Relationship-Building for Dummies
"What are you doing now?" Tyr asked curiously, noticing that his girlfriend seemed to be a little more distracted than normal. The last three weeks had been amazing for him! Something about having finally admitted that he loved her out loud had improved his life considerably. Everyone noticed the change, as well as the fact that he was being quiet about the reasoning behind his good cheer. Sitting in his trailer as he waited to start his scenes for the day, he'd decided to give his woman a call.
"Sorry, H-Tyr. I was just finishing up some paperwork. God, there's always so much to do as a nurse!" Raina yawned hugely, just enjoying finally being on break from her stressful shift. "It's so weird to think that you're a whole day ahead of me right now."
"Well, eighteen hours," the man smirked at her. "It's pretty early here. Is your shift almost over?" The girl was already nodding.
"It's just after two here. It's been a hellish shift, and I only just left for my second break. I'm usually on my second break around one something. Ugh…" The girl broke into song for a little bit as she often used to do on set.
Oh, my, my, my
I'm feeling high
My money's gone
I'm all alone
Too much to-ooh see
The world keeps turning
Oh, what a day
What a day, what a day…
Tyr chuckled indulgently, relaxed in the presence of his woman. She was as much of an innocent as he remembered. "So…" He prefaced, continuing their conversation from the night before. "Why do you like amethysts so much?" He grinned winningly at the woman through the phone. She seemed to really consider her answer, as she did with all of his questions. He was learning that his girlfriend was a thoughtful woman, who did little without deep thought. The trick was that she was someone who had thought most things through years ago, so her explanations tended to be on the young side. Tyr didn't mind at all. He was rather rash in his opinions and preferences, putting little thought into the 'why' behind them. It was fun to hear the rationales behind her opinions; it made her feel more real and relaxed her in his presence. So far the two had covered the big issues like the death penalty, teen pregnancy, the state of education in America, and many more topics that he'd never even realized that he had an opinion on. Now they were moving on to the lighter subjects.
"Purple is the color of calm. Even as a kid, surrounded by four rambunctious brothers, I always was attracted to the notion of stillness. Granted, I never exemplified that particular trait very well as a child, but things like prayer and meditation were always a fascination of mine. I love all shades of purple, the shade of lilacs especially."
"You always have the most thoughtful explanations for your opinions, Sunshine," Tyr whispered in awe. The girl giggled and looked down in embarrassment.
"Well, I didn't have many friends as a child. It gave me plenty of time to think about the things I liked and why I liked them. Reading helped; it still does. It presents different situations and states of being to meditate on. For example, I got a lot of my early opinions from either agreeing with or opposing things I read about in Stephen King's novels. Say what you want about the quality of his movie endings, but the man is excellent at creating rich, three-dimensional characters and believable situations to put them in. Take the supernatural elements out of it, and you have a very rich and unique perspective of a variety of different types of opinions to either oppose or agree with." She seemed to notice his astonished stare at last, looking down yet again. "But you know what they say: opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one and no one thinks theirs stinks."
"Actually, I've never heard that last part," he chuckled, resolving to read a Stephen King novel as soon as time permitted. He'd never been one to pick up a book for recreation. He was more likely to pick up his weights or turn on the TV. It should be interesting to see if his characters were as fleshed out in his books as they were in his movies. He was just about to ask for a recommendation when they were interrupted.
"Mr. Anasazi, you're needed on set," a stagehand knocked on his trailer door. Tyr sighed, knowing that his lady had heard it too.
"Well, time is up, for now, little one. I'll try to call you again later tonight, okay?"
"Not after nine pm my time, okay? I have to work tomorrow." The two laughed, remembering the time he'd accidentally called her in the middle of the night. The man now had an app on his phone that told him the time and weather in Calgary at all times.
"Okay, Sunshine," he promised. "I'll see you later, okay?" Her brilliant smile as she signed off did funny things to his heart. Powering down his phone altogether; he wouldn't need it while filming and didn't want people nosing around in it while he was distracted; the actor made his way out of his temporary home and onto the sci-fi set they were filming on.
