almost running over the next candidate.
***
It was nearly seven-thirty by time Rae opened the bag of drive-thru she'd gotten on her way home. It was the first thing she'd put in her mouth all day - other than cup after cup of coffee - and at the smells that assaulted her from the greasy hamburger and French fries, she was nearly drooling. She set up camp in her home office, flipping on her desktop as she shoved fries into her mouth. She flipped the switch for the gas fireplace she'd had installed, luxuriating in the immediate warmth.
It took everything Rae had to not moan as the food touched her taste buds, then hit her stomach. She took a long drink from her Mountain Dew, then turned her attention back to her computer. She logged into her email. She clicked on Kali Rasmussen's email, reading over it quickly, then reading over it again. Kali's mention of her upcoming project, Siege, caught her eye. She sat back in her seat, absently chewing on a bite of her dinner as she stared at the words. An idea began to tumble in her head, though she didn't quite have a full grasp of just what it was.
"I want to talk to her," she muttered around the bread and meat. Wiping her hands on the thighs of her jeans, Rae hit reply and began to type.
Chapter 5
Kali groaned as she raised her legs once more, the exercise ball gripped between her Nike-clad feet. She glanced over at the TV, silently cursing exercise maven, Denise Austin as she congratulated Kali in her efforts with her usual cheerful voice and smile.
"Yeah, congratulate this," Kali grunted, doing the last set. She could feel her hair plastered to her head from the exertion of the ambitious exercise routine. She'd been doing it for about six months, and though she loved the results, didn't like Denise Austin anymore.
At the instruction from the image on the TV, Kali kicked the ball out of the way and grabbed her ten pound weights. She was grateful it was cooler in the basement, as her body felt like an inferno. She was about to start in on the next exercise when she was suddenly grabbed from behind. Squealing in surprise, she whirled, ten pound weight at the ready.
"Whoa, Rambo. I surrender," David said, holding his hands up in mischievous supplication.
"Don't do that, David! You know I hate to be tickled." Kali turned grumpily back toward the TV, but waited, glancing over her shoulder to where her husband had perched on the arm of the couch. "Are you staying?" At his nod, she rolled her eyes. "Honey, you know I hate it when you watch me workout."
"Aw, come on, Kali." David stood, ready to head back upstairs when he stopped, noting something on the coffee table. He reached out, grabbing the paperback and bringing it to his eyes for inspection. "Siege, by Raeann Parker," he read, then flipped the book over and read the back. "Sounds intense." He glanced over at his wife. "What's this?"
"The writer of a project I've submitted for wrote that. I saw it on her website. Looked interesting." What she didn't tell him was how she'd gone all over town just to track it down.
"No kidding? But you hate to read. And you're not a big history fan."
Kali shrugged, irritated as she wanted to get back to her regime. Denise had moved on. "It looked interesting."
"Okay. Well, your sister called for you. I told her you'd call back in an hour or so." With that, he headed back upstairs.
Kali glanced over at the book, chewing her bottom lip as she tried to decide if she wanted to call Karen back or read. She decided to finish her workout then decide.
***
The water was hot, felt wonderful, but was all too brief. Lachlan was crying, and David had been pounding at the door, insistent that he couldn't get the baby to calm. Kali quickly slipped on her robe and hurried into her son's room. He stood at his crib, face red and splotchy from crying.
"Hey, hey," she cooed, picking him up and carrying him over to the rocking chair. He immediately calmed down as she held him close to her, rocking him gently. "What's the matter with my boy?" He was beginning to drift, but she knew her son well; he needed 'mom' time. She gathered him in her arms, carrying him to the master bedroom and getting settled against the raised pillows. He rested against her chest as she grabbed her new novel - and the only one she'd bought in more years than Lachlan was old, and began to read.
***
Raeann sipped her coffee, bare feet resting on the ottoman as she stared into the flames of her living room fireplace. She rested the warm mug against her thigh, her thoughts far off into the distance. She saw the words before her mind's eye again: When I read about Siege it gave me chills.
Glancing over to the built-in bookcase in the corner, she spotted the shelf with all her novels lined up. The novel in question was easy to spot. Her mind flew back to three years before when she'd written the novel in what felt like a possessed frenzy, pounding the story out in five weeks. She'd been left fairly brain dead after that one.
Many people asked her where she got ideas for stories, whether it be a novel or a film. There was often personal experiences in each piece, but no one knew the extent of herself that was in Siege. It was something within herself that she didn't fully understand, but had gone with it.
