The Cinema of Lost Dreams

by Alli Sinclair

  Reeves stopped fidgeting. “Yes?”

  “We should keep this between ourselves for now. With our lives under the microscope and Jeanne just out of rehab, I think it’s better if we enjoy this alone—for now. I don’t want it ruined.”

  “Sure.” Reeves tugged at the belt on her robe. “Maybe we could be a little late today?”

  She slapped him on the buttocks. “Out! We’ve got a movie to make!”

  Chapter Thirty-three

  1952 – Hollywood

  Lena stood in her dressing room and pulled at the red silk dress that clung to every curve of her body.

  “Cut it out!” Yvonne laughed. “If you’re not careful you’ll split it.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of! I don’t know how I’m going to walk in it, let alone wrestle anyone.”

  “Oh, that’s right, you’ve got a huge scene today.” Yvonne waved to Vanessa, who rushed over and applied yet another coat of red lipstick to Lena’s lips.

  “There!” said Vanessa, admiring her handiwork. “No more talking, or else it’ll wear off.”

  “I’ve got lines.” Lena laughed.

  “Keep it to a minimum until you’re on set, then,” said Vanessa.

  “Ha! I’d like to see the day!” said Yvonne. “Although…”

  “What?” Lena asked.

  “You’ve been awfully relaxed this morning.”

  “I’m always like this before a big scene,” Lena said.

  “No, no. There’s something different. What’s up?”

  “Nothing’s up!” She really needed to calm herself.

  “Aha!” Yvonne waggled a finger.

  “Aha what?” Lena asked, happy she’d managed to sound less suspicious.

  “You’re in love.”

  “No, I’m not!”

  “Who is it?” Vanessa moved closer.

  “No one!”

  “The lady doth protest too much.”

  Lena snorted at Yvonne’s attempt at Shakespeare. “I’m just nervous about this scene. It’s the most emotional and powerful one I’ve ever done, and I want to get it right.”

  Yvonne tilted her head.

  “Come on.” Vanessa put her hand on the small of Lena’s back. “You’re going to be late.”

  Lena walked out the door and straight into the last person she wanted to see.

  “Jeanne.” What was she doing here?

  “I see you’re dressed for the part. Harlot suits you.” Jeanne’s sweet tone didn’t match her words.

  “I need to be on set.” Lena moved to go past, but Jeanne blocked her way.

  She leaned in close, her hot breath sending shivers down Lena’s spine. “I know your game, Lena, and I can play it way better than you ever could. I am watching.”

  Jeanne turned, stalked down the corridor and out of the building. An arctic breeze enveloped Lena and she shivered.

  “Was that Jeanne?” Reeves sidled up beside her and placed a protective hand on the small of her back. “What did she say?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” She shook her body, trying to free up the tense muscles. “She’s just being Jeanne.”

  “That is never a good thing.”

  “Let’s not worry about her now.”

  “We have much better things to think about.” Reeves planted a kiss on her neck and whispered, “We can celebrate tonight.”

  “Shh.” She pushed him away, but loved the attention all the same. “We’re a secret, remember?”

  “Yes, yes.” He drew himself to his full height and in a louder voice said, “Miss Lee, shall I accompany you to the set?”

  “Why yes,” she said just as loudly. “That would be delightful.”

  They arrived on set and Henry hurried up to them. “We’re not quite ready.”

  “That’s okay,” she said, relieved she could spend a little more time preparing. Seeing Jeanne had rattled her, and she needed a moment to get into the right frame of mind. She pointed at a chair in the far corner. “I’ll wait over there.”

  “Sure, sure.” Henry buzzed away, and Reeves went over to a table and poured himself a coffee while she took a seat.

  Just breathe. Lena inhaled through her nostrils and exhaled through her mouth.

  “Miss Lee.”

  She jumped and gripped the wooden arms of the chair.

  “I’m sorry to startle you,” said the young man with blue eyes and blond hair.

