Page 2 of The Actor: Harrison

“Weloveyour movies! We’rehugefans.” She puts a smug smile on her face.

“Really? Which one’s your favorite?” I ask, knowing they don’t really watch my movies. They probably saw the massive, action-packed franchise, but nothing else I did, not even the one that won me the Oscar. But it’s fine. It’s part of the game. They profess their love for me, take pictures, put them on social media, and my name gets out there. No different from the paparazzi, they’re just better dressed.

“Allof them! We can’t choose just one, that’s not fair.” She puts a hand over her chest and pretends to be shocked while her friends nod.

I chuckle, playing their game. They have no idea how many times I’ve heard this excuse. If you really like someone’s work and you want to have a conversation with them, you can at least do your homework. Watch just one of my movies, then you can talk about it. I’m not here to give them a pop quiz about all of my roles.

“I’m glad you love them. Thank you, I really appreciate your support,” I say sincerely.

They may not be interested in me as an actor and only in me as a status symbol, but I really do appreciate their support. It’s people like them that keep my name out there and allow me to keep working in this industry. It’s depressing, sure, but it’s the least I can do to keep doing the work I love.

“Do you mind if we take a picture together?” she asks and I smile.

It took them less than two minutes to get to what they really wanted. “Sure, I saw a photo booth over there we can use.” I point to the corner of the room where a small crowd is waiting to use the spot with the perfect setting for an Instagram picture.

I turn toward Aaron, who is hiding a smug smile behind his champagne glass. I give him a don’t-even-try-to-comment look and he innocently shakes his head.

“I’m going to take a picture with these lovely ladies,” I announce, eliciting some giggling from the girls.

“Don’t let me take you away from your groupies.” He winks at me and I scowl at him.

“See you in a few minutes.”

“Are you sure about that? They look like they want a bit more than a picture,” he teases.

I turn toward the expectant girls and take in their ages. They’re young, way too young for me. They’re probably legal, but with all the makeup, dresses, and high heels they probably look older than they are. I don’t know if they’re even twenty-one. I sure as hell wouldn’t give them something to drink.

“More than sure. Jail is not my favorite vacation spot.” I raise my eyebrow.

“Yes, you should probably keep your hands to yourself,” he agrees.

We make our way to the other side of the massive living room, walking around waiters with champagne and dodging tipsy dancers. We don’t say a lot while we wait our turn for the photo booth. The girls mostly whisper into each other’s ears and giggle, casting furtive glances in my direction. I smile, make some small talk, but the time is dragging out so long until it’s almost awkward standing here without saying a word. If I needed confirmation that they’re young, really young, this is it. A more experienced woman would have probably already dragged me somewhere more private to have a quickie.

“This is us!” I say with too much enthusiasm when the last couple comes out of the booth.

We enter the space and I’m horrified to find a love seat to put my ass on. No way I can fit with all five girls on there.

“Ladies, sit, please!” I bow to let them walk in.

“You can sit with us!” the blond chatty one suggests.

“I would never let a girl stand while I sit. My mom raised a gentleman.” I don’t give in to the suggestion.

They giggle and reluctantly sit down, but at least they don’t make a fuss. The camera in front of us is automatically triggered when you press a button, so when they push it and strike a pose, I stand behind them raising my hands so everyone can see I’m not groping teenagers and then smile at the camera.

It takes thirty seconds for the set of photos and then they decide to get a digital copy on their phones. I take the opportunity while they’re focused on their mobiles to say goodbye and bolt out of the booth.

It’s easy to disappear into the crowd that seems even larger than when I arrived. I spot a familiar figure on the dance floor and I reach her, putting my hands on her hips and grinding her ass to the beat of the music.

“Hey, beautiful.” I kiss her cheek.

She turns her head and smiles. “Hey, handsome!” She kisses me back.

I filmed a couple of projects with Samantha. We had fun working together and also hooking up from time to time.

“I saw you with Kevin’s teenage daughter. She’s young, like really young!” she teases me.

“I swear, I kept my hands high and visible in the picture.” I keep dancing with her while she turns around and laces her hands around my neck.

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