Chapter 4: Not Working Part 1

The sound stage was much quieter than Rome liked. Often, when a movie was being filmed, the down time between shoots was full of incidental noise. Workers in the background preparing the next set. The technicians moving their equipment. The chatter of other cast members as they discussed the upcoming scene or simply sat around carrying on a conversation. Today, since Rome was the only one on the set other than a robot, it was relatively quiet. Even the next set being constructed mimicked the soft pitter patter of rain rather than the torrential downpour he would’ve normally been listening to.

Sitting in his chair off to the side, holding his script, he peered off in the distance, not really focusing on anything. He certainly wasn’t going over the lines he had coming up in the next scene since he’d memorized all of them weeks ago, and there was nothing challenging about what he had to do or say. Making a movie about a detective who gets fired for not being good at his job who then partners up with a robot to figure out who stole an elderly woman’s necklace at a fundraiser wasn’t exactly the riveting, deep, emotional drama Rome was hoping to be making. Now that Henry owned the studio, who knew what kind of idiotic B rated movies he’d be making?

The last movie he’d made, the one that he’d been so proud of, was still in edits, but it was scheduled to be released early the next year. He truly hoped that movie might get him some award nominations. But… if this movie, Cop with a Side of Robot, continued to pick up press releases, thanks to its ridiculous plot and lack of budget, there was a good chance his chances of finally being taken seriously in this industry, of getting the recognition he knew he deserved, would get lost in the laughs over CSR, as it was called for short.

Even the director of CSR, Jeannie Stokes, who had worked with Verona Productions for many years before Henry purchased the studio, was annoyed at how stupid the script was. Rome could see her across the sound stage, attempting to give direction to the person controlling Bob, the robot, about how he needed to move in the next scene, but if it was anything like what had happened the last few shoots, Rome would spend the entire shoot trying to dodge around the radio-controlled, trash-can-shaped behemoth that was way too big and way too ridiculous looking to ever do detective work in real life--should robots even exist for that purpose.

Rome’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling his eyes away from Jeannie’s frustrated face, he glanced down to see that it was Ella. The thought of her brought a smile to his lips. Most of the time when she called while he was at work, he wasn’t able to answer because he was too busy on set, but since he’d been sitting in his chair for most of the day, he had all the time in the world to take her call. Hopefully, she’d have something uplifting to say.

“Hi, beautiful,” he said, still smiling as he anticipated the sound of her melodic voice.

“Hi.” Ella’s voice didn’t sound melodic at all. In fact, she didn't even sound cheerful. Rome’s smile faded as he tried to guess what might be bothering her. Before he could ask, she blurted, “It’s happening.”

At first, he wasn’t sure what she might be talking about, but then he realized that she meant Henry. He must’ve called her. He wasn’t on set today, which was typically a good thing, but the idea that he wasn’t there because he was making plans with Rome’s wife didn’t sit well with Rome either. “When?” he asked.

“Tomorrow evening.” She still didn’t sound at all happy as she let out a deep sigh. “I figured I should schedule it for as soon as possible without sounding like I had nothing better to do so that I didn’t chicken out. He’s not there is he?”

Even though he was sure Henry wasn’t on set, Rome’s eyes flickered across the sound stage again. “No, he’s not. I know you’re not excited, El, but this is actually a good thing. You can get it over with.”

“Be careful about saying my name,” she warned.

“Don’t worry. No one is here. At all. I even sent Peter home.” Peter was his assistant. He was a good guy, but he always felt obligated to attempt to carry on a conversation with Rome, and since he’d rather sit there and stew than pretend to be friendly, he had let the guy go home. It had taken some convincing. Peter was almost as devoted to his work as Rome was--when he was acting instead of running around with a bumbling robot.

Ella was quiet for a second. “Good grief. What are you working on today?”