  “It’s all right, really.” She willed her body to relax.

  “I just wanted to introduce myself before we got started today.”

  “You’re Alan?”

  “Yes.” He beamed. “I’m the man you’re going to kill.”

  Lena laughed and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Alan. I’m sorry about killing you today.”

  “It is an honor to die at your hands.” Laughter danced in his eyes. “I hope you don’t mind me telling you how much I admire your work. I’ve followed your career for quite some time.”

  “Well, thank you, Alan. Your words are very kind.” She spotted Henry waving her over. “I believe we’re about to start.”

  Alan followed Lena over to Henry. “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.” Lena resisted the urge to adjust the dress once more. Yvonne had assured her this was perfect for the scene, though Lena was yet to be convinced, especially as her breasts felt like they were exploding over the low neckline.

  Lena, Reeves and Alan talked with Henry about their motivations and the emotions they’d be portraying during the scene. Once everything had been covered, Henry got them ready for blocking. Lena always likened it to choreographing a dance, where Henry would get the actors into the right positions, making sure the camera angles and lighting were what he envisioned. She didn’t know how he did it, but Henry always got the best from everyone.

  “Right, rehearsal!” Henry yelled.

  Reeves took his place at the side of the set, ready to enter when the time was right. Their eyes connected, and for a fleeting moment the world melted away. Their silent conversation said everything: I love you.

  Lena smiled as she moved her head from side to side, trying to loosen the muscles in her neck. She rested her arm on the mantelpiece and waited for Alan to take his mark.

  “Lena!” Yvonne came up to her.

  “Off the set!” yelled Henry.

  “She needs her purse!” Yvonne thrust the glossy red purse at her friend. “Your prop’s in there.”

  Lena opened it and checked. “Thank you.”

  “Of course.” Yvonne walked away, saying over her shoulder to Henry, “I was quick!”

  Henry rolled his eyes. “Places! One rehearsal, that’s all you’re getting.”

  She waited for the countdown and the signal. Taking a calm breath, she began. “You cannot blackmail me.”

  Alan stepped forward, his long legs and arms not quite coordinated. “I will do what is required to get the results I want.”

  “No one will believe you,” she said, getting into full swing. Channeling her inner vixen, Lena slowly walked toward Alan. The dress restricted her movement, and she found it difficult to sway her hips. It didn’t help that her heels had started to pinch. With her face inches from Alan’s, she said, “Your plan is already thwarted.”

  Alan grabbed her by the hair and pulled her body against his.

  The door burst open and Reeves stormed through. He grabbed Alan and yanked him away.

  “Get your hands off her!” shouted Reeves.

  Alan’s laugh was perfect. “She’s the one with her hands on me.”

  Reeves looked at Lena, anger roiling in his eyes.

  Boy, can he act.

  “Is this true?” he demanded.

  “No!” she shouted, her body tense. “He’s trying to blackmail me, but he c
an’t prove a thing.”

  “Oh, I can.” Alan edged forward, then turned to Reeves. “You should know she—”

  “Stop!” Lena grabbed the pistol out of her purse and held it with both hands, aiming it at Alan. “Enough! No more lies!”

  Alan drew closer. “You’re not going to use it. You don’t have the courage.”

  “I do!” she yelled, her hands shaking. Lena clicked off the safety, just like she’d been shown by the weapons specialist. It was scary enough holding a fake pistol, how would a real one feel? “Not one step closer.”

  Alan moved forward, and Reeves jumped on him. The men tussled, rolling over the sofa onto the floor, just as it had been choreographed. Lena skirted around the men, her pistol aimed at Alan, who appeared a little too enthusiastic about this fight scene.

  “Stop!” she yelled. “Or I’ll shoot!”

  Alan reached up and grabbed for the pistol, just like he was meant to, but he grabbed too hard. She lost her balance, the tight dress restricting her. She toppled toward the floor, her finger squeezing the trigger.

