Chapter 3 On The Movie Set

The atmosphere seemed to have come to a standstill. Luna thought she had already mentally prepared herself enough for this moment, but seeing Damian again brought back feelings she couldn't control. Good Lord, Damian thought. What was it with the intense grief in her eyes? Indeed, the script had an element of sadness to it, but wasn't this girl too much in character already? "Method actor?" Damian asked. That was the only plausible explanation he could think of. Tyler chuckled as he saw Luna. "This is Luna. Actually, she wrote the script and is the executive producer of this movie." Damian took a double take. He had been under the impression all along that Luna was just an actress that had managed to coax the Director into giving her a lead in this movie. It hadn't occurred to him that she was actually the one behind the movie in the first place, pumping in all the cash and all. But Luna honestly looked too young to have the money for this kind of production. "Ehm ehm," Damian coughed. "Nice to meet you, Miss. I'm Damian." "Oh please, just call me Luna. I'm a big fan of yours," Luna smiled. She seems to have dropped the method acting, Damian thought. Tyler cut in, "Actually, she is. Luna specifically insisted that she wanted you to play the part of Cory in the movie, despite the high quality actors that would be more suitable for the role. Beats me," he gave a wry smirk. Damian ignored the asshole, looking instead at the young lady. "Can I ask why you're making this movie and playing the female lead, Ruby, at the same time? Are you trying to venture into acting, and you wish to use this production as a springboard to launch you into the limelight?" Luna breezed past Tyler, handing him a cup of cappuccino as she sat. With the fake flowers by the side, she looked fresh, like summer breeze. "Well, you wouldn't believe me if I told you the real reason." "Well, try me." Luna studied him before speaking, "To me, this script.....is more than just an regular play to be adapted into an amazing movie, drawing in a huge chunk of profit. No, to me, it's way more personal. And that's why I feel only I can play the part of the heroine—Ruby." "It's her story, and only you—the writer—can play it best?" Damian summarized. "Luna's too much of an empath. Always connecting too deeply to things. Even her own script, ha ha," Tyler joked. That explains the method acting then, Damian thought. He had met many 'freaks' in his acting journey, so this wasn't new. "Have you ever acted before?" Damian asked the question on his mind, giving in to the curious urge. It was unlike him; usually, he wouldn't bother asking no matter how curious he was. But there just was something about this lady that made him want to know why she was so....... convincing in her act just now. The emotions Luna displayed felt too real, it could only be befitting of a top actress in the acting industry. Luna smiled and said nothing. A crew member whispered something to Tyler's ears and he got up from his seat abruptly. "Buckle up, fellas. It's show time." **** Lights. Camera. Action. **** Ruby's sitting on a chair, away from the set. She looks lost, staring blankly at the distance. Enters Cory. Cory pulls a seat right beside her, jolting Ruby from her trance. She looks startled. She turns to look at Cory, and he catches the melancholy in her eyes. "Hey, can I ask you a question?" Cory asks softly. Ruby looks like she doesn't want to talk, but nods anyways, "Sure, why not?" "Why do you sometimes have that look on your face?" "I don't understand. What look?" "How should I put this....sometimes, you look as though you have a story." Ruby heaves a sigh, "Everybody has a story, Cory. That's just how life works." "I know. But not that, Ruby. There's just something about your story. It's right there in your eyes. The pain that can't be hidden, the sorrow that can't be faked." Ruby looks away, "Do you think I need help?" Cory reaches to take Ruby's hand, "I think you should try to talk to someone about it. A friend maybe. You could even talk to me." Ruby looks back at Cory. He seems so concerned, genuinely. She debates within herself whether to go for the big reveal option right there. But Ruby involuntarily sees the diamond ring on Cory's finger and regains her composure. Married to that bitch! But Cory looks so happy. And his happiness is hers, in a sense. "Ruby," Cory calls. Ruby doesn't reply. She has to be cold. She has to push him away. She cannot afford for him to get closer. "I need to go get some coffee," Ruby jumps down from her seat. Cory does the same. "You could just wait here, Ruby. I could bring back a cup for you." Ruby's trying to get away from him, but Cory's just not getting the hint. He drives Ruby nuts, and he doesn't know it. Ruby tries to be as direct as possible. "I need some me time, Cory. It's bad enough that we're stuck together on set, and now, you want to hover around me here?" Cory is hurt. Ruby can tell by the instant hardening of his face. Her heart trembles; she wants nothing more than to grab him and tell him the whole truth. But she cannot. Will not. She watches Cory walk away. Ruby is alone, there for a minute. She decides she wants that cup of coffee after all. She exits the scene. **** "CUT." The crew was clapping. The actress was just too dazzling. They could tell a star when they saw one, and this lady was one. Damian was grinning happily when the camera stopped recording. He felt good; that euphoric pleasure that came from working with pure talent. A crew member ran forward to give him a note. He opened it. It was from Ruby. "COULDN'T MAKE IT, BUT SENT SOMEONE TO BRING YOU THIS NOTE. SHOULD COUNT AS ME BEING PRESENT, RIGHT? ANYWAYS, DINNER. LA CREME. 7:30"