Forever and a Day Page 9

  The sun was now down and the lights of Los Angeles flickered like a million stars down below. As she began eating she mentally ran through all of the day’s events and her Mystery man’s face was always there either smiling or looking sad like in the audition clip.

  She racked her brain trying to remember where she knew him from, but it was as if the memory remained purposely veiled from her. An odd thought drifted through her mind that maybe, just maybe, she was not supposed to know. She shook her head and decided that she had to uncover the truth.

  She ate most of her dinner then pushed the tray away and cradled her glass of wine in both hands with the intention to curl up in her chair. Instead, she abruptly stood up, “Should I still call him?” She asked aloud, testing the sound of her question out in the open. No answer came from the emptiness surrounding her.

  With a sigh, she sipped at her wine and began a slow walk around the pool. She stopped and looked out at the millions of twinkling lights from her vantage high above the city, “Why is he making me feel this way?” She muttered, turned then sat down at the edge of the pool and dipped her feet into the cool water.

  She thought back to the men who had been in her life… meaningless was the predominant emotion she felt. She drifted further into her past then felt the old remnants of pain from the time she was misled and used; which in itself was a defining moment as an adult and learning the hard truths about life in the film industry.

  She gulped the rest of her wine down and the handsome face of the Mystery man infiltrated her mind. She felt a measure of guilt in knowing he was off limits and her continued thoughts of him, but it was as if he was right there in her…

  A buzzing sound, reminiscent of a weed eater interrupted her thoughts. She jumped up, spun around as a flying camera drone ascended the dark canyon and hovered high above her.

  “Fucking paparazzi…” She groaned and headed to the table, grabbed her phone and immediately dialed up the security office then quickly ducked inside her house.

  Discombobulated

  Xander opened his eyes and was greeted by the shiny white porcelain base of the toilet, “Dammit all.” He muttered and pushed himself up off the floor. At least I made the toilet he thought. He stood up and stared at his pale reflection in the mirror then quickly washed his face and brushed his teeth with a vigor.

  He looked down at his watch and estimated he was unconscious for maybe ten minutes. He shook his head at himself in the mirror and remembered back when he was five years old, when all this began.

  He had climbed up on his highchair to sneak ice cream from the freezer, he had lost his balance as he opened the freezer door and fell head first onto the wood floor. He had already thrown up and convulsed when his mother found him unconscious.

  Countless visits to doctors and specialists over the years never resulted in a reason why when he vomited he convulsed and passed out. His college partying days were short lived, and now he limited his alcohol intake as to spare people from seeing his condition.

  Sitting down on the bed, he looked at the envelope. Thinking of Halo’s lips on the envelope caused his heart to race again, “Shit! Get ahold of yourself!” He said exclaimed loudly, admonishing himself.

  He went to his suitcase and found his pocketknife. In one smooth motion, he had it open and sliced the top of the envelope open. With the same smooth action the black bladed knife was closed and in his pocket.

  He sat down on the bed, “It’s just a freaking letter… just read it.” He sighed.

  With steadier fingers, he retracted the letter from the confines of the envelope. He opened the top flap and was greeted to a gold embossed halo with her name printed in azure blue, just like the color of her eyes. With the thought of her eyes in his mind, his hand fell to his lap as the memory of that fateful day transported him back to two years ago when he first locked gazes with her. He never could forget the serene, ocean of blue of her eyes. Then with the second look from her, he felt a feeling he could only describe as a ‘click’ and with that, it forever changed his life.

  He opened his eyes with a start and pushed the memory down deep where it was supposed to stay. He quickly opened up the bottom flap and a piece of paper fell onto his lap, he picked it up and looked at it quizzically as he unfolded it. It was a check for fifteen hundred dollars, “I’ll be damned.” He muttered in amazement as he read her signature and under the notes, she wrote: Expenses. Evie can’t complain now he thought with a smirk then a smile.

  Opening the letter, he began to read the words in her beautiful handwriting:

  Xander, I had the pleasure today to watch your performance at the audition.

  Your characterization of the role was superb and your acting ability was impressive.

  This truly saddens me to write this to you,

  at this time I am not able to offer you the role.

  This is due to circumstances beyond my control, for now.

  I have a sincere request of you,

  I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider being the

  back-up to this role. Should you decide to accept,

  and my sincere hopes are that you will,

  you will need to be immediately available to travel to

  Australia and the South Pacific Islands ASAP upon our notification.

  Of course, all travel and lodging will be arranged and covered cost wise.

  Your salary and expenses will be negotiated through your agent per normal channels.

  I have enclosed a check to you for $1,500.

  I hope this should cover your expenses this weekend for your flight, hotel, and meals.

  I included a little extra as gift for you and your family.

  I trust that you will be discreet and keep the particulars of my above

  request to those you trust.

  My hopes are that we will work together soon.

  Best regards to you and yours.

  Halo Heaven Raines,

  Heaven's Raines Productions.

  He was astounded at what she had written him. He read it again, his heart took off, and it felt like it was flying high above the building. A compliment from Halo Raines, and asking him to be the backup was more than he dreamed.

