Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
West reached out and shook the man’s hand. He seemed young for a director of his stature. “West Rycroft and yes. I’m in charge of her security, but there will be three of us in rotation. I’ve informed security in the building and your production team. My question for you is should I expect everyone to view my client’s situation as a joke?”
Jay nodded as though in complete agreement. “Yes, you have the intimidation thing down, and I’m sorry about that. I’m afraid the rest of the cast doesn’t see what I see in Ally, but they’ll come around. She’s a good actress, and she’s serious about her craft. Unfortunately, her past is coloring their vision when it comes to her. I’m afraid actors can be a bit on the pretentious side.”
“I don’t care if they don’t like working with her. What I care about is that your cast and crew take this threat seriously.” If Ally wasn’t worried about her tender feelings, he wouldn’t be either, but he was concerned that the cast seemed to think he was around for photo ops. “I need to know that one of these people won’t think it’s funny to prank her and let her supposed stalker into her trailer.”
“Oh, they would never do that.” Jay stepped back, his hand coming up. “I know some of the cast isn’t happy about working with Ally, but they are professionals. And I think that once they see how good she is, they’ll come around. I believe in her. All she needs is a little push here and there. I think she’ll find working with my method will unleash her talent.” This man was interested in her. It was clear in the way he talked about her, how he looked back to see if she was coming out of the bathroom. “I think we should do some one-on-one work. I’ve got a brown belt in…”
“No.” He wasn’t about to leave her alone with a dude who looked like he weighed a hundred pounds soaking wet. He wasn’t sure Ally wasn’t bigger than this guy. Of course he also wouldn’t leave her alone with a fully-trained bodyguard who wasn’t on his team. She was his responsibility.
“No?” The director’s brow rose. He was not a man who was used to having his authority challenged. “Are you telling me you’re going to stop me from working with an actress on my own set?”
“Not at all. You said you wanted to get her alone and then you attempted to explain that you could protect her. I don’t care if you’re ex-military who specialized in personal protection. I won’t leave Ally alone with anyone as long as I’m on the job.”
“Maybe you won’t be on the job for long,” Jay replied, his tone losing its “let’s be friends, dude” vibe. The director was in the house. “I know her stepfather. I could call and ask him to replace you with a guard who is willing to work with me. This is for her own good, after all. If she can’t do what I need her to do, then she’s not a lot of use to me, is she?”
“West, are you okay with being outside the room while we work?” Ally had somehow snuck up on them.
She was pale in the early afternoon light, clutching her script to her chest like if she let it go, she would lose everything.
Now she showed some emotion. Her career was being threatened, and it didn’t matter that she could be killed. Still, he had a job to do. He didn’t stop doing it because the client cared more about a movie part than her life. “As long as I’ve checked out the room and all the entries and exits, yes.”
She turned to her director. “Then we’ll be able to talk freely because he won’t be in the room. If you refuse to have him in the building, then I worry that what you want isn’t a rehearsal. If that’s the case, then I should head back to LA and let you find someone else.”
Jay put his hands on her shoulders. “No. That is not what I want at all, and I promise you this is all about the work. You know I have a method. I’ve had these sessions with all the other actors. I’m having another one with Bryce this afternoon. I don’t know how other directors have treated you, but you’re an important part of this project. Of course your bodyguard is welcome to sit outside. I’ll find a space for us that will work for him. I want you safe. But you also know I’m going to want to talk about what’s happening to you.”
She nodded. “I know. I can use it as fuel for the character.”
“Your experiences are one of the reasons I think you’re the right person to bring Delia to life. You have a lot in common, and being able to tap into those life experiences will help unlock your performance.”