Chapter 66: Clock Tower Apartment

Monday, January 2nd, Night

He closed the door at the bottom of the stairs and walked up to his apartment in the clock tower. Slowly, he put his bags down and slid off his coat. After hanging his coat up, he went to his bathroom and started the shower.

The steamy water cut through his mental fatigue and re-energized him. After getting out of the shower, he dried off and dressed in pajama pants, and a well-worn USC T-shirt. Slipping on a pair of flip flops, he went to his kitchenette, patting his brown hair dry.

In the kitchenette, he caught his reflection in a shiny surface. Once again, he noted that where all his sisters got their mother's hair color, he got his dad's. Genetics, how funny in their work, he reflected. Shaking his head, he grabbed some leftovers and placed them in the microwave to be heated up. He didn't even remember what it was, but at least he didn't have to cook anything new.

The microwave dinged and he retrieved his food. Walking across the large studio he placed the plate down on his desk. He went to where he put his bags down and returned with his laptop. He hooked it into its docking station and started the whole set up.

As everything powered up, he slowly ate his warmed-up leftovers. Like all leftovers, the taste was largely gone. He still ate it because he needed food. Every so often he would glance over to see if the computer was ready.

Once the computer was up and running, he took a few more bites of his leftovers. He placed the leftovers on the desk and turned to the screen. Logging in, he opened up one of his desktop files. Once the file was open, he started to go over his notes on the blocking of the video shoot.

Normally he wouldn't start working on it until everything was finalized. Not with the amount of time he had to film and edit this. So, he was stealing time, using everything moment he could, to get where he needed to be. He also planned to use a lot of hidden cameras to record things from different angles. Less re-shoots he figured.

After a quick Control-S, he got up and went to his kitchenette. He looked in the fridge for something to drink. Shaking his head, he grabbed a bottle of water, his mother kept his kitchenette well stocked, especially with his favorite stuff.

That was when his phone made a noise. Taking his bottle of water, he returned to his desk. He picked up his phone and noticed it was a facetime call, right on time too.

He answered the phone and set it up so he didn't have to hold it. A young blonde-haired woman filled the screen. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. Before either of them could say something, she reached up with one hand and pushed some stray locks of hair out of her eyes and behind her ear.

"Hey Babe," Tucker Baker said.

"Hey yourself," Alix Hartmann said, with a laugh, "What's with that greeting?"

"Trying something different," Tucker said, "How was the show last night?" Tucker asked.

"It went well, I guess, I didn't have a chicken thrown at me," Alix said.

"A chicken?" Tucker asked.

"Yeah, weird story," Alix said, and scratched the bridge of her nose, "So, how's the Keller video coming alone?"

"Slow, but we film Wednesday, and once we wrap, I'll be editing that damn thing," Tucker said.

"You need to stick this, or I won't be able to see you," Alix said.

"Believe me, I know," Tucker said.

"What do Arne and Katyusha say about this?" Alix asked.

"I've not told them," Tucker said.

"Aren't you doing a film for them?" Alix asked.

Tucker nodded, "Yes, but the label hired me to do it," he said, "So technically I'm doing it for the label."

Alix shrugged, "I'll never understand all that," she said.

"Honestly, it still gives me headaches," Tucker said.

Alix nodded and was seen on the screen touching up her make up. "Well hope you get it done, it is cutting into our time together," she said.

"I know Alix, but it's a good deal," Tucker said.

Alix finished what she was touching up, and looked into the camera. "It is a good deal, the question is it too good to be true," she said, "You know Kayla is a suit, and you know suits are all about making money for the company."

Tucker chuckled, "You know my Dad is a suit and he raised me. I know the score," he said.

Alix sighed, stood up and let her whole body fill the screen, "Time's getting short," she said.

Tucker checked the clock on his computer, "Yes, it is," he said.

"I'll have to go to get on stage soon," Alix said.

"You'll kill it tonight," Tucker said.

"I hope so," Alix said, "So, what do you think of my outfit?"

Tucker looked it over, cracked a smile, and nodded, "It'll look better on my bedroom floor," he said.

Alix laughed, "Tuck, everything I own looks better on your bedroom floor, or my bedroom floor, as long as you are there, but seriously will it look good on stage?" she asked.

"It will if you're wearing it," Tucker said, "You always look good on stage."

Alix's face returned to fill the screen. "Oh, Tuck, you're so sweet, but I know you're lying. What about the time I dressed as a blonde Peppi Longstocking?" she said.

"Yeah, a blonde Peppi Longstocking, that was a fun Halloween," Tucker said.

Alix smiled, "You're such a flatter, Tucker Baker," she said.

"Sorry, I'll try to stop it," Tucker said.

"No, don't, it's part of your charm, and it should be plain as the nose on your face, I like it," Alix said.

"Well, thank you," Tucker said.

"Well Tuck, they're signaling me to head up to the stage," Alix said.

"Well break a leg," Tucker said.

"Thanks, and Tuck, I know you'll kill that shoot tomorrow," Alix said.

"Why are you so sure?" Tucker asked.

Alix smiled, "I know you, and you'll bust your ass to get it done. Also, you'll miss these," Alix took a step back and lifted the hem of her shirt flashing the camera. Tucker smirked, as Alix lowered her shirt, "I hope that was some motivation."

"Oh, yeah it did," Tucker said.

Alix nodded, "I've got to go, see you ASAP," she said.

"See you ASAP," Tucker said.

The screen went black as the connection was broken. Tucker had a shit-eating grin on his face. He nodded and turned back to his work. Alix was right he did have a new reason to be motivated.