“Not much. Just waiting for the new set to be ready so Bob and I can record our next earth shattering interaction.” He rolled his eyes, not that she could see. “I’m sure you’re nervous about going out with him, but I know you can do this.” The fact that he was doing his best to pep his wife up for a date with another man was almost as absurd as the painted, upside down Styrofoam cups glued onto Bob’s middle that were supposed to represent buttons. Really, what was the budget for this movie?

“I know,” Ella said, blowing out more hot air. “I’m just… freaking out about it. That’s all. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Besides, it sounds like I need to press my plan into overdrive or you’re going to have to make nine more blockbusters like the one you’re working on now.”

The thought of having to do this nine more times--or even one more time--made Rome’s stomach churn. The next movie would be even worse because other people had a choice as to whether or not they signed on to make the next movie, which meant they’d never get another good director, like Jeannie. Why in the world Henry thought it prudent to waste so much money in an attempt to ruin his career, Rome couldn’t understand. But at the same time, across the lot, on another sound stage, Caron’s studio was filming another movie that was bound to be one of the most popular movies released in the next year. So… he’d make enough money off of that movie to continue to make shitty movies like this one and plug Rome in as the star. It was a brilliant, devious, maniacal plan. And it needed to be stopped. Sooner, rather than later.

“Maybe my next project will have vampire kittens or librarian ninjas,” he muttered under his breath. “You’ll be all right, El. I’m not any more excited about you spending time with Caron than you are, but I do support and appreciate your plan.”

“I know,” she said. “But I need to take my time. If I get into too much of a rush, he’ll sniff out what I’m trying to do. He can’t be expecting it at all.”

“I understand that.” They’d talked about all of this before. Rome sighed and ran a hand through his hair, not sure what else to say. He’d already said everything he could to try to reassure her.

“I know you’re right. And I know I have to do it.” She was quiet for a second. Rome said nothing, not sure what to say. “And I know I can do it. I just… wanted to tell you.”

“I’m glad you did.” Actually, that wasn’t true. He wished she would’ve waited until he got home. Or until the next day, right before it happened. Then, he wouldn’t have to think about that sleazy Frenchman dating his wife for the next twenty-four plus hours. “What are you going to do with the rest of your day?”

“I don’t know. I have some things to work on for Montage. I really just want to paint, though. Or go see Fae.”

“Fae will try to talk you out of seeing Henry.” Fae had already tried to dissuade the two of them from going through with that part of their plan, saying nothing good could come from it, and while it was hard to ignore someone of her age and wisdom, ultimately, Ella and Rome had made up their minds that vengeance was sweet, and they needed a taste of it.

“I haven’t told her I’m going along with that bit yet. She doesn’t know.”

Somehow, Rome doubted that. Fae might be ninety-five years old, but she was sharper than the unfiled edge on Bob’s tin can head. Seeing no point in mentioning that now, he said, “Well, whatever you decide to do, try not to think about Henry, and have a good afternoon.” There wasn’t any particular reason why he needed to hang up at the moment. A glance at the set told him they were far from getting things arranged. He could just walk out of the sound stage right now, say he was done for the day, and that probably wouldn’t mess up their schedule. But he wouldn’t do that to Jeannie. Staying on the phone with Ella was also not an option at the moment since he didn’t want to talk about Henry, and there was no way they could talk about anything else at the moment.

“Thanks,” Ella said, her voice flat. “You, too.”

“I’m… sure I will.” Rome wished he could pick Bob up and beat himself over the head with the aluminum facade. At least then one of them would be out of his misery. Maybe both of them.

“I love you,” Ella said.

Despite how terrible Rome felt about the rest of the world at the moment, those words helped. “I love you, too.” He hung up and put his phone back in his pocket, his eyes flitting back over to the set. They were nowhere near ready to go. Deciding that pretending to study his lines was no longer an option, he got up, headed outside for some fresh air and a new perspective. There was no way he could do this for nine more movies. If Ella’s plan wasn’t successful, he’d either lose his mind, or run away from home again. He’d have to do something because this just wasn’t working.