Anything for Love
Chapter 4: The One Where Joey Gets a New Gig
It was mid January, and as much as Joey loved staying at the plaza, he knew that nearly three weeks there was pushing it. Even though he had the money to spend, there was really no use in wasting the money. After all, he did still have more than enough money in the bank, but he currently wasn't working, and he needed to get back on it, and stop wasting money he didn't need to waste. His financial adviser had been on his case about finding a more permanent place to stay.
"You're wasting money on nights at The Plaza that you could be using on paying off a mortgage!" Charlie, his financial adviser had chastised him.
Joey had to admit, Charlie was right. So, he was currently looking for both an apartment in the city, and a house in the suburbs where Monica and Chandler lived. He wasn't a hundred percent sure which place he wanted to live yet, but he figured he'd know once he saw the right place.
He also had auditioned for a fairly recent soap opera, Love and Freedom,and had had a call back that he felt he aced. He was due to hear back in a few days whether or not he got the part. He was really hoping to get it. It paid a lot, and it would give him relief to have some sort of stability in New York. Days of our Lives had moved their filming location to Los Angeles, so there was no hope in going back to them unless he wanted to move back to LA.
The first apartment he looked at was drab. It was small and wasn't much to look at on the inside. The building had looked nice from the outside, so he had assumed that the apartment offered in it would have been just as nice, but it wasn't. It had two bedrooms, but one of the two bedrooms was more like a walk in closet size, and he needed room. He would have expected better from the Upper East Side.
Another apartment was just the opposite problem. It was too huge. It had four bedrooms and a beautiful view, but the rent was high even for him. It was astronomical, in fact. He had forgotten that living in New York City was just as bad as expensive as living in Los Angeles was.
The third apartment of the day was actually in his old building. It was in the same building he had lived in with Chandler before. He had hoped it would be his old apartment, but it wasn't. It was two floors up. It made for a nice view, but it was a pain to walk up, and it was identical to his old apartment. He had originally wanted his old apartment, but now that he was in one that looked just like it, he wasn't so sure. Maybe he wanted something different instead of the same ol' same ol'. It was less than what he could afford. He kind of wanted something slightly bigger. Maybe a house really was the best rout after all, he thought. Then again, getting a house in the suburbs would mean leaving Phoebe, and he didn't really want to do that.
With a sigh, he headed down to see his old apartment for old times sake. He figured that maybe he'd get lucky and the new tenants would be coming or going, and he would be able to take a peak inside of it.
When he got down to it, he was disappointed to see that no one was coming or going.
He placed his hand over the door and smiled. "Hello, old friend."
Just then, the door right across the apartment that used to be Monica's apartment, opened.
Joey looked over in curiosity, and was surprised to see Chandler there. "Chandler? What are you doing there? Do you know the new tenants?" It was funny he had never mentioned knowing them before.
Chandler shook his head. "The apartment just went up for sale again."
Joey's face lit up. "Really?" He suddenly had thoughts of moving in there. It was just the right size, he was already more than familiar with the layout, and he'd have his own balcony.
"Monica wants me to get it back for her. She's always regretted giving up her grandmother's apartment. Now that the most recent owners are moving to Colorado, now's her chance to finally get it back," Chandler explained.
Joey scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. "So are you guys moving back into the city?"
Chandler shook his head. "She just wants a place to stay for when she works later at the restaurant and doesn't feel like the long drive back home. She also wants a place to come back to when she needs a break at work. Things get hectic for her at the restaurant, and sometimes she just needs to sneak away and take a breather while her sous chef takes over for a bit. Personally, I think she wants it for when she needs a break from me. The jokes on her because now I can get a break from her to when I need one."
"Are you guys okay? I mean, as a couple? You're not getting a divorce are you?" Joey asked, worried.
Chandler looked at him funny. "What? No! Why would you even ask that?"
"Well, you two are not always the nicest to each other, and now you want a break from each other," Joe explained.
Chandler laughed, and pat him on the shoulder. "It's called married life, Joe. We take nothing personal. We razz each other. It's just what we do. We love each other. Small breaks from each other here and there are just what keep us in love with each other. Anyway, having the apartment will be nice for me too since I also commute. Some nights I work really late and the commute sucks. At least this way on those nights that I work late, I don't have to drive home."
