"Jesus Christ, today of all days to be running late." I say to myself as I rummage through my suitcase looking for something to throw on. "Come on… come on… screw it, this will have to do." As I pull out a slightly wrinkled vintage Guns & Roses tee and a pair of threaded boyfriend jeans.
"Where the hell is my belt," I cry out while searching frantically until I spot the missing article on the other side of the room underneath last night's clothes. I pocket my cell phone, room key, and stuff my wallet and script into my shoulder bag, as I rush out my hotel room while finger brushing my hair into a messy bun. I grab the nearest elevator praying that it's going down rather than up.
I typically try to show up early on new projects, but I had a hell of a time even making it to Vancouver, let alone actually waking up when my first alarm went off. Canada! I'm still in shock that I'm here. A few weeks ago I was lucky to book a commercial, but to be filming on a studio lot where some great shows are shooting is amazing. I'm still fairly new in the business and I am extremely grateful to my agent for managing the impossible.
The ding of the elevator reminds me of my surroundings and I run out the lobby and out to the street looking to hail a cab, today Uber will just have to wait. Luck is slightly on my side as I grab a waiting car and direct him to my destination. Glancing at the time on my phone I sigh with some relief, hopefully I should make it in time for the scheduled reading.
Two weeks ago Agent Andrew as I affectionately call him gave me the news of my life, three episodes on the cult hit CW show Supernatural. I thought he was fucking with me which I told him in such terms, but apparently it was legit. I guess the powers that be have a thing for Texan actors. I received the script, met with casting directors and the like, did some filming shots back home in Austin, and then was told to fly to Oh Canada by this date.
I stare out the window and up at the cloudy grey morning and catch my reflection and shudder. My brown hair is a mess of tangles after falling asleep with it wet and un-brushed, my face is clear but pale, evidence of how tired and fatigued I have been feeling. I wish I could blame it on the Red Eye last night. I open my bag looking for the eye drops I normally keep on me, and in the process spot the bottle of pills I need to down soon.
Soon enough the cab is pulling to a stop outside the studio lot, I hand him a wad of bills and thank him as I jog toward the guard shack to show my credentials.
"Morning," I say casually to the portly older gentleman. He responds in kind and hands me a map and directs me to the building I need to head to. I glance at the time and realize I have five minutes to spare and the building is clear across the lot. I must have look dejected because the guard offers to call for a caddie to drive me to the location.
"Oh my god! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I launch myself at the man and engulf him in a hug of gratitude. "I think you're saving my life." He pats my back awkwardly chuckling mildly.
"No worries miss. Anything for a lovely young lady," he responds in kind.
The caddie arrives mere seconds later and I am whisked away to begin the next chapter of my career. The young man driving makes idle chit chat with me but it's not long till we reach the Supernatural Office building where the cast is scheduled to have the table-reading. I thank the man and gather my composure before I enter the building.
"It's not gonna bite ya," the caddie driver jokes seeing as I have yet to move towards the building.
I laugh at him outwardly, but inside I'm cursing at him, "I know. Just taking it all in, you know." He laughs and speeds off to an unknown location. I blow a big breath out and retrieve my script from my bag and head into the building.
Several hours later a lunch break is called and the room begins to clear. The read-through has been an incredible and enjoyable process so far. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect but to see the process has been a great learning tool for my career. I was indeed called out as the newbie, but the cast is continuously revolving, with the exception of the show runners of course so I didn't feel too embarrassed. Funny how I'm an actress yet I easily get embarrassed in front of new or large groups of people.
Now I don't typically feel star struck, but the Winchester boys are truly beautiful men. When the director introduced me to them and stuck me stab dab in the middle of them during our read-through I about passed out. Doesn't help much that my naturally pale complexion is sporting a healthy red blush now, they do love to joke around those two.
I find myself being one of the last members to clear the room for lunch and am about to hunt down a food truck when I hear my name being called. "Hey Cassandra, over here." I look over and find the Director waving me over, surrounded by Sam and Dean.
I reach him and the guys, "Yes?"
"Hey, now I was telling the guys here that I want you guys to get together and lose some of that shakiness we heard during the read through." He says while shaking my shoulders jokingly. "Now I know we only have you for a three episode arc, but your character is really going to get engrained and open up a new world for these boys. I want you guys to gel by the end of that arc. Make the audience really feel." We all nod and agree with what he has to say. "Great! Go grab lunch and we will iron out a few things in the script when we all get back. See you guys in an hour." He says walking off. The three of us are left there staring at each other.
"So… lunch?" I ask the guys. "I had a hell of a night and I'm starving, so…"
Sam laughs while Dean asks with a smirk, "Hell of a night aye? What's his name?" He bumps my shoulder as we start walking towards food.
"Red eye," I deadpan.
"Ooo, that's harsh. So tell us about yourself Cassandra." Sam asks.
"Well, first you can call me Cassie, I'd say you could call me Cass, but that's a bit weird considering…" I trail.
"Yeah, I see that, Cassie it is." He replies. Dean remains quiet and his head downcast looking at the phone in his hand.
We reach the food truck and we peruse the menu items. I could die for a big ass burger right now. Yahtzee! "Yeah, can I get a double, bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries. Thanks," I order. "Oh, and the largest bottle water you have."
I move out of the way so the guys can order and they just stare. "What?"
"Where does it go?" Sam asks while Dean places an order for the exact same thing.
"I'll have what she's having." I can't help but laugh at their expressions.
Grabbing our food we make our way over to a table and spend the hour getting to know one another. I let them know that I was 26, fairly new to acting and that I was from Austin, Texas. That immediately broke the barrier and bonded us over our Texas roots, which then led to discussing various things about life and our embarrassing childhood.
Sam gentlemanly grabbed all our trash to throw away leaving me alone with Dean. He stoically rolled his bottled water between his fingertips and I dug through my bag to grab my pills before I forgot to take them again.
"That's quite a stash junkie." He joked.
"Yeah," I said forlornly and counted out the seven or so pills and swallowed them in one go with a swig of water.
"Sorry, didn't mean to be intrusive. Everything all right?" he asked genuinely.
He looked so kind and concerned for my well being at that moment. I was basically still a stranger to him, for a brief moment only a co-worker; but a stranger none the less. Him asking was touching. "Um, well… I don't really tell people I just meet, but well…"
"Hey, no worries, I didn't mean to be invasive." He said holding his hands up.
I grab his hands, "No, I'm sorry. I was trying to think of how to explain." I grab my pill case and throw it back in my bag. "I didn't exactly hide the fact that I was drugging it up," I laugh. "Anybody who saw someone downing a bunch of pills would question it; aloud or not." I look up and around for Sam who was off talking to someone at a table a few rows down from ours.
"I have MS. Um, Multiple Sclerosis. I was diagnosed a few years ago," I say distantly. "I plan on being here for a few weeks while we shoot so I might as well let someone besides the higher ups know."
I look at him and he doesn't look at me with sadness, he doesn't apologize to me. He nods and just reaches out and squeezes my hand. "Thanks for feeling comfortable enough to tell me. If you ever need anything or help with anything while you're here…" he trails.
I smile and just like that, I feel a little less alone in the new city, the new job, and the new chapter in my life.
