by P J Gilbers
“I see Kelly. She’s over there in the yellow baseball hat. Let’s go talk to her.”
“Who’s Kelly?”
“Second Unit Director,” Jack yelled over his shoulder.
“Jack, good morning.” Kelly was a short redhead with a generous dose of freckles. “Costume and make-up are over in the orange tent. Coffee and food in the gray tent. We’ll be shooting over by the tree…with all of the lights. How’s the ankle?”
“Good,” he lied.
“Right. Selling any bridges lately?” Even though she seemed to have a sense of humor her face had no smile function on it, just stress. “Winston and Randy are in make-up. We’ll do scene six first. I had Shandi’s scene first but she’s running a little late.” She rolled her eyes and Jack laughed.
“I’m hungry,” he said.
We walked to the gray tent, where there was a large crowd milling around. The terrain was tough on crutches. He kept hitting holes and rocks throwing him off balance.
“Are you sure you can’t make this damn ankle heal faster?”
“Yup, I’m sure.”
“But you can sneak out in the middle of the night to hop into bed with Fritz.”
Fritz came up behind him. He moaned. “Now you’re going to upset her and she was perky, remember?”
“Clothes on, no sex. We just discussed this Jack. Did you ask Luis or Gloria who they slept with last night?”
“Not this crap again, Sam.”
“You’re right. Next time I won’t sneak. Do you have a form to fill out? JN7slashFslashFU? You know, the Permission to fuck form?”
I threw my food in the trash and walked to the horse corral. The horses were agitated, butting into each other, making bitching noises. They were huge. And beautiful.
George had been watching Howard McMorris since they left the airport headed for the palatial McMorris three bedroom bungalow. Howard resembled Frank but was shorter, stockier, and nearly as pretty.
George bumped into him, slipping the transmitter into his carryon.
"Sorry. Been bumping people all day. Balance is all screwed up. Sorry."
"No problem." Howard watched him walk away.
Years of living with a secret agent brother had taught him to trust his gut. The man seemed too friendly. But...he wasn't sure what that meant.
After a while Fritz stood beside me not talking.
Kelly walked by again and looked at her watch.
“If Shandi doesn’t get here soon we won’t make the afternoon shoot,” she barked into her headpiece. “You know how long her costume takes. The harness alone…Yes, they have the riggings ready for her. …I don’t care whose dick she’s sucking at the moment!…She will fly if I have to kick her in the butt…”
A track had been built along the tree and on it was a seat for the cameraman and a large camera.
“Do you always go with him to the sets?”
“Not in the studios. But sometimes when we’re doing these sorts of site scenes. And always when we travel. Looking forward to New Zealand. Thinking about buying a house there. Perhaps you could help me pick it out.”
He smiled that smile that I was beginning to like very much.
“And try it out.”
“Maybe we should leave today,” I whispered.
“Angry?”
“To the tenth power. David said I should kind of treat you two the same for right now. I tried. I wanted to be with you last night and I knew it wasn’t going to go well.”
“Eventually you will have to choose.”
“I know.”
“You look fantastic in the morning light.”
“So do you. Kind of Errol Flynn profile in this light.”
He laughed. “You do like old movies. And I’m not nearly that pretty.”
“Do you know how painfully horny I am?”
He looked surprised. “Do you know how many men would pay any amount of money for you to say that to them?” He put his arms around me.
“This is only making it worse.”
He grinned pressing against me. “Really? Perhaps we should try it tonight with no clothes, hours of sex.”
“I have to call David.”
I walked away, to a group of trees on a hill, and called.
“Hello my sweet.”
“Sorry to call you so early.”
“I’m actually on my way to the airport.”
“Oh?”
“Japan. Meeting with some investors. But you and I need to get together.”
“Yes.”
“Everything okay?”
“They’re driving me crazy. I want to sleep with them.”
“Sweetheart, you can, but you may only add to the fear of the panic if it happens again. I don’t think you’re ready. I’ll be back tomorrow late. How about Friday night?”
“Okay. I miss you.”
“I’ll call you if I can. Go slow, Sam. Call if you need me.”
Fritz had moved out by the tree. I felt like a kid sister following him around.
“So what did Dr. David say?”
“Go slow. I’m not ready,” I sighed and walked toward the road. “Perhaps I should just become celibate. Join a nunnery.”
He held me by the shoulders and kissed me, pulling me close. I wanted to be back in bed…no clothes, bunches of sex.
“That was a test and you failed miserably. I don’t think you’d last a day in a nunnery. Or celibate.”
“I’ve been celibate for more than two years.”
He stared at me.
“I guess I knew that, but…I hadn’t put a time frame to it.”
“Yes.”
“We must do something to correct that. I think there’s a secluded little motel up the road…”
I walked away from him.
He followed.
We climbed a hill and sat in a big patch of grass, watching a line of ants working on a bit of biscuit.
Jack finally came out of the costume tent. He was incredible, dressed like a gladiator with gauntlets, leather leggings, and a silver and gold cuirass. They helped him over to his filming area.
Two other actors, dressed the same with large shields, followed him.
