Forever and a Day
Authors: Alexis Konsantino
Menagerie Bookworks First Edition, May 2015
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.
Image of ‘Camera Car’ ©2011 by Alexis Konsantino
Front and back cover ©2015 by Alexis Konsantino
Cover concept by Alexis Konsantino and designed by C5 Designs.
This is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locations is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-0-9964078-1-6
www.alexiskonsantino.com
For AMS…
If not for a brief moment in time on a beautiful June day,
‘Forever and a Day’ would never be.
Thank you.
In Remembrance:
Patty Conroy
As your essence drifts along the River Seine, may you rest forever in peace and love.
Thank you for being my cheerleader.
The sound of a clipboard slamming down on a nearby table startled Jenni Jones. She turned towards the clamor and realized the Director of Photography was responsible for the angry noise. She could see him from under his outdoor command tent shaking his head. Suddenly, he began jabbing his finger towards his monitor like a knife. His loud staccato voice accompanied the thrusts of his finger and cut through the cool, late morning air.
Jenni noticed the Assistant Director gesturing at the screen in return, apparently trying to placate their irate director. She overheard heard him say, ‘The shot was good’, but the DP was having none of it. To Jenni’s surprise he shoved his clipboard off the portable table to accentuate his point.
With his hands on his hips, the DP turned towards the road where the chase scene had come to a halt when he called out ‘cut’. He began cursing loud enough so most everyone on the set heard him. Shaking his head repeatedly, he stormed out from under his black canopied tent towards the now parking camera car and scene vehicles.
With a start, Jenni turned her attention away from the DP to her best friend and boss as she parked the ugly orange, beat up old Chevy Blazer behind the sleek Mercedes Benz SUV camera car.
She watched with concern as her friend exited the Chevy, waved to the camera crew and headed for the respite and cover of their canopy. As her friend approached, she stepped out from under the shadows of the trees and into the bright sunlight; the sun’s bright rays illuminated the natural golden hues of her hair. Jenni smiled at the sight, it was as if her friend was framed in a beautiful golden halo. It was a perfect vision she thought, as her boss’s name was in fact, Halo.
Halo’s fair, angelic face was beautiful as well as flawless. The most recognizable feature of Halo’s was her eyes; they were stunning, large and a one of a kind azure blue. As she neared, Jenni noticed the hard set of her full lips and it spoke volumes, but her anxiety concerning their director still worried at her.
Jenni, JJ by all that knew her, was very happy that she made the decision to be Halo’s assistant several years ago, rather than compete with her for acting gigs. This was the sixth take of Halo driving behind the camera car down the closed off street, and the entire production crew knew there would soon be another.
Their DP had been angry all day, she so wished she could sound a warning to her, just in case their angry director decided to yell at her again.
With unease, she watched the scene unfold as the DP intercepted Halo. Her breath caught as she saw him began angrily throwing his arms in the air as he began his loud rant at her.
JJ quickly glanced around at the all nearby film production crewmembers. Silence permeated the set, and the crew was desperately trying to look busy to keep from watching the angry tirade of their director.
She turned to watch the rest of director’s rant and was in awe how Halo was able to maintain her composure once again. Normally, Halo would be standing her ground, and firing right back if she was in the right, which she more than likely was. Instead, she was maintaining her composure and apparently waiting for the director’s anger to run out of fuel. When it finally did, she cocked her head at the DP and stared hard at him without uttering a single word. The DP began to fidget under Halo’s wordless stare then with a single silent nod, she put on her sunglasses, turned and continued towards their canopy.
The DP’s face slackened as he walked back to his monitors, quietly calling for a ten-minute break and a reset of the scene.
She watched Halo’s expression soften as she walked past the apologetic looks from the crew and up under their canopy. She sat down heavily in her chair that was emblazoned with her name across the front and back, it read in bold blue letters, ‘Halo Raines’.
She paused until Halo got herself settled then kneeled down so they could speak quietly.
“Halo? Are you ok?”
