Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Something has definitely changed between Crispin and me.
But my relationship with Sally is different after the museum too, so maybe the newfound comfort between us isn’t as big a deal as it feels.
In all honesty, all three of us are far more relaxed with one another.
Lunches are Crispin, Sally, and me, and they’re filled with teasing, laughter, and stories.
It’s really nice. I feel so much more at home on the set because of it.
Even when they aren’t around. There might be something to Crispin’s desire to form relationships on set.
It provides a sense of security knowing you have people in your corner.
It's Friday afternoon, and I’m taking the time to check my BellyLaughs channel and respond to some of the comments.
My first post went up on Tuesday. The one that showed snippets of my old life, including a quick wave from Glory that I had to leave in there.
Seeing her face almost made me cry. I miss her so much.
And my new life across the street from the beach—though I was careful not to show any distinguishing landmarks.
The last thing I need is for a fan to show up outside my house—as well as some behind-the-scenes shots of the movie.
The powers that be who approved this new take on BellyLaughs were very specific about the introduction I could give about the movie.
They actually wrote it for me, which I struggled with, making me realize I might be a bit of a control freak.
At least it was fun and light-hearted, but very high-level.
They said they will give me more details to tease each week that will get increasingly more specific.
Today’s episode is my interview with Terrell.
Though I was originally going to feature Sally first, I had to give it to Terrell since he and his nephew are such big fans.
In the interview, T shares a story about the time a bull escaped from a set and ran around the lot, terrorizing staff and cast alike.
When I said I understood he practiced martial arts with his nephew and asked if that was a required skill for all set security guards, he laughed.
“You’ve been talking to Crispin. My nephew and I are both black belts, and while it isn’t a requirement for the job, I can say more of us guards know it than don’t.
So, any rabid fans hoping to sneak onto the set, you’ll never know who can put you into a chokehold until it’s too late. But your chances are high.”
Then he answered three of my random “Would You Rather” questions, which are ridiculous and designed to inspire funny responses. And finally, I asked if he were to play a security guard in a movie, which security guard would he play?
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Hands down. I’ve asked to be able to use a motorized scooter around the lot, but they insist I stick with my golf cart.”
The comments from the interview are mostly positive.
I love that most people are saying supportive things, such as, “I’d feel safe with Terrell Blart; Set Cop watching over me,” and “This looks like so much fun.” What I didn’t anticipate is the reaction to Terrell’s casual mention of Crispin.
The online comment version of the screaming, fainting fangirl fills the comments section.
I see that a good majority of the shares of the video is because Crispin is mentioned.
It’s sort of crazy to me when there is nothing about Crispin in the video itself.
When he sits across the table from me, I must give him an exasperated look, because he’s immediately on the defensive.
“What did I do?”
I shake my head, thumbing through at least ten comments mentioning him. “You’ve already hijacked my podcast, and you haven’t even been on it.”
Sally raises her eyebrows and picks up her phone, while Crispin’s brows furrow and he sits up straight, trying to see my screen. I hand it to him.
He scrolls through enough and shakes his head, handing my phone back. “Why are they even talking about me?”
“Terrell mentioned you in the interview. Said something about how I must have gotten my inside information about his martial arts from you.”
“You did.”
“I know that. But all he did was say, “You’ve been speaking to Crispin,” and this is the result.” I squint at my screen. “I can’t figure out if I’m happy about it or bummed.”
Sally, who’s clearly reading the comments on her own phone, says, “With all those shares, I think I’d be happy. Especially so early on. Now all these fangirls will watch every episode, hoping to see or hear about Crispin.”
I nod. “Good point.” Smiling at Crispin, I say, “Thanks for providing a solid kickoff for my channel, Mr. Moore.”
He wrinkles his nose. “Mr. Moore makes me sound old.”
“It makes you sound respectable,” I counter.
“And a little stuffy,” Sally says. “Oh, I love this comment about how happy they are to see a true BellyLaughs fan on set taking care of you. It’s so sweet that your fans are so protective of you.”
“I really do have a fantastic following.”
Crispin cocks his head. “Is that why you do it? For the fans?”
I think about it before answering. “Honestly, Dad and I made up the skits long before there was a venue for us to post them on. We’ve been doing them since I was three, when he stuck a brunette wig on my head and had me pose as the Mona Lisa and then do a quick change to become “The Girl with the Pearl Earring” in a neighborhood variety show we hosted in our front yard.
Anyway, I always did it because it was fun, and I got to spend time with Dad.
I’m not sure when my focus shifted to making our fans happy, but it definitely did shift.
I became obsessed with getting positive, happy comments so that I knew what we posted resonated. ”
Crispin nods slowly. “Ah. So, that’s why it bothers you that the comments are about me. It isn’t you making your fans happy.”
“Hmmm. I guess you’re right.”
“Let’s give them what they want then.” Crispin points to himself. “Interview me.”
