by M Howson
‘But Jack,….’ She objected.
Filming was moving on with a great speed. Monica and Justin were about to go to meet the potential new additions to the crew.
‘Jack if you are going to go on like this, I cannot leave you in charge.’ Justin said feeling sorry for the blonde who was obviously close to tears.
‘What are you talking about? You make it sound like I’m a monster?!’ He pulled the girl up from the lounger. ‘Sexy dark seductiveness – that’s what you are!’ He said to her softly.
‘Oh Jack, if you put it that way….’ She purred.
‘Can we go now?’ Monica said fighting with unrecognisable jealousy.
‘Jack is doing this for the movie sis!’
‘Yeah he is!' She snapped. ‘Let’s go!’
Monica and Justin walked into one of the open plan offices of the studio. They were surprised to see Frank seated at the back reading a magazine.
‘I am not here.’ He shouted when he saw them entering.
A sour faced middle-aged man introduced himself as Ron and a woman of uncertain age with a plastered on smile stared.
Monica wondered why these people took this job when all they did was despise the actors? Unsuccessful acting career? – most likely.
The woman was in charge, obviously, she proceeded to talk about the hiring process, with an ‘I know all about it’ attitude.
‘We have lined up ten people of each area of work, as you requested.’ She informed them with an icy tone. ‘Script supervisor, assistant director, picture and sound editor. I have also taken the liberty of lining up more running crew members.’ She said, clearing her voice.
‘Why do you think we need more running crew….. your name is?’ Justin fixed her with a direct stare.
‘I am Jessica, Mr Blakes.’ She answered nervously.
‘Jessica, why do we need more running crew?’ He repeated the question.
‘In my experience, when in full production there is always a need for more people. This has been the case on the …’
‘We welcome your suggestion Jessica, but at this precise moment in time we don’t need anyone else.’ Justin knew full well that she most likely had some contacts she was desperate to get on the movie.
‘We are on a tight budget and keeping it that way.’ Monica spoke for the first time. ‘Can we start please? I am a very busy woman!’
‘What we do now is we call in all the selected people.’ Ron said, his forehead sweating.
Jessica waited for Ron to call them in, - he didn’t move. He was engrossed in a conversation with Monica.
Jessica unwillingly marched to the door to call the people in. This wasn’t her job. She didn’t like these new directors with their airy ideas, Frank should speak up. Why was he here anyway?
Monica surveyed the assembled people; she spotted a couple of guys she’d worked with before. She reflected on the fact that even if you’d made a movie you still had to come for an interview until you made it big – real big. It was a tough business.
‘I am going to be unconventional.’ She said addressing the group of forty people. ‘You are all very talented and have done some good work previously. I will hold an open interview as we are pressed for time. If any of you are uncomfortable with this, you can leave now.’
There was an excited buzz in the crowd but nobody moved.
‘That’s settled then.’ Monica wanted to be fair.
‘Thank you. Can I have you all in four separate groups, - Jessica please?’ She looked at the woman who was obviously offended and sat glued to her chair. ‘Jessica will you please help the groups?’ Monica repeated.
Jessica felt that this was definitely not the way she worked. She glanced at Frank at the back but he was paying no attention at all - she hesitated.
Monica ignored her. ‘We aren’t getting much help today, the way it looks….’ She quickly arranged the groups herself. ‘Assistant directors here please, script next, picture and sound please.’
Justin was amazed by his sister’s work, which she handled extremely professionally. Monica, without wasting any time, asked the groups appropriate and significant questions. She selected two people from each group for a call back.
‘A break?’ She suggested.
Justin wanted to question Frank. ‘You are here as an observer, but why? What are you up to?’ He sat down opposite Frank.
Frank started laughing. ‘I am doing a puzzle!’ He waved the magazine in front of Justin.
‘You are doing what?’ He asked shocked.
‘I needed some time to be alone. This was the only empty room in the building!’ Frank said, putting the magazine down.
‘I cannot believe this; I thought you were looking for hidden secrets.’
‘I am! I know what’s going on!’
‘You do!’ Frank was right. Of course, he knew about everything and one and all, still…..!
‘All right!’ Frank said, ‘I wanted to see how you got on with the hiring. Jess there - is a tough cookie. She is a one-time actress with not much acting ability, so I gave her a job. She's good at the paperwork! Ron knows what he is doing but doesn’t speak much! Leave her be Justin, she needs a job. I will speak to her.’ He pleaded.
‘You are the devil Frank!’
‘So I’ve been told before.’
‘Justin, are you ready?’ Monica wanted a quick finish – all the candidates were talented, it didn’t matter much who she picked, the standards in the business were high. The people lined up had been tried and tested many times before.
‘Ron, can you call them in one by one please?’ Monica didn’t believe in long, drawn out questioning. They were in or out.
Barley half an hour passed and four people were left in the room, ready to work.
