by Mia Masters
“Well, I’m glad you’re on the job, Mac,” I said. “Nice meeting you.”
“You too, Ms. Kelly,” he said. “Good luck with your new picture. I hope it’s a hit.”
“Yeah, you and my agent both,” I said.
I walked back to my trailer. What a strange world I was living in. It was like being in a walled city.
The outside world was empty and full of trash and dangers, while inside I could walk around all by myself without a care. It was kind of sad that the place needed so much security.
Was there ever a time when people weren’t so… bad?
I mean, I guess there was a time when they would just lock this place up and go home for the evening. Then they’d come back the next day and everything would be here. I guess it was a time before street gangs and before the gap between rich and poor got so wide in this town.
Finally feeling tired, I went into my trailer, locked the door behind me and went to bed. It was going to be a long day tomorrow.
Chapter Fifteen
Blythe
The next day on the set, I had a make out scene with Zack and then later Christian. For a thriller, this movie sure did hammer in a lot of sexy scenes.
I guess my character was like me, torn between three potential lovers and unsure what she should do. As Monk would say, I have to “use that” when I perform.
“Okay, people, everyone get on their mark,” said Hex. “Boom, are you in the shot?”
“No, he’s good,” said the cameraman, after checking.
“Alright, boss, I think we’re ready,” said Hex.
“Okay, everyone, quiet, please,” said Jim. “Camera, roll.”
“Speed,” said the cameraman.
“Let’s slate this one, please,” said Jim.
The slate guy ran out in front of us with the slate.
“Make out scene in the barn. Take one,” said the guy, slapping the clapboard.
He then ran out of the shot.
“We’re clear,” said the cameraman.
“And… action!” said Jim.
“Jenny, I’m not sure how long we can hide in this loft,” said Zack. “But I have to tell you, I can no longer hide my feelings for you.”
“Then don’t!”
We started making out in the fake barn loft. There was no screen kissing in this. We were literally just making out.
In some ways, it was a perfect situation. We could make out, while people thought we were just faking really well. It couldn’t lead to sex because, hey, we’re not shooting a porno here! And, neither Monk nor Christian could get upset by it.
“Okay, cut!” said Jim. “Great stuff, kids. Let’s reset and do it again. Just like you just did, okay?”
Pete rushed in and touched up my makeup.
“Jeez, what are you doing to my work, Zack? Licking it off?” he joked.
“Just about,” I smiled.
“Must be nice to get paid for this, huh?” smiled Pete.
Zack and I kind of looked at each other and laughed. I think I blushed. This was one of the great perks of the job. Pete backed out and we reset for another take.
“Okay,” said Jim. “Speed?”
“Rolling,” said the cameraman.
“Make out scene in the barn, take two,” said the guy as he slapped the clapboard again.
He then ran out of the shot again.
“We’re clear,” said the cameraman.
“Jenny, I’m not sure how long we can hide in this loft,” said Zack. “But I have to tell you, I can no longer hide my feelings for you.”
“Then don’t!”
Unfortunately, we both burst out laughing. It was just too funny.
“Keep rolling,” said Jim. “Shake it off, kids, and do it again.”
“Jenny, I’m not sure how long we can hide— Ahahaha! Sorry, sorry!”
“Cut!” said Jim. “Zack, do I have to get someone else to do this? We replaced Claire.”
Jim wasn’t serious. He was just trying to shake the giggles from Zack and me. He gave us a minute and then they were gone.
“Speed, dammit,” said Jim sternly.
“Rolling,” said the cameraman.
“Make out scene in the barn, take three,” the guy said all over again.
“We’re clear,” said the cameraman.
“Action!”
“Jenny, I’m not sure how long we can hide in this loft,” said Zack. “But I have to tell you, I can no longer hide my feelings for you.”
“Then don’t!”
We started making out again. We did this another five times perfectly and Jim pretended to calm down. Jim could act a little, but he wasn’t a professional like us, so we could tell he was putting it on.
There was a lot of posturing that went on in this business. It was handy to be an actor so you could see it.
“Nice acting job,” I whispered to Zack, as he went to go get lunch.
“You too!” he whispered back.
I headed back to my trailer to grab a quick meal. Wardrobe had already dropped off my clothes for the next scene. I had just enough time to eat something, change my clothes and get back into makeup.
By the time I got out of the makeup trailer, Hex was pulling up in a golf cart.
“Get in, I’ll take you to set,” he instructed.
I hopped in.
“Are we behind?” I said, wondering if there was a rush.
“No, we’re on time, but Jim aims to keep it that way,” he said. “Don’t worry. You’re good.”
I got to the soundstage. There was a set for a basement and inside waiting was Christian. He looked pretty tense.
“Hey, you ready?” I asked. “You look a little tense.”
“I’m good, I’m good,” he immediately insisted. “Just, uh— making out with you before our date’s a little weird, huh?”
“Oh, it’s fine,” I assured him. “Honestly, I’ve been thinking about making out with you.”
And Zack and Monk too.
Oh, jeez. What have I gotten myself into?
