Page 17 of The Location Shoot
“Did you ever feel like the people on your team only saw one version of you, that they clung to the image you were trying to shed?”
“How so?” Finn asked.
“Well, it’s just that my manager sees me a certain way. He’s always pressuring me to take jobs I don’t really want.”
“Don’t allow anyone to pressure or pigeonhole you,” Finn urged her. “Remember, he works foryou, not the other way around. If he’s not doing what you want, maybe it’s time to make a change. I know it’s hard to be assertive, but you have to. Your career won’t survive if you let others walk all over you.”
“He’s managed me since I was so young. Without family, he’s kind of been like a guardian. I don’t know how to speak up in a way that will make him hear me. I’m not good at that. I guess it’s because I’m just not that confident.”
Charlotte looked at her knowingly and said, “This can be tricky for a lot of women. I’ve been there myself. But Finn’s right—your manager should be taking direction fromyou. You’re talented and more than capable of deciding what’s in your best interest. You’re not a child anymore.”
“She’s right,” Ella said. She pulled a small notepad out of her pocket, flipped through the pages, and continued, “When I was taking notes today, I wrote,Willow’s performance is haunting. Subtle, yet powerful.”
“You really wrote that?” Willow asked.
“Word for word.Youare powerful too, perhaps more than you realize.”
“Indeed,” Albie said, as the others nodded in agreement.
“Thank you, all of you. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring the room down or make it all about me.”
“Not at all,” Ella assured her.
Willow took a sip of her sparkling water and said, “Charlotte, you go next. Who are your dream dinner guests?”
“Hmm. I suppose I’d pick my grandmother, William Shakespeare, Virginia Woolf, and Mary Oliver.”
Jean smiled. “You have an artist’s soul. It’s why your performances are so sensitive and nuanced. I had been wanting to cast you for a long time. I am not disappointed.”
Charlotte smiled wider than any of them had ever seen before, her fair cheeks turning rosy pink. “Thank you,” shesaid softly, visibly grateful for the encouragement she had been longing for.
Finn and Ella exchanged a nearly imperceptible smile.
Charlotte turned to Albie and said, “You’re up next.”
He picked up his glass, thoughtfully swirled the bourbon before taking a sip, and slowly placed it back on the table. “It’s not four people, but my answer is all of you, plus my wife. Right now, in this very moment, that’s who I want to break bread with. Life is too short to waste time. That’s one thing old buggers like me have on you kids. These days, I’m always exactly where I wish to be and with whom.”
They sat quietly for a moment, Albie’s words lingering in the air. Eventually, Jean raised his glass. “Let’s drink to never wasting a moment.”
“Cheers,” they all said, clinking glasses.
“Finn, you’re up,” Albie said.
“After that? I think I’ll pass for now,” he replied with a chuckle. “But Albie, I do want to tell you that I’m glad you chose to do this film. It’s an honor to work with you, a real dream come true. I’ll always consider it a career highlight.”
Albie smiled. “Likewise.”
“I’ll go,” Michael said. “James Dean, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Marlon Brando.”
“So, your idea of the perfect dinner is getting drunk with four other men? Good to know,” Ella joked.
Michael turned beet red as everyone laughed.
“Okay then, who would you pick?” Michael asked, taking a swig of his drink.
“Certainly not four white men.”
They all laughed even harder. Charlotte had to cover her mouth with her hand.
