The Principle Of Chance M Howson

 ‘Mr Orban?’ Frank’s office secretary buzzed the intercom.

‘Your driver is here to take you to the restaurant. You have a meeting with Mr Blakes.’

‘On my way Edna.’ Frank replied as he collected his diary and phone. ‘I won’t be back today and I will phone Ed, I know he is booked for later.’

‘Thank you, Mr Orban.’

Frank got into his waiting car and instructed Joe to take him to Nonna’s., an Italian restaurant.  He scanned the note he had picked up from the secretary on his way out. It was from Ross, a film director from the studio.

Ross informed Frank that the lead actress, Selina, was demanding diva treatment, again! It wasn’t the first time Ross had complained about her. In fact, Frank was considering letting her go. That diva was trouble. Frank loathed difficult actresses. Selina got paid mega bucks. She was an English pop star from the eighties who had met a top Hollywood agent and used him to her advantage. That was the gossip – Frank had no idea what had really happened but the girl could act. Frank dialled his friend Jack Harvey.

‘Jack, old boy.’ Frank greeted his friend who he knew from his early days in the business.

‘Frank, it’s early in the morning!’

‘It’s three o’clock in the afternoon!’ Frank corrected.

‘Damn! It is!’ Jack didn’t realise how much time had passed while he was reading.

‘Working Jack?’

‘Can you tell? It’s a remarkable piece Frank, the guy knows his stuff. You can have it by six tonight.’ Jack was putting the final changes to one of the studio’s new screenplays. He helped Frank out sometimes by making new scripts more fitting, when Frank wanted to sign a new writer. Instead of returning the screenplay to them to re-write, the studio asked for permission to do it themselves. Usually the writers agreed, for a fee and everyone was happy.

‘I have been informed that the ‘‘revisit’’ report is ready.’ Frank told Jack.

‘Don has already asked me for dinner next week.’ Jack said.

‘Are you cooking Jack?’

‘I will bring my housekeeper with me. She will cook up a storm for you.’ Jack said sarcastically.

‘You crafty old man! What would my housekeeper say to that?’ Frank laughed. ‘The two of them would have a good catch up on the gossip.’

‘Fancy coming round tonight to the beach house? Drinks of course, and delicious food, as always.’

Frank thought for a moment. ‘I’ll think about it Jack. Don’t count on me.’ He knew he will have a meeting or two later on.

‘How is filming going?’ Jack enquired.

‘Going all right, they tell me. Monica is great!’

‘Monica, hey? She’s full of surprises. I like a woman in power.’ Jack said, thinking about the pretty director.

Frank was very upbeat about Orban Studios’ latest movie. Monica Blakes, a fresh, young director, was just what he needed. The Blue Velvet was a gangster movie set in early 1950s America. The film wasn’t based on a real story, it was pure fiction, but Monica made it seem very real.

‘Call me later Frank, but I should be in Nonna’s as usual.’ Jack said making up his mind about what to do.

‘I’m going there now.’ Frank said. ‘Why do we always go there?’

‘We want to be seen Frank!’

‘Come on Jack, you want to check out the talent!’ Frank said teasingly.

‘What’s wrong with that?’ Jack questioned.

Frank couldn’t help smiling. ‘I’ll probably see you at your house!’

Frank clicked his phone off, he considered opening the envelope the private detective had given him. Somehow, he felt apprehensive - what an old fool he was. All he needed to do was open and read it. He already knew a lot about this ‘case’. It wasn’t the first time he’d asked for some facts. There will only be additional information inside the packet.

 

 After a refreshing shower, Amy dried her hair and applied a delicate evening makeup, put on a simple, flowing, white dress with a generous cleavage. She slipped on her high heels, and she was ready to go. While she waited for Ed, she sat down on the cool, sheltered patio to look through some work.

Just as Amy was getting into a case she needed to finish, she heard a car arrive. She ran down the steps at the side of the house that led to a small gate. Ed was there in a fancy car - revving the engine.

Does he want the whole neighbourhood to know he is here? Amy, covering her disappointment, flashed him an amazing smile and got into his car.

‘I knew you would look great babe!’ Ed said with satisfaction.

‘Did you?’

‘Hey, what do you think of my new Aston? It’s a beast!’ He said proudly.

‘I’m not into cars.’ Amy said, uninterested.