’Well done, you have the job. The movie title is State Of Mind! It’s about a man who comes to America from a war-threatened Eastern European country in 1937. He lands various jobs in the film industry. He works hard and learns fast. Within a year, he finds himself getting involved in the movie business. He meets a well known actor who shares the same interest; movie making, - they become inseparable friends.’ She paused; she’d told the story so many times but it was only fair to hear it from her. ‘Our man starts making low budget films, offering diversion and escape from everyday life. The movies he makes portray Hollywood’s glamour, sweet stories and of course the usual happy ending. His hard work pays off; one of the films is a blockbuster. Suddenly the studio is in demand. Investors are lining up to finance future projects, and so on…. Extraordinary women, glamour, parties and making movies, this is his life! Some of the scenes are black and white, getting the sound and picture right are vital. We are on a tight budget so I expect you to know your job.’
Frank listened to Monica from the back of the room. He still felt a slight apprehension; this was a big step, but there was no turning back now!
****
The movie reached post-production – which was great news to Frank who stood admiring the dark, glittering ocean from Jack’s beach house. He felt he’d come full circle. He had new projects lined up but maybe he will take a break. Perhaps it was time to step aside …. Jack interrupted his thought process.
‘You wanna stay the night Frank? I have a spare bedroom.’
‘I’m not a hot date Jack! How many have you had? You know what? I don’t want to know.’
‘The penthouse was the date house, but now it has nothing in it. I don’t live there or even stay there anymore. That real estate guy Ed, offered to sell it for me.’ Jack announced. ‘I can make you a huge profit on it Mr Harvey, he said. So I let him, he will deliver!’
‘You mean your ‘blonde’ days are over?’ Frank couldn’t believe Jack had turned a corner. Was it for Monica’s benefit?
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about man!’ Jack grinned.
‘Talk about a surprise.’ Frank’s friend was never in a relationship, never with the same woman twice, but people change as times chan
ge too.
‘I will get over it Frank.’ Jack laughed.
‘You will Jack. By the way, you know we are to hit the tabloids?’ Frank announced.
‘You don’t say old man. You don’t say!’ Jack said opening a bottle of beer. ‘Why do it now?’
‘Publicity for the movie Jack.’
‘You don’t need that!’
‘No I don’t, besides I can afford to pay for it, if I wanted to.’ Frank said with a certain pride.
‘Why then?’
‘This time we will have the last laugh.’
‘I like the sound of that, but I might need a vacation Frank. I’ve heard your country is beautiful in August.’
A slow smile appeared on Frank’s face. ‘I was thinking the same, keep out of the limelight for a while, take a trip.’
‘Can you hire the Hunting Lodge?’
‘No need. I own it!’
‘You do? Damn, I knew it! You are predictable Frank, you have a pattern, still I didn’t see this coming.’
‘Yeah, a certain lady friend could’ve occupied your thoughts lately. ’
‘Funny, very funny. Yes, she has a place in my thoughts.’ Jack admitted proudly, thinking of Monica. ‘Maybe I’ll invite myself then?’
‘You need no invitation Jack, treat it like your own.’ Frank said.
Don entered the room quietly. ‘The car is here gentlemen.’
‘Already?’ Frank asked.
‘It is time.’
‘All clear?’ Frank questioned his man.’
‘Yes, I have checked with security.’ Don replied.
‘Good. You can take the night off Don, won’t need you.’ Frank said.
‘Thank you. Good night gentlemen, as always – watch your backs.’ Don discreetly left.
‘Yes boss, we will.’ Jack had heard Don say this many times, still they needed reminding?
‘All right, let’s get on with it.’
‘Last time I change my clothes Frank, this is the very last time. I am getting too old for this chase!’ Jack grumbled.
‘You have a point Jack!’ Frank agreed. ‘Last time it is.’
****
Justin was walking up the curved drive to Jack’s house. To his annoyance, his car had a flat tyre, and he’d had to leave it down the road. He called the recovery people who arrived promptly and he decided to walk up to the house. They will drop his car off by the security at the gate, he didn’t need to wait.
When he got nearer to the house, he saw two men dressed in drab clothes getting into a dark car behind the shrubbery. He did a double take; - Jack and Frank. He wondered what they were up to as he watched them drive off. He quickly turned around to run back to the gate. As expected the car was there and the tyre had been changed. He thanked the guys and jumped into his car to follow Jack and Frank. He shouldn’t be doing this, he thought while he kept his distance, their car was going towards the East side of the city; the guys don’t party there. This was interesting news.
Chapter Twenty Eight
After nearly an hour’s drive Frank and Jack stopped in front of a burger place. It was nearing midnight. The guys entered and sat down at a window table. They ordered something from a tired looking waitress. Justin waited patiently in his car, thinking about why he was spying on the two men. He had a good view without leaving his car, but his shiny car attracted stares. He wouldn’t be able to stay here long or there could be trouble.
Eventually he saw them asking for the check. They came out, got in the car and moved on. Justin followed. The car pulled up at a gas station. The driver was getting some gas. Frank and Jack went inside. They seemed to spend a long time talking to the cashier. Next it was a late night grocery store, again a long chat with an assistant, possibly a cleaner. Then a run down, late night bar. Time to join the guys.
