Keep To The Script (Complete)

~ Chapter 19 ~

The couple ignored the blinds that were closing as they got into the car, but both knew they were spied on, and Judith didn’t mind. What did that say for her? She didn’t know, but she was okay with it all. Once Angel pulled on the road, she glanced at him, a smile tugging at her lips. Maybe it was time to just let everything go and let fate do what it wanted. It wasn’t like she could stop things anyway. So, without any more thought, she curled closer to him in the seat, rested her head on his shoulder, and closed her eyes, but she could feel the smile he was sporting.

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Judith pinched the bridge of her nose as she watched Angel and Molly. They were great together, the chemistry between the two was something that any director would want. And not that she had a great knowledge of things, but Judith could see these two staring together in more pictures, and that was awesome. However, she couldn’t quite understand why this scene wasn’t jiving for her. The lines were great, and their interaction was spot on, but something felt off. However, the director loved it and hadn’t bothered to stop.

“You don’t look happy.” Judith turned her attention to the makeup artist that had walked over to her. The woman was small in nature, but her attitude was leaps and bounds over anyone else, and Judith instantly liked her. Her name was Shelly and that same personality made its way into her current book, Judith just hadn’t said anything yet. It seemed after Shelly got the job working on the set, she read JD’s book and then devoured anything else Judith had out there, so Judith wanted this to be a surprise.

“I can’t pinpoint it, but something isn’t right. They look great together, don’t they?” Judith asked, trying to see if maybe someone else could push the button to make it all make sense as to what exactly was bothering her.

“Big time. It’s also only a matter of time before the director starts seeing dollar signs on them and starts pushing them into the public eye. Those two are made for each other.” Judith just stared at the woman. Shelly had been in Hollywood for fifteen years; of those, she had dealt with movie stars for ten, so she had some knowledge of the inner workings that Judith didn’t grasp.

“They’ll date?” Judith wanted to cringe at the tone of her voice. That wasn’t like her, sounding so small and timid, at least not like that.

“Oh, probably not. But the way they are, how great they look together, the vibe you feel coming off of them, it’s a money maker, and any director worth his salt will see that.” Shelly patted her arm and gave her a warm smile. “But he seems to have eyes only for you, so don’t sweat anything, huh? But make sure you speak up; this movie is yours as much as the Hollywood man who is paying for it.” With that, Shelly walked away, and Judith watched her, her heart pounding.

She couldn’t say much because didn’t she think the same thing? Didn’t she feel that Angel and Molly would look amazing walking down red carpets and doing interviews? So, she sure couldn’t question it now that someone else had commented on it. But she knew what her hold-up was, and she was going to have to get over it. She wanted this movie to be a success, not just for her own sake, but because there was already so much money put into it. And she knew that those two stars could rake in the money if given the chance.

“You don’t look happy?” Judith jumped at the voice that had come up beside her. When did Angel get there? When had they wrapped up the scene? She couldn’t possibly have been in her mind that long of a time. “He just called cut, and said it was lunchtime.”

“Oh,” she mumbled and blinked. “I was thinking.”

“About the scene?” She smiled at that. He was getting a little too good at pegging her.

“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?”