“So how am I going to make you rich?”
“I think they want us. You and me. To take over the series. Like a spin-off franchise. Or the new cast. Whatever. It’s going to be us.”
“How? You’re a bad guy.”
“Have you not read the whole script?”
“Uh, not yet,” I say, honestly impressed that he has. Tommy said they just finished re-writes a couple days ago.
“I have a change of heart. You change my heart. I fall for you. We have some very touching scenes. You know, in between being shot at and almost getting blown up.”
“No one has said anything to me.”
Knox studies my face intently. “You look like you’re telling the truth. But you’re a good actress, so it’s hard to know.”
“Ahhh, you think I’m a good actress. I’m touched.”
“You should be. And, yes, I know I gave you a hard time. But I watched the screen test. We were really good together. You’ve seen Independence Day, right?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Will Smith stole the show. Won the MTV award for Best Kiss that year. That’s going to be us when this movie comes out. I just know it.”
“So, are you a jerk or not?”
He shakes his head. “I just play one sometimes.”
I think about Vincent. The upcoming music video I’m doing for Damian. My plan to let Vincent see me everywhere. “Then we’ll get along just fine. And, after the holidays, I’ll take you up on going to a club.”
There’s a knock at my door, but whoever it is doesn’t wait for me to answer. The door swings open, and a girl looks surprised to see Knox and me sitting on the couch together.
“Oh, um, excuse me. Miss Douglas, they’re ready for you in wardrobe.”
“Thank you. I’ll be right there,” I tell her.
As I’m walking out the door, Knox says, “Find out if the rumors are true.”
The day is a blur of rehearsals, hair and makeup, wardrobe, blocking, and shooting. Normally, there’s a lot of down time on set—to nap, hang out, eat—but they’re trying to cram a lot of scenes in before the holidays to make a preliminary teaser trailer that will air during the Super Bowl.
I see little of Cooper and Aiden, but when I do, they’re both smiling. Cooper is happy because he won some of his lost pool money back from Aiden in a poker game.
I shoot a scene where I’m being held captive in a small room. Earlier in the movie, I’m kidnapped by some guys who work for Knox’s character. They aren’t the smartest, so I’m able to steal one of their phones.
In this scene, I use the phone to call Tommy/Trinity.
We shoot the scene three different ways, Matt trying to determine just how distressed I should be. He wants to see my growth in the film. From the girl who is only worried about the next party to the tougher girl I was in the screen test.
Needless to say, based on what I’ve been through, none of the versions were much of a stretch.
I’m thinking about my own journey as I grab some food and take it to my dressing room. I have a short time to eat before I have to block out another scene.
When I open my door, I find Knox, Cooper, and Aiden laughing and eating.
I wolf down my food and am quickly back at it.
I’m exhausted when I finally get back to the loft. Aiden took a cab home after dinner, but Cooper waited for me.
It’s past one when I sneak into my room and find Aiden sprawled out across my bed. The remote is near his head and ESPN is playing softly in the background. It reminds me of that night when I went into Bryce’s room. His scribbles. Why should I bother? Because she felt it too.
It was definitely love at first sight.
But after what Tommy said about him and Mom, I understand what I didn’t understand when I first met B.
Love at first sight is only the first step of the journey.
It’s the spark that starts the fire.
I tiptoe in my bathroom, thinking about the similarities between my life, my scripts, and the Bachelor Prince play. It feels like they were all just a rehearsal for the big show. And I can’t help but wonder if they tell me about what’s coming next. Are there parallels between what’s going to happen to me in Retribution and with Vincent’s version of A Day at the Lake? Will someone save me? Will I save myself? Or will the bad guy win?
I really need to get my hands on that script.
After washing off my makeup, I set my alarm and slide carefully into bed.
Aiden rolls over and pulls me into his chest. “I just realized one of your lies was that you were going to France for Christmas. Where are you really going?”
“I was going to stay here. I really want to see my family, but I can’t risk it.”
“No way I’m letting you be alone. Either you’re coming to St. Croix with me, or I’m staying here with you.”
“I didn’t really want to be alone.”
“But you were going to be, weren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“And now?”
“I’d love to spend Christmas with you, Aiden.”
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21ST
Stunt planning.
Lunch