One Shots: An ADNBookClub Writing Challenge

McDoNT

by Zoe

"Baby, remember what we practiced this morning? Smile every time, wink your eyes a bit when you look at people, look straight to the camera, and when you smile show your dimple, then every time you speak always end with a "po"."

"Ma, I know, I remember, okay? We talked about it like six times already. I need to go now."

"Zieg, listen, the shoot will start any time soon. As soon as we finish here we'll go buy the books and shoes you like."

"But, Mama, I need to GO like RIGHT NOW! It's number two!"

"Oh bad timing, honey. Can't you hold a bit? Okay, let's go but we shouldn't take long."

To the production crew Mom Maine said, "Ah, Miss, they're still prepping up the set, right? We'll just go to the washroom. My son needs it really badly."

"Okay, Ma'am. We should be able to start in 15 minutes. Please come back soon, we need to prepare your adorable son, make up and rehearsals, that's all."

Inside the cubicle, "Nak, baby, please try to finish now. They've been calling us twice already the shoot will start any minute."

"Mama, I'm trying but my bum-bum is painful." Crying, he gripped his mother's hands.

At the set, the other kid talent is being prepped up, never letting go of her father's hand.

"Hey, Athena baby. I will be right at the front when the shoot starts, alright? You shouldn't be shy, just follow what the director says."

"Yes, Papa. I'm a big girl now I'm not scared. You will be watching me the whole time so no, I won't be shy, too."

"Ei, that's my Athena! Give it your best shot, dear! Your Papa will cheer for you."

"Pa, maybe we will shoot on another day. I feel I'm not ready for this. The other kid is not here yet, so maybe we cancel today."

"Hhmmm, how many butterflies in your tummy? Didn't we talk about this at home?"

"It's so madami-dami more than my fingers and toes."

"Hahaha, you mean 21 butterflies?"

"More Papa! My heart says thump thump thump really fast."

"Relax, Teenie, you'll do great, okay? Now if you don't want this, we're not doing it again, okay? But we have to finish today, it's not going to take long. It'll be done before you know it. Hey, ah I think that's too much make up you put on her. And not too red for the lips; she gets allergies sometimes."

"Okay, guys, let's get rolling! Where are the talents?

"Zieg, the director's calling you now."

"Okay, Mama.

"Athena, let's go!"

"Yes, Papa."

The kids were each assigned a room where they could rest and play. Totally unaware of the each other's presence a hundred meters apart, RJ and Maine busied themselves orienting their kids, more of anxious than excited of how the day will unfold. There's something about today that kept the estranged phenomenal couple restless, agitated, and heavily palpitating as manifested in their mannerisms— Maine biting her lips and fingernails, RJ twitching his hands and stomping his feet. As planned, the production will take two full days for the TV commercial and print ads shoot for international release. To capture the young talents' normal reaction as Direk Jose would have it, they auditioned for kids who have similar features but are strangers to each other as they will be playing the role of long lost siblings.