He's here!' Pam squeaked, jumping to her feet. Locke followed suit, he was nervous as well. Next to them, seated on top of a table, Keeye chuckles.
For the next few days, they were going to be shooting scenes with Mr. Barn, a renowned name in the entertainment industry. A man with a well established acting career that started way before Locke was even born, with lead roles in famous movies during his prime years. Locke grew up watching many of his old movies, his mom being a huge fan of Mr. Barn.
He was on the set today as he would be playing the role of Dawn's father. The schedule was a light dinner scene with Dawn and Pam's families during their spring break. And during this would be an intense argument and drama when Dawn's father discovers his relationship with Hunter and confronts him. This scene would probably be in an episode close to the ending of Falling for Dawn, with a mix of emotions running all over.
The director and Mr. Barn were engaged in a light hearted conversation. From the looks of it, he seemed like a very down-to-earth person and of course, the professional aura emanating from him that Locke often felt around veteran actors.
'I certainly wouldn't mind getting slapped by someone famous like him,' Locke commented, trying to calm his own nerves with humor.
Keeye laughed. At the same time, Mr. Barn looked over in their direction.
'Ah, Keeye my boy! It's so good to see you again!' he called out, waving his hand.
'Likewise!' Keeye greeted back, jumping down and walking over to the seasoned actor who pulled him into a bear hug, patting him on the shoulder.
Keeye and Mr. Barn exchanged a few words and Keeye quickly introduced Locke and Pam to Mr. Barn. He then excused himself and left the set to attend a meeting. He didn't have any more scenes to shoot today and had only lingered around on the sets for so long as to introduce Locke and Pam to Mr. Barn.
The first two episodes of 'Falling for Dawn' went on-air last week. The entire crew, including the director were skeptical as to how it would be perceived by the audience as it was a sensitive genre but surprisingly their ratings picked up by the end of episode 2's airing. And with that, Keeye's popularity soared and offers and promotions poured in from all over. His agency requested him to be spared for other activities whenever he was not required on the set.
This had put everyone on the set in a happy mood. Of course, there were a few negative comments and hate due to the stigma but nonetheless Locke was elated. He of course had a long way to go but this was definitely a good start for him.
There had been a few hiccups along the way with them having to compromise with airing slots and being short on staff due to a crew member taking an unexpected leave of absence. But they got through it all, making sure to work even harder to meet deadlines.
*************************
Locke frantically rubbed his palms together and blew air into them hoping for some warmth. He shifted from one foot to another while he waited for the crew to set up the equipment. The evening air in the university campus was chilly and humid. The library entrance they were at looked gloomy with the heavy storm clouds looming above.
30 minutes max. That's all they needed to shoot the next scene. But Ms. August stressed that even though the scene was short, it was one of the most important scenes in the series. Hence they were all gathered here, waiting for the rain that the weather forecast had predicted yesterday.
'Any minute now!' Locke heard someone announce from the back. He had been on standby for an hour now and the fact that he got cold pretty easily wasn't helping either. He was considering requesting another jacket from the crew when the sky poured down on them with a huge rumble echoing through the grounds.
'Action!' yelled Ms. August from behind the camera.
Locke wasted no time getting into character. He opened the umbrella he was handed and hurriedly walked towards the library entrance. Keeye in the character of Hunter, who was waiting for him alone, looked up and smiled.
Locke smiled back at him. According to the script, Dawn realises that he had brought only one umbrella with him.
'Sorry, I left in a hurry,' he apologises shyly to Hunter.
'It's alright, it can't be helped,' Hunter shrugs and they both walk back to the dorm under the same umbrella.
The director yells 'Cut!' and the two of them turn back to get further directions. They have limited time and quickly shoot a few more shots of walking in the rain from different angles.
After the final shot, both Locke and Keeye are standing next to the director and reviewing the footage. The rain hasn't stopped yet. Keeye is holding the umbrella now and Locke is peering over his shoulder, trying to look at the screen.
Keeye slightly turns back to Locke, pointing at the screen and suggesting they do another take with the camera capturing their feet instead but stops mid-sentence when he realises that Locke's right shoulder sleeve is drenched from the water pouring over the sides of the umbrella. He puts his arm around Locke's shoulder and pulls him closer under the umbrella.
Locke's heart skips a beat by the sudden, unexpected proximity. Right on cue, thunder rumbles above. Locke is grateful, for at that moment, he was sure that his heart was beating louder than the rain.
*************************
'Annnnnd cut!' Ms. August yells, from behind the camera. 'That was good...we're good!'
The crew quickly moved around, preparing for the next shoot. Locke continued to stay seated in the classroom seat, holding a bottle in his hand. Keeye walked over to him, smiling. 'Good job,' he complimented, patting his shoulder.
'Hellooooo!' Vee chimed in, her camera in hand. 'I'm back again for another interview!'
'And perfect timing as well, Locke just wrapped up his scenes for today,' Keeye informed.
'Oooh great!' She zoomed the camera on Locke, 'So Mr. Dawn, could you give a little insight on this scene?'
Locke grinned, holding up the bottle in his hand closer to the camera. 'You see this healthy, nutritious protein shake? This was sneaked into Dawn's bag by Hunter,'
'Ahem, ahem,' Vee turned the camera to Keeye. 'And what's the reason behind that Mr. Hunter?'
'Ah, well...Dawn has been working really hard these days. Extra classes and what not. Skipping breakfasts almost everyday and suffering from indigestion. It's only right that as his roommate, I should be taking care of him,' Keeye responds, gesturing to the drink in Locke's hand.
'Uh huh...But is this just a roommate thing or is there something else going on?' Vee teases Keeye.