At ten Shandi showed up. Her long black hair was a tussled mess as if she had literally rolled out of bed. She reminded me of a haughty aristocrat, brows arched up high, heart shaped face, glare that would melt metal off a Humvee. Kelly hustled her to the costume tent.
At noon they called lunch. I had a place set up for Jack so that he could get his foot up. I felt like I was getting paid to do nothing. But watch.
He came hobbling out looking ashen. I wrapped his knee in ice. He didn’t speak and I assumed he was either in pain or tired. Or still pissed. Or all of the above.
Fritz brought food and Jack livened up a bit.
“Hey Jack,” one of the Gladiators walked by and winked at me. “Saw the three of you on the Hollywood Gossip this morning. They were wondering who your lovely lady was. Good picture of her. You’re mean lookin’ as always.” He laughed. He extended his hand to me. “I’m Fred little lady.” I shook his hand.
“Did they mention Sam’s name?” Fritz asked.
“No, don’t think so.” He walked to the food tent.
“Damn,” I whispered.
“Better call Roger…” Jack said but Fritz was already on the phone.
He walked away and talked in a hushed voice.
“No more trips to the beach or dinner,” I said in a sad, small voice.
Jack nodded.
“They’ll catch him. He’ll screw up. You’ll see.” He held my hand like he always did. I pulled it away. I was still pissed.
“How’s the pain?”
“Very, very annoying. And tiring.”
“Jostling it around this terrain is not helping. You should be in your easy chair listening to Bach or Mozart.”
“ Or Fur Elise. Or Yo-Yo Ma. That sounds wonderful. Eventually this foot will heal and this movie will be over.”
>
“Eventually.”
He leaned back in the deck chair and closed his eyes. It was getting cloudy and people were walking around talking about the lighting.
“Tell best boy we’re going to need large bounce boards. We’re losing light too damn fast. Storm’s comin’. Be ready, we can film it, use it for sure.” Kelly was walking and talking into her head piece.
Shandi came out of the costume tent in a very tight harness and black leggings, the very top edge of her nipples peaking out. She was sexy hot.
“Now you’re going to see Shandi fly,” Fritz said.
I walked to the tree and I suddenly realized what the riggings on the huge cranes were for. Two crew members were weaving and hooking the wiring into the harness. A woman from costume came out and wrapped a purple cape around her. Her hair was double braided with silver cord intertwined.
A muscular gray-haired man in a blue shirt began instructing Shandi and before long she was jumping, flipping and flying.
“Shandi is a gymnast,” Fritz told me. “They’ve been rehearsing these few seconds for months.”
“I’m impressed.”
“I’m supposing her husband is as well.”
John walked on the set and watched. Kelly stood next to him and they talked in subdued tones.
Finally Kelly waved for Jack to come over.
I unwrapped him.
We didn’t speak.
Shandi did her flying right into Jack’s arms.
“They’re coming from the east. At least four battalions from what I could see. We are sorely outmanned, my love.”
Jack held her and looked in the distant mountains.
“I have something yet to bring to this battle.”
They shot it three times with crew holding bright white boards around them trying to catch the fading light.
As if on cue lightening began in the mountains. Thunder surrounded them.
Cameras swiveled to the natural drama and the scene was over.
Kelly yelled “Rain!” And people dashed around covering the equipment.
“You have to get under cover,” I told Jack. “You can’t get that cast wet.”
Jack shook his head.
“We have two more scenes here. I’ve got to stay.”
I saw the crew using large rolls of stretch wrap. I approached a curly headed blonde woman and asked if I could have some. The woman grumbled and told me to bring it back.
Fritz and I lowered Jack to the muddy ground and wrapped his cast around and around with the plastic.
I took it back to the woman and thanked her.
“Hey, no problem. I didn’t know it was for Jack. What’s your name?”
“Sandra. Sandra Levenson.”
“I thought I heard Fritz calling you Sam.”
“Just a nickname he has for me.”
I did not like this woman. I could see her on the phone to the tabloids.
At four-thirty the rain hit full force. They tried to continue filming but it was useless. Everyone ran for tents or cars.
Jack bellowed at Kelly.
“Going home!”
She nodded.
He climbed into the SUV with full costume, pulling off the heavy pieces with Fritz’ help.
“Get as much of your wet clothes off as you can,” Fritz told me, pulling his shirt over his head.
“No, I’m okay. I’m sure I’ll dry soon.” I couldn’t stop shivering.
“Sam, do I have to come back there and strip you naked?” Fritz asked getting the car and the heater going.
“Oh, alright.” I slipped my shirt off but refused to remove anything else.
The back door flew open. A very wet man in a suit jumped in.
“Detective Silverman?” I stared at him still shivering. “What on earth are you doing here?”
“Man you people are hard to find. ‘Must be ducks.” He pulled a tabloid newspaper from under his coat and showed it to me. There I was, with my name, on the beach at Malibu.
“Oh, Shit.” Fritz said.
“Dammit all to hell!” Jack yelled.
