Elizabeth was getting ready with Jessica. Jessica was excited to show Elizabeth around the set of her soap opera. Jessica never did her hair or makeup, she said it was pointless. Her hair and makeup teams washed it off anyways.
"Ready Liz?"
"Almost." Usually it was Jessica that was running late. But Elizabeth cared about her looks more often these days, especially since her time in London and New York. She was staying with Jessica and Cara for the time being, but she was currently looking for a apartment in Los Angeles. But before she could do that, she needed a job.
"When you get there, you may recognize some of the crew. Remember the producer of the Young and Beautiful?"
"Not really."
"Well he remembers you. He wants to know if you are interested in having a guest spot on the show."
"As who? Remember I played the 'evil' twin back in the day? My character was killed off screen." That was back when they played the characters Heather and Tiffany. Elizabeth remembered the headache of that show, especially that snotty Brandon Hunter. Jessica to this day wondered what she saw in him. He was a creep. Even to this day he liked younger women, thankfully over the age of eighteen and not sixteen like he did with Jessica. Yuck.
"There is a guest spot for my lookalike cousin. Brittany's cousin, the saintly Victoria Lois is coming to visit to beg for a kidney. Don't worry, she gets attacked by Brittany's stalker and her face gets splashed by acid. Don't worry! It's just water!" Seeing Elizabeth's expression. "We are totally doing a Natalie/Janet switcharoo. You know like the soap mom watched back in the day. (All My Children)
"I don't know Jess. I still have nightmares about that time I acted in Hollywood." The Corny O's commercial, that stupid Connie Bryant movie they never finished, that was something both twins wanted to forget, especially those psychotic Pearson girls, that movie Maria starred in seventh grade that nearly got the then Unicorn Club suspended (the one with the Jessica nearly ruining school property, including stealing the principal's toupee) and that soap opera when Jessica tricked Elizabeth to audition.
"We were just kids. Besides, you hadn't got a call back yet. Why not just audition. It's a cameo. We already hired a new actress, we just need you to fill the role for a few weeks. After that, you can return to a boring life."
"Gee thanks." Elizabeth said sarcastically. But she knew Jessica was only kidding. "Why not. I'm bored anyways."
Both twins and Cara needed a distraction from the events that took place. They tried to be nice to Bruce and Lila, but neither wanted to do anything these days. But Reggie, to his credit was trying to get better; he said he'll never stop surfing. He and Bruce were getting a lot closer these days and when he found out about Lila's pregnancy, he was thrilled.
As for Cara, she withdrew into herself. She and Steven talked recently and Steven told Cara that it was a good chance Karl would walk. Without DiPlama's testimony, chances were slim for him to be prosecuted. His trail was beginning in a few weeks. Nick, Jessica's ex was extremely busy trying to track down the captain of that boat. He was the only other player there was.
"Ready?"
"Yep. Where's the jeep?"
"Garage."
"Let's go."
The security guard had to do a double take seeing the twins, but quickly composed himself. This was Hollywood, many lookalikes around. Once Jessica signed Elizabeth in and handed her the visitor's pass, they walk in.
Elizabeth acted in this show years ago, but was shocked on how old some of the actors looked. She was staring at the set. No matter times she seen the sets of any entertainment set, she was always in awe on how they transformed it into a home on TV.
"Jessica! Is this your sister?" Victor, the director asked. "Wow. If it wasn't for the hair, you would look almost identical." He looked closer. "Hmm. You are too pale my dear. You need a tan."
Jessica laughed as Elizabeth was taken aback at his comments.
"My twin. She's been in overseas and in New York for the last decade or so."
"Ah." Victor nods in understanding. "Well, of you pass the audition, you need a wig and a suntan. Excuse me.'' He goes and talks to a stage hand about the set being too dreary.
"Showbusiness. In New York it's almost the same thing. So Jess, how do I audition?"
