"Deal. When do we start?"
"No time like the present."
Chapter 6
February 23, 10:00am
"You've got to be kidding me," Matty said, "I haven't been here since I was a kid. It hasn't changed at all!"
"I came here as a kid, too. I loved the 'Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show.' The park also hosted Grad Night celebration for a bunch of high schools in the area, including mine. It was one last night of being ignored by every popular kid in my class."
"Sounds . . . fun?"
"Looks like they've modernized things a bit, though. I think they've built a few new rides, updated some of the older ones with new themes. But it’s pretty much the same idea," Zeke said, as he walked up to the ticket booth.
"Welcome to Universal Studios: Hollywood! How many today?" a park staffer asked.
"Just two, please."
"That'll be $218."
"What?" Zeke asked.
"I guess a few things have changed," Matty said under his breath.
"A day pass for the park is $109, sir. We also offer a season pass for $150. It would pay for itself within two—"
"Day passes will be fine. Thanks," Zeke replied, pulling out his credit card.
"Maybe you can expense it . . ." Matty said.
"Thank you, Mr. Blackbird, here are you passes," the staffer said as she passed him two tickets and a park map.
Zeke and Matty began walking north, towards the back of the park. "So which ride do you want to do first," Matty asked.
"Let's just hurry up and get to the Studio Tour."
"Wait . . . your big idea is to take the Studio Tour? The one with the tram that drives through the backlot?"
"That's the one."
"I thought maybe you knew someone that worked here! Or maybe we were going to use a secret door between the park and the studio backlot," Zeke said.
"Nope. We're taking the tour. I did it a few times when I was younger. It drives all around the studio backlot. Should be easy to spot the VMK production shoot."
"And how exactly are we supposed to slip out the tram."
"Haven't figured that out quite yet."
"Oh, great."
Zeke and Matty continued walking towards the back of the park. As they passed a sign for the 'Waterworld' show, an actor dressed in post-apocalyptic steam punk garb approached, asking, "Aye' there land walkers. You wouldn't happen to have any water I could trade for, do ya?"
"Damn, climate change is depressing," Matty said to Zeke.
"Look over there, I think that's supposed to be Hogwarts!" Zeke said.
"Cool your jets, Zeke, your nerd is showing. I'm more interested in 'The Simpons Ride,' I've watched every single episode."
"Yeah, I know. Maybe later. Let's get to the tram."
They arrived at the queue for the Studio Tour a few minutes after the park opened, but there were already dozens of people in line. The queue snaked in between several posters of old Universal movies, including Frankenstein, Breakfast Club, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and American Graffiti.
"Wow, these are some great movies," Matty said, "who knew this was where so many great pictures were made?"
"Yeah," Zeke said, nodding but not paying any attention. He was staring at the tram, a series of six separate but connected cars, lined up and prepared to take park guests on the Studio Tour. "This is going to be tougher than I thought," he said to Zeke. Each car had about eight rows, which could seat 4 or 5 people each. After guests boarded, a safety rail dropped down on each side of the car, safely and securely preventing guests from exiting the car.
Matty started to speak, "Doesn't seem like you thought about it that much, honestly—"
"Do you have any better ideas?"
"Not really. But I'm enjoying picking out all of the issues with yours."
"How much am I paying you, again?"
"Fifteen bucks an hour, supposedly. Haven't seen a cent of it though. If we're still going to go the Studio Tour route, I think we'll have to create a distraction. They've got cameras on every car. We'll have to jump the safety rail while no one is looking."
"Your first paycheck will come soon. I've arranged a payment plan with Alex's parents. The first payment is due at the end of the week—"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm just teasing you, don't worry about it. Besides, I couldn't miss an investigation this exciting."
A woman's voice rang out from the overhead PA systems: "All right, everyone, we're just about ready to start off on our tour. Please scoot all the way over as you board the tram, making sure that every seat is filled—"
"Quick," Zeke said, "we need to make sure that we get two end seats."
