Page 103 of Out of the Gold

Melody

Noble calls “action,”and the actors hit their marks. Judith, who sits next to me, whispers, “I was told I’m on the short list.”

“Oh, Judith, that’s wonderful!”

On her other side, Helene agrees. “Yes, I have no doubts that you’ll be chosen. Then you’ll have to name your successor on the show.”

As filming progressed, Helene has been getting more and more pushy about getting Judith’s job. I’ve been quiet about my ambition, rather proving my worth by my work. However, since Judith’s promotion seems more likely than before, I chime in, “Will you make that decision, or will the execs at HBO?”

Judith’s eyes trail the actors. “It’s basically my call, with their final blessing. I have to say, I’ve been impressed with both of your work, on the set and here. Maybe I should withdraw my name from Noble’s list so I won’t have to make this decision.”

I smile at her joke. No way would she turn this offer down. Helene, however, puts her hand on Judith’s forearm. “Don’t do that, Judith. You’ve worked too hard to turn back now.”

“Don’t worry, Helene. I was only kidding.”

I watch as Charles runs through the street, screaming for his “girlfriend” who’s being held by Mark. Frowning, I lean forward. Something’s not exactly right with his costume.

He runs and the bodysuit unsnaps, giving the whole set a peek at his fine ass, even if it’s covered by the boxer briefs.

“Oh my God,” I mutter and jump out of my seat. I rush to his side while chaos erupts. Judith and Helene are hard on my heels.

I grab the material around Charles’s abdomen, which should have been securely held in place by the snaps. “Let me look at this!”

Before I can examine it, Helene pushes in and runs her fingers over the snaps.

In a brusque voice, Judith demands, “What happened?” Noble mirrors her sentiment, using more colorful descriptors.

I stand, helpless, while Helene points to something on the bodysuit and Judith ducks her head to inspect it.

My eyes go to Charles, who’s surrounded by women who are prodding his body. The part that belongs tome.He removes the mask, which I take from him, and stormy blue eyes meet mine. “Another wardrobe malfunction?”

“I don’t know what happened yet,” I whisper, still unable to see whatever they’re prodding.

He clears his throat. “Ladies, if you wouldn’t mind, can I get out of this thing?”

Feeling embarrassed for him, I nod. “Yes, let’s get you to your trailer.”

He shrugs. “I can strip out of this damn costume right here. Just don’t feel like having my junk poked when you really only need the bodysuit.”

Heap my own embarrassment on top of me now. I shoo the hands away and reach for the bottom of the costume. Together, Charles and I pull it up his body.

Noble yells, “Everyone, take a lunch break.” Turning back to us, he levels me with a withering stare. “Get this fixed. I want to know what happened.”

“Yes, sir,” I reply, redoubling my efforts to get Charles out of the bodysuit. His furious reaction when his glove got tangled in the boy’s hair replays in my head, making me less effective.

“Step aside, Melody,” Judith demands. She takes over the removal process while I’m relegated to onlooker again. Within minutes, she has him out of the costume and takes a long look at the snaps.

What happened to that bodysuit? I checked everything so carefully today, like all days. Nothing was wrong.

Judith holds up the material and moves the snaps, which somehow are loose. “How did this happen, Melody?”

My stomach tightens. “I don’t know. It looked fine in the trailer.”

Charles pipes up. “I had a little trouble snapping them today.”

Shit. This is what my career needed right now. I look at him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought everything was okay, since I was able to snap them.”

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