CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
MEL
The next morning was much like the previous morning. Mel was not a morning person. She liked to wake up, have her coffee, get ready...Zac, on the other hand, was wide open. "Zac, okay!" Mel finally said in frustration. "You're starting to remind me an awful lot of 14-year-old Zac right now. Honestly. Relax."
Zac stared back at her blankly and sat down on his bed. "God, I think you're right..."
"Be patient. Just let me get ready and then we'll go. Or you can go and I'll follow later, whichever you prefer."
"No," Zac said. "It's okay. We'll go together, it's cool."
Mel decided to pull out some of her new Versace that day. She pulled on a pair of tight black pants with lace, floral cutouts that ran up the sides. Over them she wore a pair of black stiletto boots, bejeweled in gold on the pointy tips and the shins. On top she wore a white sleeveless shirt that ruffled from the collar and all the way down the front. It only buttoned up to her ribcage, so the neckline was daringly deep. After carefully applying the double-sided tape to prevent accidents, she completed her ensemble with a short, leather vest. She looked at herself in the mirror, pleased. It was a rare occasion lately that she had made any effort in dressing herself. She vowed to start making more of an effort with her fashion moving forward.
With Zac in his usual jeans, t-shirt, and leather jacket, the pair set out to Drew's movie set once again. Upon arriving this day, things were much more chaotic than they had been the previous evening. Knowing it was unlikely that they would get to talk to Jason or Drew much during the day, they decided to spend the day
watching them film their scenes. Mel had been itching to see Drew in action anyway and she was completely fascinated with the movie-making process. She was incredibly excited to be able to have this inside look.
They walked into the building and there was even more chaos inside than there was outside. The first thing they noticed was wire. And cameras. Mel had never seen so much wire and electronic equipment in her life.
Beyond all the wire was an elaborately designed black and gray set. It was very dark. The back wall and surrounding walls appeared like a cave. The floor area sat up on a platform, at least three feet high, obviously built around the above-ground pool that sat in the middle. They had built a sort of a deck around it to make it look like it was the cave floor. The pool appeared to have black liner and so it was obviously supposed to serve as a pool of water that went deep into the ground. A couple of supporting actors stood off to the side of the pool on the set, having their makeup completed.
As they stood there a handsome, dark-haired man who was not much taller than Zac approached them. "Can I help you?" his British accent asked.
Zac was star struck as he extended his hand to him. "Hi, I'm Zac Hanson. I am a huge fan of your movies."
The man smiled and shook his hand. "Gerard Cline, pleasure. Glad to meet a fan. And nice to finally put a face with a name. Drew talks a lot about you."
Zac smiled, sheepishly. "Good things, I hope."
Gerard winked at Zac and turned to Mel. "So then you must be the infamous Mel. I probably hear your name more than I hear Zac's."
Mel blushed. "Uh, Melody Banks, yes. Nice to meet you, Mr. Cline."
He smiled at her. "Charmed. And call me Gerard. Please, stay and watch. I'll get you a couple of chairs. Sophie!" He turned to call on a crew member. "Bring a couple of chairs here, we have some guests!"
That was the last thing Gerard Cline had said to Zac and Mel before he scurried off to take care of whatever
business a director took care of before a scene was filmed. A homely blonde girl nervously set up two directors chairs alongside Gerard's and Mel and Zac each took a seat, Mel ending up in the middle chair.
Before too long, the actors began to make their way to set. Jason and Drew showed up one, right after the other, neither one aware that Mel and Zac were there. Jason stood with his back to the cameras and the rest of the room as the makeup, hair, and costuming departments all did finishing touches on him. Mel didn't realize he would be nearly shirtless. He wore brown pants and some type of belts that criss-crossed over his back and chest. He held some type of weapon in his hand, Mel wasn't sure what kind.
Drew, on the other hand, stood across from him in a robe. Every part of her skin that showed was made up. She was painted from head to toe a gray color. So light a gray it was almost a shade of blue. Her eyebrows remained near black and her long, silver hair lay straight and limp. Suddenly hair and makeup were at her side, the stylist feverishly brushing Drew's hair straight back off her forehead.
And then the costume lady carefully took off Drew's robe and Mel thought Zac would have a conniption fit. She hadn't realized that this scene hadn't been filmed yet and what a day to have to film it on! Drew was completely naked. Practically. As a female, Mel could easily point out the thong that she wore but the rest of her was bare. She wore the same color gray/blue paint on every inch of her body. Latex was apparent across her chest, arms, and legs to almost look like scales on her body. On her shoulders were prosthetics that looked as if her shoulders protruded straight outward to a point instead of low and round like a normal human being. The black contacts with red irises were the icing on the cake against her silver hair and gray scaly skin. It was the coolest thing Mel had ever seen.
Zac couldn't keep his eyes off of her. Mel looked over at him. He almost appeared...uncomfortable...it was kind of strange...
____________________________________________________
ZAC
As soon as he saw Drew walk on set in a robe, he should have known. A nude scene? When the hell had she mentioned this? Oh, that's right. She hadn't.
And then the robe came off. Holy hell. Zac wasn't sure how he felt about this. He wasn't sure how he felt about her body being on display for the world to see. He almost felt like this scene invaded his privacy. That Gerard Cline was invading his privacy.
But damn she looked hot as hell. He always had a thing for alien-looking chicks from the movies and the fact that Drew now looked like one only heightened his attraction. He would masturbate to this visual for the next--well for the rest of his life, he was sure.
Drew held her arms straight out and closed her eyes so the costume lady could spray her down. He had no
idea what was going on here and he didn't care. He was eager, and a little afraid, to see what this scene would entail.