From the time Rae had been around three years old, she had sensed a presence with her, which in the early days had taken on, what she could only call a shadow. It was so real to her that she felt if she turned her head just a bit faster, she might actually be able to catch a glimpse of it. That never happened. With this presence came an obsession with bladed weaponry, as well as the culture of the Celts, based mainly out of Scotland. Ironic, considering if she were to bleed a drop, any Scottish or Irish ancestry would be gone.
As she got older, she began to understand more what the presence that continued to dog her steps represented. At one time she thought that perhaps she was haunted, and the shadow, which she began to see more clearly, was actually a spirit that was attached to her for some reason. But, as she studied him - tall, a large man, long, dark hair - she knew it was far more personal than that. She was looking into the face of her past.
But why was there such a restlessness? A profound sadness, filled with a grief that was unquenchable. Rae had learned not to fear it, not to question it; he was part of her, part of something that had yet to rest. Yet to be resolved.
Raeann had sat down one winter night, laptop balanced on her thighs, no distractions. She had begun her story, which came from the heart after two weeks of heavy research. The words that reached from her fingertips ceased to be her own, and she was possessed with a force stronger than herself, stronger than the computer the story was spread out on. Stronger than the reactions from the fans who loved the work. For five weeks, Rae had done nothing else. Her characters had spoken to her nonstop in her head, waking her from a dead sleep, determined to be heard. Finally heard. She lived it, she breathed it, she was consumed by the need to finish.
Finally, the novel was finished, and Rae was left breathless. The most curious result, however, was he was gone. It was almost as though through the telling of the story, her past was laid to rest. Rae hadn't given it much thought since. Until now.
She was about to give that thought more wiggle room when the doorbell sounded. Rae was effectively tossed out of her river of thought. She set her coffee cup aside, and headed over to the front door. Tonya stood on the other side, a raised DVD in hand for explanation.
"Shit. I forgot to stop by the office and get that." Rae stepped aside. "Come on in. We can watch and discuss."
Tonya swept into the room, tossing the DVD, in its clear, plastic case, on top of the entertainment center, then headed into the kitchen to make herself a cup of coffee. "It's getting really cold out there," she called over her shoulder, unaware that Rae had followed her into the kitchen.
"Sure is." Rae grinned as her friend jumped in surprise. She rinsed out her cup, coffeed out. Putting the mug into the dishwasher, she leaned back against the counter, arms crossed over her chest, watching Tonya pour in ample amounts of both the Irish Cream creamer, and sugar. "How did it end up going the rest of the day?"
Tonya shrugged, taking an experimental sip from her coffee. Adding a dab more of cream, she spoke. "Not bad. There was one guy - I think his name was Peter something. Fisk. That's what it was - who was awesome. He nailed the cold reading, and his face," Tonya rolled her eyes in pleasure. "Gorgeous."
"Who are you thinking?"
"I don't know. Maybe the guy in the gun store. The one who buys the boxes of ammo. What do you think?"
"Well, I think I'll reserve response until I see him in action," Rae laughed, leading the way into the living room, where Tonya made herself comfortable as the brunette loaded the DVD into the player. Snagging the remote, she plopped down next to the larger woman. Rae took meticulous notes as she watched acting hopeful after acting hopeful. A few made her chuckle; either their nerves or lack of talent making them painfully amusing to watch. Tonya made sure to point out her favorites as they crossed the screen. Rae gave them special attention, as Tonya was usually pretty good.
After the tape was over, Tonya got herself more coffee, then turned to Rae. "So? Anyone catch your eye?"
Rae glanced down at her notes. "Amy was good. Christa shows promise, and I thought Nick wasn't horrible. Russell has got to go, unfortunately." She tossed her notepad to the coffee table, where it landed next to Tonya's socked feet. "The guy was a pain in the ass."
"Agreed." Tonya rested her head back against the couch cushion. She blew out a long breath, tired from a long day. "I can't wait till we start filming, Rae. I'm over pre-production, already."
"Yep," Rae agreed. "Even he was just an extra, I think he'd be too difficult." She grinned evilly. "He'd be telling the other extras what to do."
"So, have you gotten hold of that one actress, the one you saw for Amber?"
Raeann felt her stomach hitch at the mention of Kali Rasmussen. "I sent her an email, asking her to give me a call." Tonya raised an accusing brow. "I ask everyone, Tonya. Anyone I want for any sort of part that has lines."
"Okay, okay. Jeez, Rae. I didn't say anything."
"You don't have to. So, either way, as soon as she calls me, I can chat with her a bit, see what she's all about, if I like her personality, I'll bring her in for an audition."
