The Principle Of Chance (21 page)

‘I said that?’ Amy laughed.

‘Also, when you told an upcoming
actor about the size of his manhood!’

‘I did?’ She laughed helplessly.

‘You stood there staring at him not
believing the question he asked you. Then you looked him up and down, fixed
your eyes on his bulge and asked. - George is it? What is the size of your
feet?’

‘Uh, why? Size nine.’

‘Too small.’

‘Small?’

‘You know what they say? Men with
big feet are
well
equipped, small feet, not worth the trip.’

‘Oh my God! Did I say that Monica?’

‘You did sweetie and his face was a
picture – I loved it.’

           
.

****

Frank was busy keeping the press out
of his business. People talked and word quickly got around that he was making a
new movie. Investors were queuing up but he didn’t need them. Then the call
from Don came in. He informed him that there was a busy young girl, a reporter
sniffing around his past.

That, Frank didn’t appreciate. All
these years he’d succeeded in keeping his private life out of the papers, he
was not going to let them in now. He called Jack.

‘I am two doors away from you Frank,
you saving your legs man?’

The movie became Jack’s life as
well. He thought of the empty days he used to spend doing nothing and couldn’t
understand how he survived. Being part of this movie was like being part of a
big family and of course being close to Monica. He didn’t interfere with
anything but was there if anyone needed him, and they did. The crew appreciated
Jack’s extensive experience in the business.

‘Always the same Jack, not enough
time. We have a problem.’ Frank stated.

‘Tell me something new Frank.’

‘Paparazzi Jack!’

‘I’m not surprised.’

‘How come?’

‘Meet me on the second floor bar in
five.’

Frank found Jack by the bar, puffing
on a cigar, surrounded by women. They were hanging on his every word. When they
saw Frank arriving, they discreetly disappeared.

‘Always women, this is a deep-rooted
problem – if you ask me Jack.’

‘Deep rooted what? What you been
reading Frank? I love women – that’s the bottom line!’

Frank sat down on a bar stool and
ordered a coffee. ‘What’s the story Jack? There is something going on and I
don’t like it.’

‘All right, hear this; a top looking
blonde appeared by my house the other night. Usual hoax; her car broke down.
Happened after I got home, I could’ve sworn she followed me to my house.
Security reported she was alone, they checked her car – no problems. It wasn’t
a unique excuse, that’s why I thought it was real. Nonetheless, maybe that’s
why it looked suspicious.’

‘I know what you’re saying Jack.’
Frank nodded, finishing his espresso.

‘I was surprised though when she
tried to question security about
you
. She thought it was
your
house Frank!’

‘What?’

‘She prattled on that she was a huge
fan, etc. It's on tape Frank, you can look at it.’ Jack paused for a minute to
reward a pretty actress with a smile. ‘Thinking about it….I had a blonde
stalker in a restaurant, wanting to get to know me before the trip. Her story
failed her, she was a set up.’

‘Paparazzi!’

‘Amy,… is big time news Frank.’

‘I’ll take care of it.’

‘Do that Frank.’

‘My man is on it but be ready – it
looks like we are getting a turn in the gossip columns.’

‘I will cope!’

Frank’s busy detective, Mr Green,
reported back that afternoon.

‘A young girl called Mia Serone was
sent by one of the tabloid magazines to get some information from Mr Harvey
about you, Mr Orban. Rumour has it that Amy and you are an item. The age
difference is big and that’s what they’re counting on. There is no mention of family
but you, Mr Orban, don’t usually make the gossip pages – now that’s big news. A
front-page article is about to hit the newsstands in the next couple of days.’

‘Thank you, excellent as ever.’

Mr Green murmured a thank you to
Frank and left quietly.

Don was already working to stop the
press printing. ‘Do you wish me to proceed Frank?’

‘Give them what they want Don! I
have prepared a surprise for the lot of them!’ Frank indeed had a surprise
ready; it was time to put things into perspective.

Chapter Twenty
Seven

‘No, no, not like that darling.’
Jack whispered to a platinum blonde actress proficiently made up for the
camera. They were on the set of
State Of Mind
; she was dressed in a
black silk evening gown edged with a soft lace. ‘You are the glamour that we
need sweetheart but you need to show it, play with the camera sugar.
Femme
Fatale
!’

‘But Jack,….’ She objected.

Filming was moving on with a great
speed. Monica and Justin were about to go to meet the potential new additions
to the crew.

‘Jack
if you are going to go on like this, I cannot leave you in charge.’ Justin said
feeling sorry for the blonde who was obviously close to tears.

‘What are you talking about? You
make it sound like I’m a monster?!’ He pulled the girl up from the lounger.
‘Sexy dark seductiveness – that’s what
you
are!’ He said to her softly.

‘Oh Jack, if you put it that way….’
She purred.

‘Can we go now?’ Monica said
fighting with unrecognisable jealousy.

‘Jack is doing this for the movie
sis!’

‘Yeah he is!' She snapped. ‘Let’s
go!’

Monica and Justin walked into one of
the open plan offices of the studio. They were surprised to see Frank seated at
the back reading a magazine.

‘I am not here.’ He shouted when he
saw them entering.

A sour faced middle-aged man
introduced himself as Ron and a woman of uncertain age with a plastered on
smile stared.

Monica wondered why these people
took this job when all they did was despise the actors? Unsuccessful acting
career? – most likely.

The woman was in charge, obviously,
she proceeded to talk about the hiring process, with an ‘I know all about it’
attitude.

