Keep To The Script (Complete)

~ Chapter 19 ~

"Yeah, somewhat, I guess." He tilted his head and waited for her, but she shrugged. She couldn't put it into words, she knew that.

"Hey, Judith, can I join you for lunch?" Judith's head turned to look at the woman that had come up and Judith glanced between Angel and Molly. "I wanted to talk to you about the character."

"Of course, yes, Angel, did you want to go..." Judith trailed off. She had assumed they would go to lunch together, but maybe Angel hadn't wanted that.

"Sure, I'm fine. It works because I wasn't feeling that either," Angel answered, and Judith watched as Molly let out her breath.

"Oh, thank goodness. I thought I was alone." Judith grabbed her purse and giggled; glad she wasn't alone with something feeling off.

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"Let me say," Molly started, taking a drink of the iced tea that the waitress had just put before her, "that I love your female lead. She's strong, independent, vibrant, and very unique, she's been such a joy to play with." Judith crossed her arms and leaned on the table, almost laughing.

"But?" Judith questioned and Molly shook her head.

"I feel like the writers did her wrong. This scene, from what I read, is more intense and more in tune with her uniqueness. She's corky in a good way and it's like they toned it down. Like they thought she wouldn't be loved if she was her true self."

"That's it!" Judith said, slamming her hand on the table. Both Angel and Molly looked at her, giving her a confused look. "I couldn't place what was going on, what was bothering me so much about the scene. You two were awesome and your chemistry is unreal. But the scene wasn't coming together for me, and I was damned if I could figure out why. That's why. When the writers helped re-write it, it wasn't bad. Whatever other lines they gave you though, aren't working. I didn't like it, didn't like how it flowed and it makes sense now."

"So, it's not supposed to be that way, right?" Molly asked and Judith shook her head.

"No, not at all. In some ways, it's a rather crucial part. I mean, she's not supposed to be thinking about love, or wanting it, she's supposed to be happily independent, and yet, here comes this man, throwing everything off-kilter and the whole vibe is supposed to be the thoughts of wanting him, but being afraid to tone down who she is. The whole vibe needs to be there."

"Good, I thought I was going crazy. The director never stopped, but everything felt wrong." Angel watched the ladies back and forth and had to smile, which caught Judith's eye.

"What?"

"I think you two are so much alike, it's kind of unreal. Molly gets what you're trying to explain, and it doesn't happen with a lot of actors." He lifted a shoulder as if it wasn't a big thing and took a sip of his water. But Judith kind of thought it was.

"I always thought Molly was talented. I told the director she would be a perfect choice."

"I know, JD, I'm just saying that a lot of actors don't jive with writers, of any sort, because they usually clash with ideas," Angel explained, and Judith nodded. She could understand that.

"It's not hard to like Judith though, not when she's laid back and has a great talent. You really have to sign my book too, Judith, if you don't mind." Judith ducked her head, the blush staining her cheeks. "So, when we go back to the set, I really think we need to tell the director what we think and feel. I don't want to completely bore the audience, but I want to stay true enough to the book." Judith thought that comment over, almost thinking as if that was a backhanded comment. She thought the book was exciting enough, and others seemed to love it, would it actually bore a crowd? And if that was the case, why would someone ask her to make it?

"Stop," Angel whispered in her ear and Judith shook her head.

"What?"

"Your eyes give you away every time, JD. It's not what you think it meant, so please don't take it as such." Judith slowly smiled and pointed her finger at him.

"Stop trying to read my mind as if you think you know me oh-so-well, huh?" She flipped her hair over her shoulder, but she couldn't stop the small smile that she had either.

"God, you two are cute," Molly said, hanging up the phone.

"What?" Judith asked and Molly smiled.

"You two. Word is that you two are together, and you guys seriously make a cute couple. Tinseltown just loves you already." Out of the corner of her eye, Judith caught Angel shaking his head and Judith lifted a brow. "I mean when the pictures start showing and interviews start happening."

"Lame save, Molly," Angel told her. "Judith has problems with the lights and cameras of Hollywood."

"Oh, Judith, get used to it. You're with a star, and you are part of this film, time to enjoy the joys of Hollywood." Judith groaned and ducked her head, not wanting to think about it. "We need to get going, Angel. That was the studio, guess lunch was faster than we thought."

"Right." Angel stood up and the ladies followed suit. "Here, JD, can you pay this while I get the car?" Angel asked, giving her some money. Before she could say anything about him, not having to cover everything, he was gone. She rolled her eyes and took the bill up to the cashier, thanking the lady for not only the quiet booth but the wonderful lunch. And before she could walk outside, she heard the shouting and peeked her head out the window. Cameras were flashing on all sides and reporters were flinging questions at Angel and Molly. However, one caught her ear more than any others.

"Is she your new girlfriend? What happened with that older lady?"