Chapter 2: Chapter 2

The sound stage was much quieter than Rome liked. Often, when a movie was being filmed, the down time between shoots was full of incidental noise. Workers in the background preparing the next set. The technicians moving their equipment. The chatter of other cast members as they discussed the upcoming scene or simply sat around carrying on a conversation. Today, since Rome was the only one on the set other than a robot, it was relatively quiet. Even the next set being constructed mimicked the soft pitter patter of rain rather than the torrential downpour he would’ve normally been listening to.

Sitting in his chair off to the side, holding his script, he peered off in the distance, not really focusing on anything. He certainly wasn’t going over the lines he had coming up in the next scene since he’d memorized all of them weeks ago, and there was nothing challenging about what he had to do or say. Making a movie about a detective who gets fired for not being good at his job who then partners up with a robot to figure out who stole an elderly woman’s necklace at a fundraiser wasn’t exactly the riveting, deep, emotional drama Rome was hoping to be making. Now that Henry owned the studio, who knew what kind of idiotic B rated movies he’d be making?

The last movie he’d made, the one that he’d been so proud of, was still in edits, but it was scheduled to be released early the next year. He truly hoped that movie might get him some award nominations. But… if this movie, Cop with a Side of Robot, continued to pick up press releases, thanks to its ridiculous plot and lack of budget, there was a good chance his chances of finally being taken seriously in this industry, of getting the recognition he knew he deserved, would get lost in the laughs over CSR, as it was called for short.

Even the director of CSR, Jeannie Stokes, who had worked with Verona Productions for many years before Henry purchased the studio, was annoyed at how stupid the script was. Rome could see her across the sound stage, attempting to give direction to the person controlling Bob, the robot, about how he needed to move in the next scene, but if it was anything like what had happened the last few shoots, Rome would spend the entire shoot trying to dodge around the radio-controlled, trash-can-shaped behemoth that was way too big and way too ridiculous looking to ever do detective work in real life--should robots even exist for that purpose.

Rome’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling his eyes away from Jeannie’s frustrated face, he glanced down to see that it was Ella. The thought of her brought a smile to his lips. Most of the time when she called while he was at work, he wasn’t able to answer because he was too busy on set, but since he’d been sitting in his chair for most of the day, he had all the time in the world to take her call. Hopefully, she’d have something uplifting to say.

“Hi, beautiful,” he said, still smiling as he anticipated the sound of her melodic voice.

“Hi.” Ella’s voice didn’t sound melodic at all. In fact, she didn't even sound cheerful. Rome’s smile faded as he tried to guess what might be bothering her. Before he could ask, she blurted, “It’s happening.”

At first, he wasn’t sure what she might be talking about, but then he realized that she meant Henry. He must’ve called her. He wasn’t on set today, which was typically a good thing, but the idea that he wasn’t there because he was making plans with Rome’s wife didn’t sit well with Rome either. “When?” he asked.

“Tomorrow evening.” She still didn’t sound at all happy as she let out a deep sigh. “I figured I should schedule it for as soon as possible without sounding like I had nothing better to do so that I didn’t chicken out. He’s not there is he?”

Even though he was sure Henry wasn’t on set, Rome’s eyes flickered across the sound stage again. “No, he’s not. I know you’re not excited, El, but this is actually a good thing. You can get it over with.”

“Be careful about saying my name,” she warned.

“Don’t worry. No one is here. At all. I even sent Peter home.” Peter was his assistant. He was a good guy, but he always felt obligated to attempt to carry on a conversation with Rome, and since he’d rather sit there and stew than pretend to be friendly, he had let the guy go home. It had taken some convincing. Peter was almost as devoted to his work as Rome was--when he was acting instead of running around with a bumbling robot.

Ella was quiet for a second. “Good grief. What are you working on today?”

“Not much. Just waiting for the new set to be ready so Bob and I can record our next earth shattering interaction.” He rolled his eyes, not that she could see. “I’m sure you’re nervous about going out with him, but I know you can do this.” The fact that he was doing his best to pep his wife up for a date with another man was almost as absurd as the painted, upside down Styrofoam cups glued onto Bob’s middle that were supposed to represent buttons. Really, what was the budget for this movie?

“I know,” Ella said, blowing out more hot air. “I’m just… freaking out about it. That’s all. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Besides, it sounds like I need to press my plan into overdrive or you’re going to have to make nine more blockbusters like the one you’re working on now.”