Tonya studied her friend for a long minute, trying to read her. In all the time they'd known each other, it had always been a joke between them how much Rae used her 'gut'. Essentially, Raeann had very highly tuned intuition, which she'd learned how to listen to at a young age. Rae often joked that in her personal life, her 'gut vision' was broken, but in her career, it had never steered her wrong. Even so, Tonya sensed that this interest in Kali Rasmussen had little to do with Rae's professional gut, but more with a burgeoning crush.
"Okey doke." With a grunt, she got to her feet, taking her cup to the kitchen and rinsing it out before loading it into the dishwasher. "I'm outta here. So tired."
Rae followed Tonya to the door, wishing her her a good night, and locking up after her friend left.
Chapter 6
Kali headed out of the area of her team, and down toward the cafeteria. The building she worked in was large and modern - lots of steel and glass - and was situated in the Denver Tech Center. She pulled out her phone and the yellow sticky with Raeann Parker's phone number scribbled on it. She took a deep breath, feeling nervous for some reason, and dialed.
The line rang once, twice, and in the middle of the third ring, was picked up.
"Hello?" Rae glanced over at Ron Headly, the foreman of the set construction team. She raised a hand, indicating she needed a minute.
"Hi. Is Raeann Parker there?" a friendly, female voice said on the other end of the line.
"This is she. Who's this?"
"Hi, Raeann. This is Kali Rasmussen. You asked me to call you."
"Yes! Of course! Hi, Kali. How are you today?" As she spoke, she hurried toward the in-house production offices where Tonya tapped away on computer keys. Rae grabbed a pencil and scrap of paper, quickly scribbling a note to the older woman. Tonya read it, nodded, then headed out to take Rae's place talking to Ron and his crew.
"Is this a bad time?" Kali asked, taking a seat in the back corner of the large cafeteria, setting her half-finished can of diet Coke on the table before her. She rubbed the palm of her free hand on the thigh of her pants, the flesh clammy from nerves.
"During pre-production all the time is a bad time," Rae laughed, pushing back in the office chair she'd sat in, rocking slightly. "How are you today, Kali?"
"I'm good. I don't have much time; I'm at work and hiding in a corner for a few minutes."
Raeann grinned. "Okay. Then we'll make this quick. Let me tell you about the project. A little more than you were able to read on the website, anyway. We'll start principal filming in about six weeks, and filming is scheduled to take six weeks, though of course you wouldn't - should you be cast - need to be with us that long."
"Okay. Sounds good. I was thinking of trying out for either Isabelle, or an extra."
"You're welcome to, of course, but I'd really like to see you read for Amber." Rae turned her chair toward the computer, absently moving the mouse around the mouse pad. "Somehow you look like Amber to me."
Kali felt a flood of excitement wash through her. "Sure. Absolutely. You're the expert." Her smile came through across the line. "I have to say, I'm really excited about this project. I'm just getting back into acting, and yours looks really, really good. Really interesting." She didn't tell Rae that she'd been too excited about it to get much sleep the night before.
"Good. I'm so glad. When did you act before?"
"I did theater in school, some community theater, that kind of thing. It was just hard to do as I got older because my parents didn't really understand what I wanted to do. Didn't really support me on it."
"Oh, I can really relate to that!" Raeann had no idea why she was sharing with this perfect stranger, but somehow, it seemed right. "My mom used to tell me that my writing was 'a good hobby', but never supported me."
"I know! Isn't it frustrating?"
"Immensely."
Ten minutes later Kali found herself telling this virtual stranger about her dreams, though she was reticent to tell her it was a dream, rather than just a 'story idea'. "There ya go. You're the writer, would it work?"
Rae thought about what she'd been told, her experience with Siege immediately coming to mind. For a moment, just a moment, she considered telling Kali about what she had always perceived to be a past life haunting her current, but decided against it. She didn't want the woman to think she was crazy before they'd even met.
"I think it would make a great movie. And you want to bring it into a present content, right? As in, the woman - who killed herself hundreds of years ago - is in a new life?"
"Yes! Exactly! She goes to a fortune teller or something like that, and finds out that she committed suicide because she thought her husband and kids had been murdered, but in fact, they're alive. He's alive." She felt a burst of inspiration. "Maybe she even heard her husband's voice as she fell, but it was too late!"
"Oh, that's brutal." Rae winced, imagining the pain of experiencing that - from either side. "God, how tragic. Oh!" she bolted upright in her chair, her own inspiration hitting. "What if she has to make amends for what she did. Like, she runs into a child in her current life, someone who is deeply troubled, and she has to help this kid. Make it right again."
Kali warmed at the idea, her fingertip tracing lazy patterns on the tabletop. "I like that. A lot. And maybe there's a sword. Maybe it had some sort of symbol, engraving something, on it that she finds in a modern-day pawn shop or something. Maybe it helps to trigger memories for her."
