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Thomas Hunt Masterlists/Series: [Red Carpet Diaries] || [Hollywood U] || [Love & Scotch (HWU/Open Heart Crossover)] || [#HollywoodHacks (HWU/LoveHacks Crossover)] || [The Bogart Diaries Series (RCD-Puppy Hunt)]
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“Cut!” Hunt shouted. His fingers dug through his hair as he turned away trying to gather his thoughts. “Get out! All of you! OUT!”
“Professor?” Addison questioned, looking up from one of the actors, whose costume she was adjusting. “We still have two more scenes to shoot today.”
“Leave! That includes you, Miss Sinclair. I know how you feel about following directions, but just this once do as you’re told,” Hunt grumbled. “Everyone out! This isn’t working. I need to think.”
“Let’s wrap for today,” Alex stepped forward attempting to calm the cast and crew of Centaurus Lost. “Get some rest and be back tomorrow ready to pick up where we left off.”
“It’s okay,” Alex continued, noting the looks of uncertainty on the faces of those around her. “Go! Enjoy the beautiful afternoon.”
Alex helped the crew clean up and put the equipment away for the day, her gaze shifting to Hunt. He continued pacing off to the side, deep in thought.
“Hey.” Alex ran her fingers up Hunt’s back, once everyone else had left. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Hunt shifted away, Alex’s hand falling beside her.
“This film isn’t working.” Hunt’s scratched his jaw thoughtfully. “Miss Chang and Mr. Tanner did not stop bickering about the script all day. Every time we went to shoot a scene, one or both of them, decided there should be changes. They both have some ideas of merit, but right now, they’re hurting this film far more than helping it.”
“Thomas,” Alex breathed. She attempted to move closer, but he avoided her once more.
“I walked away from directing once because studios fed me uninspired projects. I refuse to compromise my artistry or ethics,” Hunt ranted, his gaze stern and unrelenting. “As I said, the project has to be right for me and this one isn’t working.”
“Let’s just talk about this,” Alex suggested.
“I know how much you wanted this to work… You’re the producer, find some way to fix this!” Hunt paused for a moment before continuing. “Or… I’m leaving this production.”
Alex felt her eyes misting at his tone. “Fine!”
“Alex,” his voice was softer now at the hurt in her eyes. He moved closer.
She shook him away. “Compartmentalize. I know.”
He nodded. “Go fix this. Convince me why I should take a chance on this film when so many facets of it are falling apart already.”
Alex turned and walked away. She didn’t dare look back. The past few days had been a strain between them. Even if they had agreed not to bring work home, it was hard to turn her feelings on and off. It was one thing when she was just balancing Professor Hunt, with boyfriend Hunt, now she also had business partner and director Hunt to keep separate.
She knew before she could fix the film, she had to save the screenplay.
Alex texted Holly and Mike. “Campus Brew. 30 minutes. This is not an option. Be there or you’re out.”
“Nice try, sweetheart. You can’t make my movie without me,” Mike replied.
“Whose movie?” Holly answered. “I believe I’m the lead writer. My name is first on the script.”
“Relax, Pixie Dream Girl. No use getting mad and looking all hot when I’m not there to see,” Mike argued.
“ENOUGH! Act like professionals. Show up for this meeting. Or breach your contracts and be out. I’m serious.”
No wonder this film was sinking. These two were never going to play nice, which is why she had chosen a public venue for their meeting, at least that would force them to keep it together to some extent. (She hoped.)
Alex stormed into the coffee shop, barely looking up from her phone as she followed the heated text exchange from her screenwriters. At this point, nothing short of an epiphany would save the film and she knew it. Hunt was right.
“Ahh!” A deep voice startled her as she bumped into someone, scattering their books and papers all over.
“I’m so sorry! I wasn’t even looking.” Alex quickly apologized. “This is all my fault.”
“It’s okay, Jesse Quick,” He chuckled more to himself than anything else. He adjusted his glasses.
“I’m not sure who Jesse is?” She looked at him curiously. “I’m Alex!”
“She’s just…“ He paused, noting how Alex’s red shirt hugged her petite figure and the way her brown hair appeared windblown from seemingly rushing off, perhaps to save Central City. His mind had already begun sketching her before he could stop it. Everywhere he looked he saw inspiration. He quickly shook the thoughts from his head as he noted the change in her expression. "You just kind of remind me of a character from one of my favorite shows.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” She smiled softly.
“You should! She’s great.” He bent down to pick up his fallen papers.
“These are amazing,” Alex marveled as she helped collect his scattered sketches. “You’re very talented… I don’t think I ever got your name.”
“I’m Ben, Ben Park,” he repositioned his books and sketches in his arm so he could shake her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Ben. I don’t think I’ve seen you around campus before,” she noted. She would definitely remember a face like that.
“It’s actually my first day,” Ben admitted. “I just transferred from Grantmore University.”
“In that case, can I buy you something to drink? It’s the least I can do for running into you,” Alex suggested.
“You don’t have to do that,” he replied.
“I want to,” Alex insisted. “I can offer you some tips about classes and any professors you may have–if you’re interested and have a few minutes.”
“I don’t want to intrude, you look like you have a lot going on,” he smiled shyly.
“I’ve got a few minutes before my meeting. You’d actually be doing me a favor, keep me busy until then?”
“Okay,” he agreed.
“Great! So tell me more about yourself, Ben. What are you studying? Please tell me you’re here as a graphic artist, because if not you need to change majors ASAPs,” Alex laughed, she didn’t mean to come off so insistent, but she meant what she said. She ordered coffee for the two of them.
“I am.” Ben blushed at the compliment. “I’m also looking into the writing program.”
“Oh, do you want to be a screenwriter?” Alex questioned. “I’m actually meeting with two screenwriters in a bit if you want to meet them.”
Alex hesitated after she made the suggestion. Perhaps Holly and Mike were not the best exemplars of the program… at least, not at the moment.
“I’m more interested in writing a graphic novel.” His fingers grazed a sketchbook, that he held tightly. “I’ve written drafts of a few ideas, but…”
“Do you mind if I take a look?” Alex asked cautiously. She knew how temperamental some writers could be about their unfinished work.
“They’re probably not good,” he shook his head, considering her request.
“You got to start somewhere, right?” Alex offered.
Ben reluctantly handed her his sketchbook containing his draft of an outer space superhero adventure.
Alex leaned back in the armchair in the coffee shop and began flipping through his draft. Page after page, her expression changed as the story hit highs and lows. She followed the characters through joyful, devastating, and humorous moments. “This is really good, Ben.”
“You don’t have to say that,” he took his sketchbook back.
“I mean it. It’s really good! You should definitely look into the writing program. Clearly you have a talent for it too!” She encouraged him.
Alex and Ben continued drinking their coffees while Alex waited for Holly and Mike to arrive. Her mind had lightened with seeing the joy in his eyes as they talked about his creations, it was a lovely sight. One she had almost forgotten about while on the set of Centaurus Lost. No, it wasn’t just joy, it was passion. Passion for his creations, that’s what was missing on set. She just needed to figure out how to inspire Holly and Mike to that level of creative passion. If the screenplay had heart, the rest of everything would fall into place.
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