Under the Influence

Chapter 1 – Lana

I t’s been five years since I left Portland. Now I’m back and trying to reinvent myself. I stand in front of the bathroom mirror at my apartment I’ve been in for at least a month.

The mirrors are all fogged up from the steamy, hot shower I just took. There’s a half bottle of red hair dye on the counter in front of me. I was a little ambitious. I decided to dye my hair. I didn’t want a certain somebody to know I was back in town. If he’s still living here that is.

I take a deep breath and take the towel off my head. I then use it to wipe the condensation off the mirror. What I see in the mirror shocks me. My pale complexion is flushed against the bright red hair.

I touch the tips of my hair, still blonde. It didn’t get dyed because I couldn’t convince myself to dye all of my hair. The phone in my apartment rings, startling me out of my thoughts.

I run across the apartment to answer it. “Hello?” I ask. “Hello. Is this Lana Voss?” The woman on the line responds. “Yes, speaking. What can I do for you?” I clutch my towel around my body.

I hope this is about my casting call for this horror movie. I’ve been waiting for at least a week. “Ms. Voss, this is in regards to your casting call.” I hold my breath. Please be good, please be good.

“We just wanted to call to let you know you have made it past the initial casting call and we want to schedule a final audition and table read, if you’re still interested in the role of Cassie Reynolds.” She replied back.

“Yes! Yes, of course I am still interested. I can come by whenever you need.” I say. “How does today sound? Around 6 p.m.?” she asks. I check my schedule real quick, right now I’m working at an alternative clothing store until I get my big break.

Don’t have to work tonight. Thank god. “I’m free!” I say, gleeful. “That’s amazing news, Ms. Voss. We will see you then and I hope you have a great afternoon.” She says. “You too.” I put the receiver down and do a little victory dance.

Finally, my first acting job. It’ll be amazing if I can pass this last audition and get through the first table reading. I hope everyone likes me. OH SHIT. My hair. Fuck. I totally forgot to ask. Here’s to hoping it won’t be a huge deal.

I make it to the studio on time. I make myself look presentable before heading in. “You must be Lana!” A woman says as she heads my way, I recognize her voice. She’s the one who called me before I came here. I nod and place my hand out in front of me for her to shake.

“Wow, I love your hair. Perfect for the role. I’m Carly, the casting director.” She says as she takes my hand and shakes it. She releases her grip on my hand and nods toward another direction, beckoning me to follow her.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to do this last audition, ma’am, you have no idea.” I say as she leads me into an auditorium in the studio. “Your last audition begins in roughly thirty minutes so you’ll have some time to prepare. Do you have a copy of your script or do you need one?” She asks.

I open up my canvas crossbody bag and pull out a fully highlighted and annotated script for the movie. “I got one right here.” I say with a big smile. She grins back.

“I really like you Lana. You’re punctual, prepared and spontaneous. We love that in an actress.” Carly says. I grin. “I appreciate you Carly. Thank you for taking a chance on me.” I put my stuff down and sit on the stage.

“I think you will ace this. Take your time, look over your script and like I said in about thirty minutes your last audition will begin. If we are all in agreement, you’ll do a table read with your male counterpart and begin a chemistry read. Do you have any questions, Lana?” Carly asks.

“None at all, thank you, Carly.” I smile. She leaves the auditorium and I start reading over the material in the script I auditioned with the first time. I know I got this. I just have to prove myself.

As Carly said, once my thirty minutes are up, she, her assistant, the director and one of the producers come in. They all sit down at the table at the end of the stage and get situated. “Lana, this is the crew. My assistant, Miranda Ashford.” She says.

Miranda waves at me. “The director, Finn.” The director stands and welcomes me. “I am Finn Sterling, the director. Nice to meet you and I hope you’re a good fit for the role. You definitely look the part.” He says and sits back down.

I smile. “And at the end, we have the producer, Matt Smith.” Carly introduces him last. He waves at me and gets his pen out. I stand and put my script away. I stand on the marker in the center of the stage.

Carly sits back down and once everyone looks ready for me to begin I do. I start panting as I rehearsed. “Fuck.” I start stumbling around the stage as if I am being chased by a serial killer. Because in this scene I am. My life depends on it. “You can’t hide from me, Cassie.” Finn yells out.

I run to the next marker and act out hiding because the stage isn’t set obviously. I put my hands over my mouth and take some shuddering breaths. Finn hits the table and I jump and pretend to be terrified.

“I’ll find you Cassie. And when I do, I’m going to gut you like a fish.” Finn says. I grab the nearest prop I can and pretend to have a weapon. Some fake tears run down my cheeks. “I FOUND YOU.” Finn yells.

