Alice's Plan

Funny how things usually do not turn out the way we planned. You might envision them, assume that this is how life will go, but in the end, no matter how detailed and thought through your plan was, events would usually change course. Alice was trying to identify the very moment when she was pushed or unconsciously stepped on the path that was leading the wrong way. That moment when she could have still turned and live the life she planned for. That moment when she could have still turned but she did not. That moment when everything went so very wrong.

The plan was to spend her life with Alan, have at least two kids. And they were getting there, but well . . . events took another course. Alan was long gone and she was on her way to the set of Life Unlived (she could sense the irony of that title), a movie that was being produced by her sister Ella. A sister that was in “deep shit” as she had called it last night when she visited Alice in desperation

“We need a new production assistant like yesterday!” she said looking at Alice with that hint in her eyes.

Alice pretended not to understand what Ella was getting at, but the truth was, she was the right person. She used to work as production coordinator and had been good at it. At some point though she had gotten sick of all the stars, their wishes and the whole show business ‘swamp’ as she had started to call it, so she had quit, promising herself never to do it again. Production assistant would be a demotion, but Ella was her sister, sister who Alice owned a favour. Last year when Alan left and Alice was . . . let’s say not in the best shape, Ella had been there for her in the utmost meaning of that word. She had moved in with Alice, had been cooking for her, cleaning for her and even forcing her to take a shower. She had pushed Alice to live.

This is why Alice was now in the car on her way to meet Ella on the set. She needed to admit that the money was ok. It’s not that she had to worry about her finances that much. After their parents died Alice and Ella inherited some money, but in Alice’s case the biggest part of the inheritance was eaten up by costs of the house she was living in. This was her family home, a place she knew her parents would have never wanted to sell and a place she never wanted to sell either. So even though it was too big and expensive, she stayed there. Besides, it was the only thing that was left of her life plan that had not worked out. Every month she was left with an amount of money that would let her lead a simple life. In the beginning, when Alan left, she did not care about that. She was not shopping, not eating, and not paying the bills, but when she came back to the living and checked her finances, she took up a job as an editor in a publishing house. This was after all one of the reasons she studied English literature for; if not to write books, then at least to help others publish theirs. The editor’s job let her afford something more than bread, cheese and cheap wine.

Ella was waiting for her in the parking lot. She seemed a bit nervous.

“Don’t sweat, Ella, I’m here, aren’t I?” Alice gave her a kiss.

“Come, I’ll show you around.” Ella did not seem relieved. As if something was still bothering her. Alice had a feeling she would know it soon.

It was still very early, so not many people had reached the set yet. Ella introduced her to the makeup artists and hairdressers who were preparing their gear. Shortly after that the director showed up, she shook Alice’s hand but was so deep in thought that she barely noticed her. Alice did not feel intimidated nor stressed by that. In fact she could never understand why people, especially women, would freak out or start screaming seeing the celebrities. Then again, she had spent a lot of time around them and knew they were just people; some of them were even fuller of shit than normal folks.

Ella continued to show her around and was getting tenser.

“Ella, cut the crap, I know you are not telling me something.” Alice lost patience.

Ella looked at her and sighed. “Follow me.”

Alice followed her sister out of the studio, through a long corridor, to one of the dressing rooms. Ella stopped at the door. Alice expected her sister to open the door or at least to knock, but she turned to Alice still tense.

“This is the dressing room of Jon Midland, our main star . . .” she started hesitatingly.

“Ok . . .” Alice was not sure what Ella was getting at.

“Recently . . .” Ella continued. “We needed to let his assistant go.” She looked at Alice in anticipation.

“You gotta be kidding me!” Alice finally understood what game Ella was playing. “You said you need a production assistant, not a personal assistant to a celebrity ass-hole who screws every girl in sight!”

“Alice, calm down.” Ella pulled out her hands as if trying to defend herself against Alice’s words. She knew her younger sister had a really bad experience with one of the actors on the set of the last movie she worked on. Alice never wanted to talk about it, but Ella heard the gossip and knew enough of the guy’s reputation to figure out the rest. Back then Alice had definitely been calmer, less verbal in showing her dissatisfaction; just an easy going, positive girl. The guy must have tried something with Alice, as she left him with a broken nose. He then fought really hard to have her fired, but the producers knowing his reputation, and knowing Alice, managed to fight back his notions. Alice quit anyway. Since then her prejudice towards actors had just grown. She knew it wasn’t really fair, but could not help it.

Ella had a feeling that pulling Alice into this job was playing with fire, but she really did not see any other option.

“Alice,” Ella tried explaining calmly. “Jon is not like that. This is just gossip spread by the press.” She continued trying to defend Jon Midland. “Once you get to know him, you will see he is a good guy . . .”

“Oh yeah, and why did you let his assistant go?” Alice would not give up.

“Because, as you nicely put it, I screwed her.” Ella and Alice turned simultaneously to see Jon standing behind them with a charming smile, a bodyguard with him. He seemed to have heard the whole conversation. Did not seem moved by it though.

“Jon!” Ella exclaimed. “You are early today.”

“I see you found me an assistant?” He offered his hand to Alice. “Jon Midland.”

“Alice Stone.” Alice took his hand reluctantly.

“Stone?” Jon was surprised.

“Alice is my sister, Jon. She has experience in working on the set, so I decided to pull her in.” Ella was horrified at first. She assumed Jon would not agree to work with Alice after the charming words that had come out of her mouth, but he seemed not to care about it. Ella just went along with it and pretended nothing had happened.

“Ok, great, so can we be getting started?” He walked into the dressing room and looked at Alice in anticipation.

