One Night Stand

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"So I've been working on this script," Aleaxander Gonzales said, "And I'm thinking of casting Amber White opposite you. I think she'll is the perfect woman for this role. What do you think?"

André gave a start as he stared at Gonzales. "Amber White? She's not even a veteran actor!"

"I know," Gonzales said, "But have you ever seen her eyes? She might seem like a cocky, inexperienced youngster. But once you notice her eyes, you'll see that there's more to her than just that. That girl has seen pain."

Yes, I've noticed that, André thought. But somewhere down the line, he didn't want to work with her. He wanted her as far away from his as possible. She was toxic for him and his marriage. You're the one who is toxic for Dianne, his brain told him but he ignored it. Acting in a movie might always involve passionate scenes and he didn't want a replay of their last night.

"Can't we just focus on the movie at hand now?" André said carefully.

"Of course we will. But it's going to release tomorrow. Half the promotions have already been done, there's nothing much for me to do anyway other than just sit and watch. I'd rather like to get working on another project as soon as possible."

André regarded the balding man craefully and said, "If she's the female lead, the movie won't garner much attention. Her role in this movie was barely of a few minutes. She was just one of the extras. People won't even remember her face. Do you want to take such a risk?"

Gonzales gave a short laugh, "André, do you remeber the first movie you starred in?"

"You directed it," André said.

"Exactly. I launched you and look where you have reached now. You think I can't launch a new fresh face? She'll be an instant hit, I know," Gonzales assured him.

But she's from Cheapside, if that gets that it'll mean bad publicity for the film André thought, "She'll need a better place to stay then."

"I can easily arrange for that," Gonzales smiled.

***

"You're leaving Cheapside?" Joyce widened her eyes, "Amber White is leaving Cheapside?"

"Oh c'mon, don't make such a huge issue out of it," Amber said as she sat on her suitcase to shut it.

Joyce puffed on her cigarette and said, "It's not like you're relocating the the other side of the street. You're moving away to upscale New York. This is insane. This is suicide! D.O. will cut you up! How did you even get the money anyway?"

"I had some luck," Amber said vaguely.

"Are you sure about this?" Joyce asked, "Leaving here isn't just leaving me and this crappy apartment behind. Cheapside is like a nation of its own. Leaving here is leaving a place with its own lifestyle. You're too deeply involved with us. It's like you're trying to leave us behind."

That is excatly what I'm doing, dammit! Amber thought and said, "It's alright. I have thought about it a lot."

Joyce looked at her long and hard. Then she turned away and said in a low voice, "You better stay aware. D.O. has eyes everywhere."

Oh woman, you don’t know anything.

"I know," Amber said thoughtfully and waved her farewell. Joyce watched sadly as Amber White cheerfully made her way across the street and rode away in a cab.

Then unwillingly, Joyce picked up the telephone and dailed a number she knew by heart. A man's rough voice answered at the other end.

"Yes?"

"She's gone," Joyce said.

"Saw this coming," D.O. said, "But I'll take care of her." And the line went dead.

Too bad, Joyce thought, I rather liked her. But she brought this upon herself.

***

"This is the script?" Amber asked.

"Yes," Gonzales said as he looked with almost fatherly affection at the girl before him. She was so excited by the thought of starring in a movie she was practically bouncing in her seat.

"But we need to be clear on one thing," Gonzales said, "This movie will also feature five other huge stars of our industry so this will be your launch film."

"Uh huh," Amber nodded, "That's alright." She liked this man. He actually wanted her to be the female lead!

"No, you don't get it," Gonzales said, "An actor doesn't get paid for doing a launch film."

Amber choked on her coffee, "Wait, what?!"

"This film is just to introduce you to the public," Gonzales explained, "Think of itas an investment, it might help you secure better bigger roles."

Amber stared at him. I don't like him that much after all, she decided. But then an idea gripped her and she smirked and said, "It's alright. I'll take it."

***

"You want me to what?!" André barked into the phone.

"Convince Gonzales to give me a raise," Amber said smoothly.

"Hey, that's not in my hands, okay? Ask him yourself" André said.

"He won't agree. But you've known him for years. Maybe if you pleaded...," Amber trailed off.

"Why do you even – arg! You were supposed to leave me alone. You have to stop calling me, I have a family. I can't do this over the phone. Let's meet at Charlie's Cafe at 6," he said.

"It's a date," Amber said. He could almost see her wink.

Now why the hell did I have I ask to meet up with her when I could have just as well refused her on the phone? André cussed at himself.

Because you wanted to meet her, a part of him said. It's a date, that's what she said. It's not, André told himself, I'll simply refuse and be done with it in a minute.

"Who was that?" Dianne asked as she sailed into the room, her face painted over with atleast 10 layers of makeup even though she had been at home all day long.

"A business partner," André mumbled and excused himself. Dianne kept looking at the door until a long time after he was gone.

***

"It's impossible," André said flatly. “There are things I can do and things I can’t. I might be more of a household name than Gonzales but the director pulls all the strings, I’m merely a puppet. So yeah, my answer is no.”

"You made me come all this way and now you say you can't do it?" Amber sulked. She was wearing a navy blue dress that clung to her figure and brought out the colour in her eyes. Her hair hung loosely over her shoulder.

"Yes," André said. I should have finished this over the phone.

Amber stiffened. She took a long look at André and finally flipped her phone out and said, "Have you forgotten what I have in here?"

"Jesus! You're still using that against me?" André gasped. “Get a new trick, will you!”

"I know it’s frustrating," Amber smiled, "Now you better get working unless you want this picture on every news channel in the country."