“Pizza sounds like a winner! Go ahead and order; I’ll have whatever you’re getting. Meanwhile, I need some help brushing up my French.”
***
16
Chapter 5
Alex spent the next several weeks preparing for Vancouver Venus. She knew lots of work lay ahead; organizing proper documents for her trip to Canada, getting back her “hockey skate legs” by practicing shots at a nearby rink and falling in with a group of college students playing street hockey; honing a Canadian accent, speaking French whenever possible, and repeating the same three lines from a script she received.
Nevertheless, Alex was nervous. She’d done many other bit parts, but never for a major motion picture. There was a large difference in speaking roles–whether being the lead or having only a few lines–and background action that usually ended up on some cutting room floor.
The pay would be nothing special, but the increased chances of being spotted by industry bigwigs and offers of larger and better parts appealed to her.
17
Alex’s phone rang as she prepared to shower after another day of practice at the rink.
“I wanted to get in touch and alert you to a change of plans,” Doris said.
Oh God, has my role been cut? I knew things were going too well. “What?”
“Remember I said production of Vancouver Venus begins early next month? It turns out production’s been pushed up a few weeks. The arena where game scenes are being filmed is scheduled to host a live children’s show and needs shooting completed soon as possible in order to prepare. You’ll leave for Vancouver Monday morning.”
Alex grabbed a pencil and paper. “What time?”
“Your flight is scheduled for five-thirty a.m.”
“I should go to bed early Sunday night since I’ll need to be at the airport long before that. Are there any other production changes?”
“No; I’ll be in touch if any more come into my office.”
“Thanks, Doris. You have no idea how grateful I am for this opportunity, no matter how small my part.”
18
“Check in after you arrive in Vancouver,” Doris advised.
“I will. Maybe I’ll bring you a souvenir after filming wraps.”
***
19
Chapter 6
Snowflakes speckled the Vancouver air when Alex’s flight landed the following Monday in contrast of New York’s seventy-degree plus weather.
An assistant met her at the airport and offered additional instructions while they were en route to the cast members’ hotel.
Script changes were made during the interim of Alex receiving her initial copy. The three lines remained intact and she was delighted to find additional game scenes added to her character.
Alex glanced up from her new copy. “When do I start?”
“Either tomorrow or Wednesday if production remains on schedule,” the assistant replied. “However, everyone must be present during the entire shooting in case additional changes are needed.”
20
“Works for me; Vancouver isn’t exactly an ideal vacation spot this time of year.”
“This is where most of the cast will stay during production,” the assistant informed Alex as their limo pulled up to a hotel. The outside appearance wasn’t fancy, but she was ready to collapse almost anywhere after a long day.
They entered the lobby and checked in at the reservation desk, where a bellhop collected their bags. Alex noticed presences of additional supporting and bit part actors chattering among themselves, but no sign of the leads or extras.
“Did Lily Stahl change her mind about playing Venus owner Annabelle Archer?” she wondered. “I don’t see her or anyone appearing to be extras.”
“Miss Stahl is staying at an undisclosed location to avoid any potential problems. The casting director who handles extras decided to recruit local citizens for game night and other necessary scenes,” the assistant said. “He thinks doing so would give additional authentic flavor, plus a boost to the Vancouver economy.”
“Oh…well, that makes sense. What time should I report to the set tomorrow?”
21
The assistant flipped through several pages from a book she held and smiled at Alex. “Prepare to arrive for makeup and costume by six a.m.”
“In that case, I better go upstairs for rest of the night. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”
Alex caught an elevator just as its door was about to close and rode up to her room on the ninth floor. She unlocked the door and gasped at the splendor before her.
My God, if these are the minor actors’ rooms, I can almost imagine what the stars have!
Alex squealed and flopped on the king-sized bed, basking in the moment for several minutes before she dialed Doris’ home number and received a voice mail message.
“Hi, Doris; it’s Alex! Sorry to call you at home so late, but I just got into my room in Vancouver and can’t chat long anyway. I’m due on the set by six tomorrow morning. Call my cell number if you need anything. Talk soon, bye!”
***
22
Chapter 7
“Cut!” the director bellowed. “Ladies, I know it’s early, but can you least make an effort to focus? This is women’s professional hockey, not figure skating. You are the Venus. Now, let’s try again.”
