Page 43 of Sensing Selma
I shrugged. “I am a fan, but...well, it’s been a while.”
“The widow Mrs.Dashwood with her daughters Eleanor and Marianne. The younger daughter, Margaret, doesn’t appear in this scene.”
“Oh, right. Yes. I remember now.” It was a bit of a fib. I was still a little fuzzy on the storyline.
“All right, everyone,” Keely called out with her strong, authoritative voice. “Everyone on set and ready.”
With a final pat of powder on their shiny forehead, or cheeks or chin the actresses moved into place. The older woman sat in an armchair, the older daughter stood by the window while the younger one sat near her mother, clearly bored.
“Action!”
The women chatted, their conversation inconsequential. A young servant came in to announce a visitor.
And Damen walked in, looking like a dream. The Dashwood actresses all seemed to appreciate his appeal as they ran through the scene. And Damen...Willoughby...he overflowed with charm and warmth.
The scene ran through with only a few cuts and before long they were done.
“Great job, everyone,” Keely said. “Ladies...wonderful chemistry, the three of you. Okay. Let’s go get ready for the next scene.”
As if reading her mind, the crew gathered their equipment – cameras, lighting, wiring – and moved to the next location. It was all such a well-oiled machine; dozens of men and women working as one.
They worked on three more scenes – two indoor scenes and one outdoors in the garden – all with effortless efficiency.
“Keely is really on fire,” Abbie said as she applauded the end of that final scene.
“How does she get them to know what she wants so easily? She barely speaks to them, but they know. They just seem to know.”
“Keely has used the same crew for most of her movies. Most of these guys have worked on all of them. They know her and they know what she needs with minimal instruction.”
As Damen left the set, I rushed to him. “Excuse me,” I called back to Abbie. “I’ll see you later.”
I reached Damen, breathless. “That was wonderful. Magical. Every scene you’re in is so beautiful. You really embody this character so well.”
“Thank you.” He took my hand in his and brought it to his lips. “As I’ve already told you; you inspire me. Just having you there watching is enough to bring the best out of me.”
“Ah, then let me inspire you more and more.”
He smiled. “What do you have in mind?”
“After such a hard day of work, I thought you might enjoy a quiet and peaceful walk through the forest.”
“That sounds lovely, but I have to admit, I was looking forward to a bite to eat.”
“I’ve thought of that. I brought a few things from the kitchen. I was thinking of a picnic by the creek.”
“Sounds like you’ve thought of everything. He released my hand. “I’ll go change into my street clothes and meet you out at the garden.”
“Good,” I said with a little too much excitement. “I’ll be waiting.”
Thrilled, I turned to the gardens enjoying the festive colors of the gorgeous blooms. Everything looked prettier. Every scent and fragrance smelled like heaven. The world was a happier place. Oh, yes. My crush on Damen was truly blossoming into something serious and it made everything better.
The sun was low on the horizon, and the golden glow of a sunset would soon be on us. We still had a few hours before darkness fell. Perfect.
By the fountain, Susan pushed Mother in her wheelchair, bringing her closer to the water that streamed down from the tall cement flowers from which water spouted. They didn’t see me, and I hoped to simply slip away. But Mother turned my way as she followed the flight of a bird.
“Holly,” she called out as she waved me over. “Holly, honey.”
No, I thought just as a petulant child would. I didn’t want to face her. Not now. Not when I was in a romantic mood. I wasn’t in a charitable, chatty mood. I didn’t want to have to discuss the doldrums of the day...of her day.
