Photo Finish

Fists Of Fury

     "Aaaaaand done!" Matte exclaimed, helping me to my feet. I stretched my arms out to my sides, careful not to smudge or smear my palm tattoo until it was dry. "You aren't going to gaze upon my masterpiece?"
     I snorted and turned my back toward the reflective glass. My jaw dropped at the gorgeous design on my upper back. It was so detailed, every feather was somehow accentuated. They almost looked real.
     "Matte! This is amazing!" I acclaimed. "It really looks like there are wings on my back!"
     Matte blushed, waving me off bashfully. "Aw, it's nothing really."
     "What do you mean? This is awesome. If I ever get an actual tattoo, you're doing it for me."
     "Nah. I don't work well with needles."
     I glanced at him quizzically. "Weren't you a tattoo artist before this?"
     "Did they tell you how I got fired?"
     "Wow."
     "Yao, we're ready to start when you are," Julian peeped through the door with a tired smile.
     I walked up to him and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Another late night?"
     "Yeah, but it's all worth it!" He cheered enthusiastically.
     "I know. Just don't work yourself to death." I passed him and entered the empty room. I stopped, glancing around pell-mell. "Where is everyone?"
     Julian came up behind me, placing a hand on my lower back as to avoid the artwork above. "I don't think you'd be able to fly too well inside."
     My heart leapt as my manager led me out to the car. I hopped in and we drove off. The car had come to a stop at a secluded patch of earth surrounded by a green screen and warehouses. I pressed my face against the glass, eyes shifting to every piece of architecture there. Julian opened my door and helped me out of the vehicle. My fluffy flip-flops hit the pavement, tapping vigorously toward the set. I stood in front of the massive build towering at least twenty feet taller than I was. Hanging just above the top of the set was the neck of a crane, and from it my harness rig.
     "So you know the scenes right? We sprung them on you a little late, but that was my fault," Julian suddenly asked nervously. 
     "Who do you take me for?" I snapped bombastically. "I am Ink! The misunderstood villain working for IncredInk who created me."
     "Why are you working for them?" Julian quizzed.
     "They threaten my sister! It is the only way to keep her from ending up like me." I looked at my hands. "'My life is mine alone. No one else should bare this torture.'"
     "You are ready," Julian replied, a hand on the side of my arm. I smiled, then slipped my mask on dangerously.
     "There is danger afoot. I must fly!" I cried, running toward the staff crowding around the crane. I stuck my arms out to the side and dashed in circles around them. "Weeeeeeee!" I exclaimed, feeling like a whole new person.
     "Now all you need is a cape and you'll be a super hero."
     I stopped and turned to my co-actor. I pulled my mask down with a smile. Dae, I presumed, was sitting in one of the lawn chairs under an umbrella. He was dressed in a white leather super suit. On the sides were pink, blue, and yellow melding designs that somewhat resembled veins. They came all the way down to the black boots. Pulling together his look were red shin and forearm guards, black leather gloves and a white mask with the same vein-like designs running parallel from the back of the suit, through his black eye sockets, and curving to his black leather shoulder pads. Not an inch of his skin was showing. He was so mysterious, and even a bit sexy in all that leather.
     "Superhero? Ha!" I snapped evilly, pulling my mask back over my nose. "I'm a villain. Fear me!"
     "No, no, no. A simple 'fear me' won't do. You have to go like this." He stood from the chair and held himself in a menacing, dominant pose. "Kneel," he commanded, staring down at me.
     "Hey, you can't do that. That's copyright," I stated, crossing my arms childishly.
     "Eh, only if you know the reference." Dae shrugged and clapped his gloved palms together, rubbing them in anticipation. "When are we starting practice?"
     "Practice?" I asked.
     "You don't think I would swing a real sword at you if we didn't practice the first fight sequence, do you?"
     "We're using real sword?" I inquired nervously.

