Chapter 12: Wrap Party

The six of them were back in Gary’s Redondo Beach house, and Natalie had the floor.

“Let me introduce Leo, he’s Gary’s cousin. He’s here to help us later when we play a game together.

“For the rest of you, we’re finished with principal photography. Six weeks have gone by since we finished at the Oregon location. Everything for the film that follows will be finishing up a butt-load of visual effects, ADR, and editing.”

“ADR? This is my first film, I’ve only done TV,” asked Brent.

“It’s Automated Dialogue Replacement, you perform your lines again in a sound studio so your words will be clear on the audio track.

“The main thing, since all the filming with you is done, I’m calling this a ‘wrap party.’ Dan, you can throw away the hair dye.”

“Aw, I was getting accustomed to it,” muttered Lila.”

“Yeah, Lila, you can go back to growing; Sally, you can start shrinking; Brent, you can stop overeating; and Gary, don’t go changing to try and please me, you never let me down before, I love you just the way you are.”

“That’s the worst Billy Joel impression I’ve ever heard, Nat, but I love you too. As for the rest of you, she owes you an apology for her snotty remarks. But I’ve got all kinds of food and drink ready for you all.

“Since somehow all six of us have become three romantic pairs, we’re going to play with each other. It’s an ancient competition from television called the ‘Newlywed Game.’ First, the women will write down secretly what they believe their partner will answer for each of five questions. Then, the men will do the same. It’s that simple.”

“What does the winning couple get?” asked Lila.

“I have a rare bottle of twelve year old Cabernet from the Napa Valley, it’s worth about $150. I also have two $30 bottles of Sonoma County Pinot Noir that we can have with our dinner. That should lubricate us for the contest afterwards.”

“Red meat, I assume?” inquired Brent.

“Yes, since I know you are all carnivores. We’re roasting petit filets, potatoes au gratin, and french cut green beans. Let me know if you prefer your beef to be rare or well done.”

“Wow. Our director is also a chef?” asked Dan.

“It’s a similar skill, I think. Mentally, you’re mixing a bunch of ingredients to come together at the right time. But I supported myself by working in a restaurant kitchen in an earlier life. Gary’s kitchen is small and basic, but I can make it all work.”

With Leo’s assistance, and because she prepared in advance, Natalie was able to plate and serve dinner for everyone in about 20 minutes. Everyone expressed their total enjoyment and made toasts honoring her as “Master Chef.”

“Gary insisted that I could NOT make a dessert, so instead he bought a few choices of super-premium ice cream and sorbet.”

Once they were all finished and the dishes piled in the kitchen sink, Leo sent the men into the living room to watch TV and put the women around the kitchen table with several pens and five sheets of blank paper each.

“On the top of each sheet, you’re going to write your name, the word ‘for,’ and the name of your partner. Then on separate sheets you’re going to write the question number, and the answer you believe your partner will give.

“As an example, if you know your man is a huge Dodgers fan, and the question is ‘favorite baseball team,’ you would write down ‘Dodgers,’ even if your own favorite team is the Giants or the Angels. Do you have any questions for me? OK, let’s begin.

“Question 1: if your partner is responsible for dinner, would he say that YOU are fearful, satisfied, or enthusiastic?

“Question 2, remember, on a new sheet of paper with your name, his name, and the number 2 on it. You have three animal choices to describe him, which one would he say you picked out of these: tiger, teddy bear, or anaconda.

“Question 3: who would he say is more cautious with their money, him or you?

“Question 4: what part of your body is his favorite: feet, legs, butt, pussy, tits, face, or hair?

“Last question. Number 5, what does he do that he thinks annoys you the most?”

“Great, now make sure that your five sheets of paper have your name, his name, and the question number at the top, then pass them up to me.”

Leo folded the 15 papers so only the names showed and he added the question numbers into the exposed part of the sheet as well.

The entire process was repeated with the genders reversed, and then all six of them sat together for the reveal portion of the competition. Leo was the MC.

“OK, let’s go through the questions and see how well each couple have predicted their partner’s answers. Question 1 was, he’s responsible for dinner. Brent, are you fearful, satisfied, or enthusiastic?”

“I would say, satisfied.”

“Sally?”

She unfolded her answer.

“Satisfied. Point for us. Usually, if it’s his night, to use an ancient joke, what he makes for me is reservations.”

Sally giggled and it was Gary’s turn.

“Enthusiastic.”

Nat unfolded her paper, showing her matching answer.

“Point for us. I’ve been coaching Gary in the kitchen, and he’s picked up a lot of skills on top of his life experience helping out his mother. Over to you, Dan.”

“Fearful. Lila has accused me of burning the water I was boiling for the frozen tortellini.”