Role of a Lifetime
By: Kenneth Kirk
(© 2021 by the author)

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kkirk@tickiestories.us

Chapter 9

When we entered the living room, the mortified look on Dad’s face and the cat calls, whoops, and applause from the others in the room made it clear everyone knew what had happened in the bedroom.  I’m sure I was as red-faced as Brant, but we gamely endured the heckling.  In the middle of the ovation, Brant took my hand and led me in a bow.  When the noise died down, he announced, “There will be no curtain call tonight,” which reanimated our audience for a couple of minutes.

Conscious of the clock and impending twilight on the balcony, David called for attention to go over a couple of points before we began filming the discussion between the detective and Marty.  Aaron only has a few lines at the end of the scene, but they are pivotal because he demands the detective find them a safehouse in a secluded cabin somewhere or there will be no testimony.  After promising to let them know during the evening, the cop leaves and the scene ends.

We ran about 10 takes of this scene until David was satisfied.  After the final “Cut!”, he had the actors sit on the couch and he sat on the chair opposite as Rachoud went into the bathroom to pack up his make-up kit while Kenny and Cole fiddled with the equipment a bit before saying good-night and heading out.

“I’m very pleased with the work so far, guys,” David said with a big smile.  “You all seem perfectly cast for your roles.  Brodie, you have great authority with an underlying true concern for these young guys who don’t deserve to be hassled by the mob.  I really appreciate you being with us on this movie.  I know it’s a role far beneath your status, so I am doubly thankful you agreed to it.”

“Frankly, David, having a limited part has been fun to do.  And getting back to work after 4 months at home has been awesome.”

David nodded and smiled.  “Although the pandemic is a true nightmare and disaster for the industry, it’s actually working to our advantage on this little production.  In normal times, I would not have even thought to ask you to do this because I know you’re a very busy A-lister and far outside our budget.”

“I think it’ll be a good production,” Brodie said.  “And I’m proud to be associated with it.  Although I have to say, today’s scene was a little hard for the father of the co-star.”

Everyone chuckled. 

“Well, Brodie,” David stood, “there’s no need to take any more of your time.”

“Sure.” Dad stood and shook hands with Brant and me.  Nodding towards David, he said, “I’ll look forward to shaking hands with you at next year’s Oscars, David.”

David grinned widely.  “Let’s hope so!”

Dad departed and we all sat back down.

“Brant, thanks for suggesting Brodie.  He was absolutely perfect for the part and will be a good draw at the box office.”

“He really enjoyed it, too, David,” I said.  “He’s been visibly excited ever since we first talked about it.”

“Not as visibly excited as our star here, I hope,” David smirked and giggled.

“Shit,” Brant grinned.  “This was one long, hard day of filming.”  I knew he was fully aware of the double meaning in his words.

“Yes,” I nodded.  “Long and, uhm, very hard.”

“Do we have any beer in your fridge, Brant?” David inquired.

Brant smiled and rose from the couch.  In a moment he was back with 3 frosty bottles of Amstel Light.

“You guys were awesome today,” David said.  He took a long slug of beer.  “Your chemistry is about 80% of the foundation of the movie and it was stellar today.  I know there’s a very high level of sexuality in the movie, but you guys will earn great reviews if you can maintain this level of chemistry throughout.  If you do, we will have a hit on our hands and we might wind up nominated for Oscars.”

“That’s cool, David,” Brant (pictured) responded quickly. 

I just stared at David for a moment.  “Do you really think we have a shot at Academy Awards?”

“It’s almost impossible to predict the Oscar noms, but I think this movie will speak loudly to anyone from any minority and to anyone who likes unconventional romance or suspense.  And the quality of performances you two, as well as Brodie, are giving, well, that will put us on the Academy’s radar.  Especially when we’ll be one of the first films to release that was filmed during the pandemic.  That will get us extra notice.”

“Wow,” I nodded and sipped my beer.

“Remember, Sky, in recent years Moonlight won Best Picture while Brokeback and Call Me By Your Name were nominated.  Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor and Heath, Jake, and Michele were all nominated.”

“That’s really cool,” I responded.

“See, bud, we could do it, too,” Brant said.  “Why not Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Picture?”

We all giggled at the possibility.

“We have a lot going for us,” David concluded.  “One more thing before we call it a day.  You guys crossed a line today personally.  I thought it was inevitable from the day we cast you, Sky, but it has come.”

I hung my head in shame.

“I’m in no way criticizing you.  Either of you.”

Brant poked me in the ribs with his elbow.  “Don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed, Sky.  I certainly don’t and, well, it was a bigger line for me to cross than for you, now, wasn’t it?”

“I guess so.”

“But I want to caution you before we go any further,” David continued.  “I’ve seen couples before who started a fling or affair while filming together.  Lots of great movies are made under those conditions and this one is likely to follow that pattern.  That would be fine with me and, in truth, the film will probably be better thanks to that special type of connection.  However, when I made Tinder Moments a couple of years ago, the stars, Julia Aguilar and Samuel Youngblood started seeing each other during rehearsals and everything had an extra spark.  But, by the time we were about halfway through the filming, Julia broke it off and started seeing Stone Wellington, who she later married.  Samuel didn’t take well to that and their scenes together became increasingly stilted because they hated working together.  Partially as a result of their breakup, the movie isn’t as good as the script or production or other acting should make it.  Critics panned both of them and it has hurt both careers and undoubtedly reduced our profits a lot.”

“So, you’re saying Sky has to keep sucking my dick for the whole production?” Brant smirked.

“Oh my god!” I cried as heat flew up my face and threatened to ignite my hair.  As Brant and David chuckled, I fought to regain my dignity.  When I recovered a bit, I punched Brant’s swollen bicep and said, “After that remark, I think BJ’s will occur only in your dreams.”

