Then his gaze trailed over her from head to toe before nodding his head in greeting and ambling away. Warmth crept over her body, and for a moment, she was stunned that this famous actor had given her a second of his attention.
Then she recalled what Clipboard Woman had called her, and she said out loud, “Hooker number three?”
“Where were you twenty minutes ago when we were rehearsing the scene?”
“I…uh….”
“We’re shooting in fifteen minutes. Thank God you’re already in hair and makeup. Hurry and see Nancy for a touch-up.”
Holly stood there like a statue, mouth open, breathing erratic.
“Tell me you know your lines for your scene with Ethan?” Clipboard Woman demanded.
“My-my lines?” Holly squeaked.
Clipboard Woman pinched the bridge of her nose, then rustled through papers on her board. Handing over a sheet to Holly, she pointed out the dialogue. “Hooker number three. Practise and get on set ASAP.” With that, she scuttled away and disappeared into the busy activity around the park.
“You’d better get yourself in here, sweetie,” an older woman nearby said. In her sixties with dark, brown hair pulled into a low ponytail, she stood in the trailer’s doorway waving her hand for Holly to hurry. Gold and silver bangles around her wrist jangled at the movement. This must be Nancy. “You’re lucky they delayed filming because of some tech issue otherwise you’d be out on your arse.”
“Yeah, really lucky.” Like her feet had a mind of their own, Holly mounted the steps and entered the trailer. A wall of mirrors surrounded by naked bulbs lined one side of the room. Benches on the other. Tables with every kind of makeup product and brushes available. She spied her favourite eyeshadow palate she no longer could afford. White leather chairs sat empty in front of the bright lights. She turned in a circle to take in the room. This was heaven. She dreamed of working in a place like this. But family obligations had tied her down.
“Quick, sit. Trudy will have an aneurysm if her schedule gets pushed back further. Neither will Ethan be happy, if he’s kept waiting. He can be grumpy after a long day of shooting.” Nancy guided Holly to a chair and gently pushed her down on the seat. The sheet of paper scrunching in Holly’s hands.
After Nancy selected brushes and cosmetics, she placed a finger under Holly’s chin and tilted her face from side to side. “Whoever did your makeup did a fabulous job. The black wing eyeliner is perfect,” she said.
Holly looked down as Nancy brushed powder on her forehead, stunned to see the script held firmly in her sweaty hands. Waving the page in the air, she said, “I can’t do this.”
“Aww, sweetie, is this your first acting job? I’m sure you’ll be great and you only have two lines so it will be over in a flash,” Nancy soothed.
“No, no, no. I can’t do it because I’m nothooker number three. I’m not an actor. I’m just a regular person. Seeing Ethan Doyle made me mute. Next thing I know, I’m sitting in this makeup chair getting ready to shoot a scene!” She must sound and look like a crazy person, she didn’t care, she needed to leave. Now.
Instead of calling security and having her thrown out as Holly expected, Nancy tapped the side of her chin causing her bracelets to jangle like chiming bells.
“I know you’re nervous but you need to read those lines now and get your arse out there.”
There was no point reading the lines, because there was no way she was going on the set. “Were you not listening to a word I just said? I can’t do it. I’m not an actress and I have,” she flicked her wrist to check the time. “Six minutes to sprint to the station and catch a train to Melbourne.”
She frowned. Could she even make it now? She’d have to do it barefoot to give herself any chance.
“Look, if you don’t do this, filming will be delayedagain, which will piss everyone off. We all just want to go home.”
“I’m sorry, but you all have homes to go to,” Holly responded softly, “I don’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll be sleeping at the station with one eye open.”
She got out of the chair, preparing to leave.
“Aw, you poor thing. No shame in having rough times. Can’t you stay with family or a friend?” Nancy asked.
Too embarrassed to tell Nancy she had no one to ask for help in Sydney, Holly just shook her head.
Nancy nibbled at her bottom lip. “Here’s an idea. Do the scene, meet me back here after it’s over, and I’ll give you a room at my house for the night.”
“You don’t even know me,” she replied. Why would Nancy, a stranger, offer her a room?
“Maybe I’m a serial killer.”
