Amy Brashear - The Incredible True Story of the Making of the Eve of Destruction

“Act natural,” Tyson told DJ Crazy Bob from 95.6.

DJ Crazy Bob actually did a pretty good impression of Governor Clinton. It made the governor from the twenty-fifth state laugh.

“My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes,” DJ Crazy Bob said (mimicking Governor Clinton) with a laugh (That was an actual thing that President Reagan said to lighten the mood; however, he was broadcast over the radio on August 11, 1984 and later leaked to the general public), which made us laugh but not the director, who was in a mood. He was even biting his nail and had sweat on his brow. He seemed nervous or worried. And since I was a constant worrier, I was now worried too.

There were a few practice takes with Tyson stepping in for the director and telling the radio host to “ham it up—embrace your southern drawl.”

Once Tyson got the approval from the director, they decided to put it on film.

“Quiet on the set. Quiet on the set. And action!”

INT. RADIO STATION—MORNING

GOVERNOR HOLT’s voice is heard over the radio.

Civil Defense sirens sound.

Civil Defense sirens continue to sound.

That would be the only take. Governor Clinton’s security detail started talking to their wrists, and he was whisked away. No one said why. We asked too.

At least I did.

The director wasn’t happy, and he voiced his displeasure. He said we were done for the day with a few expletives and headed off the set and to his car, where his driver burned rubber down Main Street. As did the state troopers with the governor. There was a cloud of dust in their way as they headed not in the direction of Little Rock.

Well, if in fact a Red Warning occurs today, we certainly got a beautiful day for it.

The sunny skies and pleasant temperatures for this June day make standing in the middle of Main Street more agreeable while waiting for tensions to rise. If it happens, if the crisis does happen, then there’s a slight possibility The Chronicle will not publish tomorrow. But we will try.

It was my day to die. It was cold, and the sun wasn’t out yet. The only lights were the ones from the car and a few streetlamps. We pulled into the fairgrounds. Trailer lights were on, and people were running around in a frenzy. Off to the side was a semi with a couple of rides, and the Ferris wheel was being worked on by a crew. The Christmas Festival was to start a week after the movie crew departed. I couldn’t wait to ride the Ferris wheel. It was the only ride I liked to ride.

Dennis was stopped at the gate and was asked his name by a man with a clipboard.

“Just dropping off my kids,” he said.

“Names, sir?” the man asked. “We’ve been having a lot of people trying to get on set, and their names aren’t on the list.”

“Terrence Jennings and Laura Ratliff,” Dennis said.

“Got them,” the man said, checking Terrence’s name and then checking mine with his pencil.

Dennis pulled up a little. He wasn’t allowed to go past the gate.

“You two be good and shine,” Mom said as I opened the door.

“We will, Edna,” Terrence said.

“You two have a ride home?” Dennis asked.

“We’ll find one,” I said.

“The last day,” Mom said. “I didn’t think we’d make it.”

“We love you both,” Dennis said.

“We love you too,” I said.

I closed the door and walked around the car.

BOOM.

The earth shook, and I grabbed Terrence’s coat to keep my balance. His knees buckled and we almost went down.

“Just Skeet,” Tyson said, meeting us at the gate. “He’s going a little overboard with the pyrotechnics.”

BOOM.

“Just you wait until this morning—he’s going to rock this area,” he said, looking at his watch.

Skeet’s big explosion was going to be set off at exactly 10 a.m. Director Edman was a very method director. If the script said 10 a.m., it was going to be 10 a.m. when they said “action.” Like it made any difference.

BOOM.

“And if you’re wondering, yes, neighbors have complained, but we gave them money for their troubles. Who doesn’t like money?”

“How much money?” Terrence asked.

“Ten bucks,” Tyson said.

“That’s all to be away from your house for a few hours?” I asked.

“The whole day,” he said. “Most took our offer. Everyone on the mountain did.”

“So there’s not going to be anyone on the mountain besides us?” I asked.

“That’s right.”

BOOM.

“A lot of people decided to become extras, so they’re getting paid extra if they decide to look like victims. The makeup crew is on hyperdrive.”

Tyson started the engine to the golf cart.

BOOM.

“And people are actually shaving off their hair,” he said. “Grown men and women, not just people your age. Seventy-five dollars must seem like a lot of money for you people.”

“Hey,” I said.

“I know, low blow, sorry.”

“Yeah, sure you are.”

“Yeah, I’m not. Soon I’ll be out of these boondocks. ’Cause honestly, it’s hell here. I needed to run an errand and had to drive thirty minutes to get to civilization, and they didn’t even have what I was looking for. Could order it, but come on, the pony express was probably faster.”

“Hey,” Terrence said.

“What?” Tyson asked. “Come on. Being told to turn left after the fourth cow is not normal.”

BOOM.

Tyson slammed on the brakes in front of Kitty’s trailer.

“But I’ll sure miss you guys,” Tyson said.

I started laughing, but he was being serious.

“I thought you were telling one of those jokes that I don’t get,” I said. “Like your face.” I smiled.

“Harharhar.”

BOOM.

“If Skeet doesn’t watch it, he’s going to destroy the whole area,” Terrence said.

“A bomb will only improve your little town,” Tyson said.

“We can say it. You can’t,” I said.

“But you agree?” Tyson asked.

“I didn’t say that.”

Tyson smiled.

BOOM.

We were going to look like an American flag up on that mountain. Raymond had me in a blue dress while the boys were wearing red. Astrid would be dead. Exactly no one else wanted to be an extra up on the mountain. Everyone wanted to be part of the walking dead.

“Dylan will be filming you from behind, so I’m thinking a braid,” Kitty said, brushing my hair. “And makeup light,” she added, taking the pink eye shadow and dabbing it with a brush on my eyelid.

The door opened and then quickly shut. “Well, hello there, Laura,” Astrid said, taking off her coat.