CHAPTER FOUR
Two weeks later, Howard Sands hosted a party at the Starlight Manion to celebrate the start of their movie. The Who's Who of Hollywood were there. Including the Countess and her new clothing line. I watched as Jerrica flittered around from one thing to another, never staying in one place for more than a moment. Jem had taken off to go try on some of the Countess's new dresses and emerged a moment later in a stunning fuschia one shoulder wiggle dress, complete with puffy feathers. I stood close to Howard and the Countess as the girls came out in all their finery.
"The clothes are spectacular, Danielle," Howard said, approvingly.
"Thanks to my beautiful models!" There was pure joy in the Countess's voice.
"You can say that again," I threw over my shoulder at the two of them. It only took a single blink of my eyes before I knew I had to see Jem up close. I hurried across the room to Jem, taking her hands into my own. "You look so hot, you'll melt the camera." Cheesy I know, but in the moment it seemed the right thing to say.
Just then, Mrs. Bailey came looking for Jerrica.
"I think I saw her in the kitchen," Kimber offered. I hadn't even realized she was standing right beside Jem, my eyes had been only on her.
"I'll go get her," Jem said as she took off in a hurry, leaving me in utter shock.
"But, Jem!" I called out to no avail.
It seemed like forever before I saw her again, just as I was getting a drink for myself. I grabbed an extra glass and headed straight for her. She was chatting with Anthony and a woman I had been introduced to earlier in the night, Vivianne Montgomery. She was a videographer, the best one if truth be told.
"Here you are, Jem." I tried to hand her the galas. "I brought you some - " I was interrupted by her before I could even finish speaking.
"Uh, excuse me Rio." Once again she took in in a hurry, leaving me standing alone. I downed both drinks and handed the empty to a server walking by with an hand tray.
Well, if Jem was too busy for me, I thought I would go find Jerrica. And I did, right where Kimber said she would be. In the kitchen, trying to run the party. But there was no Jem. I saw the starlight girls were helping out by taking care of things in the kitchen. They seemed to have everything under control, so I took Jerrica's hand and gave her a gentle tug towards the open door.
"Jerrica, they can handle it." I started walking her outside into the courtyard.
"But, Rio!" Jerrica cried out. "I've got to keep this party going." I sat her down on a concrete bench, the darkness of the night enveloping us.
"No buts. You need a rest! It's Jem's party, and you're doing everything!" I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, bringing her in close to me. Her next words caught me by surprise and my answer came before I thought about it.
"Jem looks pretty good, doesn't she?"
"Yeah, she makes the air sizzle, like some bright and dazzling dream, if you can find her." Then I realized what I had said. I turned Jerrica to face me. "But you're not like Jem." I think I was trying to convince myself more than her. "You know what I love about you, Jerrica? You're so responsible and dependable. And comfortable to be with." Instead of making her feel better, I upset her.
"Ugh, you make me sound like an old pair of shoes."
"I can fix that," was my reply before pulling her in for a kiss. I had kissed Jem, or she had kissed me, and I tried to make sure this kiss, for my Jerrica, was nothing like the kisses I had shared with Jem. I felt her lips open ever so slightly and our tongues began a sweet, innocent dance. Kissing Jerrica this time, was nothing like kissing Jem. Yet, why was Jem invading my thoughts at a time like this!?
Jerrica broke our kiss, pulling back, a smile upon her face, her cheeks flushed pink.
"Oh, well," she stumbled, "Miss Dependable has work to do." She jumped up and hurried away, once again, leaving me alone with just my thoughts. It was the last time I saw either of them that night.
Just two days later, Jerrica called me with devastating news. The studio had been sold, and now Eric Raymond was in charge of the movie they had worked so hard to win. Now the Misfits were going to be a part of it! We showed up on the set the next morning, ready to start, only to find out everything had changed. PIzzazz was now the star of the movie and was acting like the diva she was. I was looking over the script and noticed all the changes that were made. I wasn't happy about them, but what could we do. Just then, Nick Mann, the leading man in the movie, sauntered on to the set, and headed straight for Jem. I overheard him telling Jem how he always fell for his leading ladies, and they would fall for him. I only wished it was Pizzazz he'd fall for. Sure as the moment her name crossed my mind, she stepped up to me, a little too close for comfort.
