Behind the Scenes in Hollywood

Free Preview “We’re going to shoot Leah’s scenes right now,” he announced. “Right here. Beside the lockers. Everyone back please.” Everyone in the room except the FBI agents began to move, either to get out of the way or to get themselves in positions for their jobs: lighting, sound, camera. Someone put two strips of tape on the floor, and Jake was placed on his mark. The director looked through the camera lens. “Open your locker, Jake.” “I can’t. I don’t know the combination. Jake looked rattled. There were stifled giggles on the set. “They’re fake. Just open it.” The set director called. Jake blushed and pulled it open. Inside it was filled with books and a book bag and pictures. Wow, I thought. He’s supposed to be the new kid. New today. He wouldn’t have had time to hang up pictures. But logic wasn’t called for. The president’s daughter was. “Leah, on your mark please.” She moved forward. Her lips were quivering because she was so nervous. “You can do it, honey.” I heard the First Lady say. “I’m so nervous,” she whispered. “Can I borrow a pen.” Luckily the camera was rolling because she had said her first line. She hadn’t waited for the director to call action, and she shouldn’t have said, “I’m so nervous.” The set became intensely quiet. Everyone knew immediately that Leah was doing a great take. She looked like a nervous, pretty girl because she was one. “You don’t need to be nervous around me.” Jake said sympathetically. He reached in his fake locker for a fake pen. “Here.” He handed it to her. “Did you see how rude that girl was to me?” she asked. It was her second line. “Yes, she’s usually not like that.” He reached for her hand as he was supposed to, and she grabbed his hand almost desperately. “A kid in gym told me she just broke up with her boyfriend. Don’t worry. You’re gonna be okay. I’ll look out for you.” He reached for her hand. The last sentence was not his line. He would look out for the PRESIDENT’S daughter. Oh brother. What was he thinking? Who did he think he was? “Thank you so much.” Leah said, and tightened her grip on his hand. “It’s your first day, too? Jake asked her. He was right on script. “Yes, but it doesn’t seem so bad now.” She looked at him and smiled. “Cut!” the director yelled. “We got it! Leah you were magnificent, darling. Mrs. Lopez you should be very proud.” “I am,” she managed to say. She positively beamed with pride. The director was just as happy as she was, but for other reasons. “Next location: in front of the school,” he yelled. Everyone, including FBI agents shifted left to a set where real double doors opened at the top of some stairs. “Well, let’s get the next one done.” The director said to the script girl. Obviously, he was still hurrying to get this next scene done before it was time to deal with Patty Sheridan again. This time Leah did listen for the director to say, “Background action!” Then, like a professional actor she wated for the other kids, the extras, to come through the doors and start down the steps. Then came the call “Action!” She walked down the steps about half way and paused when she saw Jake was waiting for her. Leah made eye contact with him and said. “Well, I’ll see ya.” Jake said, “Yeah, See ya tomorrow.” This wasn’t his line either. He was just supposed to say “See ya.” Was my brother smart enough to say a line that might get him added to the show? No one had told him there would be any ‘tomorrows.’ Would anybody notice?