by R. Twine
‘Great!’ said Steven, the actor who was to play Liz’s first husband.
‘Let’s get down to the script then. Do you have any questions concerning the parts? Has everybody learned their lines?’ asked Jack.
‘Yeah, yeah’ I heard the exclamations from all sides.
‘The movie is based upon the biography of the actress, with the focus on her personal life,’ Jack started to explain. ‘There are two leading characters involved in the movie, but the secondary characters are also important, and I want you to keep it in mind!’ He paused and cast a meaningful glance around the room. ‘The better every part is performed, the better the entire movie will turn out. By the way, your careers also depend upon the success of the film.’
‘This is his usual rant before every new production. Don’t pay too much attention to it,’ whispered Sam in my ear.
‘I like his business-like approach to the task at hand – clear and concise,’ I replied.
‘All right, you still have several days in store for preparation,’ reminded Jack.
‘You’re dismissed! Everybody may go, except for the leading characters,’ he said, pointing his finger at me, Sam and three more actors. ‘Go to the make-up room, change your clothes, and then come to me for test scenes.’
Such an unexpected turn of events put me at a loss.
‘You mean … right now?’
‘Yes, right now,’ said Jack in reply.
‘Honey, have you memorized the script?’ Sam asked me.
‘Call me by name, will you?’ I retorted.
‘All right,’ he agreed, barely able to hold back his smile. ‘And what am I going to get in return?’
I cast an angry look at him.
‘Come on, don’t be nasty! I got your point,’ he replied, backing off quickly.
Samuel was a handsome man: tall, strong and well-built. Everything about him was attractive: his dark-blue eyes were in harmony with the brown color of his thick hair; his sharply-lined sensual lips often stretched in an intoxicating smile, baring his snow-white robust teeth. It was clear he was spoiled by women's attention; almost all of them would fall prey to his irresistible charms. But, despite his endless love affairs, he was reputed to be a serious actor possessing a talent that couldn’t be doubted.
Samuel was an entrenched bachelor who rejected outright the bonds of marriage. I had tried to get as much information about my would-be partner as possible, and once came across his unambiguous statement in one of the papers:
“Why should I get married and ruin my life for good? True love doesn’t get stronger just because you take an oath in front of an altar. Getting legally married only cools down passion, because everything is already conquered and fixed. A man can’t feel free after getting married! And who’s to blame? The main thing for me is to live by my feelings in the moment. And when love is over, you can always leave because you’re really free. Not many can afford this because their freedom has been limited by the official stamp of marriage. Naturally, this is my personal opinion; I’m not telling anyone to follow my beliefs. But I, personally, prefer a bachelor’s life!”
I felt there was some resemblance between Samuel and me. I, too, was not in a hurry to burden myself with marriage. We held similar views inasmuch as we both believed that people should consider situations carefully before taking important decisions. He seemed to have a very fine appreciation of me – and that in spite of the fact that he knew almost nothing about me! What could this be explained by – by destiny? I had no answer to this question.
‘There are a lot of explicit scenes in the movie, Miriam,’ Jessie said, accidentally on purpose, after noticing that Jack was looking at me with a barely disguised desire. ‘And Samuel is still the womanizer he has always been! He dates only very beautiful women. This is his hobby. His nature can’t be changed… He’s an expert in elegant romances and in elegant breakups!’ she said confidingly.
Diego, the make-up artist and a man of about thirty, worked wonders: his skillful hands turned me into Liz; now I really looked like her. Wardrobe assistants brought a low-neck tight-fitting dress. After putting it on, I could hardly recognize myself in the mirror; a quite different woman was staring back at me. Liz and I – so familiar and yet so foreign at the same time – became as one.