Suddenly Gerard Cline walked swiftly onset. "Is everyone ready?" his voice boomed over the general
commotion in the room. Hair and makeup people quickly put the finishing touches on all the actors in the scene--there were only four--and scampered off set. "Quiet on the set! James, get Drew into the water!"
A crew member ran onset and took Drew by the hand as she stepped slowly down some steps and into the
water. The pool was at least three feet deep and when she got in, she turned around and stood there, facing Jason, who stood at the head of the pool where she had just gotten in, his back still to the cameras. If Drew had seen Zac and Mel there, she was a complete professional, never once breaking character.
"Okay, Drew," Gerard yelled. "The moment I yell 'action' you are going to submerse yourself completely into the water and then come out, starting the scene, exactly as rehearsed. Clear?"
Confidently, Drew gave a small nod.
"Alright. And......ACTION!"
With that, Drew submersed herself completely under the water and within seconds, she was seductively
coming out of the water, slicking her hair back and slowly walking up the pool steps toward Jason. As soon as the reached Jason, Gerard yelled, "Cut!!! Cut!! Drew! Your nipples are hard!"
Zac's eyes widened at this statement. Hearing these words fall so carelessly out of Gerard's mouth felt so--wrong. He wasn't sure he liked it. In fact, he found himself feeling surprisingly uncomfortable with this entire scene. And they hadn't even done anything yet.
Drew shot back almost immediately. "Well, Gerard, I apologize for being female! The water is fucking freezing and the air is fucking cold in here, too. And if you really think about it, don't you think that hard nipples are actually kind of fitting for Magdara, seeing as she's getting some kind of...sadistical thrill from causing all the pain he's confronting her about in the first place?"
Gerard was silent, his finger pressed to his lips in thought.
Jason was laughing. He turned around to look at Gerard and spied Mel and waved at her. Mel waved back. "Jason, turn around!" Gerard called.
Jason obeyed, his shoulders still shaking from laughter. "And shut up!" Gerard added. Then he said to Drew. "You raise an interesting point. I don't see us finding a way to heat the pool anytime soon, not to mention the heat might melt your paint. We'll go it natural for a few takes and see how it looks on screen. If I don't like it, we'll find some latex or something. Makeup! Check her paint and let's do this again!"
Despite the apparent nature of this scene, Zac watched Gerard work in admiration. This man was definitely
passionate about his work. He had nothing but respect for someone who not only knew exactly what they wanted out of their work, but knew exactly how they wanted it done and how to achieve it. Drew was an alien chick in a Gerard Cline movie. Two dreams coming true at once.
But this scene had him all tied up in knots.
Drew submersed herself again and this time, when she reached Jason, Gerard didn't yell cut. She took her finger and slowly traced a line across Jason's chest and around his back as she hissed her lines at him. "It's so good of you to take time out of your busy schedule to pay me a visit on such short notice," she hissed
seductively as she completed the tracing of her finger on the back of his shoulder, having made an entire circle around him. She seductively walked over to the two other actors in the back, apparently her minions. One of them attached an enormous cape onto her shoulders. "However you pick a peculiar time to arrive, seeing as I was right in the middle of my bath." Even more seductively, she walked over to a black, throne-like chair and sat, her body completely upright. "I hope you don't mind my...lack of attire. Clothing isn't necessarily required for bathing, you know. I wasn't exactly prepared for your arrival." She then laughed seductively. Every move she made was seductive. It was like watching a completely different person. "Of course you don't mind, you're a man. What was I thinking?"
"I have no desire for you whatsoever," Jason responded. "Nor will I ever. Don't flatter yourself. You disgust me."
Drew laughed, amused, as another minion handed her a goblet. "Please, don't let your personal disdain for
me cloud your judgment in the proposal I have for you. I asked you here as a peace offering."
"There is no peace you could offer me," Jason said.
Zac didn't realize how into the scene he was until Gerard's "CUT!" nearly scared the daylights out of him.
He noticed that Mel had jumped, too, and they both looked at each other and snickered. Drew was really very good. He was completely in awe of her. After awhile, he became increasingly okay with the scene.
They must have filmed this scene for hours. There were many takes, many makeup reapplications, many
corrections and line changes. Mel and Zac had both been up and down, taking bathroom breaks and walking down the street from the set for lunch. They both gushed over Drew, completely amazed at her. Mel had seen her act on many occasions but nothing she did was anything compared to this movie. Mel admitted to Zac that she was skeptical when she found out Drew had gotten his role but had now realized that the casting director couldn't have chosen a more perfect person.
"You know, at first I was weird about it," Zac confided in Mel. "She never told me she had a nude scene
coming. And when I realized that was what was going to happen I wasn't really okay with it. But seeing how it went, I actually think it's kind of cool. It was tastefully done. And if anything I have more respect for her now than ever. It takes a lot of guts to get up in front of all those people like that in your birthday suit." Zac laughed at what he said. "Her birthday suit. Today is her birthday. Hey, is she--"
"Do not remind her," Mel advised. "Whatever you do, do NOT remind her that today is her 30th birthday."
"Was your 30th that bad?"
"I don't even want to talk about it."
They went back to set and were somewhat relieved when, after another hour or so, Gerard finally yelled, "OKAY, THAT'S A WRAP!"
Mere moments after that, the costume lady was putting a robe back on Drew and a crew member pushed a large, illuminated cake onto the set. Zac and Mel looked at each other and grinned and the entire set, including cast members and crew coming in from outside, all erupted in the Birthday Song for Drew. "Oh my god, you guys!" Drew said, wiping tears from her eyes. "I am so glad this makeup is waterproof!"
