Disclaimer: I do not own anything. So sue me.
Joe Millionaire
Chapter 2: What Angelina?
Author's Note:
Yep, in this chapter, most everyone meets! Lots of chaos is to be expected, so enjoy the chapter! Also, I hope none of you are too surprised at my new style of writing. In truth, this is my true turf. Bullet in the Dark was an experiment for my darker side, and now I'm back. Consider me a Ying Yang, dark and light! Hope you review, but most importantly, enjoy!
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"What do you mean, that French girl can't play the part?" Joe glared at Bina, indignant. "She was hot!"
Bina glared right back at him. "Don't you worry about her being hot. It's not as if she was going to sleep with you, anyway."
"You don't know that!"
"Mr. Shimamura!" Bina gasped for breath, clearly outraged. "Okay, calm down… We have to talk about this. This movie is going to be a blockbuster hit, and we can't afford any mistakes here!"
"Fine." Joe sat down and pouted, his arms folded across his well-toned chest. "Talk. I have a massage appointment in 20 minutes, and you can't always count on the police to make way for me."
"Mr. Shimamura, this movie will be really important, okay? It could be an even bigger hit that that last movie you made, the one where you could travel faster than light. The press has already seen Angelina, and Great Britain wants to keep the idea of a blonde French girl. We're going to find a replacement, okay?"
"And that has something to do with me because…?"
"Because it means that this can be really critical! You can not sleep with her, harass her, or anything else that could ruin our plans!"
Joe looked up lazily. "Harass her? I would never."
Bina smacked her palm to her forehead. "Just behave, will you?"
"Okay. Can I go now?"
"Yes!"
As soon as Joe left the room, Bina drew a deep breath, regaining her composure.
Time to look for their dancing French beauty.
And where a better place than the Ballet Theater?
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Françoise stretched out, warming up her arms, placing them in second, third, and fourth position. She then bent her knees slightly, warming up the joints.
In moments she was ready to perform.
Luckily, it was only a rehearsal day, and she didn't have to change into her intricate costume; although beautiful, it took a long time to change into.
The leotard itself was a light pink, covered in seed pearls that flashed pale fire. The tutu was hemmed, white lace at the ends, a few ribbons lightly trailing behind her in the picture of elegance.
She stepped out onto the stage, looking at her fellow dancers, whom she had gotten to know so well in the past months.
The director and dance master stepped out.
"Okay, everyone! Let's get started, okay? I want the second act, first part," the director called. "And we have an audience today, so don't mess up!"
Françoise gasped and looked up onto the audience. There sat a young woman in the second row, with strawberry blonde hair and green eyes. She was staring, without blinking, at her.
Fighting another cause of stage fright, she got into her position, sliding in front of her friend, and ballet fanatic, Natalie.
Natalie whispered a soft hello and bend her head down, as Françoise did. Both prepared to sail into their leaps.
Françoise smiled as she began to feel all her worries flying away, as they always did when she prepared to dance.
It would be another wonderful practice.
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Right after rehearsals ended, Bina ran out, outside the theatre. She immediately called Great Britain. The dial tone rung three times when GB finally answered.
"GB here!"
"I found our Angelina!"
Bina heard a pause. "Sorry, Madame, I think you have the wrong number. There is no Angelina here, and I don't believe I have a daughter, or have ever slept with anyone with the name. Bye!"
And, without waiting for a second comment, he hung up.
"Wait!" Bina shrieked into her cell phone. When she heard the flat tone, she hung up, snapping shut the cell phone.
Rolling her eyes and wondering why she had been placed to work with idiots and jerks, she walked back in.
She had a little talking to do with a French girl.
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Natalie, her long hazel hair down from her bun, walked to Françoise with a worried expression on her face.
"Françoise, there's a woman out there that wants to talk to you… She was the one watching you when you danced, you know?"
Françoise was neatly putting away her toe shoes and looked at Natalie. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah… You better go see what they want."
