Page 12 of Arranging Ayra
“I’m sure our paths will cross before filming ends. Thank you again for such a lovely visit.”
He backed out of the room and closed the door behind him.
THREE
Iwoke up groggy and confused. It took a few moments for my eyes to focus on the unfamiliar curtains, the strange furniture and even the bedcover spread over me. After a few minutes, I realized I wasn’t in my bed, then with a start, it hit me. I was in England, Derbyshire... Jane Austen... Pride and Prejudice. Oh my! Was I late for the first film call?
I scrambled out of bed, jumped into a pair of khaki’s, flip flops and white shirt, then hurried out of the room. The moment I stepped out into the hall I could hear the distant cacophony of voices. As I neared the stairs, the voices grew louder and increasingly lively.
Damn. My first day on set and I was going to miss it.
I followed the sounds that led me to a good-sized sitting room. Camera and sound technicians were already set up and ready to go. The walls were a pale cream color with ornamental stenciling where the walls met the ceiling. The tall, slender windows were draped in white as was the small table in the corner. Numerous chairs boasted cushioned seats embroidered with large roses - yellow, red, rose and lavender.
“Ayra,” Keely called. “Over here. I’d like you to meet some of the actors.”
I joined her and the group of women she stood with. The women were already dressed for a scene. Simple, empire-waist gowns adorned with large sashes tied at the back. Their hair curled and pulled up, gave them an immediate air of a time long past.”
“We have all five Bennet sisters here ready for the first scene we’re going to shoot,” Keely said, clearly proud of her cast. “Florence Sullivan will be playing the eldest daughter... our lovely Jane.”
“Hello,” she said.
“Then we have Rhonda Clairborne to play Elizabeth.”
“Nice to meet you,” she said, her heaving bosom barely contained by her gown.
“Then Carrie O’Reilly to play Mary.”
“Always a pleasure being cast as the homely one,” she said with smile that showed no resentment despite her words.
“And finally, Hannah and Clara Beale; twins who will play the adorable if not immature Catherine and Lydia.”
“Happy to meet you all,” I said. I casually looked around and noticed that the one person I would have liked to see that morning was missing. Barnaby Darcy was nowhere to be seen.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are played by two brilliant Shakespearean actors: Margeret Worthing and Emile Hill. They’re in the room preparing.”
I nodded my understanding.