The room laughed and Zac and Mel stayed behind and let her have her moment with her crew and fellow
actors. Zac had to admit, he found it kind of funny to see the alien chick acting like a normal human being. He would be so glad when Drew got out of the makeup. The whole thing was starting to screw with his head.
That day, as he watched Drew master her scene and celebrate her birthday with her new friends, something
triggered in him. He kind of hadn't expected it and it was strange to admit. This entire time he had wanted to be around Drew because she reminded him of being 17 again. He missed who he was back then. But today he no longer saw 19-year-old Drew. Today he saw 30-year-old Drew. He saw her and himself as who they were now. He saw her talent and her class and her beauty and kindness. He saw everything he loved about her, only now he saw it in the present and not in the past as he had been.
The feeling was unsettling and exhilarating. This was new. Zac couldn't wait to see where it would lead to next.
________________________________________________
MEL
Mel and Zac seemed to wait forever for Drew to get out of makeup. They could only imagine how long it
took to get that kind of makeup off of your entire body, especially since it was waterproof. Mel's head dizzied at the thought of her having to go through this every single day she filmed.
As they waited, Zac decided he would wait in Drew's trailer, armed with the key she had given him. Mel
decided she would meander over to Jason's trailer and see if he was there yet.
He was.
He was just finishing pulling a white t-shirt over his head when he greeted her at his door. She got a glimpse at his dark, well-defined, rock-hard abs. Her heart fluttered. Maybe stepping into his trailer wasn't such a good idea after all.
She went in anyway.
"Wow, I can't believe you're still here," Jason said. "I figured you'd get bored and go do some sight-seeing or something."
"Well I could leave..."
Jason laughed, "I'm just messing with you. So what did you think?"
"About today? Uh...I was shocked at first. But I enjoyed watching you guys work, really. You're great."
He smiled at her. "Thank you, that means a lot. Hey, you wanna have a seat? I think we're all pretty much waiting on Drew."
Mel sat on one of the small sofas in the trailer. "All?"
"Yeah. We're all gonna head over to the pub to celebrate Drew's birthday."
"THE pub? This is Ireland. There's a pub in every other door."
"Well we're regulars at THIS pub," he teased back. "You in?"
"She's my best friend, of course I'm in!"
"Good. Didn't exactly wanna show up stag, you know."
Mel nodded skeptically. "Uh-huh..."
"I'm sorry, Mel, I have to tell you--you look so incredibly hot right now. It's actually kind of killing me..."
Mel felt herself blushing. "Um, maybe this wasn't--"
"I'm sorry," he said hastily. "I promise, we're gonna make this whole platonic thing work. Nobody said it was gonna be easy."
"I love Tay," Mel responded. "With all my heart. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't having a difficult time with this either. I had to stare at you topless all day long. At least I'm covered up."
Looking in her eyes, Jason bit his lip in thought. "You know, Drew's been in makeup for awhile, why don't
we see if she's done yet."
Completely relieved for the subject change, Mel and Jason made their way to Drew's trailer. She was there, dressed and ready. Mel was caught off guard that Drew looked normal again. She looked human, complete with real eyes and real skin color. She had popped her silver hair up on top of her head and dressed herself in some of the new Versace Mel had brought her for her birthday. She decked herself out in a gold mini dress and gladiator heels and the four of them stood outside Drew's trailer, waiting for a few more people to join
them. The sun had fallen by now and it was dark outside. Soon they were joined by Gerard and the ladies from hair and makeup and the group made their way off set and down the street to the pub.
_______________________________________________
DREW
Drew was ecstatic. She didn't even care that she had to work on her birthday. Zac was there, her best friend was there, and she had some new designer duds. Pair all that with the fact that she was in a beautiful foreign country and there was no way this night could go wrong.
As they walked, she glanced over at Mel and Jason. They were so adorable together. She had gotten an opportunity to really get to know Jason and she adored him. It was almost a shame that Taylor had chosen and that Mel was off the market. And Mel would never know how Jason truly felt about her. It was almost
tragic. Drew sincerely hoped that Tay appreciated Mel. At this point he was very lucky to have her.
Then she glanced on the other side of her at Zac. She couldn't put into words how excited she was that he was here with her. But she couldn't help but feel the tug on her heartstrings a little bit. Taylor had made his choice. So what was taking Zac so long? She wished she could crawl inside his head and see what he was thinking. This whole "will he or won't he" routine was beginning to feel old. Maybe she'd had it. Maybe she was fed up. Maybe it was time to give him an ultimatum.
No. She could never do that. That wasn't her. She could never ask him to walk out on his family. That would be wrong in so many levels.
No, instead she was going to enjoy this night, enjoy Zac's company and celebrate with her friends. She could save the heavy emotional stuff for after filming wrapped.
Drew was surprised when she entered the pub. She thought she was only going with the small group she had arrived with, but she was surprised by even more actors and crew members, along with most of the pub regulars she had gotten to know over time. Tears welled in her eyes and she began to cry again, this time in
appreciation. She couldn't remember the last time she felt the love in a room this overwhelming.
It took 2.5 seconds for the bartender to provide her first drink "on the house." They didn't waste any time here. These people partied! "Hey, easy on those!" Jason warned. "Let's not have any repeats, if you know what I mean."
Drew playfully slapped him. "Shut up. I'll be on my best behavior, I promise!"
As Mel and Jason talked with Gerard, Zac took her hand and pulled her closer. "I have to be careful right now, we've been having some issues with sneaky photographers back home. But I wanted to tell you how beautiful you are tonight. And how fantastic I think you are. And watching you today really opened my eyes about some things."
Drew looked in his eyes and smiled. "Thank you. You don't know how much it means to me to hear you say that. Your opinion matters more to me than anything, you know that?"
