The five actors all sat before the assembled class, who were beside themselves with glee and excitement. Hartford Productions, and Dax especially, had kept all the details surrounding the movie a very jealously guarded secret. No details had been leaked to any of the usual media outlets, and all the cast and crew that had been asked about it had simply stated that the confidentiality clause in their contracts was very strict. This class, these thirty students, were quite literally the first in the world outside the production crew to see who the starts of the movie were.
"Alright, I know you probably recognise many of these fine actors, but I'll introduce them for anyone who isn't familiar." Dax began. "Here we have the star of the 'Horde of Corpses' series, Felicity Redgrave."
One of the actresses stood up, looking over the audience. Most of the guys in the class had trouble keeping their eyes in their heads, while many of the girls were either in awe of her, or couldn't hide their jealousy. Felicity was a huge star in the cinema, who had made her name in a number of movies. She was most famous for being the main protagonist in a long-running horror franchise, in which she played a hotel receptionist who had become a kick-ass Zombie hunter.
She was a tall woman, with a slender build, and asking any of the guys in the audience, curves in exactly all the right places. She had unblemished, pale skin, and long, golden hair. She was wearing a long, pink skirt and a black, halter neck t-shirt that hid very little. She waved to the audience.
"Felicity Redgrave?" Jake said with a massive grin. "I can't believe they cast Felicity Redgrave! She's like...one of the hottest actresses ever!"
"She sure is." Gia agreed. She saw the way the others were looking at her. "Yeah, big surprise, I think she's hot!"
"Hi, I'll be playing the part of Amy, the Pink Ranger." She told them with a bright smile. "I'm looking forward to doing a movie where I don't spend every scene covered in fake blood, and I look forward to working with all of you."
The class applauded as he moved onto the next guy.
"This is Sam Burridge, star of the long-running hospital drama 'Emergency Room Tales'." Dax continued as the next man stood up. He towered over all of them, and had a huge, thick, muscular build. He was wearing tight blue jeans and a black, sleeveless t-shirt, revealing his arms which looked thicker than most of the football teams' legs. He took up nearly twice the space of any of the others on the panel. He had a bald head, but despite his terrifying presence, his face split into a bright smile that lit up the room. He had made his name in a hospital drama series that had won numerous awards for its writing, and gripping, dramatic storylines.
"I'm completely thrilled to be working on this production." He told them. "I'm playing Walter, the Black Ranger. While I have to admit that I was intrigued to be offered a part in a super hero movie as something other than a villain, the decision was made for me by the most important people in my life. My six Godchildren all begged me to take the role. I couldn't turn it down."
"OK thank you Oliver. Next, we have Re..."
"Thank you Dax." The next actor interrupted him in a thick, Welsh accent, standing up slowly. He was a thin man, with slightly pale skin, and soft, brown hair, with a moustache. He was wearing a classic, blue suit, with a black shirt and blue tie. "I doubt most of you are familiar with my work, since most of it was on London's West End and Broadway, but I am playing the part of David, the Blue Ranger. I'm looking forward to starting work, and only ask that all of you refer to me at all times as David."
"Uh...alright, thanks...David." Dax said as he sat down.
"What's his deal?" Jake asked.
"His name's Jeremy Thomas. He's done a lot of work in the theatre." Noah informed him. "According to a lot of inside reports, he's pretty eccentric. He's a method actor who stays in character throughout production...even off the set!"
"Weird." Jake stated.
"Next, we have Henrietta Jones, who most of you will know from the movie 'Boss of the Bluebottles'." Dax introduced the last actress. She was wearing a bright yellow dress, and had dark brown hair. She seemed to be Hispanic, with dark flesh, and deep, brown eyes. Her long, black hair was tied into a ponytail.
"Hello, my name is Gabriella Riviera, and I'll be playing Catherine, the Yellow Ranger." She told them. "You might have seen me on many Nickelodeon productions, but when Dax offered me the role in this movie, I just had to take it."
"Thank you, and finally, the one I know you're all dying to talk about, Xavier Teach!" Dax declared. As the final actor rose from his seat, the room exploded with enthusiasm, all except for Troy. Xavier accepted the applause politely.
"Hi, I'm Xavier Teach, and I'll be playing Austin, the Red Ranger." He told them. "I'm looking forward to filming scenes with all of you, and to answering any of your questions."
"Alright, we have a little time before the end of class, so if your teacher doesn't mind, I think we could do a little Q&A, before signing some autographs." Dax stated. As hands flew up to ask questions, Emma noticed Troy looking decidedly less than enthusiastic.