“I’m afraid I’m here to take you into protective custody. I’m talking to witness protection. You’ll be re-located. Maybe up north. Montana. You’ll love it.”
“No,” Fritz said flatly.
“No way,” Jack turned and looked at him. “You’re not taking her. We’ll keep her in the compound and increase security but you’re not taking her.”
“Don’t I have anything to say?”
“Not really. I could lock you up for 48 hours—but I don’t want to do that. Miss Rose you are not only endangering yourself but all of those around you.”
“We’ve got a weapon and I was in the Queen’s services you know!” Fritz was puffing up.
“He’s got explosives—theoretically. He will not stop until he has her. Don’t you people understand that?”
“I’ve got it!” Fritz argued. “This is bloody Hollywood for Christ’s sakes. We’ll stage something.”
I smiled. “I like that.”
Silverman fell back in the seat. “I know I’m talking. I can feel my lips move.”
“We could plant a story about Sam going back to St Louis. We’ll make it juicy—she’s pregnant or I beat her or something. Or she’s pregnant and I beat her.” Jack mumbled, rubbing his arms, trying to get warm.
“Jack, you don’t want to destroy your reputation,” I said.
“How about she discovers she’s a lesbian and leaves you broken hearted?” Fritz suggested.
We nodded, smiling.
“We’ll increase security. Add some dogs. Lots of dogs. Whatever you want.” Jack had his stern face on, which worked really well with his long hair and beard.
“I’m going to get my ass fired because of you people.”
Jack smiled.
“No you won’t. I know the Commissioner very well. And his wife. Especially his wife.” He chuckled.
“I’m giving you one chance. If your plan doesn’t work that’s it. She’s going in protective custody. He’s not going to stop until he catches you. Rape and torture are a sexual high that he can’t get anyway else. I’m sorry but that’s it. Call me and let me know how things are going.”
He dashed back out in the rain.
On the way home they talked about how they could stage the whole thing.
“Lisa,” Fritz said.
Jack smiled. “Lisa.”
Friday
That night their friend Lisa, a sexy full lipped, full breasted actress, came over dressed in a very short, very tight blue satin dress. It plunged to the waist and practically had no back. She brought a beautiful red silk kimono for me.
“Thanks for doing this for me,” I told her.
“Not a problem.” She hugged me and Jack and kissed Fritz on the mouth.
“Silverman called, wanted to know where we were going. I told him Leonardo’s.” Fritz said.
“Leonardo’s. Always a lot of stars and a lot of cameras.” Lisa nodded. “Great choice. Let’s go.”
Biggs was hanging back. There were three law enforcement agencies working together on this little tea party and his office was supposed to be coordinating. At the Governor's request.
DEA was technically in charge and had the most manpower assigned. They were going to hit at two thirty in the morning, fifty spots at once. But there was more than drugs, prostitution, and money laundering going on. There were hints of Hollywood types, big names involved. And there was some evidence of terrorists involvement with an arms shipment.
The room was thick with smoke and the rancid smell of too much fast food.
Until Anne walked in.
Biggs stood and walked to her.
"Good evening."
"Marshal Biggs."
He nodded.
"I suppose you want to speak to the group."
She nodded.
"Listen up, people!"
The room got quiet.
"I would like to introduce US Prosec
uting Attorney, Anne Darrow. She has a few words for you."
She smiled at him.
And he hadn't felt that kind of warmth in many winters.
Cameras and paparazzi were everywhere in front of the chic nightclub. The gatekeepers had a list and Jack apparently was always on the list.
Jack made a point of kissing me in front of the cameras as we strolled in.
Leonardo’s was an elegant, windowless cave, removed from the sound and light of the un-chic outside world. A wide central corridor served as the dance floor, a floor to ceiling aquarium glowed at the end where creatures watched as much as were watched, and golden, ornate gothic pillars lined the grand hall. Music was playing softly in the background and people stood and talked, or sat and talked, as much as they danced.
“Dance with me,” Jack whispered in my ear.
“How are you going to dance on crutches?”
“Not well,” he laughed.
“Still mad?” I asked.
“Yes. You?”
“Yes.”
“Well, as long as we’re clear.”
“I do appreciate all of this.”
We moved onto the dance floor and Jack leaned on me, wrapping his arms around me.
“You’ll have to do most of the moving. I don’t care about dancing, I just want you in my arms. I feel like you’re slipping away from me.”
I put my head on his chest.
“I don’t even know what to say because I don’t know how it’s going to turn out. I spend most of my time stressed about the three of you. Confused. Not having a clue what to do.”
“Things are going to change. I can feel it. And…it’s not good.”
He held me tighter. I closed my eyes, not wanting to let him go.
We didn’t talk for a long time.
“Lisa’s coming. Kiss me.”
I kissed him. He devoured me.
“I ache for you,” I was fighting the tears.
“Baby, I love you.” He kissed my eyes and left me.
He walked over to three men in black suits who quickly made room for him on the couch.
I watched him as he pointed at me, telling them something, and then they all laughed. I hated this.
Someone hugged me from behind and massaged my crotch. I turned; it was Lisa right on schedule.
She kissed me.