Page 2 of Gluttony
A buzz rent the air. The rain stopped. Floodlights came on. Production crew suddenly emerged from the shadows of the studio set, but Tony was still staring into his co-star’s big brown eyes. She winked at him.
“You wanna get a drink after this, Tones?” she asked, her Boston accent thick. “You know, celebrate the end of an era?”
Maggie O’s classic good looks, perfect curvy body, and lips that locked you in a trance were the talk of Hollywood. But her dry personality switched from happy to vixen in the shake of a lamb’s tail. Stories of her bedroom exploits had traveled through the staff, as Tony’s had. She probably thought a hookup between them was inevitable, especially since his no-dating-co-stars rule had expired when the director had shouted “It’s a wrap.”
“No can do, Maggie. I’m dry, remember?”
Her voice thickened and her eyes smoldered. “You look pretty wet to me.”
He smirked but disengaged and helped her upright. “Sorry. Not today.”
“I’m up for a drink!” Desmond, a.k.a. The Psycho, jumped up from his death position on the floor behind Maggie.
The gorilla which was actually a man in a CGI costume, also stuck up his hand. “I’m keen.”
Maggie pouted at the intrusion before she turned back to Tony. “But the movie’s over. Surely you can enjoy a drink now.”
Jeez, woman. Have a little respect.His recent exploits weren’t exactly a secret. He shouldn’t have to remind her. “After holding up production for two months so I could go to rehab, they’ve written abstinence into my contract. I’m clean until the premiere.”
She gaped. “Abstinence from everything?”
He winked. Let her think whatever she wanted from that.
“A coffee then?”
Desmond scooted forward and raised his hand. Again. “Where are we going?”
Maggie folded her arms and blocked him. Poor guy.
Or was Tony the poor guy? This woman wouldn’t let up. Probably wanted them to be the town’s next power couple and rustle up a bit of publicity for the film release.
The bustle of a closing set swarmed around them and Tony turned to the set assistant arriving with a robe in each hand. She was a tall, willowy woman about thirty. A Bluetooth headset covered her ears and the clipboard under her arm looked like it was about to drop.
“Thanks, Peta,” Tony said and received his robe but didn’t put it on. He didn’t mind the wet clothes and fake blood. Been in worse. “You need help with that clipboard?”
Despite having worked with Tony for the past few months, Peta’s smile was still shy. “No problems, I got it. Great scene, by the way.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Tony wasn’t so sure. That last interaction had felt stilted on his side. The chemistry between Maggie and he wasn’t so translatable. He’d done better before.
“Also,” Peta added, “you might want to know that Donatello is on his way.”
“Shit.” Tony scrubbed his face. Not good. The demanding producer was the last person he wanted to see. Maybe if he hurried, he’d get to his trailer before Donatello. He could crank some music, lock the door, and feign deafness to any knock.
Peta’s smile dropped as she turned to Maggie and thrust out the remaining robe. After Maggie received it, Peta turned without a word and left.
Desmond shouted after Peta. “Where’s my robe?”
Tony gave him his.
Maggie’s lip curled. “Honestly. What do I have to do around here to get a little appreciation like you? That girl has had it in for me since day one.”
SayingPleaseandThank youwould be a good start.
He lifted his brows. “The director doesn’t appreciate me. I told him that final shot was unbelievable. Civilians don’t carry the kind of bullets that pierce through two bodies—it’s irresponsible to do so—but do you think he listened to the feedback? Let’s not even talk about the unbelievable plot.”
Tony knew if the film failed at the box office, they’d blame him for messing up production, but there was nothing he could do about that now. He just hoped his acting had been up to scratch.
Hugging her robe tight, Maggie responded. “I don’t know why you care. We’re only here to look good and play the part, not to think. Besides”—she slapped him playfully—“what’s wrong with that, right? It pays the bills.”
