Tawas Goes Hollywood

by Madison Johns

  “We’d never have gotten this far if we didn’t,” Eleanor added.

  “Getting back to the director, could you tell us her name?” I asked.

  “As we said, we thought Roman was directing this movie. It appears we’re just as much in the dark as you ladies are.”

  “I wish I could see the movie set being set up.”

  “It’s nothing to get excited about,” Eileen explained. “I promise to take you ladies out first thing in the morning. We won’t be meeting the director before then, so we’ll all be meeting her at the same time.”

  I smiled at that. I was more than happy that these ladies would help us out. “So where do we meet in the morning?”

  “Where do you suggest?”

  “We could meet you at the state dock,” Eleanor suggested.

  “Where is that?”

  “When you’re on Newman Street, keep going past the light and park to the left. There’s a bait shop-party store to the right. You can’t miss it. Walking on the dock is good exercise,” I said.

  “Good. Then we’ll see you tomorrow at nine,” Hannah affirmed.

  “WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT Eileen and Hannah?” Eleanor asked on the way back to the car.

  “They’re nice enough. I only hope they’ll be able to portray our characters.”

  “We are quite the characters,” Eleanor said with wink.

  I smiled as I climbed into the car. “I should probably pay Martha a visit. I can’t leave her in the dark.”

  “I wonder if Elsie and Marjory’s characters will be in the movie like the writers told us,” Eleanor sighed.

  “We won’t know until the script is finished.”

  “And it’s too late for our opinions to matter.”

  “Which is why we’ll be tracking those writers down before the first scene. I hope Roman doesn’t think he’s dealing with a bunch of amateur sleuths.”

  I whipped into the city campground where my daughter Martha has lived in my Winnebago ever since she rolled into town suitcases in hand. She’s as outrageous as they come and wears cat suits that people in town would call too provocative for a small town like Tawas. But she won them over when she started making and selling jewelry online. It’s an endeavor that has both the Girl Scouts and senior citizens helping out. Let’s just say additional Girl Scout cookies are purchased to help the girls out.

  I stopped at Martha’s camping spot, but her rusted seventies station wagon wasn’t parked in its usual spot. “She’s not here.”

  “Why don’t you see if she left a note on the door,” Eleanor suggested.

  I clambered out and read the note taped to her door. “At the K of C Hall. Need help.”

  I hopped back in the car. “Martha needs help at the K of C.”

  “That sounds like work.”

  “I hope she doesn’t expect us to make any of her jewelry. That so is not my forte. I’d rather be gardening.”

  “Which you haven’t had time to do since I can’t say when.”

  “Not when we’re so busy solving crimes.”

  We arrived at the K of C hall to a half-full parking lot. “I wonder what’s going on here.” Eleanor asked.

  “Martha is apparently busier that I thought. We’d better get inside and see what the rip roar is all about.”

  Martha, putting a box in the back of a pickup truck, glanced up at our approach. Her hands slipped to her hips. “I’m so glad you got my note. I really need all the help I can get.”

  Martha wasn’t wearing a leopard cat suit. She was squeezed into jeans and a tight-fitting T-shirt.

  “What’s the five-alarm about?” I asked my daughter as she readjusted the rubber band of her high ponytail.

  “Come inside and you’ll see.”

  “This must have something to do with your jewelry business.”

  “You’re right,” she said as we entered the hall. Three long tables had been set up, one filled with finished necklaces, bracelets and brooches. Girl Scouts were busy putting the jewelry in marked bags. At another table a group checked off orders and slipping them into boxes, while the girls at the third table attached the labels and sealed the boxes.

  My eyes widened at the large stack of filled boxes. “This is quite an operation.”

  “It’s gotten a little larger than I can handle. How was I to know my jewelry would be in such high demand?”

  “You’ll have to find another way, Martha. You can’t keep this up.”

  “Agnes is right. And you’ll have to find someone else to help make your jewelry if things keep up like this.”

