Jade West was relaxing in her lounge chair. She was on a hiatus from shooting another movie of the week and was enjoying the break. She could not complain though, her career had been good so far. While she was still in Hollywood Arts she made a guest appearance on a hit TV series and was well received. Since then she has become the queen of the TV Movie genre. Okay maybe it wasn't Shakespeare, but she had done some good things and there was talk of an Emmy nomination or two for her.
Jade had mixed feelings about things. She loved to work, because it was what she was all about. Sometimes though, she would kick back and think about other parts of her life and wish things had gone differently. She thought of Beck quite often, he and Tori and Trina and Andre had all remained close friends and she was as excited as any of them about Trina and Beck's marriage and their impending family. She also thought of Beck as the "One that got Away". They had dated for almost two years while in Hollywood Arts and she could honestly say that he was the love of her life. She looked at Trina sometimes and thought about the fact that that could have been her, married to her beloved Beck and carrying his children.
Oh well, acting is all about choices and so is life, she made hers, Beck made his and here we are.
Jade had a few scripts to look over for future projects, but she was getting bored. She picked up the telephone. Maybe a call to Cat would break up the day, she still kept in very close touch with her little friend and they often got together for dinner, (especially if Cat was between jobs and had no money).
Cat: Hello, Cat Valentine.
Jade: Hi Cat, its Jade how are you doing?
Cat: Jadey, I was just thinking about you.
Jade: Do you want to come over for dinner today?
Cat: Oh Jadey that would be wonderful, can I bring a guest?
Jade: You can bring Robbie, if you want
Cat: Thanks Jadey, neither one of us has found any work yet and we are starting to run out of crackers and peanut butter.
Jade: Cat, I have told you before never to allow that to happen. You have a key to my house and you are always welcome to come here if you need to. My cook will always whip you up something.
Cat: Thanks Jade, I appreciate it, you really are my best friend. We will see you in a little while.
Jade hung up the phone. It would be nice to have someone to talk to. She really felt badly that her little friend had not found work, and that Robbie was in the same position. Those two had finally hooked up and moved in together but it has not been easy for them. She was glad that she could help them out. Who knew that mean old Jade West would turn out to be the good guy.
Robbie and Cat arrived and rand the doorbell. Jade was expecting them, so she waved off the staff. In their current financial situation she did not want to embarrass them by showing off her butler and housekeeper.
Jade: Hey guys, come on in.
Cat gave her a big hug,
Cat: Hi Jadey you look beautiful as always.
Jade: Hi Cat, adorable as usual I see, hey Robbie how are you?
Robbie: Just great Ms. West, thank you for having me.
Jade looked at him sharply and moved menacingly towards him.
Jade: Robbie, how long are you going to keep calling me Ms. West, it's Jade, just like back in high school.
Robbie: yes ma'am, I mean Jade.
Jade: keep practicing, you will get it.
Cat: so jadey how have you been?
Jade: I can't complain. I just finished a TV movie last week and I will start shooting on another in two weeks. Nothing exciting, although I am looking at a show that might be going to Broadway!
Cat: Yayyyy Broadway!
Jade: So what about you guys?
Cat: Well Daytime/Playtime was never renewed so we only had the one season. Now Robbie and I are having a hard time trying to find something.
Jade: Have you considered a non acting job for a while?
Cat: We have but most don't really pay and we would hate to be unavailable for calls.
Jade: That is tough, well I have mentioned you to everyone I work with, hopefully something will happen.
Cat: Thanks Jade, we appreciate that.
Jade: Hey wait a minute; I just thought of something, Robbie are you still a techno-geek?
Robbie: Well I try to keep up on things.
Jade: What is the top end car stereo these days?
Robbie: That would be the Ultaire 7000 it is stereo am/fm with a CD and an mp3 port. It can feed up to four outboard amplifiers for a total of 4000 watts driving 8 speakers including a powered subwoofer.
Jade: Ok, you lost me at "that" but I have an idea. Let me call and old friend of ours tomorrow and see if he can use some help right now. Maybe you can work something out with him.
Cat: Oh Jade, that would be so great, thank you.
Robbie: Yes, thank you Ms. West!
Jade: Now you are just trying to piss me off right?
Robbie: Oh no, not me.
Jade: Well I think dinner is ready let's eat.
They all settle on for a fantastic meal.
Cat: Jade how do you eat like this all the time and still look so slim and beautiful.
Jade: There is a lot of gym time involved there, I assure you. Actually, for as filling as it is; my chef tells me that it is all healthy food.
Robbie: Well whatever it is it is delicious.
Jade: Thanks, I will make sure that you get a big doggie bag. How are you guys doing for rent this month, are you ok?
Cat: Not so good.
Jade: Why don't you tell me these things? I can help you.
Cat: Jade you have already done so much for us.
