Page 4 of Living Hell

She sat at the other end, and her eyes scanned the room. “I specifically requested a double-wide for you. You were the star of Hell Fire, therefore, you deserved the best. I’ll have a word with Hal.”

I blinked a few times letting her words sink in. “Were?”

Her body shifted as she did her best to face me. “Hell Fire is being shut down. The producers are telling Mr. Hensley right now.”

“But . . . but how do you know if he’s finding out at this moment?”

“I know everything in Hollywood, my dear. I know what people want before they realize they want it themselves. It wasn’t due to chance that I have been a top agent for over a decade. I was twenty-two when I became an agent. Twenty-four when I became a partner. Do you think that was luck?” she asked with a tilt of her head.

I shook my head.

There goes my only starring role. Perhaps Babette’s here because she had even better news for me. Maybe she had a starring role in the latest comic book franchise just waiting for me to pounce on it.

The door swung open and a blast of heat came with it. Cara bounced up the stairs, panting as she closed the door behind her.

“I didn’t catch him,” Cara said between breaths.

“There should be a few water bottles in the fridge.” I pointed to the three-foot-tall black fridge in the tiny kitchenette. “I’m worried you’ll pass out.”

Cara’s eyes widened when she noticed Babette on the couch. “Would you like a bottle, Ms. Gotti?” Cara asked with a bowed head as if she was addressing the Queen.

“I bring my own.” Babette reached into her blazer pocket and pulled out a leather flask.

So that’s how she survived in Hollywood. Something smooth to coat the rough life.

After the respite where both women drank a healthy dose of their beverages, I knew it was time to get back to the harsh reality of my career. Or lack thereof.

“I told I.D. about the movie being no more.”

“You can call me Iona.”

I mean, that’s my name after all. Iona Dell but everyone, outside of the people who I grew up with, Cara, and Babette knew me as I.D. When I was fifteen, I thought it was so cool to use an acronym as my name. It worked for Vidtube, but once I wanted to be taken seriously as an actress, the name began to irritate me. Babette swore it would bring the younger crowd to the theaters, and the producers agreed.

“It doesn’t matter what I call you because no one will work with you anymore. You are the reason this production got shut down.”

I remained still as Cara’s gasp echoed around the room. Part of my acting was learning to appear calm when all I wanted to do was scream and cry. I remembered the first time I had to use that talent. A boy broke my heart when I opened mine to him. I was nothing to him after I fell for all his promises. I learned to never trust people, no matter how beautiful they painted the world around you.

I didn’t cry then, and I certainly won’t now.

“Technically, you aren’t the only reason. The budget is getting out of control. I love Mr. Harston’s work, but he’s not immune to the bottom line. Also, Albert doesn’t have much credit left in this town.”

With every bit of resolve in me that hadn’t been melted away, I said, “So, what now? I assume you didn’t come here to inform me of something the director will announce to everyone soon. If you plan to drop me as a client, please let me know.”

She reached across the couch and patted my hand. “And that’s why I love you, I.D. You are strong and determined. You remind me a bit of myself when I was your age.” My heart did a little flip at her assessment but soon returned to steel as she continued, “Even this setback won’t keep you down for long. While the last two movies weren’t that successful, you didn’t star in them, which won’t hurt your career as much as if you did have the lead. But the accident . . .”

I closed my eyes for a moment to will back the tears. Don’t show weakness, Iona. You are better than that.

“Yes, the accident,” I said in the monotone voice I perfected over the past few months.

Babette squeezed my hand, and I felt Cara’s warm touch on my shoulder causing me to open my eyes. Her grip a bit tighter than I expected. That girl must be working out.

They stared at me with pity, and I wanted none of it.

“It made you a liability. But if you think I came here today to drop you as a client, then you don’t know me as well as I thought. I’m the best agent in Hollywood, not because I leave people having a rough patch but because I know the greats in the world. The superstars before they barely begin to shine. That’s you, Iona.”

A tear slipped from my eye, and I nodded with relief. For a brief moment, I believed I’d have to go back to my hometown with my tail tucked between my legs. Maybe even start up my Vidtube channel again.

I couldn’t go back to my old life. I never wanted to step foot in my hometown of Fire Lake, again. Good memories in that town were like shooting stars. You hear about other people seeing them but when you glance up at the night’s sky, there were none to be found.

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