Limelight (Hollywood Stardust)

by Kim Carmichael

  HOLLYWOOD STARBURST

  FADE IN:

  INT. LOS ANGELES, CA – STUDIO SET - EVENING

  ROXY holds up a can of cat food.

  ROXY

  And that is why if I want a pretty kitty I only give my baby the best with Purrrrfect Blend Kitty Food.

  ROXY leans over and spoons cat food into a crystal goblet and three different cats congregate and begin eating the food.

  DIRECTOR – a middle-aged woman with a hat and glasses stands up.

  DIRECTOR

  Cut!

  ROXY sneezes and sniffs.

  DIRECTOR

  I’m not sure you’re believable as a cat owner. Have you ever owned a cat?

  ROXY

  Back home we have a dog.

  ROXY looks down.

  DIRECTOR

  Where is back home? Kansas?

  ROXY

  It was California, then it was Indiana, now...

  ROXY shrugs and sneezes.

  DIRECTOR

  I think they may be casting an antihistamine commercial in the next building. I’m looking for someone whose cat ownership bubbles out through their pores.

  ROXY

  Thank you for not leaving me hanging.

  ROXY walks across the set and picks up her purse.

  DIRECTOR

  Ms. Shore.

  ROXY turns

  DIRECTOR

  Maybe you need to find a home before you play act.

  ROXY

  I need to go searching.

  Chapter Two

  “DRIVER, CAN YOU HURRY?” Erin turned on the light in the back of the limo and held up her mirror. She seemed paler than normal and why shouldn’t she? A ghost she chased for twenty years finally decided to appear with no warning, no sign, not even a note on a Ouija board.

  Why tonight? Why now?

  Though he told her differently, deep down she knew Logan was in constant contact with her love. For twenty years she begged him to reveal Drew’s whereabouts, but the man proved to be unbreakable, even after she tried just about everything. She gave her reflection one last glance and tossed the mirror in her evening bag.

  After all this time she refused to allow Drew to call the shots, show up when he was damn good and ready, and blurt out he needed to speak to her. When they connected it would be under her terms.

  No, she wouldn’t make him wait years or days. She wouldn’t torture Drew as he had her, though the thought was appealing. At the end of the day, she wouldn’t put herself through any more pain. The last hour provided a long enough wait, and she still had more obstacles in front of her before she reached her goal.

  The traffic from the studio to her home crawled. Heated energy surged through her, and she breathed in to get a good yell out at the driver.

  Wait.

  She stopped her outburst and inhaled deeply as if she were getting into character. Many, many times in life required stomping and screaming, but there were still some moments that necessitated the wide-eyed sweetheart. Whatever the role required.

  “Sir?” She called out to the driver.

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  She shuddered at the old lady term, but continued using her best innocent, helpless high-pitched voice. “Do you know if there’s a shortcut or anything that we can take? I really need to get home, um, it’s sort of an emergency.”

  “I’m doing my best, ma’am.”

  “Oh, I know you are.” She pressed her hand to her chest and licked her lips to make sure they maintained a shine even if matte lipstick was in style. “But something tells me that you excel at everything you do.”

  The chauffeur straightened up. “I will get you home, ma’am.”

  “Erin. Darling, please call me Erin.” Once more she reached into her bag to retrieve her phone.

  Her breath caught. For the first time in twenty years, potentially the one person she wanted to hear from would contact her. At least this time she could turn on the device and have the information she quite literally crawled on her hands and knees for.

  When she first got in the vehicle, she’d texted Logan for Drew’s phone and address. Still waiting for a response from her co-star, she closed her eyes and tapped the button. It seemed all she did was seek out information about one Drew Fulton, down to the first time she laid eyes on him at his screen test.

  She and Logan had arrived early and peeked into the studio housing their rumored newest cast member. “Is that him?”

  “Who else could it be?” Logan had rubbed his hands together. “He’ll make a perfect minion.”

  “He looks like he’s nice. Don’t be a jerk.” She stared at the guy who the studio hired just for her. Sweet face, nice smile, a little chubby and he carried himself with a humble demeanor, especially with the way he stood by the person she assumed to be his mother with his hands in his pockets. In a world where everyone was taught to be outgoing and stand out, he was refreshing.

  “I’m only stating the obvious. If anyone should be worried about being a jerk, or may I use the proper term for a girl, a bitch, it should be you, since you got that Stacy fired.”

  No sooner had Logan let out a low chuckle than the director motioned for them. “Erin, Logan, come on in. You’re right on time.”

  Once the director turned his back, she elbowed Logan. “I’m not a bitch.” She held her head up high and gracefully walked into the studio.

  “Keep believing that, princess. Someone has to,” Logan snarled under his breath and passed her, making his way to the newcomer first and held out his hand. “Logan Alexander, your new best friend and leader.”

  Unable to hide her emotion, she rolled her eyes and waited. Though she wanted to be the first person to meet the potential fourth, now she thought it might be better if she stood back and waited to take center stage.

