Sorry about the confusion with Chapter 5. Hope you enjoy!
Nicki hung up the phone. She leaned against the counter with a pensive look on her face. "That was T-Paul on the phone."
"What's up with him?" Beth set down the orange juice.
She pulled out a chair and sat down. "Seems that a movie company rented his place for the week and they need extras."
"Really? Who's in it?" Thi asked.
"Don't know. Well, several scenes are gonna be shot out at T-Paul's over the next few days. He needs waitresses."
"Damn. I'm working."
"Me, too," Beth and Alyssa said.
"I'm not," Amy said. "I'll go with you, Nick."
"Great. We have to be there at eight."
"In the morning?" She huffed. "Fine."
*****
Nicki drove out to the bayous south of the city. Amy slept in the passenger seat. She pulled up to her cousin's restaurant. She turned off the engine and sat there.
"Wow. Hey, Ams. Wake up."
"What?" She rubbed her eyes and sat up. "Good Lord. Is this T-Paul's?"
"Yeah. Hollywood has landed."
People were all around: going back and forth between the trailers and the restaurant, standing around and other activities. They slowly exited the car. A man came rushing up to them.
"No. Can't park here."
"We're here for the waitressing job," Amy said.
"Oh. Extras. Park over there." He motioned in the general area and walked off.
"I'll park the car. You go find T-Paul." Amy grabbed the keys.
"Sure." Nicki walked into the restaurant. There was more activity in here than outside. "Hey, Paul. Where you at?"
"Hey, Nicki. Who you got wit you?"
"Just Amy. The others are working. You willingly went into this mess?"
"Yeah. For tree days, dey got ma place."
"Man, it's like a beehive in here," Nicki said as she entered.
A woman walked up to them. "Extras, come with me." Amy and Nicki followed. "Fill out these forms, go through there, your costumes are hanging up. You're needed in fifteen minutes. Someone will come and get you." She walked off.
"Did you get all that?" Nicki whispered.
"A little." They walked into the bathroom and saw the outfits. "Holy shit. She took a deep breath and sucked in her stomach to button the shorts. "Is everyone in Hollywood anorexic? Don't they realize Southern women have hips?"
"Especially Cajuns," Nicki teased.
"Shut up, coonass."
The lady with the clipboard was waiting for them. "Hair and makeup is that way. You," she pointed to Amy. "You're going to be first."
Amy raised her eyebrows at her roommate and walked off. Nicki huffed and went outside. The bar had been deemed a non-smoking zone unless cameras were rolling. She patted her pockets and realized her cigarettes were still inside. She walked up to a guy standing a few feet away.
"Excuse me, you got a cigarette?" He turned and gave her one. He held up his lighter. She inhaled deeply. "Thanks."
"Nervous?" he asked.
"A little. Has anyone ever told you you got gorgeous eyes?"
He laughed. "Never heard that pick-up line from a woman. Joaquin Phoenix."
"Nicki Harris."
"You from here?" His voice adopted a Cajun accent.
"My cousin owns the bar."
He nodded to someone behind her. "Nice to meet you, Nicki. Duty calls."
She watched him walk away. She had to love those jeans. They clung like a second skin. His black shirt was tight, showing off his toned torso. She licked her lips and smiled. Stubbing out her cigarette, she followed him into the semi-warm building.
She stood in the shadows and watched the action. Lines were said. Amy sauntered up to the table, set down the drink and walked away, her hips swaying. Joaquin watched her before turning his attention to the actor in front of him. Nicki narrowed her eyes. Amy was not getting this one.
The director yelled cut. Colin joined Joaquin at the table. "That looks like a tasty little bit," he said, nodding in Amy's direction.
"Found one outside."
"Really? So we don't have to flip a coin?"
The director interrupted them. "Okay, everybody. From the top."
"Jaysus. How do people cope with this heat?" Colin complained.
Amy looked over her shoulder at him as she picked up the glasses. "Wear as little clothing as possible." She strolled back to the bar. He smiled after her.
"I have got to find a bathroom," Amy told Nicki. They had shot the same scene several times.
"Ain't there port potties out back?"
"I'll be puking the rest of the day if I go in there. I'm gonna try to find an open trailer."
"Good luck," she said absently. Amy followed her gaze. She grinned at her friend. "Stay away, Brouchard."
"Wasn't even gonna try. I have a craving for a little Irish." She found the backdoor. The first trailer she came to was open.
Colin looked up when his trailer door opened. His eyebrows raised when a young woman entered. "Something I can help you with, lass?"
Amy jumped. "Holy Mary, don't do that!" She stamped her foot. She looked up to see who scared her. "I'm sorry. They're using the bathrooms for something else, and I really have to go." He pointed the way. "Tanks."
He waited for her to return. "You're one of the waitresses?" She nodded. "Kinda tight on you."
"Not my choice of costumes. Besides, a gentleman wouldn't have pointed out the snugness of my clothes."
A wicked grin played at the corners of his mouth. "I ain't no gentleman. Don't you read the papers?"
An assistant knocked on the door. "You're need on set, Mr. Farrell."
He got up and held the door open for her. "After you."
*****
Amy fanned herself. It was after lunch and starting to get hotter. She could see buckets of sweat pour off everyone, especially the actors. The director was being a sadist and not turning on any fans. She felt a presence behind her. She turned her head to find Colin sitting there.
"Colin Farrell, actor," he said as he stuck out his hand.
A smile tilted up the corner of her mouth. "Amy Brouchard, extra."
He kept her hand and placed a kiss on the back. She felt herself blush. "Would you join me for a drink tonight?"
"Sure."