"What?" She asked.
"I'll explain later." He assured her. Emma reluctantly just put up her hand to ask her question.
Over at the Brainfreeze, Ernie was preparing the shop for the arrival of the Rangers. He had agreed to let them use it for a party. Halloween was generally a quiet night for him. Normally kids didn't really feel much like paying for ice-cream when they could get candy for free from complete strangers.
He loved it when he could do favours for the team. He knew that realistically there was little else he could do to aid their time as Rangers, but what little he could do, he embraced. He cared about them a great deal, and would do anything he could for them.
As he finished hanging up some decorations, he heard the bell over the door going, and saw Eric walking in. He had seen Eric a few times, and knew he was Emma's father. He smiled as Eric approached.
"How may I help you?" He asked.
"Just a coffee to go please. The place looks great." Eric complimented him. "I take it this is all for tonight?"
"It is." Ernie told him. "If you forgive me, it looks as though you have a lot on your mind."
"A friend of mine is going through a really tough time." Eric answered. "I'm guessing by now you probably know about Spider."
"Emma mentioned that his father is your friend." Ernie sighed. "It must be a very difficult time for his family."
"It's been difficult for everyone." Eric replied. "I really wish this didn't hurt him like this, but it's his kid."
"He is lucky to have a friend like you looking out for him." Ernie responded. "It is times like this that make us realise how lucky we are for what we have."
"That's true." Eric answered. "I can't say there haven't been difficult times, but all things considered, I guess I've been pretty lucky lately."
"I know that look." Ernie said with a knowing grin. "I presume that means things are going well with a certain delightful lady."
"I guess Gia and Emma tell you everything." Eric said with a smile. "Yeah, things are going pretty well."
"All the bad things don't seem so important when the good things are so good." He stated as he handed over Eric's coffee. "Emma said she is cooking a pumpkin pie. I was really hoping to get the recipe from her..."
"Good luck with that." Eric chuckled. "Her mother gave her that recipe. She won't even tell me...though that might have more to do with what happened last time I tried to help."
"What happened?" Ernie asked him.
"I got the temperature and times mixed up." He told Ernie. "I ended up putting the oven on at 300 for three hours."
"That...that would destroy pretty much anything." Ernie laughed.
"I was lucky I didn't burn the place to the ground." Eric agreed. "Eleanor was the cook in the family for a reason. Anyway, I'll let you get back to your preparations."
"Have a good day." Ernie called after him as Eric left, before turning back to his decorations. "300 degrees for three hours? How could anyone not know that was wrong?"
Back at the school, the final bell rang after a spirited Q&A session, and most of the students getting autographs from the stars of the movie. There were a few stragglers though. Emma dragged Troy over to the desk, where they were signing. Xavier wasn't even looking at them.
"Alright, who do I make it out to?" He asked.
"My girlfriend's a fan." Troy told him. "Make it out to Emma."
Xavier scribbled out the greeting on an 8 by 10 portrait, before handing it to Troy. As he did though, he got a glimpse of him. He looked a little surprised, before smiling.
"Troy?" He asked. "Troy Burrows?"
"Hi Xavier." Troy replied. There was a little bit of a murmur from the others as Xavier got up from his chair. He smiled at Troy.
"Wow, I didn't know you came here!" He stated. "Look at you! You're not the same scrawny kid I met at the dojo!"
"Yeah...seven years will do that." Troy answered. "It's good seeing you."
"Yeah, likewise." Xavier stated. As Troy went back to the others, he could see the way they were staring at him. Jake was the first one to approach the issue.
"Dude! You know Xavier Teach?" He asked him excitedly.
"Yeah, he's like...one of the hottest rising stars in Hollywood!" Noah chipped in.
"Hottest is right...he won best newcomer, best supporting actor, the people's choice award, sexiest smile, best hair..." Emma started to rhyme off, before seeing the way Troy looked at her. "Um...of course, he's nothing compared to you."
"Way to keep that under wraps." Gia told him. "Why did you never mention you knew a huge star?"
"He wasn't a huge star when I knew him." Troy answered. "We were in the same Karate class together when my parents lived in San Francisco."
"Karate class?" Noah asked. "I thought all the papers and magazines said he was a fake."
"Trust me; he wasn't a fake back then." Troy assured them. "He was really good, the sensei had high hopes for him, but then some director offered him a part in a movie. After that, he quit the class and left town. Outside of movies I haven't seen him until now."
"So...he can really do all of the stuff he does in the movies?" Jake asked him. Troy just shrugged.
