Author's Introduction: I'm back. Needed time for my brain to defrag. I was a little concerned about the lukewarm reception to my second story so I really wanted to work real hard and spend more time on this one. One big change is the inclusion of author's notes like this; I feel that it makes the reader comfortable with the writer and it helps clarify things. So, did I get you with the title? It was this time last year that I was getting into Stieg Larsson's book series and I just loved the titles he used. Well, better get back to work. A writer writes. Always. So, enjoy and please let me know what you think.

"And…ACTION!"

Erwin Sikowitz, brilliant acting teacher though a little bit…off. He stands straight in an almost meditative state. The man's frenzied hair matching his Technicolor garb, accessorized with a satchel filled with coconuts apparently. Cat Valentine, a student of his, said that he reminded her of a movie where a man washed up on a deserted island and went insane. She thinks she remembers the man eventually making friends with one of his coconuts and drawing a face on it.

At the call of this most important stage direction, Tori Vega inhales and holds it for two seconds before releasing her breath. She shakes her head and blinks as if experiencing an electric shock that unlocked another part of her brain.

"Why, yes, do come in" Tori was attempting a Southey accent but she sounded as much from Boston as a Martian.

Beck sashays onto the boards and stroking imaginary suspenders says, "Alright, Miss. We just received word that there's been a disturbance in the, uh, apartment above you." Beck's British accent from that sleepover exercise really helped him in forming that Americanized Irish dialect. "We went over to investigate and found a man dead. Did you hear anything?"

Tori's rubs her hands nervously but tries to incorporate the habit into her character but her teacher can see right through the ruse. "See, my husband's been to the bar. He should be back…"

"CUT! CUT! Cut, Cut, Cut! CUT!"

Tori and Beck whip their heads around, facing their instructor. "Okay, Beck, good work but let's tweak that accent. Less Ben Affleck from Good Will Hunting." Beck nods and steps down.

Sikowitz turns to Tori, placing his hands over his mouth for a moment. "Now, Tori." He lets out big sigh. "You need to watch Good Will hunting for pointers."

Tori slumps her posture, hurt. "Oh!" as she usually drags out. "Was my accent that bad?"

"Quite," he curtly replies. "But that isn't your biggest problem."

Now Tori was really feeling defeated up there. On the stage she was a good half-foot above the class but at this moment she felt 2 inches tall.

Tori gulps, "Then what then?"

"Your acting was too wooden. I have been telling you for months that you need to stop being so rigid. Basically, when I see you act, I'm very aware that you're playing a part. It doesn't seem organic; like you're really that person."

Abashed, Tori stood. She felt like the wind was knocked out of her sails. He couldn't sugarcoat it anymore. It was a critique that was a long time coming. She has improved greatly on the technical aspect but needs to strengthen her chops. When the bell rings, everyone files out but Tori stays behind.

"Sikowitz," Tori approaching her teacher.

"Yes, Tori?"

Her tone was a desperate one. "I don't know what to do. I want to do better but I can't begin to think of how to improve…"

"Tori, okay" Sikowitz grabs her shoulders as if to keeper her from flying away. "Calm down. Everybody has this problem. Heck, I once did. When I look at you, I can see a younger me."

Tori's eyes widen. "Really?"

"Yes. Some actors have the innate ability to put on a mask and completely fool the audience with their identity. Such people tend to be terrific liars and such people are more often than not survivors of great personal trauma." He smiles. "Then there are some that need to learn how to dismantle society's filters and just let the acting flow forth."

"I still don't understand."

"When we're kids, we want to dress up and make believe all the time. To imagine ourselves as someone else, to imagine something else; we don't give it a moment's thought. We just do it. That is what an actor is. Someone whose job is to make pretend."

Sikowitz sits on one of the desks nearby Tori.

"Another thing about kids is they don't care. They're not looking for the approval of their peers or their elders. Not when they're at play. Your problem is, and I see this a lot, is you keep second guessing yourself. You were meant to take that lesson from the Bird Scene and apply it for the rest of your life."

"So, what you think I should do?"

He takes on a coconut with a straw already in it, seemingly from behind his back, and sips it periodically.

"Here's what I want you to do: make a video diary."

Tori looks at him confused. "About what?"

"Not what; who."

Now she was really confused.

"Okay," he stand with gravitas. "I want you to quietly and secretly observe a person for several days. Get as close as you can without being detected. The person you choose must never know they are being taped."

"Why?"

"They must feel comfortable enough to behave normally in their environment. And what you take away from this footage is a studying tool. Examine the mannerisms and movements and other minutia of that subject's routine. That way you can see just what it takes to add those touches of realism to a character. You can get back on that stage and be more a human being rather than just doing a part."

"Who should I record? Can I use my family?"

"No! It can't be someone that familiar. With me saying that I don't want you following a perfect stranger either. I was thinking more of one of the students here at Hollywood Arts. That way if you are "made" you can justify being in the area. Maybe one of your friends? I don't imagine you know EVERYTHING about them?"

One immediately popped into her head. "There's one."

"Good! Follow this person and try to be secret about it. Of course, you know that there is a fine line when we get into…personal space."

"Oh, don't worry. I know there are some things that don't need to be taped."

"That's why I wouldn't dream of offering this proposal to anyone else. You are a nice person, Tori. You would never use such a thing as a means to get at someone. So, good luck. And don't tell me who your subject is. This whole thing is to be kept to yourself."

Sikowitz leans in. "If you tell anyone, I will deny everything" me smiles.

Tori leaves the classroom with her head spinning about how she is going to conceal her surveillance. She needs to think fast while she borrows the camcorder from the video tech lab. Jade leaves right after this period.