I shake my head. “Not yet. I want it to be about the behind-the-scenes stuff first.”
“You interviewed Sally!” Crispin looks between us.
“She’s not a star yet. It will help her career to get the early exposure, and she’s beautiful and sweet, and we had a ton of fun doing the interview.
” Sally nods. “So, my fans will love to meet her next week when her episode airs. You would just hijack my show further. Look what happened just from a single mention of you. But I promise, you’ll get your opportunity. ”
Sulking, he pokes his food with his fork. “Sure, I will.”
I wad up my napkin and throw it at him. “Baby.”
He rewards me with a stunningly genuine smile. Yeah, Crispin is hijacking more than my channel these days.
“Oh, speaking of babies, we can’t go Sunday night,” Sally says.
My brows arch to my hairline. “Are you…pregnant?”
“What?” Sally looks confused.
“You said, “Speaking of babies.””
She barks out a laugh. “No, River’s little sister is coming to town. It was kind of a joke, but I guess now that I’m replaying it in my head, you wouldn’t have understood that.”
“Bring her along!” Crispin offers. “Surely, she’ll like stars too.”
“I’m sure she does.” Sally looks between the two of us. “Are you sure? It feels like we’re taking over your night.”
I jerk backward. “Our night? Nonsense. The night belongs to all of us.” I deliver the last line in my most magnanimous tone and gesture widely with my arm.
Sally snorts but then sobers. “I’m sure she’d really love it. And I’m sure she’ll be on her best non-fangirl behavior. She’s hung out with Tod Strapper before and never made a fool of herself.”
Crispin narrows his eyes. “Are you saying Tod Strapper is a bigger deal than me?”
As I ask, “Why has she hung out with Tod Strapper before?”
Sally laughs at Crispin, but responds to me. “Haven’t I ever told you how I got this role in the first place?”
I shake my head. She tilts hers back and looks up at the ceiling. “You’re gonna love how ridiculous this story is.”
Crispin and I lean forward, and I say, “Continue.”
She spends the rest of lunch telling us about her walk-on part in Tod Strapper’s big sci-fi movie and how, being the generous guy he is, he made sure they had a pre-screening, complete with red carpet and paparazzi, in her hometown, since that’s where they shot the movie.
“My aunt came to the screening and that’s where one of the executive producers of this movie saw us together and knew we should play the mother/daughter roles.”
“That’s so cool! He just looked at you and said, ‘I want you in my next movie.’?” I ask.
She shrugs. “Sort of. He was walking past and took a double-take. He knew my aunt already, so he stopped to ask who I was, mentioned that he knew of a movie that needed a mother/daughter casting, and said he’d be in touch.”
“Did you have to audition?” I ask.
She nods. “Yeah. They flew me out, and I did a bunch of readings alone and with Aunt Chandra and then with Daniel Harlen.”
“Oh, yeah, I forgot about him.” I peek at Crispin, wondering how different it would be right now if Daniel had stayed.
“Then, after the screening, River surprised me with a big congratulations party at Sarah’s aunt and uncle’s restaurant.” She tells us how she thought River had just left the theater without saying goodbye and how surprised she was to find the place packed with people she’d known her whole life.
“It was such a special night. I still can’t believe Tod made that all possible for me.” She stares at the table, lost in fond memories. Then she blinks up at us. “Oh, but that’s when Brook hung out with Tod. She challenged him to slapsies and beat him hands down.”
I chuckle. “I see what you did there. Very punny.”
“Oh!” She laughs. “That was accidental.”
“So, how is this guy, with clearly inferior reaction time, better than me?” Crispin asks.
Sally shakes her head. “I never said he was better than you.”
“You indicated such when you said Brook – seriously, Brook & River? – was fine around Tod Strapper, so she’d clearly be fine around me.”
Sally stares at him with a blank face. “First of all, they are obviously water people. They sailed around the world for four years, for cripes sake.”
Crispin tips his head in acceptance of her argument.
“Second, you, sir, are paranoid! Not once was anything I said indicating a rank of celebrity. I was simply indicating that Brook is comfortable around it.”
“Have you ever met Tod Strapper?” I ask.
Crispin shakes his head.
Sally snickers. “I’ll be sure my friend Sarah drags him to our premier.”
Crispin cocks his head. “I don’t know. I might have to challenge him to slapsies.”
She shakes her head. “Oh my gosh, you are so insecure!”
I sit back in my seat and watch them bicker about Crispin’s insecurity.
I’ve seen some of this dynamic between them on set, but I don’t film with both of them that often.
Seeing how relaxed Crispin is around Sally makes me understand better why she never saw his arrogant side.
But it also makes me realize that even if he is Crispin Moore, teen heartthrob, he truly does battle with insecurities like we all do, and has his own ways of camouflaging them.
In some strange way, it makes me like him more to know he’s not perfect.