Rae chewed on her bottom lip, staring up at the winking fluorescent lights of the small production office. She played it over in her head, trying to find a way for it to work without it seeming contrived. "I think we could do something with that. Somehow. You know, Kali, I'd love to meet up with you at coffee or something to talk about this more."
"I'd love that," Kali said, a huge grin on her face. "I'd love for you to write this." She started at her words, as she had no idea where they'd come from. After all, she had not a clue what kind of writer this woman was. No idea what her vision was like, or if it was even worth a damn. But, somehow she knew to trust it. Her entire life she'd had a gift, the gift of reading people, taking a look into their soul and compiling a picture of what they were, who they were, and how they'd effect her. She saw things that her mother told her not to talk about. Things that few knew she saw.
"I can't believe how easy it is to talk to you," Rae said, amazed herself. She rarely opened up to people, certainly not someone over the phone whom she'd never spoken to let alone met.
"I know. I feel the same way."
Before Kali knew it, forty-three minutes had passed by. She shot out of her chair when she glanced at the wall clock across the cafeteria. "I really should get back, Raeann. My boss is going to kill me."
Rae glanced at the clock on the computer screen. "Oh no! Shoot, I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. I really enjoyed talking to you, and thanks for the information about auditions. I'll see you in a week! Oh! And you said to remind you to send me the script."
"Right! Glad you did, cause I'd already forgotten about it. I'll get that off to you tonight. See you then." Rae slapped her phone shut, a grin on her face. She felt a surge of excitement, adrenaline and energy rush through her body. She felt giddy, which was unexplainable. She stood, tucking her phone into her pocket, taking a deep breath as she fought to let out a hysterical burst of laughter.
Tonya walked into the office, surprised to see the flushed, excited woman standing before her. "Uh, hi." She set down the clipboard she'd been holding on the desk. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah!" Rae's grin made her friend chuckle. "Fine. Can you believe we talked for almost forty-five minutes. Wow, she's a cool woman."
Tonya bit her tongue, trying to keep from outright laughing at Rae's apparent crush, which seemed to have grown exponentially with just one phone call. She wanted to warn her friend of the pitfalls of that in their business, but couldn't bring herself to say anything remotely negative and burst her bubble. "Is she interested in the project? Did you give her an audition time?"
"Yes, and yes. She's very interested, and I asked her to read for Amber. She wanted to read for Isabelle, but I told her that wouldn't be right for her. Did you know she has a son? He's two and a half. She also has a husband, and," Rae continued breathlessly, "her parents don't support her on this, either. Amazing, huh?"
"Sure is." Tonya decided to get Rae back on track. "Okay, so we've got some paint problems that they need your opinion for. Also, we have a meeting with Winslet's people Thursday, and," Tonya pulled out her iPhone, scanning her planner. "you have to check out the costume designer's stuff, as well a meet with your 1st AD tomorrow at nine."
Rae blew out a breath, earlier excitement replaced with the look of concentration that her business partner knew so well. She made mental calendar notes of all that she'd been told, nodding when the information was locked into her mental filing cabinet. "Okay."
***
Kali ran back to her cubicle, her own grin spreading her face thin. She logged into her system, tapping her feet on the floor in a happy dance that she wasn't sure the origin of, other than she'd just met a really cool person, and she was extremely excited about the audition for it, coming up in a week. Rae had explained that she'd be heading to Los Angeles in a couple days, and wouldn't be able to be there for the audition - which she wanted to be, as did Kali - if it was held before the following Saturday. So, it was set. A week from Saturday, Kali would be heading to the address Rae had given her, and she'd be able to meet the director. And audition.
***
Rae read softly as she poured over the scene that would have to be changed with the re-casting of the lead role from a comedic actress to that who excelled in drama. There were certain aspects to the character that would no longer work as well, or would be changed to a degree that Rae felt she would lose her flavor. She hit the delete key on her laptop, the fire popping merrily across from her. Her fingers began to race across the keyboard as they tried desperately to keep up with her thought processes. She had to have the script done by time she headed west the following day. Her flight left DIA at eight-fifteen in the morning, which meant she had to be there at ridiculous a.m.
She muttered the words she had just typed to make sure the flow was the same. Satisfied, she began to type again when her cell phone chirped to life. Absently grabbing it, she flipped it open, putting it to her ear, not missing a beat on the keyboard.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Raeann. This is Kali. I'm sorry to call after business hours..."
Rae instantly brightened. "Hey! No, it's fine. Just making a few adjustment to the script before I fly out tomorrow."