Zac smiled. "Really?"
"Of course it does. You've supported me from the beginning and I really needed that. Zac, I feel like I've really made it this time."
"I think I'd have to agree."
A devious grin spread across Drew's face. "I might have a thank you waiting for you back in my trailer."
He grinned back at her. "I might have to accept."
Suddenly Drew heard a commotion in the back of the pub and she and Zac both looked that direction. Drew
laughed and as they walked toward the back, she saw a beer pong table set up. Apparently it was a match between Mel and Gerard at the moment. "Seriously?" Drew asked, laughing. "Beer pong?"
Jason was laughing as Gerard took another drink. "Man she's a natural, it's fucking amazing."
"Oh, she'll drink you under the table, that's for sure," Zac chimed in.
Drew turned to Zac and smiled, "Oh really?"
"Shit yeah. We got wasted in Italy and I went home and puked my guts out and she's standing there like
'whatever.' "
"That's my girl!" Jason said, laughing. "Whooo!" He hollered as Gerard took another drink.
Drew cleared her throat and raised her eyebrows at Jason. He looked at her in realization of his recent words. He sighed and headed for the bar. "Hey, Barney, hit me with another beer, will you? Thanks!"
"What was that about?" Zac asked Drew.
Drew sighed. "It's kinda sad, really. Jason is in love with Mel, Mel is in love with Tay, but yet they choose to remain close. I feel bad for him, honestly."
Zac's eyes widened in shock. "Jason is in love with Mel? Does she know?"
"No!" Drew hissed. "And she doesn't need to know either. And he hasn't actually come out and said it, but you can totally tell. You'd have to be an idiot not to see it." Drew glanced down at Zac's hands. "Have you not even had a drink yet?"
"Well, I don't really want--"
"Oh no no no no," Drew scolded. "This is my party and you drink if I say so. Barney! Another beer please? You haven't had beer till you've had this."
Zac looked at her, amused. "Since when did you become a beer drinker?"
"Since I was taught how to appreciate it."
He smiled. "Well, then, I'm learning more and more new things about you every day."
"You and me both!" She giggled.
Drew hadn't even realized the beer pong game had ended until Gerard approached her. "Hey, Drew, mind if
I steal you away for a moment?"
"Uh, sure. Be right back," she said to Zac.
He led her to a section of the pub that was slightly away from everyone. "So, Drew, I wanted to tell you
Happy Birthday. And I wanted to give you this."
He pulled a long, turquoise box out of his pocket and she instantly knew by the color of the box where it had come from. Her heart pounded as she read Tiffany & Co. in black on the top. She looked up at Gerard as she took it in her hand. "How did you--?"
"I saw it and I thought you might like it. Well, I actually didn't see IT. I saw one LIKE it in a nearby store and decided you might like the real thing instead. I had it on rush shipment straight from New York, afraid it wouldn't get here in time."
"Straight from New York?" She managed to squeak out. She suddenly felt very homesick. And not for Oklahoma.
Gerard laughed. "Well you can open it, it won't bite you."
Almost afraid to open the box, she slowly took off the lid and moved away the paper. There lay the most beautiful tennis bracelet she had ever seen. It was simple, nothing lavish. Gold with diamonds and rubies. "They're rubies..."
"I know red is your favorite color so I decided to skip the old birthstone routine."
"Gerard, it's gorgeous. How could I ever thank you enough?"
He smiled. "Ah, it's only your birthday, you don't have to thank me. And besides, for your very first film, you're doing a magnificent job. I thought maybe you deserved a little treat."
Drew smiled at him. "It matches my outfit tonight!"
"Yeah, so it does."
"Will you help me put it on?"
Gerard obliged and nimbly clasped the bracelet on her wrist for her. Drew was impressed. He didn't fumble or fiddle with it or have a hard time with it. He clasped it on the first try. This was a man who knew jewelry.
She hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Thank you so much. You are the best director I've ever worked for."
Gerard scoffed. "You haven't worked with any other real directors."
Ignoring his catty comment, she responded. "That doesn't matter. You're still the best."
He smiled at her. "Well I'll take that then. Now go and enjoy the rest of your party, I've taken up enough of your time."
Drew tucked the box into her purse and made her way back over to Zac. She'd noticed he had already downed three quarters of his beer. In that little bit of time? "What was all that?" he asked her.
"Oh, Gerard just gave me a birthday gift is all. Isn't it gorgeous?" Drew held up her wrist for him to see.
"Kind of an expensive gift to receive from your boss, huh?"
Drew was hurt by his remark. She had thought this night was going well. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Zac sighed and shook his head. "Nothing. It doesn't mean anything, I'm sorry. I guess maybe I'm just tired."
"Well do you want to leave?"
"No, don't be silly. You can't leave your own party. I'm a little tired, I'm not that tired."
"Okay..." Drew looked over Zac suspiciously. She wasn't sure how to take him right now. He'd been snippy to her over the phone but she didn't think it would radiate in person. They were together now, what more could he possibly be irritable about? She didn't understand it..
After a couple more hours, the party began wrapping up. Drew and Zac and Mel and Jason all made their way
back to set and out by the trailers. Puzzled as she had been by Zac's behavior, she still wasn't ready for him to leave for the night. She felt as if she hadn't really had any adequate time alone with him.
Drew couldn't deny her surprise when Zac's response to Mel's question of, "Zac, are you ready?" was,
"Actually, I don't think I'm going back quite yet. I think I'm gonna stay here awhile."
Mel looked surprised herself. "Uh, okay..."
And with that, Zac said goodnight to her and Jason, and shut Drew's trailer door.
