Lights! Camera! Christmas!
Author: MoonStarDutchess and Rinoaebastel
Chapter 4: Script Decisions
Disclaimer: We do not own Fullmetal Alchemist and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than needed writing practice and enjoyment.
People were coming and going from the room, talking about clothes, makeup, hairstyles, publication dates, and other matters typically heard during a workday like that day. But all the activity did nothing to distract Roy Mustang from his reading. He sat on a couch in the far left corner of the room, as far away from the bustle as possible. His legs were crossed and a thick script was resting on his knee.
He'd been in at least 50 films since his debut at eighteen, and had been sent more scripts than that. He'd starred in drama films, action movies, and two romance flicks, but this was the first time he'd been given a script like this.
And it was the only time Maes had physically handed him a script and demanded he read it. Maes usually just gave him the offers verbally and then got the script if he agreed to read it. He'd occasionally search through the piles of scripts sent to his apartment, but it was rare he had time.
Maes had given him the songs for this movie yesterday and pushed the script into his arms this morning. He didn't normally read during work, but the only free time he had that day was between two photo shoots: one for Male's Fitness and the other for QG magazine. Maes had been so anxious for him to read it that curiosity got the better of him and he'd forgone a nap in favorite of reading.
The sound of footsteps approached him, and he felt the couch dip with the extra weight of someone sitting next to him. A whiff of a cologne and coffee mixture told him instantly who it was. He continued reading while they sat silently. When he finished, he closed the script, flipped it over so that the cover was face up, and waited for his companion to speak. He deliberately did it to make Maes sweat a bit.
"Well?" Maes asked.
Roy looked at him. And of course, there was a huge smile on his face. He'd expect no less. His expression and the excitement in his voice were understandable. This script wasn't like anything he'd ever done. Maes knew he was always up for a challenge, but why was he pushing this one? He was sure there'd been other scripts with equal meritoriousness before. Roy pushed down a smile. "Well what?"
"What do you think about the script? Great right?"
Roy sighed and voiced his only hesitation. "It's a musical romance."
Roy was about to warn Maes not to smile any wider or he might rip his cheeks, but he refrained. "Exactly. I can tell you've been bored with the roles you've been doing. You wanted something different."
"Well, it is different, I'll give you that much."
"And it's a guaranteed hit."
"It seems fun," Roy said. "But it could possibly recreate the trouble I had with Twenty Shades of Red."
"No way! This movie is nothing like that one. Besides, Twenty was a quality Valentine's Day film."
Roy scoffed. "That's bullshit and you know it."
"Okay," Maes acceded. "So it wasn't exactly Valentine Day quality, but it got a lot of people watching it on that day. And it went far beyond box-office expectations. You made the right decision not to do the nudity, and people lauded you for the decision. Your acting was praised, and you made a boatload of cash. There was nothing but positivity. This movie will—"
"Stop right there. Nothing but positivity? Are you remembering the same time as I am? I had half-naked fans waiting outside my apartment building at all hours of the day and night. Some with whips and handcuffs. Hell, a good portion of them were clearly not legal age either."
Maes cringed but then said, "You can't control that, though. You have a dedicated fan base, and they liked your character."
"Tristian Red was a dick in that movie," Roy said. "He was a possessive freak, and I only took the role because I wanted to play an asshole. I didn't expect women would actually like the abusive idiot."
"I thought you'd already come to terms with the fact that if you play a character, women will like him solely because you played him."
"I have."
Maes had been so involved in the business aspect that he didn't see why as an actor Roy had a problem with that. But it was Maes' job to get him work, not care about much else. He still saw Twenty Shades of Red as a huge mistake. The amount of scripts like it that ended up on his doorstep made him sick.
He hadn't dated much since that film and he considered it the movie that ensured his loneliness.
It wasn't conceited to say he was handsome and that women were understandably drawn to that. Sure, he'd dated some beautiful women but never more than one or two dates.
When it came to female celebrities, their intention was clear. Most of them wanted to date him to prop up their careers or give them stronger connections in the business. This was especially true for actresses starting out.
When he dated women outside the entertainment realm, they always expected him to be like one of the characters he played. Especially Tristan Red. Not a single one of them ever tried getting to know normal Roy Mustang. They would probably be turned off if they had. He wasn't going to give up his real self even if it meant being alone.
Maes picked up the script. "The character they want you to play goes from a near tyrant to a loveable man later on. It's different. You're perfect for this. It might even wipe your Tristan Red character from everyone's minds."
Well, that was one positive point towards taking the role. "I don't know about doing romances anymore. As for singing, I'm hesitant to ever do a musical again in any format."