"Oh no," Kali cursed herself. "I'm sorry to bother you. Why don't you give me a call back later. Tomorrow, or when you get back, or whatever."
"No, not at all. I actually need to take a break." Rae pushed her laptop off her thighs and stood, her back groaning in complaint. "How are you?"
"I'm good. Just got done reading the script. I got home, hurried and made dinner for my husband and son, then put a 'do not disturb' sign on the office door, and read."
Rae grinned. "You're a fast reader."
"I couldn't put it down! This story is so amazing, Raeann. You are, wow. You are really talented."
Rae beamed, feeling like a huge dope doing so, but couldn't help it. She padded into the kitchen, grabbing herself a Coke from the fridge. "Thank you. "I'm so glad you liked it. So, is Amber someone you think you can relate with?"
Kali blew out a breath, pushing back in the desk chair in front of her home office desk, the script still on the screen in front of her. "It would be different, I have to admit. An alcoholic, loser of a mother. Wow."
Rae waited, sipping her drink as she felt Kali was in some sort of internal conversation with herself.
"I really want to try this, Raeann."
"Rae."
"Rae. I want to do this for you." Kali laughed nervously, running a hand through her work-mussed hair. "I'll admit I'm a little nervous."
"I think you'll do fine, Kali," Rae said gently. She knew in her heart that she was talking to her Amber, felt it, but couldn't dare tell the hopeful actress on the phone that. She didn't want to get her hopes up, as it wasn't just up to her. She had to discuss it with Tonya, as well. As producers, they had to make sure each person cast would be a benefit to the production, and not a hindrance or deficit. Besides, Tonya would be pissed if she ever found out Rae had been giving false hope to un-cast talent.
Kali let the words sink in, knowing they were genuine and not just a simple platitude. "Where did you get the idea for this?" She laughed softly. "I hope it wasn't something from your own life."
Rae grinned. "Everything I write is personal to me. In one way or another. Shadows, too. I got the idea one night when a drunk, homeless woman came pounding on my door at three a.m., asking for help."
"Oh, freaky."
"Very."
There was a moment of uncertain silence before Kali broke it. "I sent a friend request to your MySpace page today. I hope you don't mind."
"No, not at all. I haven't checked it tonight, so I'll go in now and accept you. I'll let ya be a friend."
"Gee, thanks," Kali grinned. She could hear a quiet chuckle on the other end of the line. "Well, listen, I should go. My husband has poked his head in here twice already while I was reading. I should go spend some time with him."
"Okay. Thanks for calling, and I'm thrilled that you liked what you read."
"Have a safe trip, Rae. Tell those Hollywood people 'hi' for me."
"Will do. 'Night, Kali."
"Good night, Rae." Kali hit the off button on the cordless phone and turned back to the computer screen, her eyes scanning randomly over the words written there. She had been touched to the core by what she'd read. She had wanted to be part of the project before, but now... Now, it was a deep down need.
Closing the script, she went to the Favorites folder on her desktop, clicking on the link to Foster Films. She scrolled through the projects until she came to Siege, quickly reading the blurb about the project. The same chill ran through her blood. Her eyes found Raeann Parker's name, and just as had happened the first time she'd seen it, she was hit with a vision: red carpets, premieres, accolades by critics and public alike. She felt a wash of warmth flow over her, and knew it was Rae's success she was feeling.
"You have no idea how far you're going to go, Rae," she whispered, shutting down the computer for the night. "No idea."
Chapter 7
Rae pulled her bag further up onto her shoulder, moving quickly through the terminals and hallways of LAX. She surreptitiously scanned the surrounding areas, never admitting allowed that secretly she always hoped she'd see a famous person while in the immense airport.
The California heat hit her as she stepped out to the curb in the pick-up zone. She was waiting for her friend, Chad, who promised he'd show up on time this time. She'd worked with the actor and body builder on numerous projects over the past couple years, and had learned quickly that he was notoriously late, and even more notoriously difficult to get hold of on the phone to complain about said lateness.
Rae was relieved to see the huge Jeep Wrangler plow through the lane and stop with a dramatic screech in front of her. The mega watt smile met her from the tanned face. "Hey, sweetheart," the big guy said, jumping down from the driver's side and grabbing the single carry-on Rae had brought, easily tossing it to the back. He gave her a bone-crushing hug, nearly lifting her off her feet. "How was your flight?"
"It was good," she said, climbing up into the massive vehicle, barely getting herself belted in before Christian squealed away from the curb, music blaring. "Can we go eat?" she yelled over the wind and stereo-concert.
"You bet your ass!" he yelled back. "I'm starving!"
