Playing a Little (2 page)

“I’ve made a career of accepting roles for ugly girls, Mr. Crenshaw. That’s who I am and what I’m comfortable with. Now, the audition…”

“Have you ever had a lover? Or been romantically involved with anyone?”

“What kind of question is that? I mean,” Camille gripped her hands together tightly, “no. I am only nineteen and… I’ve never even been on a date. I told you, ugly girls…”

“No more comments about being ugly. You are beautifully unique. Fresh, innocent, inexperienced. It’s perfect. Yes… you will do wonderfully.” Arthur sounded pleased, sitting back and gazing at her.

“Wonderfully for what?”

“My film. You will be perfect. This will provide you the greatest opportunity of your career. You will be playing opposite an experienced male lead. Yes… You will do quite nicely.”

“What’s it about?”

“You’ll see, child,” Arthur chuckled. “You’ll see. I promise you that it will be a hit. It will change your life forever. I also promise that it will be the most challenging role you will ever take, which is why it will be so fabulous.”

“What do you mean by challenging? Who do I play?”

“Yourself, my dear. You will be playing yourself. This film requires pure spontaneity and reaction. I suspect that being unable to disguise yourself behind an imagined persona will provide you much discomfort, and increase your desire to run and hide. Your job is to communicate what you experience as you conquer this fear.”

Camille made a face; she hated being herself. “Assuming I do conquer it, you mean. But yes, you are probably right. I’ve never had to explore my own character, so this is certainly be something I won’t feel confident about. Maybe you should get someone else…”

“No, no, no! This is what I want. Your fans love you and will be able to relate to the real little girl who is discovering herself as a woman. People need to see your true responses to situations, not predetermined ones. I’m depending on your lead to help bring out the best, and the worst, in you.”

“Can you at least tell me who you’ve gotten as my costar?” Camille frowned.

Arthur’s eyes sparkled. “Erik. Erik Renault.”

Camille’s mouth dropped open and she felt her heart pound. She’d had a celebrity crush on Erik since the minute he walked on her set seven years ago. She had been only twelve years old then and playing Pippi. The older man had been given the part of a successful, handsome realtor trying to buy Pippi’s house. Camille’s character had pranked him to force his departure and had resulted in her being caught, and spanked, for her bad behavior. Her face reddened as she remembered the outcome. She had decided to bite his leg to make the scene more realistic, not expecting that the following two swats he delivered would be much stronger than she expected. She had howled in pain as his hand landed sharply on her little, squirming backside, making her instantly regret her actions. And producing the most realistic scene of her career.

She had never forgotten the feeling of being over his knee, or the odd sense of comfort in his holding her when he had finished. His words, spoken to the sniffling Pippi, had remained in her own heart long after the scene had been cut.

I am always here for you, Pips. Just call if you ever need me.

How many times did she want to make that call for real? She had never been touched by a man, beyond a punch on the shoulder or being dressed and made up before a shoot. Erik’s strong embrace, even while acting, had left her with a sense of emptiness once he had left the stage.

“Erik’s opposite me? What does he play?” Camille forced herself out of her reminiscence.

“Your teacher, Camille. In the film, he will be playing your pseudo-uncle in a life story known as age-play. Because this is something unique, and rather taboo, I decided that it would be best for the two of you to have some time alone to learn and practice the lifestyle before you do the final shoot. I will give you the actual script after that time. Like I said, it will be a challenge on so many levels, but I really believe you can do it. Are you up to taking a lead role in this film?”

“Age-play? Like in making me dress like a child? Arthur, Pippi has grown up and…”

“It does not matter, because she was never allowed to really be a little girl. By embracing this part, you will have the opportunity to not only play a child, but be allowed to freely react as one. Pippi’s character was always irresponsible, independent, and without boundaries. She was forced to look out for herself. This character requires much the same, but more reactive and with less production. You will be guided and directed by Erik and I expect him to elicit realism. I want the true essence of cause and effect, the raw emotions that come with finding yourself in a situation where you have no control. That will mean putting the professionalism aside and not being afraid of the consequences.”

