Page 52 of Cinematic Destinies
“As always, I’ll return to France to edit the film, put together the trailer. The film, she is not done, even after you all pack up and leave.”
“Yeah, but after all that?” Michael asked.
“I do not think about after,” Jean replied, taking a swig of his drink.
Michael laughed. “You may want to rethink the whole retirement thing. Really doesn’t seem to suit you.”
Jean shrugged.
Michael turned his attention to Georgia and Roo. “What about you two? Does what happens on set really stay on set, or do you have big plans?”
“Big plans indeed,” Roo said. “We’re planning to do a bit of a tour of Iceland and then figure out where we’ll go next, but it will certainly be together.”
“That’s great. Seems you’re following in Finn and Ella’s footsteps. I’m happy for you both,” Michael said.
Roo slung his arm around Georgia, kissed the side of her head, and said, “We’re happy too.”
Georgia gave him a little smile and then looked across the table at Jean and Michael and said, “Oh, speaking of my parents, I keep forgetting. My siblings and I are putting together a video for their thirtieth anniversary. Would you two please each record a short message for them and email it to me?”
“Sure thing,” Michael replied. He huffed and said, “Jean, given how things began that summer, can you believe they’ve lasted decades?”
“Sometimes it takes a bump in the road to give one perspective,” Jean replied.
“What do you mean?” Georgia asked, looking confused.
“Your parents fell deeply in love early on in our summer together, but your mother wasn’t exactly ready for it. Back then, Ella . . .”
Jean was interrupted when Gunnar came into the room and said, “Excuse me. Mr. Mercier, the caterer is on the phone with some questions about the wrap party.”
“Very well,” Jean said, using the table for support as he slowly rose.
Once he was out of the room, Michael said, “That guy is in for a rude awakening. I can be pretty dense about things, but one thing is crystal clear, he’s not ready for retirement. Films are his whole life.”
“Yeah, but it must be taxing at his age. Perhaps he can find an artistic outlet that requires less intense commitment,” Roo suggested.
“It’s not just the filmmaking, it’s the whole thing. It’s this,” Michael said, gesturing around the room. “He loves going on location, setting up camp, building a temporaryfamily with the cast and crew. It’s not just about the art, it’s his way of life. It’s who he is. People don’t change.”
Georgia’s eyes drifted down to her lap as she thought about Michael’s words. Roo noticed and whispered, “Darling, you look deep in thought.”
She looked into his warm eyes. “I’m just a bit sleepy. Tomorrow’s a big day. Let’s turn in.”
Georgia and Roo excused themselves. When Jean returned, Michael asked, “Everything okay?”
“There’s always some damn aggravation when you’re reliant on hiring locals. Every place, every film, every crew. I won’t miss all the hassles,” he grumbled as he retook his seat.
Michael chuckled. “Keep telling yourself that. For a guy who hates bullshit, you’re really a pro, my nomadic friend.”
THE NEXT MORNING, THE ACTORS WERE ALLfeeling mixed emotions as they meandered from their trailers to the set. “Listen up!” Jean called as everyone huddled around. “As we always film out of sequence, I have never before shot the final scene of a film last. There is a first time for everything.” He stopped to huff. “And a last time, I suppose. Today, we are filming the final scene of the shoot, of the film, and indeed, of my catalog.” Some cast and crew became teary-eyed, putting their hands supportively on each other’s backs. Jean stopped them, shaking his head and barking, “None of that shit. Don’t forget, you still have a job to do. I’m not paying you to stand around fucking consoling each other like a group of coddled children.”
“Oh, come on, Jean! Admit it, you’re gonna miss us and all of this,” Michael shouted.
Jean dismissively waved his hand. “I’ll get enough of it and you when I’m editing the damn thing. But if you’re so eager to memorialize the experience, wait until the wrapparty. There will be plenty of booze, food, and a dance floor, though you won’t see me on it.”
Everyone laughed and Georgia hollered, “Never say never!”
Jean smirked. “Alright. Alright. Back to the scene. The old man is lying in bed, dying, his only two companions by his side. He and Georgia have their last words and she goes outside, overcome with emotion. Then he and Roo exchange their words, after which Roo goes outside to find Georgia, and we have our final moment. The camera will follow Roo from inside the house to outside in a continuous action. Places, everyone.”
The cast got in position, Michael lying in bed tucked under the covers, Georgia sitting on the edge of the bed, and Roo standing.
