Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey (22 page)

When the call was concluded, Libby climbed back into the passenger’s seat. “Chuck, if you need me to drive...”

“Nah, I’m good, really. This thing is great to drive, plenty of room...nice ride. I’m used to the bus, so it’s not a big deal. We had an RV for a while, when it was just Joe and me on the road...it was a step up from the car, and it was nice to have the on-board facilities...not to have to worry about if the sheets were buggy,” he laughed. “We’ve been in some hotels the roaches refused to stay in,” he laughed. “One place last year, I swear, there were bedbugs!”

The two stopped for a late dinner after crossing into South Dakota. Libby saw that Chuck was tired. They had been traveling for almost ten hours, and it had been dark for a while. “Chuck, we can stop or I can drive...you don’t have to keep pushing yourself.”

“Chuck smiled, “I’m good, really. We have a couple hours to go. I think I can make it.”

“But...”

Chuck waved her thought away. “I promise, if I need to pull over, I will. Besides, I’ve talked with Joe...if I don’t get you there soon, he’ll have my hide,” Chuck laughed.

Libby smiled. She was anxious to see him, too, but not at Chuck’s expense. “Let me drive then. You get some sleep...I’m good to drive, I promise.”

“We’ll see,” was his only response.

He watched her throughout dinner; she seemed to be holding up pretty well. As they climbed back into the RV, her slow movements were obvious. When she turned for the keys, he shook his head. “I’ve got this.” He climbed behind the wheel and started the RV. They stopped to fill the gas tanks, then drove on to the last leg on I-90.

Lead, South Dakota, Day 17 - Thursday

It was just before 3:00 a.m. when the RV pulled into the parking lot of the Spear Canyon Lodge. Joe texted messages every hour, asking for updated locations. After stretching the kinks, Libby went to her bedroom to pack an overnight bag. Chuck collected his bags and guitar, and they disembarked for the lodge. The air was crisp and fresh when she and Chuck stepped out. They pressed the buzzer by the lodge door and waited on the night clerk to release the electronic doorlock.

As they walked through the door, Libby’s phone buzzed with a text from Joe. “Where?”

Libby replied “Lobby!” Just as Libby and Chuck greeted the clerk at the front desk, Joe ran into the room with a huge grin on his face. He grabbed Libby, spinning her around, then planted a big kiss on her lips. While holding her with one arm and her feet dangling, he extended his other hand to Chuck in a gesture of appreciation.

“Joe, put me down,” Libby winced in pain, a bit embarrassed but laughing all the while as she glanced at the clerk. The front desk clerk was delighted with the distraction. He smiled, then pretended to shuffle papers on the desk.

“Are you full?” she asked the clerk, a little breathy.

“We have a couple vacancies for the night. But I’m afraid we’re booked for the weekend. I’d be happy to put you at the top of a waiting list for any cancellations.”

“One night’s great, what time is checkout?” Chuck asked, approaching the clerk and reaching for his wallet.

“Oh, no! I’ve got this,” Libby walked quickly to the desk. “His money’s no good here!” She handed the clerk her credit card and shot a glance at Chuck. “Really, I’ve got this!” she demanded, daring him to argue with her.

Chuck looked beat. The clerk handed him a keycard and explained directions to his room. “Oh, checkout is usually eleven, but since you’re getting in so late, I can extend that until...” he glanced at his computer, “...how’s one o’clock?”

“Great, thanks,” Chuck replied with a half-smile.

Joe took Libby’s bag, then her hand and led them out of the lobby. The group stopped at Chuck’s room to say goodnight. Once inside Joe’s room, he dropped her bag on a chair, pulling her close.

“So, you really okay?”

“I’m fine,” she replied, smiling at him.

He hugged her close, “Girl, I missed you!”

She was so happy to be in his arms she didn’t want to move. “That makes two of us,” she whispered into his neck.

After a few minutes she asked, “Mind if I hit the shower?”

