Chapter 35
thirty-five
. . .
Sophia
"Mama! I'm not leaving without you! We're going to fight this storm, and we're going to win. We've survived worse. We're survivors, Mama!"
"And cut!"
Edie's voice echoes throughout the soundstage as the cast and crew come out of the scene.
It was an emotional segment, so it's taking a minute for everyone to get back into regular form.
I shake off the character and the emotional anger she was holding on to and take a deep breath to release those feelings and get back to core Sophia.
"You're doing amazing on camera," Edie says. "Actually, you're doing amazing off-camera, too. You're knocking it out of the park for your first go at producing."
She gestures for me to sit on the couch as the other actors exit the living room set and head back to trailers, costumes, or whatever is next on their daily schedule.
"Thanks. It's been a learning experience for sure, but is it weird that I love it? All the pressure and obstacles and fighting for what we want—it makes me feel alive in a weird way."
"I totally get it. It's why I'm here with you and not on the set of whatever sequel was next in my sci-fi franchise."
"Do you miss it? The blockbuster set, the blockbuster budget?"
"The budget? Yes. The set? No. I was tired of telling those stories.
They lost the heart and humanity in the plot.
The deeper the continuation, the harder it is to find a connection with the ongoing saga.
This? This, I love. There's no sequel to this.
All the emotion that exists can be poured into this story, and that allows it to connect universally with so many people.
This, my friend, is going to be a hit. And I'm not just saying that to pat myself on the back. "
"I agree, Edie. I can feel it. So many scenes are clicking. You can feel the deep connection to the characters. I'm so thankful you agreed to do this with me."
Before launching her own talent agency, Blair worked at the prestigious TWA.
During her time there, she discovered Edie's script—a departure from the blockbuster sci-fi films that defined Edie's career despite her earlier work in different genres.
Though Blair saw the script's potential, TWA's layoffs cut short her plans to champion it.
Six months later, with her own agency established, Blair signed both Edie and me.
Her first major success? Packaging us together for Grant and Wonderland Studios.
That Grant would take on such an unknown factor in me was a shock, but now I'm guessing he saw the potential. Although I admit that some days, I worry his interest in me helped drive some of his decision making.
And now we've crossed all sorts of lines, some I'm not even aware of based on how he was acting last night.
I'm still irritated by how he shut me down for dinner.
I might have readily accepted, but I saw the trepidation and irritation on Grant's face.
A high-powered studio exec, he may be, but an actor, he is not.
I knew when I wasn't wanted, so instead, I made up the excuse of needing to head up here for some work.
Then I ended up driving out to Blair and Wyatt's house for a pity dinner.
If I'm being honest, I'm growing attached to Hazel.
She's such a great kid, and it's hard to tell her no when she's asking you to hang out.
"We have two more days for this set; then we wrap up in Santa Clarita for location scenes. I'm still impressed that Grant was able to help secure some controlled disaster scenes at Honey Pine. I wanted to make sure you are feeling good about it all and ready for that to start next Monday."
"I'm ready. I can't wait—"
"She's living with the guy, and you're telling me there's no special favors for her?" A male voice drifts from behind the interior living room wall frame.
"I'm sure lots of special favors are being exchanged all around," another voice replies, laced with amusement.
My stomach tightens.
"There's no way she's running her own production a year or two removed from being a star on a kid's network without some kind of special favor," the first guy adds, his tone smug.
"What're you gonna do? It's how this industry is. All who you know. Or blow, I guess, in her case."
Laughter. Casual, thoughtless.
They have no idea I'm sitting here, mortified, listening to their assessment of my credibility—not based on my talent, not on my experience, but on the fact that I'm a woman.
A woman who happens to be sleeping with the man financing the film.
A woman who, apparently, couldn't possibly have earned this on her own.
I open my mouth, but before I can speak, a sharp voice slices through the air like a blade.
"Excuse me?"
The laughter cuts off instantly.
Edie steps forward, her expression cold enough to freeze them in place. "You think this is some boys' club where you get to run your mouths about my lead? About a producer on this project?" She takes another step, and her voice lowers to something even more dangerous. "On my set?"
One of them stammers, "We were just—"
"Just being misogynistic, sexist assholes?
" she finishes for him. "Let me make this real simple.
If I hear either of you say anything like that again anywhere near this set, you're gone.
I don't care how long you've been in the industry.
I don't care who you've worked with. You do not get to discredit a woman's work because it makes you feel better about your own lack of relevance. "
Their faces are flushed now with anger, shame, and embarrassment at being caught.
Edie folds her arms. "So, unless you'd rather be looking for a new job, I suggest you get back to work. And keep your mouths shut unless it's about the scene blocking."
They mumble something—an apology, maybe, or just a pitiful excuse—before grabbing their gear and hurrying off, suddenly very invested in their work.
I exhale; the tension is coiled so tightly in my chest that it almost hurts to release.
"You ok?" Edie asks, her voice softer now.
I force a nod, but I can still feel the words clinging to my skin like something sticky and foul.
"I'll be fine." I lift my chin, looking toward where the guys disappeared. "You and I both know this isn't the first or last time I'll hear things like that."
Edie's jaw tightens. "No, but that doesn't mean we let it slide."
She's right.
If I were a man, I wouldn't have to deal with this bullshit.
"You're right. Thank you for speaking up. I truly appreciate this opportunity and everything you are doing for this film."
"Anytime, Sophia." I give her a hug, but before I can pull away, she steadies me by my shoulders.
"All this. You did this. It's not because of some man.
You're talented, and Grant saw that. Whatever else happened after is your business, but do not let it diminish all the hard work you've put into this. You deserve this."
I hug Edie again, blinking away the tears that have formed. She's right. I did earn this. I'm used to critics, and hearing what the crew thinks is nothing new. I just can't buy into it.
I head over to the back corner of the sound stage to my makeshift office.
After I stare at the wall for fifteen minutes, I realize I'm not going to get anything done until I talk to Grant.
In fact, I haven't heard from him all day.
I'm not sure what's going on. Maybe he's changed his mind about us.
Maybe there's another actress he's got his eye on.
Ok, I've got to get out of my head. Besides, we need to talk because, apparently, I'm gossip fodder for the crew here, and the last thing either of us needs are headlines that insinuate what these guys are thinking.
I'm with Edie. We've got something really special going with this film.
It would be a shame to have it overshadowed by a scandal about the studio exec and his lead actress in the sheets together.
I pull out my phone.
Me
Are you around this evening? Hoping we could talk.
His reply is instant, like he's been waiting for my text.
Grant
Yes. I was actually hoping to talk with you, too.
Me
Great. I'll be home around 7:30. Come by anytime after.
Grant
I'll swing by once Hazel is asleep.
My heart both sinks and speeds up. I feel the disappointment of not being invited to join them for dinner again.
It's not like I was eating with them all the time, but I guess I got used to hanging out when I was around and able to.
I also feel the excitement of what happens after Hazel is asleep.
He didn't come by last night, and while we don't spend every minute together, I'd be lying if I didn't admit I missed being with him.
Focus, Sophia.
We need to talk. I need to know what shut him down last night and see if he's changed his mind about us—even though I don't like how it feels when I think those words.