Did this actually work? Roxy focused her lens to get the finer lines of Glennette- ‘Wendy’s’- face. Now on eppy 6 of season 3, things had fallen into their traditional rhythm on the set. Ian and Jordan Cooper had worked their magic with the script, keeping Glennette’s scenes like bread crumbs through the first half of the season. All without losing their witty dialogue. Hair and make-up finished in record time, and lighting was on a roll this week.
“Quiet on the set!” the floor manager bellowed, sending the crew scurrying like mice into their positions. “And… ACTION!”
There was that suspended second, where time transitioned from reality to TV. Roxy was positive she always felt a shift inside that second, but she didn’t waste her paycheck being philosophical about it. Blake walked into the shot, wrestling with the chicken he was supposed to be babysitting. The poultry flapped and squawked, catching ‘Wendy’s’ attention. A carefree smile went on across her face. “Trouble in the hen house?”
Blake- ‘Tony’s’- face washed in relief. “Wendy! You gotta help me!”
And as always, their chemistry carried them through. Glennette’s belly, this time, was covered by the table she sat at. She dropped her head into her hand, right on cue. “When are you going to get that I’m not your personal savior?”
“When you run out of brilliant ways to save my butt.” ‘Tony’ rocked the chicken to keep it quiet.
“And what’d you plan on doin’ when I’m not around?” 'Wendy' ventured to him. Roxy prayed over the angle that Camera 1 would get of 'Tony’s' perplexed look. “Oh c’mon, Wen, when are you not gonna be around?”
Roxy made Glennette’s anxious, evasive eyes the focal of her shot. ‘Tony’ moved on. “Help me find a new sweater for this chicken before Mrs. Montgomery finds out.”
‘Wendy’ shook her head in her sassy way, the moment gone. “You’re on your own, Chicken Whisperer. My butt-saving agency is closed.”
‘Tony’s’ mouth fell open. “Ok… fine! I don’t need you or your agency!”
And he stomped off of the set. Another second and the yell of ‘CUT!’ rang out. It was like breaking the seal on a soundproof booth. Make-up, lights, and the gophers picked up where they left off. Roxy stopped her film and worked the camera around to ensure the film had stopped rolling. She glanced up- out of habit- as Blake came back onto the set, chicken-less, and helped Glennette out of the booth. She saw the question on his lips, ‘You doin’ okay?’
He had been asking her before and after every take, ever since they had started the season. Glennette still had nine weeks to go and her bulge wasn’t all that big. Given her frame, that wasn’t surprising. But Blake asked anyway, his levels of attentiveness blowing Roxy’s mind. He may not believe in You, but he sure leads a good example.
Even faith small as a mustard seed... God recalled into her mind. Roxy doted on it; the hope it presented...
“Latest review.” Jeff’s voice creeped up on her as Roxy turned from the camera. “I don’t read them, Jeff.”
“You let yourself be ignorant.” He eyed her in a way that searched her. Searched for explanations. Well, Roxy was done giving those.
“Blake and Glen are handling it well.” Jeff went on, the magazine in his hands flashing off the overhead lights. “Like pros.”
“We’ve been praying before every interview.” Roxy nodded that fact in. “I’m sure that helps. And Glennette’s parents have gotten more supportive.”
“All of America has.” Jeff said, following her. “Glennette’s fan mail has doubled, lots of girls who… have found themselves in the same situation.”
“Ok.” Roxy eyed the snack table; she hadn’t had lunch yet.
“But it seemed that Kourtney Irwin was more interested in the story behind the story.”
Kourtney Irwin... the reporter's name rang a bell, but Roxy didn't know where from. She snatched up a Nature Valley bar. “And?”
“She talked to Kevin Fournier.”
Roxy registered that while her stomach took pleasure in the oat and honey flavor of her lunch.
“It’s her article I’m reading,” Jeff came around, the magazine staring at Roxy in the place of his face. She stopped and sighed. “Fine, I’m listening.”
Jeff lowered it, expressing gratitude. “Miss Irwin ends it with a question; when will we hear from Hollywood’s own Mother Teresa.”
