Page 29 of 7 Miles High
The San Gabrielle Mountains look beautiful in the distance. We’re driving onto the set in Los Angeles, early in the morning, but you wouldn’t know the hour by the activity. The crew looks like ants in a farm. They move steadily, setting up lighting and cameras. Tall director’s chairs dot the scene, but no one occupies them yet. Driving slowly past security, Parker doesn’t look or offer any proof of being part of the crew. They seem to know we belong here.
Pulling between two SUVs he parks and turns off the engine.
“Okay girls. I’m going to introduce you to a few people, then I’ve got to get to hair and makeup. You can walk around or get some breakfast. They’re serving till ten. I’ll show you where it’s at.”
When he pauses he sees our expressions. Without a word between us, I know Jenna feels like I do. We don’t want to do anything that would reflect badly on Parker. We’re thirty-year-old little girls in this moment.
“Relax. You’ll be fine. Come on.”
We exit the car, and he throws his arm around my shoulders.
“Let’s go see if we can find the stunt coordinator.”
Walking across the half-paved lot, I see the eyes of more than one person checking me out. Not sure if it’s the fact that I’m a stranger, or that Parker has his arm around me. I’m going with the latter.
“There they are,” Parker says, motioning to the long tables set up in front of a huge RV.
A line of people wait their turn to place breakfast orders at the two windows manned by busy cooks.
“Let’s go meet the stunt crew, then you two can get in line. They make some great breakfast burritos, if you like that.”
“Is it a cash only system?” Jenna asks.
“It’s free. No money required.”
“This is the greatest job in the world,” she comments under her breath.
Walking up to the table of six men and three women my eye goes to the man and woman at the far end. I know those two! It’s the director, Steven French. And Bliss, his wife. He’s famous for his Oscar-nominated directorial debut, and her for the well-respected HBO series about Finn Kennedy’s family. Ohhhh!
I feel Jenna’s fist hit my leg. She’s spotted them too.
All eyes are on us, most of them accompanied by a smile.
“Hey! This is the first time you’ve been fifteen minutes early, Parker. That’s late for you,” the one in the middle says.
“Hi, everybody. This is Natalie, and Jenna. Girls, this is Isaac, our coordinator,” he says, gesturing to where he sits.
“Nice to meet you both. What are you doing with this guy, Natalie?”
He leaves the comment where it lays, and I don’t really know how to respond. But it’s lost among the greetings coming our way. Everyone is friendly, even the good-looking girl with the dark hair, whose pale green eyes haven’t left me. She’s taken me apart from head to toe. Sizing me up for some unknown reason.
Parker continues the introductions. First the stunt people, Derek, Christie, Ty, West, Kinnie, and Nia.
“This is our director, Steven, and the screenwriter, his wife Bliss.”
“Hi,” I say to both.
“Welcome. You came on a good day. Parker’s high falls are memorable.” Bliss smiles.
“Neither of us have ever seen a stunt before. We’re excited.”
When I turn to Jenna she’s just nodding. I think she’s stunned by the fact that she’s right in the middle of one of her best days. It’s rendered her mute.
“Sit with us.” Steven moves over.
“Natalie, are you in the business?” Bliss asks.
“Oh no. I sell real estate in Santa Barbara.”
