Timeless

2: First Glance

2001

On her first day on set, Madeleine could barely contain her excitement and nerves. She was standing in the corner of the bustling room, fingers twisting the edge of her shirt, looking around at the other kids. Some were laughing and playing with each other, already at ease. She could hear voices chattering from every corner, people bustling around with clipboards, equipment and makeup kits. It was all a little overwhelming, yet thrilling.

Her mind kept flashing back to the phone call a week ago when her mom had called her into the kitchen with a grin so big Madeleine thought she might burst. She remembered the exact words: "My baby, you got it! You're going to be on Sunshine Street!"

She'd jumped up and down, squealing in disbelief. She was finally going to be on TV; on a real tv show, playing a real tv character.
All those hours practicing in front of the mirror and pretending to be so many different people she'd seen on the screen had led her here.
And now, here she was, first day on set, heart thumping in her chest.

"Hello there." A voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see a tall, blonde woman walking toward her briskly, a clipboard in hand. She recognized her as the producer-Mrs Talia-the one everyone seemed to rush to about anything and everything. The woman had a slightly intense look about her, like someone who was constantly a few steps ahead.

She was a striking presence on set, moving with a brisk aura that demanded attention. She had a reputation for being tough-someone who didn't tolerate mistakes and expected everyone, no matter their age, to meet her high standards. Her eyes seemed to catch every detail, missing nothing, and she communicated mostly in short, efficient sentences, quick to give instructions or corrections. The crew was visibly respectful around her, moving just a little faster when she entered a room. There was an unspoken understanding that her intensity came from her dedication; she seemed passionate about her work and it was clear she was committed to creating something exceptional.

"Hi," Madeleine said, a little shyly, looking up at her.

The woman smiled, taking a moment to look her over. "Madeleine, right?"
She glanced down at her clipboard, then back up. "I remember your audition. We knew you were great for the role right away."

A rush of pride filled Madeleine, and her cheeks flushed. "Thank you." she said, beaming.

"Don't be shy," the producer added. "Get to know everyone. They're your castmates now." She gave Madeleine's shoulder a reassuring squeeze and then disappeared into the crowd of crew members.

Madeleine exhaled, looking around the room once more, trying to summon the courage to approach the other kids. She took in their faces, feeling a little intimidated but also curious. On the other side of the room, someone caught her eye.

A boy, maybe a little older than her, stood with his hands casually tucked into his pockets, surrounded by a group of other boys who seemed to be asking him a lot of questions.
He was taller than most of the other kids and he had an easy smile that seemed to put everyone at ease.
Madeleine found herself watching him, wondering how he could look so calm when she felt like she might explode from nerves.

Then, as if sensing her eyes on him, the boy looked up and his eyes found hers across the room. He held her gaze for a second before smiling, a quiet, friendly smile. She felt a spark of courage and smiled back, wondering who he was and what role he'd be playing. He seemed older than the other kids, more self-assured and for a second Madeleine felt a flutter of excitement.

Her stomach growled, bringing her back to reality. Spotting a vending machine in the corner, she decided a snack might help settle her nerves. She had been so nervous that she hadn't even eaten breakfast.
She dug into her bag for change and bought a packet of crackers, feeling a little steadier. As she returned to her seat she glanced around again, wondering when things would start. The crew members seemed to be setting up for the first rehearsal but everyone was still waiting.