Space-Time of Death: an Al Squires of the Protectorate Novel

Ch.13.2: Hooray For Hollowodd!

After a short walk and a few star sightings, we arrived at our destination: the soundstage where the bar of 'The Adventures of Don Juan' took place. It took some real schmoozing on Vincent's part to get us in, but after alluding to the security guard that Jorge was the representative from Spain, he let us in. Provided that we be quiet on set, especially during the shooting.

"That means from hereon in," Vincent reminded us softly, "if you need to talk, do it sotto vocce. This is a hot set, after all. And try to get starstruck if you bump into Flynn or any other star in there." He glanced over at Team P when he said that, then briefly to Jorge. "Andiamo," he said as he turned, then waved his arm in a 'move out' gesture.

Which was easier said than done. As soon as we entered the soundstage, we were met by the sight of movie magic being made firsthand: various sets placed in various places of the soundstage; large motion picture cameras of the era on dollies and cranes, as well as other movie making equipment of the era, positioned right in front of the sets; men and women both in and out of costume spread out about the place. The people out of costume were either busily moving along from this way to that or staying put while working on their respective jobs, such as make-up or cameraman or what have you. And the ones in costumes were either working on their lines or doing vocal exercises on the sets, in foldable chairs, or near the craft services table tucked away at a part of the soundstage. The ones without lines were out on the sets as well, working on their actions and their blocking.

I personally fought the urge to go full on 'kid-in-a-candy-store' mode. As did a few of my compatriots, I gathered from a glance. I'll leave it to your imaginations which ones, dear Readers. Of course, Jorge looked like he was struggling the most from the sight around us: his hands curled up into tight fists, his jaw clenching more than usual, his body trembling ever so slightly in barely held excitement.

"Anyone have eyes on Shaw, yet?" Jorge asked us as softly as he could, his voice barely above a low rumble as he spoke.

A lot of us discreetly took out our pictures. "Not yet," Lady Lane said softly, speaking for the rest of us. "But it's a large soundstage." She looked over to the rest of us. "Keep your eyes peeled, everyone. And let us know the moment you spot her."

The group nodded at this, and nonchalantly continued their search while moving deeper into the soundstage. We searched in silence after a few beats, until suddenly...

"Look, Look," Mik said in a hissed whisper, still using that French accent.

"What is it?" Jorge asked as he looked around. "Have you found Shaw?"

"No, look," Mik whispered as ze pointed over to the craft services table other side of the soundstage. "It's Raymond Burr! He's one of my favorite actors!"

Sure enough, there was Raymond Burr- or rather a younger version of him that many of you might be familiar with, dear Readers- in full costume, eating a sandwich with a dwarf in fine Spanish raiment, oddly enough.

"That's right, he is in this film, isn't he?" Jorge rumbled. "If memory serves, he is supposed to play Captain Alverez, one of the minions of the film's villain, Duke de Lorca; a rather sadistic fellow, if memory serves. And the dwarf must be the one who plays Sebastian, the Royal Jester to King Phillip III of Spain."

"Alverez, eh?" Rozz asked while giving Jorge a small nudge in the ribs. "One of your relatives, Jorge, old boy?"

"Hardly," he said while giving Rozz a glare. "And do not do that again, demonio. Comprende."

"Si," was all Rozz said before moving away from him.

"Raymond Burr?" Norah repeated the name, as if testing it out. "That name sounds familiar."