"But what about the twins?" Joey asked.
"Our nanny is okay with overnights at the house once in a while," Chandler explained. "Mine and Monica's schedules aren't always the same anyway, so some nights I'll stay here and Monica will be home, or vice-versa."
"So, you're taking the apartment then," Joey stated.
Chandler nodded. "I have the first two months' rent in. It's just a matter of finalizing the paperwork now."
"Cool," Joey said with a nod.
"Well, I got to get back to work. I'm here on break. But let's do lunch tomorrow!" Chandler said.
"I'd like that. I'll call ya," Joey promised.
Joey sighed once Chandler left. It would be nice to stay in this building now that Chandler and Monica would be staying there part time, but he still didn't know what he wanted yet.
With a sigh, he headed out of the building. For now, he'd keep looking.
A few days later, Joey heard back from his new agent Charlie Darnell that he had gotten the part! He was to play Tommy Salvador. He was to start filming in a week.
He took Phoebe to Central Perk to celebrate. The others were all working, or busy with the kids, so it was just him and Phoebe, which was becoming the new normal.
"I'm so happy for you, Joey!" Phoebe said as they toasted with their coffees.
Joey grinned. "Thanks! I'm excited to take on a new role. I hope the show's a hit."
"It's already pretty popular, despite it being new." Phoebe sipped her coffee. "A lot of my clients talk about it. They ask me if I've seen it and I can never say I have. Now that you're on it though, I'll have to watch it!"
"Would you like to watch me film?" Joey asked her. "I'd feel less nervous if you went with me on my first day of filming. I start next Monday."
Phoebe set her coffee down and rolled her eyes. "Please, Joey. As if you get nervous when acting. You've had plenty of experience!"
Joey shook his head. "It doesn't matter! It's still a new gig with new cast mates whom I never met before. I barely know the director, and I don't know the writer at all." He set his coffee down and took her hands in his. "Please, Phoebs?" He gave her a sad pout and puppy dog eyes.
Phoebe groaned. "Oh come on, not the sad puppy dog eyes!"
Joey whimpered.
Phoebe sighed. "Okay, fine! I'll go with you."
Joey clapped his hands and grinned widely. "Yay!"
Phoebe picked up her coffee mug and sipped her coffee to hide her smile. The truth was, she was thrilled he wanted her to go along. He didn't want Monica. He didn't want Rachel. He wanted her.
She was also thrilled that this new job meant he was more than likely not going to move back to LA. The more she thought about it, the more she was really looking forward to going with him to his new job on Monday. It should be fun, she figured.
Phoebe found herself to be a little bored. She had to wait on the couch in Joey's dressing room with nothing to do but read while Joey was whisked away to hair, makeup, and wardrobe. There was a television in Joey's dressing room, but there was nothing but gameshows and infomercials to watch at that hour, and she wasn't too interested in any of them.
Finally, Joey was ready, and they headed out to set together. Of course, she had to stay behind the scenes and just watch, but at least catering was in this part of the studio, and she was able to snack on fruit and pastries. Everything was delicious.
"Where is Jessica?" the director called out.
Everyone looked around and no one seemed to know where this Jessica person was.
"She was due to be on set five minutes ago. Hasn't anyone seen her?" the director asked.
Suddenly, someone whom Phoebe had no idea who it was, came rushing over to the director. It was a guy who looked to be in his twenties. "I just received a call from her. She woke up throwing up all over the place!" He lowered his voice, but Phoebe could still make out what he was saying. "She also has it coming out the other end if you know what I mean."
"Is she in the studio somewhere?" the director asked.
The guy shook his head. "She says she thinks she has the flu and she cannot make it in."
"And why didn't she call in earlier?" the director snapped.
The poor informant was practically trembling. "She was hoping she'd feel well enough to come in, but she doesn't."
The director let out an exasperated sigh. "Great! That's just great! We have to film this scene today. We don't have time to put it off. At least she was just an extra, but now we need a fill in. Who are we going to get to fill in for her on such late notice?"
Joey, who had just been standing there silently watching, finally had the guts to speak. "My friend Phoebe has done some acting before. She could fill in since it's just a small part."