The thought of having to do this nine more times--or even one more time--made Rome’s stomach churn. The next movie would be even worse because other people had a choice as to whether or not they signed on to make the next movie, which meant they’d never get another good director, like Jeannie. Why in the world Henry thought it prudent to waste so much money in an attempt to ruin his career, Rome couldn’t understand. But at the same time, across the lot, on another sound stage, Caron’s studio was filming another movie that was bound to be one of the most popular movies released in the next year. So… he’d make enough money off of that movie to continue to make shitty movies like this one and plug Rome in as the star. It was a brilliant, devious, maniacal plan. And it needed to be stopped. Sooner, rather than later.

“Maybe my next project will have vampire kittens or librarian ninjas,” he muttered under his breath. “You’ll be all right, El. I’m not any more excited about you spending time with Caron than you are, but I do support and appreciate your plan.”

“I know,” she said. “But I need to take my time. If I get into too much of a rush, he’ll sniff out what I’m trying to do. He can’t be expecting it at all.”

“I understand that.” They’d talked about all of this before. Rome sighed and ran a hand through his hair, not sure what else to say. He’d already said everything he could to try to reassure her.

“I know you’re right. And I know I have to do it.” She was quiet for a second. Rome said nothing, not sure what to say. “And I know I can do it. I just… wanted to tell you.”

“I’m glad you did.” Actually, that wasn’t true. He wished she would’ve waited until he got home. Or until the next day, right before it happened. Then, he wouldn’t have to think about that sleazy Frenchman dating his wife for the next twenty-four plus hours. “What are you going to do with the rest of your day?”

“I don’t know. I have some things to work on for Montage. I really just want to paint, though. Or go see Fae.”

“Fae will try to talk you out of seeing Henry.” Fae had already tried to dissuade the two of them from going through with that part of their plan, saying nothing good could come from it, and while it was hard to ignore someone of her age and wisdom, ultimately, Ella and Rome had made up their minds that vengeance was sweet, and they needed a taste of it.

“I haven’t told her I’m going along with that bit yet. She doesn’t know.”

Somehow, Rome doubted that. Fae might be ninety-five years old, but she was sharper than the unfiled edge on Bob’s tin can head. Seeing no point in mentioning that now, he said, “Well, whatever you decide to do, try not to think about Henry, and have a good afternoon.” There wasn’t any particular reason why he needed to hang up at the moment. A glance at the set told him they were far from getting things arranged. He could just walk out of the sound stage right now, say he was done for the day, and that probably wouldn’t mess up their schedule. But he wouldn’t do that to Jeannie. Staying on the phone with Ella was also not an option at the moment since he didn’t want to talk about Henry, and there was no way they could talk about anything else at the moment.

“Thanks,” Ella said, her voice flat. “You, too.”

“I’m… sure I will.” Rome wished he could pick Bob up and beat himself over the head with the aluminum facade. At least then one of them would be out of his misery. Maybe both of them.

“I love you,” Ella said.

Despite how terrible Rome felt about the rest of the world at the moment, those words helped. “I love you, too.” He hung up and put his phone back in his pocket, his eyes flitting back over to the set. They were nowhere near ready to go. Deciding that pretending to study his lines was no longer an option, he got up, headed outside for some fresh air and a new perspective. There was no way he could do this for nine more movies. If Ella’s plan wasn’t successful, he’d either lose his mind, or run away from home again. He’d have to do something because this just wasn’t working.

Outside, Rome took some deep breaths, wishing he could be breathing in the clean, salty ocean air near his home instead of the warm, polluted air of the city. He walked along the back of the building for a bit, lost in his thoughts. Before he knew where he’d gone, he heard the noise of a battle leaking out of a door to the large sound stage he’d come to a stop in front of. The door was slightly ajar, so he looked in without going too close. This had to be where Henry was filming the superhero film he actually planned to make money off of.

Inside, he could see two well-known actors attached to harnesses, laughing between takes as they tried to get their battle scene correct. They were wearing familiar costumes, one in red and blue, the other in a dark green that denoted he was the bad guy. Rome shook his head and stepped away. He would’ve given anything to be in that movie instead of the ridiculous one he was stuck filming now. Slowly, he started to drift back toward his own sound stage.

