Starlight

by Alexandra Richland

  “That seems like a very big task,” Beth replied. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, because the same rationale applies to me as well, but given the importance of the film, why wouldn’t Mr. Mertz choose a designer whose work he was already familiar with?”

  Olivia gazed at Nathan. “That’s where my lovely beau comes in.”

  Nathan grinned back at her.

  “After presenting Mr. Mertz with my design portfolio from school, he encouraged him to give me a chance,” Olivia continued. “Mr. Mertz was apprehensive about hiring me, so Nathan suggested Sparkling Meadow as a trial run. Since I only have to design your character’s clothing and I’ll be working as part of a team, it’s the perfect introductory project.”

  Ever since Beth witnessed Olivia’s excitement backstage on the Checkmate set, she knew the film industry was the perfect fit for her friend. Beth was happy Olivia was getting this opportunity. Also, having Olivia around would help her transition from her first bit part to her first lead role more easily.

  Olivia took Nathan’s hand. “I’m so lucky to have such a supportive beau.”

  Although their relationship had progressed quickly, Beth was already certain they were destined for each other.

  “Mr. Mertz must really trust your judgment, Nathan,” she remarked.

  Nathan shrugged. “He looks to me for a lot of things.”

  “So what character am I playing in Sparkling Meadow?”

  “From what I understand, you’ll be playing the daughter of a farmhand who works on the estate of a wealthy family. You fall in love with Will Everett’s character, the family’s only child. His parents object to your relationship at first, but as with every Starlight Studios motion picture, everything works out nicely in the end for the two of you. I won’t have any specifics until I receive Luther’s document from my secretary, but as soon as I do, I’ll come by your apartment and we can go over each component thoroughly.”

  Nathan bid them farewell and a studio car took Beth and Olivia home. On the drive, Olivia mentioned that Mr. Mertz told her she’d have to quit her job at the Elite Clothing Boutique if her designs for Sparkling Meadow were a success and he signed her on for other projects. Although the clothing store was high-class and exclusive, Olivia’s job there paled in comparison to Starlight Studios. She told Beth she had no reservations about leaving if she had to.

  As for school, Olivia would explain to her professors about her new job opportunity and hope they allowed her to take some time off from her studies. If her probation period passed, and Mr. Mertz hired her on at the studio permanently, she would leave the program entirely.

  Nathan came by the apartment that evening with all of the details on Sparkling Meadow, including the script. Beth learned her character was a shy, bright, eighteen-year-old girl named Claire Wilson. The film had rich dialogue, a multi-layered plot that intrigued her immensely, and it would be shot in Technicolor, unlike Checkmate.

  As part of her agreement, she was also obligated to shoot promotional photographs and conduct interviews with the media before the film was completed, as well as participate in a press tour after its release.

  Since Beth was a last minute replacement, she wouldn’t meet her costars or the director, Alistair Graves, until Monday, the first day of filming. It intimidated her that she wouldn’t have a proper rehearsal beforehand, but she remained optimistic. If Mr. Mertz had faith in her, then it wasn’t impossible to pull off her character successfully with only two days of preparation time.

  Beth stayed up almost all of Friday night with Olivia and went over her lines, and over the weekend, she studied her script obsessively in between trips to the studio to have her measurements taken.

  Olivia presented her sketches to the studio’s seamstresses Sunday afternoon and received positive feedback. Beth agreed with their assessments and felt proud to wear her friend’s designs in the film.

  Although Beth looked forward to filming on Monday, her new motion picture assignment wasn’t the sole reason for her excitement. While at the studio over the weekend, she happened to overhear the latest buzz around Hollywood: A certain Method actor was starting to film his motion picture debut at the studio on Monday as well.

  Despite Beth’s best efforts to remain calm, the possibility she could run into Aidan on the lot and finally speak with him sent her heart aflutter. She hoped if it was meant to happen, their paths would cross sooner rather than later.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Beth and Olivia arrived at the studio at six o’clock on Monday morning. Their first stop was the wardrobe department to select an outfit from the stockpile of clothes from previous Starlight Studios motion pictures, which Beth would wear during the first two weeks of filming.

  Olivia located a light brown belted peasant dress and black flats, which were ideal for Beth’s character. Thankfully, the sole alteration needed was the shortening of the sleeves. Since Beth played a farmhand’s daughter, her costumes were uncomplicated, similar to her own personal style, just a little dowdier.

  During the alterations, Beth thought about the actress Mr. Mertz had fired. It was a haunting reminder that her boss could terminate her contract at any time. The fact her performance as Claire could quite possibly secure or ruin her future at Starlight Studios was of great concern to her.

  According to today’s schedule, she was filming one of the earlier scenes in the movie, where William Everett’s character, Max Lawson, returns home to the Midwest after finishing boarding school in New England and sees Claire for the first time in four years. She was no longer the fourteen-year-old girl in pigtails he left behind, but rather, a pretty, albeit plain, eighteen-year-old woman; a pleasant departure from the stuck up society girls he courted while away at school.

  Mr. Mertz instructed Olivia to be present on set at all times during filming to ensure each costume Beth wore was appropriate for the scene and fit her properly. This was wonderful news for both women because they could lend each other support throughout the shoot.

