Love in the Spotlight

Chapter Two - She's very... capable

He of course saw her the next day. As much as Alice disliked the celebrities and all the fuss around them, she did want to help Ella and make up to her for the time she had spent at her house when Alice had been recovering. And to her surprise, she needed to admit that being among other people, actually a crowd that was busy and loud, was doing her good. "I must be back to normal then" she thought for a moment, but instantly felt pain inside reminding her that this is not the 'normal' she planned and hoped for.

Midland was getting out of his car the moment she was about to enter the studio. She had stepped into Starbucks on her way, to get him that black without sugar.
"Good morning to you." He welcomed her with that charming smile of his.
"Good morning," Alice answered, handing him the coffee and walking inside. He followed her.
"You got me my coffee? Thanks!" he said with satisfaction. "That's very nice of you."
Alice turned to him surprised.
"You are complimenting me for bringing you coffee? Jeez, was it such a challenge for your previous assistant?"
"Not at all! She was very . . . capable." He grinned as he knew what Alice's reaction would be. Alice in turn knew that by 'capable' he did not mean bringing coffee.
"Figures . . ." she just whispered to his back as he was now the first to enter the main area, looking very proud of himself. Alice wondered, was he grinning because he had scored with the assistant – which she doubted, as that would hardly be a big win for him – or rather because he annoyed her? The latter was most probable. "What game are we playing?" she thought to herself. She's trying to offend him, and he's trying to annoy her. "Let's see who gives in first."

The director approached him with some standard greeting small talk. Alice kept her distance, trying to locate Ella among the crowd of people moving all around. She could not spot her sister, but caught the last sentences of Midland's conversation with the director.
"You do not like our coffee, I see?" she asked.
"Well, what can I say, that's my habit. And besides . . . my assistant," He looked at Alice who pretended not to hear a word, ". . . brings me coffee every day."
"Well lucky you, Jon!"
"Yes, she is very . . . capable . . ." Jon knew Alice was listening and was hoping to see some reaction, but Alice finally noticed Ella and moved her way. She promised herself though "No more Starbucks for this guy!" Starting tomorrow he'd be drinking coffee served by the studio, like everyone else. "I will show you how capable I am."

* * * * * * * * * *

"Oh, Alice, I'm glad that I caught you!" Ella exclaimed, but then paused for a moment. ". . . and I'm happy that you are back today. Thanks!"
"Why did you want to catch me?" Alice asked, ignoring Ella's grateful look.
"So there are some last minute changes to the script . . ."
"OK . . ." This did not seem a big deal to Alice.
"Ah, right, you don't know." Ella realized something.
"Know what?"
"Jon is not a big fan of last minute changes," Ella whispered. Alice just looked at her while her eyes were saying "Like I care".
"Just give me the corrected version, I will communicate it . . . gently to him."
"OK . . ." Ella was not sure how 'gently' would look like, but did not ask. She was happy that the ungrateful task of informing Jon about the corrections fell on someone else. "I will have someone bring it to you later. This is for the night scene." When Alice did not say anything else Ella continued. "Another thing! The studio wants the actors to give some interviews later today."
"About the movie? Still when they are shooting it?" Alice was surprised as the promotion would usually start much later.
"Well, obviously they cannot spill the beans about it and the journalists are not to inquire about the details. It's more about the studio; how the work is going, how it's working with the other actors, etc."
"OK, so is Midland also not a fan of interviews and you want me to communicate this to him gently as well?" Alice asked with a faint smile of disbelief.
"No." Ella laughed. "He knows about the interview already. I just want you to be aware and put it on his agenda."
"Sure." Besides the long list of phone numbers of people on Jon's payroll, Alice also started maintaining his extensive agenda.
"And we are shooting outside tonight, so we will need you then as well."
"Where else would I be . . ." Alice concluded giving Ella a goodbye kiss, "but with all of you!" "Rather than at home doing my editorial work that is already passed the deadline" . . . she thought as she was walking away.
"I love you!" Ella called out with a smile.