“Scene 18, take 21,” a clapper loader called and snapped the clap board’s lever.
Alex sighed and again got into position for a full-strength scene with one of the supporting actors that had been shot multiple times since seven-thirty. She had no lines in the scene, but seemed to be the only one treating it like it was an actual hockey game.
She executed a perfect shot across the ice only to have it bounce off a goal post as stated in the script.
“Cut and print!” the director called. He turned his attention to Alex. “That was one beautiful move, young lady!”
“Thank you, Mr. Francis,” she replied with a shy smile.
23
“All right, everyone, let’s break for lunch,” a production assistant said. “It’s been a long morning and we need everyone fresh for Miss Stahl’s scenes this afternoon. Be back on the set in one hour.”
“Thank God,” another actress groaned as she and Alex handed their hockey sticks to the property master. “I’m ravenous as hell right now.”
“You and me both,” Alex said.
“By the way, I’m Phyllis Lodge, one of the girls with no lines.”
“Alexandra Galloway, but everyone calls me Alex. “I have three lines, one with Lily Stahl. I’m nervous as hell.”
“You’ll do fine. I hear she’s kind of a bitch, though, so be ready.”
“I’ve gone over the line with one of my roommates at least a hundred times. Have you ever played hockey? I noticed how well you controlled the puck.”
“I was on my high school’s field hockey team, but since ice skating’s an additional skill, my agent thought it was a bright idea for me to do this movie.”
24
“We should count our blessings; I thank my agent every chance for me being here. Vancouver Venus is the best job I’ve had to date.”
Phyllis nodded. “It would look good on our resumes, wouldn’t it? Hey, do you want to see a real hockey game tomorrow night? I have two tickets my agent gave me as a good luck gift and no one to go with.”
“Who’s playing?” Alex asked.
“Pittsburgh Rebels at Vancouver Galaxy; it’s the first of two games between them. My seats aren’t too bad. Not near glass or anything, but they aren’t nosebleeds either.”
“Wow, an American Hockey Conference game? I happen to be a Rebels fan, so count me in! When does the puck drop?”
“Seven-thirty; we should be finished filming for the day unless Francis is much an asshole tomorrow as he’s been today.”
“I’m sure he’ll be more tolerable once the game and practice skate scenes are done.”
“I hope so; h
e’s driving everyone nuts.”
25
“Look on the positive side; working with legendary director Connor Francis would make any actor’s resume impressive.”
“You make a good point,” Phyllis agreed. “Let’s go get a burger and back to the set before everyone again freaks out.”
***
“How is everything on the set?” Doris asked that evening when Alex checked in. “Have you shot the scene with Lily Stahl yet?”
“Yes; believe it or not, we got it on the first take. She’s rather difficult, but I think she liked me.”
“Of course, Alexandra; you’re a hard person not to like.”
“That’s your opinion, Doris. I can’t stay on the phone long; I’m meeting someone at six forty-five.”
“Oh, you’ve already found a boyfriend? Nice!”
“No, Phyllis Lodge, another actress with a non-speaking Venus team member part.”
26
“Oh yes, Phyllis! Mario Banks is her agent. She’s done a few small Broadway parts. I’m shocked Mario’s considered Phyllis for movies since she’s a natural on the stage. What big night do you lovely starlets have planned?”
“Nothing special; we’re going to the Pittsburgh vs. Vancouver hockey game. Phyllis had an extra ticket and asked me to go. It starts at seven-thirty and I promised to meet her at the arena.”
“Have fun, dear. Keep me posted about the movie.”
“You know I will, Doris. I’ll call you sometime tomorrow after we wrap for the day.”
***
27
Chapter 8
“Geez, I need a drink,” Phyllis said after the game ended. “Rebels barely squeaked out a win. Those Vancouver boys can play some hockey!”
“Well, most are Canadians,” Alex jokingly replied. “Hey, there’s a hotel nearby. Let’s see if they have any decent cocktail lounges.”
They ran across the street to the hotel parking lot, giggling the entire time.
“Oh, awesome; a sports bar inside the lobby!” Phyllis exclaimed. “Let’s check it out!”
“Remember, not too late,” Alex reminded her. “We have to be on the set tomorrow morning at six for makeup and costumes. You know how Connor Francis gets when he’s kept waiting.”
Phyllis rolled her eyes. “Oh, yes, I’m well familiar.”