“How old of a child must I play? Pippi was nine,” Camille asked with doubt in her tone.

“I will leave that up to you and your leading man. He has experience in this style of coaching as well as the actual lifestyle. We will adjust the script accordingly. All right, honey… You look skeptical. Maybe this will help you see how serious I am.” He wrote something on a piece of paper and handed it to her. Camille nearly choked as she looked at the number of zeros splattered on the piece of paper.

“Is this how much it is going to take to produce this movie?” she coughed out. “This is seven figures!”

“No, darling.” Arthur lifted a cup of tea as a toast. “That is your salary for both the time to train and then to make it. Well?”

“Stan would kill me if I refused. I need some time to think about this, though. And more information. I just get the feeling that you aren’t telling me everything, Arthur.”

“I am wounded to the depth of my heart! At my age…”

“Arthur,” Camille said patiently, “my mother is the drama queen of all drama queens. Guilt does not work on me. You need to give me some time to think this out and discuss it with my agent. We are not just dealing with numbers; we are looking at my reputation. Granted, having a good reputation doesn’t put food on the table, but it makes for a good night’s sleep. Can you give me at least until tomorrow night to consider this offer and maybe get some more information?”

“I suppose,” Arthur sighed. “Just so you know that you are as stubborn as that boy of mine. Having the two of you in one house would certainly provide some dynamic entertainment. I can see the sparks flying already.”

“Then get a bucket of water and put them out. I hate fighting.”

“Just one more thing, Miss LeCroix. The figure I wrote on that paper is a genuine offer. Accept it and you will never have to worry about auditioning for any more ugly roles or tolerating comments from any nasty costars. This movie is your ticket to freedom.”

“Thank you. I appreciate you giving me time to consider.”

“If you can wait a moment, I will call Kyle to take you to the cottage. We are getting up early tomorrow to head toward the lake house.” Camille just nodded, saying not a word.

Erik Renault paced impatiently in his hotel room, running his fingers through his thick, light brown hair as he glanced at the clock. He was waiting for the phone call from the producer about the new film he was making, one that promised not only a nice chunk of money, but the fame associated with working through Crenshaw Corporations. He had known Arthur for over twenty years and owed the old man big time. Not just for his career, but because Arthur had become the only family he had.

As a foster child, Erik had never known his natural parents, and had lost track of the number of foster homes he had been shipped off to before he landed on Arthur’s doorstep. He had just turned ten when he was sent to live with a new foster family near Universal Studios. They had their hands full with younger children, so Erik took frequent advantage of the opportunity of not being noticed to sneak onto a sound stage and nose about. He was fascinated by the lights, noise, and activity. The giant cameras, magnificent sets, hordes of people in costumes and yelling orders beckoned to him, urging him closer. Finally, the growing child discovered tables laden with food and he hungrily helped himself when he thought no one was watching. One week after he began to sneak upon the sound stage to watch the shoots, he crashed into a largely built, brick building of a man. Being mistaken as an extra, Erik found himself being shoved into the set, his Danish still in his mouth. The man sat in his chair, snapped his fingers, and ordered him to swallow his food and to stop holding up the shoot. In an effort not to be caught trespassing, Erik scurried to obey, joining five other boys around his same age, listening carefully to the directions given. Action was called, and Erik released his inner thespian.

His reaction to the scene caught Arthur’s attention through the camera lens. After an inquiry to the casting director about the child’s identity, Erik was promptly exposed as an imposter. Instead of cowering when Arthur cornered and confronted him about the danger of a movie set and the sins of trespassing, Erik did his best to meet the man in the eye and express his desire to be there. Impressed with his tenacity, Arthur softened his reprimand by sharing that young Erik had the makings of a true performer and that he was not too young to be involved in the business. When asked to speak with his parents, Erik reluctantly admitted that he had ‘temporarily departed the residence’ of his foster family and that they were too busy with the young children to miss him. He also informed Arthur that, if he made him leave, he would find a way to come back.