* * * * * * * * * *

In Jon's dressing room Alice threw her backpack on the couch. She brought her 'real' work with her, hoping to steal a few moments to finally finish reading and correcting the manuscript. The head of London Publishing was her friend, but Alice knew his patience was running out. Many editors wanted to work on that manuscript – a sequel to Mary Howell's bestselling novel – which was very promising, obviously. Mary had wanted to work with Alice, so the publishing house had had no other choice but to let her work on the first draft. But Alice knew they would rather fall into disfavour with Mary Howell than delay any longer.
She was staring at her backpack deep in thought when Jon walked in. He stopped next to Alice following her gaze.
"Are we waiting for the back pack to come to life?" he whispered and Alice jumped, totally not expecting him. "Don't worry, the secret of your miraculous backpack is safe with me."
Alice gave him that look which would make a normal person feel very stupid, but Jon ignored it and apparently, in a very good mood, started taking off his jacket. Alice suddenly remembered that she was supposed to tell him about the changes to the script. She grinned. "This will for sure wipe that stupid smile of his face".
"I was told that there will be some changes to the script for the night scenes . . ." She said innocently. Jon froze with his jacket still on one arm.
"Big changes?"
"Not sure yet . . . but I'm sure you will manage to learn a few more lines?" she added, pretending to be nice. He looked at her considering something for a moment, probably whether to get pissed, but then decided to continue with their game.
"Well . . . I don't know . . . I'm not that . . . capable as you are." He again gave her that charming smile. "But I'm sure you will be happy to help me with that challenge. Meet me at my hotel a few hours before shooting the night scenes," he spoke the last sentence in a tone that didn't allow any objections.
Alice was at a loss for words, as he had not been that serious towards her before, but luckily the makeup artist came in and the conversation was over. She sighed and sent her backpack a last glance. "The manuscript needs to wait . . . again."

* * * * * * * * * *

On the first day as the personal assistant to Jon Midland, Alice tried to learn what he liked. Whether there were any food or snacks or drinks or whatever that he wanted to have in his dressing room. Whether he had any whims or things that annoyed him . . . but no one was able to tell her much. Apparently the last assistant kept this information secret and Jon, when asked, did not have any specific demands. Well, maybe besides the coffee. He also did not want any music in the dressing room. He seemed to be most relaxed with Misty, the make-up artist. She was much older than him, so it was not the sexual attraction . . . Alice wondered at that. Anyway, since she did not learn from anyone, including Jon, what he wanted, she just brought things that she knew she would like to see, eat or drink. She brought a stock of still water, smoothies which she put in the little fridge, some newspapers and last but not least a stock of M&M's – something that had always made her feel good.
"M&Ms?" he asked in disbelief.
"I will eat them if you don't want to, don't worry." She took the pack from his hand and walked out of the room already putting a few candies in her mouth.

* * * * * * * * * *

As it turned out the Electricity at the studio did not have the best day and the shooting was postponed until the next. To Alice's relief and to Ella's horror, as it was impacting the whole precious schedule.
This meant that Alice could actually steal a few hours to finish reading the manuscript. She quickly called Jon's driver to be ready, as Jon might leave the studio soon. She arranged for the script corrections to be brought to her house ASAP. The only thing that was left was to sneak out somehow. This was not what a good personal assistant would do, but let's face it, Alice was not a real personal assistant. She took a deep breath before entering his dressing room. This time she had to be nice to him, maybe he would not drag her with him anywhere. She walked in slowly. Jon was on the phone. For a moment she considered grabbing her backpack and running away, but this would have been childish. She looked at the agenda to check the evening schedule and just waited for him to finish the conversation. To her relief he was meeting someone for lunch. "Yeah!"
"OK, so the night shooting starts at nine," she said when he put the phone down. "I will bring the corrected script to your hotel once it's ready."
Jon just nodded in reply.
"What time do you need me there?" she asked hoping that the aversion would not be heard in her voice.
"Can you be there at four?" he was actually asking, not telling her.
"Sure." Alice was already calculating the hours in her head. This might give her enough time to finish reading the manuscript and send the summary along with the corrections to the publishing house.
"Could you please call my driver . . .?"
"Already done. He is waiting for you." Alice said with a smile, and this time she felt her smile was genuine. Then she left.