"I don't know. 8 years is a long time." Troy answered. "All I know is the sensei always bagged on him after that, said he sold out to become a Hollywood phoney."
"And now he's playing the Red Ranger." Emma stated. "No wonder that seems kind of weird."
"Hey, Felicity's gone." Gia stated as the door closed. "I didn't get my autograph!"
"Gia, it's alright, you'll get another chance tomorrow." Emma assured her. "I mean, we are going to be on set with them, I'm sure she'll get a few minutes and...I'm talking to myself."
Gia had already slipped out before Emma could finish, going in search of Felicity.
"I guess we're going to be a few minutes late to the Brainfreeze then." Noah answered with a shrug. "It's just as well, I didn't get David's autograph either. It gives me some time to chase that up."
"David?" Jake asked him. Noah just looked a little sheepish.
"I...may have some appreciation of theatre." He replied. "Um...I'm just going now."
With that, he left in search of the actor.
"Alright kids, who else wants a picture?" Oliver asked, gesturing the kids around him. "I'm taking donations for the children's shelter. Only one dollar for an 8 by 10."
"Well, it's for a good cause right?" Jake said with a shrug as he went to get a picture taken with his counterpart. He didn't even care that he was still dressed like a cow. Oliver meanwhile, just seemed to get a kick out of it, laughing with a warm baritone that seemed totally out of place for someone as large and intimidating as he was. Troy and Emma just joined the queue.
Elsewhere, Gia was still looking around, when she caught a glimpse of Felicity heading into her trailer. She had a bright smile as she ran over. Despite the fact she was sure Felicity probably wouldn't appreciate being disturbed in her spare time; she was determined to get her photograph. As she was about to knock, she overheard a conversation.
"God, this place is awful! I swear to God!" She heard Felicity stating. She looked in through the window, to see Felicity on the phone to someone. "For the love of God, when I asked you to get me out of those stupid zombie movies, I didn't mean for some idiotic production being filmed in the stix!"
Gia pulled back a little.
"I don't care, I pay you your rate, I expect you to do as I say! Your my agent for Christ's sake!" She shrieked. "Yeah, they booked me a hotel suite, but it's in the WORST hotel in the most worthless city I've ever seen! They don't even have a Jacuzzi in the room!"
Gia just shook her head in disgust. Felicity had never seemed like this in her interviews with magazines or on TV. There, she looked classy and approachable; here she was chewing out her agent...because she didn't have a Jacuzzi in her room?
"Seriously, it's just as well the guns in this movie all fire blanks, because I've been in this city an hour and already I feel like shooting myself!" Felicity complained. "Alright, the payment's good, but seriously, you better get me something decent next time!"
As she hung up and slammed her phone on the desk, Gia just shook her head in disbelief and left. She suddenly wasn't sure she wanted Felicity' autograph.
In another area, Noah approached a trailer, seeing Dave's name on the door. He smiled. He even had his trailer named after his character. As he knocked on the door, he heard something inside the trailer. It took a while, but eventually the door opened.
"Hi, David." Noah greeted him. "Sorry, I missed you..."
"It's about time, I sent you for that vodka an hour ago." He stated. Noah just looked confused.
"Uh...you didn't send me..."
"You're not the runner I sent for the Smirnoff?" He asked. Noah just shook his head. "Well...do you have any booze on you?"
"I'm seventeen." Noah informed him. "I...I missed you in class. I was hoping for an autograph."
David just reached for Noah's notebook, and took out a pen, signing a quick autograph. Just then, a runner arrived with a brown paper bag.
"Here's the drink you ordered." He stated. Noah could see from the size of the bag there was more than one bottle in it. David just smiled as he took it, taking out a bottle and inspecting it.
"Dax says we'll be heading to the hotel..."
"He knows where to find me." David replied, before closing the door. Noah just took his notebook and made his way back to his friends.
Meanwhile, at his trailer, Xavier got back to his trailer. As he did, he threw himself into a chair, picking up an apple and taking a bite.
He was happy enough with how the introductions had gone, but he was still angry. He had overheard what Troy and his friends had said. He didn't mean to eavesdrop on them, but hearing Troy mention their old sensei, he had caught wind of the criticism he'd heard throughout his career. He was still considered a fake.
As he looked to his table, he saw an envelope, and picked it up. It seemed rigid, like there was more than paper inside. Opening it up, he found a transparent, yellow plastic card with writing on it. Thinking it had to be a prop of some description, he put it aside. He didn't notice as it started to glow.