“They’re already saying that, Em. I think it’s worth the risk.”
II
Ana
“You know, I really hate to be having this conversation. But this is my big break too.” Francesca sits on the other side of the conference table, and her look echoes mine: polished. Starched and pressed blouse. Hands folded and head tilted to level her eyes at me. In another world, we could have been allies. In another industry, friends. We both know how to present ourselves to be taken seriously, and Francesca doesn’t just appear sharp. Her whole persona readssharp.
“Do you know how long it takes to get a major studio to greenlight an action film with a female director? Much less one like me, who’s never directed something with a budget over $30million?” The question isn’t rhetorical. “Years. A decade. The chance won’t come around again if this production or its stars are trouble for the studio. And frankly, I’m worried you’re trouble.” She is so focused on her professional reputation, on the sanctity of the production,that she hardly seems concerned with her husband’s alleged infidelity. I wish I was more surprised by that.
The air in the room is cold, crisp to the point of painful. I glance out the window, nine stories up, and see cast members and crew scurrying around on the lots below. I have been on lots like these since I was thirteen, practically clawing my way from the plucky sidekick with a five-episode TV arc, to the Disney-Channel-original-movie best friend, to the mid-budget rom-com lead, and now to here, sitting in this room. I swallow against a dry throat before turning to Colt, who’s sitting—manspreading—and picking at a callus on his hand. Callous is also what he looks like.
I don’t want to beg, to plead my innocence in front of a woman I respect. I can be steely, assured, like she is. I pivot in my chair toward him. “Colt, I’m sure your wife would appreciate your corroboration that there’s nothing happening between us. That I am a professional.”
“As long as you don’t count missing the first fifteen minutes of the table read, sure.” He offers a slight nod of the head. An entirely unimpressive vote of confidence from the man who’s supposed to be my co-lead. One whoknowsI was held up in a fitting.
Francesca takes the opportunity to hammer the nail into my coffin. “Here’s the thing, Ana. It’s not just about this story—though I don’t love that my marriage is now being called into question.” Her eyes slice to Colt, appraising himwhile he fidgets. There’s something in the look, a wariness that catches me off guard. “It’s about all the stories that have cropped up in the weeks since casting. Every other day there’s some new drama. You have to understand I’m not in a place where I can take unnecessary risks with this production. It would be difficult to replace you this close to filming, but not impossible. I’m wondering if it’s necessary.”
A rush of shock, prickly and hot, washes through me. It sweeps up my heart and slams it against my ribs in a series of pounding thumps.No, no, no.With as much composure as I can muster, I decide to go for it. “I have an idea.”
She leans forward, elbows on the table. Her raised eyebrow says,And?
“Colt’s stunt double for the film, Levi Stephens.”
She nods, wariness still radiating beneath the hard set of her eyes, their intensity heightened by her tight, slicked-back ponytail. “The story they’re reporting is patently false, but we both know the truth is hardly relevant. Maybe leaning into the idea that, yes, something happened—but not with Colt, with someone who looks like Colt—is the most effective way to quash it. Levi’s been at all theAthena’s Warpreproduction meetings with us. What if we start spending time together—me and Levi—to make it seem like the tip theStargot was wrong?” At this, Colt clears his throat, attending to the conversation with sudden interest. I sit up straighter.
“It’s not like there are photos or eyewitnesses to contradict this. He’s been in the vicinity every time I’ve been nearColt. They look similar enough, especially from afar. We can rewrite the narrative—andset up a juicy, on-set love story to attract good press attention and public interest.”
Francesca rubs her lips together while she thinks.
Colt looks dubious. “Who’s to say Levi will go for it? Did you run this by him before coming here with this cockamamie plan? You can’t just volunteer someone to do this sort of thing, especially at their workplace.”
Francesca taps her French tips on the table, eyeing Colt before turning to me. “We could sweeten the deal for Levi.” The air conditioning clicks off, intensifying the silence as the moment stretches between us. My career dangles from her lips as I wait for her to continue. “The studio will want continuity. If Levi proves himself here, I can advocate for him to continue doubling for Colt in the next installment.”
The speed of Colt’s head whipping toward his wife makes my own neck hurt.
“It’ll be fine.” She may as well be patting him on the head. “Ana, you talk to Levi, see what he thinks. If he’s in, and if you think he can act well enough to pull this off, we’ll move forward.”
“Of course. Thank you. I will be—” I stumble briefly over my words, a rare fissure. “Itwill be no trouble.”
As long as Levi agrees. And I can make sure Levi agrees.
III
Levi
“So did you grow up here?”
Javier, my Uber driver, doesn’t answer me. Maybe it’s a stupid question.Icertainly didn’t grow up here—that much seems obvious to everyone I meet in LA. I might have the build for film work, but I don’t have the charm. The look I get in the rearview mirror confirms my suspicion. It doesn’t stop me from trying.
“I’m a stunt double. That’s what brought me here.” Yes, I’m answering questions he hasn’t asked just to break up the quiet. I’ve never been good at silence. “You know the Battle of the Gods series? I’m doubling for Colt Haggerty.” This intentional name drop gets me a moment of eye contact and a quirked eyebrow. “I know, right? I can’t believe it either.” It comes out of my mouth with a cautious laugh.
He shrugs as he clicks on the blinker, and my phone rings with a call from Sherry.
“Levi, change of plans.”
This is something else I’ve noticed here: Everyone isall business. No one has time for a greeting, not even my agent. “I’m texting you an address for Ana Barlow’s home. Have your driver bring you there, and we can circle up after. Her manager wants you to meet with her.”
I’m quickly learning that utility is Hollywood’s currency.But what could Ana Barlow possibly want from me?I wonder. Sherry answers before I can ask. “She has a proposal for you, and she promises it’s worth your while to show up. I can neither confirm nor deny whether this means sexual favors, and, frankly, I don’t care. Just don’t screw this up. Listen, I’ve gotta go. I’m sure you’ll do great.” I’m also learning that everyone in LA hangs up before I’ve had a chance to respond.