The Martini Shot (Valleywood: Season Three)

1. Sam

1

SAM

“ H ere we are on the red carpet for the premiere of a movie that will be on the tip of everyone’s tongue as we gear up for award season. Big Heart is not the kind of movie that you see his name attached to very often. Apollo Kesios is known for his action movies, but with this startling performance, we expect to hear his name mentioned quite a bit as best actor nominations are released.” I smiled into the camera and inwardly died as the drivel spilled from my mouth. I didn’t give a shit about movie premieres and art openings. I became a journalist to break important stories and expose the truths that those in power tried to hide from the rest of the world. How the fuck did I end up here – in a sparkly tuxedo interviewing some of the planet’s largest morons?

You know the answer. It’s a tale as old as time. I did it for the money.

I started out at a small Valleywood paper called the Downtown Journal. It was a great place to start, and the stories I was given made me very happy. The Journal only dealt in actual news, and the stories we printed were hard-hitting fact pieces that kept the residents of our city informed and apparently not entertained enough. After two years of living my dream, it was all pulled out from under us as the paper went defunct almost overnight. It was a hard time for me, and my bills were piling up. So when this job at Afterlife came up, I threw my resume in the ring with every other wannabe star and failed reporter.

Sadly, because of my good looks, I got it.

I’ve been bitching about it ever since, even if it does afford me a very comfortable life. Sometimes, I wish I had taken the other path instead of this one. But for now…

“Here’s one of the stars of the movie walking towards us now. Hi there, Chappie. You’re looking like a million bucks tonight.” I held my microphone over the red velvet rope, and he flashed his mega-watt smile for everyone. I had interviewed him before. He was a douche.

“You gotta give the people what they want.” He gestured to his half-unbuttoned shirt and leaned forward. I had to stop myself from kicking the stanchion out from underneath him and watching him tumble onto the red carpet like the fool he was.

“This role is quite a departure for you.”

“Yeah… I’m used to being the teenage heartthrob on everyone’s favorite show, Valley High, not a loser with a chip on his shoulder,” he smirked and winked at me. “But when I read this script, I knew I had to be a part of it. I even auditioned, if you can believe that? But the producers and the director really wanted to find the best of the best for this movie. It’s been a real labor of love for all of us.”

“How was working with Horus? It had to be scary for an actor of his star power to put it all on the line by directing and financing his first feature himself.”

“He was one of the greatest directors that I’ve ever worked with. He knew exactly what he needed from each of us and was really able to help us get there, you know? I’m just glad I got a chance to work with him and to show the world a different side of myself.”

“Well, it’s definitely a departure from the himbo roles you normally play.” I couldn’t stop myself from making a little dig at him.

He chuckled and put his big, meaty hand on my shoulder. “Hey, those himbo roles made me what I am. If it weren’t for playing Dean Winter on Valley High, I’d still be… I mean, who knows, right? God, I could have become a reporter like you.”

I swallowed hard. I deserved that snide remark. I may be the face of The Carpet, but it wasn’t me that people tuned in to see. It was asshats like Chappie Ross that made our ratings so high. I glanced over his thickly muscled shoulder and saw the reason that I was here tonight.

“Congratulations to you, Chappie. We wish you all the success for the picture.” I grinned and pulled the microphone back. He nodded and smirked as he headed to the next reporter in line. I stood tall and nodded at my cameraman, Phineas, who took a step forward. “Now, for the reason that we are all here tonight. The stars that made this picture happen. They’re just walking towards us, and we’ll be the first to get our interview here on The Carpet with Apollo Kesios and Horus Akhet. They are accompanied by their husbands, Tim and Hy Kesios-Akhet. It looks like they’re taking one more photo on the step and repeat… and yes, here they come.” I smiled stupidly at the camera as if this were the greatest event in the history of mankind.

“Sam!” Apollo shouted as he led his group over to me. “Always a pleasure to see you at the event. We love watching The Carpet. How are you?”

Look, I may really not like the direction that my career took, but every now and then, you do actually like the people that you interview, and Apollo was always a generous and happy guest. He was also so good-looking that it hurt to stare too long at him. It was like looking directly into the sun.

“Apollo, it’s so good to see you.” I beamed.

