Acting up

Chapter 5

The next day I didn't linger.  As soon it the clock struck nine, I was there ready to sign the contract of a lifetime.  I went over the copy emailed to me with much thoroughness the night before.  It was all I could have ever dreamed of and more.

I couldn't believe it.

I wouldn't believe it either not until I had signed on the alloted dotted lines and received my signed copy of the contract in return.

I had already decided to safely deposit my copy in the bank vaults. I had a box there for just such purpose.  Storing valuables of which I had not many. But those I did have,  I cherished.

" Ms Alia Jones?"

The petit asian reception called out my name sweetly entrancing me even more into the dream like state of unreality.

I followed her into a meeting room where the copies of my contract sat waiting for my eager signature.

" Take a seat and Mr Smalls will be with you shortly, " said the reception. I didn't bat an eye lid over the choice name of my would be attendent. It didn't even penetrate my consciousness until much later.

But then Mr Smalls was there and was walking cme through the contract. I had some questions and he happily answered the lot clarifying a lot of my doubts along the way.  Then I was given a pen and with a barely concealed eagerness I dropped my signature onto the inked parchment of paper with an undeniable flourish.

"I believe Mr Stanley has informed you of the tight schedule.  I am to escort you over to the studio straight away, " said Mr Smalls.  All pleasantries snd courtesies were over.  I was now officially obliged to deliver on the goods. But unknown to them I was more than eager to get started.

I followed after Mr Smalls swiftly disappearing back amiably and off I was led through a maze of corridors tgat led me deeper into the vast building.  I emerged later on the other side.  A little golf cart stood waiting.  Mr Smalls gestured for me to take a seat then without another word waved me off.

The little cart took off at a ridiculous pace. Ridiculously slow pace. It was I believe the top speed the ancient machine was capable of.  I knew I would have made better time on foot but I kept my mouth shut regardless.

Soon it pulled up before a warehouse like aluminium built shed. The place was swarming with people. The cart drove right in weaving through the bustle to pull up right before the chair labled director.

I craned my neck to glimpse the first of the many A - listers that would be on this show. But my vision was interrupted by another.

"Are  the lead replacement? "

I glanced down abruptly at yet another petit person before me. Only this one was not asian. A riot of red curls was strewn viciously over her head resembling well doused spaghetti in tomato bases sauce. I held my breath and blinked away the I instant hunger pangs.  In my eagerness to get the contract signed I hadn't eaten a bite this morning and last night, it was the excitement of the new job that kept food away from my hungry belly.

"Yes, I am Alia Jones, " I said instead tucking away all interest in food out of mind.

"Great! I am Grace the set assistant. Mel here will be your dresser. I suggest you follow her and get ready. This is the script for the scene we will be shooting today. You're Loise Winters. There's not much dialog in the scene and well the script is pretty much self explanatory. Have a read of it and we can discuss it later if you like. We get rolling in an hour," said the petit redhead.

" Lets get you to the changing rooms. There's so much to do.  The girls and I will work on you while you go through the script. We have to hurry," said Mel walking of at a brisk pace.  I was quick to follow and more than a little eager to get my first view of the script I would be playing.  The contract had contained a briefing of the roll I would be playing but it hadn't been the real script.  I held that now in the palms of my hands.  Well the portion of it applicable for today anyhow.

But with the lot of people I met on the way to the chabging room, it was only when I found myself placed in a chair with Mel and her entourage deciding on the appropriate state of my hair that I had the opportunity to glance down at the script.

"What the..?" I stared down at the script in shock yhen glanced back up in rising panic at the reflection of me in the mirror. 

There laid out before me was the most critical scene of the whole movie. It was the love scene,  where Loise tells Rick Habton that she loves him and the two share a passionate kiss.

I would be telling Ashford Meyer, I loved him and then to top it off, I would get to place my lips on his.... the man voted as the sexiest man alive in Cosmos... and kiss him to my hearts content.

It was truly a day for dreams coming true. But why was it then that my heart thudded in my chest in rising terror.