Trifecta

by Pam Richter

  "It made this horrible high screeching noise. When it opened it's mouth it had large fangs. From the opened mouth all this clear bubbly liquid came pouring out, like it was salivating. Like I was lunch. The noise it made was high in pitch, screeching. It began to reach for me with two pairs of ugly little hands. Did I mention it had claws? Dirty, long claws. As it reached for me, I saw that it had spread it's wings. The wings must have spanned fifteen feet, and I knew that even if I ran—it could fly. So it would get me.

  "Even though I knew I could not get away, I turned and ran. I could hear a loud sound, like a fan, and I knew the thing was flying after me. I was screaming in my dream, and probably really screaming by that time. I was running and dodging through the trees. It seemed probable that if there was one insect chasing me, it would be logical to expect that there were more of them around. Finally it caught me, I felt it grabbing my shoulder, but it was not hurting. Then I was hearing Mark saying that I was all right. It was not the huge insect, but Mark. Then I really woke up."

  "Oh, my God," Sabrina said. It sounded like her own worse nightmare. Happy endings. Sure.

  "I know there are no large insects in existence, and I should have understood that I was having an awful nightmare, but I couldn't seem to control the fear. And even knowing that I can’t feel pain, I expected to in my dream. I would be torn apart by that grizzly thing, eaten in those huge fangs, and it would be agonizing. Which is pretty interesting because I have never experienced physical pain, but I knew that it would be just horrible. So maybe dreams will help me to understand humans better, although I would rather not go to sleep again after that one."

  "I don't blame you a bit, Eve," Sabrina said.

  "Since you don't have an imagination, I'll think up an ending for the dream," Mark said. He was silent for a moment, thinking. "Let’s imagine that you are running away from the bug again. You are very strong, so you turn around and as it flies down at you, you give it an enormous wallop in the jaw, and it falls down dead."

  "I couldn't stand to touch the hairy jaw."

  "You are running from the bug, and another bug comes from the opposite....No. Wait. I know. You are running from the bug and you start running in circles around a tree. The bug is after you, but it gets so dizzy that it bangs it's silly head right into the tree and falls down dead."

  Sabrina started giggling and Eve, glancing at her, smiled.

  "Or. I know. You're running away from the Big Ugly Stupid Bug. The bug is so stupid that it starts to dive at you and you just stop running, jump sideways, and it dives right past you down into the ground and gets its Ugly Gross head stuck in the mud and can't pull it out. Or it breaks its skinny neck."

  Sabrina was laughing hysterically and Eve started laughing too. Mark knew he was on a roll.

  "Or, wait, I know," Mark said pointing his finger in the air, "The Big Gross Ugly Thing is after you. But remember. It is so stupid that it forgets it is hungry because it sees another ugly gross thing like itself. Another big bug. It is so repelled that it tries to fly backward, somersaults in mid air, and falls right next to the other ugly bug. Both are instantly dead of fright."

  Sabrina was laughing so much that her side hurt.

  Eve was experiencing laughter for the first time and it was wonderful and fun. Mark didn't just tell the stories, he acted them out. She could actually picture the bugs in her mind as Mark flapped his arms and buzzed. But now they weren't scary. And laughter, mingled laughter, was the best thing she had ever experienced.

  "Or, I know..." Mark had them hysterical with bugs crashing heads, dying of fright and stupidity, and Eve as heroine in the tales.

  Now Mark was infected with the laughter and could not go on. When one had almost stopped, a glance at the other two would start them all in again. Finally, all three were sitting on the floor, holding their stomachs, and trying to control themselves.

  When they were finally resting from the hysterics, Mark pointed his finger up in the air and said, "Or...Wait...I know..."

  Everyone started laughing.

  CHAPTER 12

  Sabrina didn't notice the two vehicles following her car as she and Eve drove to Malibu at 4:30 in the morning. Ivar and Malcolm, following Sabrina and Eve, were very much aware of the blue Mitsubishi following their own car. The Japanese Yakuza in the Mitsubishi were well aware of the CIA men ahead of their own car, following Sabrina's Mustang. The procession traveled west, toward the ocean.

