Gun Brooke - Course of Action

Carolyn placed the clippings on the chair behind them and took Annelie in her arms. "Listen to me, love. You can cry on my shoulder any time you want. As for your father, I don't think we'll ever know his motives for saving these clippings. But I think it's safe to say this is how White made the connection. Perhaps your press coverage sparked his interest and made him think he could pull it off. It wasn't the smartest of plans."

Annelie had to laugh through her tears. "No, it wasn't. I believe they're holding him on several charges." Wiping her cheeks, she moved closer to Carolyn. "I'll just have to accept it—some parents simply don't want to be parents."

"I know. He didn't deserve you. He blew his chances with you a long time ago."

"Somehow I must have known a reconciliation was out of the question, ever since I was little and gave up hope he'd come back. I never tried to find him."

Carolyn didn't say anything but stroked Annelie's back in long, languid movements.

"I had my mother and, later, Margo. I told myself I didn't need a deadbeat dad." Annelie moved, placing her head in Carolyn's lap, pressing her face into the soft fabric of her T-shirt. Carolyn kept up the soothing motion of her hand. "The truth is, if he'd come back…I'd have listened and told him how much I'd missed him. I wouldn't have turned my back on him, even if it had been all about money."

"That's because you've got the biggest of hearts, love," Carolyn whispered. "You're that kind of person."

"He lived in misery. Why didn't he ask me for money when he discovered who I was?"

"Pride, regrets, some shred of honor…who knows, Annie. At least you know that the man who tried this scam wasn't your father. That's always something."

Annelie put her arm around Carolyn's waist, feeling safe and cared for. "Yes," she breathed. "It's something."

***

Carolyn looked up from her script as Helen walked through the door. "How was lunch?"

"Oh, God, you did the right thing, staying here with a sandwich." Helen sat down on the couch with a thud. "Monday. Lunchtime. New York." She made a face. "Ew. It got ugly at the cash register."

"Did you get anything to eat? Want a sandwich? They're actually not bad."

"No, thanks. I managed to get a salad. Next time the kids try to drag me away for lunch, remind me of this."

Laughing, Carolyn promised she would. "I've got a few issues with the big scene between Erica and Maddox that everyone's making such a fuss about."

Helen nodded, reaching into a bag by her feet for her script. "What's your problem?"

"Well, I've done my share of love scenes, and they're not my favorite part of the shooting. I don't like to have the crew there. I'm sure Regina will be sensitive enough to shoot these scenes with a skeleton crew. Still…"

Carolyn regarded Helen carefully, wanting to be sure she understood. "Normally, with a man, we have rehearsal, very schematic, and usually very cut and dried."

"I know," Helen said, "and I really want to get it right. I'm not worried about feeling awkward, since both of our characters are supposed to be reluctant and nervous."

"That's exactly it. When Erica confronts Maddox in her office in the middle of the night, they're both tired and frustrated. Erica's angry, feeling Maddox is running instead of dealing with the obvious attraction. Maddox is angry with herself for being afraid of her own feelings."

"So they kiss, and neither of them can say for certain who started it." Helen dragged a hand through her hair. "As I've already told you, I've kissed a woman once in my life, but it was a very chaste kiss. We didn't deepen it, and I was rather young."

Carolyn was grateful for her candor. "You know I'm with Annelie, but that's where my expertise on the subject ends."

"And? What's your verdict, kissing men versus women?" Helen made a funny face. "Any major difference?"

"Stubble."

Helen's jaw dropped. "What?"

"No stubble, beard, or mustache."

"And that's it? The only difference?"

Carolyn couldn't keep a straight face at the sight of Helen's perplexed look. Laughing, she had to pull a tissue out of her purse and wipe the corners of her eyes. "No, of course not. With Annie, it's softer, gentler, and, because it's her and I love her, it's more passionate and soul-claiming."

"Oh." Helen rubbed the back of her neck. "So is that what we aim for? To make the audience believe in softness, passion…and soul-claiming?"

"Yup, that's it. Think you can handle it, St. Cyr?"

Helen grinned. "I'll damn well try, Black."

"Speaking of Annelie, I believe she and Jem'll be here for a tour soon." Carolyn looked at her watch. "In a few hours, in fact. You must be looking forward to tonight."

"Yes, I am. Wasn't it great how Jem and I discovered our mutual passion for musicals? I've wanted to see Mama Mia for a long time. I was really impressed with how quickly Annelie managed to scare up two tickets on the Internet."

"Yes, I'm starting to think I'll have to buy one of those laptops and learn the basics." Carolyn laughed. "I know, I know, I'm still getting the hang of using the cell phone."

The door opened and a young man poked his head inside. "Regina wants you in the conference room, please. Five minutes."

"We're coming." Helen rose from the couch, taking her bag with her. "I need to do something important before rehearsal." She pulled out a toothbrush and gave Carolyn a smug grin. "I come prepared!"

***

Annelie watched Carolyn exchange some final words with Regina and then say goodbye. The studio was quiet.

Carolyn walked up to her, her eyes shining with excitement. "They looked at the dailies, and Regina is thrilled with what we did today. That's pretty rare with her. She's usually hard to please. Seems Helen and I nailed it."

"I'm happy for you, but not surprised."

"You're biased." Carolyn looked around the empty set and then kissed her gently on the cheek. "I'll just go change into my own clothes. I can remove the makeup later. The girls have all gone home." Checking her watch, she frowned. "It can't be that late."

"Your watch is on Maddox time. It's almost midnight."

"Late enough. I'm not very tired yet—I must still be on a high. You ready to get out of here?"

"Don't change yet. I want to see you in your office as Maddox. I haven't seen much of the shooting."

Carolyn cocked her head. "We've only shot a few scenes," she explained. "I think you want to see me as Maddox in the office because Helen and I shot the scene today." She winked, making Annelie blush. "See? I was right."

Annelie took her by the hand, pulling her toward Maddox's office at the far end of the studio. It was furnished with an old, scratched desk, a leather chair with a tall backrest, and several filing cabinets.

"That's some ambiance," Annelie said, looking around the set. "The prop guys have done a great job."

"Yes, it looks wonderful." Carolyn sat down on the corner of the desk. "I'm going to spend a lot of time here."

Annelie sat down next her and leaned back. "Erica Becker was sitting on Maddox's desk like this, wasn't she? I saw the promo pictures today."

"Oh. Well, she sat like that, but with her legs slightly parted, like this." Carolyn's eyes glittered when she stood up, gently nudging Annelie's legs apart. "And Maddox was standing very close, like this, pushing her away and pulling her close at the same time."

Annelie's breath caught in her throat at the sight of Carolyn, still looking like Diana Maddox. Dressed in a black pantsuit and white shirt, with the prop gun still bulging under her left arm, Carolyn looked every bit the famous character.

"You look so beautiful, like Maddox, but still yourself. Perhaps you are her…or vice versa?"