28
They grabbed an empty table near the entrance and removed their coats.
“Far as weather is concerned, I think I’d rather stay in New York,” Phyllis said. “It’s freezing outside!”
Alex nodded. “Welcome to early spring in Canada. What are you drinking?”
“Nothing too heavy; last thing I need is a hangover on the set tomorrow.”
“Same here, plus I need to start watching the scale a little closer. I’m back up to 140.”
“Oh, you’re fine,” Phyllis reassured her.
“I can’t look like a beached whale if I want better parts and don’t need Doris riding me about my weight to boot.”
“Wow, she sounds like Mario. All I have to do is gain two ounces and he freaks out like the world’s ending.”
A waitress approached to take their orders. “What will it be, ladies?”
“A diet soda,” Alex replied.
“Same here,” Phyllis added.
29
Both women studied their surrounding atmosphere; it had been mostly quiet until a small group of talking and laughing men entered the bar.
Phyllis gasped at the sight of them. “Oh my God, Alex, look! It’s guys from the Vancouver hockey team!”
“Shh, don’t stare a hole!”
“It looks like we made the right decision choosing this place. I never realized how hot some guys are without their gear.”
“Down, Phyllis; we’re here to unwind, not ogle men.”
“Checking them out is fun. Too bad we don’t see many on the set except behind the scenes.”
“Which makes sense considering the movie is based on a women’s team.”
“Hey, while we’re discussing work, you did a great job with Lily Stahl today. A lot of people say she’s a super diva, but you two blended well.”
“I only had one line. She did the rest.”
“Yeah, whatever; even Old Man Francis was pleased he got the scene in one take. I guess today was one of Lily’s rare non-dragon lady days.”
30
“Don’t be snide, Phyllis,” Alex chided her. “I think the woman’s mostly misunderstood.”
“Yeah, she’s getting a $12 million paycheck for this movie. I wish I was so ‘misunderstood’.”
“Not what I meant, but I honestly think Miss Stahl’s not that bad under the tough exterior.”
“What, now you’re a shrink?”
“No, but we talked for a few minutes after our scene.”
“Wait…the Lily Stahl lowered herself to acknowledging a lowly bit part actress?”
“Will you stop the bitchiness for a couple minutes? Miss Stahl asked my name and I expected some condescending remarks, but such wasn’t the case. You can almost imagine my shock when she said ‘Alexandra Galloway, you’re going to be big. I can’t say when or how, but you’ll be a star’.”
Phyllis’ eyes widened. “She told you that? Wow!”
“I know; it’s still hard to believe!”
31
The conversation was interrupted by two men appearing by their table; one blond, the second with dark features.
“Evening, ladies,” the blond man greeted them.
Alex stared at the pair for a moment, speechless. Holy hell, two Vancouver Galaxy players are talking to us!
Phyllis smiled at them. “Hi, great game tonight.”
“Thanks, but we got bested by Troy Talmadge and company in overtime. That’s okay; we’ll get back at them tomorrow night.”
“Or they’ll get you two for two,” Alex replied.
“By the way, I’m Christian and this is Marc. You’re from the States, eh?”
“I’m Alex; this is Phyllis. How did you…”
“Your accents,” Marc interjected. “Clearly American.”
“Oh! Yes, of course.”
“What brought you ladies to Vancouver?” Christian asked. “Surely you didn’t travel all the way here for a hockey game.”
32
“Not quite,” Alex replied. “We’re in town for work.”
“What do you do?”
“Shooting a movie,” Phyllis said.
Marc gave a low whistle. “Wow, I had no idea we were talking to stars!”
Phyllis laughed. “I wouldn’t go that far. Alex only has three lines in the whole movie and I don’t have any. What the hell; we still get bragging rights for working with Connor Francis.”
“We’re in Vancouver Venus,” Alex added. “It’s the new docudrama starring Lily Stahl.”
“Oh yeah, I remember hearing something about a movie based on the Venus,” Christian said. “What parts are you playing? We’ll have to check it out.”
“I’m a team member who scores the championship game’s winning goal. If it helps, I have one scene with Miss Stahl.”
“I’m on the team too,” Phyllis said, “but my part may end up on the cutting room floor.”
33
Alex glanced at her. “Don’t be ridiculous. I doubt they’ll cut many game sequences, if any.”
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