Page 37 of Cinematic Destinies
“It looks like it’s out of a storybook,” Georgia remarked.
They smiled at each other, excited for the day, and opened their car doors. Just as they stepped outside, swarmsof black insects swept in. There were so many it looked like sheets of blackness rolling through the sky.
“Oh my God,” Georgia yelped, trying to protect her face and hair, with thousands of the small creatures swooping over them.
“Duck your head,” Roo instructed as he covered his own head with both his arms, and they hurried to the wardrobe and makeup trailer. Roo opened the door and Georgia flew inside. She was frantically shaking her head and running her hands through her hair, trying to shake off the unwanted visitors.
“Ah, I see you’ve met the midges,” Jean said.
“What on earth?” Georgia asked, still manically shaking out her long curls.
Jean snickered. “This place is named after swarms of small black flies called midges. They only live for seven days.”
“You couldn’t have mentioned this last night?” she said, shooing away the pests.
Jean nearly smiled. “Be glad we weren’t here last month. That’s their high season. They reach apocalyptic levels.”
“It gets worse than this?” Georgia asked in disbelief.
Jean smiled ever so slightly. “Beauty always has another side. I quite love the midges. They are entirely harmless. To most, their presence here makes imperfect something that otherwise would be too perfect. These tragic little beings live such a short time yet perform such an important job during their brief blip on this planet. They are the protectors of pure, untouched beauty.” He paused for a moment and added, “Sometimes the guardian of beauty is dark and ugly. Keeps things honest.”
“That’s so like you to say that,” Michael said with a chuckle.
“Well, you coulda given a girl a warning. For you gentlemen, you throw a baseball cap on and call it a day. It’sa bit more challenging for me,” Georgia said, running her fingers through one curl at a time.
“Fair enough,” Jean conceded.
“Here, let me help,” Roo offered Georgia.
“While you do that, I’ll review the part of the scene we’ll be starting with,” Jean said. “The old man is dying, and the two young lovers have taken him on an excursion for a picnic and to soak up the nature. As you know, I usually let you try things anyway you please. Not today. I’ve perfectly orchestrated the first shot. You must each be in precisely the right position. I can see it clearly. Michael standing in the back. Roo ten feet before him. Georgia ten feet before him. Both men are watching her, the most beautiful woman in the most beautiful setting, her long spiral curls cascading down her back. She walks ahead to look at some flowers and Michael approaches Roo. That’s when he finally confronts him, and they havetheconversation. Then, not knowing what has just transpired, Georgia turns to them, smiles, and waves them over. Does everyone understand?”
The actors nodded.
“I’ll make sure your marks are clear. We’ll be taking still photography shots too for the poster.” Jean labored to his feet and said, “I’ll leave you to get ready. Meet me on set.”
Soon the actors ambled outside, Georgia wearing a long, flowing sundress in shades of green with speckles of yellow, her light brown curls spilling wildly all around. When she stepped into place, Jean muttered, “My God, see how she echoes the landscape. It is just as I imagined.” A self-satisfied look danced in his eyes. He walked over to Michael, slightly adjusted his position, then did the same with Roo. When he approached Georgia, he whispered, “Ma chérie, you are perfection. Stay natural, just as you are.”
She smiled at him, and he turned to the group and announced, “We are ready. Places, everyone.” He made his way back to his director’s chair and called, “Rolling . . . Action!”
Georgia stood, admiring the scenery, her lover admiring her, and his employer watching them both. Georgia took a couple steps forward and bent down to pick some flowers. Michael approached Roo, the two men standing side by side, both watching her.
“Are you enjoying the scenery?” Roo asked.
“Ah, yes. She is quite extraordinary,” Michael replied. They stood for a moment, and he added, “I know you are lovers.”
“We didn’t mean for it to happen, but I won’t deny it. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, in every way,” Roo replied, adoration all over his face. He took a breath and said, “I know you have feelings for her.”
“She brings me joy, pleasure,” Michael said, his eyes still singularly focused forward. He let out a puff. “I have no romantic designs on her. I’m not a fool. I know she feels only pity for me.”
“Compassion, not pity,” Roo said, still looking ahead at Georgia picking flowers.
“I never had any intention of crossing any lines. The way I look at her, it is not sexual, as you see her. Trust me, it is something else entirely.” Michael paused and said, “You have been digging into my books for months now. Haven’t you figured out why I write about such darkness? Why I allow myself to be consumed by it?”
Roo shook his head ever so slightly. “I can only speculate.”
Michael huffed. “I’ll save you the trouble and give you the answer. You must bring people into the depths of darkness for them to appreciate the light, to even notice it. I have spent my life hunting for what she embodies in abundance. Now I wish to savor it for my few remaining days.”
“What, exactly?” Roo asked, still looking straight ahead.