‘It’s a muscle car! The power you need and then some!’ Ed placed his hand on Amy’s thigh. She promptly removed it.

Touchy girl, Ed thought. Nothing he couldn’t handle. ‘I’m taking you to Nonna’s!’ He announced and waited anxiously for a massive WOW. There was no reaction. He tried again. ‘Nonna’s ?’

‘Ah, yes, great place – good food.’ Amy said, finally realising Ed wanted her to appreciate the date. Big deal! Amy didn’t need to be impressed. She looked out of the window and admired the ocean as the car whizzed by. Why did she agree to the date? - because the man impressed her. Damn!

‘Have you been there?’ Amy heard Ed asking.

‘Yeah, a few times.’

‘Really? It isn’t easy to get a table I there, you know? You have to have connections.’ 

‘Sure, I have connections.’

Ed was temporarily lost for words; this date wasn’t going the way he was accustomed to. This girl will need some extra work, - no problem.  

 

Amy Ronay was born in New York to an American mother and an Eastern European father. Unfortunately she didn’t know much about her parents, as they weren’t the type of people to have an open relationship with their daughter. They loved her and they cared but her mother wasn’t Amy’s best friend and her father worked long hours. Amy had a typical childhood and adolescence; after high school she attended university. She didn’t have many friends, but she was happy with her best friend Kari. Being an only child herself, Kari loved spending time with Amy. They enjoyed their sleepovers, vacations and later, boyfriends. Amy was always the quiet one, while Kari loved to chat to boys. At university Kari met a boy from Australia. She fell in love and her friendship with Amy suffered. After university, Kari moved to Australia, married her man and lost touch with Amy.

Amy’s parents didn’t socialise much. Her father was content being around his family and her mother was a divorce lawyer who spent much of her time in her office which was located in the house. Her parents loved each other very much and she never heard them argue about anything. Whatever Amy wanted, she got. The family spent time together at least once a week, usually on Sundays. The years passed and Amy grew up, found a job, and bought her first apartment.

Shortly after, her parents died in a car crash. Amy was devastated and found she couldn’t stay in the city where so many things reminded her of her parents.  She decided that California will be her new home. She would have preferred to live in San Francisco but she was offered a job in Los Angeles. Now, she was here in the sunny city, trying to make something of her life.

  

Frank changed his plans and headed to the film set before going to Nonna’s, to meet Selina. He didn’t usually need to get involved with problems on set - he had people to deal with them. With Selina though, he had a hunch he should be involved. The filming was nearly finished and the girl was due to attend various TV shows and  events  to promote the movie. So far there had been difficulties with her appearances. Arriving late was one thing but making diva-style demands on TV shows didn’t go down well. The girl wasn’t doing her career any favours!

He placed a call to his secretary. Edna will need to inform the restaurant of his delay. The restaurant never had a problem with Frank arriving late. People had to book weeks in advance to get a table at Nonna’s but there was always a table for Frank.

Joe parked up on the set in Rosetta Bay and Frank surveyed the scene from the car. There she was; Selina the diva, who looked like she was having one of her fits. Frank could see her throwing something at Ross and storming off into her trailer. He let out a heavy sigh and stepped out of the car to speak to Ross.

‘Good to see you here Frank.’ Ross, a tall man with sun-bleached curls hidden under a baseball cap, greeted him.

‘Looking busy man.’

‘We’re nearly finished, all we have left is a scene with Selina!’ Ross said.

‘Wrap party tonight?’ Frank asked.

‘It all depends, Frank.’ Ross said slowly. ‘Today is not the day to roll, I’ve been told!’ Ross said, feeling uncomfortable talking about Selina in front of Frank.

‘I understand.’ Frank said.

An assistant rushed up to Frank with a tray of drinks. Frank chose coffee, thanked her and watched the filming for a while. When he thought the time was right, he walked up to Selina’s trailer. He knocked on the door and without waiting for a reply, he entered.

Selina sat in front of a mirror, wearing only her underwear, eating grapes. Her assistant glared at her anxiously.

‘Oh Frank!’ Selina stared at him wide-eyed. ‘What a surprise!’ She said, full of charm.

 ‘How’s it going girl?’ Frank’s voice was giving nothing away. The assistant quickly disappeared. Frank was sure he had interrupted an argument.