A tour guide opened the line and guests flooded towards the tram. When Zeke and Matty approached the opening, they sprinted to the still-empty end car, and secured two empty end seats—one directly behind the other—at the back of the car. A group of parents stared at Zeke and Matty as they sprinted and dodged other guests to get on the tram. They wondered how it came to be that it was now cool for adults to be that zealous about their geeky fascinations. "Weirdos," one said, while wearing a shirt depicting Chewbacca fighting Spiderman.
"That was good luck," Matty said, "hope it holds out." Matty pulled a flask from his vest.
"What the hell are you doing?" Zeke said, turning around in his seat so he could talk to Matty, who was seated behind him. "It's barely 10:30!"
"So what?" Matty replied, whispering. "It's just some liquid courage. How the hell else are we going to pull this stunt? Want some?"
"Fair point. Sure," Zeke replied, taking a swig from the flask. "And why are you wearing a tweed vest with slacks?"
"I'm an investigator now at Blackbird & Associates. Have to look the part."
"An investigator, really? I don't remember approving that title. Any chance I could get you to cut your hair?"
"You didn't, I came up with it last night. And you have about a snowball's chance in hell at convincing me to cut these beautiful locks."
The tour guide started speaking over the tram announcement system, "Hello there, guests! Welcome to the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour. My name is Amy, and it's a pleasure to be your tour guide this morning, along with our driver Max. We're going to be taking a trip through time today, as we explore the history of Universal Studios. We'll see several studios, film sets, and maybe even a couple monsters. Please keeps your arms and legs inside the tram at all times. Please pull the emergency cord above your heads at any time to alert Max and I of an emergency. We will stop the tram immediately to assist you. And with that, we'll be on our way!"
"Interesting," Zeke said, "maybe one of us should pull the emergency cord?"
"Are you kidding? That would draw their attention directly to our car! What would be perfect is if someone from another car pulled the cord—"
"Universal has been in the business of making movies for more than 100 years!" the tour guide said over the loud speakers, "having been established in 1915. If you look to your right—"
"If I remember correctly," Zeke said, "there are a couple points where the tram will enter a dark studio. There's one that simulates an earthquake, fire and water and all that. Maybe we could jump off there?"
"Oh great," Matty said, "that sounds just lovely. Let's just jump out of the tram while its moving, while we're at it."
"And on your left underneath a white awning are the former offices of Alfred Hitchcock, one of the greatest horror directors of the 20th century. Hitchcock made cameos in his own movies, often appearing as an extra. He can be seen wearing a cowboy hat in Psycho, walking his dog in The Birds, and carrying a bugle in Vertigo. Some say he continues to haunt the Universal Studios backlot, often making cameos on the Studio Tour . . ."
"Ooh," the passengers said collectively.
"I'm pretty sure they were using that same line when I did this tour 20 year ago," Matty said.
"Ha. Still though, it’s quality entertainment," Zeke said.
"Heck
yeah it is," Matty said.
"Alright folks, is anyone here a fan of Doc Brown and Marty McFly?" the tour guide asked.
"Woo!" the crowd cheered.
"We're about to drive past the infamous Courthouse Square, pictured in Back to the Future, where Doc Brown and Marty use the clock tower to power the DeLorean. As you'll be able to see, the clock is still set to 10:04. We'll have to be quiet though, there is an active film set just a few yards away on New York street. Rumor has it that VMK productions is finishing up filming their latest Francesca Cahill thriller, which will of course be her final movie. I'll be going silent until we are past the set."
"Bingo!" Matty said in Zeke's ear. "We could jump now, they've slowed down—"
"I know," Zeke replied, "but it’s too bright, and the tour guide is facing backwards. She'll be able to see if anyone gets out of the tram. Not to mention the people sitting next to us. We'll have to wait until we get somewhere dark—"
"Alright folks, it looks like we're heading into our sound stage, where we'll see one of Universal's biggest, furriest, movie stars."
"King Kong!" Zeke and Matty said in unison.