Moments later, they sat at an outside table at Martha's, a great little joint near Christian's house in Redondo Beach. Once seated and drink orders taken, Christian took off his sunglasses, running a large hand trough his short-cropped brown hair. "So, how's the project coming along?"
"Really good." Rae peeled her jacket off her shoulders. That was one thing that was tough about traveling from Colorado to California when it wasn't summer; it was always colder in the Mile High City. "We've got the principles cast. Well, that is unless the dam exec producer changes his damn mind again." Rae gave the waitress a friendly smile, accepting her water with lemon and taking a sip before continuing. "I meet with them tomorrow."
"Kate, right?" Christian asked, tapping the ripped open bag of sweetener into his water.
"Yep."
"Who is she with?"
"Creative Artists Agency."
"Oh, CAA. Impressive." Christian sipped from his water. "Not that I'm surprised." He grinned at Rae, the skin around his eyes crinkling slightly, belying his thirty-nine years far more than his body, which was perfection, Adonis personified.
"What?" Rae asked, noting the somewhat goofy grin. She was interrupted as their food order was taken. Once the waitress and menus had been cleared, she asked again. "What are you grinning at?"
"I'm just proud of you, kid." Christian reached across the table, patting her on the shoulder like a big brother. "When I first met you, you were a fish out of water. Scared to death on that big ol' set, not sure where to go, or who to talk to." His grin turned into an all-out smile of pride. "Now look at you."
Rae looked down, her hands fidgeting nervously on the plastic deck-set table. She felt a flush of pride mixed with embarrassment wash over her. "Yeah," she said finally, sparing a glance at her friend of two years. "I guess so, huh?" She blew out a breath, her stomach filled with butterflies and nerves. "This is our second film for Foster, the fourth I've worked on personally. I still can't believe where I'm at."
"Oh, believe it, Rae. You deserve it." Christian took a long draught of her water, holding it out for the bus boy to refill. "I told you that night on set, once you were discovered, all bets would be off, and you'd be a force to be reckoned with. I told you that, remember?"
"I do." Rae thought back to that night. It had been her first film ever, one that she'd gotten involved with accidentally, literally falling into it when she'd gone from being asked to author a book for the film to the screenplay writer. She had met Christian - who was an actor in the film - the first night. She'd liked him immediately, and two nights later, while sitting on set, he'd sat down and talked to her between takes of his scenes. They'd clicked, and they both knew it. That night Rae knew that she and the big guy would not only be good friends, but would also work together. She'd found her true passion on that set, and knew that Christian Bowles would be the key to help her find her way.
"So," Christian said, his deep voice booming. "Tell me what's going on. When do you start filming?"
Rae was relieved to have the spotlight off her as she began to fill him in.
***
Christian lived in a modest but nice house that he bought for a cool $1.5 million three years before. That was something that bothered Rae when she was in L.A. The house was nice, yes, but nothing that deserved that kind of price tag. She had a hard time reconciling that. She thought Denver housing was expensive - not so much.
The three bedroom house was quiet as she set her bag down in the bedroom she always stayed in, downstairs with the third one and third bath. The other bedroom - the master and it's bathroom - and third bathroom were upstairs, along with the kitchen and living room.
Christian was in the kitchen, making himself a snack as she entered the kitchen, leaning on the breakfast bar. "It still strikes me that you eat every two hours, and munch between."
"It takes a lot of fuel for this," Christian flashed his chiseled six-pack, making Rae roll her eyes.
"Save it for someone who likes dick."
Christian chuckled, tossing more nuts into his mouth. "I won't be around tomorrow," he explained, "got a photo shoot all afternoon in Malibu. You'll have the place to yourself. You can use the Porsche."
"Oh, Christian," Rae whined, "you know that car scares the hell outta me!"
"Why? It's insured. I trust you."
"Well, that's great and all, but I don't trust the other million and one drivers on the 405."
"I can have Carrie come pick you up and take you where you need to go." Christian grabbed a water from the fridge, holding one up in offer, but Rae was too full from their breakfast.
"Uh, no. You're psycho ex-girlfriend gives me the creeps. Besides, why is she in your life again?"
"She's not." Christian's instant denial and little boy eyes made Rae groan. "Well? She does my taxes."
"Great." Rae pushed away from the bar. "I have to get prepared for the meeting tomorrow with Kate's agent, so I'll see you later." Rae stopped at the top of the stairs. "Are you going to the gym tonight?" Christian nodded around his mouthful of nuts. "Manhattan Beach or Venice?"
"Venice."
"Cool. I'll go with you."
"Coolio," Christian grinned, swigging his water. "Hey!" he called after her, stopping Rae's progress about halfway down the staircase. He leaned over the banister meeting her gaze. "When are you moving out here, anyway?"
