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Day Players

The next day, Maye and Tracy returned to the set and saw a familiar face as they pulled into their regular parking spot.

“Welcome back!” Hanna said as she handed them each their laminated badge. “Now follow me to wardrobe so we can get you fitted for the recess scene,” she started walking backwards and waved them along.

“Thank you so much for all those recommendations yesterday,” Maye said, jogging to catch up with Hanna.

“Yes!” Tracy agreed. “We had a great time. Did you hear about Chris’s little surprise for his crush here?” Tracy bumped shoulders with Maye.

“Stop it,” Maye whined.

“Ooh, do tell,” Hanna said as she kept up her brisk pace.

“Well…” Tracy began as she sped up to walk next to Hanna.

Maye’s heart swelled with gratitude all over again as Tracy described how Chris had meticulously planned out the dinner for them.

“Wow,” Hanna said. “What an amazing surprise.”

“And Maye doesn’t think he has a crush on her…” Tracy shook her head.

“It’s just that,” Maye shuffled closer and lowered her voice, “He probably does this all the time. He’s a great host and super considerate. You know?”

Hanna made eye contact with Tracy and slowly shook her head.

“See!” Tracy shouted. “Hanna said she’s never seen that before.”

Maye shushed Tracy. “Want to repeat it a little louder so the crew outside can hear you?”

The trio kept their brisk pace in silence for a few moments. While Hanna’s insight was completely anecdotal, it still sent a blush of warmth to Maye’s cheeks.

The Wardrobe department was a classroom filled with racks of clothes, makeshift changing stations, and portable mirrors.

“Okay,” Hanna said as she rolled clothes racks against the walls to create more space for the three of them. “We’re filming an outdoor scene and it’s supposed to be cold, so you two need to bundle up! Maye, I’ll start with you. Tracy, wait here and I’ll be right with you.”

“Oh, I think I’ll be alright on my own,” Tracy said as she disappeared into the clothes racks.

Hanna helped Maye find a gray peacoat and matching earmuffs. She opted for mittens that attach to her sleeves so she could keep them off her hands if she got too hot.

Tracy strutted out from behind a clothes rack decked out from head to toe. She wore a festive flapper hat with furry earflaps, a candy-striped scarf, a puffy, over-the-knee parka with a faux fur collar, and mittens that made it impossible for her to grab ahold of anything. “Do you think this is real chinchilla?” Tracy asked as she modeled her outfit in a mirror.

“I think it’s minx,” Hanna winked at Maye.

As they stepped out onto the playground, Maye felt the warm, early afternoon sun on her face.

Tracy groaned with every step. “I’ve made a huge mistake,” she said.

“Okay, places!” Maye heard Lars announce from behind a row of production equipment.

Hanna pulled the mittens off Tracy’s hands. “Let’s try it without these and see how you do. Think you can manage?”

Tracy nodded unconvincingly, “Yeah, I think so. I mean, I don’t want to slow things down. I can probably lose this, too,” she handed the thick, hand-knitted scarf to Hanna.

Someone with a walkie- talkie and a headset directed Maye and Tracy to the spots they were supposed to stand. “Hi, I’m Gina and I’m one of the Background PA’s. I will help get you two settled here,” she said as she guided them to a walking path on the edge of the playground. “Now,” Gina said, “there are multiple camera shots happening here, but you two are in the background of the main, wide shot. You’re probably not totally in focus so your facial expressions don’t matter too much, but be careful with big gestures and movements. Just pretend you’re having a nonchalant conversation. Just nothing too interesting to distract from the main show,” Gina winked. “Let me know if you have any questions.”

“Alright, we’re ready to go,” Lars announced using a megaphone. “And…action.”