Behind him, he heard footsteps and turned to see Henry and one of his many assistants coming out of the building. Henry was barking orders at the man in French. Rome had no idea what he was saying, but it sounded as if the fellow had either screwed something up, or Henry just assumed he would screw up whatever he was supposed to do next if he didn’t get handled very harshly to begin with.

Since he had absolutely nothing constructive to say to Henry Caron, Rome turned back around and continued walking, hoping not to be noticed. His dream shattered when Henry shouted his name. “Verona!”

With a deep breath and the slip of a swear word between his lips, Rome turned, not smiling, but also trying not to throw daggers at the bastard with his eyes. “Caron,” he said as Henry closed the distance between them. If he expected a handshake, he could go to hell.

Henry stopped a few feet away from him, his hands deep in the pockets of his expensive dress pants. “Why are you out here? Aren’t you filming today?”

“Bob is having issues,” Rome explained. “You’d know that if you gave a damn about that crappy movie.”

Henry snickered, clearly glad that he had gotten under Rome’s skin. Rome needed to try harder to hide his anger. “I check in, but Jeannie seems to have things under control most of the time.”

Deciding no response was better than the only response that sprang to mind, which was riddled with curse words, Rome only nodded, wishing Henry would go ahead and slither away now, maybe find a rock to die under.

“I’m seeing a friend of yours tomorrow night.” He made his announcement with a devilish grin. Rome felt his stomach roll over. A friend? Is that what she was now?

Of course, Henry had no idea he was actually seeing Rome’s wife the next night, and he wasn’t about to tell him, either. She’d gone to such great lengths to keep this man from recognizing her, even changing her voice when she spoke to him. Rome had to play ignorant. “Who’s that?” he asked, hoping he could resist the urge to punch him in the face once he answered.

“Juliet Montague. You know her, yes?”

Rome nodded. “I do. I helped her get her business going, but we hardly stay in touch.” All lies, obviously, though Rome had disassociated himself from Montage as soon as Ella had it running independently, which hadn’t taken long at all. If she were to have a chance to carry out her plan to get back at Henry completely, Rome couldn’t be a part of it, not on paper anyway. “How is she? I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“She’s great,” Henry said. “Beautiful as ever. Busy as hell. But she makes time for me.”

It was easy for Rome to smile at that since he knew that was an even bigger lie than the few Rome had told. “Great to hear. She’s a good person, I think. I certainly appreciate the fact that Ella was her inspiration to get into graphic design. That’s why I agreed to help her.”

“Yes, Ella was quite an inspiration to everyone who knew her well. Like we did.” Henry held Rome’s eyes for a moment before dropping his to the ground and shaking his head, the memory of Ella seeming to overwhelm him. It was an act. Rome knew that. And the fact that he’d just alluded to the idea that he knew Ella as well as Rome did was comical. He knew her well enough to not recognize her when he asked her on a date. Yeah, they were practically best friends…. “Anyway, I’ll tell Juliet you said hi if you’d like. I’m taking her out to Chavet.”

“Great. Yeah, that’d be nice, thanks.” Rome didn’t know what else to say at the moment. It was obvious Henry was trying to make it seem as if he and Juliet were dating when Rome knew that wasn’t the case, not yet anyway. What he would do when it was true, he wasn’t sure. He just had to keep reminding himself of the reasons why Ella was doing this. “See you later, boss.” Rome had taken to condescendingly calling Henry “boss” whenever he got a chance, sort of as a reminder that he had no choice but to work for the man.

“You know, Verona, there’ll be a sequel to this movie,” he said, hooking his thumb over his shoulder and gesturing at the sound stage where the superhero film was being shot. “If you do a good job with the one I’ve given you, perhaps we can find you a minor role in the next one.”

“Wow--I’ll… be waiting with bated breath.” He spun around, trying not to roll his eyes where Henry could see and ignored the chuckle that slipped from between the Frenchman’s teeth. Rome hurried back to his own sound stage, praying they were ready to start filming again. When he stepped inside to see Bob was still having issues, he wasn’t surprised at all. It had to be five o’clock somewhere, so he grabbed a drink from his designated area and gulped down too much too quickly, leaving him gassy, uncomfortable, and ready to rid the world of Henry Caron once and for all.

Frenchie was fortunate that Rome wasn’t the sort of person who acted so rashly or else he would find a way to solve this dilemma a lot more quickly than Ella had. A lot more quickly.