Alive and Kicking

God Damn Job

2016

She walked into Chateau Mormont. Despite being the first one there, besides the Duffers, of course, Winona felt incredibly uneasy. This was new to her, working on a TV series with people she never encountered before. Sure, she did a few mini-series, but at least she knew the actors, had some friendly faces on the set. This was different.

Winona wasn't like this before. She was open to meeting new people, too friendly for her good. She used to enjoy being in a crowd, center of everyone's attention, even the subject of their desires. Before the whole "she's a klepto" incident, Winona was spontaneous and fun, had everyone either wanting to be Winona or wanting to be with her.

Things were much different now. She wasn't unhappy with her life though. She had a boyfriend who seemed to be very understanding of her and her needs. She had a great support system around her, always there when she needed them.

The only thing she needed was a challenge, an acting challenge. It has been way too long since she had a role that would make her think about the character, really immerse her in the story. She'd been trying to find a script that would blow her mind and as luck would have it, in the end, she did.

What instantly drew her to the script for this show was the fact that it was set in the 80s and even though she didn't think a show about monsters and kids would end up being a major hit, she still wanted to take on the part of a broken woman, a mother searching for that little bit of light in her life, her son.

So, here she was. At Chateau Mormont, doing the "first event of the season" thing, something the Duffers suggested. They were aware of the fact they had a lot of new talent joining and though it would be nice to host a get together for the chance of everyone meeting before the actual work begins.

Winona wasn't a fan but knew it was necessary. She was in the business long enough to know these sorts of things were mandatory despite being advertised as optional. And so, she decided to come early, because if you come early, you can also leave first without anyone objecting. It was her old trick, one that worked magic.

She made her way to where Matt and Ross were sitting, patiently waiting for everyone to arrive. They were surprised to see her be the first one, she didn't seem too excited about this event. Regardless, they both stood, offering their hands for a shake before Matt came around the table and offered her a chair.

Chivalry is not dead, Winona though before saying a light "thank you" and putting her purse on a chair next to her.

The next 20 minutes went by quickly, that's how early she was. The Duffers talked a bit about the general idea of the series and what they would like to see from Joyce and while Winona was all about work, tonight she found herself getting bored with questions about it.

She was tired of everyone being interested in her career more than her for who she was. Winona could only hope that more people would be arriving soon and the Duffers would find another person to talk to.

Her quiet prayer was heard because not a second after Ross asked her another work-related question, a deep voice from behind her drew everyone's attention.

"Is this seat taken or are you just keeping it for me?"

A tall, bit overweight man stood right next to her, leaning his palms on the chair occupied by her purse. He was smirking, a playful glimmer in his... damn, she's never seen eyes so blue. Winona was hypnotized, as if she knew this man a long time before, but couldn't quite place it, until...

"You're a guy from Law and Order, I love that show!" she practically screamed, a huge smile forming on her blood-red lips.

She surprised everyone at the table, but the surprise was hers as well. For a moment she looked like her old self, cheerful and fun, but the moment was gone as soon as she noticed and Winona's face fell into a mixture of embarrassment and coldness.

David took a moment for the initial shock to pass before laughing, throaty and full just like he always did when he was being genuine, missing the quick change in Winona.

"I'll take that as the latter"

He looked at her purse with an eyebrow raised and she quickly moved it from the seat that now apparently belonged to him. She should've reacted like that, but the show was really good and her tongue was faster than her brain and... oh God, this was not good.

David finally took a seat next to her, greeting the Duffers before turning towards Winona who was incredibly stoic, back turned to him as much as possible without seeming rude.

"As much as I appreciate you knowing who I portrayed, I'd rather you know my real identity" he smirked once again, damn he looked hot doing that, holding a hand out for her. He was arrogant, that much Winona could tell, but she liked the fact he didn't freak over meeting her.

Most of her cast-mates would usually spend the first week of work just staring at her, in awe of the fact they were working side by side Winona freaking Ryder. She hated that. All Winona wanted was to be just like anyone, a woman with a job she loved, not some A list bitch who'd rather a mansion in the Hidden Hills than peace of mind.

Yes, this man was rude, full of himself and dare she say flirty? But he was treating her like a human, and that's all she needed to know before smiling and shaking his hand. Maybe the night won't be so boring after all.

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As the night went on she felt better and better. It turned out that most of the "adults" on the show were a great company. Some of them had very little acting experience, but to her surprise, there were a few who she knew personally, like Cara.

She met the woman previously at a charity event and spent some time with her talking mostly about how passionate she was about the cause and why she loved working on projects that included any kind of help to those who were less fortunate. Winona was no saint, but helping others was something she's always done, ever since she was a youngster.

"... so Winona, how's Scott?"

Cara took a sip of her red wine, switching from a random conversation the two of them were leading to a more personal subject. Winona attended the charity event with her boyfriend and despite the initial confusion as to how Cara knew Scott, she leaned in so only Cara could hear.

"I don't want to talk about private stuff here, too many people" Winona had the tightest of smiles plastered on her face and Cara could see the brunette was slightly pissed.

"Sorry, thought you'd like to share" the blonde dropped even further down her chair, afraid she'd said something wrong, but Winona took her hand, immediately reassuring her that it's fine as long as it doesn't become a habit.

Winona was not trying to be bitchy, she just hated discussing any sort of personal matter, even if it was a happy matter. People tended to twist her words, interpret them to their liking and in the end use them against her.

Winona knew words were a powerful tool and damn it, she has spent too much time learning how to use them, she didn't need Cara poking her nose. Maybe it was drastic, but it was the only way to stay protected, stay within her walls.

"Hey, want to get some air? I could use a smoke"

Winona was startled at the voice of the man she barely spoke to the entire night, of all the people she talked to he was the only one she shared only introductions with and he was supposed to be her partner in crime, on the show that is. 

She wanted to say no, leaving the venue with anyone even if it was just outside seemed like a great way for stories to get going and they didn't even have their first table read.

As if he could hear her mind racing with all the wrong questions, David put a hand on Winona's shoulder causing her to turn her torso completely towards him. She was a sight, David thought before reassuring her.

"I promise, no one will say anything and if they do, I'll personally handle it"

It took whole 10 minutes of talking her into getting a freaking cigarette out in the back of the venue, but she did give in. Winona kept telling herself that it was all because she needed a smoke, but there was something about David... and she needed to know what.