Page 40 of Cinematic Destinies
“I liked you better when you were shallow and vapid.”
Michael laughed. “Oh, and I’m not done. There is one thing I couldn’t quite figure out until today. Georgia’s role in the film. It’s no secret she looks just like Ella.”
Jean glanced down and then back at Michael. “Georgia is a fine actress.”
“She is. Gifted, I think. But that’s not why you hired her. The old man is in love with her.” He paused before continuing. “The movie is about the only woman you’ve ever truly loved: Ella. For fuck’s sake, you named the character Giselle. Uh, not that far off from Gabriella.” Michael took a swill of his drink, looking proud of himself.
“See, bravado will always catch up to you,mon ami.” Jean ran his finger around the rim of his glass. “You are right, Georgia’s character is meant to be Ella, the most beautiful woman I have ever known. But you weren’t paying attention to your own lines today. The old man is not in love with her. To him, she is the embodiment of beauty. She is a symbol for all the beauty in the world. It is not romantic. Nor are my feelings for Ella. But when I think about pure beauty in this wasteland of human shit, I think about the way her hair moves in the breeze, the arch of her back, the curve of her lips when she smiles, the gleam in her eyes when she says something irreverent and brilliant. The film is not about a man’s search for love. It is about his acceptance that we live in a swampland of suffering and despair, and yet, amidst it, there will always be beauty. It can penetrate even the darkest places. Even the darkest of hearts, such as his own.”
Michael ran his hand through his hair. “Well, that’s some heavy shit.”
“Heavy shit indeed,” Jean agreed.
Michael raised his glass and said, “I am truly honored you trusted me with the part.”
Jean nodded. “You haven’t fucked it up yet.”
Michael laughed. “For the record, I don’t think the old man’s heart is as dark as he pretends.” He took the last swig of his drink and added, “But I’ll keep this all between us, Jean. I don’t think Finn will buy that load of crap that you don’t have the fucking hots for his wife.”
CHAPTER 11
“Wow, it’s like we’re on the moon or something,” Georgia remarked as they drove down the road leading to the Blue Lagoon, nothing but endless vistas of lava rocks all around them as far as the eye could see.
“It’s wild. We’re almost there,” Roo said.
“I can’t believe how long it took. It’s been over eight hours,” Georgia said.
“Well, it would have been more like six and a half if we hadn’t stopped so much along the way.”
“That’s the best part of a road trip,” she replied. “All the cool little spots you see along the way. We took so many gorgeous photos.”
“Not to mention souvenirs. That Icelandic tourism book has some tips for visiting the lagoon, and one simply can’t leave Iceland without the requisite shot glass. The shawl you bought is lovely. You’re the only woman I’ve ever known who could drape herself in wool and make it look so sexy.” She giggled and he continued, “I must say I also quite enjoyed those sandwiches we picked up in that tiny little town. Who knew smoked lamb was so delicious?”
Georgia smiled. “Oh, look. There’s steam up ahead. We must be getting close.”
“There were three hotel options and we’re staying at the swankiest, but I was only able to book a regular room, not one of their palatial suites.”
“I’m sure it’ll be great. Besides, we’ve been cozy in my little room at the inn all summer,” she replied, rubbing his arm. “In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m a girl who can pretty much go anywhere with a backpack and a sleeping bag.”
“Is that so?” he asked skeptically.
“Well, the backpack yes, although I do have a tendency to overstuff it. I admit a fondness for indoor plumbing, shampoo, and a good mattress, but I can make do.”
“Me too. The truth is, I suppose I could make do with anything as long as you’re there.”
They smiled at each other as Roo pulled up to the front of the luxurious five-star Retreat Hotel. Young men in uniform quickly opened their doors and ushered them inside, assuring them the luggage was following.
“This is so beautiful,” Georgia remarked, looking around the modern lobby with a wall of windows facing the lagoon and rolling moss-covered chocolate-brown mountains in the distance.
A woman came rushing over from the reception desk. “Welcome, Mr. Reed and Ms. Forrester. Please, have a seat anywhere.” They sat down on one of the many couches and the woman continued, “I understand this is your first visit. May I offer you something to drink? Water? Champagne? Tea or coffee?”
“Ooh, champagne would be nice,” Georgia said.
“For me as well,” Roo added.
“Certainly. Please excuse me for a moment. While I’m gone, you can look over this itinerary,” she said, handing a printout to Roo. “I’ve booked you dinner at Lava at eight o’clock, in case you’d like to take a dip in the lagoon first. I’ve taken the liberty of booking a couples massage tomorrow, aswell as additional dinners. We can schedule anything else or cancel anything on your behalf. Full spa services and other activities are printed on the last page. Also, you’ll want to put these bracelets on—they give you access to your room, the spa, the lagoon, and can be used to charge things to your account.”
“Thank you,” Roo said.