The director turned his attention to him. "What has she been on?"
"Well, she was in the video for 'Smelly Cat'. That's her song!" Joey informed him.
"That was the most ridiculous song I ever heard," the director muttered.
Phoebe heard all this and walked over, preparing to give the director a piece of her mind. However, she didn't want to get Joey in trouble, so she made a snap decision not to. Also, her nerves were starting to hit. She remembered how much of a disaster it had been the last time she had been an extra. "I can't act. It's not for me. I'm just a masseuse!"
Joey looked at her. "It's just a love scene. You don't even have any lines other than my character's name! You'd be playing a girl I picked up at a bar."
"So I se this character isn't that far of a stretch from you," Phoebe said to him with an amused smirk, temporarily distracted.
Joey blushed.
The director looked as if something had just dawned on him. He turned to Phoebe. "Weren't you in that porn film—"
Phoebe cut him off. "No, that was my twin sister Ursula."
The director smirked. "Sure it was."
Phoebe crossed her arms over her chest. "No, really, it was."
The director ignored her insistence. He nodded toward the guy that Phoebe was now realizing seemed to be the director's assistant. "Go get her into makeup and wardrobe. At least she's hot."
"I didn't say I'd even do this!" Phoebe reminded the director.
The director looked at her. "The job pays a thousand dollars."
"For one scene?" Phoebe asked.
The director nodded. "For one scene!"
Phoebe shrugged. "Well, okay then."
She was quickly whisked off to makeup, hair and wardrobe then, and didn't have much time to think about what she was about to do.
Joey couldn't believe he was going to be acting with Phoebe again. He just couldn't help himself. He had always felt bad when Phoebe's gig as an extra didn't go well the last time. He had wanted to make it up to her, and now was his chance. Of course, the fact that it had gone to her head the last time had kind of made it her own downfall, but still…
Hair, makeup, and wardrobe worked fast, and it was only fifteen minutes before Phoebe came out in a white terry cloth robe that matched his. He was used to doing love scenes by now. Being in nothing but a flesh colored Speedo type garment didn't even phase him anymore, though it had been a little embarrassing at first. Joey was worried now that Phoebe would be embarrassed. He hadn't thought about that.
"I'm a little nervous, Joey," Phoebe whispered to him. "What if I screw up like the last time? I messed up my line, and what I was supposed to do. I let it all go to my head. What if this time is the same?"
Joey took her hand and kissed it. "You'll be fine. All we have to do is lie in bed and kiss, and you call out my character's name. There will be music dubbed in during our scenes, so our voices won't even be heard for the most part. Your only line is when you tell me to call you."
Phoebe nodded. The director's assistant had prepped her on how the scene was going to go.
The director directed them both to disrobe, and Joey let his robe drop without a second thought before stepping into the camera view. He did, however, blush once he took in the fact that Phoebe was staring at him.
"What? Do I look bad?" he asked her.
"Quite the opposite. I've never seen you with so less clothes before. Woah, Momma!" Phoebe said with a whistle, pretending to air her face with her hand.
Joey grinned, blushed, and looked away. Phoebe always made him blush.
Phoebe, with shaky hands, disrobed too. She wasn't an overly modest person, but with a bunch of strangers watching her, it was quite embarrassing. Also, Joey had never seen her in so little clothes either. She had on flesh colored bikini bottoms and a flesh colored strapless bikini top that barely covered her breasts. It was so skimpy that she had to have nude colored pasties on underneath the bikini top just in case something slipped.
"Wow," Joey said as he stared at her almost nude body.
"Is that a good wow or a bad wow?" Phoebe asked, nervously.
Joey grinned. "It's a 'How you doin'? Wow."
Phoebe grinned as well, and looked away shyly. "Okay."
The director then instructed them to get into the bed, and they got right to the scene. The director wanted to waste no time in filming since they were late on filming as it was.
Joey and Phoebe, upon director's orders, then performed a scene that should have been awkward for both of them, but felt natural.
Phoebe had no problem kissing Joey. He was always a good kisser, and he had gotten even better with time.