_______________________________________________
MEL
The next morning was much like the previous morning. Mel was not a morning person. She liked to wake up, have her coffee, get ready...Zac, on the other hand, was wide open. "Zac, okay!" Mel finally said in frustration. "You're starting to remind me an awful lot of 14-year-old Zac right now. Honestly. Relax."
Zac stared back at her blankly and sat down on his bed. "God, I think you're right..."
"Be patient. Just let me get ready and then we'll go. Or you can go and I'll follow later, whichever you prefer."
"No," Zac said. "It's okay. We'll go together, it's cool."
Mel decided to pull out some of her new Versace that day. She pulled on a pair of tight black pants with lace, floral cutouts that ran up the sides. Over them she wore a pair of black stiletto boots, bejeweled in gold on the pointy tips and the shins. On top she wore a white sleeveless shirt that ruffled from the collar and all the way down the front. It only buttoned up to her ribcage, so the neckline was daringly deep. After carefully applying the double-sided tape to prevent accidents, she completed her ensemble with a short, leather vest. She looked at herself in the mirror, pleased. It was a rare occasion lately that she had made any effort in dressing herself. She vowed to start making more of an effort with her fashion moving forward.
With Zac in his usual jeans, t-shirt, and leather jacket, the pair set out to Drew's movie set once again. Upon arriving this day, things were much more chaotic than they had been the previous evening. Knowing it was unlikely that they would get to talk to Jason or Drew much during the day, they decided to spend the day
watching them film their scenes. Mel had been itching to see Drew in action anyway and she was completely fascinated with the movie-making process. She was incredibly excited to be able to have this inside look.
They walked into the building and there was even more chaos inside than there was outside. The first thing they noticed was wire. And cameras. Mel had never seen so much wire and electronic equipment in her life.
Beyond all the wire was an elaborately designed black and gray set. It was very dark. The back wall and surrounding walls appeared like a cave. The floor area sat up on a platform, at least three feet high, obviously built around the above-ground pool that sat in the middle. They had built a sort of a deck around it to make it look like it was the cave floor. The pool appeared to have black liner and so it was obviously supposed to serve as a pool of water that went deep into the ground. A couple of supporting actors stood off to the side of the pool on the set, having their makeup completed.
As they stood there a handsome, dark-haired man who was not much taller than Zac approached them. "Can I help you?" his British accent asked.
Zac was star struck as he extended his hand to him. "Hi, I'm Zac Hanson. I am a huge fan of your movies."
The man smiled and shook his hand. "Gerard Cline, pleasure. Glad to meet a fan. And nice to finally put a face with a name. Drew talks a lot about you."
Zac smiled, sheepishly. "Good things, I hope."
Gerard winked at Zac and turned to Mel. "So then you must be the infamous Mel. I probably hear your name more than I hear Zac's."
Mel blushed. "Uh, Melody Banks, yes. Nice to meet you, Mr. Cline."
He smiled at her. "Charmed. And call me Gerard. Please, stay and watch. I'll get you a couple of chairs. Sophie!" He turned to call on a crew member. "Bring a couple of chairs here, we have some guests!"
That was the last thing Gerard Cline had said to Zac and Mel before he scurried off to take care of whatever
business a director took care of before a scene was filmed. A homely blonde girl nervously set up two directors chairs alongside Gerard's and Mel and Zac each took a seat, Mel ending up in the middle chair.
Before too long, the actors began to make their way to set. Jason and Drew showed up one, right after the other, neither one aware that Mel and Zac were there. Jason stood with his back to the cameras and the rest of the room as the makeup, hair, and costuming departments all did finishing touches on him. Mel didn't realize he would be nearly shirtless. He wore brown pants and some type of belts that criss-crossed over his back and chest. He held some type of weapon in his hand, Mel wasn't sure what kind.
Drew, on the other hand, stood across from him in a robe. Every part of her skin that showed was made up. She was painted from head to toe a gray color. So light a gray it was almost a shade of blue. Her eyebrows remained near black and her long, silver hair lay straight and limp. Suddenly hair and makeup were at her side, the stylist feverishly brushing Drew's hair straight back off her forehead.
And then the costume lady carefully took off Drew's robe and Mel thought Zac would have a conniption fit. She hadn't realized that this scene hadn't been filmed yet and what a day to have to film it on! Drew was completely naked. Practically. As a female, Mel could easily point out the thong that she wore but the rest of her was bare. She wore the same color gray/blue paint on every inch of her body. Latex was apparent across her chest, arms, and legs to almost look like scales on her body. On her shoulders were prosthetics that looked as if her shoulders protruded straight outward to a point instead of low and round like a normal human being. The black contacts with red irises were the icing on the cake against her silver hair and gray scaly skin. It was the coolest thing Mel had ever seen.
Zac couldn't keep his eyes off of her. Mel looked over at him. He almost appeared...uncomfortable...it was kind of strange...
____________________________________________________
ZAC
As soon as he saw Drew walk on set in a robe, he should have known. A nude scene? When the hell had she mentioned this? Oh, that's right. She hadn't.
And then the robe came off. Holy hell. Zac wasn't sure how he felt about this. He wasn't sure how he felt about her body being on display for the world to see. He almost felt like this scene invaded his privacy. That Gerard Cline was invading his privacy.
But damn she looked hot as hell. He always had a thing for alien-looking chicks from the movies and the fact that Drew now looked like one only heightened his attraction. He would masturbate to this visual for the next--well for the rest of his life, he was sure.
Drew held her arms straight out and closed her eyes so the costume lady could spray her down. He had no
idea what was going on here and he didn't care. He was eager, and a little afraid, to see what this scene would entail.