  “Drew Fulton.” The newbie shook Logan’s hand, but his focus was most definitely on her. “I don’t think it’s you anyone will be following.”

  Again, Logan let out a laugh and though Drew wasn’t her type, her cheeks heated.

  After allowing the moment to stretch a little more, she stepped forward, joining the boys.

  “Erin Holland, no doubt.” Drew offered his hand for a shake.

  “Our resident bitch.” Logan elbowed her.

  Jutting her jaw out at Logan, she put her hand in Drew’s. Warm, soft skin encompassed her hand it almost felt like safety.

  “I am a fan of your work.” He let go of her and pushed his glasses up on his nose.

  “Well then, you have excellent taste.” With a bit of attitude, she pursed her lips and glanced at Logan. Except for Ryder, she had more experience than anyone.

  “I think I also have great instinct, and mine tells me you’re not a bitch.” Drew tilted his head, but was one of the few people who didn’t seem timid to look her in the eye.

  She smiled, a genuine one, not one forced or rehearsed, and they studied each other. Besides the calming deep brown color of his eyes, she glimpsed something else there.

  “Should we get on with the screen test?” The director interrupted them.

  Though she never really had a friend before, she wondered if she found one in Drew Fulton, and she held her hand up. “We need to give the part to Drew.”

  Everyone in the room focused on her and this is where she shined.

  The director narrowed his eyes. “We haven’t seen you act together.”

  “He’s perfect, you’ll see.” Before turning to the director, she licked her lips to give them a shine, widened her eyes, and hooked her arm in Drew’s. “Please, you said that Roxy and this character had to have an underlying trust and friendship, and I think I can have that with Drew. He belongs to me. You said that about this character just the other day.”

  The director crossed his arms and tapped his foot. “Hold on.” He went to a phone across the room and spoke in muffled tones.

  Without letting go of what she rightfully claimed, she winked at Drew.

  The director ret
urned. “Well, we have heard Drew read for the part of Charles. Sometimes chemistry is inherent among cast mates, and we feel that is the case here. Drew, we’ll draw up your contract.”

  Yeah, right. Erin just kept up the good girl act, her favorite role. The director, the producer, and everyone else knew there would be hell to pay if they didn’t give her the actor she chose. She had leaned over to her new partner in crime, the one who would protect her, even if he didn’t know it yet. “I need to talk to you.”

  With a start, she opened her eyes. Now, Drew needed to talk to her. The word talk reverberated in her mind over and over as if someone hit the repeat button in her brain. Until this precise moment, she didn’t consider the possibility he wanted anything except to talk about them, but what if it were something different? Her stomach twisted, but before she let her mind race off, she glanced down at the screen.

  Nothing. No Logan. No Drew. No Brian.

  Brian?

  She straightened up. Her agent, also known as her significant other, who wasn’t so significant, didn’t attend the anniversary party for Hollywood Stardust. Where was he anyway? Anytime she needed him, he seemed to go missing. If he had the information she wanted all these years, she swore the man would live to regret it.

  At long last the limo pulled up in front of Brian’s home south of Sunset Boulevard, the house that Hollywood Stardust built. Funny, how he ended up with the seven-figure home, while she did all the work. All agents were the same.

  The car stopped and the chauffeur got out and opened the door.

  “And here we are, Erin.” The man gave her a huge grin. “How did I do?”

  Reaching in her bag again, she bypassed a hundred dollar bill and grabbed two twenties. She got out of the car and shoved the bills in the man’s hand. “You should have taken the proper way to begin with.”

  Without looking back, she headed straight to the front.

  Before she ever put her key in the lock, the door opened.

  Apparently, tonight was the night her life changed. She always figured the second she and Drew were reunited would be earth shattering.

  If the suitcases didn’t tell her what she needed to know, the fact Brian stood with his arms crossed blocking her way filled in any gaps. The strange thing about it all was that the first thought to go through her head was this little disturbance would delay her in getting to Drew.

  “You weren’t there tonight.” She stated the obvious.

  “When exactly did you notice?” He tilted his head.

  Throughout her entire career they attended functions separate yet together, mostly arriving in different vehicles in order for her to attend to business. Even the most social events were work events. She didn’t dare tell him the truth and admit she didn’t notice his absence until she practically pulled up to the house. “It was a big event.”

  “It’s always a big event. It’s never not a big event.”

  She smiled. “You used to love that about me.”

  “You used to search me out no matter where you were.” His tone lowered, he never could act.

  “Do we have to do this tonight?”

  “It’s never a good time.” He sighed.

  “Then I’ll pencil you in for the morning. I’m going to head up to bed. It’s been quite a night.” Her ploy usually worked or delayed the inevitable. She simply needed some time with Drew before pulling up roots.

  “Not in my bed, not in my house, not on my property.” He continued to block her way.

  “You sound like a nursery rhyme.” She stepped forward.

  “I need to speak in a language you will understand.” He held up his hand.

