Page 25 of The Cut
Ben raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth to protest, but before he could say a word, Dani chipped in.
‘Nate loves all that, don’t you, pet? You’re OK if we use the camera on your phone, aren’t you, love?’ Dani turned back to Karine. ‘They live their lives on camera, don’t they? Film everything.’ She beamed with excitement.
The tattooed crew member with the fruity vape stomped past them towards the utility room. ‘All right if I use the bog?’ Ben’s eyes followed him, uncomfortable with all these people in the house.100
‘Is there a script we can see?’ Ben placed his glass down. ‘I’d just like to know what he’s going to be involved in.’
‘Script? … All right, Scorsese! Honestly, I can’t even get him to read a WhatsApp message.’ Dani was refilling that glass again, sidling up to Karine.
Karine smiled, but her lips remained clamped over her teeth. ‘It’s largely improvised. We’ll guide Nathan towards a narrative by setting some goals. Does the phrase “fly on the wall” ring a bell?’ Her crystal silver-blue eyes sparkled at Ben. ‘Think of me as a giant bluebottle with all-seeing eyes.’
The toilet in the utility room flushed as Fruity Vape emerged, a slightly more pungent smell following in his wake. ‘Mate. You got high-speed fibre I assume, judging by the place. Can I grab access to your router and Wi-Fi code?’ He scratched his balls. Ben squeezed his eyes tight, trying to block everything out. ‘I’ll just run a cable to the equipment loaded in the garage.’
‘It’s in the basement, I’ll show you.’ Dani placed her glass down and wobbled on her heels towards the hallway.
‘We usually set up something called a “video village”. It’s like the hub of the film, where all the equipment lives.’ Karine leant against the counter and stared calmly at Ben. ‘But you won’t even know we’re here.’ She toasted her glass to Ben with a reassuring flourish. ‘I’m fastidious. I hate leaving a mess!’
Dani was drunkenly tugging at the door that led down to the basement.
‘It’s locked, hon … you have the key?’
Ben sighed. ‘I … um … I need the paperwork before we dive in headfirst. I’m sorry, it’s just … it’s all a bit of a whirlwind, isn’t it?’
‘Welcome to show business. Once a film is green lit, everyone is on borrowed time.’101
Ben stood clenching his jaw. ‘Look, I had a prang in my car, shattered the windscreen. I just need to deal with that right now.’
‘You what?’ Dani stood open-mouthed.
Karine glanced at the small cut above Ben’s eye. ‘But of course, I understand. I’ll email you the contract and you can sign digitally … if it gets your approval.’ Then she looked at her watch and zipped up her jacket.
Ben moved over to the sink in the kitchen to wash his hands. Grabbing a sheet of kitchen paper, he dabbed his eye.
‘Great meeting you, Dani. We’ll be in touch sooner rather than later.’
‘Where are you staying, by the way? We’ve got a whole granny annex downst—’ Dani’s eyes flicked to Ben. ‘Sorry … studio flat.’
Karine made eye contact with Ben. ‘We checked into the Red Lion. Seems nice. Creaky and quaint. Enough room for the rest of my crew.’ She gently ushered Fruity Vape towards the front door.
‘Beer, ciggie-stained walls and cheese and onion crisps … right up my street.’ He took another drag as Karine clicked the door closed, and they were gone.
‘I can’t believe you crashed the car.’ Dani was unfocused and not quite present. ‘That’ll bugger up your no claims.’ She slouched back towards the fridge for a refill with a face like thunder.
‘I’m fine, thanks for asking.’ Ben felt a pair of arms slide around his waist.
‘Oh, don’t be like that. Of course I’m glad you’re OK. I just wish you could be a bit more excited about the film.’
Ben sighed and leant into her embrace. ‘I’m excited for Nate … Happy now?’
‘You’re letting him do it then?’ He felt her lips kissing into his neck, he turned and pulled her closer.102
‘Anything that makes you smile like that gets my vote.’ There was a relief in Ben’s voice as he exhaled. Dani’s sparkle always made everything better.
‘Oh my God, Nate! You’re gonna be a film star … we’re going to Hollywood.’ Dani planted a kiss on Ben’s lips and closed her eyes.
Hollywood. He winced at the thought. What on earth were they letting themselves in for?
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