Was Mallory rubbing off on me? Was I so intrigued by the idea of her marrying two guys that I had to one-up her, and want to get with three?
It didn’t seem like something I’d do, but I wasn’t sure of who I was anymore.
“Alright, people, let’s do this. Places!” shouted Hex.
I got into position and the slate guy walked in front of me.
“Speed!”
“Rolling.”
“Basement scene, take one,” he said.
“And… action!”
“Okay, Tyler, I’m here,” I said with disdain. “What the hell do you want?”
Christian turned to face me.
“I think that’s pretty obvious,” he said. “I want those computer codes. I know you and Barry have been planning to rob the train.”
“Yeah, right,” I dismissed. “You don’t know anything. I’m leaving.”
“Wait a second,” said Christian, as Tyler.
Christian held up his character’s phone. Later, they would insert a shot of some security footage we hadn’t shot yet, of Monk and me meeting on the street. Well, Barry, Monk’s character, not Monk.
“That doesn’t mean anything,” I said, trying to deny it.
“Oh, really? Well, I think the board of directors might have something to say about it,” threatened Christian, who began dialing the phone.
“Wait,” I said. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I’m listening…”
“I don’t know who’s paying you, but I can make you a better offer,” I proposed.
“You don’t have any money,” he scoffed.
“I don’t, but I have this!”
I pulled Christian closer and we started to make out. He dropped his phone on the floor, which would be key to another scene.
We kissed passionately as we made our way to the basement couch. It was pretty steamy.
“And… cut! Wow, great scene, guys!” said J
im.
The whole crew applauded for that one. Christian and I had great chemistry on set. Maybe it was our real sexual tension or maybe it was our talent or both. Either way, it was going to be a great scene for the movie.
We only had to do it another eight times before Jim was satisfied.
“Great work today, Blythe,” said Christian, as he was heading out.
“Yeah, you too,” I said. “You think we could talk for a minute?”
“I’m sorry, I gotta run,” he said. “Big meeting with my agent. But we’ll catch up later, okay?”
“Yeah, okay,” I smiled.
Christian rushed out. I didn’t want to spring this on him after having such a strong scene and right before an important meeting. It didn’t seem like a good time. I headed back to my trailer.
As soon as I got inside and started changing, there was a knock at the door. I decided to ignore it. If Christian was gone, it was obviously Monk or Zack.
The temptation was just too great. I had promised to talk to Christian first and I intended to keep that promise.
Hopping into the shower, I rinsed off all my makeup. Pete was great at it, but my God— there was so much of it! The water turned beige from all the makeup washing off.
Once I was out of the shower, I got into my robe and decided to relax a bit. Just as I got seated with a salad in front of the TV, there was another knock.
Okay, no matter who it was, I had to send them packing until I talked to Christian. They would understand. It was probably just one more day. But when I opened the door, it was Jim standing there.
“Oh. Hey, Jim,” I said, mildly surprised.
“Hey, sorry to bother you,” he said. “I tried to knock before. You got a minute? I need to go over the scene tomorrow with you. It’s a little complicated and I want to make sure we’re on the same page.”
“Yeah, sure, come in,” I said, inviting him.
“Oh, boy, I forgot how big this trailer is!” he laughed, walking all the way into the bedroom. “I think this one’s bigger than mine. Although I have an office in mine.”
I leaned in the doorway. It seemed a little forward for him to walk all the way into my bedroom, but I didn’t think anything of it at first.
“So, tomorrow?” I asked, trying to move things along.
“Yeah, so it’s a nude scene and I know a lot of actresses get nervous about that sort of thing,” he said. “You just have to put it out of your mind. We have total control over what can and cannot be seen on screen.”
“I think I’m fine with it,” I said.
“See, I sense hesitation,” he said. “Are you really fine with it?”
“Yes, absolutely. I already did the scene with the pasties,” I reminded him.
“Yeah, but you can’t have anything on in this scene,” he insisted. “I need you naked and… vulnerable.”
Jim looked me up and down a little bit. I was getting a creepy vibe from him, so I backed away just a little. He was a good director, but this was taking things a bit too far.
“Trust me, I’ll be fine with it,” I assured him.
“If you were fine with it, you could be naked in front of me, right now,” he suggested, moving closer.
“Whoa, hold on,” I said, unsure. I put my hand up between us. “What’s going on here?”
“Nothing, I’m just a director who can do a lot for an actress’s career… or not,” he explained, letting his eyes settle on my breasts. “Seems to me, you should be more willing… to show how comfortable you are being nude.”
I was thinking about screaming, but I wasn’t sure who would hear me.
Thankfully, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in!” I immediately shouted and rushed to the door.
It was Hansley. I was very relieved to see her.
“Jim, I need to talk to Blythe alone,” she said.
Jim hesitated and gave me a look. He had sort of a cornered expression on his face.
“Sure,” he said, suddenly cheerful. “See you on the set, Blythe.”
Hansley made sure Jim was out and closed the door behind him. She watched him leave through the windows.
“What’s going—” I started to ask.
“Shh,” she hushed.
Once Jim got a good distance away, she turned toward me.