Rae chuckled, continuing on down. "In your dreams, big guy. Like I say every time you ask that. I have no desire to live with the beautiful people."
***
Rae sat at the table, trying her best to not look like an idiot. She doubted she'd ever get used to the opulence and money tossing of the ultra rich in Hollywood. Her meeting that day with CAA had gone very well, and then Christian had talked her into going to a dinner with him at an A-lister's house, who she wasn't even a fan of. She smiled politely, tried not to dribble wine on her shirt, and stayed quiet.
After dinner, wine glass in hand, Rae wandered out to one of the twelve balconies the huge house sported, she looked out over the Hollywood hills, marveling at the splendor and wealth before her. She'd been told by Christian on the way up the winding roads that the house to the left of the property belonged to the late Aaron Spelling. The house behind was owned by Mel Gibson, and the house they were in had once been owned by Jodie Foster.
She sipped her wine - her third glass - and allowed the night breeze to ruffle her hair. She kept it in a somewhat messy, shaggy style so that when it was messy, it looked as though she'd spent hours styling it to look that way. Saved so much time, and her long nights of working didn't show quite as much.
"Beautiful out here, isn't it?"
Rae turned to see a woman from the dinner had joined her. The blonde leaned on the wrought iron rail, a wine glass dangling from long, elegant fingers. Rae tried to recall who the woman had been introduced as before dinner, but the details eluded her. She knew she looked familiar, and had been trying to figure out why all throughout the meal, but to no avail. Now was no better.
"Yeah. The breeze feels good." Rae took a sip from her wine that she really didn't want. She needed to keep her hands occupied. The woman made her nervous, her light blue eyes seeming to seep into every pore, every nook and cranny of Rae's soul. She made the writer feel almost dizzy, and it wasn't pleasant.
"Yes. It's been hot." The blonde turned to face Rae, her wine glass resting on top of the railing where her arms had just been. "You're the writer, right? Came with Christian Bowles."
Rae nodded, feeling really stupid; here the woman remembered now only who she came with, but what she did, and Rae couldn't even remember the blonde's name. The woman smiled, almost as though she could read the truth in Rae's eyes. "I'm Monique Stratton."
Suddenly it hit Rae. "You're the tampon girl!" she blurted, her face immediately becoming inflamed when she saw the slightly embarrassed smile on the blonde's face.
"Yes. I did a series of Tampax commercials. Fortunately I've moved on from that. Now I work on Dreary Road."
"The series on Lifetime, right?" Christian asked, sauntering out onto the balcony. Monique brightened.
"Yes. Exactly." She held out a hand toward the big man. "I've seen your work for Muscletech, Christian. Very nice. I worked in the fitness industry for about five years before moving into television," she glanced over at a still flame-faced Rae, "and commercials."
Rae tuned the two out as they began swap fitness industry tales. She wanted to throw herself off the balcony and see if she could fly before landing on the Spelling house. "Shit," she whispered. "Idiot." She nearly screamed in surprise when a hand landed on her shoulder. She turned to see Christian grinning at her. "Don't say it, Christian, I'm warning you," she muttered, turning back to the night.
"Don't sweat it. It's not that big a deal. Come on. Let's go."
"Really?" Rae asked, hope shining in her eyes.
"Yes. Really."
***
Kali wanted to puke. She flat out wanted to open the door of the car, lean out and vomit on the street. She glanced to her left when she felt a hand on her thigh. David was looking at her, a mixture of amusement and concern on his face.
"Honey, you don't have to do this."
"I know," she breathed, puling down the sun visor to look at the mirror on the underside. She looked good. Light makeup, just as she'd been asked. Hair in a ponytail, as requested. "I can do this," she assured herself, though the butterflies banging into her ribcage said differently.
"I can turn this car back on, turn it around and get us back on the road home. You just say the word."
"Oh, don't tell me that, David." Kali met her husband's eyes, her own pleading. "Don't give me that out."
"Okay," David said, his voice hardening with conviction. "Then this car will not" - he pounded the steering wheel for effect - "start again until you get your butt in there and do your part."
"Don't tell me that, either. That makes me feel trapped," Kali groaned, burying her face in her hands.
David laughed, helpless. "Then honey, I don't know what to say. You're cutting me off both ways, here."
"I know. I'm sorry." Kali leaned over placing a soft kiss on his lips. She smiled, cupping his cheek. "Thanks for coming with me. I know I'm being a baby. Thank you."
David smiled. "Anytime. Now get in there and knock 'em dead." He raised his cell phone. "I'm just a phone call away, okay?"