  “Unless you plan to scale down your operation and make one-of-a-kind pieces and let your customers know they’re made by hand.”

  “Yes. Like you’ll only sell twelve or twenty of a specific style.”

  “But that will mean I’ll have to design new pieces all the time. Designing jewelry is very time consuming.”

  “You could find someone else to manufacture your jewelry,” a tall woman with red, short cropped hair said. “You’ll be able to spend your time designing without all the extra work. If you keep using Girl Scouts you might be breaking child labor laws.”

  Martha sighed. “You’re right, but I have no idea how to do that.”

  “I could make some calls,” the woman said. “I’m Amim Banks. I’m the director of the movie being shot in town.”

  My hand flew to my open mouth. “Oh so you’re the director! We had hoped we’d be able to meet you,” I said. “I’m Agnes Barton and that’s Eleanor Mason over there.”

  Amim’s face lit up. “It’s great to meet you ladies! I planned to have someone bring you to the set tomorrow once things are more on track.”

  “Eileen Foster and Hannah Paris are bringing us there tomorrow.”

  Martha slid a box across the table from me. “More work and less talk.”

  “So what did you think about the actresses who are playing the two of you?” Amim asked.

  “I love them,” Eleanor gushed. “I suppose Betty White was too busy.”

  “This film is too physical for Betty White. Eileen and Hannah have longed to do something together. I thought they were a perfect fit. I didn’t know you’d already met them.”

  I closed a box and taped it shut. “We spotted them in the bathroom at Barnacle Bills.”

  “And they were so kind to speak with us,” Eleanor added. “We’re very excited.”

  “I hope Brax and Austin are finished with the script. We were supposed to have the right to have some input,” I said.

  “Did Roman tell you that?” Amim asked. “I would have hoped he’d be a little more forthcoming. He puts that in all his contracts, which is why the scripts are never ready much before shooting begins.”

  “My husband has planned to look into that,” I said. “He’s an attorney. But I suppose there’s no time now to demand changes.”

  “Roman would only have allowed you to read the script, not change it line for line.”

  “We certainly got the screw job,” Eleanor muttered.

  “I wouldn’t look at it that way,” Amim said. “This movie is all about you ladies, and Roman wants this movie to be the next big thing when it comes to senior citizen sleuths. We refer to it as Murder, She Wrote meets Lucy and Ethel.” She laughed deeply.

  “Why did Roman pick you as the director? We thought Roman would be directing.”

  “Roman’s too busy these days and produces more than he directs. Fortunately he chose me as an apprentice while I was studying film at UCLA. He hired me straight out of college. Women directors are on the rise. I promise I won’t make either of you look bad.”

  “This is such a big deal for both us and the town. Tawas is a nice small town, and that’s how I want it portrayed” I said.

  “Don’t worry ladies. I promise you won’t be disappointed when you come to the set in the morning.”

  I nodded when what I really wanted to say is that I wished that would be the case. I’d hate for our town to be so o
verrun with Hollywood types that it jaded us somehow. Of course, it would be great for business.

  “I hope one of the scenes takes place at G’s Pizzeria,” Eleanor said. “We routinely go there for lunch.”

  “I’ll have to think about that. So what can you tell me about the local sheriff?”

  “Sheriff Peterson is a good man, although we tend to butt heads with him,” I admitted.

  “Unless he has a mind to share a hint or two, in which case we share one or two bits with him,” Eleanor said.

  “I’ll meet him in the morning. I promised him I’d go over the security detail with him.”

  “I should have known you’d need security while you’re in town shooting. I don’t know why I didn’t think about that before,” I said.

  “Because this is new for all of us,” Martha said. “I didn’t know this was going to be such a major deal. I’d be happy for any names of the manufactures who might be able to help me out.”

  “I wish I could help you fill all the boxes, but I have a matter that needs attention,” Amim said. “I’ll get back to you about the names of the manufacturers.”

