by Gibson, Jo
“But, Denise . . . I’m not even pretty!”
Denise laughed, and propelled Carla toward the motor home. “Don’t worry about it. Mavis is the best in the biz, and so are Jessie and Frank. By the time they get through with you, you won’t even know yourself.”
“Okay, hon. You can look now.” Mavis Parker swiveled Carla’s chair around to face the mirror. “Get ready for a big surprise.”
Carla opened her eyes, and blinked. Another person was in the mirror, a gorgeous, mahogany-haired beauty who was wearing a low-cut silk blouse and mini-skirt. “That’s . . . uh . . . that’s me?”
“That’s you, all right.” Mavis patted Carla on the shoulder. “And it wasn’t all that hard, either. You’ve got all the right stuff in all the right places. You just don’t know what to do with it.”
Carla’s mouth opened and closed. She was gaping like a fish out of water. “Are you sure? I mean . . . I never knew I could look like this!”
“Very nice.” Jessie Coleman, the wardrobe mistress, poked her head in the doorway. “Stand up, hon. I want to see if that skirt wrinkles.”
Carla stood up and smoothed the skirt down. “How could it wrinkle? It’s so tight, it feels like my skin.”
“When Mr. Robinson says glamorous, he means glamorous.” Jessie nodded sagely. “You’ve got lots of great outfits to wear. Maybe you didn’t know this . . . but you get to keep all the clothes when we’re through shooting.”
Carla’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “I do?”
“You bet! That’s one of the perks on Mr. Robinson’s films.” Jessie grinned and reached out to straighten Carla’s neckline. “You look prefect for the part, hon. Go out there and knock ’em dead.”
“But how about my shoes? I don’t know how to walk in high heels!”
“You don’t have to.” Denise came in, just in time to hear Carla’s comment. “It’s a beach scene, and you’re carrying your shoes. You’re walking barefoot through the sand. Do you know your lines?”
Carla nodded. “I memorized them while they were blow-drying my hair. But really, Denise . . . I can’t possibly . . .”
“Sure you can.” Denise interrupted her. “Follow me. They’re almost ready on the beach set.”
Carla’s heart was beating a million miles an hour as they walked through the sound stage and approached the beach set. She could hear Michael singing, and he sounded wonderful. That made her feel like turning around and running. She couldn’t play Michael’s girlfriend. There was no way. She’d spoil his screen test, and ruin his whole career!
“I knew it!” Mr. Robinson looked up with a smile as Denise led Carla onto the set. “What do you think, Heidi? Isn’t she perfect for Cheryl’s part?”
Heidi turned to look at Carla, and she did a classic doubletake. Her face turned white, and she gulped. “Carla! Is that . . . you?”
“I think so.” Carla smiled at Heidi, a sweet, innocent smile. Perhaps she could act, after all. “Thank you, Heidi. It was really nice of you to recommend me.”
Mr. Robinson looked as if he were going to burst into laughter, but he cleared his throat, instead. “We’ll be ready in a few minutes, Carla. Just have a seat in the front row.”
Heidi looked desperately unhappy as Carla left the set.
“Look, Daddy . . . maybe I made a mistake. I really don’t think that . . .”
“It’s too late to worry about it.” Ralph Robinson interrupted his daughter. “And I think you were absolutely right when you chose Carla. Let’s shoot the test and see.”
Carla watched as Denise brought in the group from Covers and seated them in a row of chairs. Everyone was staring at her. Winona’s mouth was gaping open, and Tammy’s eyes were wide with shock. Even Linda looked totally amazed, but she recovered enough to give Carla a friendly smile.
Carla smiled back. She felt fantastic, but she was still modest. “Don’t look so shocked, everyone. It’s just a new skirt and blouse, and new make-up, and a new hairstyle. I’m still me.”
“But I never knew you had such beautiful eyes.” Andy sighed deeply. “And I never dreamed you’d look like that in a mini-skirt.”
Carla was embarrassed. Andy seemed completely bowled over by the change in her appearance, but before she had time to respond to his compliment, Denise was motioning for her to take her place on the set.