"Where were you last night, Tyr? A bunch of us went out partying." Tyr had to repress a shudder at his co-star's simpering tone. Jennifer Langston was playing opposite him for this film. She was a nightmare to work with. She flitted to his side, tossing her strawberry-blond hair over her shoulder before she draped herself over his massive bicep. She pouted when he peeled her off of him. "What's the matter, baby? Oh, if this is about that mystery girl you video-chat with, I-"
"Yes, it is about my girlfriend, Jennifer," Tyr said in annoyance, heading towards the director for instructions. "We're exclusive and I've explained that to you. And even if we weren't, I've already told you before that I'm not interested!" Tyr glared at the innocent look on her face, once again regretting that he'd let the director talk him out of getting out of his contract for this movie. God, if the ditzy woman wasn't such a good actress…
"What's on the slate for today, Danny?" Tyr asked the same question every day, something that Daniel Hershal appreciated. Unlike a lot of the other actors on set, Tyr was all business when it was time to film. He was a professional; Danny felt that some of the other people on this shoot could stand to take a lesson from him. The director didn't hesitate to describe the scene he wanted this morning. Tyr and Jennifer had a couple of scenes together today. Tyr groaned and Danny could sympathize. Jennifer was a selfish, self-centered bitch, and she'd made it clear to anyone that would listen that Tyr would be hers by the end of the shoot. The African-American had other plans, however, spending most of his free time locked in his trailer and avoiding the superficial woman whenever he could. It was a mystery who the woman was that he spent all his free time video chatting with. He never elaborated on who it was. All anyone knew was that it was someone that he referred to as 'Sunshine' and who seemed to make him happy. Whether or not it was the Sunshine was anyone's guess; Tyr wasn't talking.
The man got in the car that the two leads were meant to be in for this first scene. Danny could appreciate that he wanted to get this over with as fast as possible. "You and I should run lines in my trailer later today," Jennifer cooed at him as she slipped into the passenger seat for their scene. The director had to admire her persistence, even as he noted Tyr's shudder of disgust.
"No thank you. I prefer to run my lines with your understudy," he said evenly. Her look of outrage was very gratifying, and Danny would have loved to see where Tyr was going with his taunt. However, they had a movie to shoot and they were burning daylight.
"Alright, people. This movie isn't going to film itself." Everyone got to work after that. They actually managed to finish all the scenes set for the day. Tyr was very focused and that cut down on the goofy antics of the other actors. It also helped that the majority of the scenes they were shooting were serious and dark, adding to the mood of the day. Twelve hours later it was too dark to continue filming and the cast was released to their own devices. Danny noticed that Ms. Langston had made her understudy, Elizabeth Brightman, sob several times during the course of the day. Lizzy was more demure than Jennifer, but a damn good actress. And she looked like she could be Jennifer's younger sister, making the director loath to get rid of her. If he could, he'd switch the two actresses' roles or get rid of Jennifer altogether. But Jennifer was the bigger of the two names and the producer wanted her on the project. So, until something substantial came up, something other than 'she's difficult to work with' or 'she'd mean to the cast and crew', she was destined to be the leading lady of this production.
Tyr had almost left on finding out who his co-star was; apparently, the two had worked together before and it had been a daunting shoot. Funnily enough, Tyr wouldn't talk about why he hated Jennifer so much. When asked, he simply shrugged and changed the subject. Danny had to wonder about that, but the man was such a good actor that he was willing to overlook it. The chemistry between the two leads was not as potent as that of say Tyr and Lorraine from Sunshine, but this wasn't that movie, and there were definitely sparks on screen. That was all the young director could ask for. Things continued in this vein for the next two weeks, Jennifer becoming more and more obsessed with her co-star. She constantly tried to get him to sleep with her, sometimes interrupting scenes just to proposition him. She'd get furious when he'd turn her down flat, throwing tantrums and storming off. She'd refuse to work with him until he bedded her; Danny had only filmed about fifteen percent of her scenes up to this point, which was a problem because she was the leading lady. The frustrated director faithfully reported this to the producer, who insisted that the woman stay and be given what she wanted. Trying to explain that Tyr was an actor and not an escort fell on deaf ears until Quinton came to the production himself to see what was the problem.
"I don't see what the problem is, Danny-boy. If Tyr wants to be in this movie-"
"He doesn't," Daniel said flatly. "He's only here because he has a contract, and thanks to Jennifer's unwanted advances, he's inches from starting a sexual harassment suit to get out of being in this movie altogether. I'm about ready to leave production myself, as is half the cast and crew. None of us want this movie to happen enough to continue putting up with your girl's attitude. If you continue to insist that she be in this movie, I suggest that you talk to her. Otherwise, she's going to end up acting by herself." Daniel stormed out of his office, seriously considering his threat. He was angry enough and disheartened enough about how this production was going to leave right this second. But the majority of the cast and crew was a joy and treat to work with. It was really only Jennifer that was getting in the way of making this a good movie shoot.