Arthur had hit the ceiling, throwing words such as pugnacious, obstinate, foolish, and intransigent in his direction. Erik simply stood with his arms crossed, staring boldly at the dramatic unfolding of the irate director. Arthur’s voice rocked the set as he exploded with phrases unfit for the ears of children and ladies. When he had finished his raging, Erik asked simply if he was done, and then found himself being dragged out to the car by the scruff of his neck.

It was the one and only time he had ever been afraid of Arthur Crenshaw. The boy stood defiantly on the porch of his foster home as Arthur pounded on the door. Arthur introduced himself to the foster parents, his powerful voice rocking the house as he spoke of the unfortunate situation that had occurred. Erik watched in amazement as angry expressions turned star struck, clinging to every word that exited the big man’s mouth. Awe turned to respect as Arthur plotted and manipulated compliance with the frustrated couple, offering to take responsibility for the boy’s education and activities if they allowed him to put the child to work as a gopher and teach him the ‘ropes’ of the business. Thrilled to be spared the extra energy required to watch over a precocious ten-year-old, the couple rapidly agreed. Within six months, Arthur became Erik’s legal guardian and had the boy permanently placed in his home.

He owed everything he was to Arthur, who saw to giving the boy an education in both books and in life. He also ensured that Erik was kept out of trouble and occupied with endless photo shoots, commercials, small parts in sitcoms, and several Broadway productions. Work had meaning to the young man, giving him a purpose and teaching him responsibility. Every penny Erik earned went into a trust fund for his future and Arthur asked nothing in return. Except now. In Erik’s opinion, the old man was being completely unreasonable as of late, insisting that Erik submit to the challenge of a reaction role. Erik sighed, knowing Arthur was making certain that the time to pay him back had come.

He grabbed the phone as it rang loudly. “Hey, Arty. I just got in and am waiting for my car to be dropped off. When are you going to tell me what you’re up to?”

“I found your leading lady. She is perfect for this part and I really believe the two of you are going to hit it off.”

“What are you talking about? I remind you that I agreed to do this movie for you in return for your help in my success all these years. I’m not into improv and you know it.”

“Son, remember when you were younger and said you wanted to be a life coach if acting wasn’t working out for you? Even after you finished school, you were not satisfied in the technique you had learned, believing there was a more effective way to help people. I remember you openly sharing with me about how you would succeed in this type of career if given the chance. You said the one and only way to undo the habits learned in childhood was to relive childhood and learn all over. Remember? Your words intrigued me and have held me captive for years. The time is right for this, and this young lady needs some serious coaching, your very special type of coaching, to gain a better self-image and belief in herself.”

“You are insane. The public won’t go for this and you know it. They are too ignorant about the subculture of age-play and will rally against you. The genre is not a game to me. It is a lifestyle.
My
lifestyle.”

“The public needs to be educated by people they admire and respect. Erik, this film will allow you to do your thing and help this girl at the same time. You love age-play… you thrive in what it brings to the table. This is also the opportunity to help an ugly duckling discover that she’s really a swan. We will film directly during the process and then submit the storyline so that nothing is forced or contrived.”

“You are unbelievable. Where the hell do you come up with these hare-brained schemes? And how exactly am I going to function in my role in the manner I need to without violating this woman’s space? Has she ever been exposed to the AP lifestyle? Has she ever even heard of it? Seriously, we have no script, no direction…”

“Since when does the Great and Powerful Renault need the dictation of a measly plot? You always change the lines anyway…” Arthur commented. Erik was well known to alter scripts and reinvent the scene. Scriptwriters were not crazy about his reputation, but the producers and directors loved the magic he could do with a story.

“Are you actually suggesting we do a documentary on age-play in real time?”

“Of course. Now, if you aren’t up for the challenge…”