“I will be right with you” Alice answered with a fake smile and closed the door just before his nose. Leaving him in the dressing room quite stunned. She turned to Ella with fire in her eyes. Her jaw dropping. “Experience in working on the set?! Well, that’s an understatement! Anyway, shouldn’t he already have his own crew of managers and assistants on payroll?”

“Well, he does, but . . . I don’t know the details, there were some family dramas and a few of his crew did not reach the set, not yet at least . . . The headhunting company sent the last one, but... well . . .” Ella seemed desperate. “Alice, please . . .” she whispered. “I need you. I know you hate work like that. Not sure if this is comforting, but we will also need you as assistant producer, so it still might be fun?” Ella asked hopefully.

“Will I be paid double?” Alice asked teasingly. Ella’s look just said ”Oh, please”, so Alice continued half angry, half laughing. “I must admit, you knew how to play me, Ella. I will do it, but only for you. I cannot promise I will be nice to him though.”

“But at least try, ok?” Ella felt she already won the fight. Now she just needs to make sure that the cooperation goes smoothly . . . more or less at least.

“Yeah, yeah.” Alice ignored the last request. “Ok, tell me what’s the plan for today. Are you shooting in the studio the whole day?”

“Yes, we are. I will have one of the production assistants bring you the schedule and all the details.” Ella added, already walking away. “Oh and the walkie-talkie! Your favourite!”

“One of the production assistants?” Alice asked emphasising the last ‘s’. She did not expect an answer from Ella, so just shook her head in disbelief. “And a walkie-talkie? Great!” This little piece of equipment always made her feel like a prisoner; chained to the walkie-talkie waiting for others to shout out orders. “It’s just getting better and better.”

* * * * * * * * * *

She knocked on Jon’s dressing room door and walked in without waiting for an answer. He was on the phone, but quickly ended the conversation when she walked in.

“Do you need anything?” she asked.

“Well, I would love some coffee,” he answered right away. “I actually left the hotel earlier to go to Starbucks, but the press were everywhere, so we just came directly here.”

“Press everywhere? You must hate that” Alice commented cynically remembering the pictures on the news and in newspapers with him smiling charmingly to every possible camera.

“Well, not when I need the coffee, don’t I?” He smiled with that charming smile again, but noticed quickly that it wasn’t moving her.

“What coffee do you like?” she asked, ending the conversation about the paparazzi.

“Black, no sugar please . . .” He stopped as someone was at the door. Alice just opened it not waiting for him to answer. A girl with a bunch of papers stood on the other side.

“Miss Stone?” she asked without a breath. She clearly ran over here.

“Alice.” Alice put out her hand to the girl. “And thank you for that,” she said, taking the papers.

“I’m Donna and you are welcome.” The girl smiled warmly, but then noticed Jon Midland.

“Good morning, Mr. Midland” she said with a wide, sexy smile.

“Good morning, Donna.”

Donna seemed to want to add something but, Alice closed the door in her face. “Yes, thanks Donna.”

“Now, aren’t you a charmer!” Jon said laughing. He then took off his jacket and set it on a leather couch that was standing in the middle of the spacious dressing room. “I think we were talking about coffee?” he added, changing the subject.

“Hmm . . . I’m on it” Alice said but was looking at the plan for the day Donna had brought her.

“I would not mind a Starbucks coffee” he added as she was leaving. She just smiled and walked away. Jon was sure it was a fake smile. He was wondering if he was going to see a Starbucks coffee today.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Starbucks or the coffee machine on the set, what’s the difference!” Alice wondered, but Starbucks was not that far away and she would not mind a walk. Ella saw her leaving and ran to her in panic.

“Don’t worry, Ella.” Alice stopped her. “I’m just getting our star a Starbucks coffee. Not running away . . . although I feel like it.”

“Thanks Alice.”

“Do you want coffee as well?”

“No thanks, I’ve already had three today” Ella exclaimed. “One more and they will need to look for a new producer.”

* * * * * * * * * *

The day turned out not to be so bad. Midland was busy shooting, so she could do some production assisting that was much more fun than bringing him coffee. She hated to admit, but he was a good actor. She tried not to stare too much, but the way he was interacting with other actors was amazing. His presence on the set . . . he seemed to look so naturally in every scene. She was still thinking about that while collecting copies of the script from the production table when she heard her name on the walkie-talkie.

“Alice, I need you, it’s an emergency.”

That was Jon Midland. She missed the moment when they finished shooting for the day. Something a good assistant cannot do. She put the papers on the table, nicely folded, and moved towards his dressing room. She would not be running. What was an emergency for him, would for sure not be an emergency for her.

“What’s the emergency?” She opened the door slowly. “Cut your finger with a paper sheet?”

“Oh, God, no!” he exclaimed, pretending to be horrified. “But I’m afraid the situation is as serious.” He was playing her game. She could see that, but did not care.

“I need assistance in tying this tie.” He had already taken a shower and was in a suit.

Probably going out. She did not care as long as she did not need to go with him. Alice just walked over to him and started tying the tie. It made her think of her dad; he taught her how to do it. They would have so many laughs when she could not master it at first.

“Is this a genuine smile I’m seeing on your face?” Jon asked, teasing. “That’s a moment to remember!” His voice brought her back from the past and she froze him with one of her serious looks.

“Would that be all, Mr. Midland?” she asked emotionless.

“Almost. Could you please call my driver and tell him I’m ready? And then I can let you go.”

Alice called Joseph quickly from her mobile. His number was one of many she had to add to her list today.

“I will see you tomorrow?” he asked, already in the corridor.

“We will see about that.” Alice just smiled.