  The last part of the letter: ‘a little extra for your family’ he thought was a wonderful gesture. He read her signature again: Halo Heaven Raines. Appropriate he thought with a smile, she was definitely heavenly, angelic even. He knew her mother was Jillian Raines an Oscar winning actress in the late seventies. He wondered if Jillian Raines had turned into a hippie or something to give her daughter a name like ‘Halo’. It was perfect and it certainly beat the current fashion of celebrity baby naming such as Apple, Kyd, Coco or Pilot Inspektor…

  How was he going to tell Evie about the letter and check? With her outburst earlier this morning, she would probably hit the roof… he would gloss over it as best he could and push the fact that he did not meet Halo or even see her. Not that he thought it would do much good.

  Now to deal with Eric he thought and dialed up his agent. Eric answered on the fourth ring.

  “What’s up superstar? How did you do?”

  Xander sighed into the phone, ‘Bad news.”

  “What? How did you fucking find out already? Are you fucking with me?” Eric yelled incredulously, and Xander had to hold the phone away from his ear at Eric’s cursing.

  “Eric! No, I’m not messing with you. No, I did not get the part. Johnny Stone did, but I think you need to sit down. I have something else to tell you.” Xander paused a short moment, “Hey, are you sitting down yet?” Xander chuckled.

  “Fuck you, yes I am sitting. I’m sitting on the fucking toilet trying to take a shit, are you happy with that?”

  “Well, I was going to say you are ‘gonna shit’ but it seems you are doing that.” Xander laughed.

  “Why the fuck don’t you sound disappointed? You get an alternate part?” Eric’s voice went from angry to expectant in one second flat.

&
nbsp; “Hey, why don’t I give you a call back when you are done wiping your ass? Ok?” Xander continued chuckling at his friend and agent.

  “God dammit, just tell me already!” Eric yelled.

  “Sure… I got a personal handwritten letter from Halo Raines. Hand delivered to me by her assistant, JJ. AND! It was Halo who drove her assistant to my hotel.” Xander heard silence on the other end and waited for it to sink in.

  “No fucking way. Are you bullshitting me?” Eric sounded off.

  “Would you like me to read it to you?” Laughed Xander.

  “Hell yes, you better not be fucking with me Xan!”

  “I’m not, so go wipe your ass and wash your shitty hands too!” Xander admonished.

  “Hold the fuck on.” Xander waited as he heard Eric flush the toilet then he heard water running from a sink, “I’m back. Read it already!”

  “That was a shit hand washing job, did you know that fecal matter is resp…“

  “Enough, nurse Xander! Read the fucking thing to me already!”

  “Here goes…” Xander read the letter to Eric, when he finished all he heard was silence from the other end, “Mr. Agent man? You have a coronary?”

  Eric’s voice was quiet when he finally replied, “I’m, uh… rather speechless, Xan. I’ve never heard of such a thing in this business. Sure, I’ve seen nice rejection letters and messages, this is different. I take it you didn’t meet Halo?”

  “Uh, no. There might be a problem…”

  “And what’s that?” Eric quickly replied.

  “JJ, her assistant, kept asking me if I had met Halo. I told her the truth: No, we have never met. I didn’t expect Halo to remember me.”

  “Maybe she has you confused with someone else.”

  “Maybe. Hey, JJ told me that Halo fought like hell for me and that she hated Johnny Stone.”

  “This makes sense! She may try to find a way to fire Stone and wants you ready, and you will be ready! Right?” Eric demanded.

  “No duh! Hey, I think Halo was listening in too, I saw JJ’s phone was on during our conversation.”

  “Hell, I would. Smart lady.” Eric said happily, “So Halo seemed impressed for sure, how do you think you did?”

  “Good, I thought I nailed it both times. I gotta say that I blew chunks after everything today.”

  “Oh for fuck’s sake, you do your little shaky dance too?”

  Xander sighed, “Yeah, was out for a while.”

  “You need to figure that shit out, man. I still want to find out if I can drink you under the table.” Eric laughed then suddenly got serious, “Oh fuck! You better not puke if you do your scene with her buddy boy!”

  “No kidding!”

  “Before I hang up on your sorry ass… I need to know for real, you going to be ok with working with Halo? Truth, buddy.”

  “Yes, I will be fine. I will be professional and do my part if I get it. I, uh have one more thing to tell you Eric.”

  “What the hell is it now?”

  “You really better be sitting down for this one.” Xander said firmly to his agent.

  “Already am, what is it?” Eric demanded.

  “I met Ari Ascher today…” Xander heard silence for a brief moment.

  “Excuse me? Did you fucking say you met ‘The’ Ari Ascher?”

  “The one and only.” Xander replied, “I have his personal number too.” Xander smiled into the phone.

  “Now I know you fucking with me!”

  “No sir. I met his daughter on the plane, very sweet girl. She introduced me to her father at baggage claim. Talked shop, he asked if he came across a part I might be good for, if he could contact me. I of course said yes.”

  Eric hooted loudly on the phone and into Xander’s ear, “Holy mother of God, Mother Mary in heaven and all the Apostles and Angels! What a jackpot of a day!”