‘It’s good, Frank! What a movie!’ Selina said, wondering why Frank Orban was in her trailer, although she knew; the shit had hit the fan because Frank’s visits usually meant trouble.

‘Glad to hear that! Are you satisfied with your part darling?’ Frank surveyed her.

‘It’s the best!’ Selina answered, adopting her sexy voice.

‘People are telling me things girl. Things I don’t want to hear.’ Frank looked into her blue eyes. ‘The filming is nearly finished. You’re smart Selina, you do know what I mean?’

‘Yes Frank, of course.’

Was Frank here to fire her? She wouldn’t even get compensation Frank had the best lawyers. She wanted this movie so bad and needed it big time. Where was that agent of hers when she needed him? Maybe she should sleep with the old man. Was that what he was implying? Well, no harm in trying!

Selina had been a member of a girl band some years ago. When the group split up, she lost everything. After being in the most famous girl band in the world, she went to being a nobody for years. Years! She had loved the lifestyle she had as a singer. Girls copied the clothes and makeup she wore and even her hair style; they wanted to be like her! She had money, fast cars and most importantly, fame.

Then quite suddenly it all stopped. The girls began to argue over boyfriends and money. Special treatments and selective invitations, all was going downhill until one day their label dropped them. By that time she lived up all her money, had no savings just a house which was only rented. She began to look for future work and after a while she realised, she would have to be ruthless in the showbusiness world if she wanted to achieve anything at all.

It had taken her years to get where she was today. She had spent months finding the people who could ‘make it happen’ for her and had suffered months of sleeping with that old, wrinkled agent of hers to get this part. Not to mention the hard work and money she put into her appearance. She employed an extremely expensive personal trainer, hairdresser and stylists; which all cost mega bucks.  She couldn’t lose all this now!

Frank studied her face, an open book; she was very obviously considering up her options. ‘Good! I like to see happy people!’ Frank said knowing Selina had got the message.

‘It’s the best here on set Frank, I can tell you.’ She prattled on.

‘Is it?’

‘Yeah, we’re finishing today. Wrap! As you Americans call it!’

‘I’m pleased that you’re having fun!’ Frank said.

‘I’m appearing on The Lucas Show tonight, to promote the film. Maybe you and I can get together later? We could have a good time Frank.’ She cued.

‘Wrong move girl, it doesn’t work for me.’ Frank brushed her aside and headed for the door, his job was done here.

‘I know you will do a good job Selina!’ Frank opened the door and left.

Selina was shocked. She wasn’t sacked, - or was she? Maybe she’d got very lucky. This movie had better be a blockbuster. In her next film, she will get what she deserved. And why couldn’t she change her lines when she wanted to? At the end of the day, she was the actress! For now she would have to play nice. Damn!

Frank informed Ross that there will be no more trouble from Selina but added that the PR Manager needed to keep a tab on her appearances.

‘Actresses!’ Frank said to Joe in the car. ‘The more you give them the more they want.’

Joe looked into his mirror. ‘Yes boss.’ He knew how and when to answer.

There was a knock on the car window, Frank let it slide down.

‘Thanks.’ Ross said, looking into the car.

Ross was one of Frank’s favourite directors. He wasn’t into the power game; instead he worked hard, but on movies he chose. Rumour had it he was divorced, with leftover problems but Frank never listened to gossip. If he needed to investigate, he did it himself.

‘Don’t mention it. What’s next?’ Frank enquired.

‘We are full on. Not long before we finish here and move on to a new movie set in Europe.’

‘You ever take a break?’

‘No I don’t.’ Ross frowned. ‘Are you saying I need to?’

‘No, I am saying nothing man! Where about in Europe?’

‘We are filming in Budapest. It’s in Hungary. Only a week’s work on the Silver Road Journey.’ Ross said. He was always excited about starting a new movie – a new challenge and a new experience.

‘Hungary?’ A sudden rush of memories flooded Frank’s mind.

‘We should’ve started filming ages ago, but the set we want to use was already taken by another film company.’ Ross explained. ‘Frees up next week but only for a limited time, so we need to be there.’

‘Hungary seems to be very popular lately.’ Frank said, deep in thought.

‘Yeah, they built some great film sets and we can hire them for a very reasonable budget.’

‘I agree; it’s a striking country.’

‘Have you been there Frank?’ Ross asked interested.

‘Yeah, many years ago.’