“Hello, Sam.” Horus’s deep voice made my toes curl. “Always a pleasure.”

“When two of the biggest names in entertainment get together for a passion project, it’s an exciting moment. What made you want to do this project?”

“We had been looking for another film for us to do together after the success of our last one. But the scripts were all action or buddy comedies, and we really wanted to make something that was new to us. Our husband Tim actually read the script and brought it to us.”

“His exact words were ‘You have to make this.’ So we did.”

“When I speak, they listen,” Tim mumbled from behind Apollo’s shoulder.

“Yes, we do. Tim has an almost seer -like quality for choosing good projects. He hasn’t steered me wrong yet.”

“Horus, this is your first time directing. Is that something you’ve always wanted to do?”

“Yes, Sam. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. We all thought that this was the right project for me as a first-time director. And Apollo and I had been looking for a film for us to do together, and once I read the script, I knew that this would be an important moment for him, too.”

“You used to have a real rivalry before you fell in love. How was working together on the picture?”

“I trusted him, and he trusted me. But whenever Horus suggested anything, I gave it my all. He really is a great director, and I can’t wait to see what he does next.”

“Will you perhaps be in it? Are you both looking for another project?”

“We love to keep the family together now that we have kids. So, maybe – if we think it works for us. I’d cast Apollo in anything. He’s a god of actors, and after they see him in this – well, I think everyone is going to be shocked at how amazing his dramatic skills are. He really broke our hearts on set almost every day.”

“You’re making me blush,” Apollo grinned. “Don’t stop.”

“There’s plenty of chatter about you this year on all the award sites. How does that make you feel?”

“Feel?” Apollo shrugged. “I mean, it’s nice, but I don’t really think about those things. I was just happy to make a movie with Horus and to keep the family all together. I already have all the awards I need as long as I’m with them. “Honestly, I’ll be more nervous if Horus gets nominated as director. I just want people to see what he’s capable of.”

“You all look amazing. All four of you look like you just stepped off the runway in Milan. Now for everyone's favorite question – Who are you wearing?”

“A new designer that we found here in Valleywood – Rhapso Designs. Trust me, you will be hearing a lot more about him.” Apollo plugged his free clothes.

“The fabric shimmers. It’s magical.” I nodded.

“That it is,” Apollo winked.

“Always a pleasure, gentlemen. I know you have a lot of interviews to get to tonight, but as always, I appreciate the great interview and wish all of you nothing but success.”

Apollo reached out and took my hand in his. “Sam, it’s always good to see you.”

They walked over to their next interview, and Tim reached out and grabbed Apollo’s arm. He leaned in, and Tim whispered into his ear. His face turned ashen, and he looked unsteady on his feet. Apollo pulled him in close. The guarded look on his face told me that there was something happening, but the way they held themselves and the smiles on their carefully held faces told a lie that everything was fine.

But my gut told me differently.

The color slowly slid back into Tim’s face, and he and Hy walked off the carpet. Apollo glanced back at me and whispered in Horus’ ear. Horus went to the next interview, and Apollo walked back over to me.

“Sam, I… Can you meet us after the premiere tonight? Drinks at our place?”

I was taken aback. I attended parties with celebrities, and I might even be considered one by a viewer, but I was not in their league by a long shot. Never had one of them asked me to go to drinks without it being attached to an interview. What was happening?

“I… Yeah. Is everything alright? Tim looked…” I gestured to the empty carpet.

He leaned in and lowered his voice. “Yeah, he’s fine. I’ll explain everything later, but it has to be completely off the record, you understand.”

“Sure.” Speaking off the record was… Well, that was never a good sign. “Where?”

“Our place – that will be safest, I think.” He glanced over his shoulder. “You still have the address? You were at my holiday party last year, right?”

“Yes, I think so.” I nodded.

“Good. Let’s say eleven?”

“Sure.”

“Please come. It’s… well, it’s incredibly important. Also, I know this is weird, but don’t go back to your office.”

“I’m not, but… I’m staying for the movie.”

“Good. Then come right to the house after, please?” He frowned and walked over to stand by his husband as he joined the next interview.

I stood there and felt the ground sink underneath me. I had no idea what was going on, but something told me that I was not going to like it.