When Maes grinned, Roy knew he had a trump card up his sleeve. "What if I told you your costar might be someone you thought very highly of? Someone extremely talented. Someone you've actually fanboyed over a few times."
Roy raised an eyebrow at the odd question. Why was he pushing this so much? "Maes," he said, "Unless you have Riza Grumman lined up as my love interest in this movie I'm not goin…" He trailed off when Maes's grin got so wide his eyes narrowed.
"Actually, Roy. . ."
He recognized the tone and immediately denied it was conveying what he hoped it was. "There's no way. Hell would freeze over before she'd agree to do a movie with me."
"Well, someone needs to knit the devil some mittens because there's gonna be a blizzard soon. In fact, there might be flurries going on down there right now."
Roy's heart sped up and excitement rushed through him at the thought. He'd been a fan of her music since her first single, and later came to respect her when he'd seen her interact with fans and the staff at some of the award shows he'd attended. "She agreed to it?"
"Not yet, no," Maes said, "But I gave her the script to read and she heard the songs."
"That was cruel," Roy said, instantly defeated. "Once she finds out her costar might be me, she'll turn it down flat," Roy said.
Maes reached over and squeezed his shoulder. "Actually, Roy, she knows you're the number one choice for the role. She said she'd still consider it. Her personal assistant texted me that Riza has been singing the songs. Even if we don't smooth things out between the two of you, I still think she'd take the part. She's the consummate professional after all and knows something good when she sees it."
Roy nodded. "This situation between us has been going on for too long. It's about time I talk with her about what happened with that interview."
"Yeah, that always did confuse me. Why'd you say those things about her? It was before I managed you, so was it your previous manager's idea of a publicity stunt or something? You've never once insulted anyone by name since I've worked with you."
"I didn't say anything close to what that reporter wrote."
"I see," Maes said. Roy knew he wouldn't have to clarify any further. Reporters liked to stir up controversies between celebrities. It was especially true for that reporter. He'd still been newish to the business at the time and hadn't known about that particular magazine or reporter at the time. His managers also hadn't said anything since conflict sold more magazines and newspapers. That was one of several reasons why they no longer managed him. The last time he saw them, they were both working at the Suncash coffee chain.
"I'll set up a meeting between you two," Maes said.
"You think she'll agree? That she's over what I said?"
Maes laughed nervously. "Oh…Oh, no, she's still pissed about it. You may even get a tongue lashing and not in a good way."
"Maes," Roy said with a warning tone. A warning not to go in a perverted direction when it came to the talented, gorgeous blond. He wouldn't deny that he didn't have a small crush on her.
Maes rose and patted Roy on the shoulder. "She'll listen to your side."
"Okay, then. I'm open to whenever you can schedule it," Roy said. "I'm about finished with filming and promotion for this year, so schedule it for any time I have free. I don't care what I have to cancel outside of work."
"She's leaving for her family's place soon. I'll try arranging a meet-up before she does."
"You're that confident that she'll accept?"
"Yeah, I'm very sure about it."
"If she says yes, then I'll take the role," Roy says. "If she doesn't, I'll still consider it depending on who gets it."
"Great! I'll drop by her house and talk to her after I finish work for the day. I have a few other clients to check on."
He hoped Maes was right. Riza Grumman was a proud woman who worked hard for her position in the entertainment industry. By that fact alone, he knew she saw most of the media for what they truly were: Vultures seeking to peck at every aspect of their lives as if they were a carcass to scavenge.
He'd wanted to end this huge misunderstanding with her for years. Maes was his best chance to do it. He just hadn't asked the man before because of the way she'd avoided him in award shows and other events. Riza treated him as if he had a plague. He wanted to fix things not only for the opportunity to act with her, but to find a friend that understood his position.
He'd never thought he could achieve what he had. Now he was one of the most loved actors and models in several countries and the most popular on, much to his chagrin, Instaman. Very few could comprehend the pressure and probably no one better than she could.
"So, I'll call you the moment she agrees. Meanwhile, look at the script again. You should make sure it's something you want to do because you like it and not only because of Riza. Okay?"
This was why Maes was such a fantastic manager. He didn't try to convince him to take roles he didn't want. "I like the script a lot. I won't lie and say that the potential of working with her isn't a big part of why I'm interested in the film."
Maes smirked. "In all the years I've worked with you, you've never said anything like that before about any other actor."
Roy shrugged. "What can I say? I admire talent and she's chocked full of it."
"Oh yes, I'm sure that's all it is," Maes said and went over to the door. "Riza Fanboy."
Roy laughed as Maes left the room.
Perhaps it was time he admit that he indeed was a fanboy.
RW: 2022