  A loud bang resounded.

  Her arm jerked back with force and she fell hard.

  Lena dropped the pistol and lifted herself onto all fours. She used the sofa to stand unevenly, as she’d lost a shoe in the scuffle.

  Alan lay slumped on top of Reeves, both men facing the ground. Neither man moved.

  “Bravo!” said Henry. “Let’s get this on film.”

  Alan stood and wiped his brow. “That was louder than I thought it would be.”

  “We have a great props department,” said Lena. She looked over at Reeves, who still lay on the floor. “Get up, lazybones.”

  Reeves didn’t move.

  “Reeves.” His name caught in her throat. She kneeled down, her dress ripping at the back. “Reeves?”

  Lena shook him.

  “Stop messing around.” She shook him again, then saw a dark red liquid oozing across the floorboards. “Oh god! No!”

  Chapter Thirty-four

  1994 – Starlight Creek, Queensland

  Claire shielded her eyes from the sun to look at the ladders and wooden planks in front of the cinema. Turning to Luke, she asked, “You’re sure Hattie will be out of town for as long as this takes?”

  “Yep. She hasn’t seen her cousin in Brisbane for years, so they’ll have lots to catch up on.”

  “She didn’t figure out that you were trying to get rid of her?”

  Luke laughed. “Absolutely she did, but she also knew arguing would be futile. For once, I had the upper hand.”

  “Bet that doesn’t happen often,” joked Claire.

  “Nope, not at all.” Luke eyed the plaster, paint and tools Claire had gathered. “Are you sure about this?”

  “Absolutely.” She grabbed a trowel and bucket of plaster. “My parents used to renovate houses when we were kids, and we’d get involved. And they specialized in Art Deco, so I’m more than familiar with what’s needed to bring authenticity.”

  “Is this why you wanted to work on the miniseries?”

  “Partly. Plus, the whole Amelia Elliott story is fascinating. Did you know she had to petition to attend architecture school because women weren’t deemed suitable candidates?”

  “I had no idea.”

  “She’s such an inspiration. If they hadn’t made a miniseries about her I would definitely have pushed to make a documentary.” She climbed up the ladder and onto the wood plank, balancing the bucket in her hand.

  “You’ve definitely done this before.” He looked up at her.

  “I help out on set when they need it.” She got a steady foothold while Luke climbed the ladder.

  “Higher than I’d thought,” he said.

  “It’s kinda nice being up here. If anyone wants to lynch me, they’ll have to climb the ladder.”

  Luke laughed. “They have a hard time letting go.”

  “Well, as soon as I’m done here, I’ll leave and—”

  “Don’t.”

  “Don’t what?” she asked.

  Luke grabbed her hand. “Don’t leave.”

  “Luke…” She pulled her hand free. “It’s not fair to expect me to give up my life and dreams for a long-distance relationship. Although…” She got the trowel ready. “No. Forget it.”

  “You can’t start something and not finish it.”

  She stood straight. “Well, we’ve started something, but we’re going to have to finish it. I don’t want it to end, I really don’t. I love being with you—you’re talented, you’re caring and you’re so goddamn sexy and I’m falling—have fallen—for you. And I’m petrified that if I stay here too much longer I’ll never leave.”

  “We can find a way.” Luke rubbed his temples. “I swore I would never get involved with anyone from outside Starlight Creek, and now look.” He ran his fingers through her hair and she rested her cheek in his palm. “I’m doing everything I swore I wouldn’t.”

  “Let’s just concentrate on this for now.” She pulled away and focused on plastering the gaps. Her hands shook, and her throat hurt from keeping her emotions inside. Quietly, she said, “I want us to enjoy the time we have together.”

  Luke didn’t answer; he turned to the task at hand. Upset by his silence, she continued crafting the plasterwork. Up close, it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as she’d expected. What a shame life wasn’t like that.