Shrugging, the blonde girl got up and walked to Bina.
With a smile on her face, Bina immediately started talking. "Hi, Françoise! My name is Bina, last name, and well, that doesn't matter right now. I work for Mr. Joe Shimamura, have you heard of him? As you might already know, he as a new movie planned, but the actress we picked to play the main female role declined after we planned everything out. So now we're looking for an actress to take her place and impersonate her, since, well, after all, she's already been known as the actress. We want you to play her part… Do you think you could consider it? We can pay you at least a few million, seeing how much the movie makes."
Instantaneously after she had said her little speech, Bina wanted to slap herself. It made the whole idea of the part sound unorganized and fake, along with making Joe sound conceited, or, in her case, more conceited than she thought he could be.
Françoise looked at her strangely, not saying yes with all the doubts running in her head, but wanting to. A few words in last sentence were what drew her in: pay you at least a few million.
It was definitely enough to pay for all of John Paul's medical bills, and she would have enough money to help him recover.
As for the woman, she seemed quite nice, and it was believable that she worked for Joe Shimamura; no one, absolutely no one was allowed to see the dancers rehearse. Only the most important people could, and it had happened only one time to her, when the prime minister of England wanted to watch them.
"But, what about the actual movie? I mean, I don't think I can act at all, and---"
"Oh, don't worry about that! We have plenty of teachers, and the most eccentric producer you've ever seen!" Bina sighed her relief; for a moment she thought the girl would say no, and leave. "Come on, let's go for coffee and talk. My treat!"
Françoise nodded slightly, still thinking about the offer. Was it a stroke of luck or just a joke?
Well, no matter.
If it could help John Paul, she would do it.
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There we go! The next chapter, all written out! I hope you enjoyed it!
Responses to Reviews:
(People that were signed in are in bold. People are aren't are underlined.)
GoldAngel2: I'm glad you seem to enjoy my new story so much; I was worried people wouldn't like it because it's somewhat cliché. I try my hardiest to make connections with the actual story line since I can't write stories about it like you do. I wish you the Merriest of Holidays!
Lil Rose Angel: I'm really happy you like Joe as a spoiled brat! I tried my best! I hope you think the future chapters will be funny! And yes, I change my writing style a lot… Dark one moment and happy the next! I hope you will enjoy this story!
Kukabura: I have to say, you are the BEST! I loved your review, mostly because you corrected me and told me more about Vena! I actually got her name off some friends who have watched the whole series. Although it's not correct, I'm going to keep it as Bina because it's better known… Thank you so much, though!
Sweet Dark Angel 009: It's so much fun talking to you! I'm so glad you approve of my new story, and that you think it wasn't rushed. I don't think I'm talented at all; I just write a lot, so I can see where my writing is weak and correct it! I thank you over and over! Hope to talk to you soon, Daisy!
BabyG of Westlife: Avalon… You're talking about the magical land where King Arthur was put to rest? Where Morgan Le Fay ruled over? That Avalon? LOL. My knowledge of this stuff scares me, sometime. LOL, your review make me laugh! Thanks for them!
Wolfwood11: I'm glad you enjoy my work so much! I wish everyone shared your enthusiasm (and long reviews). I hope you enjoy my newest AU story! Happy Holidays to you, too!
Jenny644443855: I'm glad you like my work so far! Thanks for the support!
TFRiD Queen: Finally! Joe Millionaire came out! Everyone cheer! WOOHOO! LOL! I'm glad you like it so far!
Sorrowful: Thanks for thinking so, my wonderful friend Vanessa! Sadly, it doesn't have to do anything with the TV reality show, although I hope you will enjoy this anyway! Thanks for all the help, and our conversations are splendid!
Saku: I hope you don't mind me calling you that! It seems a bit informal, but you're a great writer! Hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as the last!
Robowan99: No problem! Here's the newest chapter, straight from the computer!