"Okay, I think this is going to be our best shot," Zeke said.
The tram approached a large, hangar-like structure, A corrugated steel door rolled to the right, opening just enough for the tram. Just inside the door, Zeke could see it was nearly pitch black.
"This report just in," a pre-recorded voice of a news anchor said from inside the studio, "the path of destruction continues east . . . as police admit they are powerless to stop the enraged beast—"
Zeke turned and whispered to Matty, "When our car enters the stage, jump over the rail and get out before the door closes behind us."
"Sure thing, boss. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
"It's just some light trespassing," Zeke said, trying to convince himself, "its barely a misdemeanor."
"The beast was last sighted near the 200 hundred block," the news anchor continued, "lets go to Kelly King who is live at the scene."
"We are now in a helicopter above the bridge," Kelly said, "we are now searching for the . . . wait! There is a tram full of people down there! You are in danger—"
The sound stage started to rumble, the tram began to slowly rock back and forth. The passengers could begin to here a roar from the back of the studio. "I think that's our cue!" Matty said, lifting himself out of his seat and over the safety railing.
A gush of adrenaline hit Zeke's bloodstream. I can do this, he thought to himself. He lifted himself up, used his seat as a step and jumped over the safety rail. Zeke hit the ground, which was still being swung back and forth by hydraulic motors. But he lost his balance on impact and fell back against the tram. Zeke's body made a loud thud against the side of the safety railing.
He shot a glance upwards at the passengers still enjoying the ride. No one had heard him hit the tram, apparently in awe of King Kong thrashing a helicopter at the back of the stage.
"C'mon!" Matty said in a yelled whisper. Zeke got up and dashed for the exit. He sprinted through the door just as it was closing.
"Smooth," Matty said.
"Yeah, thanks," Zeke replied, dusting off his pants. "Let's find the set."
Outside, Zeke and Matty walked toward the VMK shoot. "So, where do you think New York street is?" Zeke asked.
"I'm pretty sure I've seen that exact set on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit a hundred times," Matty replied, pointing to a facade of brownstones across the street.
"That's set in New York, right?"
"Yep. Let's move," Matty said.
The studio backlot was abuzz with activity, particularly around VMK's live set. Zeke and Matty followed yellow signs reading "PANDORA" that pointed toward a large group of people hovering around cameras, tents, and trailers.
"These sets are so real," Matty said, trying to open the front door of a fake cafe called 'Teaton's'.
"It won't work," a man in running clothes said to Matty, "You guys must be new. I thought these things were real the first time I was an extra, too."
"Right, yeah, fake," Matty replied, "I guess we have a lot to learn."
"No problem," the man said, "if you want food, go to the craft services table. Wait until this scene is finished, and you should be able to walk over there."
"Cool, thanks," Zeke said as he and Matty walked closer to the film shoot.
"So now what are we supposed to do?" Matty asked.
"We need to find someone that's willing to talk about Cahill and Mikulski's relationship. But we can't get kicked off set."
"What the hell is this movie about, anyways?"
"This is the third installment in Cahill's Lindsey Delmonico movie series, 'Phoenix Rising,'” Zeke replied. “Cahill is a rogue assassin that is chasing corrupt government officials and hopes to free her brother from a jail two miles underneath the Washington Monument."
"Fan much?"
"Molly dragged me to the first two . . . I'm kind of hooked now."
"Ouch, sorry I asked—"
". . .and cut! That's a wrap for lunch folks," someone in director's chair yelled.
"It's fine," Zeke said to Matty, "let's chat up people at the craft table."
The pair walked past the film shoot towards a large blue tent. The craft services table underneath was piled high with all types of snacks—pickled beets, artisanal cheeses, licorice, beef jerky—anything anyone could ever want.
"How much," Matty asked the woman managing the craft table.
"What?" the woman said, "Oh. No, it’s all free. VMK is footing the bill."
"Sold!" Matty said, "I'll have one of everything."
