He grabbed a rocks glass from the cabinet and smiled, cracking open the bottles as he replied, “I suppose that if I lived by whatever rule you’re trying to throw out here right now, that that would mean something.” He grabbed some ice from the bucket, poured both bottles into the glass, and added, “Or if this were my first drink of the day.”
He flashed me a mischievous grin, and I just shook my head laughing at him as he sank back down onto the couch.
“Rough day?” I asked.
He took a sip of the amber liquid and replied, “You have no idea.”
I went to ask him about the junket when I registered the tape recorder on the coffee table, and suddenly remembered my reason for being there with him in the first place. I said, “Oh!” as I leaned forward to hit record. “Guess I’d better turn this thing on before I start asking about you!”
Trip smiled, uncrossed his legs and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. All business now. “Yeah, we’d better get cracking on this thing or you might be out of a job, huh?” He rubbed his hands together and offered formally, “Alright. Fire away, Miss Warren.”
Chapter 10
DUETS
Me: So, Mr. Wiley-
TW: Please, call me Trip.
Me: Of course. As you wish. So, Trip, you’ve had a few small but meaty roles in some very critically acclaimed films. Your supporting role in The Bank Vault last year seemed to be the turning point for you, leading to your starring role in Swayed, slated for release next month. How do you think people will receive you as a headliner?
TW: Well, first of all, I’d like to thank you for not asking me to explain what the movie is about. That’s usually the first question I get.
Me: I assumed as much. But I have a computer and already did my homework, not to mention the press packet I obtained prior to meeting you here today. I was able to figure things out for myself.
TW: Resourceful girl you are, Miss Warren.
Me: Please. Call me Layla.
TW: Yes, of course. As you wish. (pause) So, Layla, in answer to your question, I have absolutely no fucking clue.
Me: Should I take that to mean that you didn’t like the question?
TW: You should take that to mean that I’m not a psychic. Everyone on this film, including me, worked extremely hard to put this picture together. I’ve never shied away from hard work, but the emotional toll on this one was grueling. But then you get a director like Soderbergh organizing the project and there’s no way it can be bad when all is said and done. I think it’s a phenomenal movie, and I’m hopeful that everyone else will think so, too. As far as how my performance will be received, that remains to be seen.
Me: Fair enough, Mr. Wiley.
TW: Trip.
Me: Yes, Trip. So, you’re currently back in New York, filming ReVersed with Nicholas McDermott, directed by Martin Scorcese, another starring role. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do my homework on this one, as there’s not a lot of information to be had. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to give a brief synopsis of the plot.
TW: Funny you should ask that, Miss Warren.
Me: Layla.
TW: (pause) Yes, Layla. Actually, ReVersed is a modern take on Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus.
Me: (pause) Shakespeare. You’re kidding.
TW: No, not at all. I’ll admit, it was difficult trying to understand the material at first. It was like being back in my old high school English class. Except, back then, I’d had a cute tutor who was able to help me out.
Me: (pause) Okay, Trip. Since you brought up your school days, let’s back up a little and start at the beginning. I know the high school you’re referring to is St. Norm-St. Nicetius Parochial in Norman, New Jersey, where you graduated. But prior to that, you’d lived in half a dozen other places. What are some of the other schools that you attended?
TW: St. Nicetius is the only school that mattered. (pause) Ever.
Me: (pause) Did you ever make it to college?
TW: Not really. I went to S.M.C. for a few months when I first moved out to Cali, but it didn’t take.
Me: Meaning?
TW: Meaning I’d already had my first job by chance as an extra on a Mighty Ducks movie and I guess I’d been bitten by the acting bug. I finally moved out to L.A. in March of ninety-four under the guise of attending college in the fall. But I knew why I was really there.
Me: You managed to get work right away?
TW: (laugh) Oh, sure. I “auditioned” for and landed a couple “parts” in a bunch of different... “projects”.
Me: Off-screen productions, am I to assume?
TW: About as far off-screen as a person can get.
Me: What were some of your early jobs?
TW: Well, let’s see. I was a counselor at an indoor ice rink, teaching kids how to play hockey. That was pretty cool. No pun intended.
Me: (something unintelligible) TW: I’m an actor, not a comedian, remember?
Me: Obviously. (pause) So, you were telling me about your pre-stardom jobs.
TW: Yes. Well, I had to quit the Ice House in order to keep my days free for auditions. I took a job as a waiter after that.
Me: How very... typical.
TW: Tell me about it. But there’s a reason so many actors take those kinds of jobs. It’s mostly night work and you can always rearrange your schedule should the need arise.