Suddenly Gerard Cline walked swiftly onset. "Is everyone ready?" his voice boomed over the general
commotion in the room. Hair and makeup people quickly put the finishing touches on all the actors in the scene--there were only four--and scampered off set. "Quiet on the set! James, get Drew into the water!"
A crew member ran onset and took Drew by the hand as she stepped slowly down some steps and into the
water. The pool was at least three feet deep and when she got in, she turned around and stood there, facing Jason, who stood at the head of the pool where she had just gotten in, his back still to the cameras. If Drew had seen Zac and Mel there, she was a complete professional, never once breaking character.
"Okay, Drew," Gerard yelled. "The moment I yell 'action' you are going to submerse yourself completely into the water and then come out, starting the scene, exactly as rehearsed. Clear?"
Confidently, Drew gave a small nod.
"Alright. And......ACTION!"
With that, Drew submersed herself completely under the water and within seconds, she was seductively
coming out of the water, slicking her hair back and slowly walking up the pool steps toward Jason. As soon as the reached Jason, Gerard yelled, "Cut!!! Cut!! Drew! Your nipples are hard!"
Zac's eyes widened at this statement. Hearing these words fall so carelessly out of Gerard's mouth felt so--wrong. He wasn't sure he liked it. In fact, he found himself feeling surprisingly uncomfortable with this entire scene. And they hadn't even done anything yet.
Drew shot back almost immediately. "Well, Gerard, I apologize for being female! The water is fucking freezing and the air is fucking cold in here, too. And if you really think about it, don't you think that hard nipples are actually kind of fitting for Magdara, seeing as she's getting some kind of...sadistical thrill from causing all the pain he's confronting her about in the first place?"
Gerard was silent, his finger pressed to his lips in thought.
Jason was laughing. He turned around to look at Gerard and spied Mel and waved at her. Mel waved back. "Jason, turn around!" Gerard called.
Jason obeyed, his shoulders still shaking from laughter. "And shut up!" Gerard added. Then he said to Drew. "You raise an interesting point. I don't see us finding a way to heat the pool anytime soon, not to mention the heat might melt your paint. We'll go it natural for a few takes and see how it looks on screen. If I don't like it, we'll find some latex or something. Makeup! Check her paint and let's do this again!"
Despite the apparent nature of this scene, Zac watched Gerard work in admiration. This man was definitely
passionate about his work. He had nothing but respect for someone who not only knew exactly what they wanted out of their work, but knew exactly how they wanted it done and how to achieve it. Drew was an alien chick in a Gerard Cline movie. Two dreams coming true at once.
But this scene had him all tied up in knots.
Drew submersed herself again and this time, when she reached Jason, Gerard didn't yell cut. She took her finger and slowly traced a line across Jason's chest and around his back as she hissed her lines at him. "It's so good of you to take time out of your busy schedule to pay me a visit on such short notice," she hissed
seductively as she completed the tracing of her finger on the back of his shoulder, having made an entire circle around him. She seductively walked over to the two other actors in the back, apparently her minions. One of them attached an enormous cape onto her shoulders. "However you pick a peculiar time to arrive, seeing as I was right in the middle of my bath." Even more seductively, she walked over to a black, throne-like chair and sat, her body completely upright. "I hope you don't mind my...lack of attire. Clothing isn't necessarily required for bathing, you know. I wasn't exactly prepared for your arrival." She then laughed seductively. Every move she made was seductive. It was like watching a completely different person. "Of course you don't mind, you're a man. What was I thinking?"
"I have no desire for you whatsoever," Jason responded. "Nor will I ever. Don't flatter yourself. You disgust me."
Drew laughed, amused, as another minion handed her a goblet. "Please, don't let your personal disdain for
me cloud your judgment in the proposal I have for you. I asked you here as a peace offering."
"There is no peace you could offer me," Jason said.
Zac didn't realize how into the scene he was until Gerard's "CUT!" nearly scared the daylights out of him.
He noticed that Mel had jumped, too, and they both looked at each other and snickered. Drew was really very good. He was completely in awe of her. After awhile, he became increasingly okay with the scene.
They must have filmed this scene for hours. There were many takes, many makeup reapplications, many
corrections and line changes. Mel and Zac had both been up and down, taking bathroom breaks and walking down the street from the set for lunch. They both gushed over Drew, completely amazed at her. Mel had seen her act on many occasions but nothing she did was anything compared to this movie. Mel admitted to Zac that she was skeptical when she found out Drew had gotten his role but had now realized that the casting director couldn't have chosen a more perfect person.
"You know, at first I was weird about it," Zac confided in Mel. "She never told me she had a nude scene
coming. And when I realized that was what was going to happen I wasn't really okay with it. But seeing how it went, I actually think it's kind of cool. It was tastefully done. And if anything I have more respect for her now than ever. It takes a lot of guts to get up in front of all those people like that in your birthday suit." Zac laughed at what he said. "Her birthday suit. Today is her birthday. Hey, is she--"
"Do not remind her," Mel advised. "Whatever you do, do NOT remind her that today is her 30th birthday."
"Was your 30th that bad?"
"I don't even want to talk about it."
They went back to set and were somewhat relieved when, after another hour or so, Gerard finally yelled, "OKAY, THAT'S A WRAP!"
Mere moments after that, the costume lady was putting a robe back on Drew and a crew member pushed a large, illuminated cake onto the set. Zac and Mel looked at each other and grinned and the entire set, including cast members and crew coming in from outside, all erupted in the Birthday Song for Drew. "Oh my god, you guys!" Drew said, wiping tears from her eyes. "I am so glad this makeup is waterproof!"