I jump up and throw the prop as if there’s a person in front of me. “Not today, Motherfucker.” I pretend to throw myself on top of the killer and grab the prop again and slap it down a few times.

“END SCENE.” Finn says. I let go of the prop, stand, wipe my eyes, and then walk back to the beginning marker and take a bow. Everyone stands and claps.

“Lana, that was probably the best acting I have seen in a long time.” Carly says. “You had me believe that someone was coming for you.” Miranda says. I smile. That’s the nicest thing I could hear from them. “Perfect. But of course now it’s up to the big man.” Matt says.

Everyone turns and looks at Finn. He gives me a standing ovation. “You’re hired Lana. This role was made for you. I don’t put that lightly. I love your edge, your confidence, the emotion you poured into Cassie. I was seeing my character come to life through you.” Finn says.

I grin more than I have in my entire life. “Thank you guys so much. You won’t regret this I promise.” I say. “Okay. Now the big test. To see if you and your male counterpart have chemistry.” Carly says. I nod. I have no doubt I will pass this test with flying colors.

“This is just a table reading so you don’t have to act as fiercely. We just need to make sure you guys can act together and have chemistry.” Matt says. I nod. “I can do that. No problem.” I grab my script and pull a chair up to the table with everyone.

Finn tells Carly to go out to the trailers to get the actor playing Damien, my supposed boyfriend in this movie. I am sitting here anxiously waiting for him to walk in the door.

After about fifteen minutes, the doors open and everyone stands. I wipe my hands on my shorts trying not to be so sweaty and anxious. Finn turns and looks to him. “Liam! Glad you could join us. This is our female lead, Lana.” I look up and see a tall blonde haired, brown eyed man.

Damn. I’m in trouble if he’s playing my boyfriend in this movie. He holds his hand out for me to shake. I put my hand in his and we shake hands. “It’s nice to meet you, Lana.” I feel heat spread across my cheeks.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Liam.” I say and I take a good long look at him. He lets go of my hand. He looks oddly familiar but I know I haven’t met Liam before. Must be a coincidence. I write it off as such.

Finn leads us back to the stage. He tells us to act out the scene at the party. It’s an intimate, loving scene. I am so screwed.

INT. HOUSE PARTY - NIGHT

It’s a house party in the middle of nowhere. There’s neighbors but they’re not close. This is a secluded house. Damien and Cassie are in the living room sharing an intimate moment while drinking.

Damien

You look beautiful as always tonight.

Cassie

Thank you. I appreciate the compliment.

Damien

So what will it take for me to get you upstairs?

Cassie

Someone is feeling bold tonight.

Damien

Ah, so you’re saying I don’t have a shot?

Cassie

That’s not what I meant. I mean that it’s bold of you to assume that there’s a secret to getting me upstairs.

Damien looks at her for a moment, in awe of what she just said. He looks at her lips and then back at her. She does the same. They exchanged a kiss.

“CUT.” Finn says. Liam pulls back from me. The kiss didn’t happen yet. Damn. “That was spectacular. You guys have amazing chemistry. Almost like you guys know each other.” Liam and I exchange a look. I laugh nervously. “I haven’t met Liam before.” Finn chuckles.

“I didn’t mean literally. I just mean that the chemistry between you is just that good. I’m in awe of you both.” Finn responds. I nod and look at Liam again. He looks me up and down.

Did he just check me out? “I will contact you guys in about a week or so to let you know about production. You guys are dismissed. Congratulations to you both for being our leads in the production of When Love Kills.” Finn shakes my hand, then Liam’s and he heads out of the auditorium.

Carly, Miranda and Matt follow suit, leaving me and Liam alone. I’m suddenly very anxious. “You’re a good actress, Lana.” He’s packing up his script and the rest of his things when he says this.

“You too. Uh, I mean you’re a good actor.” I rush out of my mouth, feeling very dumb in front of my hot coworker. He chuckles. “Thanks. I’ve only acted in a couple other projects besides this one.” He mentions.

I gather up my script and put it into my canvas bag. “That’s amazing. This is my first acting gig.” I confess. “Wow, you can’t tell. I thought you would’ve said you’ve been doing this for way longer.” He says.

I smile. Wow. He thinks I’m good? And experienced? I feel giddy. He smiles at me. “I gotta get going to my other job, but this was an amazing chemistry read and I can’t wait to know you better, Lana.”

I gather up my car keys and I walk with him towards the door. “You too. I am so excited to work on this movie with you.” I say. We go our separate ways.