"We just have to wait for Margot, the producer. She's usually not on set, but she's here to oversee the new set pictures we have for the character of Victoria."
"Victoria? I thought you told me she is sickly. I thought she'll be at the hospital."
"She is. But she has her own apartment. I'll tell you a little secret." Jessica whispers in Elizabeth's ear. "She is a saint, but after her accident, she goes insane and sleeps with Britney's lover and gets pregnant. She loses the baby and steals Britney's fetus instead, planting it inside of her."
"What a crazy storyline." Elizabeth shakes her head. "It sounds really farfetched."
"Yeah, but it's the rule of the soap. People come back from the dead, evil twins, and crazy stories. That is how we keep bored housewives entertained. Oh, there's Margot. Margot! Meet my sister."
Elizabeth looked at the producer of the Young and Beautiful. Her hair was shaved down to a almost bald look, except her hair was in shades of rainbows. She seen and worked with people in New York, Margot's look was tame. At least she didn't have that crazy unicorn hairstyle like the last producer.
The producer looked at Elizabeth. Looking up and down at her, Elizabeth felt self conscious. She smiled at Elizabeth.
"Elise? Please to meet you. Hmm." She looked at the sisters. "Yes. That can work. Gary! Get the script! Jessica, come and practice your blocking. Elise, follow Gary. He is going to take you to room H. There you can practice your lines."
"Name's Elizabeth." But Margot already walked away. "Just like New York." Getting her name mixed up, being brushed off. She went and followed the assistant.
Cara was looking over the article again. Clay DiPlama was her only hope. His testimony would have carried a lot of weight in Nelson's trail. But with him dead, it was all our her shoulders now. She read the article again.
Tragic Car Accident Takes Away Beloved Businessman
Bruce's parents are dead. Reggie may never walk again. Cara couldn't help but feel if it was her fault. She knew it wasn't, but the guilt was there. She read the article looking for anything that can help her. Hmm. Bottles were found in the car, proving this was a open and shut case, but when she read a snippet from a FaceBook page, Clay DiPlama's girlfriend said he never touched the bottle or did drugs since he was released from prison. She wanted them to do some toxicology tests on his body, proving he was sober when driving, but the DA refused.
Cara looked it over again. The police concluded their investigation, Clay's car was speeding, and they saw that the steering mechanism was bent. Cara knew little about cars, but knew Clay couldn't possibly drive that car without noticing something was wrong. She read the article again. Clay was under drug and alcohol counseling. He expressed great regret about Steve Rivera's death and prayed for forgiveness everyday. The family refused to accept his apology, but were glad to see Clay trying to turn his life around. When he was paroled, he continued his counseling and managed to get a job at some diner as a cook. He refused to quit, even when members of the Sweet Valley Police came to intimate him by staring.
Cara sighed. She didn't believe in karma, but taking three lives from drugs and alcohol. Steve Rivera was dead. He was beaten with brass knuckles while Clay was high. Mr and Mrs Patman were killed while Clay was drunk. Clay's past finally caught up with him. But was he really drunk? Cara couldn't help but wonder.
Elizabeth read her script. It was alright. Her character Victoria asks her relative for a kidney. Then while in the hospital, her cousin starts getting stalked by a crazy unknown admirer. Her lines were mostly begging. At least for a the short time on the show. Elizabeth had no clue when her final scene was at, but at least it can take her mind off things. Like those white roses she received in New York. Ugh. Her and Maria immediately threw them in the garbage chute. No way it was from William, he was dead. His body was identified with dental records and DNA. But who sent those?
"Elise! Did you read those lines?" Margot the producer asked walking in.
"My name is Elizabeth. And yes."
"Good. Good. Your look. It is perfect. Yes. The short hair, the pale skin. Hmm. That gives me a idea. Come and read for us. I will petition for you for a role." She takes Elizabeth for her audition.
Elizabeth had no interest in acting, but she couldn't help but feel excited.
