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1
Anna
I looked at the casting call posted to the bulletin board at the drama department in my college. A movie was being shot in town and a call was put out for extras. I bit my lip. I wasn't really an actor. I only came down this way for my screenwriting class. But I needed a little extra money and being an extra would be an easy way to get it.
I took a picture of the notice with my phone so I could look up the information later. Classes always wiped out the few meager savings I managed to build up from working on the weekends and during vacations. All of the money I made went to classes and rent. I sold plasma and managed a work-study job to pay for my groceries. So I was pretty strapped for cash. Being an extra was only a couple of days of work, but it would mean having a little bit of cash to spare in case of an emergency.
"Hey, Anna," said a voice behind me.
I jumped a little and turned to see my math tutor from last semester passing by me. I flushed a little when I saw him. Anthony was cute and I had a small crush on him last year. But he was all business and I knew better than to try to flirt with my tutor. But it was nice to see him around. "Hey," I said. "How are you?"
"I'm good. I'm going to meet a student for a lesson right now." He nodded to the notice. "Thinking about becoming an actor?"
I gave a nervous laugh. "No," I said. "Just curious. I think it would be a fun way to make some extra money. That's all."
He nodded. "Fair enough. Good luck. And break a leg."
I snorted. "Thanks."
After he left, I went back to examining the notice. Why was a movie even being shot here? This was Knoxville. Nothing exciting ever happens in Knoxville.
I hurried to go to my screenwriting class. I would have to think about this later.
A week went by before it was time to go to the casting call. I had almost talked myself out of it. What if something went wrong, or I made an idiot out of myself. I wasn't an actor. Not by a long shot. However, a little extra money sounded really good...
The casting call took place at a nearby lake. There was already a camera crew set up, along with trailers for the actors and a catering table that was radiating intoxicating aromas that was miles better than the crap served in the student cafeteria. There was also a long line of people from the college milling around. I recognized several of them from the college plays and musicals. People with actual acting credentials and talent. Not me.
I just needed to relax. I was going to be an extra. I didn't need much acting skills just to sit on a park bench in the background, did I?
"Are you excited?" Someone in line asked me?
I turned to see another girl from my school. Her smile was practically splitting her face. I gave a small smile in return. I was tired and couldn't really muster any more enthusiasm than that. "Yeah, it's pretty cool," I said.
"I've heard Mark Henderson is playing the lead role of the movie. If I'm chosen, then I hope I'll be in one of his scenes. That would be so great!"
The name was a little familiar to me but I couldn't place it. Of course, it had been a while since I was able to sit down and watch a movie. "Yeah, that would be cool," I said vaguely. I couldn't wait for all of this to be over. The sooner it was over, the better.
Finally, a man came out from the trailer and looked at us. I blushed when I saw him. He was one of the most handsome men I had ever seen.
He was easily ten years older than me and a touch of gray was already tinting his sideburns. I had always liked guys who looked a little older. The man had startling blue eyes that scanned us. He looked a little bored. "Are you all here for being extras?" he said.
We all nodded.
He walked slowly down the line, looking us all over. Now and then he would stop and excuse people, telling them to help themselves to some food on the way out. So there wasn't any audition at all. It was all based on how we looked. I relaxed a fraction. At least I didn't have to worry about my lack of acting ability. And I would get some free food even if I wasn't chosen. That was nice at least.
The man stopped in front of me. I felt my cheeks burn as his eyes traveled over my body. I felt vulnerable to his gaze. It felt like he stopped in front of me longer than the others. I steeled myself, expecting him to thank me and tell me to leave. But instead, he nodded, his face unreadable, and kept going. I let myself breathe again. I had passed after all.
2
Christopher
"Would you like a cup of coffee, sir?"
I glanced up from the script at my assistant, Veronica. "No, thanks. Hey, when you get a second, can you grab Sasha for me? I want to make some changes to her lines."
She nodded. "Of course. Anything else?"
My eyes wandered to the group of extras who were being outfitted for the current scene. I was looking for one in particular. I stopped myself and focused on Veronica. I shook my head. "No, that'll be all. Thank you."