  Sabrina felt light headed from lack of sleep and hoped the dark circles under her eyes wouldn't be too noticeable for the camera's intractable eye. One of the fortunate things about doing a national commercial was that there would be a professional make-up artist to erase the effects of a virtually sleepless night.

  The early morning drive was essentially devoid of traffic, such an unusual experience in Los Angeles that Sabrina started enjoying the ride. She hoped that bringing Eve along was not a mistake, but it would certainly be a good learning experience for her to observe the unique way film people behaved. Also, she wanted Tracy Rieber to meet Eve. She knew Tracy would believe that she and Eve were long lost cousins, and would want to use her as a model. It could be a beginning for Eve's independence.

  The Pacific Coast Highway, which paralleled the ocean, was beautiful in the dawn. Eve seemed to be fascinated with the colors on the glittering sea. She kept turning to look at the moon behind them, which was full and perfectly round, a pale cream color.

  Sabrina saw the silver trailers and gigantic trucks about a mile before they arrived at the site. She parked on the bluff and they started the climb down to the beach.

  Tracy Rieber was inspecting a camera sitting on a tripod, from which he would take still shots. He was nervous; even from this distance she could see him frantically glancing at the sun and giving orders to the dozens of men who were manning the cables and lights. Even on the beach they had to keep the lighting controlled. The cloudy overcast had not yet dissipated in the watery dawn.

  Sabrina was surprised at the number of extras on the beach. There were about ten women and as many men who were obviously not a part of the crew, standing around with coats thrown over their bathing suits, drinking coffee and shivering. It looked big-time.

  "There will be food here," Sabrina said to Eve as they walked toward the site. "It would be best if you didn't eat too much. I'll take you to breakfast later. You do have your syrup?"

  "Yes. And I will blink."

  Sabrina was surprised to see Eve smile. Perhaps she had made a joke? Sabrina wasn't sure, but thought Eve looked very pretty in designer jeans and a pale green jacket with long fringe decorating it.

  Tracy spotted Sabrina and hurried over. "You've got to get into makeup. The sun's almost perfect. We have to hurry."

  Then Tracy noticed Eve. His eyes opened wide. "Who is this!"

  "My cousin Eve...Um." Last name, Sabrina thought to herself frantically. We don't have a last name for Eve.

  Eve smiled, holding out her hand to Tracy and said quickly, "Eve Miller. I'm pleased to meet you. Sabrina's told me so much about you."

  Sabrina was dumbfounded. Was this the socially misfit human computer whom she had first met just two days ago, who did not blink, smile or speak correctly? Who ate a gigantic bone just last night? Now she seemed so...normal. She had saved the situation by using Sabrina's own last name.

  "I'm dazzled," Tracy said looking back and forth at the two women with a puzzled expression. "Now, Sabrina, you go over to that trailer. And I am going to learn...All About Eve."

  Sabrina left the two reluctantly. Tracy had been making a silly pun about the movie, 'All About Eve.' She hoped Eve would respond adequately.

  Sabrina climbed a rickety ladder into a silver trailer. The aging beauty who did make-up tut-tutted over her, performing miracles. Then Sabrina was conducted to another trailer and the bathing suit, silver lame' with crystal embroidery, was adjusted minutely, actually sewing Sabrina into the suit. The seamstress reminded Sabrina to pee so she wouldn't nee
d to use the 'honey pot' trailer in the middle of filming.

  * * * * *

  Ivar and Malcolm stood at the top of the bluff using binoculars to watch. They were not noticeable, as many people were standing up there and around the beach, eager to see filming done Hollywood Style. The two men eyed the Japanese, standing apart from them, and got fierce, hostile stares back in return.

  "I could take the biggest one," Malcolm said.

  Ivar chuckled. "In your dreams. Largest Japanese I've ever seen. If they are who I think they are, you wouldn't have a chance. This investigation is getting very scary."

  * * * * *

  Sabrina didn't notice any of the onlookers. She was just glad that she had religiously gone to the gym. The next two hours were spent running up and down the beach, repeating take after take, holding up the appropriately silver toothpaste box, chased by a bunch of happy looking beach bums.

