"Charlee! They want you on set!" A voice calls out.
I turn to the doorframe of my trailer and see Robert, my friend and the resident coffee boy/errand runner.
"Again? Why can't they get someone else?" I ask.
I'm in the middle of editing scripts for the next few episodes and don't really want to disrupt my flow.
"Matt said you're the best at getting across what they want. Plus, the cast love you." Robert smiles at me, knowing the kids are a weakness for me.
"Okay, let me just finish up this paragraph and jot down some notes, I'll be like 10 minutes." I tell him.
Robert runs off to let the production team know that I'll be there soon, while I finish off my work.
I work as a writer for a show called Stranger Things, but lately they've been using me more and more as some kind of unpaid acting coach and have had me working on set so that I can be close by.
I'm constantly getting called in to explain the script and dialogue to the cast, and I wouldn't mind too much, but we have 5 other writers they could ask for help and honestly why can't the director and the creators do it?
* * * *
As I walk on to set, I recognise the Mike Wheelers basement, and see Joe and Gaten sitting on the couch looking at their scripts.
"Oh good your here Charlee! Can you show Joe and Gaten what we need from the script please?" Shawn calls out to me once he notices I've arrived.
Gaten's head lifts up from his script and a smile grows on his face. He runs over to me and gives me a big hug.
"Charlee! I'm so glad you're here I've missed you." He says to me.
I look over at Joe and can see him watching us and chuckling, shaking his head. He gets up off of the couch and walks over to me and Gaten.
"I saw you yesterday, monkey." I laugh at him as I hug him back, ruffling his hair.
"Hey Charlee. Thanks for coming again, I don't know how you don't get sick of us. You can use my script if you want." Joe says to me, handing me the script.
I reach over Gatens head, who still hasn't let go of me and take the script. Thanking Joe, I take a quick look at which scene they're doing and re-familiarise myself with what's happening.
"Oh, I hate this scene." I mumble.
Gaten let's go of me and looks at me with a frown.
"What, why?" He asks.
"Because you guys argue in this scene, and I love Steve and Dustys relationship." I explain.
Gaten nods.
"Okay, so Gaten, Dustin is feeling the pressure of being relied on so much, yet he's also desperate for more independence. That's his motivation for this scene," I tell Gaten.
I turn to Joe.
"Steve is really worried about how much Dustin has on his plate, and that he might put himself in too much danger. He's so protective over him because Steve isn't close with his family, and Dustin is like the little brother he never had, so he's kinda all he's got." I tell Joe.
"You really get the characters." Joe says to me with a smile.
"I hope so, I do write about them" I say with a laugh.
"Show them!" Shawn says to me.
"Really Shawn, aren't I doing enough of your job already?" I ask with a smirk on my face and raise my eyebrows.
Shawn laughs.
"Come on, they really get it when you do it."
"Alright, fine." I say.
I walk over to the lounge room, and motion for Gaten and Joe to follow.
"I'll do Joes part first and then yours Gaten, then you should get kind of what we were thinking when we wrote it"
I read the words Steve says, and mentally put myself in his shoes.
"Dusty," I say softly, gradually getting louder as I speak, "Don't do this. You can't go out there on your own! I- I can't lose you okay?"
Even though the part is said to Dustin, I'm looking at Joe as I talk so he can read my emotions.
I turn to Gaten.
"Actually, I can do this! Why does everyone still underestimate me when I'm the one constantly saving the day" I say with a huff rolling my eyes.
I squint my eyes and glare.
"You can't stop me from doing what I need to do Steve, you're not my real brother!" I yell.
I begin to stomp off, stopping when I get to fake stair case and then turn around. Joe and Gatens eyes are wide and they're both smiling. I look over at Shawn and he's smirking and nodding like I've proven him right.
"Charlee, that was amazing." Joe says.
I smile at him.
"So you guys got it?" I ask.
They both nod.
"Good, I've got lots of work to do." I tell them and begin to walk away.
Gaten grabs my arm.
"Watch us! Pleeeaaase," Gaten begs, "What if we need more help?"
I look over at Joe and Shawn, Joe shrugs and Shawn laughs.
"Come on, you guys are professionals, do you really need me to hold your hands?"
"Yesss." Gaten replies, and then grabs my hand and leads me to a chair before I can protest more.
Accepting my fate, I sit down and watch them move into their positions. They act out the scene perfectly, it only takes them a few takes and my heart is full of pride. Pride for how well they bring the characters to life, and pride for the story I've helped work so hard on.
"They did good, huh?" Shawn says to me as everyone starts to move around after the scene is done.
I nod.
"They're very talented, I don't really see why they need me so often." I tell him.
Shawn laughs, but doesn't say anything.
"You're very talented too you know." Joe says, walking up to me and Shawn.
" I don't know why you aren't acting out here with us, instead of locking yourself in the trailer writing all the time." Joe says, a serious look on his face.
I press my lips together as I think, before answering.
"I love writing, I've never really seen myself as an actor." I tell him.
"You could definitely do it Charlee," Shawn encourages me.
"Aren't we looking for an actress?" Joe says to Shawn, "That girl that was going to play Kaya had to drop out didn't she?"
Shawn nods slowly.
"Yeah, you know you're right. We're in a tight spot with that too, we're meant to be filming her scenes soon and it's messed up the schedule." Shawn replies and then turns to me.
"I could talk to the casting team, set up an audition for you."
I raise my eyebrows. They want me to act? Seriously?
"But, I already have a job here as a writer, I don't have time. Plus, I don't know if I could do it." I say to him.
"Do one audition, and I'll talk to Matt and Ross about it. You do more work than they ask of you anyways, I'm sure they can spare to lose you as a writer for a bit to get us a great Kaya." Shawn says to me.
"I don't know if I'd be a great Kaya" I say with a laugh.
"You'd be perfect as her! Come on, let me set up an audition, if they don't like you or you don't like it, I'll drop the subject." He pleads.
"Okay fine," I relent reluctantly.
Shawn and Joe both smile at me with triumph.