“Carla? We need you up here for a lighting check.” Carla felt like a princess as she took her place on the set. The floor was covered with smooth white sand dotted with deck chairs and umbrellas. Carla would have been puzzled by the blank screen in the background, but Denise had already explained it to her. They’d taken actual footage of the ocean, and they would be using rear-screen projection to run that footage during Michael’s audition.
“Lights, please.” Ralph Robinson made a gesture, and the lights came on. Suddenly the set was transformed to a beach at night, lit only by a full moon, hanging low over the horizon. “Are you ready, Carla?”
Carla nodded She was as ready as she’d ever be. She knew her lines, and Denise had rehearsed her.
“Mike? Take your place for the lighting check, please.”
Carla felt her heart race as Michael walked onto the set, carrying a guitar. He was dressed in a black silk shirt, open at the neck and a pair of skin-tight white jeans with black lizard skin cowboy boots. He looked very sexy, and Carla was sure that every other girl from Covers was envying her.
Michael took one look at Carla and his face almost split in a smile. He mouthed the word Wow! and then they both stood like statues for a moment, while Heidi’s father walked from camera to camera, checking their images.
“Okay. You two can relax, but don’t leave the set.” Heidi’s father turned, and motioned to one of the grips. “Put those deck chairs closer together. And the spot directly above Carla has to be lowered a couple of inches. She’s got great hair, and I want to pick up some highlights.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Robinson.” Michael spoke up “Could I make a quick phone call? It’ll only take a second.”
“Sure. Use that phone over there on the wall. Denise? I need you!”
“Yes, Mr. Robinson.” Denise raced to his side, carrying her clipboard.
“Have props fix that guitar. It’s too hot under these lights. And get me a couple of big hunks of driftwood. We need something for Mike to sit on when he sings.”
“Right away, Mr. Robinson.” Denise made a quick note and raced off, clutching her clipboard.
Carla watched all the bustle for a moment, and then Michael came back to join her. Unfortunately, Heidi was right behind him.
“Michael? I need to talk to you . . . alone.” Heidi reached out and grabbed his sleeve. “Leave us for a minute, will you, Carla?”
Carla shook her head. “I can’t. Your father told us we couldn’t leave the set.”
“Well, I’m saying you can.” Heidi stamped her foot. “Get lost, Carla . . . now!”
Carla raised her eyebrows. Heidi really looked rattled. “I’ll be glad to get lost . . . but only if your father says it’s all right.”
“Daddy?” Heidi raced over to her father who was standing a few feet away. He was busy talking to several important-looking men, but that didn’t stop her from interrupting. “Tell Carla she can leave the set. I need to talk to Michael, alone.”
“Later, honey. I’m busy right now.”
“But Daddy!” Heidi tugged at her father’s arm. “This is a real emergency!”
Carla and Michael exchanged worried glances. Heidi’s voice had carried clearly, and they’d heard every word.
“What’s the matter with Heidi?” Michael frowned. “She really sounds upset.”
Carla shrugged. “I don’t know. But I think we’re going to find out.”
“Those were my backers, Heidi.” Mr. Robinson sounded angry. “This had better be important!”
“Oh, it is, Daddy! I wasn’t going to say anything, but I think this whole scene with Carla is a big mistake. I mean . . . she lo
oks okay, but she’s never had any acting experience. She’s going to make Michael look bad and ruin his whole screen test!”
“Hold it, Heidi.” Mr. Robinson’s voice was very stern. “You’re the one who suggested that Carla do the scene.”
“I know. But, Daddy . . . I was just . . . uh . . . joking around. I didn’t actually think you’d pick her! Why don’t you let me do the scene with Michael? I know I can do a much better job than Carla.”
Mr. Robinson shook his head. “I can’t do that, Heidi. Especially not with two of my biggest money men here. If I let you do a screen test, they’ll want me to audition all of their relatives.”
“But, Daddy! What if Carla’s really awful?”
“That’s enough, Heidi!” Mr. Robinson was clearly losing his patience. “We’re doing a screen test for Mike, not for Carla. And I’ll be judging his performance. It won’t make any difference if Carla can’t act.”
“But it will. Please, Daddy . . . can’t you just . . .”
“Forget it, Heidi!” Mr. Robinson grabbed his daughter by the arm, and led her over to a chair. “Sit and watch. And don’t say a word. If you interrupt me again, I’m going to tell Denise to take you outside.”
