Chapter 6
Echo Base
Ben squinted as the morning sun baked his eyes while he drove. Sally sat in the passenger seat with a stylish pair of sunglasses on. She looked up from her phone noticing Ben's contorted face navigating the path.
"Where are your sunglasses?" She asked.
"Broken in the back seat of my car." He replied.
"That's no good." Sally said before pulling hers off.
She placed her phone in the little cubby in front of her seat and turned to Ben.
"What are you doing?" He said worried she may fall out of the cart.
"Just keep driving and act like I'm not here." She said as she leaned against him.
Ben's heart began to race. She pressed herself against him, her weight shifted leaning on his support. The last thing he wanted was to imagine she wasn't there. She gracefully slid her sunglasses over her face. The polarized lenses cut away the blinding brightness allowing Ben to see.
"Thanks, but what about you?" He said, looking over and seeing her leaned back in her seat with a warm smile and her eyes closed.
"Don't worry about me. I needed to get off my phone." She said relaxed.
Ben's butterflies were replaced with warmth. She was truly something. All the money, fame, and success, yet she was humble and selfless. Ben smiled and drove on.
They pulled up under a blanket of shade under Stage 8. Sally opened her eyes as Ben parked the cart. He carefully removed her sunglasses and handed them back to her.
"I really appreciate that. Thank you." He said relaxed and genuine.
"Of course. We need to get you some new ones." She said smiling.
"That reminds me, are we still on for lunch?" She asked.
"If you'll still have me." He said sheepishly.
"I hope you like Italian." She replied, winking at him.
Ben opened the stage doors for Sally as she entered. She led them down the hallway towards set, pausing to say hello to the other crew along the way. Sally got to the sound stage door and stopped.
"Wait, you haven't seen the Echo Base set yet have you?" She asked.
"Not yet. I've only gone where I've taken you." He replied.
Sally smiled which was even better given her costume.
"You're gonna love it." She said happily.
She opened the door and ushered Ben inside first. What he saw would've made his four year-old self scream. From floor to ceiling was a meticulously reproduced set of the interior hanger of Echo Base complete with two full sized X-wings and three Snowspeeders. There were droids and rebel forces scurrying around everywhere. The only thing that reminded you it was a movie set was the crew and patches of Volume in the background. Ben's eyes were glowing.
"What'd you think, fanboy?" Sally said with a smirk.
"It doesn't seem real." Ben replied.
"I'm glad they did as much practically as they did." Sally said walking next to Ben.
"What scene are you doing?" He asked, still beaming over the dreamlike set.
Just as Ben asked, a group of Rebel Pilot extra walked in, laughing and cutting up as they gathered around one of the X-wings.
"Where Leia rallies the pilots." Sally answered warmly.
Ben to Sally once again taking in how perfectly she fit her Hoth Leia costume. He turned back and his eyes began to tear up. Sally noticed looking concerned.
"You okay?" She asked.
Ben smiled and wiped his eyes.
"Yeah, I'm great. It's just… my Dad would've loved to see this. He and my Mom showed me the original three." He said with a lump in his throat.
Sally put her arm around him and leaned her head on his shoulder, giving him a little side hug. She knew he would enjoy seeing the set, but didn't realize how much it meant to him.
A moment later Roger, the Director, noticed Sally and called her over.
"Wanna meet Rog?" Sally asked as Ben perked up.
"Sure!" Ben said, unsure how else to really answer.
Sally took his hand and lead him over to Roger.
"Bring a friend today, Sal?" Roger asked in a laid back tone.
Roger was a six-foot tall dog in his late 40s with glasses and some gray in his face. His dark hair was spiked up in the front and he wore a button up with a crew jacket from another movie.
"I did! Rog, this is Ben. He's my friend who's been getting me to set." Sally said.
"Great to meet you, sir!" Ben said, extending his hand with a smile.
Roger shook his hand smiling back.
"Ahh they haven't knighted me yet, but I appreciate the thought." Roger said, chuckling.
Sally laughed too before asking Roger a very important question.
"Rog, Ben is a huge Star Wars fan like yourself, and I was hoping you'd find him a nice spot to watch us shoot." She requested putting her hand on Ben's arm.
"Sure. Why don't you come sit by the monitor with me. Hey, Patti!" Roger called out turning behind them.
Patti, a spotted catwoman in her 60s, looked back at Roger.
"Can you get someone to fly in another chair to Video Village?" Roger asked.
Patti responded with a thumbs up.
"Just head over there and they'll get you set up. I'll join you in a moment." Roger said in his chill tone. His attention back to Sally.
"Sally, Collin and the boys wanted to do a quick run through before we started." Roger added.
"Sounds good. I'll get to my mark." She replied. Her eyes fell on Ben.
"Get cozy, and enjoy yourself for you and your Dad." She said lovingly, her hand still on his arm.
"Thanks, Sal." He replied.
She smiled again before walking away. Ben walked towards Video Village with a smile on his face.