"Hmm, Jem certainly is fickle, isn't she?" I looked at her with the immense dislike I carried for her.
"He's all yours, Pizzazz, if he'd ever have you."
She snarled at me and took off.
The rest of the day went much like that. Eric and the Misfits causing drama and making tempers flare. Half way through the day, Anthony had had enough and quit. I knew at this point, things were only going to get worse. But at least we survived the first day.
The next few days were really hard for me. Although I was a part of the movie and had a role to play, it was rather minor. At first I was okay with it, I'm not an actor, but since I was considered and important part of the band, I was given a part. I was the other love interest in the story, although ultimately I knew Jem's character would end up with Nick's. It was just a movie. Only pretend. Right?
But I was finding it harder and harder to separate my character from my own feelings. In one scene, I reached for Jem as her character was about to leave with Nick and she slapped my hand away. It was just too real. It didn't help that Nick threw a smile over his shoulder clearly meant for me, not my character. I could feel the fire of anger start to consume me
They were working on some of the love scenes with Nick. I was getting jealous watching him kiss her. Over and over he would say he didn't think the performance was right, or the lighting was off. I think he just wanted to keep kissing her. It wasn't right. At one point I tried to pull Jem aside and talk to her about it.
"It's okay, Rio. He's the professional. If he said it's not right, we need to do it till it is." This wasn't what I wanted to hear! I should have known she would say that. It's the kind of thing she would say while in the studio. But this was different. Wasn't it? Nick came over then and offered Jem his hand, taking her away from me again. He wrapped his arm around her in a very possessive way, making sure I saw. He walked her just off the set, where there were no cameras, said something to her I couldn't hear, then pulled her in for another kiss. I had had enough! The rage in me took over and I ran at him. The moment he broke away from Jem, I punched him in the face, connecting with his right cheek bone. He stumbled and fell backwards, hitting the ground hard. I could hear the wind being knocked out of him.
"Rio! What's gotten into you? It's just a scene!" Jem yelled at me, sounding more hurt than Nick's face must have been. I had no right to feel jealous. Jem was, well, what was she to me?
"Get off this set, now!" Eric barked from his directors chair. Before I could say, gladly, PIzzazz was up on me.
"He stays, or I'll tell daddy," she said to Eric, loving the power she held. Eric threw his script notes up in the air in agitation and stormed out of the warehouse. I wish Pizzazz had followed. But she held tight to me, gripping my shoulders with her strong hands. She leaned in to whisper in my ear, her voice seductive and her breath hot and sweet. "If you want to stay on this film, you better be very, very. nice to me." Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jem standing there with her hands on her hips, like I was the one trying to entice Pizzazz, not the other way around. She signed in irritation and walked away. I could only stare as she disappeared from my sight.
Day three of filming we had our first press release. Of course, Nick was all over Jem again. I was beginning to wonder how much of it was his actual attraction to Jem as opposed to his desire to make me more jealous. Since my role was rather unimportant, they didn't need me for the press release. As I was stating this, more to myself than anyone, Pizzazz overheard and snuggled up against my arm. She was getting fond of doing this.
"You mustn't miss our little surprise," she crooned.
"What surprise?"
"You'll see." She said in her sweet sing song like voice, the one she used whenever trouble was brewing. She walked away to stand by the rest of her band. I tried to stay out of the way, in between the two bands.
As the press interviewed Jem, Nick came into the picture. The reporters automatically zoomed in on them, asking about their budding romance, if they would have a public wedding. Then, to make things worse, Nick grabbed Jem, twisting her around to dip her backwards and steal a very passionate kiss, and she sis nothing to stop him!
Pizzazz didn't help things any either, coming back to my side to rub in the fact that Jem couldn't get enough of Nick. While distracting me, Roxy and Stormer pulled a bit of a surprise. A giant banner cascaded into place behind Jem, Nick, and the rest of the cast, announcing The Misfits in Starbright. Then in small letters, with Jem and the Holograms. I gasped.
Pizzazz hurried to Eric's side, where a reporter was asking why it wasn't Jem's movie anymore. Pizzazz explained how her father bought the studio, but Jem and her band were still gonna be a part of it. That they were 'grateful' to be in it.