"Please, serve yourself," the woman said.
"It's nice to meet you," Zeke interjected, "how long have you been working here?"
"Since the start of the shoot. Probably about two months ago. It's weird I haven't seen you here—"
"We're extras," Matty said, "First day. Big deal. Very exciting," he said before eating some stuffed olives.
"Oh cool," the woman said, "Well, welcome! This is a good shoot, everyone is very friendly. I'm Stephanie."
"I'm Zeke," he replied, shaking Stephanie's hand. "That's good. I was worried after I heard the news about Ms. Cahill's death. Figured they would probably shut down production."
"The producers considered it," Stephanie said in a hushed voice, "but thankfully they had shot most of Francesca's scenes. I guess the higher-ups decided they had enough footage. They just need to do a couple more scenes now. The whole thing is just so awful." Stephanie paused to hand an extra a sandwich to a member of the cast. "Here you go, Frank," she said.
"I'm just glad they caught the guy," Matty said, inspecting a tin of Chilean, chocolate-covered coffee beans. Zeke shot him a dirty look.
"Yeah, that whole story is super weird, too. I mean, from what I've seen on YouTube and celebrity news sites, the guy they arrested is just a kid from East L.A. Apparently he killed her after she went off on him for spilling some drinks."
"Do you think he did it?" Zeke asked.
"I don't know," she replied, "those fancy Hollywood parties are way under my pay grade. They usually hire professional catering companies to service those things. You know, executive chefs, glass plates, silverware, the whole deal. I will say, though . . ."
"Yeah?" Zeke asked.
Stephanie paused while an actor browsed the soda selection, leaving after he selected a flavored water. "Look," she said, "Francesca was totally freaked out all last week. Especially the day she was killed."
"Did you know her very well," Zeke asked.
"We weren't best friends or anything, but we were friendly. She had some food allergies, so we had to prepare special meals for her. She was so . . . pleasant. She would always chat for a bit when she picked up her meal. She even signed a few autographs for my kids."
"Jeez, how sad," Matty said, cracking open a bottle of sparkling water from France.
"Yeah. Anyways, the morni
ng before she was killed we were just finishing up a night shoot. It must've lasted twelve hours, but it was mostly other actors. Cahill spent most of the night in her trailer. When it was over, she dropped by the tent to pick up her breakfast. I could tell she was distraught, she had clearly been crying most of the night."
"Maybe she was rehearsing?" Zeke asked.
"Have you even seen the movies? I don't think so. Lindsey Delmonico is a total badass," Stephanie lifted her sleeve to show a tattoo of a very Cahill-looking heroine aiming crossbow, "she would never cry onscreen."
"Any clue as to what happened?"
"Well, her body guards had been hanging around a lot more than usual. When production started, she didn't have any security to speak of. She would drive herself to set, didn't even have her own driver. But about a month ago, she must've gotten spooked. A security team started riding with her to the studio. They would stand outside her trailer or off to the side of a scene. She didn't go anywhere without them. It was . . . weird."
"No, thanks though. What were her security guys like?"
"Fine, I guess. All the big stars have them. They are usually retired special forces or law enforcement. You know the type. Her bodyguards weren't anything to write home about. Quiet, kind of standoffish. They came by a few times to pick up food for Cahill. They wouldn't even let her leave the trailer to get food. They seemed strict.
"Were there any incidents on set?"
"Not that I know of, but I'm usually glued to the craft table, so I'm not necessarily plugged into everything. I heard that the CEO of VMK productions was coming to the set almost daily, which is odd. I've catered a couple of VMK productions, and I've never seen him. Not once. I figured he maybe was interested in the movie, since it’s going to be VMK's biggest blockbuster this year. Artisan pickles?" Stephanie asked, holding up a neon green slice of dill pickle."
"I'm good, thanks."
"So, when are you guys shooting your scene, anyways? Are you in the car chase scene later today?"
Blackbird: A Zeke Blackbird Legal Thriller (Book 1) Page 9