I had anticipated that it would be quite difficult to play the role of this woman. She had frequent mood swings: one minute she could be fluttering merrily about the room, and the next, she could sink deep into melancholy. Sometimes nobody could understand what she was up to, because what she did couldn’t be explained logically. Liz’s personal life turned out difficult and complicated: she tormented everybody she was in love with; she tormented herself. She was pathologically jealous, and often kicked up quarrels, and flew into fits of hysteria, constantly demanding proof of her lover’s fidelity – and never believing it. But still, men adored her – for her exceptional beauty, for her talent as an actress, for her talent for love. She would devote herself to love totally and absolutely, and demanded the same devotion from the object of her love. She refused to share her men with other women. It was to her alone that they had to belong.
The purpose of her life, it seemed, was to suffer. She didn’t know how to be happy, and she would hurt her loved ones, throwing them into misery. But Liz preferred to be tormented by love, not by loneliness and emptiness. So, for me, it wasn’t just acting: I had to demonstrate a true passion on the screen.
Liz was unable to break the vicious circle of bad luck that enveloped her soul. Desperation loomed over her like the sword of Damocles.
I had to get the feel of this woman, to understand and accept her, absorb her and then turn myself inside-out in order to reveal the true Liz to the world.
‘Are you ready, Miriam? Everybody’s waiting for you,’ said Jessie, spurring me on.
‘Just a moment…!’ I shouted back.
I went up the wide staircase and entered a magnificent hall with columns and crystal chandeliers. It was there that one of the first scenes had to unfold – the one where Liz and Bryan met each other. According to the script, the scene had to involve about a hundred people who impersonated the guests invited to the special party held to celebrate Independence Day. But today this episode was played by only two actors. This was the first time I met Samuel on a film set.
‘Ready…Set…Action!’ commanded Jack.
‘Elizabeth Arleen, the most beautiful woman, every man’s dream and my favorite actress – I’m very happy to meet you. My name is Bryan,’ said Sam, putting out his palm for a handshake.
‘Bryan Edwards, a successful politician, a handsome man and the idol of the public,’ I replied playfully without pulling my hand from his. ‘Besides, you look very manly to me. I’m not interested in politics, but I have to admit that people are fond of you, aren’t they? You have the gift of winning people over…’ I made a pause full of suggestion.
Bryan-Sam was devouring me with his eyes; my gaze also was fixed on him. A spark shot between us. It seemed to me it was even visible from outside.
‘I’m very pleased to hear you saying this, Liz. Is this a compliment?’ he asked quietly.
‘You may take it as a compliment. I was glad to meet you,’ I said, walking on across the hall.
Bryan followed Liz with his glance, admiring her perfect form. I walked, thinking what Liz might have thought: “He attracts me like a magnet. What kind of lover is he, I wonder?”
Bryan paused, then quickly caught up with Liz, and whispered in her ear,
‘I’d like to invite you for dinner, if you don’t mind…’
His voice had a weird effect on me. Some strange feeling engulfed me – one resembling a sweet languor. It must have been the intoxicating effect his nutmeg cologne mixed with the scent of his body had on me.
‘No, I don’t mind,’ I said – in the capacity of Liz – in a voice that was trembling slightly.
‘I dropped my telephone number and the address into your handbag. Can
you come over tomorrow?’
“Oh, my God, I just can’t refuse him!” – Liz thought. Or was it me?
‘Okay,’ I said quietly.
Bryan smiled contentedly and quickly disappeared.
Walking with an unsteady gait, I headed for the table for one more glass of champagne. I saw nothing around me, but felt hundreds of eyes watching Liz’s every move.
‘Cut!’ Jack called out. ‘You should be more sexually attractive, Miriam. Liz gave off such sexual magnetism that TV sets would explode!’ he said jokingly. ‘Well, in the beginning of the movie we will mention in passing something about her husband and some of her lovers; something like they were much in love with each other but then broke up, and all that, but afterwards, this first meeting between Liz and Bryan has to be played in such a way that nobody should have any doubt left: this is the beginning of a real all-consuming passion. They immediately become aware of how much they want each other, so much so that they cannot quench this overwhelming desire. This take may have to be repeated over and over again, until your eyes sparkle with passion! You have to clear your heads of everything so that all that’s left is your thoughts and desires for each other. Is that clear?’