She turned to her with fire still smoldering in her eyes, “I’m fine, thanks JJ.”
“What was he yelling about this time?”
Halo sighed heavily, “He said I was driving too close to the camera car… again.”
“I heard the AD say the shot was good...” She gave her friend a knowing look, “Halo, I’ve known you for nearly half our lives… really, what’s up?” She set her hand on Halo’s and gave her a gentle squeeze.
She shook her head then after a long pause she replied, “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to say anything to you.” Halo sighed unhappily then continued, “Everyone knows Phillip and I are on the outs… so this morning our illustrious Director was pestering me to meet him for drinks tonight. I told him flat out ‘no’, and I thought it was unprofessional and wrong. So, I’ve been keeping my mouth shut as I don’t want him taking his temper out on any of the crew. They have enough on their plate…”
JJ’s mouth came open then closed as she nodded knowingly, “Oh wow… well you can’t miss Phillip sulking around here, that’s for sure. So, are you sure you really want to just give Phillip up? He is hot…”
Halo sighed heavily, “I—I don’t know… I just don’t feel much of anything for him or from him… oh, except that he expects me to be grateful we are an item or something.” She paused for a long moment staring out into the sun-drenched green grass of the park. “JJ, you know what it’s all about! If it’s not what I can do for them, it’s they either want social points for being seen with me, or they want to conquer or make me their trophy. It’s all so fake... so, so tired of it.”
JJ nodded solemnly, “I get it, I’m sorry…” She reached out, hugged her then sat in her own chair next to her friend.
Halo turned away to quietly stare off and try to relax before filming resumed. After a time, a man casually walking across the grass towards the cameras, piqued her interest. She glanced around and noted that security was in abundance and that the park was sectioned off. Meaning this newcomer had to be involved with the film’s production.
She raised up her large sunglasses and gazed at the man who quietly stood about thirty feet away from her. It appeared as if he was observing the crew as they were beginning to scurry about resetting the scene.
Halo reached out and nudged JJ to get her attention then gestured over to the man, “Who is that?”
JJ looked over, “I don’t know… another Producer?”
“I know them all…” Halo trailed off keeping her eyes on him.
“Whoever he is, he’s good looking.” JJ commented then turned to her boss and noticed that Halo was lost in her gaze at the man. She leaned over and whispered, “You better stop staring, he’s going to notice you.”
“Hmm? Yes… I know.” Halo murmured as she put her sunglasses away and continued staring the man. She gave him the once over and saw he was dressed in a casual chic manner. His jacket was a fashionable, gray military type. His jeans were black, as were his stylish boots and a black laptop bag hung from his shoulder. She could not see his eyes due to his sunglasses, but here was something so magnetic about him that she could not pull her eyes away from him.
She reached into her gray hoodie’s pocket, and pulled out her phone. Without turning away, she handed it to JJ.
“What?”
Still not taking her eyes off the newcomer she answered, “Would you please take some discrete shots—there’s something about him…”
“I see that! You and your pictures, fine—fine!” JJ chuckled.
“Thanks, JJ.” Halo mumbled in return.
As JJ stepped away, Halo saw that the man finally noticed her. His head turned slightly towards her and suddenly she felt a warm rush race up from her belly to her heart as their gazes locked. The intensity of the feeling surprised her, she felt riveted in place and could only stare back in fascination. After what seemed like hours, he gave her the smallest of nods, a tight-lipped smile, turned back towards watching the street and took a few casual steps away.
Halo felt her heart racing in her chest. Along with the warmth in her heart, tingles began zipping around and around inside her. With a start, she realized she was holding her breath and with a gasp, she inhaled deeply. Still unable to look away, she continued her unabashed staring at the handsome stranger. Within a few moments, he turned his attention to her once again.
She felt the intensity of his eyes through his sunglasses as they met hers once more. This time, his gaze seemed to pierce deep into her heart and through to her soul. The intensity she felt a moment ago exploded tenfold. Her breath caught once more and the rush and intensity of the feelings flying through her body felt incredible.