Michael’s lips began to twitch, and he winked at Carla. “I think Heidi’s jealous. She’s afraid you’ll steal the show.”
“Me?” Carla gave a bitter little laugh. “She doesn’t have to worry about that. I just hope I don’t do anything wrong. This is your big chance, Michael. I’ll feel just horrible if I make you look bad.”
Michael reached out to squeeze her hand. “Don’t be silly, Carla. There’s no way you could make me look bad. You heard Mr. Robinson. He said you were perfect for the part of the girl. And you look sensational! What did they do to you, anyway?”
“I’m not sure, but I think it was a miracle.”
Michael laughed, but then he turned serious. “It wasn’t a miracle, Carla. But I feel like a fool.”
“You do? Why?”
“Because I never noticed how beautiful you are.”
Carla felt a current of warmth rush to her cheeks, and she knew she was blushing. “But, Michael . . . it’s just my hair, and my make-up, and this incredible outfit. They’re all gorgeous. But I’m not.”
“You could have fooled me.” Michael took her hand and squeezed it. “When we get through here, let’s go down and get you some contact lenses. Your eyes are the most beautiful shade of violet blue.”
Before Carla could think of an appropriate reply, Mr. Robertson joined them on the set. He was followed by a man carrying two huge pieces of driftwood, and they tried them out in various spots. They had just decided to place them in front of the screen, when Denise rushed up.
“Here’s your guitar.” Denise handed it to Michael. “They took off the strings and wiped it with something to dull the finish, but nobody in props knew how to tune it again.”
As Michael began to tune the guitar, Denise turned to Carla. “Do you want to go over your lines one last time? You didn’t have very long to rehearse.”
“No, thanks.” Carla shook her head. “I only have three, and I know them.” Denise leaned over, and spoke softly in Carla’s ear. “Do a fantastic job, Carla. I’d love to see Daddy’s little girl eat crow.”
“Me, too.” Carla nodded, and glanced in Heidi’s direction. She found Heidi staring at her with a sneer on her face. That sneer made Carla even more determined to do a good job. Heidi was sure she’d be awful in the part, and Carla wanted desperately to prove her wrong.
“Places, please.” Ralph Robinson motioned to Carla and Michael. “Sit over here on this driftwood, Mike. Carla? I want you to enter from stage left. I’ll cue you when it’s time.”
“Yes, Mr. Robinson.” Carla nodded and went to stand where he had indicated. Her heart was beating fast, and she could feel her knees start to tremble. It must be stage fright. She’d heard Linda and some of the other girls describe how their stomachs had churned and their knees had turned to jelly before an important performance. Linda always said she used her stage-fright to work for her, but Carla had no idea how to do that. She just took a deep breath and thought about how wonderful it would be if Heidi’s mean little trick backfired.
Carla was so nervous, she almost missed Mr. Robinson’s cue. She could hear Michael singing, far off and very softly. It helped her to get into her character. The sound of his voice and the haunting melody made her draw closer and closer, her feet sliding silently through the sand, until she was sitting on the driftwood log, nestled close at his side.
“Hi.” Michael turned to look at her, admiration in his eyes. “Do I know you?”
“No, but please don’t stop.” Carla smiled. “Your song is so beautiful. It’s like the moonlight glistening on the water.”
As Michael sang, Carla reached up to touch his face. She placed one finger gently against his cheek, and sighed as she gazed up at him.
And then the song ended, and the notes died away on the gentle breeze. The waves lapped closer as he put down his guitar. She was ready as he pulled her into his arms, and his lips met hers. Her dream lover was real and she was in his arms.
“Cut!”
Mr. Robinson’s voice startled Carla out of her reverie. She pulled back, out of Michael’s embrace, and blinked.
“That was fantastic!” Mr. Robinson walked over to shake their hands. “I need both of you in my movie. Do you kids have the same agent?”
“Yes, sir.” Carla stared at Michael in surprise, as he nodded. What agent? She didn’t have an agent. But Michael grabbed her hand and squeezed it. And then he reached into his pocket and handed Mr. Robinson a business card. “Here’s his card.”