I walked over the Jem and the girls, as shocked as they were. But the look on Jem's face was not what I was expecting. She looked at me accusingly.
"Honest, I didn't know anything about this, Jem."
Her reply was riddled with sarcasm. "Oh, I'm sure you didn't." Then she turned her back to me and walked away.
Just two days later, The Misfits threw their weight around again, knocking Jem's musical number out of the film, replacing it with one of their own. Although 'Universal Appeal' was a catchy tune, it wasn't right to just change things last minute. Jem was done. She got into a physical altercation with Pizzazz, pushing and shoving in a very unlady like way, I was worried someone would really get hurt so I had to step in between them. But it didn't matter. The damage was done.
"I Quit!" Jem yelled at Eric before turning to storm off the stage, Aja and Shana hot on her heels. Eric tried to convince Kimber to stay knowing about her intense crush on Nick and using it against her. But it didn't work. She took off too. I watched as the Misfits jumped and down in excitement, claiming they won. I couldn't stand to watch anymore. Without saying a word, I packed up and left.
The next afternoon Miguel called, asking if I would still be in the film. I was only going to be a part of the movie, because the girls asked me to, and it was a good way to keep an eye on everyone. As their manager, I felt like it was my responsibility to keep them safe. Without them in the movie, I didn't need to be there. But he practically begged me. I was sure Pizzazz had something to do with it. But Miguel was a good man, and I wanted to be able to help. I promised to be there in the morning for that day's shooting.
To say I was surprised when I saw Jem and the girls back on the set, would be an understatement. No one said anything to me, they all just went back to work as if the confrontation two days ago had never happened. Until Pizzazz decided to stir things up. Jem and I were going over a scene change when Pizzazz came over, grabbed Jem by arm and flung her aside, causing Jem to land hard on her hip. Then she slid her hands up my chest, gripped my shoulders, then ran her index finger down my cheek in what could have been called a caress, in any other situation, before pushing me away from her and laughing as she walked away. She was as bad as Nick!
Later that day I confronted Jem. I needed to know what was going on. I pulled her behind one of the sets for a moment alone. No Nick, No Pizzazz.
"You surprised me, Jem," I began.
"How?" She was thrown off by my comment.
"I thought you had more pride." I didn't get to go any further. The sweet sing song voice of Pizzazz stole my moment with Jem.
"Oh, Rio… Rio, darling. I need you." She was searching for me, and I had thought going behind this unused set would have hidden Jem and I well enough. I was wrong.
"Her Majesty summons you," Jem said before storming off, as if it was all my fault. Her wishy washy mood was getting to be to much!
They soon moved on to a scene in the casino and I was done for the night. Another scene with Jem in Nick's arms, him tossing snarky grins my way. I couldn't wait to get out of there. I felt like I was being pulled ten different directions. Even Jerrica was short with me. But at least she had an excuse. Eric had her working as an assistant but I didn't know why. If she wasn't going to tell me, I wasn't going to ask. I just wanted to be alone.
I wasn't needed again for the next three days. If things had been like they used to be, I would have been there, just to support the girls. But the time off, alone, was what I needed. It gave me time to think things over about Jem… and Jerrica. I didn't know where I stood anymore. Jerrica was so wrapped up in getting things done for Jem that she never had time for me. And when I did see her, she acted more like I was just acquaintance rather than her long time boyfriend. And Jem, she treated me more like a boyfriend then Jerrica. She lead me on with taunting words, flirtatious glances, and those kisses… they kept me up at night remembering them. I looked forward to seeing her again, and dreading it at the same time.
The next time I was on set we were going to film a pirate scene, with swordplay and fighting. I was looking forward to it. It took a lot of concentration to do the moves, it was more like a dance than a fight, each step completely choreographed. It helped me keep my mind on the moment at hand, rather than how good Jem looked in her torn up Wench costume. In between takes, rather than glancing at Jem, I saw how Eric was pushing Jerrica, using her like a slave. I could see how stressed she was getting. Instead of being mad at Eric, it was Jem I projected my anger towards Jerrica wouldn't be here working so hard, if it wasn't for Jem. The pink haired beauty had disappeared mid scene and I hadn't seen her since, but Jerrica was practically running around, doing Eric's bidding. I was starting to see red. At our lunch break I decided to talk to Jerrica.