Roxy choked on the granola. “She doesn’t call me that.”
“Read it and see."
Roxy turned away with the remainder of her bar. “I’m not interested in any interviews, Jeff.”
“Roxy,” Jeff walked alongside her, hopscotching over the wires snaking across the floor. “You’ve been putting a lot into this. Could be time for you to get something back.”
“That’s not the point.”
“So you’ll just let Kevin say whatever he wants?” Jeff’s hand was suddenly on her elbow. “Can you pretend as though some of this gets to you? Please, for our sanity.”
“Whose sanity?” Roxy looked at him. To which, his cheeks suddenly went red. “Maybe… that is… maybe for the sanity of a director… looking for a date on Sunday night.”
His hovering suddenly dropped into context. His extra bout of texting throughout the season... But he'd just been protecting his investment. Who wasn't at this studio? Roxy’s eyes widened on his hand touching her arm. Atop the forest of his green eyes was a thick brown hair, which he kept after religiously; shorter on the sides, longer in the back. With his jawline, he made her think of Richard Anderson, the true Macgyver. Soft with people, while razor-sharp in business. The all around feel Roxy might get from watching McCoughney in The Lincoln Lawyer. No… O’Donnell in Of Love and War… no, perhaps both. Ugh, she was type casting again.
“What’s happening on Sunday?” Roxy leapt in before the silence dragged into awkward territory. Jeff cleared his throat. “Well- if you’re interested- Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck are having a get together at the Cinemark; 5:30.”
Roxy freed her elbow. “How’d you know that Ball of Fireis my favorite movie.”
Jeff looked more confident now. “I’m a director, Roxy Colt. I study and learn the different angles-“
“Don’t pull that.” Roxy stopped him with the palm of her hand. “Who told you?”
“Do you want to go or not?”
He’s under 35, he attends Midway Chapel of Christ, you’ve come back to his eyes in the last three minutes. Roxy’s consciousness jumped up and down in her chest. What’re you waiting on, Las Vegas LEDs?
Roxy asked instead. “Why?”
“Because," Jeff's face fought surprise and discomfort. "Well, everyone around just sits and watches the twisted morals of this town and they accept it. You don’t.”
Roxy shook her head. “People been staring me over like my actions are some alien dance. I’m just being- the way God's asked me to be. Out of love for Him.”
“But you don’t want to be recognized for it?” Jeff’s eyes went concerned. Roxy raised an eyebrow back. “It’s not about me.”
“I think you tell yourself that so you don’t have to worry about yourself.” Jeff told her after a moment of study. Roxy laughed. “That’s brazen.”
“You were right at that meeting in December.” Jeff said. “You’re a good camera director and you’ll be balancing directing and editing once we get into post-production…” he shook his head. “I figured, I better snatch you up before some techie or other network does.”
You really have no need to worry. Roxy thought to say. But she only nodded. “Sure, Jeff. Sunday.”
[CUT TO NEXT SCENE]
“So I laugh at old movies.” Roxy felt a defensive pride as she mounted the stairs. “I hardly find that something to berate.”
“Berate is a strong word.” Jeff matched her steps up wire stairs of her apartment complex. “People tend to give an amused laugh at black and whites. They don’t snort.”
Roxy blushed. “People snort at 21stcentury movies. And half the time it’s the same joke told in the dozen blockbusters before it.”
“Ouch.” Jeff leaned casually beside her door. “You saying that the entertainment industry’s got a conspiracy against laughter?”
“I’m saying,” Roxy paused on the other side of her cheaply painted frame. “Maybe we could be more considerate of what we’re asking people to laugh at.”
“So the laughter doesn't mean anything if it's not a good joke?” Jeff rearranged his fingers so that he was focusing on her through a camera. More blushing!
“You’re more inquisitive then you get credit for." Roxy admitted. "And not half bad a chuckler.”
Jeff dropped his hands. “Good enough to take you out again?”
Roxy considered that.
“Maybe something outdoors.” Jeff plowed ahead; he wasn’t one for silence, Roxy was learning. “You haven’t lived in California until you’ve ridden a steed through the surf.”