  While Olivia selected accessories, Beth made her way over to Nathan’s office for a scheduled meeting. Now that she was more familiar with the studio’s backlot, the trip didn’t take her very long.

  Nathan greeted her with a warm smile and gestured for her to sit down in front of his desk. A bald, portly gentleman was present in the office as well. Both men took their seats after she did.

  “Beth, thank you for coming.” Nathan folded his hands on his desk. “I know today will be very busy for you, but there’s something I wanted to discuss with you before filming started. First, I would like you to meet Mr. Saul Stern.”

  Beth smiled at the gentleman sitting next to her.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Sutton,” Mr. Stern said with a quick nod in her direction.

  “It’s nice to meet you, too, sir.”

  “Saul is a highly reputable agent here in Hollywood,” Nathan explained. “I realize you’ve only just received your first leading role and you’re still on probation, but I still find it necessary that you receive proper guidance regarding your career—contract negotiations, etcetera.”

  Apprehension etched in Beth’s face. “Pardon me, Nathan, but can’t you continue to look after me?”

  “Although I will continue to help you in any way I can, what you need is someone to look after your money and business negotiations whose expertise is finance and contracts specifically.” Nathan gestured to Mr. Stern. “Saul is the best man for the job. I merely dabble in those particular areas.”

  “Miss Sutton, I handle several top clients exclusively,” Mr. Stern said, “including someone you have come to know very well recently, Constance Murphy. Although, as of late, I’m not taking on any new clients, you come highly recommended by Miss Murphy and Nathan. Therefore, I would be happy to represent you if you so choose.”

  Beth pondered her options carefully. Although Mr. Stern seemed competent and genuine, she still felt uneasy about having someone she didn’t know looking after
her business affairs.

  Nathan noted her hesitation. “Beth, I would never set you up with someone who wouldn’t take care of you properly. I have a feeling that Sparkling Meadow is going to be a big hit—not only because Will Everett is a guaranteed box office draw but also because Claire is the perfect fit for you and I believe you’ll do a phenomenal job in the role. When the film takes off, your career will skyrocket, too, and you’ll need someone keeping your monetary affairs in order.”

  Beth looked at Mr. Stern apologetically. “I hope my apprehension doesn’t offend you. It has nothing to do with you personally. I just never gave any thought to having an agent before.”

  Mr. Stern’s expression remained cordial and kind. “Don’t fret, my dear. I understand.”

  “I would love to be your client,” she hurried to add. “I just hope I stay on at the studio after my six-month option is up in December. I wouldn’t want to waste your time.”

  Mr. Stern folded his hands in his lap. “Miss Sutton, if Nathan has a good feeling about you, then I’m sure you and I will have a thriving business relationship for many years to come.”

  After additional contemplation, Beth shook Mr. Stern’s hand and agreed to meet with him at a later date to sign all of the required documents, officially making him her agent. Before wrapping up the meeting, Nathan informed her she had a photo shoot scheduled mid-week.

  As Beth left the office, she made a mental note to ask Mr. Stern if she could buy a record player and television once he was more familiar with her financial situation. Although they weren’t essential items, she had wanted them for a long time and figured that splurging on basic models wasn’t harmful to her savings, which had accumulated nicely since she signed her contract.

  Once her paychecks from the studio started coming in, she had opened a second account at her local bank branch to store the money left over after her bills were paid. She saved every penny she could, since she was unsure if she would still have a film career in six months.

  A studio car waited for her downstairs to take her to the set at the other end of the lot. On the drive, she thought about her meeting and concluded that Mr. Stern’s representation comforted her. At home in Clarkson, her father handled all of the household bills. Since Beth had never had a job until she started at Schwab’s, she never needed to worry about handling money properly. It was nice to know she had a professional looking after her with her best interests in mind.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Monday was another early start for Aidan. Normally, his untimely departure for the studio would’ve left him in a foul mood, but since filming on Spike Rollins started today, he felt excited. This was what he had been waiting for.

  Aidan lay across the back seat of his chauffeured limousine and closed his eyes behind his sunglasses for the quick drive to the studio, making sure not to fall asleep. Although he couldn’t ride his motorcycle to work, Mr. Mertz’s rule didn’t stop him from taking a ride up Coldwater Canyon and along Mulholland last night. He loved the adrenaline rush. The best part was it energized him enough to keep him up all night so he didn’t have any nightmares.

  The studio car stopped and the back door opened.

  “Mr. Evans, we’re here,” the driver announced.

  Aidan rolled his eyes. He still didn’t like people calling him Mr. Evans, but he was tired of correcting them. Stifling a yawn, he sat up and exited the car. Preston waited for him at the soundstage entrance.

  “Aidan, how nice of you to grace us with your presence,” the director joked. “You’re only fifteen minutes late—I’m honored.”

  Aidan chuckled and hooked his sunglasses on the collar of his T-shirt as he followed Preston inside to check out some of the Spike Rollins sets for the first time. Aidan was annoyed they weren’t shooting anything on location, but not really surprised. Mr. Mertz had the reputation of being a penny pincher and filming on the lot was considerably less expensive.