Seeing where Vee was heading with this, Keeye co-operated, 'Between the two of us, we know very well that this is just Hunter's excuse to flirt with Dawn,'
'Oh my, so can we assume that it is at this point Hunter is falling for Dawn?'
'Yes of course,' Keeye turned to Locke, both grinning ear to ear. 'Hunter's just head over heels for Dawn,'
And there it was again. Locke knew Keeye was just going along with the mood, a little something of a fan service for their viewers. But his heart sped up a bit. At this point Locke wasn't sure if Hunter had fallen for Dawn, but Locke...was definitely falling for Keeye.
*************************
Locke rolled down the taxi window, letting the cool, evening breeze hit his face. He had a few drinks earlier at the dinner party and was slightly tipsy. He actually enjoyed being in this state. He was neither too drunk to do anything stupid nor sober enough to do something serious. As they drove over the bridge, the city lights on the other side of the river blinked in an array of blurry lights. When the breeze started to sting his eyes, he rolled up the window again and retired into his seat. He closed his eyes and smiled to himself. Modelling contracts, promotional events, award shows, elite after-parties...he was finally living the dream his 12 year old self had dreamed.
The taxi pulled over in front of 'Baronyx' nightclub. Locke thanked the driver and paid the fare with his card.
The bouncer gave Locke an acknowledging nod as he made his way inside. One might as well assume Locke was a regular here.
The music was pretty loud and vibrant for a weekday night. It was pretty early as well hence the sparse crowd. Locke squinted to scan the counter and finally found the face he was looking for.
He waved and yelled, 'Silver!'
Upon hearing the name, a scrawny, tall, tanned man looked up. His hair glittered neon green under the dull lighting but Locke knew very well that it was silver. He grinned as he recognised Locke and gestured to him to grab a seat.
'Didn't think you'd be coming in today...' Silver commented.
'I almost didn't. I was pretty sure I was going to get held up at the dinner,' Locke replied, adjusting the seat.
'Dinner? I thought you had to attend an event for Loktos, the candy company...'
'Yep, right after, the director treated us to dinner,'
'Ah...the perks of being famous,' teased Silver.
Locke rolled his eyes. Silver chuckled. His eyes momentarily drifted to the customer walking in but his co-worker tended to him and he returned his attention back to Locke.
'The parcel's at the back, in the staff room,' Silver said.
'Thanks a ton Sil, sorry I had to bother you again, got to fix the address with the courier company one of these days,'
'No big deal Locke. You didn't have to come, I would've asked June to drop it off at your place tomorrow. You know that your place is on the way to his office right?'
'No no, I can't do that to you man. I don't want to burden you more than I already have. Besides, this way I get to hang out more at the bar,'
'Of course, a celebrity gracing our humble abode with his presence,'
'Please, can you drop that already,' Locke complained. Silver chuckled. 'The usual?' he asks, turning to the drink cabinet behind him.
'No, something light please. I think I already had a little too much at the dinner,'
'Oooh. You also had a fun time with Mr. Keeye then, I presume?' Silver teased as he poured a glass of beer for Locke.
Locke groaned.
'Okay, okay, I got it, I won't tease anymore,' Silver held his hands up, still grinning.
'Come on Sil, you were the one who advised me that it was better to move on...'
'I know I know! I'm sorry. But the man's such a treat to the eyes, I can't help but bring him up. Don't worry man, I know it's hard right now but you need to consider the possibility that you're probably attracted to him because you played the role of his love interest on-screen and spent too much time together working on the set,'
Locke didn't answer and simply gulped down his beer. 'You forgot to point out that he is into women and would never consider the possibility of dating a man,' he thought to himself.
Just then, a group of burly men in suits entered. A loud, noisy bunch, their puffed up red faces indicating that this wasn't their first bar visit tonight. The short, big-boned man at the front, with a thick beard and mustache made his way to the counter and impatiently banged on the counter to get attention.
'I'll be back,' Silver assured Locke. He placed the beer tower next to Locke and proceeded to tend to the rowdy group.
Locke simply nodded and continued gulping down his drink. He let his mind wander. Silver was right. He ought to give it time. In another few weeks, the promotions would end. Locke and Keeye would go their own separate ways, work on new projects and maybe then, Locke would realize the truth in Silver's words and brush all this off as a momentary attraction as something that happened in the heat of the moment. He sighed. He had a long way to go. He couldn't even separate personal and professional matters as an actor.
His wrist shook and his drink spilled a bit from the glass he was holding. He wondered if he was getting dizzy. Indeed, the alcohol was kicking in, blurring his vision but the spilling was not him. He turned to his left. The short, bearded man in suit from before was causing a scene.
'Faggots like you shouldn't be allowed in here! You dare try to flirt with me eh?!' he yelled, his grip firm on Silver's collar.
'Sir, I think there's been a misunderstand-' Silver protested, trying to keep his voice calm but the drunk man pounded his fist on the counter again.
'Shut your trap boy!' He yelled and turned to another bartender next to Silver, 'You! Get me your manager or boss or whoever the hell is in charge!'
He pushed Silver back and Silver crashed into the cabinet behind him. At the same time, Locke slammed the table and stood up.
'Who do you think you're glaring at?' demanded the suited man, his attention now on Locke.
Locke rolled up his sleeves and loosened his neck tie. And suddenly, he was back in his old school playground, putting himself between bullies and a beaten-up Silver.
~ END OF CHAPTER 5 ~
Hey guys! This chapter was updated and published on my phone and hence the messed up formatting. I'll fix it right away once I get my hands on my laptop. (Out of town right now :( )
Please bear with me for now 😭
Update: Formatting all in place now! :)
- Guavawine