‘Yes, it is,’ said Sam.
‘OK…Action!’ Jack said shouted, and everyone present in the hall held their breath.
I admired the inner strength of this man; one word from him was enough to get the show rolling. Everybody obeyed him without a grumble, while he, immersed in his work, would forget about the world around him – his full attention was focused only on the set.
We did several retakes before Jack was satisfied with the result.
‘Not bad to start with,’ he said, smiling approvingly in a monitor.
I returned to my hotel in the evening, totally exhausted. I took a shower; then I made myself comfortable on the couch with my legs tucked under me, and turned on the TV. A storm of international problems burst into my room: wars were breaking out in various parts of the globe; people were dying of unknown viruses, hunger and natural disasters; weather forecasts predicted severe droughts in many Western countries, while in other regions coastal cities were under threat of flooding because of unceasing torrential rain.
“Something weird is happening, that’s for sure”, I thought bitterly. “Whatever sins is Mankind paying for? Looks like the End Times for real.”
Chapter 24
My telephone kept insistently buzzing.
‘Hello?’
‘Hi Miriam…!’ I heard Samuel’s voice. ‘Would you like to go out somewhere for dinner and talk about the movie? I promise to behave. Please, say yes. .’
‘Okay, I have nothing against it.’
‘Great! I’ll come to pick you up in an hour. Will that be enough time to get ready?’
‘Of course. You can come by even earlier; I think I’ll be ready.’
Half an hour later the hotel clerk rang saying I had a visitor.
‘Let him in,’ I instructed.
Sam came into my room, a broad smile on his face.
‘You are beautiful – as usual! Thanks for not turning me down. There’s a wonderful restaurant nearby, I think you’re gonna like it. It’s a nice place and free from all-seeing eyes.’
‘Let’s go there,’ I said with a smile.
‘I can be at your service every day – if you want,’ offered Sam, making for the exit.
‘Thank you, Sam, for your unceasing attention to me,’ I replied with a marked politeness.
‘I don’t see anything wrong with somebody like me offering to look after an attractive woman like you. It’s only natural, Miriam! I really like you, so I’m trying to get as close to you as I can. I don’t want you to think that I’m going to drag you into bed by force. I have always built my relationships with women on the basis of mutual consent. What’s more, I even like when a women comes on to me. It’s quite interesting, by the way. At first I play hard to get, but later, naturally, I nicely give in…’
I laughed out loud.
‘You know, I like your sense of humor. I think we can find some common ground. But there’s one thing I’d like to ask you: please hold back your indecent offers.’
‘What’s indecent? Please get in, mademoiselle!’ he said opening the passenger door, and in a few seconds a black Mercedes sports car speeded away down the road.
We entered a small cozy restaurant situated in one of the upper floors of a high-rise building. The headwaiter led us to a table with a terrific view of the New York skyline at night, while flickering candles cast vague trembling shadows over the snow-white table-cloth.
‘How beautiful,’ I said with admiration. ‘An excellent place for a rest… And it provides a bird’s eye view of the city!’
‘This is one of my favorite New York restaurants. I try to come here often as I can. The food here is amazing!’ Sam said, smiling. ‘By the way, the head chef is French. He’s a real magician and works wonders.’
I studied the menu meticulously. It impressed me with the variety of dishes and the originality of the ingredients.
‘I’m going to make it a big lobster, American style, and tossed green salad on the side,’ I said, having finally made up my mind.
‘A good choice, really – maybe I’ll order the same, but in a brandy sauce. Well, looks like we have the same taste!’ said Sam.
It was good sitting near this man – I felt calm and at ease.