Joey rolled on top of Phoebe, careful not to hurt her, and kissed her more passionately. He always liked to get into his roles. With Phoebe, it was even easier, because he had feelings for her. As he kissed her, and let his hands run up her sides, he couldn't help but wish the scene was over soon. It wasn't because he wasn't enjoying being with Phoebe in this way, for he was. It was just that, he was starting to enjoy this role too much, and he didn't want to upset Phoebe by doing anything she was uncomfortable with.
They continued to kiss, and when Joey kissed down her neck, and Phoebe was told to cry out his name, Phoebe cried out, "Joey!"
Phoebe instantly looked horrified.
"Cut!" The director called.
"I'm sorry" Phoebe said to the director.
The director smiled. "It's okay. Remember, Phoebe, his character name is Tommy," the director ordered. "You're doing great so far though. You two are hot stuff together!"
Joey and Phoebe looked at each other, and gave awkward smiles.
"It's okay," Joey said gently to her.
"Action!" the director called again.
They finished the scene, and this time, to everyone's relief, Phoebe remembered to call out Tommy instead of Joey.
"And cut!" the director called out. "Great work! Now we just have the final scene where Tommy gets a phone call and politely asks Jenna to get dressed and leave."
Hair and makeup came over to help do some readjustments, and then the director called action again.
Phoebe as Jenna pouted once Tommy had gotten the call and politely asked her to leave. She told him he's got her number and to call her. Tommy promised he would, and then the camera panned to Tommy up close, talking on the phone, while Jenna was heard but not seen getting out of bed, and then heading to the bathroom to change.
It all went off without a hitch.
"Are you two together in real life?" the director asked them after calling out cut. "Because you two are smoking together!"
Joey and Phoebe both blushed, and shook their heads.
"No, we're just friends," Joey told him.
Phoebe nodded her agreement.
"Well, you should be more. Yowza!" He then ordered Joey to get ready for the next scene, this one being with the "mob boss" he had been on the phone with. He also informed Phoebe that she had done all he needed her for and that her check would be in the mail once she gave the studio secretary her information.
Phoebe blushed. "I think I had enough excitement for the day. I'm going to go home for a bit after I give the studio my information," she said to Joey.
Joey nodded. "Okay. Are we still on for dinner and a movie with Rachel and Ross tonight?"
Phoebe nodded. "You bet!"
Joey kissed her cheek. "Great job today, Phoebs."
She smiled. "Thanks! You too."
They then both headed off to their separate rooms to dress, both their hearts still pounding hard from the scene they had just done.
That night at the movies, Phoebe and Rachel saved seats while Ross and Joey got the snacks in the movie theater lobby.
"What do you look so happy about today? Does it have to do anything with Joey?" Rachel asked with a grin as she gently nudged Phoebe.
Phoebe shrugged. "Maybe." She tried to hide a smile, but couldn't.
"What?" Rachel grabbed Phoebe's arm in excitement. "Are you two finally a thing? I saw the way he kissed you on New Year's!"
Phoebe blushed. "We were just kissing to ring in the New Year. We didn't want to be the only ones who didn't have anyone to kiss."
"Right," Rachel said, not believing her for a second. "So why are you so happy now?"
Phoebe sighed. She had wanted to keep it to herself, but the others were sure to find out eventually when the episode aired. She told Rachel the whole story, from suddenly becoming an extra in a love scene with Joey, to accidentally calling out his name. Then she admitted to Rachel what she hadn't even admitted to herself. "I really enjoyed kissing him. I enjoyed…pretending it was actually us and not our characters."
Rachel squealed so loud half the theater looked at her.
"Shh! I'm telling you. I don't need the whole theater to know too!" Phoebe scolded her.
Rachel held her hands up and spoke quieter. "Sorry, sorry! So, what are you going to do about it?"
"What do you mean?" Phoebe asked blankly.
"What are you going to do? Are you going to tell him how you feel? Did he seem to enjoy the scene too?" Rachel asked.
Phoebe shrugged. "I don't know. He's an actor. It's hard to tell."
"Still, you know Joey. You must have been able to tell if he was feeling it too or not," Rachel pressed.
Phoebe thought about it for a moment. "I don't know. Maybe a little. But I couldn't say for sure."
"Well, you have to tell him how you feel. You'll never know how he feels unless you ask him," Rachel informed her.