  Personally, he felt the gritty streets of New York—where the film took place—would really add to the gang scenes, especially, but Preston told him the issue was non-negotiable.

  As Aidan looked around, he noticed this particular soundstage housed four different sets. The first was the living area of Spike’s modest family home, the second a street set, the third a back alleyway, and the final one a hospital room.

  His chest constricted as he studied the white walls and the twin sized hospital bed. Perhaps some of his scenes would be harder to shoot than he initially thought.

  Exhaling a deep breath, he forced himself to stay optimistic. During filming, he was Spike Rollins, not Aidan Evans. He would just have to detach his emotions from their accompanying memories and act out the scenes. He’d done it before. He could do it again. The only problem with his plan was that he never had to act on a hospital set before.

  Thankfully, they wouldn’t be shooting the hospital scene for another few days, so he had time to prepare. Today, they were filming some earlier scenes from the movie, with his character and family in happier times.

  His character’s real name was David White. After doctors diagnose his young brother, Andy, with a serious heart condition and tell the White family the boy needs surgery to survive, David comes up with a way to pay for the expensive operation.

  Because of his family’s poor finances and lack of health insurance, he joins a local street gang to make some money. The other gang members give him the nickname Spike Rollins because, according to them, real names are not allowed on the streets. Eventually, Spike lands in jail after the police round him up during one of the gang’s illegal operations. While he awaits sentencing, law enforcement officials confiscate all the money he made before his arrest from his family’s home, leaving him with nothing to help his brother.

  While in prison, Spike redeems himself by staying out of further trouble and asking forgiveness from the visiting priest, so when it comes time for his sentencing, the judge only gives him probation. Upon Spike’s release, his fellow gang members pool their money together so he can pay for the operation for his brother at the last minute, thus saving Andy’s life.

  Aidan admired his character because even though it seemed at first he couldn’t save Andy, in the end his actions and sacrifices paid off and his brother lived. It was a good feeling, even if he was only a fictional savior.

  After he surveyed the sets, Preston sent him to hair and makeup. A stylist subdued his sleep-tossed hair—but thankfully nothing as drastic as what Victoria did to him before with the pomade—and foundation was applied to his face. In the wardrobe room, he changed into dark brown dress pants and a navy blue button-down sport shirt to portray David before he joined the gang.

  He left the shirt untucked because he believed it wouldn’t be realistic if David was a preppy, clean cut young man before he became Spike. Aidan liked to believe that Spike’s rebellion lay dormant in David beforehand so his personality didn’t do a complete one-eighty in the film. It made more sense that way.

  Aidan and Richard Rooney filmed two scenes throughout the morning: a breakfast scene, which included their characters’ parents, and another scene, where they tossed a baseball around in an alley behind their house. The scenes were light and fun, nothing overly emotional, and Aidan was relieved to discover Preston was just as easy to work with on set as he’d been throughout the rehearsals and wardrobe tests. Aidan got along with his costars well. Even Richard’s parents, who hovered in the wings, didn’t bother him as much as usual.

  They finished filming by noon, and Aidan felt good about his performance so far. The author of Spike Rollins, the book upon which the screenplay was based, was present on set but didn’t meddle, only observed. This helped reinforce his belief that he was doing the character justice.

  Even though Aidan was hungry, he had to wait an hour to eat because he promised Preston he would pose for the first round of promotional photographs for the film; a job he wasn’t looking forward to at all.

  After the photo shoot was completed,
he was going to stop by the studio commissary to meet Nathan for lunch and then head home. Although he usually didn’t hang around the studio after work, he didn’t mind it today. The commissary food was tasty compared to some of the other places he knew in town and, given his lack of friends, he appreciated that Nathan had invited him in the first place.

  Aidan put on his sunglasses, lit a cigarette, and took his time walking to the commissary. His steps held extra confidence. Now that filming had started and everything was going well for him, he didn’t feel so much like a failure. As Spike, he finally had the opportunity to play the hero he’d dreamed about since he was ten years old.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Upon Beth’s arrival to the Sparkling Meadow set, she was escorted to her very own dressing room and Olivia joined her soon after with her costume. The space was small and her name was scribbled on a piece of paper taped to the door, but she was more than satisfied. She hadn’t given any thought about how differently the studio would treat her on this film compared to Checkmate and was grateful for even the slightest improvements.

  Beth’s beautification process was minimal, so it didn’t take long for the hair and cosmetics team to make her up for the first scene. She was happy to look fresh-faced and wear a plain wardrobe in the role, but she had discovered that many of Mr. Mertz’s actresses didn’t share her enthusiasm. They often avoided this type of part for that exact reason. Claire wasn’t glamorous and no one wanted to look average on screen.

  Although Claire didn’t wear fashionable clothes or fancy hairstyles, Beth didn’t find her plain or boring at all. In fact, she thought many young girls would identify with her character and that the fantasy element of the film—the rich, educated, handsome man falling in love with the poor farmhand’s daughter—would appeal to them.

  Olivia surveyed Beth’s outfit with a smile. “You look wonderful.”