Chapter 47
Los Angeles. Second casting for ‘Leah’, the main female role of ‘SETH’.
Ten girls had been selected for the second casting of ‘Seth’ and today they would read a scene with Vin Diesel in the flesh and bones at One Race offices.
Most of them were already inside, sitting in the small auditorium waiting patiently for Vin Diesel to show up. To some of those girls, it would be the first time that they were going to have the chance to stand in front of a camera or even to be that close to a celebrity. So in order to prevent any unexpected reaction, one of the casting agency employees had been explaining to the girls what to do and how to act around the movie star, his wife, his bodyguards or any other employee at Once Race.
The woman reminded them that they were there to read a scene with Mr. Diesel and nothing more. They wouldn’t use the occasion to bother him with questions, asking for an autograph or any other thing they may came up with to attract the actor’s attention more than necessary. Vin Diesel had a very busy agenda and he could not waste time on those things.
Everything had been set, one camera would record the girls and all of them had signed their consent for those recorded images to be used by One Race Film as part of any additional material in the future DVD that would be released when the time came.
Niko, the director, was sitting next to James, the casting agency manager; both in the back seats of the small auditorium, and they both were talking lively, oblivious to the girls occupying the first lines of seats.
As soon as Vin Diesel entered the auditorium, gasps were heard as well as murmurs, giggles and even a couple of ‘oh my fucking God’ echoed all round the room.
Sandra’s eyes almost jumped out of her face. “Oh, my God… It’s Vin Diesel in the flesh and bones!” Sandra squealed, tapping Lorraine’s arm wildly.
In response, Lorraine gasped loudly as her face turned red in seconds.
“Oh, Jesus! Valentino is here too!” Sandra added, fighting the urge to jump to her feet, running up to both of them.
Lorraine tensed all at once and swallowed hard. “I can’t do it.” She whined.
Sandra turned her head fast and looked at her as if she had sprouted a second head.
“What?!” Sandra exclaimed and then clasped her hand against her mouth as soon as the other girls looked at her. She then lowered her voice. “Are you nuts?!” She whispered, shocked.
Lorraine shook her head ‘no’ eagerly. “I’m feeling sick, Sandra,” she whined, frowning deeply. “I think I’m gonna puke.” Lorraine added as she tried to stand, but Sandra grabbed her shirt and pulled her down hard.
“Get a grip, damnit! It’s your great chance, girl.” Sandra scolded her. “You’re going to read a scene with Vin Diesel. That’s a dream come true.” She whispered, her eyes fixed on Lorraine’s. “We’ve been selected for this casting and we’re going to do our best, ok? Just breathe, honey.” Sandra said, taking Lorraine’s hands in hers as she took a deep breath and exhaled the air slowly.
Lorraine took a shaky breath, forcing the air to pass the lump in her throat. She was so nervous that she was sure she would pass out any minute.
Sandra kept breathing deeply; causing Lorraine to mimic her after a moment.
“See? You only have to breathe. He’s just a man.” Sandra grinned wickedly. Lorraine knit a brow and Sandra rolled her eyes, giggling. “Ok, he IS the man.”
Lorraine grinned, taking a new deep breath.
Sandra smiled broadly as a devilish grin graced her lips. “Just don’t you dare puke on him, ok?” She mocked and both giggled.
———–
Lorraine stood in front of Vin and swallowed hard. Her hands were shaking and her legs were going to buckle at any second.
“Are you nervous?” Vin asked her, smiling gently. Lorraine gasped at the tone of his voice and nodded ‘yes’ shyly as her face turned red in two seconds. “Don’t be. You will do it great. Just breathe, ok?” He teased her as he offered her one of his more sexy smiles.
Lorraine felt her heart racing inside of her chest and took a deep breath, forcing the air through her lungs.
“I’m a little nervous too and I even puked after my first audition with Spielberg.” Vin joked, grinning and Lorraine’s stomach clenched painfully.
“Whenever you want, Vin.” Niko said, getting comfortable at Luna’s side.
Vin looked at Luna, winking and then back at Lorraine.
“You ready, babe?” Vin asked her.
Lorraine took a deep breath and cleared her throat, swallowing hard.
“Yes.” She said firmly.
Vin smiled broadly. He then tilted his head to both sides, cracking his neck bones and cleared his throat.
Vin started to play ‘Seth’, completely immersed on his character.
At first, Lorraine was so caught up in Vin’s performance that she forgot her lines for a second, watching him. But after a moment, something snapped within her and Lorraine let herself go and started to quote her lines.
One minute later, Lorraine was as absorbed playing ‘Leah’ as Vin was playing ‘Seth’.
Luna smiled broadly as she leaned against Niko. “She’s absolutely wonderful, Niko.” Luna whispered, grinning.
Niko nodded ‘yes’. “Yeah, she’s fucking great.” He replied, puffing from his joint.
When they were done, Lorraine looked at Vin. “Thank you, Mr. Diesel. It has been a pleasure to meet you.” She said as she stuck out her hand to shake his.
Vin smiled broadly and shook it.
“Same here, Lorraine.” He replied and turned around, picking up his jacket. “Are we done?” He asked Niko who glanced at his list.
“Yeah, man.” He replied and Vin nodded ‘yes’, returning his attention to Lorraine.
“You did great, girl.” He said, smiling. “I swear, you were born for this role.”
Lorraine gasped, blushing ten shades of red and smiled widely.
