Masquerade, A Tom Hiddleston Story

Part 3 'How poor are they that have not patience?'

I hate technology. I hate it with a vengeance. I remembered not long ago when you wanted to get a girl to go out with you, all you had to to do was ask her number. You call her, set a date and that's that.

But now with all this waiting for her to text you on WhatsApp, forever wondering if she remembered adding your number to her contact list, the process suddenly becomes a long long wait.

Yes I sound like a 60 year old bitter grandpa right now. But this is literally torture. It's amazing that all through life I've always been  the initiator. I like making things happen. Even as dramatic and stupid as proudly holding up empty water bottle and running around Kenneth Branagh's changing room pretending to be Thor worthy of mjolnir. I didn't get to be Thor but I patted myself on the back for making Ken believed I wanted to be in the film so bad.

It's a bright sunny morning. Perfect for an outdoor shoot. It's nice to finally leave the studio. Although I've grown quite fond of that mansion built on a massive soundstage. But it was kind of getting under my skin a bit. To the point where I would have dreams of actually living in it.

All the heavy stuff was over and done with. All the scenes needed to be shot indoors and the faux snowy outdoors is a wrap. Barring reshoots of course. But Guillermo or G as he is now fondly called by the crew, is so detailed and thorough that I doubt we need to go back.

I made myself a nice cozy spot in front of the trailer. Sitting in my chair, hair and make up done. A nice hot cup of coffee on the folding table next to me. Perfect place to take in the morning sun.

The script sat on my lap. But my eyes were elsewhere. Trying hard to remember the day I gave her my number. Did I miss a digit or two? Where's the cordial "Hey... This is me on Whatsapp" initial conversation. Not even a smiley?

Yes I sound obsessed. A needy chick. And that needy chick is now checking out his phone again. His notifications box full. But not with a message he really wants to receive.

One of the ADs made his way towards me.

"5 minutes Mr. Hiddleston" he said crisply. And then he was off skipping back to the set up.

The set up is looking very nice. A picnic in the park on a sunny autumn day. With extras in their Victorian dresses and morning coats, that spot in the park is like a window to the past. Well If there were cameras and lighting equipments in the late Victorian era.

I straighten up on my seat as a figure so out of place made her way through the crowd. Her black ripped jeans and her dark crop top constrasted painfully against the pouffy dresses and stiff coats.

"Jessica is here... " She announced breathlessly as they approached Guillermo who have been barking orders to his ADs to get the lead actors and actresses on set.

"Not Kate's fault. I had too much coffee and had to pee. Had to take all this off" she made a dramatic gesture pointing at her velvet dress that looks heavy and complicated to get in and out of.

"The poor thing was so patient with me" she gave Kate a warm smile.

Kate however, is already busy with Mia's dress. Puffing what needs to be puffed and brushing out barely there creases.

I smiled to myself as I watched her. Wondering when did seeing someone, doing the most ordinary things can bring such joy. Her mere presence able to have such an effect on me. I wanted to reach over and touch the back of her neck that is turned towards me. Running my fingers on her tattoo. I wanted to plant my lips on her hair. Still remembering the distinct smell of her perfume.

"Earth to Tom... Hello... Let's go... They are ready for you". Harry nudged me out of my daydream.

I grabbed the coat I'm supposed to wear but hesitated to put it on. I continued walking towards the crowd of people and cameras with the coat in my hand. The object of my fantasies is now in front of me.

"Kate can you help me put the coat on? I dont think I can do it properly" I said as calmly as possible.

She gave me an experated look.

Actors...

She might be thinking to herself. But she came over anyways. Her perfume now real on my senses. Her warm hand lightly touched mine as she grabbed the coat and motioned me to come closer.

The world disappears as she helped me wear that heavy velvet coat. Her expert fingers made sure the fabric lay nicely against my body.

And then she smiled. That smile I like when her green eyes seem to twinkle in the light.

"Well well don't you look dapper..." She commented.

I wanted to ask her then and there if ever she was going to text. I dont care that it's not appropriate anymore. My inner needy girl winning out over the calm and collected movie star.

But then the director called my name and command me to position.

I quoted Othello to myself as I fight the urge to scream out her name.

"How poor are they that have not patience? What wound did ever heal but by degrees?"

***

It rained on the last hour of shooting. A mad scramble to cover equipments and actors and actresses finding shade to protect their costumes was chaotic. At least it looked like everyone made it inside trailers and tents on time.

A miserable costume assistant by the name of Ron was helping me undress out of my costume. Kate was obviously with Mia or Jessica, the more complicated cases.

"Hey Ron..." I said as I emerged out of the bathroom with a tracksuit.

"Yes sir?" He perked up considerably as I mentioned his name. He is still wrestling with heavy fabric making sure they are nicely tucked in inside the garment bags.

"Its Tom. Where are you guys staying?" I asked.

"They put us up in this nice apartment near the studio" he answered happily. His face now more welcoming.

"Everyone is staying there?"

He looked at me with curious eyes. Not sure where this conversation is going.

"Erm... Well the costume people are. The crew is in a house I think."

"Kate?" I continued hesitantly.

"Oh yeah Kate is in the studio on the 22nd floor. Us assistants are sharing 3 bedrooms between us" he explained.

"Erm do you have Kate's number?" I asked trying to sound as casually as possible.

"Yeah sure... But if there's a message I can tell her" his tone suddenly guarded. He must have think that I'm out to complain about him to her.

"Oh no no Ron... I just have a this producer that wants to get in touch with her" I said with a warm smile.

"Oh right... here Sir..." He showed me her contacts on his phone.

"Tom... sir is my father" I said jokingly as I quickly but correctly type her details on my phone. Two numbers and an email. Perfect.

"Right... Tom..." Ron said his face beaming.

"Thanks for this" I gave him a small pat on the back.

"No problem anytime" Ron said with a huge grin as he made his was to the trailer door. Absentmindedly leaving all the day's costume behind.

"Ron"

"Yes Tom" he answered, visibly enunciating my first name.

"Your stuff?"

"Right... Hahhaha" he laughed nervously and hurried out.

I sat down and stared at her contacts on the screen. Found her online on WhatsApp. I can hear Harry's footstep approaching the trailer. He's going to inform me that the car is ready to take me back to the hotel.

With gusto I opened her chatbox and type the magic word;

Hi