Chapter VI: On Location
The location for the film shoot was a country house in the Home Counties about two hours drive away from Beverley's home. However, as she was expected to be ready for work by 8:00 am, Beverley decided to drive down the night before and find somewhere to stay locally for the duration of the shoot. The standard expenses of £40 a day wouldn't cover the cost but she was just treating the whole thing as a slightly unusual holiday. Her first night at a local hostelry was uneventful and the following morning, wearing a fairly demure outfit and dark glasses, she presented herself at the gatehouse of the country house. The security guard carefully checked her pass against a list before waving her through.
As she drove up the winding driveway a magnificent restored Georgian house came into few. Obviously the owners were trying to recoup some of the colossal running costs by hiring the premises out to the film company. There were already at least a dozen cars parked as well as several caravans for use as dressing rooms and for catering. There didn't appear to be anyone about so Beverley opened a side door and went into the house. Hearing voices upstairs she began to ascend a beautiful carpeted staircase; a handsome man of about twenty-five wearing a dressing gown came out of one of the bedrooms. He smiled when he saw Beverley.
'Hi, I'm Dave, am I fucking you today?'
'Sorry no, I'm not in the film; just an assistant.'
'Oh you must be the fluffer, Jimmy told me he'd hired a woman with really nice tits.' He paused and looked at her closely; Beverley realised he was mentally undressing her.
'Well, I look forward to seeing them later.'
Beverley walked on along the landing and pushed open one of the bedroom doors. Inside a camera crew was setting up to do a film sequence. A man and a woman were lounging on a bed in their dressing gowns surrounded by a group of at least five technicians. Two of them were arranging lighting while a third hung a microphone boom over the scene. Beverley recognised the film camera man from her screen test. A man sitting in the director's chair turned as she entered.
'Hello Brenda', he greeted her. 'Glad to see you decided to come. 'Brenda meet two of the stars of our film Julia and Mark. Everyone; Brenda is our fluffer on this shoot.'
The directors turned his attention back to his actors.
'Quiet everyone, this is a sound and lighting rehearsal', the assistant director shouted.
Beverley watched as the couple, still wearing their dressing gowns, went through what was the prelude to the real scene when they would engage in prolonged and varied sexual intercourse. After three rehearsals the director was satisfied.
'Ok Julia and Mark, let's move on to blocking out your moves for the sex.'
He glanced round at Brenda.
'You're a bit overdressed darling; we might all need a bit of inspiration soon. Jean, show her where the set dressing room is.'
Jean, who turned out to be the continuity girl, took her across the corridor to yet another bedroom. A woman of about thirty glanced round at them as they entered then turned her attention back to the full length mirror in which she was examining her naked body.
'Jean, who's doing body make up today?' she enquired.
'It's Bill Finch, I believe', she replied.
'Oh good, he's gay isn't he? I do so hate being touched up by those straight makeup guys', she said, addressing her remarks vaguely in Beverley's direction. 'I'm Angela Harlow as I expect you know.'
Beverley did indeed recognise her; she was a very popular 'page three' girl and had been scandalously associated with a number of minor politicians and pop stars.
'I'm working with Dave Marshall today; do you know what he's like? Again her remark was addressed to Beverley.
'No not really, I just met him on the landing; he's about twenty-five I think.'
'Good, they need to be young to keep up with me. Who are you fucking?'
Again Beverley had to explain her role on the set.
'I don't think you'll have much to do on my set, the guys don't usually have any trouble getting a stiffy when I'm around', Angela said dimissively.
Beverley began to undress.
'What do fluffers usually wear?' she enquired of Jean.
'Nothing at all usually; just slip on a light dressing gown while you're waiting around', Jean replied before leaving her to get ready.
When she had undressed Beverley returned down the corridor to the film set. On the way she met Dave Marshall again.
'Wow, you're not just a pretty face are you; how come you're not in the film?'
Beverley smiled but didn't bother to reply.
'Don't I get to see them?' Dave asked as she continued on along the corridor.