Page 1 of Fresh Start
One
Dawson
"Playing Detective Strong is like… going back to a best friend. I know it's only been two years since the last film, but being on the same set with these—” I said as I pointed to the rest of the cast on the stage, “—brilliant people again was an incredible experience, and I can't wait for the next one."
God! Lying used to be such a thrill when I was younger. Nowadays, it just left a bad taste in my mouth.
The reporters all raised their hands ready to fire their questions at me. The moderator, the editorial manager for one of the biggest “nerd” magazines in the country, pointed at one of them, giving them permission to speak, and the rest put their hands back down.
"What would you say is your biggest challenge when filming these huge blockbusters likeDetective StrongorAgents of America?” the guy asked.
I wish I could say the truth. That Ihatedplaying Detective Strong. I’d spent half of my adult life playing this character, and while I was grateful for the experience and compensation it had offered me, I couldn't wait to move on with my life and do other projects.
"My biggest personal challenge? I guess that would be getting back into the fitness regime that's needed to play Strong. I enjoy working, but I enjoy food so much more, and every time we start a new film, that has to change. I’d say that's my biggest pet peeve. But at the end of the day, I love playing him, so it’s all worth the trouble in the end."
If they sounded like rehearsed lines, that’s because they were. Well, partly. After so many years and so many interviews, I knew just the right thing to say to appease the studio and satisfy the fans.
The moderator handed the baton to another reporter who jumped out of his seat and looked right at me.
"What would you say to the rumors that you have been negotiating for more money out of the studio?" a young reporter asked.
I didn’t know which magazine he worked for or if he wrote for one of the blogs that criticized every new film that I starred in, and I didn't care.
"No comment," I replied.
It was true. I’d tried to negotiate, but that was years ago. The studio couldn't stand to lose me, so they always paid more for every film. That didn't help make my decision any easier. The panel question moved on to another actor, Cassandra Jones, and the journalists asked her questions about her solo film that was about to come out right after our joint production.
I zoned out. Occasionally, another question would come my way, or I would offer my take if the questions were relevant to me, but other than that, I kept quiet. I didn’t want to intrude on everyone else's personal time. I had done so many of these press conferences the last couple of months that I could do them with my eyes closed. All the questions were predictable. Every journalist tried to get a juicy exclusive, and every one of us tried to show what a big, happy family we were.
I was getting sick to death of these panels. The film wasn't even out yet and the demands for all of us, especially me, were getting intimidating, and while I was used to it, or I should be after such a long time, I just couldn't stand it anymore. Thank goodness we had a little break before the next one. My body needed it. Hell, my mind needed it more. The longer I had to sit through these things, the more angsty I became. I didn’t know when I would explode and ruin my career by saying what I really felt. So, yeah. This break was very much needed indeed.
The moderator stood up and announced that they were about to show the audience, which included some hardcore fans of the franchise, an exclusive scene of the upcoming movie, and the crowd went wild.
As the lights went down and the screen lit up, I ducked out and went backstage. Karen, my PA, was waiting for me with a large coffee at hand. She passed it to me, and I took a few generous gulps of the magic juice that I so desperately needed to stay awake.
"Thank fuck this is the last one," I said.
"The last one until next week," my publicist, Tracy, replied, walking toward me.
I knew that. Why did she have to ruin it for me? It might be a week before the next one, but that was a week I could do whatever the fuck I wanted for a change, with whoever I wanted, and not have to worry about my behavior in the public eye. Of course, I wasn't planning on going out in public during that week because that would be stupid. The paps were always after me wherever I went, so I preferred to be in the privacy of my own home whenever I could.
"You don't have to remind me. I just can't wait to have some time off, see my parents, and celebrate with them. Do nothing… for as long as possible,” I said.
“Oh God, nothing sounds so good right now," Tracy sighed.
These press conferences and studio mandated interviews were taking their toll on her too. She didn’t really have to be here with me, but she preferred it this way. Her thinking was that if she was with me at all times, she’d have less cleaning up to do with rampant press and trolling bloggers.
"What time does this thing finish?” I pointed at the stage behind me.
"It's another half-hour’s worth of questions related to the preview," Karen said.
I rolled my eyes and, after another swig of my coffee, went back onstage. Just as I took my seat, the lights came up again and the journalists eager to ask the next round of questions raised their hands. This time, however, it was the fans’ chance to talk to us and express their love for our films and our characters.
The floor runner walked to the back, behind the journalists, and passed the microphone to a young guy in his twenties who stood up and turned to look right at me with a wide smile.
That was as much as I could see from such a distance. I smiled back at him and waited for his question. It was usually either related to my character or one of those fanfiction things that everyone enjoyed painting and writing so much.
"Dawson, I am one of your biggest fans, and I love your Detective Strong, but I have a question for you. Would you say playing the same character for more than a decade and doing all these tours has put your personal life on hold? Is that why you broke up with Natalie Rivers?" the guy asked.
