Page 11 of Out of the Gold

Off to the side, Melody helps me back into the bodysuit, while hair and makeup do quick touch-ups on the others. When I’m in the suit again, they rush over to me. At least this part is minimal, given my costume. Especially now, with my mask back in place.

Noble calls for action, and we redo the scene. A father steps out of the pack of extras, pushing his son ahead of him. “Doctor Manipul8, my son’s been diagnosed with a rare cancer. We’ve heard”—he looks behind him and all the extras nod—“you can cure him.” He pushes the child forward. “Please.”

I reach out and tousle the kid’s curly hair. “Let me see what I can do.” I switch my hands to lay on top of his head, closing my eyes, and hold the position for a full minute so the CGI folks can do their thing. All the while praying there’s not a repeat of what happened before.

I open my eyes, drop my hands—thank God nothing caught—and look at the father. “Go. Take him home. He needs to rest so his DNA makes the necessary changes.” I step back and the child fake swoons. The father catches him and picks him up.

“Thank you, Doctor Manipul8. I am forever in your debt.” He turns and carries the child toward the throng of people watching the superhero miracle.

Jessa claps. “That was very impressive, Troy, I mean Doctor Manipul8. Are you sure you healed him?”

“I am. I felt it.”

She places her hand on my chest, her Botoxed lips begging to be kissed. We hold the position for another moment for maximum sexual tension effect, before she murmurs, “Come on, let’s get you back to the lab.”

We continue our walk and I turn my head to the right, locking eyes with Mark. He squints and ducks behind a building. I blink as if I wasn’t sure I just saw him. Then I shake my head, acting like there was no way it was him.

Grabbing Jessa’s hand, I kiss her palm. “I’m so glad you’re on my team. Let’s go.” We take a few steps.

“AND CUT!”

Noble jumps up, clapping. “That was great, guys!” He motions for the father and son to join us and gives us more notes about how to make tweaks to the scene. We run through it another five times before he’s satisfied.

Once we’re done, I remove the mask. The tiny additional amount of fresh air on my face feels wonderful. “Thank God we didn’t have any more wardrobe malfunctions.”

Mark takes my mask from me. “Amen.” He slaps it against his thigh. Raising his voice, he yells, “Party tonight at eight to celebrate my boy, Doctor Manipul8!” A round of cheers sound their approval.

The start time tonight is due to our very early call time tomorrow. “We’re going to really enjoy this town, Chase.” He hands me back the mask as we enter the lot where our trailers are parked. “See you there.”

Holding up my gloved hands in mock surrender, I reply, “Can’t wait.”

Jessa turns to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “You did great out there today, Chasey.” She kisses me, her collagen-enhanced lips moving against mine.

We’ve enjoyed each other’s bodies previously but, for some reason, I’m not into her at the moment. My solitary goal is to get out of this stupid outfit. I pull back. “Thanks, Jessa. I really need to get out of this.” I motion to the costume. “I’ll meet up with you tonight at the party, okay?”

“Definitely. It’ll be a blast.” She kisses me again, then leaves in a swirl of heavy floral fragrance.

Thomas ushers me into my trailer, praising me for the scene and giving me tomorrow’s lines to review.

“Thanks,” I say, skimming over the scenes we’ll be laying down. “Will you be joining us tonight at the party?”

“Wouldn’t miss it. Heard all the ladies from the crew will be there.”

I laugh and clap him on the back. “Like your priorities, man. Have anything else for me tonight?”

My PA consults his clipboard—all the while clicking his pen—and shakes his head. “The rest can wait till tomorrow. See you later.” He turns to leave.

“Catch you then.”

Finally, it’s time to get out of this superhero costume. Lucky me.

From deeper inside the trailer, a woman’s voice directs, “Take off your boots and socks, then unsnap the bodysuit. I’ll get you out of the costume as quickly as I can.”

I close my eyes. Melody’s voice alone makes me vibrate with annoyance. We would’ve been done an hour earlier if not for the glove snafu. Swallowing my opinions in exchange for expediency, I take off my footwear and do the undignified unsnapping. Gathering the material from underneath, I drag it upward, getting caught around my torso. Again.

Her hands land on my upper pecs. “Here, let me help you. We need to preserve this bodysuit.”

I fucking hate this feeling of helplessness.

---