AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Steam in the shower hits my hot skin and I feel my muscles relaxing into it. I let the water cascade through my hair, combing my fingers through it to remove any tangles.
Showers have magic powers.
They can calm you on a stressful day.
They can wake you up in the morning.
They can get your creative juices flowing.
They can put you in the mood to get naked and horizontal with another person.
The power in this shower is simple: forcing me to stop. Breathe. I need to go into this with a rational mind and the right presentation. If I bust in, guns blazing, BK will drop me on the spot. He already has his target locked on humiliating me. I don’t like to plan. I won’t even pick out my outfit the night before. But this… this I need to organize in my head. The right first impression will set me on the path I need. I have to be smart about this, strategic.
But first, sleep.
Mylegsconformlikea pretzel as I sink onto my living room floor, less than twenty-four hours until I am supposed to be on set. A stack of magazines tower on the coffee table in front of me. They are all the same flavor: Ovis. I sorted through my extensive collection, pulling out every Ovis issue from the past year. I need to have a firm grasp on what vibes and looks they prefer in their spreads, so I am prepared for tomorrow.
BK never gave me any of the shoot information. Naturally, I am resourceful and called Ovis directly, pretending to be his assistant. They spilled like milk on the kitchen floor as I faked panic, mimicking sobbing sounds through the receiver. I explained that he would fire me if I wasn't there on time. I wrote down the address for the warehouse we will be working in, and the woman on the phone wished me the best of luck.
I haven't received any more messages from BK. He is notorious for being a pain to work with and has pushed many of his colleagues to talk to the media about their mistreatment. I can handle an egotistical cockalorum. He might be my new boss, but I won’t stand for disrespect. The challenge in his message plays on a loop in my head.
If you think you can do a better job.
Do I think I can do a better job? Probably not. Do I know that I have a better attitude? Darn right! This isn’t about doing a better job, but doing the same job and having more people like me. I can turn on the charm and get the buy-in from the crew. From second shooter to up-and-coming principal shooter. Watch your butt BK, I’m about to kick it.
Thebuildingmatchesmostof downtown, close to the docks and within walking distance from my apartment. I pull the door with the white paper markedOvisand am instantly immersed in the atmosphere.
The chipped paint dressing the brick walls gives an abandoned building aura. Exposed beams above make every step echo off the exposed concrete. I wonder if the only thing this building is used for is its rundown appearance.
The lighting isn't up yet when I get on set early. I'm prepared to make a great first impression, except I don't see BK here yet. I check my watch, which I had to dig out of my jewelry box, the hands pointing to 6:12. My backpack is heavy, weighed down with my camera, and the only extra lens I have. I can't imagine that my equipment will take the quality of pictures they expect, but I thought I should be prepared.
I am surprised to see tables scattered throughout the open space. They don't have labels on them from what I can tell, but it's obvious what happens at each. Some have mirrors set up with elaborate vanities. Others are more for technical things with cords and supplies piled awaiting use.
Of course, I find the craft services table easily, my stomach like a homing beacon for free food. There is a massive spread of everything from kale-wrapped eggs Benedict to individually packaged sandwiches. A rainbow made of yellow and orange cheese curves around a platter layered to perfection. Some with speckles, others so soft they require mini spreading knives, even a freaking tie-dyed one! I have never seen so many variations of cheese together in my life.
No commissioner mandating who can take food or how much. I can’t help but pile a plate with artisan cheese and fresh fruits. I make a mental note to bring a container tomorrow so I can bring some home to Hammie.
"You're probably one of the only people on set who eats like they need it to survive," a man chimes in. Unsure of how to respond to that, all I can do is nod back.
"I'm Ryan. I own Orion downtown. Feel free to stop by sometime," he offers, handing me a business card with an archer on it.
"Great thanks! I live close by. Did you just buy it from that weird pizza place that was in there?"
"Yup, that's us. We have been working hard to get things updated and ready for business. I lucked into this gig," he jokes and I can't help but feel that deep in my heart, too. I lucked into being here and I am determined to prove that I was worth the risk.
My eyes scan the set, looking for a seating area, but nothing stands out. I don’t want to wrinkle my slacks after I spent a good forty minutes ironing them last night. Instead of sitting on the ground, I float around from table to table, taking in the atmosphere.
Approaching the first table, I see a man setting up his hair tools. The woman at the station next to him has an entire store of cosmetics. I explore for another twenty minutes and more of the crew trickles into their respective areas. Still no sign of BK.
I don’t even know what time they expect us to start, though I assume close to the time he told me. Why would he order me to get here so early?
By 6:45, I know my face is sporting an annoyed scowl. As I awkwardly stand near the lighting equipment, I force out smiles to everyone passing me. I'm getting restless because no one who works in photography or lighting has shown up. I don’t know what to do with my hands other than continue eating what is still on my plate. Soon, they will be empty and I can’t be responsible for what they might do next.
I keep myself contained until 7:03. Then I give in and start putting things together to the best of my ability. Thinking I can accomplish two things at once, I shove half a strawberry in my mouth and work on the lighting setup. The equipment here is more advanced than any I have used before, but I fumble through and give it my best.
“Shouldn’t that be up already?” A deep voice questions me. I turn quickly, the giant lighting umbrella almost poking one of his eyes out.
“What the fuck? Are you insane? Watch it!” He exclaims in fast succession, covering his head as he ducks just enough for me to miss him.