Quinton went to visit his star immediately after speaking to the director, not having realized how dire the situation had become. While it was true that Jennifer was the main draw of the movie, Tyr was also a renowned actor. Should he leave the production citing sexual harassment, it would hurt Jennifer's career. Later, while getting a blowjob from the woman, he brought up the subject of Tyr.
"Why does it have to be him, kitten?" he purred at the still kneeling woman as he put his penis away. "I got you this role to launch your career and you're pissing it all away." The woman turned her head and spat out his cum before climbing to her feet. He didn't mind, he'd already had his fun.
"I want him, Quinton," she said, giving the producer pause. This wasn't just some spoiled little girl's request. He could tell from her 'I will have this or steps will be taken' tone that this was serious.
"Well, you can't have him, kitten," he shrugged, taking a seat as she went to brush her teeth. "Tyr isn't a party favor. He's a man and I don't have enough to compel him to sleep with you. You need to stop this little obsession of yours and finish this movie so that it can boost your career."
"I want him, Quinton," she repeated stubbornly.
"What, are you deaf?" he asked, beginning to get annoyed with his star as he paged idly through the open script on her desk. "You've already tried to get him and he said 'no'. Move on. There are easier conquests than-"
"No! It has to be him!" she shouted.
Quinton looked up at that, wondering just how mentally stable she was at this point. "You're not going to get him willingly this lifetime, Jennifer. The man doesn't want you. Accept it." The two were quiet for a while before he tried another tactic. "You know, there are a lot of women I could have chosen for this role. Women with more experience. Women who act more mature and dignified. Less demanding, less difficult women. Was I wrong to take a chance on you, Ms. Langston?"
That seemed to grab her full attention. "N-no, Quinton," she gasped.
"Because… If this is becoming too much for you, I could always bring in another leading lady. You have talent, but you're not exactly a rare jewel, kitten. Hell, Danny suggested that your understudy would be preferable to you at this point. She knows your lines already and is cooperative."
"That won't be necessary, sir. I will finish this project."
"Good girl," Quinton patted her head, feeling that the matter was resolved. Jennifer was up first thing in the morning to shoot her scenes. It was grueling work over the next two days catching her up with everyone else in the script, but she was fully engaged under Quinton's watchful eye. The producer insisted that everyone be present at the party he threw two days later to lighten the tension on set. He was leaving the next morning and wanted things to be back to normal before he left. They weren't; Jennifer seemed more unhinged than before. Between takes, she would stare, unblinking, at her co-star. She seemed attached at the hip to her understudy, bullying her and preventing her from running lines with Tyr, and although she stopped interrupting scenes to demand sex from her co-star, the pressure was still there. At this point, most of the cast and crew were all for him just fucking her so that she would calm her tits, but Tyr held firm.
"Tyr, this is for you," Elizabeth said timidly, handing him a glass of his favorite juice. Tyr looked up from where he'd been talking to someone on his phone, likely his girlfriend. Noticing the drink, he took it without question, taking a large gulp in the hot room. Since filming started, he'd sworn off alcohol, not wanting to be caught unaware by his co-star. Everyone knew this, including Elizabeth. So, why did she look so guilty?
"What's the matter, Lizzy?" Tyr asked curiously. The woman only shook her head and melted back into the crowd.
Turning to follow her, he groaned when Jennifer all but materialized by his side. Growling at the burning ball of anger in his gut, he turned to the conceited woman, already ready for this confrontation to be over.
"Not now, Jennifer," he snapped, heading for the door. "Leave me alone. Your handler is not around to hold your leash."
"Tyr, we could be good together, you and me. Why won't you even consider-" The handsome man ripped his hand out of hers suddenly. When had the snake gotten so close?
"There's nothing to consider when my answer is an easy 'no'," he retorted, shaking with rage. "I don't want you, Jennifer. Why can't you just-" Tyr looked at his arm where he'd just been gesturing wildly, drunkenly, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at the hives that were suddenly there. It hit him like a ton of bricks and he dropped the glass of juice he was holding. "What have you done?" Her look of self-satisfaction made him seriously consider slapping her. He was therefore most gratified when it was wiped off her face as he fell over, gasping for air, the phone gripped tightly in his hand.
"Tyr? TYR?" Greg, another actor on set, yelled, going down on one knee as Jennifer stood frozen in front of him. The music stopped and people started to take notice of the spectacle in the middle of the room. The man, his whole body swollen by now, started convulsing. "SOMEBODY CALL 9-1-1!"
Erykah Badu - On & On