Kali nodded, blowing out a nervous breath. "Okay." She opened the car door.
"Break a neck, Kali!" David called after her. She leaned in the opened passenger-side door.
"that's break a leg, honey, and thank you. I'll do my best." She slammed the door shut, looking over the top of the car at the short, squat building across the street.
It had happened. She'd been called for her first film. It was a student film, but it was a film. She wouldn't make a dime from it, but she didn't care. To her, the experience was worth its weight in gold.
Kali hurried across the street, running the lines she'd been up half the night memorizing, stepping up to the curb and heading toward the double front door of the building, which looked like an elementary school or doctor's office. One side was propped open, so she entered there, looking around the long hallway. She heard voices further down, a rectangle of light bouncing off the opposite wall from an open door.
As she headed toward it, a tall, extremely thin man stepped out of the room, a C-stand in his hand. There were plastic tubs stacked against the wall, and he knelt down, rifling through one of them until he found a light, which he quickly began to mount upon the stand.
"Excuse me," Kali said, hurrying over to him. He glanced up at her, shaking his head to brush his bangs out of his eyes. "I'm Kali Rasmussen. I'm filming today in Color People." He didn't respond. "Is this the right place?"
"Yeah. Go on in," he said, turning back to his task.
Kali took one final breath, tossing the notion to run out of her head, then headed in through the open door. The room was a large, square space, an office-type set against one side, the rest of the room filled with people and filming equipment. A dolly track was set up to run along the length of the room, ending near the office set. A dolly was set on the tracks, though no camera was attached to it. Lights dotted the room, creating eerie shadows upon the set.
"Are you Kali?" a woman asked, a clipboard in her folded arms.
"Hi. Yeah."
"Great. Come with me."
Kali followed the short woman, watching in amusement as her bobbed hair bounced with every step she took. Kali was led to a metal folding chair and told to sit. She sat, then watched as another woman walked over to her. This one looked no older than sixteen, her gum popping between her teeth before it was nearly jetted out of her mouth by her tongue. Kali watched in amazement as it turned into a massive bubble before disappearing before her painted lips again.
"What are your colors?" the girl asked, finally turning her attention to Kali. She eyed the redhead, taking in every single detail of her face before turning back to her makeup pallet. "This should work," she muttered, not waiting for Kali to respond.
Fifteen minutes later Kali was shown her mark, introduced to her fellow actors and the director, and then was waiting for the call of "Action!" She could hear her heart pounding in her ears, blood racing through her veins. She felt weak, taking deep breaths to try and calm her nerves. Her doctor had prescribed her with emergency pills should her anxiety start up again, and she was now wishing she'd taken one.
"And, action!"
Shit!
Kali began going through the motions of what she'd been shown moments before, almost as though witnessing a dance in her head: one two three, one two three...
"Cut!"
Kali looked up, surprised she wasn't seeing the footsteps of the dancers painted on the tile floor. She found the director with her eyes, and felt alarmed when she realized he was walking towards her, and didn't look happy.
"Kelly-"
"Kali-"
"Remember, I told you to start over here." He put an arm around her shoulders, leading her like the good little girl she was over to the mark he wanted her on. "When Lee says 'It's alright now', you move over here." Once again she was led to her next mark. "Okay?"
Kali nodded, wanting to cry. The eyes of the entire production were on her, various looks on people's faces: understanding, irritation, sympathy and scorn. "Okay," she managed, her voice small.
"Good girl." The director hurried off the set and back to where monitors had been set up towards the back of the room. "Rolling?"
"Speed," the cameraman said.
"Sound?"
"Speed," was muttered behind the sound equipment.
The director waited a beat, then, "Action!"
***
"I'm never doing it again!" Kali cried, her face buried in her husband's neck.
He stroked her back and hair, letting the initial storm pass. "Yes you will," he said finally. He smiled as he felt Kali shake her head vigorously. "Honey, you had a bad day. It was your first time with film, and the first time you've done anything in a really long time."
Kali lifted her head, looking down at David with tear-filled eyes. "David, I made a joke of myself today. It wasn't like I even had much to do, and I still managed to mess it up. Bad."
"Kali, give yourself a little slack here." David wiped her tears away with the pad of his thumb. "This happens, and it will probably happen again, in one way or another. Besides," he smiled encouragingly. "You've got the audition tomorrow that you're looking forward to so much. Just chalk today up to experience. Okay?"
Kali sighed, her heart heavy. Finally she nodded, more to nullify David then because she believed or agreed. Laying her head back down, she settled in for the night, deciding that he was right in that she needed to put it behind her and move on. She'd beat herself up more later. She did, after all, have an audition in the morning. She smiled at the thought.