“Good. That’ll make things simple.” Mr. Robinson glanced down at the card. “I know Jim. He’s very good. Tell him to give me a call in the morning and we’ll work out the details.”
After Mr. Robinson had left, Carla turned to Michael in alarm. “But, Michael . . . I don’t have an agent!”
“You do now. Remember that phone call I made, right before we did our screen test? I called Uncle Jimmy, and he said he’d represent both of us.”
“You were that sure I’d get the part?”
Michael nodded. “Absolutely. I knew you’d be great. You’re very talented, Carla.”
There was a round of congratulations from the gang at Covers, but Heidi was conspicuously absent. Before Carla had time to take a deep breath, she found herself walking out to Andy’s van in the bright sunlight.
“Hey, Carla . . . how does it feel to be a star?” Linda raced up to link arms with her.
“I . . . I don’t know.” Carla sighed deeply. “I still think Mr. Robinson made a mistake.”
Linda shook her head. “Oh, no he didn’t. You were fantastic. And you should have seen the expression on Heidi’s face when he gave you that part.”
“Really?” Carla began to smile. “Could you describe it?”
“It was sort of a cross between a constipated rhino, and a . . . oh, I don’t know!” Linda turned around to look at Michael. “You saw Heidi’s face, didn’t you? How would you describe it?”
Michael grinned and shook his head. “I’m not sure, but I stepped back.”
“You did?” Linda looked puzzled.
“That’s right. I didn’t want to get scalded. I thought steam was going to explode out of her ears any second.”
Carla smiled, but she felt a very uneasy. She hoped Heidi would calm down tonight, and they could go back to being friends. Heidi was smart and she had a lot of influence. It might be very dangerous to have Heidi Robinson as a permanent enemy.
Nine
Over the next few days, Carla walked on eggshells, trying not to antagonize Heidi. Carla’s part in the movie wasn’t big, but she was in almost every scene with Michael. There were shots of her sitting in the audience, applauding at his performance, or waiting to hug him when he came off the stage. She danced with him at parties, and walked at his side at various lo
cations. Carla knew she didn’t have a starring role, but she had plenty of screen exposure. And every time she appeared in a scene, she was dressed in a different, totally gorgeous outfit. Her free wardrobe was growing, and Carla could hardly wait to take the clothes home when the movie wrapped. But there was a distressing downside to her new movie career. As the days went by, and Mr. Robinson praised her work with Michael, it was clear that Heidi was growing angrier and angrier.
On the fifth day, the dirty tricks started. Carla and Michael were doing a critical scene that started in the dressing room, continued down the hall, and ended with Carla joining Michael on the stage as he sang his song. Heidi was on the set as an extra, a member of the group from Covers. They’d all been cast as Michael’s “groupies,” the fans that followed Michael from show to show, and appeared· in the audience. Since Heidi was usually on the set with Michael and Carla, she had plenty of opportunities to try to sabotage Carla’s role.
The first dirty trick almost worked. The setting was the dressing room, where Carla was keeping Michael company before his stage appearance. Carla and Michael were embracing on the couch, and she was in her stocking feet. The scene opened with a knock on the door, Michael’s signal to get ready to perform. When the knock came, they were to jump up. While Michael got into his jacket and grabbed his guitar, Carla was supposed to fish her shoes out from under the couch and put them on. The first part of the scene ended as they both rushed out of the dressing room door.
There was no problem with the rehearsal, and Mr. Robinson seemed pleased. He called for a ten minute break, and Carla was hustled to make-up where her lipstick was freshened and her hair was carefully mussed to look as if she’d been locked in a passionate embrace with Michael. Crew members rushed in to redress the set, plumping cushions, rearranging several bottles and jars on the dresser, and draping clothing on the Oriental screen. By the time the ten minute break was over, the set was finished, and they were ready to shoot the scene.
The first part of the scene went exactly as Carla and Michael had rehearsed it. No problem. But when Carla slipped into her shoes, she noticed that they were a slightly different color than the ones she’d been wearing in the rehearsal. It didn’t really matter. Perhaps wardrobe had changed them for some reason. She really didn’t have time to think about it as Michael grabbed her hand and they raced across the floor to the dressing room door.
