Chapter 5 #2
“It started three weeks ago,” Maddie said, scrolling through her tablet.
“I have the exact dates and incidences here in a spreadsheet.” She looked up at Charlie.
“Someone doxed Viv and that’s when the hate mail started showing up at her home.
” Her eyes darkened, the chipper assistant attitude gone. “Then the package.”
“Tell us about the package,” Kyle said. Charlie and Kyle exchanged looks. The package had triggered Viv’s call to Watchdog in Los Angeles and they’d been briefed on its contents, but Kyle wanted to gauge Viv and Rowan’s response to it.
Now Viv looked serious. “Inside was a partially-burned copy of the script for season two, episode twelve, the finale. The word ‘heretic’ was written on it.”
“In what we were relieved to discover was red paint and not blood,” Rowan added.
“The studio insisted on security,” Viv said. “Me, I’m more pissed over the fact that the script leaked.”
“Sounds like an inside job. Any suspects?”
Again, Viv rolled her eyes. “If only. A month ago, my computer was hacked and then bricked as the kids say.” She winked at Maddie, who grinned and hunched her shoulders. “Maddie did her best to try and un-brick it, but it wouldn’t even turn back on.”
“I’m not really that great at computers,” Maddie said.
“She’s lying.” Viv chuckled. “But even your team at Watchdog couldn’t fix it. Anyway, whoever did it must have grabbed the script and leaked it because the threats started a week later. They waited another week before sending their little gift.”
“That’s when we…I mean Viv, called Watchdog,” Rowan added.
“Bette Collins told me they were the best in the industry.” Viv grinned. “Though she might be a little biased since her son works there.”
Charlie had met Bette briefly when she first started at Watchdog.
The Multi-Oscar-winning actress had thrown one of her famous Bashes when Charlie was orienting at the home office in Los Angeles and she’d been invited.
The guest list was a who’s who of Hollywood.
And Bette turned out to be absolutely gracious and kind—in sharp contrast to the psychopathic character she played that made her career.
Kyle chuckled. “I consider Jake a brother, but I can tell you honestly he’s excellent at what he does.”
“I’ve been impressed so far,” Viv said. “So of course we’re continuing with Watchdog while we’re here.
The location scouts found a few places to film the winter scenes and the avalanche for the finale, so I’m out here to pick the ones I like best. We’ll need a primary plus a couple backups in case of weather, of course.
“You aren’t using CGI for it?” Charlie asked.
Viv shook her head. “I want realism. This is one of the biggest moments in the entire series and I don’t want people distracted by CGI.
I want them feeling it as it happens. I grew up on the Western slope, so I always pictured Colorado when I read that part.
And, since Colorado also happens to be the avalanche capital of the US, it only makes sense to film one here. ”
“How are you going to do that? Aren’t they unpredictable?” Charlie asked.
“You aren’t a native, are you?” Viv said, not unkindly.
“Neither of us is,” Kyle said. “I’m from Los Angeles and Charlie’s from Ohio.”
“Not many avalanches in Ohio,” Charlie added.
Viv laughed softly. “We won’t be caught in a natural avalanche—fingers crossed,” she joked.
“We’ve been talking to CDOT—the folks who trigger smaller, controlled avalanches before the snowpack builds up and threatens a big one.
They’re giving us permission to film some scenes on location ahead of time and then film the avalanche once it’s triggered—from a safe distance.
We just have to hope that at least one of the three locations will have enough snowpack early in the season. ”
“Otherwise, we’ll need a real Lord Darkfell,” Maddie said, and Charlie, Viv, and Rowan laughed.
Kyle looked lost.
Rowan leaned forward. “Kyle, you really need to read the books or at least watch the show. Charlie will have to catch you up on the story.”
“With pleasure,” Charlie said. “I’ll have him speaking Fae in no time.”
Then Rowan looked at Charlie, tipped his chin up, and used his Aldric-voice. “I command it, Sir Mariel.”
