Mainstream

Bad Publicity

Interviews were often the most grueling part of the job for Eddie. Mostly because it meant spending an entire day playing himself, Eddie Gluskin, the actor. These particular interviewers were made more complicated because most of the interviewers were in Cantonese and a few Mandarin. Eddie had trouble asking where the bathroom was in either language.

As one interview came to an end, another interviewer immediately sat down and began to prepare, keeping with the endless stream of press meetings.

"How many more?" asked Eddie.

"Um, wait, which one is this?" asked Andrew, speaking aside with one of the translators.

"This is the radio talk persona from the Radio Television Hong Kong," said the translator, a Chinese man as tall as Andrew wearing a plain, gray suit.

"Okay, so only..." Andrew clicked his tongue as he stared at his phone. "Only twelve more."

"Only," said Eddie, blowing air through his teeth.

The interviews continued into the evening. Eddie's stomach began to roil. He tried to get Andrew's attention to ask about dinner, but Andrew was on his phone. He stared, unblinking, eyes wide. Perhaps a problem with the interview schedule.

Finally, the last scheduled interviewer sat down and began their questions. Eddie was hungry, he had a headache, and he had answered nearly identical questions for the last six hours, but he persevered. Always the professional.

And after an entire day of repetition, a unique question emerged.

"Do you have any comments on your newest project, currently filming?"

Eddie frowned at the interviewer, before turning toward the translator. "I thought this interview was only about The Seven Rings of Europa?" He paused while the translator relayed the message to the interviewer, who smiled before asking another question.

"Do you have any comments on your relationship with your costar in your current film?"

"I'm currently dating Helen Granat, she was my costar on Shallow Tides, not The Seven Rings of Europa."

As the answer was translated, the interviewer began speaking quickly, and several people in the wings scribbled down notes.

"No, specifically, do you have any comments on your personal relationship with your male costar, Waylon Park?"

Eddie's frown deepened as the question was translated.

"Andrew," Eddie angry whispered, only to find his agent still on the goddamn phone. He turned a placating smile on the interviewer.

"No comment, I'm afraid I've had a long day and must retire if you'll excuse me," said Eddie. The translator was still speaking when he stood up, gave a respectful nod of his head, and walked to where Andrew paced with a phone glued to his ear.

"I'm starving, and these questions are getting off topic, I could use an agent right now," said Eddie, glaring. Andrew had the audacity to hold up a finger into Eddie's face, demanding silence. Eddie snarled. "If you value your job..."

"What do we know about the author?" Andrew asked into the phone, pausing to hum. "What about his sources? A makeup artist, easy to discredit, but how did they get the pictures? The author, himself? Filthy paparazzi assholes. I'm sure this is nothing. We'll have an official statement shortly. I'll call you back."

Eddie slowly began to feel less sure of his anger. His hunger disappeared, but his headache redoubled in strength.

"Come on, let's get back to the hotel," said Andrew. "Room service for dinner tonight."