Life Begins at Midnight

Determination

Richard West would never forgive himself for what he was about to do. He led her back to the pool, saying that it was twelve, and they shouldn't keep everyone waiting.

Waiting for Anna was the horror-struck crew in their woolly coats, Julia in her shawl-collared jacket, with her lips pursed. They stood beside a bathtub filled with ice-cubes. And there were crates of ice waiting. Zoe had gone pale with the cold and the dread of what she was going to shoot. But they didn't have a choice. Only Monica looked smug, and Zoe found herself wanting to slap her smirk off her beautiful face. Anna took it all in, and breathed deeply. This was what he wanted her to walk away from. Quietly, she undid the buckle of the trench-coat. She pulled it off in one fluid movement, and draped it on the backs of one of the chairs. Her ice-blue unitard did nothing to ward off the cold air, and she knew it would be just as inefficient in keeping off the cold of the ice that waited for her in the bathtub. Without much ado, Anna managed a smile, and undid her hair, saying "I'm ready."

Richard looked stony. He couldn't believe she'd done that. That she'd smiled and said it confidently. He was as much appalled at what he was making her do, as he was intent upon seeing how much she could bear.

Anna stepped into the ice-bath, and some of the ice spilled out. Monica shovelled ice over her with a vengeance, and Anna didn't let her smile fade. Julia handed her the bottle of perfume, and Anna looked into Zoe's lens confidently. She was hungry sleepless and cold. But she was also beautiful, brave and committed. She posed confidently, not allowing her discomfort to show on her face. She looked at the sky, focussing on the constellations and drowning out the harsh light coming from the snoot. She looked unshakable. And Richard looked on in awe.

Her fingers and arms began to grow numb, but she kept it up till Zoe said they'd had enough shots. Julia had quickly pulled her out, and had handed her a towel. Pushing her into the lounge and telling her to wear the trench coat and come, Julia had tried to help her as much as she could without letting Richard know. He went through her shots. She looked so beautiful. So defiant. He could see her commitment and her courage in those bold eyes. And yet he felt a disappointment. He had been sure this would break her, this would have her falling from her high pedestal of goodness, but she had defeated him once more.

She quickly dried herself and changed into the trench coat Julia had fetched for her. She tried hard not to shiver as she made her way out.

Richard looked irritated. She felt a small wave of victory wash over her. She could do this. She felt confident that she could stand whatever he decided to inflict on her. She could face it head on and emerge unscathed. So she allowed herself a smile. Richard looked positively enraged when he saw her smile. He couldn't take it. "Tomorrow morning, ten o'clock, the first floor. We'll be shooting indoors." He said, curtly, and left.

It was Anna who thanked the crew for an amazing shoot. It was an unforgettable one for them.