Charlie’s breath caught.
“Sir Mariel?” Kyle asked.
“Aldric’s bravest warrior,” Rowan told him. “A woman disguised as a knight.”
Sir Mariel. The character who hid her true self behind armor. Who sacrificed everything to protect those she loved.
Charlie managed a laugh. “I’m flattered. Mariel’s everything a knight should be—noble, brave, honorable.”
“Wow. Sounds like you,” Kyle said.
Charlie was caught so off-guard, she couldn’t say anything beyond a muttered thank you.
“So we’ll be in your hair for…” Viv looked at Maddie, “How long again?”
“For this trip, two weeks,” Maddie answered, glancing down at her tablet again.
“Then we’re headed back to L.A. for pre-production and to start studio filming.
But while we’re here, we’ll be doing a lot of mountain traveling.
But first, Rowan has his PR appearance at the Renaissance Faire this Sunday. ”
“We’ll be there on Saturday, too,” Viv added, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Rowan. “Or else I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“You’ve jousted at Ren Faires, didn’t you?” Charlie asked.
Viv answered for him. “That’s how he got the role, actually. We wanted someone who could move like a real knight, not just fake it for the camera.”
Rowan shrugged modestly. “I loved the books growing up and I wanted to live in that world, so I ran off and joined a Ren Faire.” He chuckled.
“I started as an extra, then a page, then finally, a knight. I’m lucky.
Only a few Rennie entertainers end up successful.
Penn and Teller are probably the biggest names. ”
“Until now,” Viv said, smiling at him.
Rowan’s smile back turned serious. “So, do you think we can sneak in ahead of my performance? Rowan asked Kyle. “Is it safe for Viv?”
“I think the bigger problem is if people recognize Rowan, we’ll spend the whole day signing autographs instead of actually experiencing the Faire,” Viv said.
Charlie’s mind clicked into gear. “What about Nettie?” she asked Kyle. Nettie was a makeup artist who worked for the CIA before going private. Watchdog had used her in the past. “She can disguise the two of you so thoroughly your own mothers wouldn’t recognize you.”
Viv’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”
Kyle nodded. “She disguised a friend of mine recently for an undercover operation. Made her look completely different. It’ll be easy at a Ren Faire—everyone’s in costume anyway.”
“That’s brilliant,” Maddie said, typing notes. “If she’s willing, I’ll add it to the schedule.”
“All right,” Kyle said. “I’ll get Nettie’s info from Gina to set up the disguises. We’ll treat the Faire like any other public appearance—advance sweep, multiple exit routes, constant communication.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Everyone stood. Viv extended her hand to Charlie again. “Thank you. Really. It probably seems ridiculous to be upset over a few people throwing a temper tantrum, but these threats feel real.”
“They are real,” Charlie said firmly. “But we’ll make sure nothing happens to you while you’re here. And that you have a chance to enjoy yourselves at the Faire.”
Rowan brightened. “Fantastic. There’s someone I want Viv to meet one on one. An old Rennie friend of mine who’s still there.”
“And you still won’t tell me why, will you?” Viv teased.
“I want to keep it a surprise,” Rowan told her.
As they got ready to leave, Rowan turned to Charlie with a grin. “If we’re all going in costume, you should go as Sir Mariel. It’d be perfect. You’ve got the height, the presence. You’d look incredible.”
“Maybe next time,” Charlie said, keeping her tone light. “I’m afraid I don’t have any chainmail hanging in my closet.”
“Considering what a huge fan you are, I’m surprised you don’t,” Rowan said. “She’s gotta be your favorite character, am I right?”
No. That would be Princess Evelaine. Evelaine was beautiful. Graceful. The kind of woman heroes fell in love with and fought for.
Ben’s words came back to her. Warrior Princess…Emphasis on warrior.
I’m proud of my strength, but just once, I wish someone would see me as Princess Evelaine instead of Sir Mariel.