A feeling began to emerge and its prevalence grew until it shook her to her core as its significance became clear: she felt wondrously connected to this stranger. She knew instinctively that he had felt something as well. Mesmerized, she watched as his lips briefly parted in apparent surprise and it was as if that he too, could not look away. A question surfaced through her reverie, did he realize who she was?
After what again seemed like hours of watching each other, he did it again: he nodded, smiled a bit more this time then moved a few steps away and continued watching the camera crew set up on the sidewalk.
Now she was intrigued beyond all imagination. Her heart was thumping madly in her chest as she tried to determine why and what just happened and what was going on with herself. She knew, deep down that she just had to meet him and soon, as they would continue filming at any moment.
She turned to find JJ shaking her head at her, “Halo Raines please tell me you are not going over there! The paparazzi are skulking around… and Phillip is here on set somewhere. What is he going to say if he sees you talking to some random hot guy?”
Practically panting from the excitement boiling inside her she mumbled, “I—I can’t explain it right now. I just really need to meet him.”
Without waiting for a response, she was out from under the canopy and headed towards the man. She breathed in several deep breaths then made herself slow her pace down. She decided she would casually stroll behind him and get a better look, hoping he would make the first contact.
As she approached, she saw he was not overly tall, maybe close to six foot. His hair was dark and thick. He appeared muscular, but not like some muscle head. She saw his head turn ever so slightly as she approached and knew in her heart that he was watching her from behind his aviators. Her excitement at the thought of speaking to him made her insides feel warm… like Christmas morning when she was a little kid.
He turned slightly more in her direction as she passed behind him. She desperately wished she could peer into his eyes. She noticed his eyebrows were dark and his skin was that ‘Mediterranean’ type… he was definitely good looking but could not quite place his age due to his sunglasses. She paused several feet behind him and decided she would break the ice first. Squaring her shoulders, she took a deep breath and began towards him then suddenly he began walking away.
She jolted to a stop and watched in surprise as he quickly strolled off. She was at a complete loss, a rarity for her. With her heart pounding harder, she began after him. She needed to meet him; she had to understand why he made her feel this way.
As she gained on him and was about to call out to him, she saw a Production Assistant approaching and waving at her. “Oh hell…” She sighed and knew her time was up. She deliberated about running after him, but knew better than to delay filming. For one, it was unprofessional and two, her creepy director would have a bigger reason to be an ass. With disappointment, she altered her path and met up with the PA.
“We are ready for you Halo!”
“Thank you.” She replied with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.
With the PA escorting her to the waiting Chevy, they passed JJ. She watched as JJ snapped another picture of the man. Not looking back at him, she gestured at her to follow.
“When we are done with this scene I want to know who he is. Will you help me, please?”
JJ leaned close and whispered, “Halo… are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. I’ll tell you more after we are done here, ok?”
“I suppose you want me to go after him?”
“Uh, no… I want to know who he is first.”
“You are the boss…” JJ sighed.
“I’m not asking you as your boss,” Halo whispered, “I’m asking you as my best friend.”
JJ chuckled quietly, “The things I do for you!”
Halo reached out and squeezed JJ’s hand, “Thank you! Ok, gotta go!”
Halo sat impatiently behind the wheel of the old Chevy Blazer waiting. The sun was out in full force now and was drying the road as fast as the water truck could deluge the street. Drumming her fingers on the steering wheel, she had the feeling she made a mistake… she should have sent JJ after the stranger after all. She began biting on her lip and felt a pit form in her stomach. A voice from her earpiece snapped her thoughts from the handsome stranger and back to her job. It was take number ten and they were ready for the next take of the chase.
It took another take for a print as a transit bus inadvertently drove onto the closed street and nearly hit one of the background cars following her. She finally heard ‘cut and print’ from her ear piece. She quickly parked the Chevy, was out of it fast and headed towards JJ, who was pacing under the canopy.