"Jerrica, wait up." I caught up to her, but she didn't look happy to see me. Her hands were in fists, resting on her hips. She even had a slight frown. "Jerrica, you know, I've, uh, decided that Jem isn't worth my time." That didn't come out the way I thought it would. It sounded like I was choosing Jem as my girlfriend over Jerrica. Not what I meant. But before I could correct myself, Jerrica snapped back.
"You what?!" Her voice almost cracked, I guess I caught her off guard.
"Well, look at what she's gotten you into." Concern riddled my voice.
She pointed a finger at me, pushing it hard into my chest as she spoke with determination. "Let me make something perfectly clear, Buster! Jem is here because I asked her to come back and take Eric's humiliation because Ba Née needs an operation!" She stepped closer to me, causing me to step back. She had never spoken to me like this. It was scary and exhilarating. "And do me a favor. Don't come crying back to me just because Jem does something you don't like." She turned and stormed away.
"What did I say?" I whispered to myself.
After lunch we moved to another studio set. Jem's character was being pursued by the villains and it was going to be an action packed scene. We all looked up to see the 'fallen tree' across a fake cavern more than 100 years over our heads. Nick was more than happy to let Jeff, his stunt double, do the scene. When Jem asked if she got one, Eric was his usual rude self, telling if if she wanted one, it would come out of her salary. In a pride fueled huff, Jem climbed the ladder to the top, do it the stunt herself.
"Eric! I'm ready!" Jem called from the ledge above.
"Hey, Wait a minute. Hold on, Eric!" Jeff called out as we began walking closer to the mark point under the fallen tree. "There is not safety net, no fall bag, Nothing. And where is Jem's stunt double?"
The crew was not happy about this, pointing out it was unethical and they wouldn't work like that. Within seconds, more of the crew quit on the spot.
I had a really bad feeling about the whole situation. While Eric was busy taking over the cinematographer's position, I climbed up the same ladder Jem and taken. I was barely half way up when Eric called action, damanding Jem walk faster along the fallen log. Just as she got to the center of the log when I reached to ledge.
"No, Jem! Don't!" I screamed as I heard the log breaking in half. It split in two and the pieces began falling, taking Jem with them. She managed to claw at the fabricated tree, trying to get a grip on a piece of the exterior structure, but she was slipping.
"Somebody, Please!" She cried out in fear and the fake tree bark began to give way.
"Hold on!" It was by sheer luck that the set had rope vines decorating the area. Without testing to see if it could hold me, I grabbed the one closest and swung towards Jem, just as the bark broke away. She screamed my name as she began free falling. Holding on with only one hand, and strength I didnt know I had, I caught her.
"I got you," I said, the rope continuing its momentum and taking us to the other side, away from the destroyed tree.
"Way to go, Rio!" Jeff called up to me. "You're a regular Errol Flynn!" I smiled at the compliment as Jem turned to face me.
"Yes, A real-life swashbuckler." Her hands slipped around my neck, and this time, we both leaned in to kiss the other as I dropped the rope.
Best part about the whole incident was that Vivianne, or Video as I was told to call her, recorded the entire thing. It would shine a spotlight on Eric and his poor excuse for running a production. Of course, Clash, a super fan of the Misfits, and Video's cousin, tried to sabotage the tape. But Video got the last laugh. Clash destroyed a Misfits tape instead. It gave us all a laugh we needed after that way the day had gone. But the joy only lasted a brief moment. When Jeff pointed out it would ruin Eric, Jem realized it would shut down the production.
"You were almost killed!" I shouldn't have to remind her of this!
"It was just an accident," was her reply. If only she could have seen the shocked look on my face.
"And I thought you had brains," I said as I face palmed.
"And I thought I wasn't worth your time!" She turned her back to me.
"Hmm, women!" Jerrica must have spoken to Jem about what I had said. Which confused me even more!
Jem convinced Jeff not to turn in the video. He wasn't happy about it and promised if one more thing went wrong, Eric Raymond wouldn't know what hit him.
