Twenty-Two

I adjusted the glitter bowtie the stylist insisted Ebenezer wear for his part in the scene. My little buddy was to grab a ribbon and scurry off with it. The original plan for the cat was tying the ribbon onto his collar and scaring the cat, filming it from the side so it looked like the cat had the ribbon in its mouth. With Ebenezer’s love of ribbon and all things string and rope, getting him to grab the ribbon and race away with it was easy, having him not eat it was the hard part.

Once I voiced that concern, Edward gave me permission to stay on the set so I could take the ribbon away from him. No one else was interested in taking something out of his mouth even though his teeth were tiny.

“Places everyone.” Edward sat on a chair near the camera.

Filming was starting. I had to get in my spot, near the kitchen where I was out of the way, but close enough to snag my runaway pet. I wiggled my way through the sea of extras, eyes fixed on the door. “Excuse me.”

Luna stood near the archway leading into the living room, squaring her shoulders and slipping the clutch under her left arm, her right hand a few inches from it. The expression on her face was definitely not Christmassy. I wasn’t sure if that was because the scene being filmed required that attitude or a result of the scene between her and Garrison an hour ago.

The cameras were facing toward her and the party goers in the room. Garrison was near the tree talking to a young woman who was gazing at him in adoration. I wasn’t sure if that was part of the script or just a natural expression from being so close to the man.

A hand wrapped around my wrist. “This way,” a gruff voice said. Vernon.

“My spot is near the kitchen. They’re not filming in this direction. I can make it in time.” I leaned away from the Vernon. The tight grip he had on my arm was scaring me.

“No, you can’t. A camera is focused on the kitchen door. You can stand with me out of the way from all the cameras. We’ll have a great view of the scene,” he whispered and tugged me past the foyer where other non-actors were loitering still and quiet in the shadows. He kept his head down low almost like he didn’t want anyone to notice him.

“I’m needed by the kitchen. That’s where Ebenezer is running.”

“I have to tell you something,” he pleaded, still controlling the direction I walked. “There are some people who shouldn’t overhear me. They’ll be furious.”

I was kind of furious right now from being manhandled. I broke from his grip. “Talk now before I create a scene.”

He hunched over, bringing his mouth closer to my ear. “Please, it’s about Katrina. And it might relate to Marie’s death.”

Okay, I’d listen. It wasn’t like I was in danger. There were people all around.

Vernon placed a hand on my back and maneuvered me to a small alcove where I guessed a small built-in bookcase had once been. Now, it was turned into a small bench.

“It’s sturdy enough to stand on.” Vernon smiled and held out his hand. “It’ll give you a better view of the scene and your pet.”

“I’m here because of the information you have on Katrina.”

“We need a reason we’re over here. Plus, you’ll hear me better if you match my height.”

Slipping off my Christmas-themed canvas sneakers, the only Christmas attire I allowed myself in July, I stepped up. I was in the shadows, out of the way, but able to see everything. Vernon eased into the space between the bench and the wall. I had the perfect view of the living room where the majority of the party scene was taking place. I knew Luna was perishing in this scene, near the buffet table, and from my hiding spot, I’d see it without anyone blocking my view.

Vernon’s shoulder leaned into mine. “I told Katrina Luna was her mother.”

I spun toward him, nearly toppling off the bench. Vernon snagged hold of my waist, keeping me from falling down.

“I found a letter from her to Luna amongst the discarded fan mail when I was packing up my stuff after Luna threw me out of our home. I thought if I found Luna’s daughter, I’d win her back. Never considered I was hurting Marie by agreeing with Katrina.” There was a deep regret in his eyes.

“Did you tell the sheriff or your cousin this?”

“Roll,” the director shouted.

Actors and actresses moved about, some putting presents under the tree, others kissing cheeks. Garrison was standing in front of the Christmas tree, a glass of eggnog in his hand. Anne was sitting in a chair near the director with a security guard standing behind her and glaring at everyone who dared approach. I wondered if they’d worked a guard into the scene or if one was dressed as a party goer.

Luna slapped her purse into Garrison’s stomach. “I will not be lied about.”

Garrison tossed the purse onto a table behind him. “It’s not the time, Auntie. Besides, one person’s truth is another person’s lie and who knows which one it is.”