‘We have lined up ten people of each
area of work, as you requested.’ She informed them with an icy tone. ‘Script
supervisor, assistant director, picture and sound editor. I have also taken the
liberty of lining up more running crew members.’ She said, clearing her voice.

‘Why do you think we need more
running crew….. your name is?’ Justin fixed her with a direct stare.

‘I am Jessica, Mr Blakes.’ She
answered nervously.

‘Jessica, why do we need more
running crew?’ He repeated the question.

‘In my experience, when in full
production there is always a need for more people. This has been the case on
the …’

‘We welcome your suggestion Jessica,
but at this precise moment in time we don’t need anyone else.’ Justin knew full
well that she most likely had some contacts she was desperate to get on the
movie.

‘We are on a tight budget and
keeping it that way.’ Monica spoke for the first time. ‘Can we start please? I
am a very busy woman!’

‘What we do now is we call in all
the selected people.’ Ron said, his forehead sweating.

Jessica waited for Ron to call them
in, - he didn’t move. He was engrossed in a conversation with Monica.

Jessica unwillingly marched to the door
to call the people in. This wasn’t her job. She didn’t like these new directors
with their airy ideas, Frank should speak up. Why was he here anyway?

Monica surveyed the assembled people;
she spotted a couple of guys she’d worked with before. She reflected on the
fact that even if you’d made a movie you still had to come for an interview
until you made it big – real big. It was a tough business.

‘I am going to be unconventional.’
She said addressing the group of forty people. ‘You are all very talented and
have done some good work previously. I will hold an open interview as we are
pressed for time. If any of you are uncomfortable with this, you can leave
now.’

There was an excited buzz in the
crowd but nobody moved.

‘That’s settled then.’ Monica wanted
to be fair.

‘Thank you. Can I have you all in
four separate groups, - Jessica please?’ She looked at the woman who was
obviously offended and sat glued to her chair. ‘Jessica will you please help
the groups?’ Monica repeated.

Jessica felt that this was
definitely not the way she worked. She glanced at Frank at the back but he was
paying no attention at all - she hesitated.

Monica ignored her. ‘We aren’t
getting much help today, the way it looks….’ She quickly arranged the groups
herself. ‘Assistant directors here please, script next, picture and sound
please.’

Justin was amazed by his sister’s
work, which she handled extremely professionally. Monica, without wasting any
time, asked the groups appropriate and significant questions. She selected two
people from each group for a call back.

‘A break?’ She suggested.

Justin wanted to question Frank.
‘You are here as an observer, but why? What are you up to?’ He sat down
opposite Frank.

Frank started laughing. ‘I am doing
a puzzle!’ He waved the magazine in front of Justin.

‘You are doing what?’ He asked
shocked.

‘I needed some time to be alone.
This was the only empty room in the building!’ Frank said, putting the magazine
down.

‘I cannot believe this; I thought
you were looking for hidden secrets.’

‘I am! I know what’s going on!’

‘You do!’ Frank was right. Of
course, he knew about everything and one and all, still…..!

‘All right!’ Frank said, ‘I wanted
to see how you got on with the hiring. Jess there - is a tough cookie. She is a
one-time actress with not much acting ability, so I gave her a job. She's good
at the paperwork! Ron knows what he is doing but doesn’t speak much! Leave her
be Justin, she needs a job. I will speak to her.’ He pleaded.

‘You are the devil Frank!’

‘So I’ve been told before.’

‘Justin, are you ready?’ Monica
wanted a quick finish – all the candidates were talented, it didn’t matter much
who she picked, the standards in the business were high. The people lined up
had been tried and tested many times before.

‘Ron, can you call them in one by
one please?’ Monica didn’t believe in long, drawn out questioning. They were in
or out.

Barley
half an hour passed and four people were left in the room, ready to work.

’Well done, you have the job. The
movie title is
State Of Mind
! It’s about a man who comes to America from
a war-threatened Eastern European country in 1937. He lands various jobs in the
film industry. He works hard and learns fast. Within a year, he finds himself
getting involved in the movie business. He meets a well known actor who shares
the same interest; movie making, - they become inseparable friends.’ She
paused; she’d told the story so many times but it was only fair to hear it from
her. ‘Our man starts making low budget films, offering diversion and escape
from everyday life. The movies he makes portray Hollywood’s glamour, sweet
stories and of course the usual happy ending. His hard work pays off; one of
the films is a blockbuster. Suddenly the studio is in demand. Investors are
lining up to finance future projects, and so on…. Extraordinary women, glamour,
parties and making movies, this is his life! Some of the scenes are black and
white, getting the sound and picture right are vital. We are on a tight budget
so I expect you to know your job.’

Frank listened to Monica from the
back of the room. He still felt a slight apprehension; this was a big step, but
there was no turning back now!

****

The movie reached post-production – which
was great news to Frank who stood admiring the dark, glittering ocean from
Jack’s beach house. He felt he’d come full circle. He had new projects lined up
but maybe he will take a break. Perhaps it was time to step aside …. Jack
interrupted his thought process.

‘You wanna stay the night Frank? I
have a spare bedroom.’

‘I’m not a hot date Jack! How many
have you had? You know what? I don’t want to know.’

‘The penthouse was the date house,
but now it has nothing in it. I don’t live there or even stay there anymore.
That real estate guy Ed, offered to sell it for me.’ Jack announced. ‘I can
make you a huge profit on it Mr Harvey, he said. So I let him, he will
deliver!’