Page 47 of Jason
“I’m sorry, am I being rude?”Cass said with feigned surprise.“I guess because I thought I was quite clear that I needed some time away from this project!”
What was it with artists?Why were so many of them so fucking mercurial?“Timeis something we don’t have.Right now, we’ve only got a few minutes before the first audition and I want to fill you in on some locations we scouted—”
“We?” Cass said sharply.“You scouted locations without me?”
Jason could not believe this guy right now.“What did you think I was going to do?Wait until you’d gone off and smelled some flowers or whatever and put the whole production schedule into jeopardy?We went to the quarry and the warehouse—”
“I specifically ruled out the warehouse!”
“Yeah, well, it’s back on the table.We also went to the cove—”
“You can’t do this without me,” Cass said.“You have norightto do this without me.Imustbe involved.”
Jason’s pulse was beginning to ratchet.Maybe it was the stress of what had happened this week, but he felt like he was one slender moment from punching Cass in the mouth.“I would love for you to be involved,” he said as steadily as he could.“But you have to be available.We are on a very strict timetable here, Cass.I’ve already got crew here.”
Chase stepped inside the room.“Mr.Blackthorne?Your guests are here.”
“Perfect.Mallory, would you go set it up and bring the first one back?”
“Sure,” she said, and walked out of the room.
When she’d gone, Cass turned a murderous look to Jason.“Are you fucking with me, Jason?Your piece of ass waltzes in from L.A.and you are suddenly second-guessing me?”
“Watch your goddam mouth, Cass,” Jason said darkly.“Mallory is probably the most competent person we have on this project.And you know what?She’s right about a lot of things a lot of the time.She was damn sure right about the quarry.It’s too expensive and impractical.We’re going with the warehouse.”
“The hell we are—”
“Hello!”Mallory said very brightly, very loudly.She and the first actor had come into the room.“This is Robert Maroney.”
“Hello, Cass,” Robert Maroney said.“How the heck are you?”
Cass shifted in his seat.“Fine, Robert.Fine.”
Jason knew the guy’s face.He was a seasoned actor, but when he read with Mallory, his delivery seemed a bit stilted.It could be directed out of him.“Thank you,” Jason said when they were done.“We’ll be in touch.”
“Great,” Robert said.“See you guys back in L.A.”
Mallory showed him out.
When they were alone again, Cass gave Jason another murderous look.“Are you trying to push me out?Is that what this is?”he asked, with a flick of his wrist toward the door.
“For the love of Christ—you’re the one who took yourself out, Cass.I’m trying to keep the damn thing afloat.”
The second actor, Trent Hardwick, was the Keanu Reeves lookalike.Introductions were made and the audition began.As Jason watched him, he had to admit that Mallory was right about him—he had the look of someone who’d been through some hard knocks.But he also had that innate appeal.Women would love this guy.Heloved this guy.When he finished, Mallory smiled at Jason.He could read it in her eyes:Told you.
“Thank you,” Jason said.“We’ll be in touch very soon.”
The actor gave them a bit of a salute and walked out of the conference room.
When he was gone, Cass threw his pen down.“I don’t want either of them.They are both wooden blocks.”
“Really?”Mallory said, surprised.“I thought Trent was really good.”
“No one cares what you think, Mallory,” Cass snapped.“Haven’t you already done enough?”
“Cut it out, Cass,” Jason said angrily.
“Darien Simmons was perfect for the role!Perfect.He was urbane and sophisticated.These two are great if you’re wanting a guide to lead you through the Tetons on a donkey.”