The room laughed and Zac and Mel stayed behind and let her have her moment with her crew and fellow
actors. Zac had to admit, he found it kind of funny to see the alien chick acting like a normal human being. He would be so glad when Drew got out of the makeup. The whole thing was starting to screw with his head.
That day, as he watched Drew master her scene and celebrate her birthday with her new friends, something
triggered in him. He kind of hadn't expected it and it was strange to admit. This entire time he had wanted to be around Drew because she reminded him of being 17 again. He missed who he was back then. But today he no longer saw 19-year-old Drew. Today he saw 30-year-old Drew. He saw her and himself as who they were now. He saw her talent and her class and her beauty and kindness. He saw everything he loved about her, only now he saw it in the present and not in the past as he had been.
The feeling was unsettling and exhilarating. This was new. Zac couldn't wait to see where it would lead to next.
________________________________________________
MEL
Mel and Zac seemed to wait forever for Drew to get out of makeup. They could only imagine how long it
took to get that kind of makeup off of your entire body, especially since it was waterproof. Mel's head dizzied at the thought of her having to go through this every single day she filmed.
As they waited, Zac decided he would wait in Drew's trailer, armed with the key she had given him. Mel
decided she would meander over to Jason's trailer and see if he was there yet.
He was.
He was just finishing pulling a white t-shirt over his head when he greeted her at his door. She got a glimpse at his dark, well-defined, rock-hard abs. Her heart fluttered. Maybe stepping into his trailer wasn't such a good idea after all.
She went in anyway.
"Wow, I can't believe you're still here," Jason said. "I figured you'd get bored and go do some sight-seeing or something."
"Well I could leave..."
Jason laughed, "I'm just messing with you. So what did you think?"
"About today? Uh...I was shocked at first. But I enjoyed watching you guys work, really. You're great."
He smiled at her. "Thank you, that means a lot. Hey, you wanna have a seat? I think we're all pretty much waiting on Drew."
Mel sat on one of the small sofas in the trailer. "All?"
"Yeah. We're all gonna head over to the pub to celebrate Drew's birthday."
"THE pub? This is Ireland. There's a pub in every other door."
"Well we're regulars at THIS pub," he teased back. "You in?"
"She's my best friend, of course I'm in!"
"Good. Didn't exactly wanna show up stag, you know."
Mel nodded skeptically. "Uh-huh..."
"I'm sorry, Mel, I have to tell you--you look so incredibly hot right now. It's actually kind of killing me..."
Mel felt herself blushing. "Um, maybe this wasn't--"
"I'm sorry," he said hastily. "I promise, we're gonna make this whole platonic thing work. Nobody said it was gonna be easy."
"I love Tay," Mel responded. "With all my heart. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't having a difficult time with this either. I had to stare at you topless all day long. At least I'm covered up."
Looking in her eyes, Jason bit his lip in thought. "You know, Drew's been in makeup for awhile, why don't
we see if she's done yet."
Completely relieved for the subject change, Mel and Jason made their way to Drew's trailer. She was there, dressed and ready. Mel was caught off guard that Drew looked normal again. She looked human, complete with real eyes and real skin color. She had popped her silver hair up on top of her head and dressed herself in some of the new Versace Mel had brought her for her birthday. She decked herself out in a gold mini dress and gladiator heels and the four of them stood outside Drew's trailer, waiting for a few more people to join
them. The sun had fallen by now and it was dark outside. Soon they were joined by Gerard and the ladies from hair and makeup and the group made their way off set and down the street to the pub.
_______________________________________________
DREW
Drew was ecstatic. She didn't even care that she had to work on her birthday. Zac was there, her best friend was there, and she had some new designer duds. Pair all that with the fact that she was in a beautiful foreign country and there was no way this night could go wrong.
As they walked, she glanced over at Mel and Jason. They were so adorable together. She had gotten an opportunity to really get to know Jason and she adored him. It was almost a shame that Taylor had chosen and that Mel was off the market. And Mel would never know how Jason truly felt about her. It was almost
tragic. Drew sincerely hoped that Tay appreciated Mel. At this point he was very lucky to have her.
Then she glanced on the other side of her at Zac. She couldn't put into words how excited she was that he was here with her. But she couldn't help but feel the tug on her heartstrings a little bit. Taylor had made his choice. So what was taking Zac so long? She wished she could crawl inside his head and see what he was thinking. This whole "will he or won't he" routine was beginning to feel old. Maybe she'd had it. Maybe she was fed up. Maybe it was time to give him an ultimatum.
No. She could never do that. That wasn't her. She could never ask him to walk out on his family. That would be wrong in so many levels.
No, instead she was going to enjoy this night, enjoy Zac's company and celebrate with her friends. She could save the heavy emotional stuff for after filming wrapped.
Drew was surprised when she entered the pub. She thought she was only going with the small group she had arrived with, but she was surprised by even more actors and crew members, along with most of the pub regulars she had gotten to know over time. Tears welled in her eyes and she began to cry again, this time in
appreciation. She couldn't remember the last time she felt the love in a room this overwhelming.
It took 2.5 seconds for the bartender to provide her first drink "on the house." They didn't waste any time here. These people partied! "Hey, easy on those!" Jason warned. "Let's not have any repeats, if you know what I mean."
Drew playfully slapped him. "Shut up. I'll be on my best behavior, I promise!"
As Mel and Jason talked with Gerard, Zac took her hand and pulled her closer. "I have to be careful right now, we've been having some issues with sneaky photographers back home. But I wanted to tell you how beautiful you are tonight. And how fantastic I think you are. And watching you today really opened my eyes about some things."
Drew looked in his eyes and smiled. "Thank you. You don't know how much it means to me to hear you say that. Your opinion matters more to me than anything, you know that?"
