Power Play (3 page)

22

Chapter 7

“Cut!” the director bellowed. “Ladies, I know it’s early, but can you least make an effort to focus? This is women’s professional hockey, not figure skating. You
are
the Venus. Now, let’s try again.”

“Scene 18, take 21,” a clapper loader called and snapped the clap board’s lever.

Alex sighed and again got into position for a full-strength scene with one of the supporting actors that had been shot multiple times since seven-thirty. She had no lines in the scene, but seemed to be the only one treating it like it was an actual hockey game.

She executed a perfect shot across the ice only to have it bounce off a goal post as stated in the script.

“Cut and print!” the director called. He turned his attention to Alex. “That was one beautiful move, young lady!”

“Thank you, Mr. Francis,” she replied with a shy smile.

23

“All right, everyone, let’s break for lunch,” a production assistant said. “It’s been a long morning and we need everyone fresh for Miss Stahl’s scenes this afternoon. Be back on the set in one hour.”

“Thank God,” another actress groaned as she and Alex handed their hockey sticks to the property master. “I’m ravenous as hell right now.”

“You and me both,” Alex said.

“By the way, I’m Phyllis Lodge, one of the girls with no lines.”

“Alexandra Galloway, but everyone calls me Alex. “I have three lines, one with Lily Stahl. I’m nervous as hell.”

“You’ll do fine. I hear she’s kind of a bitch, though, so be ready.”

“I’ve gone over the line with one of my roommates at least a hundred times. Have you ever played hockey? I noticed how well you controlled the puck.”

“I was on my high school’s field hockey team, but since ice skating’s an additional skill, my agent thought it was a bright idea for me to do this movie.”

24

“We should count our blessings; I thank my agent every chance for me being here.
Vancouver Venus
is the best job I’ve had to date.”

Phyllis nodded. “It would look good on our resumes, wouldn’t it? Hey, do you want to see a real hockey game tomorrow night? I have two tickets my agent gave me as a good luck gift and no one to go with.”

“Who’s playing?” Alex asked.

“Pittsburgh Rebels at Vancouver Galaxy; it’s the first of two games between them. My seats aren’t too bad. Not near glass or anything, but they aren’t nosebleeds either.”

“Wow, an American Hockey Conference game? I happen to be a Rebels fan, so count me in! When does the puck drop?”

“Seven-thirty; we should be finished filming for the day unless Francis is much an asshole tomorrow as he’s been today.”

“I’m sure he’ll be more tolerable once the game and practice skate scenes are done.”

“I hope so; he’s driving everyone nuts.”

25

“Look on the positive side; working with legendary director Connor Francis would make any actor’s resume impressive.”

“You make a good point,” Phyllis agreed. “Let’s go get a burger and back to the set before everyone again freaks out.”

***

“How is everything on the set?” Doris asked that evening when Alex checked in. “Have you shot the scene with Lily Stahl yet?”

“Yes; believe it or not, we got it on the first take. She’s rather difficult, but I think she liked me.”

“Of course, Alexandra; you’re a hard person not to like.”

“That’s your opinion, Doris. I can’t stay on the phone long; I’m meeting someone at six forty-five.”

“Oh, you’ve already found a boyfriend? Nice!”

“No, Phyllis Lodge, another actress with a non-speaking Venus team member part.”

26

“Oh yes, Phyllis! Mario Banks is her agent. She’s done a few small Broadway parts. I’m shocked Mario’s considered Phyllis for movies since she’s a natural on the stage. What big night do you lovely starlets have planned?”

“Nothing special; we’re going to the Pittsburgh vs. Vancouver hockey game. Phyllis had an extra ticket and asked me to go. It starts at seven-thirty and I promised to meet her at the arena.”

“Have fun, dear. Keep me posted about the movie.”

“You know I will, Doris. I’ll call you sometime tomorrow after we wrap for the day.”

***

27

Chapter 8

“Geez, I need a drink,” Phyllis said after the game ended. “Rebels barely squeaked out a win. Those Vancouver boys can play some hockey!”

“Well, most
are
Canadians,” Alex jokingly replied. “Hey, there’s a hotel nearby. Let’s see if they have any decent cocktail lounges.”

They ran across the street to the hotel parking lot, giggling the entire time.

“Oh, awesome; a sports bar inside the lobby!” Phyllis exclaimed. “Let’s check it out!”

