Chapter 8

They got a call back, as well as the guy we thought would be perfect for the nerd, and a few more they thought would be good for minor parts. I made sure to attend. They'd studied the script by then, and both were very good. When I saw Kathy(her real name, Cathy Wiggins)in a lab coat, hair in a bun, large glasses perched on her nose, giving a serious lecture about the discovery of a new breed of bear, I almost believed her. If anything, she was too good. Crimson Red(real name Victoria Cross, like the medal, she'd say) was almost as good, but since a good bit of her dialogue was screaming, it really didn't matter.

We hired the guy for the nerd part, as well as a number of native actors for bit parts, and the sweat lodge scene. We explained it would involve full nudity, and while a few refused, most were all right with it. It made me realize just how far people were willing to go to get parts. We also hired two more natives for pretty sizable parts, integral to the story.

Eric was back, healed, and eager to go. I hoped he'd learned something, but I had my doubts. He was especially keen on Cathy and Tory, as Victoria asked to be called. I knew if he ever found out about their porn background it could get a little sticky. He was also smitten by one of the natives, a cute little woman even more petite than Leah. I got a bad vibe watching him chat her up.

I caught her after he'd left, and asked for a word with Leah and I. I found out she was just barely eighteen, and her name was Sylvia Shining Elk. Her parents thought she was still in school, but she'd dropped out to pursue acting.

"I just want you to know you already have the part, and you don't have to be in the sweat lodge scene if you don't want to. I know you're of legal age, and can make your own decisions, but I urge you to think about it. You don't want to be labeled, and end up typecast, getting naked native parts and little else."

Leah put her hand on her arm. "He's right. Take it from someone who grew up in this business. Actresses are a dime a dozen, honey, and producers know it. They feed on desperation, and many times the poor girls make decisions that affect their life for years to come. Free advice here. You're good, or you wouldn't have gotten the part. Maybe this will lead to bigger things. But if I were you, I'd continue my education, have something you can fall back on if the parts dry up."

She looked back and forth, trying to judge our sincerity before she let out a sigh and a tear trickled down her cheek. "Thank you, for the advice and for giving me a choice. I would prefer not to do the nude scene, I'm not to the point in my career that I'm comfortable with it. Let me ask a hypothetical question. If someone connected with the movie, someone pretty high in the food chain suggests that me 'being good' to them would help my career and I refuse, do I still have the job?"

"Absolutely. If something like that comes along, tell Dorian, Leah, or me if I'm around. We'll take care of it. Understand?"

She nodded shyly, hugged Leah, and left. She looked over at me. "You need to talk to him. He's letting it go to his head. You're not from this world, but it can be very ugly, especially if you let the power get to you. Producers are like minor Gods, they can have complete control over your career. And sadly, most people bitten with the acting bug, male as well as females, will do just about anything to attain stardom."

I looked at her and sighed. "I don't think I like your world very much. Has it ever happened to you?"

"Twice. I lost one job because of it, I managed to finish the second, but I made it clear neither Dorian or I would ever be interested in working with her again. Luckily it didn't affect our careers, she isn't very well thought of."

It was a depressing conversation, so I stopped it, promising to talk to Eric.