Page 8 of On Set
3
Five days of pure hell.That’s what it’s felt like. I’ve slept an average of three to four hours a night. I’ve consumed more coffee than is socially acceptable. There was a cup in my hands at all times. I wouldn’t have been able to function without it. If I had access to an IV, I would have stuck myself with the needle, fears be damned, and hooked it up, pulling one of those poles behind me as I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off.
Still, I’ve managed to make it through the first week. Steve has kept me running but he seems happy with my performance thus far. I think it has more to do with the fact we’re now a day ahead of schedule. I’ve managed to get Celia to set on time since day three by bribing her with the promise of her coveted fat-free almond milk mocha. Made arrangements for all three of our location shoots that provide better accommodations for the cast and crew. Not to mention, lunch has been early or on time without his prompting since day two.
But today is not about special-order coffee or temperamental actresses, screaming directors or actors with godlike bodies and piercing blue eyes.
Yeah, can’t forget about Eli or the multiple times I was caught staring at him. Openly gawking. Getting lost in daydreams about his lips; what they would feel like against mine or the places on my body I’d like them to explore.
Bad girl.
Don’t I know it. Every thought I’ve had of him has been indecent. And Hayden and Austin have only fueled my lust toward him with their text messages.
Nope. Today is only about me. Yesterday, I slept most of the day and got caught up on a personal necessities. Today’s my first day off to myself, with nothing on my agenda. I’ve decided to lay by the pool and enjoy the beautiful fall day. I’m going to let the sun’s ray breathe life back into me, rejuvenate my soul. And more than likely, fall asleep while it happens.
That’s my plan … until my phone starts going off with incoming texts.
A-HOLE ANSEN: I’ve made changes to tomorrow’s call schedule and shoot list. Please make the adjustments noted to soundstages.
A-HOLE ANSEN: Also, call time is an hour earlier. We have to move from stage A to D during lunch and that’s going to take some time. I don’t want to lose momentum. We leave for Nassau in two weeks and have a lot to get in before they change out the set builds while we’re on location.
A-HOLE ANSEN: Make sure you contact all cast and crew with adjustments.
A-HOLE ANSEN: One last thing, when you pick up coffee tomorrow morning, make sure it’s fresh. The last one tasted like it was day-old coffee reheated.
And right there, that last text, is why he’s A-hole Ansen in my phone. Because instead of saying his coffee tasted bad, he found a way to blame me for it. As if I made it.
No, asshole. I only ordered it, paid for it, and delivered it.
Letting out an aggravated sigh, I shoot him a quick reply and download the attachment he sent, immediately sending off an email to the entire team. When texts and emails start rolling in, my phone chiming non-stop, I give up relaxing and head inside to start putting out fires.
CELIA: I have a massage in the morning. I won’t be able to be on set until lunch time.
ME: That’s going to be a problem. You first scene is at eleven. You’ll need to reschedule it.
CELIA: No.
Her one-word answer has me clenching my teeth.
ME: Your contract states you need to be on set for your first call time every day. They have fined actresses for less.
Maybe the threat of losing money will get through to her. She has a fetish for shoes and purses. Expensive ones. The Louis Vuitton slingback pumps she was wearing the other day would have taken most of my paycheck for the week. And it wasn’t the only pair in her trailer.
CELIA: I scheduled this massage around the previous call sheet. They can’t fine me. Steve can go fuck himself. I need a massage. He’s working us too hard.
Right. That’s why she needs a massage. It couldn’t be the excessive partying or her lack of sleep that’s getting to her. It’s the schedule. Yes, it’s grueling, but she’s been doing this for years. She knew exactly what she was signing up for. If she cut back on her extracurricular activities, she’d be able to survive like the rest of us.
You’re barely surviving,I think to myself.
ME: I’ll pass the message along.
CELIA: Whatever. Not my problem.
I’m about to reply when another message pops up on my phone. Letting out a sigh, I head into the kitchen to pour myself a glass of wine, not caring that it’s barely past noon. I’m going to need it. More importantly, I deserve it.
UNKNOWN: Can you run lines with me tonight?
ME: Eli?