“Do not let Jim back in your trailer and do not, under any circumstances, meet with him when you are alone,” said Hansley. “Understand?”
“Jeez, Hansley,” I said. “If you knew he was this bad, why didn’t you warn me?”
“Because he promised me he wouldn’t do this again,” she explained. “Jim has some powerful friends at the studio; I can’t just fire him.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said. “He does this? With the MeToo movement in full swing?”
“By the time the movement hears about him, your career will be over,” she said. “And so will mine. This picture will be dead, and your career won’t even have a chance. I don’t like it any better than you do, but if we look out for each other, we can keep him at bay.”
“How much danger am I in?” I asked.
“Jim is basically holding his previous girlfriend, Melissa, hostage,” she revealed. “First he threatened her career. Next thing you know, she’s in a relationship with him, has his kid— Now, he’s threatened to have her committed if she ever leaves him. Says she’ll never see the kid again.”
“Oh, my God! Why did you hire him?” I said, horrified.
“I had no choice. I told you, he has powerful friends in the studio system,” she said. “Plus, there’s no proof of any of this. Just his word versus hers, and I believe her. But don’t worry, one day Jim’s going down hard. But not today. Not on this movie. You and I just have to get through this. I’m watching him and I have other people watching Jim when I’m not around.”
I nodded. I guess I had no choice either, if I still wanted to work in this town. God dammit, why does there have to be people like Jim? What an asshole!
“Thanks for looking out for me, Hansley,” I said.
“I don’t mean to scare you, but just don’t let him get you alone,” she repeated. “And if he somehow does that and pressures you, just text me. I will have someone take care of Jim for you.”
“Jesus! You’re going to kill him?” I said, shocked.
“No, but I might have a couple of guys dance on his face for a little while or worse if he actually hurts you. That face is your money maker. His face means nothing to me,” she said somberly.
“Wow. Well, thank you,” I said.
Hansley nodded and then headed out and I locked the trailer door behind her. Wow, this was a turn around. The day was so great on the set and now I had to be worried about being cornered by Jim!
Should I tell the boys? God! Their careers would be on the line too. I had to call someone, so I called Mallory.
“Hey, what’s up?” she greeted me.
I couldn’t help it. I started crying a little.
“Um, Mallory,” I said.
“Oh, my God, sweetheart! What’s wrong?” she said.
“Jim, the director, tried to pressure me for sex,” I said.
“That son of a bitch! I will get Layla and Harlow and we will cut his balls off!” she vowed.
“No, no, it’s taken care of,” I said. “Hansley is watching out for me. She basically said she would do as much if he tried anything.”
“What the hell?” she gasped.
“Yeah, I know,” I said. “And I had like, the best day up until then. Hansley said Jim did worse to his girlfriend. That’s why he’s with her.”
“Who’s his girlfriend?” she asked.
“Melissa something— she was in— Lover’s Triangle, I think,” I said, trying to remember.
“Oh, yeah,” said Mallory. “Wait a minute. Don’t they have a kid?”
“Yeah, and Hansley said he’s using the threat of taking the kid away to basically hold her hostage,” I repeated.
“Jesus! That’s awful! That pig,” she fumed. “Wait, why didn’t she tell you? And why did she hire him?”
“Jim has powerful friends at the studio who are protecting him,” I said. “There’s nothing I can do right now.”
“What about MeToo?” she said.
“My career would be over before anything would be done,” I said. “She said as long as I keep my trailer locked and don’t take any meetings alone with Jim, I should be fine. I just had to tell someone.”
“Be careful, girl,” she warned.
“And there’s one more thing,” I said. “I’m attracted to my co-stars. As in, all three of them. Christian, Zack and Monk. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know if I should tell them what happened or—”
“Wow, you’re starring in a drama and you’re also living a drama,” said Mallory. “As far as the relationship side, you just take it slow. I mean, you could be happy with one of them or all three of them, that’s up to you. But it’s a tall order, pleasing more than one man. Take it from me – or at least where two guys are concerned. Then again, it’s really great to have three guys pleasuring you and heaping so much attention on you. Take that from me, too.”
She laughed.
“I’m still nervous about the third one, Christian,” I said. “He’s pretty traditional. I’m worried he won’t understand or want to share me.”
“Well, some people will never get it,” she said. “But if it’s something you want, you have to try and go for it. If it works out, it works out.”
“Do you think I should tell them what happened with Jim?” I asked.
“I’m not sure,” she said. “That’s kind of dicey. Are they friends with him?”
“Not really,” I said. “They only work for Jim, just like me.”
“Guys sometimes just instinctively side with guys,” said Mallory. “I mean, unless Jim is exposed for who he is, they’ll have to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe just keep it quiet for now. Maybe you’ll get lucky and Jim will back off.”
“Thanks, Mall,” I said. “It’s always good, talking with you.”
“Anytime, babe,” she assured. “You going to be okay?”
“Yeah, I have my trailer locked,” I said. “Should be fine.”
“I hate to remind you, but they have the keys to that trailer,” she said. “And Jim probably has access to those keys. Lock the inner door.”