     I "flew" toward the screen. Below me was a bridge like structure. I landed on its metal surface, the extras screaming in front of me. Cars were dispersed messily around me. Extras groveled at my feet in terror. As per my character, I began to tear up. My character didn't want this, she wanted to be free, but she had to continue the destruction. I held out my hand, palm facing toward all the people. I hesitated, then whipped it toward one of the nonexistent metal cord supports, snapping my fingers as I did so. The machine below us shook the bridge to one side, signaling the bursting of the support. I held out my weapon to where another would be, but there was a sudden shout. Acting wounded, I dropped my arm and held it close. I was merely scathed with a throwing knife, so said the script, and I was still able to fight.
     "Ink! I thought our fight in New York would've been our last!"
     "Falchion..." I hissed haggardly, the voice changer box hidden in my suit amplifying my voice differently, giving it a more masculine sound.
     "Give it up, Ink. I've got you cornered." Dae, or Falchion, held a second throwing knife at my chest level.
     I held up my hands and walked towards him, the red liquid from the fake blood pack hidden in my suit dripping from my wound. I stopped as the tip of the weapon pressed against my chest. I let out an airy chuckle.
     "Then go ahead," I threatened, then suddenly took hold of the blade. I sneered under my mask, then jerked my arm slightly. In the script I had just ignited the weapon. Dae shouted and staggered back. "You shouldn't've hesitated!"
     Dae drew out a katana, or single-edged sword that curved at its tip, and swung at me. My slack in the harness tightened and I was lifted in the air. At that point, I had just revealed my wings again. Falchion stared up at me. I could feel the fear in the character. I fed off the energy and went into my next line.
     "I'm afraid it's you who is the one cornered, hero," I exclaimed, then dove in the direction of the next support cord. I "snapped" it, the bridge shaking, then went for another one. I weaved back and forth as he tried to catch up to me, snapping another support. There was a moment that he maneuvered in front of me as I flew low to the ground and passed him, and I cried in pain as scripted. Falchion had successfully cut my wing in half without even having to move the sword. They disappeared and I fell to a mattress below.
     "Cut!" Barked the director. He stood and clapped a bit. "That was great. Just in case, let's try it again!"
     Dae ran up to me, replacing the sword in the scabbard. He held his hand out and I gripped it. He pulled me up off the cushioning. I pat myself off and jumped around, feeling the adrenaline.
     "Right, let's go again!" I exclaimed.
     We redid the scene twice more. I felt more and more confident about them as I went. I really got into the character. By the time we ended the third wrap, it was just about sundown. I high fived my co-actor and we went to the little lawn chair and table setup we had for breaks. I pulled down my mask and took a sip of the water the staff had brought for me earlier. It was finally over for the day, and I was exhausted.
     "Alright, Yao, are you ready for the next scene?"
     "What?" I whined sleepily.
     "It's a simple, short scene. We just need to get you staggering into the warehouse and then getting your tattoo fixed against your will. You also get to beat up the mad doctor."
     "Julian, is this really the last scene?"
     "No, I'm just kidding. We're doing that scene tomorrow. We'll finish all the fighting scenes in a couple days and then get to the fun romantic scenes between you two. I have a surprise hidden in."
     I sighed, relieved. Dae sat next to me and rubbed my head. I looked up at him with a smile.
     "You did good today, Ms. Yao. I'm surprised at your level of talent."
     My cheeks flushed a little and I had to pull up my mask. I stood and struck a pose.
     "Well obviously! Why do you think they chose me for the job! Thank you citizen for your praise. I will beseech you, now!"
     I scampered away in my fluffy, pink flip-flops and hopped into the van. I waved at Dae as we drove away. I got home at midnight that night. All of the makeup was off and my regular clothes were on again. I opened the door, kicking off my shoes.
     "Surprise!"
     I screamed, finding my brother and Em standing in front of me with a cake in hand. I smiled and brought my hands to my mouth in shock. I peeked at the cake. On top of its dark chocolate coating was the  name of my character. Around the white curly letters were lit candles. I laughed and blew them out. My roomies cheered and hugged me.
     "What's all this?" I asked.
     "It's a surprise party for you."
     "Congrats, sis, on the movie!"
     "Aw, thanks guys. Let's have a piece!"
     "Wait." Em gave the dessert to my brother and stalked up to me. She reached for my hair, then stopped. She let out a horrible scream. "Oh my god! That's not a wig, is it?"
     "It's for the character. It'll grow back when we're done with the movie," I replied shakily.
     "But, your hair! Your beautiful, long, luscious hair!"
     "Babe, it'll grow back," Damon said, putting a hand on Em's shoulder.
     "Fine. As long as you grow it back out."
     "Yes, ma'am," I replied confidently with a salute.
     "Alright." Em smiled and ruffled my short hair. "It still looks good on you."