  “You’ve helped plenty,” Martha said, “unlike some people I could mention.”

  Madame Director said her goodbyes and we were left with Martha.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing, mother, and I hope you know this will be the first time you have no control over anything.”

  I sighed. “I’ve never claimed to have control over anything. Life just isn’t like that.”

  “But that’s not stopping us from trying,” Eleanor said.

  Chapter Six

  Andrew grumbled with furrowed brow. “I just got off the phone with Roman, who claimed that a new director has creative control, including the script.”

  “So there’s a loophole?” I asked as I took a sip of my coffee.

  Andrew poured himself a cup. “Apparently one I missed. We should have hired an entertainment attorney, but the only one I trust is Jeremy Preston, and he’s too busy with his own clients.”

  “So where does that leave us?”

  “Let’s hope that Brax and Austin wrote a good script. You spent time with them recently, so I hope they’ll have a sense of who you and Eleanor really are.”

  “I hope so too, and after meeting Eileen and Hannah I have a good feeling about this movie.”

  “Hopefully things go as planned without your usual shenanigans.”

  I rinsed my cup in the sink. “I’ll have you know neither Eleanor nor I are in the movie.”

  “Let’s hope it stays that way.” Andrew hugged me. “I’d hate to hear about you two causing problems that will delay the movie. Time is money, dear.”

  I laughed as I pulled away. “So it’s okay if I take your Lexus LX today?”

  “Since when do you ask? You’re more than welcome, unless you’re expecting to be involved in a car chase.”

  “Car chase? Now that I’ve never done.”

  “It might be a good addition to the movie,” Andrew ventured.

  “Ha, ha.” I gave Andrew a quick kiss and picked up a paper bag with handles and carried it outside and backed out of the driveway.

  Eleanor was waiting outside when I arrived. She carried a shopping bag as well, but hers was from a boutique where she once purchased perfume.

  I waited for Eleanor to settle herself in the seat next to me before I asked, “What’s in the bag?”

  “Stuff.”

  “I brought suntan lotion, hairspray and snacks. From what I have heard, movie sets involve a lot of waiting.”

  “I have suntan lotion too,” Eleanor said. “But what makes you think we’ll be allowed to watch scenes being shot?”

  “Well, I’ll insist on it. It’s bad enough we weren’t given a copy of the script.”

  “But I thought Andrew said ... .”

  “It appears there was a loophole.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

  “We’ll just have to play this by ear. We’d better get moving before Eileen and Hannah leave us behind.”

  ELEANOR AND I PILED into a red convertible when Eileen pulled up with a laughing Hannah.

  “Good morning, ladies,” I greeted.

  “You better hold on. Eileen has a lead foot,” Hannah cautioned.

  Eileen tore out of the parking lot and up U.S. 23. “You might want to slow down on Tawas Beach Road,” Eleanor said. “It’s a residential area.”

  “Don’t worry. I draw the line on running down pedestrians.”

  I was uncomfortable with the way Eileen zipped up the road. The only thing that slowed her was the state park guard.

  “I can’t believe the State of Michigan has allowed the crew to be set up here,” I said.

  “It’s the only area big enough to house all the trailers,” Hannah said. “It was quite windy last night.”

  “It’s always windy at the point,” I said. “That’s why they have a kite festival here—and bird watching in the spring.”

  “I can see that. And I’ll have to take time to check out the lighthouse,” Eileen said. “I like old things.”

  “That’s good, because you are an old thing,” Hannah said. “We all are.”

  Eleanor crossed her arms across her chest. “I’ve been denying I’m old for years now.”

  “I embrace my age,” Hannah said. “Even if Hollywood doesn’t.”

  “There are few movie roles that come up that are suited for women our age,” Eileen said.

  Eileen parked in an area designated for the movie staff and led the way to a trailer, bounding up the steps. We hurried to catch up and my heart was in my throat. Inside there were leather couches, a table covered with a white tablecloth and more cabinets than I’d ever need.