‘Do you think we’ll manage to portray the love Liz and Bryan had for each other, Sam?’ I asked switching to the subject that kept me agitated. ‘You see, this is my first cinematic role so I’m really anxious. I can’t think of anything else…’
‘Of course we will – how could we not?’ said Sam in a confident tone of voice, and added reassuringly. ‘It’s always kind of scary to play any role for the first time in your life, let alone the role you are going to play, but I’m sure you’ll do fine! You’ll turn into a true professional in the blink of an eye. To me, you’re already doing great, Miriam. Looks like you’ve been working on Liz’s image for quite a while.’
‘Yes, I went through all the films that Liz starred in, I studied everything: her movements, her facial gestures, the way she walked and talked, her disposition… All her life is in my head – inasmuch as it had been recorded. I’m fond of this woman with all her merits and flaws. People like her are born once in a century; she may be unique altogether. She was a woman who appeared on Earth only once, and there won’t be anybody like her on our planet ever again! She was a kind of a genius,’ I said, getting increasingly excited.
‘You’re right: her memory will live forever. She was unique, and her tragic death alone immortalized her name. She’s still kind of a mystery. Millions of men still dream about her, and nobody knows why,’ said Sam agreeing with my opinion, and then he asked without a pause, ‘Would you mind telling me a little bit about yourself?’
I took a sip of champagne from the wineglass, and began telling my story – a very short one and always very painful to my heart.
‘I was born in the South of France to a very close-knit and loving family. My parents were very nice people… They died in a car crash when I was twelve. I miraculously survived the accident. I led a solitary life for quite a while, devoting myself totally to studying and painting… Then I made up my mind to try my hand at the fashion business – and turned out lucky at my first try. The agency offered me a serious contract. My friends are few, and I have absolute trust in them. Besides, I have very nice grandparents whom I adore.’
‘How awful! It must have been very hard for you to get over a thing like death of your parents,’ Sam said sympathetically after I went silent.
‘Yes it was,’ I nodded and, without losing time, asked him to tell me something, ‘Now it’s your turn to open your heart.’
‘I’m afraid I can’t sum it up as well as you, but I’ll try,’ Sam said with a smile. ‘I was born in Washington, DC to a family of people from the business community. My p
arents didn’t get along like yours did; it seemed they were always fighting. It was only their mutual business that kept them from getting a divorce: they were afraid of losing their controlling block of shares, and getting themselves bogged down in endless litigations. They did stay together in spite of the fact that they hated each other. I’m pretty sure both of them lived a double life. I have a sister – Nancy – she works at a tax agency. I got my MBA. My parents ran a taut ship; they treated us only on big holidays. They paid for my education, and didn’t have any qualms over making me feel guilty about it. One day I got fed up with it all, and decided to audition for a coffee commercial. Fortunately, they quickly hired me, and after I was filmed in a promo video I realized I could be financially independent from my folks. And then everything just grew exponentially: I had a couple of successful auditions, played several secondary parts, and later I caught Alex Vane’s eye, and he offered me a leading part in “Red Eclipse”. This movie made me famous. I abandoned my career in economics, and devoted myself completely to my acting career… You know, I’m grateful to my parents – in a way: if they had behaved differently, if they hadn’t gotten on my back over their money, I never would’ve appeared in that promo video, I never would have become who I am now. The funny thing is, they keep harping on about acting not being a serious occupation,’ said Sam, laughing. By the way, they still live together and blame each other for their unhappiness. Frankly, I just can’t stand to be around them for more than two hours. My sister is much more tolerant – I wish I had her nerve!’ Sam said ironically.
‘But my parents always let me have everything I wanted. I wasn’t a spoilt and whimsical child, though in my childhood I had effectively everything a child can dream of. I would often sit beside my Mom watching her paint pictures… At the age of five I had an extraordinary ability to sit still, and when I turned eight, I was able to reproduce my thoughts on a canvas,’ I said, sharing my recollections.