I check my image in the pocket sized mirror that I've stuck to the back of my locker door.
My short dark hair is neatly combed, the dark circles around my blackish brown eyes are not noticeable. There isn't a speck of make up on my brown skin because I don't bother with them. I have applied only enough lip balm to prevent my lips from getting chapped.
In the small mirror I can only see up to the collar of my black uniform.
I sigh and close my locker before setting my 5'10" frame straight. I run my hands once to straighten any unwanted creases in my already ironed uniform. My name tag is straight, I have the baton and taser clipped to my left, close to my dominant hand and my radio to my right. My jet black uniform is stainless and my work boots are shiny.
Working as the head of security in an acting studio that deals with the biggest names in the industry has its demands. You need to be presentable at all times. You need to be fluid in your communications. You should be confident enough to instill confidence in others. You need to be patient enough to tolerate the careless attitude from the bratty celebrities. You need to be strong enough to fend off the paparazzi when they are circling the studio like hawks or sneaking into the parking lot like thieves, with the sole purpose of catching the actors unawares in their personal moments. Then there are rabid fans. Most of them are okay but a few are willing to break all rules only to attract their idols' attention.
It is my job as the head of the security to manage and direct my team at all times to stop any unwanted incident. It is in my work description to stop any potentially damaging photos to be snapped that could end up on the front page of the tabloids or go viral on the social networking sites. You would think that's the job of the PR teams but then you would be wrong. The PR team comes into play only when such things have already happened. They control the damage and mitigate the consequences but not before several security personnel such as myself lose their jobs.
I don't dislike my job. On site, I'm constantly on my toes, surveying potential threats. I have to stay alert. I have to constantly monitor my team members. It's a good exercise for my mind and body and I love challenges. Also, it takes up most of my time and I have less time to feel lonely... but that's beside the point.
There are downsides of my job too. For one, I need to control the filthy rich celebrities and their wayward whims that could land them and myself in trouble. I have to bear with their tantrums when they don't have their way. It's a thankless job. You get cursed at by the fans, the paps and the actors themselves and the management don't really care unless you really screw up. Then they all blame you.
I have another job on the side for weekends. I teach martial arts, something which people love to call self defense. But being a woman is not for the best in this business. Men often find it degrading to learn the arts of attack and defense from a woman. Most of my students are teenage girls learning how to ward off potential molesters and rapists. It is fine by me, at least I'm doing something good.
After 5 years of service in the army, people would think I would find a job with better prospects. Well, to be honest, people do think that my job at Dreamway Studios is great. It is, if I consider the finances. Job satisfaction is a different thing though.
Today is just another day for me. I know exactly what is going to happen. The call time is at 10 but only the director, the intern and the lead actress will show up. The rest will show up at least an hour later after a few phone calls have been made and countless expletives have been yelled at no one in particular and yet, at everyone. Then slowly and steadily, the shooting will start and to make up for the lost time, they will drag their shooting until three at night. Then they will wrap up and head home, scheduling another call time at 10 tomorrow and the story will repeat itself.
We, on the other hand, will oversee the janitors lock everything up and reach home at four in the morning. Then we have to be back by nine to oil the machinery that won't even start running in hours. Of course the boys in my team are nice and they often offer to make sure the place is locked up prim and proper, so that I can go home early but I don't take up on their offer because it sets a bad precedence... and may be also because I'm a control freak.
I meet Charlie on my way out. He is a cheerful man and I'm glad that he is my assistant. Don't let the broad smile on his face fool you. He can be really strict when he wants to be and he knows how to keep the newbie watchmen in line. He is older than me by seven years but I beat him to the top because of my experience. To his credit, he took it sportingly. That's Charlie, a good man and a team player. I know if one guy will ever have my back, it would be him.
"Hi Ari!" he greets me with a smile, like every day.
Smiling isn't my strong suit. In fact, showing any emotion on my face is something I'm not comfortable with. Still I give him a smile. "Hi Charles."
He huffs in response. I know calling him Charles pisses him off and that I'm being a bitch. "Come on, I told ya, no one but my mother calls me that."
I grin. I love getting a rise out of him. He knows it too.
"Anyway boss, what's the plan today?"
This is why I like him. He's playful and jolly but thoroughly professional. No wonder he is a "guy's guy" as people call him.
"You patrolled the parking lot until 2 last night, so you man the CCTV rooms today with Jonas."
"Come on," he whines, albeit playfully, "not with Jonas. Please. Let me patrol the lots instead, I don't mind."
There is a reason why Charlie doesn't want to be in the same rule with Jonas. In fact none of the boys do. Jonas is a first class son of a bitch who should have been fired a long time back... Selfish and a back stabber. We have lost count of how many times we have been in a pickle because Jonas wanted to play the hero. His behaviour is even worse. Sloppy and complacent, he thinks he's too cool for his job. The only thing that bastard has going for him is his looks. With blond hair, blue eyes and shiny milk cream skin, he's the apple of the manager's eye. Also, I once overheard the manager saying that he is pretty good at giving blowjobs. I suppose that's why he still has his job.
I sigh. "If anyone can keep Jonas under check, it's you."
"Don't downplay yourself. You're the leader." He emphasizes on the word 'the' for effect. He looks at me in the eyes to show he means every word.
How can I probably torture him with Jonas after this?
"Okay," I sigh, already feeling tired even before the day has started. "I'll take Jonas with me for patrol. You team up with Tim."
The big smile on his lips is back again. "So it worked."
I frown. "What?"
"Flattering you... It worked." He tries to sound serious but the wink at the end of the sentence is a give away.
"Shut up and get out before I change my mind."
But Charlie understands I'm not serious either. He makes an exaggerated effort to exit the room, like a rat scampering away from a predator.
When I'm out in the lot, I'm already in a better mood.
It is almost close to ten when I finish patrolling the studio grounds once, checking for hidden cameras and making sure that the gates and doors that should remain locked are indeed locked. Then I make a sweep to keep the entry and the exit ways clean. I glance outside. There are only a few youngsters hanging out, probably to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars while they drive in. They seem harmless but I stand close to the gate, just in case.
It's past ten and Jonas is nowhere to be seen. My mood is rapidly deteriorating. Manning an entire studio lot with only four people is tough enough but we have to manage because of the recent downsizing. And now one of them decides to play hooky. I briefly consider pulling Tim out of the camera room but then decide against it. Tim works hard enough. He should rest his legs while he can. If it gets hot out here, may be I'll drag him out.
Also, I'll get that ass Jonas fired. I don't care how many people he has blown to stay afloat, I'm going to sink him today.
(.................................................................................................................................................................)
As predicted, the intern shows up first, followed by the director, then the actress, Tonya Mason.
I have to admit though, of all the celebrities I have handled during my three years of security work, Mason is... different.