  The sun beat down and she could feel her skin burning even though she had on a long-sleeved T-shirt. She adjusted her hat, but it flipped off and landed on the edge of the ladder. Claire reached for it and noticed a small group of townsfolk had gathered below. There was the woman with the baby, and Marcela, a few others she’d met at the pub, and even Colin from the news agency had ventured onto the street. She waved, but only Marcela returned the gesture.

  Luke stopped and looked at the silent group. He whispered to Claire, “You alienate people wherever you go.”

  Incensed, she opened her mouth, about to let fly, but shut it when she noticed his cheeky smile. She threw a rag at his head.

  “What are you doing?” yelled Colin.

  “He was being—”

  “Not that.” He waved his hand dismissively. “What are you doing to Hattie’s cinema?”

  “We’re organizing a surprise,” Claire yelled back.

  “She is not going to like this!” Colin shouted.

  “She will love it.” Luke peered over the edge. “You’re welcome to help us.”

  “Not with her at the helm.” Colin stormed off and the rest followed behind.

  Claire looked at Luke. “You were right.”

  “About what?”

  “I’ve alienated just about everyone in Starlight Creek.”

  “Claire.” He held her hand. “This town has been divided for as long as I can remember; it wasn’t just the backpackers. I have no idea what started it, but Starlight Creek has always been a town in denial. We like to think we’re a community but, as you’ve seen, we’re far from it.”

  “It’s odd,” she said. “They accept Scarlet and Laura.”

  “Only to a degree,” said Luke. “Starlight Creek is tough unless you’ve been here for generations. Even Hattie found it difficult to assimilate once she came back.”

  “Where was she?”

  “She was in Sydney for some time.” Luke wiped his forehead. “How about we take a break?”

  “Sure.” She climbed down the ladder, looking forward to getting out of the hot sun for a while. “I’ll grab us something from Scarlet’s.”

  “Thank you. I might go call Hattie and check she’s settled in to her cousin’s place.”

  Claire waved at Luke as he crossed the road to the phone booth. She’d gotten used to having a mobile phone with her and had lamented giving it back once production was over. Maybe
one day she could afford her own.

  She walked under the shade of the verandas, careful to avoid eye contact with Colin. Relieved at avoiding detection, she kept her head down, Scarlet’s café in sight.

  “Miss Montgomery.”

  Crap.

  “Yes?” She used her sweetest voice and plastered on a smile before she turned to face Colin.

  “Why are you doing that?”

  “Repairing the facade of Hattie’s cinema?”

  He arched an eyebrow. “I don’t see you doing anything else.”

  “The insurance is looking after the inside.”

  “Yes, well, I’m not talking about that.” Colin closed his mouth, and she waited for him to say something else. But the silence dragged on, and she wondered how long this weird stand-off would last. “If you think renovating the front of the cinema is going to get you in the good books, it won’t.”

  “To be honest, Colin, I don’t care what you think. I’m doing this for a lady who has been very kind to me, even when I let her down. She could have chastised me and made me feel like I was the lowest person on earth—instead, she realized that my intentions were honorable and that I would give anything to take back what happened. But I can’t.” She was on a roll, and she couldn’t stop. “So I am trying to bring sunshine to her life by doing something nice for her. It’s not to win her over. It’s not a bribe. It has nothing to do with anyone else in Starlight Creek except Hattie Fitzpatrick.”

  “You look pretty cozy with her great-nephew.”

  “It’s none of your business,” she said. “Aren’t there are more serious issues around here than a miniseries being made?”

  “You almost burned down the cinema.”

  Claire inhaled slowly. She counted to ten. It didn’t work—she was still angry. “The problems in this town are not because of outsiders—they’re because of you. All of you. And before you say anything, I am not perfect, that’s for sure, but at least I have the guts to examine who I am and work on myself. This town is toxic. I have no idea why I once thought this was paradise.”

  Colin held his head in his hands and she immediately felt terrible.