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“Excuse me,” a quiet voice said, breaking my train of thought.
I looked up as Ben yelled, “Cut!” He rose from his seat and turned around. “Yes, Kate? There are not any rhinoceroses in this scene. What could you possibly have to tell me now?”
Kate looked like a deer in the headlights as she realized what she’d just done. “I’m so sorry, but I just have to talk to you about the set. The terrain is all wrong for the part of the Amazon that they are supposed to be in.”
“Is that right?” Ben folded his arms and then let out a breath of frustration. “Didn’t you consult with the set designers? Didn’t you tell them what plants to buy?”
“Yes, but it seems they got the wrong ones. I’m sorry, but I thought you’d like—”
“What I’d like, Ms. Bridges, is to get through this shot without you tapping me on the shoulder and making noise. Does quiet on the set mean anything to you?” By the time Ben turned around and looked at me, I was completely out of my headspace. I couldn’t believe she had interrupted my performance for a fucking shrub.
“I need a break,” I said, storming off the stage.
Tess shrugged and followed me off the set, glancing over at Ben. “Could I take ten? I need to see wardrobe about these shorts. They keep riding up my ass.”
“She shouldn’t be in shorts,” Kate mumbled. “When she goes to the real jungle, she’ll need to wear pants.”
“I suppose you want my leading actress in mom jeans? She’s got to show some skin. She’s Tess Sinclair for Pete’s sake.”
Tess’s eyes widened. “Wait, are you kidding me? I’m going to be stuck in these shorts in the Amazon? It clearly reads in the notes that we have to wear pants, Ben.”
Ben cowered away from Tess, who stormed up to him. “It’s okay, Tess. I’ll make sure you have protection.”
“I’m not getting my legs chewed up by some malaria-ridden mosquitos just so you can see a little of my skin. Fix this, or I’m calling my agent!” Tess stormed out of the room, and I paced back and forth, still fuming.
There was no way to recover from the distraction. “I’m done,” I announced to the room. “I need some time to get back in it.”
“Dammit,” Ben said. “Break for early lunch. I’ll see you all at one-thirty.” He stormed off with Ally behind him.
I rushed up to Kate. “We need to talk.” I wasn’t going to call her out in front of everyone, but I was angry. She had really blown my performance, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to match the same energy later. That was the kind of thing you didn’t do to an actor. And, expert or not, she had a thing or two to learn about movie sets.
I hurried, and she followed. When I got to the trailer, I opened the door and waited for her to go inside.
She hesitated a bit but stepped up on the metal step and into the trailer. A part of me thought about locking her inside, then going back to finish my scene, but since it was lunch, that would just have to wait.
I had a lot to get off of my chest. And she was about to get a piece of my mind.
I shut and locked the door as she walked over and leaned against the opposite wall. “I’m sorry, Jake. I tried to tell him politely, but—”
“Save it, Kate!” I snapped. Her eyes widened as I took a deep breath to continue. “This is not about Ben or whatever problems you have with his film. This is about me and my performance. You interrupted me. You didn’t even care if I was working. You just stormed in, blurting out the first complaint that came to mind. It’s disrespectful and frankly embarrassing.”
“I’m sorry I interrupted you, but—”
“You should be,” I said, still seeing red. “Do you have any idea how long it takes to prepare?” I was taking the stress of all my preparations out on her.
“I didn’t mean to make you forget your lines. I’d think a professional wouldn’t be so sensitive.” She scowled at me and lifted her brow as if to challenge me.
She didn’t get it, and it only made my anger worse. “I didn’t forget my lines, but that’s only half of my performance, Kate. I have worked for days and prepared for hours to get the right mindset. And it took you all of two seconds to come in and blow that for me. And you could at least think about Tess. She’s working just as hard, as are the rest of the crew. Those people have mouths to feed at home and people depending on them. When you bust in like that with your opinions, you’re not only insulting Ben, but you’re insulting them and their livelihoods.”