  Finally some of the extras started protesting, so Tracy had them do the last takes on the harder wet sand by the water's edge. Sabrina's directions were to act like she was running away from the crowd. She splashed into the water, playing with the waves spontaneously. Tracy yelled, "Way to go. Just a little deeper, Sabrina. But don't get that suit wet."

  The ocean was chilling her quickly. After each sprint, a man hurried over to Sabrina to towel the clinging sand off of her legs.

  Sabrina was so out of breath by the last take, where she stood in front of the entire bunch of extras, all doing the latest dance craze, as she smiled and held up the toothpaste, rolled her tongue over her teeth and said Ummm, that Tracy, who had been following her sprints down the beach in a camera truck, let her take a breather.

  "You were panting in that last shot," Tracy observed sweetly, smiling down at her from his comfortable seat in the truck. "Looks too sexy. Take ten."

  Sabrina sank down into the warm sand gratefully, not caring if she was covered with the stuff. She was too tired to notice much, except that Tracy had had Eve in the filming truck during the whole episode and seemed to be trying to explain just what he was doing every moment he wasn't actually filming. She thought she was a little angry with his behavior, but put it down to low blood sugar. She did, after all, want Eve to be able to model if she wanted to. But Eve could be a doctor, physicist, or a scientist. Anything she chose. Just because she was pretty Tracy was going all ga-ga. Typical male reaction. With all the attention Eve was receiving from Tracy, Sabrina knew that Eve had not been able to surreptitiously take a nip from the bottle of syrup. Poor thing was probably starving.

  After the last shot, Sabrina noticed that Tracy had put his director's cap on Eve. He had his arm around her as they drove away from the crew and models. When Sabrina finally caught up to them, she took Eve aside and told her to go behind one of the wagons and drink some syrup. She saw a breakfast banquet being set up.

  Tracy swaggered up to Sabrina. "That Eve is so funny. What a droll sense of humor. When I tried to get my hat back from her, she said she thought I had given it to her for keeps. Perfectly straight faced. Your cousin is a gas. And so curious. I think she could shoot a commercial herself, now."

  "Eve is very bright."

  "I told her I wanted to take some test shots and she agreed. Her figure is perfect for modeling, just like yours. She's a little younger than you?"

  "Yes."

  "Eve's a natural," Tracy enthused. "Could be your double. A few years back."

  "People have mentioned that."

  "Except for the hair, of course. Uncanny resemblance."

  "Yes."

  "She has a great career ahead of her," Tracy said, nodding judiciously. He went off to get some food.

  Sabrina was not amused. She had run on the beach for hours without even a break until the last shot, and Tracy had not even mentioned how hard she had worked. What an unmitigated ass.

  Eve came from behind the trailer.

  "Tracy wants to take some shots of me." Eve was smiling again.

  "As long as he doesn't take a shot at you."

  "You need food. You're shaking."

  "Yes. But I meant what I said. Tracy makes a career out of seducing young models. In fact, I'll go along with you. Make sure he doesn't try any hanky-panky right off the bat."

  They walked through a crowd to the food, with Eve smiling and repeating softly, several times, 'hanky-panky right off the bat.'

  Some of the people Sabrina had been running with moved down on a bench to make room for her and Eve at the banquet table. They had scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and a few donuts. Eve ate the same things that Sabrina did. No one seemed to notice when Sabrina put a few extra bagels into her purse.

  The vehicles that had followed Sabrina and Eve to the shooting location were again on their tail as they left. When the two women stopped at Butterfield's Restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Ivar and Malcolm flipped a coin to see who would go into the restaurant. Malcolm won the toss and walked down stone steps to a cool patio area, covered by vines, that had been set up for brunch. He located a table where he could watch the women. The Japanese had just arrived and sat at a table right next to them.

  It was obvious to Malcolm that the women were twins or sisters, even with the different coloring. He had fantasies about the red head, whom he had seen in the silver bathing suit. She was just his type. Tall and slim. But the girl had muscles and he had loved watching her run. Her thighs especially had excited him. Long thin thighs, so slim that you could see the muscles straining beneath the skin. A real thoroughbred.