Zac smiled. "Really?"
"Of course it does. You've supported me from the beginning and I really needed that. Zac, I feel like I've really made it this time."
"I think I'd have to agree."
A devious grin spread across Drew's face. "I might have a thank you waiting for you back in my trailer."
He grinned back at her. "I might have to accept."
Suddenly Drew heard a commotion in the back of the pub and she and Zac both looked that direction. Drew
laughed and as they walked toward the back, she saw a beer pong table set up. Apparently it was a match between Mel and Gerard at the moment. "Seriously?" Drew asked, laughing. "Beer pong?"
Jason was laughing as Gerard took another drink. "Man she's a natural, it's fucking amazing."
"Oh, she'll drink you under the table, that's for sure," Zac chimed in.
Drew turned to Zac and smiled, "Oh really?"
"Shit yeah. We got wasted in Italy and I went home and puked my guts out and she's standing there like
'whatever.' "
"That's my girl!" Jason said, laughing. "Whooo!" He hollered as Gerard took another drink.
Drew cleared her throat and raised her eyebrows at Jason. He looked at her in realization of his recent words. He sighed and headed for the bar. "Hey, Barney, hit me with another beer, will you? Thanks!"
"What was that about?" Zac asked Drew.
Drew sighed. "It's kinda sad, really. Jason is in love with Mel, Mel is in love with Tay, but yet they choose to remain close. I feel bad for him, honestly."
Zac's eyes widened in shock. "Jason is in love with Mel? Does she know?"
"No!" Drew hissed. "And she doesn't need to know either. And he hasn't actually come out and said it, but you can totally tell. You'd have to be an idiot not to see it." Drew glanced down at Zac's hands. "Have you not even had a drink yet?"
"Well, I don't really want--"
"Oh no no no no," Drew scolded. "This is my party and you drink if I say so. Barney! Another beer please? You haven't had beer till you've had this."
Zac looked at her, amused. "Since when did you become a beer drinker?"
"Since I was taught how to appreciate it."
He smiled. "Well, then, I'm learning more and more new things about you every day."
"You and me both!" She giggled.
Drew hadn't even realized the beer pong game had ended until Gerard approached her. "Hey, Drew, mind if
I steal you away for a moment?"
"Uh, sure. Be right back," she said to Zac.
He led her to a section of the pub that was slightly away from everyone. "So, Drew, I wanted to tell you
Happy Birthday. And I wanted to give you this."
He pulled a long, turquoise box out of his pocket and she instantly knew by the color of the box where it had come from. Her heart pounded as she read Tiffany & Co. in black on the top. She looked up at Gerard as she took it in her hand. "How did you--?"
"I saw it and I thought you might like it. Well, I actually didn't see IT. I saw one LIKE it in a nearby store and decided you might like the real thing instead. I had it on rush shipment straight from New York, afraid it wouldn't get here in time."
"Straight from New York?" She managed to squeak out. She suddenly felt very homesick. And not for Oklahoma.
Gerard laughed. "Well you can open it, it won't bite you."
Almost afraid to open the box, she slowly took off the lid and moved away the paper. There lay the most beautiful tennis bracelet she had ever seen. It was simple, nothing lavish. Gold with diamonds and rubies. "They're rubies..."
"I know red is your favorite color so I decided to skip the old birthstone routine."
"Gerard, it's gorgeous. How could I ever thank you enough?"
He smiled. "Ah, it's only your birthday, you don't have to thank me. And besides, for your very first film, you're doing a magnificent job. I thought maybe you deserved a little treat."
Drew smiled at him. "It matches my outfit tonight!"
"Yeah, so it does."
"Will you help me put it on?"
Gerard obliged and nimbly clasped the bracelet on her wrist for her. Drew was impressed. He didn't fumble or fiddle with it or have a hard time with it. He clasped it on the first try. This was a man who knew jewelry.
She hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Thank you so much. You are the best director I've ever worked for."
Gerard scoffed. "You haven't worked with any other real directors."
Ignoring his catty comment, she responded. "That doesn't matter. You're still the best."
He smiled at her. "Well I'll take that then. Now go and enjoy the rest of your party, I've taken up enough of your time."
Drew tucked the box into her purse and made her way back over to Zac. She'd noticed he had already downed three quarters of his beer. In that little bit of time? "What was all that?" he asked her.
"Oh, Gerard just gave me a birthday gift is all. Isn't it gorgeous?" Drew held up her wrist for him to see.
"Kind of an expensive gift to receive from your boss, huh?"
Drew was hurt by his remark. She had thought this night was going well. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Zac sighed and shook his head. "Nothing. It doesn't mean anything, I'm sorry. I guess maybe I'm just tired."
"Well do you want to leave?"
"No, don't be silly. You can't leave your own party. I'm a little tired, I'm not that tired."
"Okay..." Drew looked over Zac suspiciously. She wasn't sure how to take him right now. He'd been snippy to her over the phone but she didn't think it would radiate in person. They were together now, what more could he possibly be irritable about? She didn't understand it..
After a couple more hours, the party began wrapping up. Drew and Zac and Mel and Jason all made their way
back to set and out by the trailers. Puzzled as she had been by Zac's behavior, she still wasn't ready for him to leave for the night. She felt as if she hadn't really had any adequate time alone with him.
Drew couldn't deny her surprise when Zac's response to Mel's question of, "Zac, are you ready?" was,
"Actually, I don't think I'm going back quite yet. I think I'm gonna stay here awhile."
Mel looked surprised herself. "Uh, okay..."
And with that, Zac said goodnight to her and Jason, and shut Drew's trailer door.
_______________________________________________