“That is not normal P/Nong stuff. P’Kit is the senior assigned to you, not P’Wisit. And he doesn’t bring you bubble tea. He helps you get notes for classes and reminds you about class meetings. Just like P’James doesn’t bring me bubble tea. He doesn’t follow me on Instagram, either.”
Noi stops eating and looks up at me. “Why are you mad?”
“I’m not mad,” I say.
Frowning, Noi says, “Well, you certainly sound like you are. Do you not like P’Wisit or something? I didn’t realize you knew him.”
Since I have no idea why I’m so annoyed, I take a deep breath and let it out before saying, “Ignore me. I’m just frustrated with English.” Who cares if some guy is being nice to Noi? I want him to have friends. Maybe the extra hours of workshops are getting to me. Maybe it’s my natural instinct to protect Noi shifting into overdrive. I don’t know, but one thing is clear: I really need to chill.
***
The next day we have a meeting with P’Sign before our workshop.
“I hear you two are doing great,” P’Sign says, regarding us from behind large turquoise glasses. I’m pretty sure they’re not prescription. “I knew you two would fit right in. How do you feel?”
Both Noi and I assure him that we feel great.
“Nongs Payu and Tar were supposed to rehearse a few scenes with you today, but Tar needs to record the theme to the show.”
“P’Tar sings?” Noi asks. “I didn’t know that.”
“Everybody sings,” P’Sign says.
Noi and I exchange confused looks.
“What I mean is, bad or good, pretty much every actor sings at some point, whether in a series or at a fan meet or a show. I remember this one actor who couldn’t carry a tune to save his life, and he sang in at least half a dozen scenes in his series. It was like nails scraping a chalkboard. But his fans loved it.”
While Noi and I digest that information, P’Sign pulls his calendar closer to him on his desk.
“Your school term ends in May, right? Okay, other than the scenes for the unofficial trailer, which will eventually be shot on Saturdays during the school term, filming for the series will begin as soon as exams are over. They’ve scheduled the location scenes for July to accommodate your school calendar. All of Tar and Payu’s scenes by themselves, except for those on location, have already been filmed. Today…” He looks at his calendar again. “Mee Noi, you’ll be working with the acting coach on a scene. Sud, you’ll be working with a fight-scene choreographer and Nong Pan in preparation for a future fight scene.”
I nod. P’Pan is a couple of years older than I am. His height, muscles, stoic expression, and steely-eyed stare make him look formidable, but he’s really a very nice guy.
The producer promised us Sundays off until the school year ends, but they’ve been compensating by working us long and hard on Saturdays in workshop. I look at Noi. He seems okay—not particularly tired or overworked. I question him with my eyes, and he smiles in answer.
When we leave P’Sign’s office, we split up. Noi heads for the workshop room to meet with the acting coach, and I take the elevator to the third floor where a man named Tang tells me to change into sweats and proceeds to take me and P’Pan through hours of moves for a scene where his character and mine get into a physical fight. Kicks, punches, shoves—all carefully choreographed to appear real. When we finish, I’m exhausted and probably bruised, while P’Pan looks unaffected.
“Aren’t you leaving?” he asks when I push theupbutton on the elevator.
“I’m going to get Noi first,” I say.
With a nod, P’Pan takes the adjacent elevator down, waving to me as the doors close.
Upstairs, where windows line the hallway, I’m surprised to see the sun has set. I’m tired and hungry and hope that Noi is finished with the acting coach so we can get some dinner.
When I walk into the common room where most of the workshops take place, my eyes immediately go to Noi sitting on the couch, mopping at tears with a tissue.
Alarmed, I rush over to him. “Noi, what’s wrong?”
Shaking his head, Noi looks away as he continues to dab at his face, his shoulders shaking.
What could have happened? Was he reprimanded for doing something wrong? I look around, and spot P’Prapha approaching.
“What happened?” I ask her.
“Noi was rehearsing for a very emotional scene,” she explains. “After talking about all the aspects he has in common with his character, we decided method acting was the best approach. Khun Intapong argued with the director about including it in the trailer when Noi has had so little time to prepare, but P’Teeinsists we at least try. It’s taken all day, but Nong finally tapped into the pain he needed for the scene. It went well. I’m very pleased.” She smiles.
Anger washes over me. “What do you mean,tap into the pain? What did you do to him to get him this upset?”