Maddie on TV
Page 2
We agreed to say nothing about the contest, just as Patrick and Nicholas arrived.
“So girls,” Patrick said mockingly. “Is your catfight all over?”
Clementine responded with an insult to all boys, which hit Patrick where it hurt. The fight was on!
It was good to be back with my friends.
*
Over the next few days, my life returned to normal. From time to time I felt a pang of regret and called Gran, so she could cheer me up and keep me posted… on whatever. Otherwise, it was the usual routine.
In class one day, I struggled to stay awake as Ms. Spiegel tried her best to teach me something. Fortunately, we were both saved by the bell for recess. When I got outside, I saw Gran on the other side of the fence. She had probably come to cheer me up. I went over to see.
After she left, I leaned casually against the fence. My friends came over— and I exploded!
“They picked me! Yippee! I won! I won the contest!”
The boys just stared, open-mouthed. Nicholas even stopped eating.
“B-but how?” Patrick stuttered. “You really put one over on me, swell head. Congratulations!”
Clementine had gone pale and silent. I hugged her while Patrick and Nicholas spread the news. I instantly became the star of the schoolyard. I was surrounded by a crowd, everyone asking questions.
“What was it like?”
“It was amazing. The competition was fierce. Some people will do anything to win.”
Clementine shot a look at me. I went on to the next question.
“Was I nervous? A little. The trick is to not take yourself too seriously, and to let your personality shine through.”
“What was the audition like?”
“It was very, very long. They asked a million questions.”
Clementine was staring at me in disbelief. She wouldn’t contradict me, would she?
“The camera is on you constantly. That’s how it is, for all actors.”
“Not for the stars,” Clementine pointed out.
What nerve! If she was trying to get under my skin, she’d better watch out. The little mouse deserved a little scare.
“Even for the stars. They arrived after your—I mean, after my audition. But you should know that it’s no picnic being a celebrity.”
“Really? Celebrities tell us a lot of lies,” she answered.
Was she trying to say she could give me away? She was lucky that the bell rang just then, because I was very disappointed in her behaviour!
5
Loss of Face
It was a lot harder to be an actor than I had thought. At least to be in a commercial. We were just like cattle, and we had to follow orders. “Quiet! Let’s run through it again! And try to put a little sizzle in it this time!”
I would have liked to see them put some sizzle in it. For five hours straight, we were supposed to jump and shout. And in between the shots, it was hurry up and wait. I intended to complain to Gran.
Where was she? Probably flitting about like a butterfly. There she was, talking with one of the cameramen.
“I’m getting hungry, Gran. Why do we have to wait?”
“Well, Martin here was explaining why it takes so long. But if you’re hungry, there’s all kinds of food over there.”
Gran was in her element. She was fascinated by the whole process of filming. Half the time she didn’t even notice I was there.
I went over to the lunch table alone. I was sorry Clementine wasn’t with me. And she was right about the stars—they weren’t even filming with us.
I nibbled on a sandwich, but it made me feel sick. I spat it out into a garbage can. Next to the garbage can I discovered a big box full of Lollipeps.
Just what I needed!
I stuffed a handful of them into my pocket and started to munch on one. It burst in my mouth like a little firecracker, releasing a delicious liquid.
I ate two more. Wow! They really had an effect! I felt like I’d eaten a dozen regular suckers. When we started shooting again, I was buzzing and I set the pace for everyone else.
The director loved it! He decided to film a close-up of me licking a Lollipep.
Afterwards, I felt light as a feather, with no worries. As I strolled through the studio, I noticed two boys standing to one side. I recognized Justin right away.
The other one looked a bit like Adam, but he was shorter and all pimply. It must be his double. I decided to find out for sure.
“Hi!” I said. “My name’s Maddie. I’m an actress. I just wondered if you’re Adam?”
“No,” he said curtly. “My name is Luke Langley.”
“I knew you weren’t Adam,” I said. “You’re shorter than he is.”
Justin snickered, and the other boy looked peeved.
“Another little airhead who can’t tell fact from fiction.”
I got it then. He was Adam – the actor who played Adam! And he called me an airhead! I wasn’t going to take that.
“The difference,” I shot back, “is that, in fact, you’re rude!”
After that, he didn’t speak to me.
The rest of the filming was very difficult. I don’t know why, but I felt sad.
Thanks to the Lollipeps, I was able to hold on until the filming was finished. Afterwards, I must have fainted.
When I came to again, I figured we were back home, because I recognized my dad shouting. Apparently, I was covered in a rash.
The last thing I remember was my mother yelling at her own mother as if Gran were her daughter.
*
My allergic reaction to Lollipeps lasted several days. While I was at home, I heard an interview with Adam on the radio.
“I loved filming with our young fans. They were so much fun! It was as if we were all a big family!”
I couldn’t believe it! But it made me think about what I would tell my friends.
Right off the bat, Clementine asked, “What are Adam and Justin like?”
“They’re a bit different in person, of course. But they’re really nice. We were all on the same team, giving our all for the film.”
The more I talked, the more I believed what I was saying. And it’s true we gave our all! Especially me!
“The director thought I was so vivacious that he gave me a special part.”
My friends were very impressed.
*
I persuaded my parents to hold a party to celebrate my television début. All of my friends came, and Gran also stopped by for the occasion.
My mother called everyone to order, and announced that Julian was going to present a special report first. She must have coached him.
“This is Tintin reporting,” began Julian. “I have investigated Lollipeps and have gathered evidence. This is a very suspicious matter, because the company has have refused to answer my questions. But Professor Calculus has discovered poison in Lollipeps, and my sister got a rash.”
He looked over at my mother, then added, “I recommend that you stay away from Lollipeps, and I’ll be watching them!”
Everyone thought he was funny and they all clapped. I let him have his moment of glory and got ready for my own. I started the VCR and asked everyone to be quiet again. The film began.
While catchy music played, a crowd of young fans applauded the stars. I scanned the faces, but I couldn’t find my own.
“There you are, with the pigtails sticking out!” someone cried.
“Here’s your close-up!” Gran called.
I appeared on the screen for a fraction of a second, holding a Lollipep. Then the picture began to morph and dissolve as if I had swallowed a magic potion. It was horrible!
I was shocked! They had used my face for special effects! I was humiliated in front of everyone. I burst into tears.
My friends gathered around to comfort me.
“It was great!” said Patrick. “Like science fiction.”
“It makes you want to try Lollipeps,” added Nicholas.
“
You can tell you have a lot of spunk,” Clementine assured me.
I was beginning to feel better when Alexander came up. He was sure to shoot me down.
“You were very good in your part,” he declared. “You were totally unrecognizable.”
I wasn’t sure that was a compliment, but it made me feel better. If no one could recognize me, then I had nothing to worry about.
My parents said that I was their favourite actress. Only Gran looked a bit disappointed. Now it was my turn to set her straight.
“Gran, you took the whole thing way too seriously. Stars, TV shows, commercials—it’s all just make-believe, you know.”
I also brought Julian back down to earth. He had hopes of getting the Lollipeps people arrested.
So after all, the contest was a positive experience for everyone. And I still watch my favourite show every week.
Only now, I don’t watch it for Adam. I like Justin better.
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Originally published as Sophie découvre l’envers du décor
Copyright © 2002 Les éditions de la courte échelle inc
Translation copyright © 2003 Sarah Cummins
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Cataloguing in Publication data is available from Library and Archives Canada
This digital edition first published in 2011 as 978-1-4595-0007-5
Originally published in 2002 as 978-0-88780-612-4
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