Jade: Cat you are my best friend, I am not going to allow anything bad to happen to you.
Jade takes out her checkbook and writes a check. She hands it to Robbie.
Jade: Here, take this and pay your rent so my little friend doesn't have to sleep in the street.
Robbie glances at the check and his eyes get really big.
Robbie: Jade this check is for….
Jade: Put the rest in the bank and use it until you find work, And Robbie..
Robbie: Yes Jade.
Jade: You take real good care of Cat.
Robbie: I sure will!
Robbie and Cat finished their meal and spent some more pleasant time with Jade, then decided to turn in for the evening.
Jade made sure the cook loaded them up with food, then they all hugged once more and they drove away.
Cat: Jade sure is an amazing friend.
Robbie: She sure is.
Cat: I wonder what she has lined up for you as far as a job.
Robbie: I don't know but I am sure it will be fine. Jade knows that my first love is acting so she will come up with something appropriate.
Cat: Just try to be open to it too Robbie.
Robbie: Don't worry; I am not going to do anything to mess up our chances.
The next day Jade got up early and got into some very casual clothes. She was planning on making a little car trip today, and even though she was not quite a household name she was getting famous enough to be recognized and hassled a lot by the paparazzi. Today she really did not want that, because today she was going to a place which would fuel the tabloids for a month.
One of the things that Jade held onto from her high school days was her car. It was not much, but it was a reminder to her where she came from and served to help keep her grounded and level. She liked having it for days like today when she wanted to get in and out of her house relatively unnoticed. The press thought it belonged to the housekeeper, and so pretty much ignored it as it came and went.
Jade made the trip to LA quickly and set about looking for the address she had been given. She was not expecting any signs because it was a temporary location but was looking for the street number, and maybe a familiar car or face. She found what looked to be a promising location and parked the car.
It took her a minute or so to figure out which doorway was the logical entrance to the business. She walked into the door and stood at the counter until a younger girl smiled up at her.
Girl: May I help you?
Jade: Yes, I would like to see Beck Oliver if I could.
The girl's eyes lit up.
Girl: Oh my, you are Jade West the actress; this is such an honor to meet you.
Jade smiled
Jade: Thank you, is Mr. Oliver available?
Girl: Yes ma'am I will go get him immediately.
Jade: Why don't you just take me back to see him, I would kind of like this to be a surprise.
Girl: Yes ma'am, come this way please.
The girl leg Jade into the back and then into an open office with two desks and a door to a third office.
Tori Vega sat at one desk and Trina sat at the other.
Jade: Thank you, I think I will be fine from here.
Both Trina and Tori looked up at the same time when they heard Jade's voice.
Tori leaped to her feet and ran to hug Jade, while Trina struggled to get up but finally managed to do so.
Tori: Jade how are you, you look wonderful.
Jade: Doing very well, thanks and I feel great too. You look gorgeous as always
Tori: Aww thanks.
Jade turned to Trina
Jade: And how is momma doing these days? You look a little large Trina but you do have that glow about you that everyone talks about.
Trina: They can have the glow; I would rather be able to walk.
Jade: Well it will only be a little while longer, any day now isn't it?
Trina: That is what the doctor says. I sure am ready.
Tori: Let me go get Beck, boy will he be surprised!
Tori knocked on the door and poked her head in. Beck was on the phone but looked up at her.
Tori: Sorry to bother you but there is someone here to see you.
Beck: Take them into the conference room and I will be right there.
Tori and Trina and Jade all went to the conference room and sat at the table.
Tori: Jade it so good to see you again. I have seen all of your movies; you look like you are really doing well.
Jade: Well I have had some good breaks.
Trina: Sure, and being beautiful and talented doesn't hurt either.
Jade: I think a lot is just being in the right place at the right time, or just luck. If it were beauty and talent only Tori would be way ahead of me.
Tori: Well whatever it was I am glad to see it working for you. So what brings you here to see the "little people"?
At that moment the door opened and Beck walked into the room.
Beck: Hi there is some one here to see Jade is that you?
Jade: In the flesh
Beck looks at Trina and then at Jade.
Jade: Go ahead honey, you know you want to.
Beck reaches out and grabs Jade in a big hug.
Beck: How have you been, you look wonderful!
Jade: Thanks, I have been great. You all look wonderful too.
Beck: I am sorry I am so shocked but Jade West is the last person I would expect to walk into here.
Jade: Well I sort of have a friend that has a problem that you may be able to help with.
Beck: Sure what can I do?
Jade: It's Robbie and Cat, they are having some tough times and I was wondering if you might have an opening for Robbie for a while until he or Cat gets something in show biz again.
Trina: Robbie can fill in for me.
Beck: What do you mean, are you starting to get too tired for the job?
Trina: No, but there is this pool of water between my legs now, and I know I did not have to pee.
Beck: Somebody call an ambulance, Trina's water just broke!