Phoebe shook her head. "No! I can't. Not until I have more of an idea of whether or not he has feelings for me. I don't want to ruin the friendship by acting too soon. Promise me you're not going to say anything to him or anybody else—not even Ross!"
Rachel sighed. "Okay. I promise." She didn't mean she wouldn't tell the others, but she would at least not tell Joey. "But I really think you should give it a chance. You never know, Joey might surprise you."
Phoebe looked straight ahead and crossed her arms over her chest. "Joey is an enigma. You never know with him. I'm just not willing to risk it. Not yet."
Rachel sighed. She hated how stubborn and pigheaded her friend could be at times.
Joey had just finished telling Ross about his scene with Phoebe.
"I'm surprised you suggested her after what happened the last time she had a part on one of your shows!" Ross said with a laugh.
"I still felt bad even though it was her fault. She wanted to be on a show so badly, and didn't get to be the last time. She matured more this time, and didn't let the role get to her head," Joey informed him.
Ross snickered. "Probably because she was uncomfortable. I know I would be wearing next to nothing in front of a bunch of people who were filing me, knowing that millions more would eventually be watching me half naked on TV!"
"Phoebe had nothing to worry about." Joey clapped a hand over Ross' shoulder. "You, on the other hand, let's just say that no one wants to see that except maybe Rachel!"
Ross shot him a nasty look and gave a sarcastic laugh. "You're hilarious!"
"Seriously, though, I secretly wanted to be with Phoebe. Being in character was perfect! I could see what it would be like to be with her without worrying about ruining the friendship because it wasn't really us; it was our characters, you know what I mean?" Joey asked.
"And what was the verdict? Did you enjoy playing pretend?" Ross asked with a smirk.
Joey nodded. "Very much so." He looked Ross in the eyes. "In fact, I liked it even more than I thought I would. I actually felt something, if you know what I mean."
They had to pause from their conversation while they ordered their snacks. Joey ordered nachos a large soda, and a large popcorn, as well as Milk Duds. Next, he had to get a small popcorn and a small soda for Phoebe and her favorite, Snowcaps. Needless to say, he needed a tray. Ross had just gotten two medium sodas and a small popcorn to share with Rachel.
"I'll never understand how you can eat all that crap and never gain weight," Ross said to him.
"I work out; not often, but when I have a show or movie coming up I do. Anyway, getting back to what we were talking about before… I'm starting to think I want Phoebe as more than just a friend," Joey confessed.
Ross looked at him and smiled. "Really? The girls will be happy. They think you two are soul mates or something girly like that."
Joey smiled. "I'm starting to think that too." He looked up at Ross. "But don't tell anybody!"
Ross shrugged. "Why not?"
"Because I need to figure out first what I'm going to do! I don't even know if Phoebe feels the same way," Joey explained.
"What are you trying to say?" Ross asked, wanting to make sure he knew everything before he told Rachel and Monica. He couldn't help it. This was too good not to share. Besides, he and Rachel told each other everything. He also wanted to brag to Monica about finding out something juicy before she did.
"I'm saying I think I'm in love with Phoebe. But please, give me your word you won't tell anybody until I know how to proceed with this." Joey looked into his eyes pleadingly.
"Your secret's safe with me," Ross said, crossing his toes. He wouldn't tell Phoebe of course, but he was going to tell Rachel the second they were alone. Then he'd call Monica. Or maybe he and Rachel would stop by her restaurant on the way home. That way he could see the expression on her face when he told her something he found out before she did. He smiled at the thought of one-upping his sister.
"Thanks," Joey said, oblivious, of course, to Ross' inner thoughts.
"No problem," Ross said.
They walked into the movie and took their seats just as the credits started.
Phoebe smiled at Joey as she took her snacks from him. "Thanks!"
Joey smiled too. "No problem. I got you a small. If you're still hungry you can have some of mine," he said in reference to the popcorn.
"Oh my gosh, Joey Tribbiani is actually willing to share his food?" Phoebe asked in surprised, a hand over her heart for dramatic affect.
Joey shrugged. "Only with you."
Phoebe kissed his cheek, and they both smiled at each other.
Ross and Rachel took note of this and smiled at each other as well.