  “Thought that might make your shitty ass happy.” Xander chuckled.

  “Well, son, you did good today. Now I really have to go finish my shit! Call me when you get home and situated!” Eric shouted happily.

  “You got it!” Xander disconnected. He considered calling Evie, but the thought of re-hashing the same conversation to a jealous wife right now did not sit well. Getting off the bed, he laid the check out and snapped a picture of it with his phone. He sent it to Evie along with a quick text about the day’s events and that he was calling up for some delivery.

  A few minutes later he read Evie’s text back: That’s nice. Xxoo.

  “That was awfully contrite.” Xander said disappointedly. He shrugged it off and picked up the room’s guest book to see who delivered food.

  Club Aurae

  Joel downshifted his new Ferrari 458 convertible into first gear, causing a deep loud rumble that reverberated down the street. The long line of people waiting to get into the club seemingly all turned at once and stared at the beautiful red Italian car.

  He pretended he did not hear all the oohs, ahs and calls of ‘sweet ride!’ Pulling up to the valet he pushed a button on the dash, the roof of the Ferrari came out and over the top of the car and locked itself in place. He hopped out and nodded to the waiting Valet.

  Joel handed the young nervous kid his key fob and a hundred dollar bill, “No dents, no scratches and keep it close by security.” With a ‘thank you’ the valet grasped bill and Joel smiled, not letting go of the money, “If there is a single scratch or ding…”

  “No sir, there won’t be…”

  “Don’t fucking interrupt me!” Joel hissed still not letting go of the bill, “You do know that there have been drive by shootings around here lately, right?”

  “N—no sir?” The kid stuttered wide-eyed and nervous.

  “Think about it.” Joel sneered and let go of the money, “It’s a three hundred thousand dollar car. Keep her close… I might have another one of those for you. If there is a problem you will give that one back.” Joel said pointing to the bill in the kids trembling hand, “Am I clear?”

  “Yes sir. I will watch it personally.”

  “You do that.” Joel quipped then walked away as the valet got in slowly and ever so carefully pulled away and parked it up next to the valet office.

  Joel looked at the long line of people and casually brushed off his Black Brioni Italian suit, which did not quite fit his thin, five foot seven frame. It gave him a slightly baggy, unkempt look. His shirt was a blue silk dress shirt, with three of the top buttons unbuttoned, showing two thick gold chains against his pale white, black haired chest.

  Joel walked up to the red velvet rope aggressively guarded by a huge bald headed bouncer. His skintight red polo shirt read: ‘Security’, “Heya Georgie! How goes it tonight?” Joel reached out his hand and the huge man accepted it. As the big man’s hand dwarfed Joel’s he smiled as he felt the bills in Joel’s hand.

  “Good evening Mr. Miller.” Georgie let Joel’s hand go and looking down he placed the two, one hundred dollar bills in his pants pocket. The big man unclasped the brass hook on the red velvet rope and heard a mass of groans from the crowd as he ushered Joel in.

  “Is Johnny here yet?” Joel asked casually, ignoring the dirty looks from the crowd waiting to get in.

  “Yes sir, he is.”

  Joel gave the big man a nod and headed up the steps to the two ten foot tall red upholstered doors. Joel looked back over his shoulder at the crowd, snickered and disappeared from their view.

  He strolled up to the admissions booth that resembled a 1920’s theater ticket booth. Joel smiled at the gorgeous brunette manning the booth and handed her six, one hundred dollar bills, “VIP, me and Johnny.”

  “He is waiting upstairs.” The brunette smiled and pointed, “Security will wand you up there.”

  Joel nodded and headed up the red-carpeted ramp and immediately was confronted by a tall red haired woman. She stood about six foot three in her red stiletto heeled pumps. She wore a tight fitting red mini skirt dress, which accentuated her lithe athletic body. Her skin
was pale white and she was stunning in her flowing red hair. A dusting of freckles across graced the bridge of her nose.

  “Hello Joelly…” She purred as he groaned inwardly, “Lift your arms for me baby.” She cooed to him.

  He complied by putting his arms out, “Hi Jessie.” Joel muttered as she ran her metal detector around him. When she was done, she leaned down close to his ear and whispered in a seductive voice, “Joelly? When are we gonna hook up again baby? I so wanna ride your Ferrari again.”

  Joel felt her hot breath against his ear with every syllable she uttered, “Uh, real soon Jessie. I will shoot you a call, soon.” Joel felt a bead of sweat trickle down his back as he remembered the one and only night with her, and he did not care to repeat it again. She really was a soulless bitch he decided.

  Jessie leaned closer and purred into Joel’s ear, “Ok baby, I’ll be waiting for your call now. Don’t keep me waiting, I so wanna ride your little prancing horse again. Oh? Did I say ‘little’? Ferrari’s aren’t little are they baby?” She giggled into his ear, backed away from him, and pointed her wand up the red-carpeted hall, “Go on up baby, Johnny is waiting for you.” Jessie puckered her full red lips at him and blew him a kiss.