Chapter Two: The Movie Set
"So Tohru" Kandis replied as they sat in the limo, "Have you ever been on a movie set before?"
"No" Tohru shook her head, "I never have."
"I'm surprised, considering your Uncle is in the movie making business."
"Yes" Tohru replied with a smile, "Since he lives in America I don't get to see him very much."
"Yea" Kandis nodded, "I think I understand."
Tohru took a few minutes to gaze at the other girl. She wasn't very tall but she was definitely taller than her. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of brown chocolate and her hair was the same color as Tohru's except it was a little shorter. The outfit she wore was very trendy and the earrings were very dangly. When she smiled, she flashed her beautiful smile. It wasn't hard to tell why she was in pictures. Her skin was very white, white like Yuki's in fact.
"What I mean to say," Kandis continued, "My family lives in Canada, but I live in California."
"That must be very hard being away from them?" Tohru replied.
"Yea. There are some times when I do really miss them. I live with my aunt when I am shooting a film or commercial. Both my parents have businesses of their own. My father is in to computers, while my mother is in advertising. That's how I was discovered. One of her clients met me and suggested that I try out for their commercial. After that it's just been going up the ladder. This movie of your uncle's is my first starring role however and I am very excited."
"What's the movie about?" Tohru asked.
"Oh it's really something that Americans are into right now. You see I play an American who comes to Japan because her father is transferred. But the twist is, is that my past follows me. There's going to be romance, adventure, and even some scary moments too," Kandis giggled.
"Scary moments?" Tohru replied nervously.
"Oh don't worry" Kandis laughed again when she saw her face, "I can show you the script when we get there. Oh we're here now" she looked out the window.
The limo came to a stop and once again the driver let them out. Kandis smiled at him as he bowed to her.
"C'mon" she said as she took Tohru's hand gently and led her to the set.
They walked inside and saw the hubbub of everyone setting up the different sets and props. They were people everywhere as Kandis walked over to her chair, where her luggage was sitting.
"Every actor gets their own chair" she explained as a woman with glasses and a pointed nose came over, "Hello Jill" she replied with a smile.
"Kandis" she eyed Tohru as she came over, "She's perfect."
"Excuse me" Kandis replied.
"She fits the description so well" Jill walked around Tohru and patted her hair, "They didn't tell me that you were acquainted with the replacement actress?" she said to Kandis.
"Replacement actress" Kandis replied as Kintaro came over.
"Kintaro" Jill beamed as she walked over to him.
"Jill?" he looked at her confused.
"She's perfect. That agency does know what they are doing" she pointed at Tohru, "I have to admit I was worried, but look at her she's a doll."
Tohru blushed.
"Um Jill" Kintaro interrupted her, "I think that there has been some sort of misunderstanding."
"What?" Jill's blue eyes flashed a bit.
"This is my niece Tohru Honda" Kintaro replied as he walked behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.
"You're kidding?"
"No. She has offered a place for Kandis to stay. They are just here to get Kandi's bags."
Jill looked at Kandis who nodded her head.
"Oh. Kintaro can I talk to you for a moment?"
He nodded and whispered in Tohru's ear.
"I'll be right back."
"Okay" she nodded.
Kandis walked over and stood next to Tohru who still looked thoroughly confused.
"That's Jill. She's Kintaro's producer, but not only that she's in charge of casting. I guess she thought that you were a replacement actor."
"Oh" Tohru smiled finally, "I see. So it was a mistake."
"Still" Kandis said, "I can see why she thought you were. Like I said before you are very pretty."
Kintaro and Jill came over a few minutes later. They both looked at Tohru a little longer than Kintaro pulled her to the side.
"What is it Uncle Kintaro?" Tohru asked.
"Well, it's a funny thing. Just this morning, we lost one of our actresses. Now she wasn't playing a big part, but it was kind of an important part. Jill seems to think that you will be the best to take that part over."
"Me?"
"Mhm. But I totally understand if you don't want to. I mean you're not really an actress, however I am in a real bind. I can't start shooting this without that character" he took her hands, "Honey I don't want to have to ask this of you, but I got to. Are you interested?"
"Interested?"
"In playing the part?"
"Um. But I" she said slowly, "What about school and my job?"
"Oh it's a very small role. We would shoot after school or on the weekends for your scenes. You would be playing the best friend of Kandi's character, and since the two of you already have good chemistry as it is, it wouldn't be bad. And as for work, we could always work something out."
"Me? Be in a movie?"
"Hey if you really feel uncomfortable about this, you don't have to. I guess I'll just have to find someone else."
Tohru looked over in Kandi's direction. She was sitting in her chair and laughing as she spoke to Jill. She remembered how excited she had been to be in the movie and she didn't want to disappoint her or her uncle.
"I suppose. I could do the role, if you really want me to" she said finally.
Kintaro smiled widely and hugged her tight.
"Thank you sweet heart" he replied, "Thank you so much."
"Don't mention it," she said with a smile as they broke away from the hug.
They both walked over and Jill looked at Kintaro hopefully.
"Well?"
"Tohru" he placed a hand on her shoulder and looked at her lovingly, "Has agreed to take the part."
Jill smiled and immediately shook her hand. She started fussing with her hair, which Kintaro frowned about.
"Jill. Give her time to breathe. She doesn't start shooting until later. She and Kandi are heading out now."
"Okay" Jill nodded rigorously, "Thank you so much Miss Honda," she replied as she walked away.
"You're welcome" Tohru responded.
Kintaro watched as she left then turned back to his niece.
"Thank you again Honey. I need to get back to work, so you and Kandi can get out of here."
"Okay" Tohru nodded.
"Kandis. I expect to see you on the set, tomorrow at ten. Tohru you'll come too right?"
"Mhm."
"We'll be there Mr. Director" Kandis replied with a smile.
"Good" he smiled back and then kissed the top of Tohru's head, "I'll see you later."
He walked away as Kandis grabbed Tohru's hands.
"This is so cool that we are going to be in the movie together."
"Yea" Tohru nodded with a slight smile.
"Well" Kandis said as she grabbed her luggage, "Let's go home, kind hostess.
They walked out of the stage and over to the limo. Before she climbed in Tohru looked back at the set and saw a Japanese boy staring right back at her. He smiled a little as she climbed into the limo and the car took off. Then he walked back onto the set, whistling as he went.
Authors Note: That's it till Wed! The last one was so long, so this one is a little shorter. I hope you liked it!
Next Chapter: Night- time Guest
Kandi's first night in Shigure's house is not an ordinary one. See why next time on Rice-Balls in a Fruits Basket!