  “There’s a bedroom too,” Eileen said. “I’ve used it on occasion.” She pushed a button and doors opened to reveal a large flat-screen television. “All the comforts of home if you don’t mind the close quarters.”

  “It’s lovely,” Eleanor said coyly. “A bit over the top for us, but quite useful for actresses on the road.”

  “I would love to have a trailer like this,” I admitted. “I have a Winnebago at the city campground. I bought it at a police auction and it has all purple furniture. It’s no wonder nobody else bid on it. My daughter Martha lives in it now.”

  “I’d love to meet your daughter,” Hannah said. “They’re not portraying your daughter in the movie.”

  I frowned. “I hope they have some townspeople in the movie. We’d be nothing without our friends.”

  “But we were led to believe Elsie and Marjory would be portrayed in the movie,” Eleanor said. “And Martha too.”

  “At this point I’m not sure about anything,” I said.

  “You really should speak to the director about your concerns.”

  “We met Amim Banks yesterday,” I said.

  “She’s a newcomer, but she’s made a few indie films that were well received. I believe this is the third movie Amim has directed for Roman. This is certainly the year of women directors.”

  “I certainly hope —.”

  A woman burst into the trailer, her chest heaving as she finally choked out, “I went to check to see if Louis was ready for the crew meeting, and he’s ... .”

  “Dead?” I ventured.

  Her eyes widened. “How did you know?”

  “It was only a guess,” I said as I ran down the stairs and stared right to left until the woman led us to large tent where a man was sprawled out on the ground.

  “Eleanor ... .”

  “I’m on it, Agnes,” Eleanor shakily said, as she spoke into her phone, “Send the police. Send an ambulance. Send a medical examiner to the point! A man’s body has been found on the movie set.”

  The phone dropped from Eleanor’s hand and she was at my side in a flash. We stared down at the man sprawled face down on the ground. I knelt and checked his pulse, but jerked my hand back. He was ice cold.

  “
He’s dead,” I finally choked out. “It must have happened some time ago, because he’s cold to the touch.”

  “Oh my,” Eileen said. “Is this part of the movie?”

  “What an ignorant thing to say, Eileen,” Hannah said. “Of course it isn’t.”

  “Don’t take that tone with me. We’re making a movie about a murder investigation. It was a perfectly reasonable question.”

  “Not under the circumstances.”

  I waved my hands. “Now, ladies, this is not the time. You should probably wait in your trailer for Sheriff Peterson.”

  “What are you planning to do?” Eileen asked when Eleanor and I didn’t follow them.

  “I’m going to observe the crime scene.”

  “Well, we can too.”

  “I don’t think the sheriff will be happy if too many of us are inside the tent,” Eleanor said. “Besides, we’re the professionals here.”

  “But I’m playing Eleanor in the film,” Eileen protested.

  “If there even is a film after this,” I said. “There’s no sign of a struggle,” I observed. “None of the tables have been turned over. From all appearances nothing is out of order.”

  “Other than the body here,” Eleanor added.

  “Do you know the victim?” I asked the woman who alerted us about the body.

  “He’s the first assistant,” she said. “In layman terms, he’s the director’s assistant.”

  “And what is your name, dear?”

  “Ivy Green. I’m Louis’s assistant—or was,” she choked up.

  “When was the last time you saw him?”

  “Last night around seven. He insisted I rest up today at my hotel room.”

  “So you don’t have a trailer out here?”

  “Oh no, I’m not in the movie.”

  “Did you have a problem with working for Louis?” Eleanor asked. “Did he harass you in any way?”

  “Louis wasn’t like that.”

  “Oh, past tense this soon,” Eleanor said allowing a few moments for that to resonate. “How long have you been having an affair with your boss?”

  “I’m not having an affair with Louis. He’s my uncle.”

  “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?” Hannah asked. She turned to look at Eileen. “Did you know about this?”