He’s outdoorsy too! Roxy’s heart fluttered. It had done so nervously a few times tonight. “When’s the best time for horseback riding?”
That turned out to be the right question and Jeff left all smiles. In her apartment, Roxy released her feet from their fabulous boots and was headed to her bathtub when her phone rang. She had purposefully left it on her kitchen counter, eagerly wanting a night uninterrupted. It surprised her to see four missed calls… all from Glennette. The baby! Roxy hit redial. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” Came Blake’s voice. Wait, Blake? "It was just Glenn. She was over-reacting."
“Over-reacting to what?” Roxy made for her bedroom, her much needed pajamas, and her bubble bath. “Where are you?”
There was a nervous pause. “In the parking lot.”
“Parking lot.” Roxy repeated. “What parking lot… my parking lot!?”
“Yes.”
Roxy eyed her balcony, though it faced the opposite direction. “Why? Who drove you here?”
Another pause, which were heightening Roxy’s anxiety.
“I did.”
Roxy straightened from grabbing her pajamas. “You did what, Blake?”
“Drove.”
So much for the bath. Roxy pinched her nose in disbelief. “Get in here.”
She hung up on that order and wheeled back to her door. She reached it as Blake and Glennette walked in. Roxy's glare burned as they stood awkwardly in her front room. She shut the door and put her hands on her hips for the full effect as she marched in front of them. “So, just so I’ve got the whole picture.” She spun on her heel, making Blake cringe back. “No license. No experience driving, likely in a car not registered to you, in Los Angeles… with your baby momma in the backseat!”
Glennette watched the shirt stretched over her belly. Blake watched Roxy, as though afraid to look anywhere else. She narrowed her eyes for the kill. “Do ANY of these statements sound like the actions of two mature teenagers?”
Glennette cleared her throat. “It was important-“
“More important then risking jail time?” Roxy stopped her. “How would your baby feel, popping out in a six by nine cement cell?”
Glennette’s face blanched; then her eyes narrowed back at Roxy. “I said it was important.”
“So I just drop everything you did wrong and accept it?” Roxy shook her head. “I’m not your adoring public, Glenn. Yours either.” She shot daggers at Blake. “I see you for the impulsive, selfish child actors that you are and will reprimand you when you act even stupider then that!”
Both chins dropped to their chests now. Roxy gave herself three breaths- a prayer in between each- before she spoke again. “Do your parents know that you’re here?”
“Mine.” Glennette said, relaxing her shoulders. “Just not how.”
“Same.” Blake admitted sheepishly.
Ok, she’d deal with that headache later. Roxy rubbed her forehead. One night, Lord. I wanted one night apart from this auntie-big-sister role I’ve stumbled into.
To whom much is given, much will be demanded. She could just see Him shrugging. Go figure.
“Whose car?” Roxy pushed the interrogation farther. Blake took that one. “I picked Glenn up in Dad’s Bentley.”
Roxy folded her hands, white knuckle over white knuckle. “And what was sooo important that you had to steal it?”
Blake shared a look with Glennette. Roxy waited.
“Jeff asked you out.” Glennette spoke in a rare shy tone.
“Yeah?” Roxy was still waiting for the punch line. Glennette shrugged her shoulders. “We were wondering…”
“You were wondering,” Blake corrected.
“You didn’t have to agree to pick me up and ask her about it.” Glennette turned on him.
“What was I supposed to do? You were near hysteria and that’s not good for the baby.”
Glennette grabbed her hair with both hands. “If I have to hear one more thing that’s not good for the baby-“
“Yo, brats!” Roxy clapped her hands, getting them to shut up. Glennette huffed. “Are you gonna marry Jeff or something?”
Roxy gapped at the two teens. "WHY would I know something like that? We went on a date; something that rarely happens twice.”
“But it could.” Blake mentioned. “I mean, there’s a chance.”
“And there’s also a chance I might skydive.” Roxy spat. “What of it?”
Glennette looked square at Roxy now. “Because we want you to adopt our baby.”
[CUT TO NEXT SCENE]