  Stupid. She stopped and put her hands on her hips. Everyone always thought she was stupid. “Have you been online? Drew showed up at the gala.”

  “I’m actually surprised you bothered showing up here this early. This is what you waited for and wanted for two decades. I’ve always been a placeholder, like those people that fill the seats at the Oscars so the audience looks full.”

  Again, she withheld some truth. If she had Drew’s information she might not have come home at all. “I didn’t talk to him yet.”

  “I’m sure he’s waiting for you, and you’ll have plenty of time.” He rubbed his neck. “You didn’t get the Cushing part.”

  His words dropped on her with a sad thud. For the millionth time tonight tears heated the back of her eyes, and she swallowed to stop any from falling. “I’ve had a bit of a dry spell.”

  “You’re quickly becoming a has-been.” He picked up the suitcases and brought them to her. “You’re letting yourself go, you spend money like you’re an A-lister, and you lay around here like you’re retired.”

  “I’ve worked for over thirty years.” The statement caused bile to sting the back of her throat. Two seconds ago she was under thirty and never had to audition for roles. In a heartbeat, she was nearing forty and living with a man over twenty years her senior because she had nowhere else to go.

  “You better keep working because that’s all you’re good at. You don’t love me, and I can’t help you anymore. We need to separate our lives, starting now.”

  “That’s not what you said when you slept with someone underage.”

  “I’m not saying I’m perfect.” He inched closer. “I’m only saying I’m done.”

  “So, without any warning you’re kicking me out and dropping my contract?” Jutting her jaw out, she lifted her face to him.

  “You never heed any warnings unless you want to.” As if deflating, he exhaled. “If I don’t do it this way, we’ll only end up back in the same cycle.”

  Her phone vibrated and ignoring the fact Brian stood in front of her, she took her time opening her handbag and reading the message on the screen. Finally, Logan came through with the information she wanted most in the last two decades.

  “Erin,” Brian barked.

  Without moving her head, she looked up at him through her eyelashes. “I think you’re right, we’re done.” If he wanted to see a has-been he should look in the mirror. The man held her back, her past held her back. Well, now with Brian wanting her gone and Drew wanting to talk, all barriers vanished. Since her driver for the evening already left, she found her keys, spun on her heel toward the open door, and threw her hair over her shoulder. “Load up my bags, will you?”

  They didn’t speak as he put her suitcases in the trunk of her luxury sedan. She slipped into the leather seat and strummed her fingers on the steering wheel while he finished.

  Brian slammed the trunk lid closed and came to the side of the car.

  Right on cue she locked the doors, cranked up the music, and sped out of the driveway. The man wasn’t even worth her time to glance back at in her rearview mirror.

  Once around the corner, she stopped, plugged the address into her navigation system and lowered her head.

  The consequences of her actions always hit her a few minutes too late.

  She left without knowing how much, if any, money she had and without a place in the world to stay. All Drew said was he needed to talk to her.

  HOLLYWOOD STARBURST

  FADE IN:

  INT. HOLLYWOOD, CA – AGENT’S OFFICE – EARLY MORNING.

  ROXY sits in a dingy waiting room wringing her hands.

  SECRETARY points to the agent’s door.

  SECRETARY

  You can go on in now. Hand Mr. Snyder two copies of your resume and headshot and wait for him to address you.

  ROXY stands and pulls her papers and pictures out of her bag. She goes to the door, opens it and tiptoes inside.

  AGENT sits behind desk reading a magazine and holds his hand out.

  ROXY shoves the documents into the agent’s hands and sits down in the chair across from the desk.

  AGENT

  I’m sure my secretary didn’t tell you to sit.

  ROXY presses her lips together and stands.

  AGENT glances at papers and pictures and tosses them on a pile.
/>   AGENT

  Well, you sort of take direction well, minus one for sitting.

  ROXY opens her mouth.

  AGENT looks up and raises his eyebrows.

  ROXY Shuts her mouth and wraps arms around her shoulders.

  AGENT

  You’re learning. You also don’t stand up for yourself.

  ROXY

  What does that mean?

  AGENT

  (raises voice, agitated tone.)

  That means that you will get trampled on. That means you’re just another pretty face. That means you are only good for porn if you want to get paid, an extra if you want to think you’re legit.

  ROXY puts hand to chest. Her lower lip quivers, and she shakes her head.

  AGENT stands and leans over the desk.

  AGENT

  Look at you, even now I just used your dreams to wipe my ass and all you can do is look at me with your tear filled eyes.

  ROXY

  What do you want me to do?

  AGENT

  Learn to be an actress. Learn to fight. Learn to lie. Learn to get what you want.

  ROXY

  I need to learn what I want.

  Chapter Three

  DREW’S HOME IN PASADENA looked exactly like what she pictured when she used to dream about their life together. Erin gazed up at the perfectly manicured Craftsman style home, complete with a yard, an SUV in the curved driveway and probably an obedient dog sitting by a fireplace. At least there was only one car. Of course, a second one could easily be in the two-car garage.