She smoothed the sides of her hair and adjust the drape of her necklace. “When you allow other people access to your story, they muck it all up. Sometimes to live the life you want, you must create it yourself. That doesn’t make it a lie.”

“Doesn’t make it the truth either.”

She drew in a deep breath.

“Cut. What is going on here?” Edward flipped through the script, a perplexed expression deepening on his face.

“I’m improvising. Deal with it.” Luna’s heels clicked on the marble floor as she headed for the dining room. She passed by the area I was standing. “Roll the film.”

Edward frowned and rolled his wrist in the air.

From the corner of my eye, I spotted a movement low on the ground, sneaking past the Christmas tree. It was Ebenezer. Without a ribbon. It wasn’t time for him yet. Either he escaped from the crew member or the person responsible for releasing Ebenezer was confused with Luna’s improvisations.

As the extras moved with Luna toward the buffet, I hopped off the benched and merged into the crowd, keeping my head low, hoping my t-shirt wasn’t spotted among the formal wear. Just a few more feet and I’d snag Ebenezer before he ruined the scene.

Anne leaned forward, placing a hand on the director’s shoulder and whispered in his ear. He nodded and motioned her forward. She slipped off a coat draped over her shoulders and headed for the front door. I guessed she was entering into the scene to fix everything or find out, using her own dialogue changes, what Luna was doing. The guard followed her outside.

Luna snatched a goblet of water from a tray an extra was carrying and chugged half the glass before depositing it on the table. She dabbed at her mouth with a napkin, crumbling it into a ball before tossing it on the floor.

The extra sent a panicked look at the director. Everyone was thrown off by Luna’s ad-libbing.

She ate a few pita chips and chugged down the glass of water in the flute. She tossed it over her shoulder.

Anne jumped back, the plastic cup nearly clunking her in the head. “Are you all right, Mrs. March?” Anne asked, using the name of Luna’s character.

Ignoring the question, Luna snatched another plastic champagne flute filled with water and stumbled to the other side of the buffet table, knocking extras out of her way. Her gaze desperately scanned the room. She waved, trying to gain Garrison’s attention.

Slapping a hand over his eyes, Ike moaned. “Is she drunk? Shouldn’t you end this?”

Luna was sober when I spoke with her an hour ago.

Edward covered up the mouthpiece of his headset. “Let’s see where she’s going with this. Luna said she was improvising. Maybe the death scene wasn’t splashy enough.”

Luna coughed and reached for another water glass and tried drinking it. Water dribbled down her chin, dotting her silk gown with drops. She patted her throat, lifting her chin toward the ceiling. The glass slipped from her finger. Her head jerked around until her panicked gaze found me.

The extras and other cast members chatted with each other, trying their best to adapt to Luna’s impromptu changes to the script. Luna grasped the edge of the table, now hitting at her throat and making a gagging sound. The director leaned forward, grinning. I guess he liked the changes.

Luna looked over at us. Eyes wide and panicking, hands clawing at her throat. I frowned and slipped forward, no longer caring what Ebenezer planned on doing. Her gaze locked onto mine.

“She’s choking!” I screamed. I took a step forward, Vernon grabbed my arm and dragged me backwards.

“You can’t interrupt a scene like that,” he whispered harshly. “Let her finish it.”

Luna twitched and her body went slack. She crumbled to the floor and laid on her side, one hand splayed out and the other on her neck. The fear in her eyes grabbed onto me. Something wasn’t right.

Cast members gasped. Someone screamed. “Call an ambulance.”

“Cut. It wasn’t perfect but with some editing it’ll be great.” Edward sounded so pleased.

I broke away from Vernon and watched Luna’s chest. It wasn’t rising. Oh my god! Luna wasn’t acting. I ran over. Splotches of red dotted her face, throat, and hands. Her lips were swelled.

“Doctor,” I shouted, turning her onto her back. “She needs a doctor!”

No one moved. I placed my shaking fingers on the pulse in her neck nothing. I grabbed her wrist with my other hand. Her pulse was weak. I stared at her chest. It wasn’t moving. Luna Carmichael was dying.

I removed my gaze from Luna’s inert form and looked at Edward who was standing behind the camera. “She’s not breathing.”

The director clapped his hands. “Print. It’s a wrap everyone.”

“This isn’t ad-libbing.” I shouted over the din of voices and movement. “Luna needs help. She’s dying.”