Coral Sea Affair

by Drew Lindsay

‘That was a tricky bit of work people. I loved it.’ Sandra Quinn pressed a button on her console and the private cinema lighting came up. Brenda and Elizabeth sat in the front row. They turned to look at Derek and Sandra.

  ‘It was damn perfect,’ said Derek. ‘The library scene is terrific. I’m shouting that lighting guy lunch with all the trimmings. How did he make the fake moonlight shine in like that and the way he caught you Brenda darling. Good Lord, I felt myself getting very hot, and that’s not what women do to me as I’m sure you know.’

  Brenda blushed. Elizabeth glared at Derek.

  ‘It’s a great start and the location work will blow them away,’ said Sandra.

  ‘I nearly shit myself when the old guy’s hand grabbed you around the throat.’ Derek put both his hands in the air. ‘I didn’t know you were going to work it that way.’

  Sandra gathered up some papers and rose. ‘It was Tim’s idea.’

  ‘I didn’t even see him on the set.’

  ‘Since Stewart left, Tim has been sort of hiding in the wings. He rarely interferes. We can never do the film exactly the way he wrote it, but so far, and more particularly now, he loves the way it’s going.’

  ‘When do we move on location?’ asked Brenda.

  ‘Two months.’ Sandra walked to the cinema door. ‘It can be a bit wild in the Far North of Queensland just now because of their summer. Monsoon season.’

  ‘We have to shoot a fair bit of underwater stuff on the Barrier Reef,’ said Derek. ‘We don’t want a hurricane blowing the crew out of the water. By the way Brenda. Can you scuba dive?’

  Brenda stood and put her hands on her hips. ‘Of course I can scuba dive. Can’t everyone?’

  ‘No darling,’ said Elizabeth. ‘You definitely move in the wrong circles honey.’

  Brenda slid into the passenger seat of Elizabeth’s car and put on her seat belt. The bright red convertible moved back towards LA from the hills. Dusk was approaching and Elizabeth turned on the headlights.

  ‘So what do we do for the next two months?’

  Elizabeth swung left onto a freeway. ‘I dunno. Party?’

  ‘I’ve had a gut full Liz. I swear I’ve lost all faith in men.’

  Elizabeth roared with laughter. ‘Till the next one comes along and sweeps you off your feet.’

  ‘No I mean it. I’m done.’

  ‘What, you going gay like Derek?’

  ‘No way. Yuck.’

  ‘You looked pretty convincing in your last film with that Kim girl.’

  “That was acting. I got paid to do that.’

  They drove in silence for several minutes. Brenda turned to her friend. ‘Perhaps we could go to Sydney early and have a look around before the location stuff happens?’

  Elizabeth laughed again. She had a deep, throaty, infectious laugh.

  ‘What’s so funny?’

  ‘Oh nothing. It’s just this sudden interest in Sydney. You what, 27? Never been to Australia before. Why the sudden interest?’

  ’26 you bitch and you know it.’

  ‘Right, 26, but the sudden interest in Sydney?’

  ‘Nothing really. Just thought it might be nice to explore.’

  ‘Explore like hell. I know you Brenda.’

  ‘I want to see the Opera House.’

  ‘You hate opera!’

  ‘What about the Three Sisters?’

  ‘They’re nowhere near Sydney.’

  ‘Yes they are. Just out of Sydney a bit, and also, I’ve never cuddled a Koala bear,’

  ‘Good Lord, I’ve heard they scratch.’

  Brenda turned her head away and looked out the window at the passing traffic. ‘You’re so negative.’

  ‘You’re thinking about that cop who got into trouble for shooting people.’

  Brenda’s head swung back. ‘I am not!’

  ‘He was pissed when he wrote that email. Remember?’

  Brenda was silent. Suddenly her eyes widened and she put her hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder. ‘I know, we could climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I’ve heard that is mind blowing!’

  ‘I’ve got a fair idea what you want to climb and it’s not a damn bridge.’

  ‘You’re disgusting.’

  “****”

  Chapter Thirteen