All right everyone; here is the new version of the first chapter for A Girl and a Boy. I hope everyone enjoys this a little more than the first one! Thanks for all your advice! –Pirategirl87-
Growing up my family lived in the lower and more beat up part of Boston. I was the fifth child of John and Terry O'Brian. My three older siblings were all boys. With them always beating up on me I quickly learned to defend myself and became much tougher than most women ever do. Although we lived in the poorer part of the city my mother and father earned an honest wage. Even though we had a meager supply of food, we always had decent clothes and there was really nothing to complain about.
When I turned fifteen; it was time for me to get a job. Unfortunately this was much harder than I ever expected. On my first job interview at the local fish market the manager told me I was much better off working at the De Luxe Theatre.
I'll never forget his words, "Look Miss O'Brian, you are a good looking girl, don't waste your time in a fish market. I know there are a few open spots at the new place on 5th. Why don't you go give that a try?"
After hearing this I merely nodded my head and left. It was a tough couple of weeks after that. I was turned down time and again until that fateful day that I saw the add.
My mother had asked me to go to the market to pick up some food. While I was paying the cashier I felt something tickle my bare ankle. I looked down to see a crumpled piece of paper dancing in the light breeze. I reached down to pick it up and to my surprise it was an add for a stand-in for Carl Denham Motion Pictures. At the bottom there was a list of requirements for the person applying. They wanted a girl with blonde hair, blue eyes, and who wasn't afraid of 'daring shots'.
Using a pay phone I called the company, and made an appointment. The next day I got one of the spots and stared a week later.
Three years later Denham Pictures offered to move me up to New York so I could do larger and more important motion pictures. My parents urged me to go and a week later I was packed and ready to go. I promised my parents I would send back money whenever I could.
While working in New York a man named Preston contacted me to do a large-scale movie. The movie would include Bruce Baxter as well as a woman named Maureen Jones. This picture would have everything, romance, adventure, comedy. However I should have known better than to believe it since it was Carl Denham who spoke these words.
The whole idea of the movie was changed several times by Mr. Denham, but the last thing that I heard was that we would be filming in the Far East, Singapore to be exact. Several days later Maureen dropped out and everything was thrown into chaos. Preston called me wanting to take her place, but I respectfully declined.
Three days before we were due to leave I sat up in my apartment reading my newly purchased book. It was the most recent play that had been published by Jack Driscoll. I sat in my large armchair and was totally engrossed in the story when the phone rang. Quite displeased with the caller I got up and answered the phone. Before I could even say a word the frantic voice of Preston could be heard.
"Oh thank god Ms. O'Brian. The deadline has been moved up to this afternoon. We need you down at the docks by 5:00."
Stunned I just replied, "Ok, Preston I'll be there, don't worry."
He mumbled something I couldn't hear then hung up. Looking up at my clock I couldn't help but panic. It was already 4:15 and it was at least a half an hour drive over there. After quickly throwing a few books into my trunk and checking the contents over I was ready to go.
It was five till when I arrived at the SS Venture. I could see Preston pacing back and forth on the deck. Walking as quickly as possible I made my way up to the deck where Preston stood.
As soon as he saw me he let out a huge sigh of relief, "Oh, thank god you're here! Let's get you to you to your cabin."
Taking my suitcase from me he led me down into the ship. We walked through several different hallways before we finally reached the one where my room was located. Halfway down the hall to my room we were stopped when a man about my age came tearing down the hallway laughing as the cook chased after him with a rather mean looking spatula. As he neared us our eyes caught for just a moment before he disappeared up the steps closely followed by the chef.
I shook my head thinking, only boys, only boys. A moment later we stood outside my door. Preston pulled out a key from his pocket and inserted it into the knob. Now before I tell you what the room looked like I must admit that while living in New York I became a bit spoiled. So when I saw my room I couldn't help but be upset.
The walls, which should have been white were a muddy brown color, my shoes stuck to the ground when I walked and there was a terrible odor that lurked in the corners.
Turning around I looked Preston in the eye and asked half yelling, "Why the hell is my cabin like this? I thought that Carl Denham Motion Pictures was a wealthy business."
Preston was silent for a moment before he replied; "Well… last month our funding got cut in half. We were originally going to have a nicer ship, but now there just isn't enough money. I apologize for your discomfort."
Still angry I threw my trunk into my room and slammed the door in Preston's face. I examined my room for a bit longer until I could no longer stand the stench. I then began to wander about the hallways. I soon found myself in the belly of the ship and to my surprise it was stacked high with cages of various sizes. There weren't any animals aboard however one could still catch the occasional whiff of left over animal waste.
I explored the large room for awhile longer before I became bored. I circled back around to find the door I had first come through. After several minutes of winding my way through the piles of cages I came to the door where I first entered.
I had just turned onto the hallway that took me back to my room when I ran headlong into somebody.
We both were sent flying in opposite directions and I found myself laying sprawled on my back. I sat up and rubbed my head feeling a slight bump forming.
"Excuse me, are you all right?" I looked up to see the face of the young man I had seen earlier that evening.
"Yeah, I'm all right. Are you?" I asked my head still spinning a bit.
"Oh I'm fine, here let me help you up." The young man offered me a hand and I gratefully took it.
As soon as I was on my feet the man asked me, "Are you Ms. O'Brian?"
Looking up I replied, "Yes, yes I am. Is there something you need?"
"I was told by a man named Preston to get you some cleaning supplies for your room."
"Right. Can I come find you in the morning I have an awful headache and I need to lie down." I looked at him with hopeful eyes, pleading he would agree with that.
"I was told to help you know, but if you'd like to do it in the morning that would be fine. I'll be on deck all morning; you can find me there. Oh, and by the way my names Jimmy." He had now turned and was walking
away.
"Hey wait!" I yelled after him. He stopped and turned towards me. "Thank you." He merely smiled and continued on his way.
As soon as he had disappeared I let myself into my room and lay down on the bed. After squirming for sometime sleep finally took me. My dreams were riddled with the cages, ships, cameras, and to my surprise, Jimmy.
In the morning I set out to find Jimmy. Just as he had said I found him on deck with Mr. Hayes.
Taking a step forward I tapped him on the shoulder and asked, "Excuse me Jimmy, I was wondering if you could help me hind the cleaning supplies?"
Looking up at me he replied, "Sure, just follow me."