“Remember, not too late,” Alex reminded her. “We have to be on the set tomorrow morning at six for makeup and costumes. You know how Connor Francis gets when he’s kept waiting.”

Phyllis rolled her eyes. “Oh, yes, I’m well familiar.”

28

They grabbed an empty table near the entrance and removed their coats.

“Far as weather is concerned, I think I’d rather stay in New York,” Phyllis said. “It’s freezing outside!”

Alex nodded. “Welcome to early spring in Canada. What are you drinking?”

“Nothing too heavy; last thing I need is a hangover on the set tomorrow.”

“Same here, plus I need to start watching the scale a little closer. I’m back up to 140.”

“Oh, you’re fine,” Phyllis reassured her.

“I can’t look like a beached whale if I want better parts and don’t need Doris riding me about my weight to boot.”

“Wow, she sounds like Mario. All I have to do is gain two ounces and he freaks out like the world’s ending.”

A waitress approached to take their orders. “What will it be, ladies?”

“A diet soda,” Alex replied.

“Same here,” Phyllis added.

29

Both women studied their surrounding atmosphere; it had been mostly quiet until a small group of talking and laughing men entered the bar.

Phyllis gasped at the sight of them. “Oh my God, Alex, look! It’s guys from the Vancouver hockey team!”

“Shh, don’t stare a hole!”

“It looks like we made the right decision choosing this place. I never realized how hot some guys are without their gear.”

“Down, Phyllis; we’re here to unwind, not ogle men.”

“Checking them out is fun. Too bad we don’t see many on the set except behind the scenes.”

“Which makes sense considering the movie is based on a
women’s
team.”

“Hey, while we’re discussing work, you did a great job with Lily Stahl today. A lot of people say she’s a super diva, but you two blended well.”

“I only had one line. She did the rest.”

“Yeah, whatever; even Old Man Francis was pleased he got the scene in one take. I guess today was one of Lily’s rare non-dragon lady days.”

30

“Don’t be snide, Phyllis,” Alex chided her. “I think the woman’s mostly misunderstood.”

“Yeah, she’s getting a $12 million paycheck for this movie. I wish I was so ‘misunderstood’.”

“Not what I meant, but I honestly think Miss Stahl’s not that bad under the tough exterior.”

“What, now you’re a shrink?”

“No, but we talked for a few minutes after our scene.”

“Wait…
the
Lily Stahl lowered herself to acknowledging a lowly bit part actress?”

“Will you stop the bitchiness for a couple minutes? Miss Stahl asked my name and I expected some condescending remarks, but such wasn’t the case. You can almost imagine my shock when she said ‘Alexandra Galloway, you’re going to be big. I can’t say when or how, but you’ll be a star’.”

Phyllis’ eyes widened. “She told you that? Wow!”

“I know; it’s still hard to believe!”

31

The conversation was interrupted by two men appearing by their table; one blond, the second with dark features.

“Evening, ladies,” the blond man greeted them.

Alex stared at the pair for a moment, speechless.
Holy hell, two Vancouver Galaxy players are talking to
us!

Phyllis smiled at them. “Hi, great game tonight.”

“Thanks, but we got bested by Troy Talmadge and company in overtime. That’s okay; we’ll get back at them tomorrow night.”

“Or they’ll get you two for two,” Alex replied.

“By the way, I’m Christian and this is Marc. You’re from the States, eh?”

“I’m Alex; this is Phyllis. How did you…”

“Your accents,” Marc interjected. “Clearly American.”

“Oh! Yes, of course.”

“What brought you ladies to Vancouver?” Christian asked. “Surely you didn’t travel all the way here for a hockey game.”

32

“Not quite,” Alex replied. “We’re in town for work.”

“What do you do?”

“Shooting a movie,” Phyllis said.

Marc gave a low whistle. “Wow, I had no idea we were talking to stars!”

Phyllis laughed. “I wouldn’t go that far. Alex only has three lines in the whole movie and I don’t have any. What the hell; we still get bragging rights for working with Connor Francis.”

“We’re in
Vancouver Venus,”
Alex added. “It’s the new docudrama starring Lily Stahl.”

“Oh yeah, I remember hearing something about a movie based on the Venus,” Christian said. “What parts are you playing? We’ll have to check it out.”

“I’m a team member who scores the championship game’s winning goal. If it helps, I have one scene with Miss Stahl.”

“I’m on the team too,” Phyllis said, “but my part may end up on the cutting room floor.”