When he entered the bar, at first he couldn’t see anything as heavy smoke filled the air. Music was blasting from an old radio behind the dirty bar. Vacant looking people were stretched out on chairs and even on the billiard table. Justin quietly sat down on a stool next to Jack and Frank who didn’t even notice him as they were engrossed in a conversation.
‘I wonder what you two are playing?’ He asked casually.
Both men looked at him in alarm. ‘What the hell ...’ Jack couldn’t believe his eyes.
‘How did you get here?’ Frank didn’t look pleased at all.
‘You tell me! I am interested in your story.’ Justin said ordering a beer.
‘This is our entertainment, don’t get involved.’ Frank said, obviously annoyed.
‘You followed us?’
‘I did! Don’t tell me if you don’t want to …’
‘He will badger us to the grave Frank!’
‘He will! You tell him Jack.’
Jack pulled himself straight up on the stool and proceeded to tell the story.
Justin thought it was a joke! It must've been a joke - but Jack wasn’t smiling. It transpired that Frank and Jack ‘dressed down’ on occasions and hit a run down area of the city.
‘Nothing dangerous kid.’ Frank explained.
‘We explore places where people work hard for a living.’ Jack pointed behind the bar. ‘Watch that waitress for few minutes Justin, see what you make of her.’
Justin saw a woman probably in her late forties. She wore her long, bleached hair tied back with a clip. Her pale, tired face was without makeup. Her body was skeletal looking and her hands were dry and red. He recalled that when he ordered his drink she was very pleasant and had served him within minutes.
‘What do you think Justin?’ Frank asked with an ‘I told you so’ expression.
‘I don’t know what you’re doing, but I hope it isn’t anything illegal?’ He asked anxiously.
Frank decided to fill him in. ‘We have seen three or four different people tonight. These people all work very hard for very little money, live in difficult circumstances and their lives are a struggle. Some women take their hard earned cash back home to a drunken husband or boyfriend who usually sits at home all day. You would be surprised …. In many cases they earn the money so the other half can spend it on booze or drugs.’
Jack continued. ‘Often they are simply born in the wrong environment, family or location and can’t find a way out. They haven’t got the abilities or the money to build a better life.’
Justin overheard the waitress talking to a girl about a movie she’d seen. How excited she was, her eyes were dreamy and her face lit up.
‘I’ve not been to the movies for years.’ She said. ‘My son’s new girlfriend works in the one downtown, she got me a free ticket.’
‘What was the movie?’ The girl asked, uninterested.
‘Oh, it was ever so…. romantic and sad. Blue Velvet it was called.’
Justin felt sad, - Frank and Jack were studying him. That was Monica’s movie – The Blue Velvet.
‘Ok, stop staring at me, I get it.’ He said irritated. ‘What now? What do you do?’ He thought about his life, he had everything he wanted or needed and more. He would never come to a place like this. He lived his life on the other side of the city.
‘We try to help these people Justin.’ Frank said.
‘How?’
‘There are ways….’
‘You give them cash?’
‘Sometimes we do.’
‘Other times?’
‘We try to find them better jobs, homes, even friends.’
‘How do you know that it’s going to work? I mean some people are simply set in their ways, or don’t want your help?’
‘Listen, it isn’t easy but it is worth a try. They will have another chance! – what they do with it, is up to them. Firstly we run some quick checks on these people, where they live, what are they circumstances, so on...’ Jack nodded in approval.
‘If it looks that they could appreciate help, an opportunity is provided. Sometimes it’s a job they were dreaming of, or an unpredicted inheritance or hard cash. We employ a pr
ivate detective as you probably guessed and a bunch of experts. These people are not left alone until they settle into their new lives, then we have a meeting called ‘‘revisit’’ to see how they are doing.’
‘I can’t believe I’m hearing this!’ Justin mused.
‘We’ve been found out at the right time Justin, this is our last outing; we are too old to continue.’ Frank lit a cigarette which Justin had never before seen in his hand. It was always a cigar.
‘Oh come on, I can’t start puffing on an expensive cigar here!’ Frank snapped.
‘If this project of yours works, you can’t stop now! If you are helping people and they appreciate it you have to continue.’ Justin announced.
‘You are getting the idea kid.’ Frank was beginning to relax.
‘There are other ways to help people. We might be finishing with this but we are not stopping.’
‘This is a surprise. I never thought you two could do something like this.’ He paused. ‘Take me on…’
‘You want to be part of this?’ Jack was speechless.
‘Sure, think about it. I have everything I need, yes I work hard but I was presented with the opportunity in the form of money from my parents. I used it, maybe it’s my turn to do something for others.’ Justin scanned the clock on the wall. ‘I need to get off now, early call tomorrow.’
‘How did you find us?’ Frank remembered to ask the question.
‘You want to know? I had a flat tyre near Jack’s house. I know….! I walked up to the house while the rescue guys changed it. That’s when I saw you getting into a car, - I followed.’
‘I never checked! What a fool…’ Jack slapped his forehead.
‘You said it Jack…’ Justin grinned, paid and left.
Frank and Jack watched the waitress get on with her job. People came and went, she must've been exhausted but carried on.
‘Who do you have in mind Jack?’