Mine

Chapter Twenty Eight

I wake up to the sound of an alarm. I quickly pull the pillow over my head waiting for Dirk to turn it off, but he doesn't. I pull the pillow off my head and sit up. Dirk's spot is empty, but the alarm on his phone is still going off. I grab his phone and turn the alarm off. After rubbing my eyes awake I get up and look for Dirk. He's not in the bathroom or the living room. I check the other room but he's not their either. I decide to get ready even though Dirk isn't here. I'll have to leave soon, but I don't know what I'll do if I don't find him before I have to leave. It's not like I think he purposely ditched me or anything. I'm just worried since he didn't take his phone. Maybe he just went down to the lobby or something. I don't think he would leave the hotel. We only have one rented car and if he took it I wouldn't be able to go to set.

After I'm dressed I take my phone, wallet, and key to the room. Then I leave and head down to the lobby. I still don't see Dirk, but the car is still there. I don't have keys for it though, Dirk does. I head over to the car and feel a presence behind me. I turn around and slam into Dirk. "Damn it Dirk you scared me!"

"Sorry. Here get in I'll drive."

"No."

"What?"

"I said no. I want to drive. I don't want them thinking I rely on you for everything."

"But you do."

"No I don't!" I snatch the keys from his hand and turn away from him.

"Dave-"

"I woke up and I didn't know where you were. I didn't like that Dirk. I can drive myself." Dirk doesn't respond and I get in the car and start it up then drive off. And only then does it occur to me I don't know where I'm going. My phone buzzes and I pull over to look at it. Dirk sent me the directions. I sent him a quick thanks and followed them to set. The director, Andrew, was happy I was a little early, and put me straight to work. He treated me like a personal assistant. I let him know that I wasn't and that I was the contest winner, but he didn't seem to care. I remember what Dirk had said about this guy, and at the time I thought he was over reacting. But now I can see he really sucks.

"Dave!"

"Huh?"

"Weren't you listening? That's your job right? Now I want-" I couldn't help it I snapped.

"No, it's not my job to get you what ever you want. Get it yourself and actually teach me about directing. That's your job." The set goes quiet and I'm expecting to be told to go home and don't ever come back, but instead Andrew smiles.

"Now that's what I like to hear. I was hoping you'd be the one to snap. You got some skill with shitty cameras, so can you imagine what your work would be like with decent cameras and a few million dollar budget." Andrew starts walking away.

"Uh, what...just happened?" I ask the question aloud and one of the crew chuckles.

"Andrew's crazy. He's done contests before, and he always treats the new kids like PAs until they stand up for themselves which has never happened before, until now. Better catch up kid you might get to learning if you do." I hurry to get away from the table I was sitting at and race after Andrew.

"Took you long enough kid."

"Well I mean you didn't specify if I was suppose to follow you or not."

"No shit for brains! Took you long enough to snap. If you want to be a good director you have to stand up for yourself. You can't let anyone throw you around or use you."

"Well I mean it's not a good idea to tell your boss or mentor he's wrong."

"Why not? After three years my mentor wasn't listening to me so I signed off on his unfinished product and sent it out. Next thing he knew the media was tearing him apart for his shitty work."