“I love the role of ‘Leah’, she’s so strong and fragile at the same time….I wish I could meet the scriptwriter. The story is the most beautiful I’ve ever read in all my life.” Lorraine explained, feeling a little more relaxed.
Vin knit a brow, grinning. “I can arrange that.” He replied and turned his head to Luna who was talking with Niko. “Hey, Luna!” Vin called her.
Luna looked at him, smiling.
“Come here, baby.”
Lorraine’s eyes widened.
Luna stood and went to them and Vin encircled her waist and pulled her to him, kissing her temple.
“Lorraine wanted to meet you.” He said, smiling.
Luna’s brow went up as she smiled broadly. “Hi, I’m Luna,” she said.
Lorraine looked at Luna, mimicking her smile.
“Oh, my God! You’re the scriptwriter?!” She asked, shocked.
Luna nodded ‘yes’, grinning.
Lorraine had seen the pictures that had been published of both of them together after their wedding, but she had no idea that Luna was the author of “Seth”.
“Oh, my God! Your story is so beautiful. I love it!” Lorraine laughed nervously.
“Wow! Thank you, Lorraine.” Luna replied, laughing with her. “I have to say that watching you playing ‘Leah’ has been incredible. I couldn’t help but think that you were born to do that role.” Luna added, smiling widely.
“Thank you very much, Luna.” Lorraine blushed again, knotting her fingers nervously. “I really love ‘Leah’. You’re a very talented writer.” She added, grinning.
“You’re gonna make me blush, Lorraine.” Luna laughed with her as she squeezed gently Lorraine’s shoulder.
Then Lorraine went serious and cleared her throat. “Um…Luna? Can I have your autograph?” She asked chewing her bottom lip.
Luna’s eyes almost jumped out of her face, blushing.
“You want my autograph?” Luna blinked, shocked.
Lorraine nodded ‘yes’. “If you wouldn’t mind, that is.” She replied shyly.
Luna smiled broadly and looked at Vin.
“You just met your number two fan, baby.” Vin said, grinning as he took a pen and Lorraine gave Luna the paper where her lines were written.
Luna frowned for a second, staring at the paper. She had no clue what to write but after a moment, she smiled and signed the autograph for Lorraine.
“Thank you.” Lorraine said and silently read what Luna had written for her.
Lorraine smiled and then she looked back up, watching how Vin was kissing Luna, holding her tightly against him. Lorraine couldn’t help but giggled, looking away for a second.
Vin released Luna’s lips and without letting her go of his arms, he turned his head, looking at Lorraine.
“I already got her autograph too.” Vin grinned, winking, causing Luna and Lorraine to laugh at once.
“You both make an amazing couple, you know?” She said, grinning like a loony. “You are made for each other.” Lorraine added and with that, she turned around and headed toward the door.
Vin and Luna watched Lorraine leaving the room and then Vin turned his head, looking at Luna.
“What do you think, baby?” He asked, stroking her back. Luna smiled widely.
“I would say we found ‘Leah’.” Luna answered and Vin nodded in agreement.
————–
At the same time. Marcela’s office.
“I thought you said that Hopkins Agency wasn’t interested in TV actresses at all.” Sheila said, taking a seat at the other side of Marcela’s desk. “So, I wonder what the reason is for you wanting to see me in such a hurry, considering your assistant almost threw me out of this very same office a few months ago.” She added, lifting her chin defiantly.
In response, Marcela chuckled coldly. “How big do you want to make in this business, Miss Harley?”
“I want to be the girl with the most cake.” Sheila answered without hesitation.
“Then I suggest you keep your mouth shut until you’re asked a question.” Marcela scolded Sheila sharply. “Am I clear, missy?”
Sheila bit her tongue, swallowing the sass that was furiously burning on her throat and straightened in her chair.
“Yes.”
“Good. Now, let’s talk about business, Sheila.” Marcela said pulling out a cigarillo. “I know you’ve done everything you can think of to get the main female role in ‘Seth’.” She lit it up and took a deep puff. “And I want to know why you are so interested in playing that role in Mr. Diesel’s next movie.” Marcela asked, blowing the smoke.
Sheila narrowed her eyes slightly and then she cleared her throat.
“I love the role and I think I’m the perfect actress to play…”
Marcela snorted. “Cut the bullshit, Sheila,” she cut Sheila off. “We both know you’re just a mediocre actress that won’t make anything for the big screen, ever, with the exception of some shitty project that will end up at Blockbuster two weeks after its exhibition in some lost town.”
Sheila gasped and her eyes widened completely. Who was this old bitch to talk to her in such a way?
Marcela leaned forward, resting her elbows on her desk.
“Now, honestly, why do you want to play a role in Vin’s movie, Sheila?” she asked, holding the young actress’ gaze. Let’s see if you have it in you, Miss Harley, Marcela added silently.
Sheila thought a little. It was true that she was way far from being somebody within the business, but she wasn’t stupid either. She had been dealing with people like Marcela since she was six years old and she knew pretty well those of Marcela’s sort.
“I love the role of ‘Leah’, Mrs. Hopkins.” Sheila answered, playing the innocent girl, smiling sweetly. “But what I really want is to get Mr. Diesel in the flesh and bones, and I’d do anything to have him.” She added as her innocent smile died on her lips, turning into a devil one.
Marcela’s lips mimicked Sheila’s grin. “Now, my dear Sheila, let’s talk about how to achieve that high price goal of yours.” She said, causing the young actress to laugh evilly.