Realizing what I was suggesting, the beautiful actor looked at me with a seriousness he hadn’t had earlier.  Taking my hand, he said pleadingly, “Aw, baby-kins, don’t be like that.”

“Well, I might be persuaded if you promise me you will never again call me baby-kins.”

He grinned and leaned in for a kiss, pursing his lips and whimpering.

I pecked his lips and turned toward David. 

“O-kay!” our director exclaimed.  “I just want to say I would be eternally grateful and prone to do anything I can to boost your careers if you protect your chemistry.  Whether you maintain the sexual connection throughout the filming or even longer is certainly up to you.  But, please do not be mean to each other.  Don’t cause any hurt.  Let it be a couple of months that you can get really into each other while we’re quarantining together in the woods up north.  If you do that, this movie will take both your careers up a notch or two.”

Brant looked at me, his expression now very sober.  “I promise to be fair and truthful to you as much as I know how, Sky.”

I squeezed his hand and rewarded him with a smile.  “Me, too, Brant.  I don’t expect forever here, but a couple of months could be a great thing.”

He clinked his beer against mine and nodded.  We each took a sip and looked back at David.

David smiled at us.  “Don’t let any problems build up, okay?”

We nodded.

“Okay.  Get some rest tomorrow and we’ll start rehearsing the balcony scene Monday.  Be here at 9:00, Sky.”  David drained his Amstel.

Brant and I nodded.  David stood and walked to the door.  “Leave your costume here, Sky.  We may use it again.”

“Sure.  Have a good weekend.”

“Likewise,” he said as he closed the door behind him.

Still holding my hand, Brant said in a soft voice, “I meant what I said to David.  I will always protect your feelings, Sky.  I care about you and I would never forgive myself if I hurt you while we’re making this amazing movie.”  We exchanged a smile and his eyes began to twinkle for a moment before he went on.  “Thanks for taking care of me this afternoon.”

I grinned and licked my lips wantonly.  “I loved every minute of it.”  I paused.  “I mean, every second of it.”  I laughed while he took a beat to get my point before breaking up, too.

“That was the quickest I’ve ever cum in my life.”  He looked at me with some degree of amazement, I think.  “And, it was probably the hardest ejaculation I’ve had.  Fuck, it was powerful.”

“I would agree to that.  I think I have the bruises in my esophagus to prove it.”

Each of us tittered.

“On that note, I think I’ll change back into my clothes and head home for Violet’s leftovers.”

*******         

When I got home, Mom and Dad were just finishing their dinner.  Graciously, they stayed at the table while Violet reheated a plate for me.  Tonight was one of my favorites: Chicken fried steak, twice-baked potatoes, bar-be-que beans, and coleslaw.

We talked mostly about today’s filming with Dad taking the lead while I concentrated on eating.  Thankfully, Dad did not mention the not-so-subtle relief I gave Brant in the bedroom.  When Mom asked if he thought the film would be a success, my ears perked up to get his opinion when not influenced by David’s presence.

“I do, Rachel.  According the director David Dawson, the young stars are doing an excellent job and he thinks the movie might even earn some Academy nods.”

“That’s wonderful!” she said, turning toward me.  “I hope the critics will agree with the director.  Sometimes they see quality a little differently, so don’t let your hopes get too high.”

“I love working with David, Mom.  He lets us try a lot of different things and says they’ll decide when they edit exactly which take they want.  It’s all very natural and feels like a collaboration rather than an autocratic director telling you every little detail about your performance.  Working with Brant is fantastic and sharing a scene with Dad today was great.”

“Did he do well, Brodie?”

Dad smiled a bit wickedly at me and said, “Yes, he played his role very well.  It seemed quite natural to him.”

When Mom turned to look at me, Dad wiggled his eyebrows and twirled an imaginary mustache like Snidely Whiplash as he ties Polly Purebred to the rails in front of the 10:14 to Laramie.

“I’m proud of you, son,” Mom said as Dad twirled his imaginary mustache again.

“It’s pretty natural for me, Mom.  After all, I’m playing a gay college student who wants to protect his incredibly hot boy-friend from the mob.  That’s exactly what I would do if I had an incredibly hot boy-friend being chased by the mob.”

Mom and Dad both chuckled.

“He and Brant have amazing chemistry,” Dad added with a wiggle of his nose.

“That always helps,” Mom agreed. 

We were all silent for a moment before Mom asked.  “Wasn’t it David Dawson who directed that awful rom-com a couple of years ago where the stars couldn’t stand each other?”

“Yes,” I answered eager to deflect the conversation from me.  “Tinder Moments with Julia Aguilar and Samuel Youngblood.”

“So it was,” she nodded.  “I didn’t waste my $15 to see it, but I’ve heard it nearly tanked both their careers.  I mean, have they done anything since?”

“I think Julia was in some horror flick last year where she was the first coed killed by the handyman,” Dad said.

“Samuel had a pretty big role in the final season of The Zombies of Minneapolis last year,” I added.

“My point,” Mom said with conviction.  “They messed up a staring turn in a perfectly good rom-com and now they’re a zombie and a victim of a serial killer.  I mean, usually the first victim doesn’t even have any lines except ‘No!’”  She laughed.  “No chemistry required for those parts.”

We all laughed as Mom stood up from the table with Dad a beat behind her.  Tired from the day, I stood, too.

“Anyone care for an after-dinner drink?” Dad asked.

“Thank you, Darling, but I am heading upstairs to call my sister.”

“Of course.  Tell Rosemary hello from me.”

“Me, too,” I added.  I turned to Dad.  “I would love a brandy,” I said.

To be continued...

Posted: 09/03/2020