“Thanks.”
Riley said goodbye, left the trailer, and walked across the small lot where base camp had been setup just outside the cavernous, curved-roof soundstage. Even though this was not a location shoot, and they were on studio grounds, it was easier to set up mobile units for hair, makeup, and cast trailers so the talent and workers didn’t have to go far. It would cost time and money if Riley were to get her hair and makeup done, only to mess it all up in the wind or heat. So, each production erected a base camp, turning empty lots into RV parks.
She didn’t have far to go before she reached her trailer.
It was supposed to be her private sanctuary when she could take a much-needed a break from filming, but apparently, Rita hadn’t gotten the memo. Or, more than likely, she just didn’t care.
Going inside, the cool air conditioning felt wonderful. The famous California sun was working overtime today, and just that brief walk had brought the threat of sweat.
“Hi, Rita. Come on in. Make yourself at home.”
If the sarcasm registered with the agent, she didn’t show it.
Riley opened the small fridge, pulled out a bottle of water, and sat down in the posh leather chair across from the one Rita sat in.
Rita was fifty-two, had more plastic surgery than necessary, and dressed like she was twenty-five.
Her hair was blonde this week, but next week was always up in the air.
Riley was about to ask what was on Rita’s mind, but she didn’t have a chance to get a word out.
“I watched your takes today.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize you were there.” Riley made a mental note to ask that Rita not be allowed on set. It might be a strange request for one to make about their agent, but… well, it might be necessary.
Sometimes a gal just needed her space.
“You were too nice.”
Lowering the water bottle she’d just put to her lips, Riley said, “Excuse me?”
“We talked about this. You’re being too friendly. We need more diva, honey.”
Not this conversation again!
“Rita, we talked about this. That’s not me. I can’t?—”
“Yes, we have talked about this. Do you remember what you were when you came to this town? Back when you were struggling to get parts?”
“Yeah.”
“You were a nobody! Your first gig was a bit part on that cable show no one even watched. And a few supporting roles in those awful made-for-TV Christmas movies nobody likes.”
Riley thought about pointing out that tons of people must have loved those Christmas movies, or else the network wouldn’t keep making them, but she kept that to herself.
Rita was not easily deterred.
“And then you had that little incident. All of a sudden you were hot!Everyonewanted you!”
It wasn’t exactly true, Riley thought. Not everyone wanted her right away. It took a while.
Gossip sites ran with her. Talk show offers started coming, then bigger TV spots and soon the movie studios were knocking.
She was happy about the career she’d built, but it still embarrassed her to remember the incident.
“Rita, a DUI isn’t exactly something I’m proud of. I could have hurt someone.”
“But you didn’t. And getting arrested and cursing out those cops put you on the map, honey. Wear that shit as a badge of honor.”