  Malcolm observed the two women ordering from the menu. He was curious about what they would eat after the enormous breakfast on the set. He had observed the sneaking of bagels into the red head's purse through his binoculars. He himself was starving and he ordered a large breakfast, hoping he would have time to eat.

  A waiter approach the women's table. Orange juice and coffee for each was unloaded. The waiter served the red haired woman pancakes and sausages. The dark woman had steak and eggs with hash browns.

  The dark girl ate all of the steak and eggs and a couple of muffins. The red head did not touch her food. Then Malcolm watched, astonished, as they traded plates. The dark girl ate the red head's breakfast.

  Both women could chow-down, but the black haired sister was extraordinary. Malcolm did not know exactly what he was supposed to be watching for, but he just bet that she was one of those women who ate excessively and then went to the toilet to vomit. It was supposed to be some sort of disease. The poor woman probably couldn't help herself. The red head was aiding and abetting. It was really sick. He would report it because he was supposed to observe and report all that the women did. Who was he to complain? It was not an unpleasant assignment, watching two gorgeous broads, even if they did have unusual eating habits.

  "I need to learn to use the body better," Eve said seriously as they discussed a trip to Sabrina's spa on the way home. "I have been moving all the parts, but a physical workout would probably be good for it."

  Sabrina looked at Eve. She was blinking, but she was still very odd. She seemed to disconnect her mind, or the computer, from her body, the way she spoke about them as separate, distinct entities. Maybe Eve felt comfortable enough with her to be peculiar, Sabrina thought. In public she had to be performing assiduously because she always seemed to do the socially correct thing when people were watching.

  Sabrina drove down Sunset to her gym, Total Figure Shaping. She got a guest pass for Eve and they went to the locker room to change.

  "I'll take you around and show you the equipment," Sabrina said.

  "I recognize everything. I know your routine."

  "Really?"

  Eve nodded.

  Could Eve really possess all her memories?

  "Shall we meet in a couple of hours at the juice bar?" Eve asked.

  "Okay." That was part of the routine, too.

  Sabrina watched Eve go into the main room. The facilities were state of the art in Los Angeles and contained exercise dev
ices which would be a puzzle to anyone who had not been specifically trained to use the machinery. She saw Eve go to the first machine she always used, the pectoral machine. Eve positioned herself on the seat and pulled the weights toward her. Suddenly the weights crashed together, causing a gigantic clash. Everyone in the room stopped and looked at Eve. Evidently the weights were on a setting that was too light for Eve, although it was the weight Sabrina always used herself and found quite difficult. Sabrina was impressed.

  She watched Eve calmly reset the machine to the highest difficulty possible, and do two sets of exercises. Then Eve went to the arm pulley. As she did so she turned around and looked at Sabrina. It was pretty uncanny; like having an identical twin who knew you so well she expected you to watch.

  As Eve was working out on the machines, she had the strange sensation that her body was taking over, like it had a memory of its own. She went from one machine to another, as though she had been programmed.

  Eve walked, almost involuntarily, up the stairs to the oblong track above the exercise rooms. As she ran, her mind virtually turned off, and she seemed to be floating. She had not read about 'runners high,' but was starting to feel a new sensation, an exhilaration of movement, breathing and flow that was almost hypnotic. She jogged slowly in rhythm to the sound of soft rock music that was piped throughout the gym.

  An aerobics class was already in progress, but Eve went in anyway and left her towel by the back mirrors, like she always did. She joined the hops and high kicks. The instructor was on a raised platform leading the class energetically. Eve knew she was a match for the instructor any time.

  Eve thought that she had, no, Sabrina had, come to this class often because some of the arm movements, combined with the leg movements, were very complicated. Eve performed as though she had done the routine hundreds of times. There were some pretty wonderful things about being a physical being. She watched the people around her. They were laughing and straining. A variety of surprising shapes. Of course people were mammals, even though they often forgot that fact.