Page 11 of Hot Set

“It does,” Brandon replied for Seth, coming from behind me.

“Hello, boss,” Seth said.

Brandon crossed his arms and sighed. “The good thing is that I’ve kind of gotten used to him just showing up whenever he wants. The bad thing… is that I’ve kind of gotten used to him just showing up whenever he wants.”

Seth didn’t respond; he was too busy stuffing his face with fried rice.

Brandon wrinkled his nose. “How you eat that and not croak is beyond me. Your sodium must be through the roof.”

“It’s not,” Seth replied smugly.

Brandon cast his eyes heavenwards, probably seeking patience from the divine. “Can you at least hurry?” Brandon asked. “You’ve already missed two scenes.”

“Not mine, though,” Seth pointed out.

“I don’t care if you haven’t missedyourscenes. You needed to be here on time, so we can get you ready with wardrobe and pass on script changes,” Brandon said.

Seth smirked. “So, start talking,” he said.

Brandon shook his head. “You know,” he said, “Every time I think I’m lacking in direction, I think of you, and I feel much better.”

“I’m so happy for you,” Seth said. “So glad I inspire.”

“Come see me when you’re finished,” Brandon said. “I’ll probably be with Caitlyn.”

“Good to know,” Seth said.

Brandon sighed. “Alex,” he said, patting my shoulder, “Will you get Seth when he’s finished eating? Hopefully, before next year.”

Honestly, I was surprised he was caving. I wondered if it was because Brandon really had just gotten used to Seth’s behavior and didn’t mind or if Brandon just wasn’t sure exactly how to handle the situation. Or maybe Seth was one of thosequestionablepeople Brandon had confessed to hiring. Brandon had told me to watch out for him, after all. “Sure,” I replied.

Brandon shook his head and headed off to find Caitlyn.

“Oh, good. I have company, then,” Seth said. “Fresh meat.”

Since I was stuck waiting for Seth, I closed my make-up case, massive and black, that Bioncia had dragged out for me. “That sounds like something a serial killer would say,” I said.

“Have you known many serial killers?” Seth asked.

“No, but I watch a lot of movies.”

Admittedly, I wasn’t really a big fan of gore, so I hadn’t watchedthatmany.

Seth hummed and chewed thoughtfully on his rice. “Most of us have,” he said. “We’re movie people anyway. That’s why we’re here.”

“Is this your first film?” I asked.

Seth laughed and shook his head. “Hardly,” he said, “I’ve been in a ton of indie films.”

“B-movies like these?”

“Notintentionallyb-movies. Some of them just went that way,” Seth said. “Things happen.”

“Big budget films?” I asked.

“No,” Seth replied, a bit sourly. “Hollywood has yet to recognize my innate star quality. Instead, I’m here in Nowheresville.”

“I wouldn’t exactly say Bluehaven isnowhere,” I replied.

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