“Only if I can watch,” he replied wryly, flashing a wicked grin. She laughed and picked up her bag, looking around for the bathroom door.

The shower felt so good, Libby
almost
didn’t want to get out. Her aching muscles relaxed under the heat. “Wish I actually had the strength and time for a bath...it would feel good to soak,” she called out to Joe in the bedroom. He waited impatiently at the end of the bed. Several times he started into the bathroom, but each time shook his head and forced himself to sit back down.

Libby came out wrapped in towels and dropped her bag on a low dresser beside the bathroom. Joe noticed the dark circles under her eyes and smiled sympathetically.

As she walked toward him, the lamplight showed the bruises across her chest and neck. Trying to hide his anger and frustration at not being there to protect her, he said, “You look tired.” He lightly ran his fingers across the marks with a frown.

She smiled at him, “I’m just happy to be here with you,” as she wrapped his hair through her fingers and kissed him. He laid his head against her stomach and held her quietly. With her arms around his head, she kissed the top of his head and continued to run her fingers through his hair. She breathed in his scent as she laid her cheek on his head.

He forced himself to let her go, “Get ready for bed, you need some rest.” She stroked his cheek, looking deeply into his eyes. She kissed his mouth, then walked over to grab a tee from her overnight bag. Joe scowled at the bruises across her back. He watched as she slipped a shirt over her head and down her back. As she returned to him, he rose, walking her over to the side of the bed and kissed her as he pushed her down to the mattress and pulled the covers over her. He returned to where he previously laid. Turning off the light, he turned to find her, and easily pulled her across the huge king-sized bed next to him. Another kiss goodnight and both drifted off to sleep, content in each other’s’ arms.

Lead,
South Dakota, Day 18 - Friday

Joe tiptoed around the room shortly after 7:00, trying not to wake Libby. He wrote two notes, leaving one on his pillow for Libby. As he slipped out the door, he placed the “do-not-disturb” sign on the doorknob.

The second note was slipped under Chuck’s door just before he joined the crew leaving for the film location. It was a beautiful morning, and he was hoping the schedule would hold true. His shoot was scheduled to be free by 2:00, and he looked forward to taking Libby on a date. His life was never normal, dating was a foreign concept. Any woman who managed to stick around had to fit-in between gigs and his hectic schedule, very rarely had he actually participated in normal dating rituals. As the vehicle wound through the Black Hills, Joe’s mind wandered while he considered everything they could do together—normal things his crazy lifestyle didn’t afford him time to enjoy.

Fortunately, “scruffy” was the only description for his character in
The
Black Hills at Sundown
, which left him with only a small obligation to the makeup chair most days. Even after chatting up the crew, he was on set, ready to go in a half-hour of his arrival. Extras were being placed and instructions being given. This morning’s shoot was an easy one for him, no lines, just show up and be placed. He was glad, considering his previous late night. Once the piano started, he was to walk into the saloon, survey the room, order a drink and wait for the singer to finish her song.

Dolly, the dance-hall singer, was late for her call-time and was just getting her direction. Makeup couldn’t improve her green complexion, and her hangover was hard to miss.

The director, Davis Wade, took his position, calling “Let’s give this a go...I want to run through for places and sound-check,” as Joe stepped outside the saloon doors.

“Once for marks and sound,” the assistant director called out. “Roll sound!”

The sound technician called, “Speed!”

“Hold marker,” the AD called out again.

“And…action background,” Davis Wade called out, and the background actors began laughing, drinking and moving around the set. A couple of dance hall girls appeared on stage and flirted with the extras standing in front of them.

“Action!” Davis called out.

The piano began to play, and Joe walked through the door with the swagger of the old west. On cue, he surveyed the room as Dolly began her song with trepidation. Seconds later, she ran off-stage to the closest garbage can.

“You gotta be kidding me! Cut!” the exasperated director called out. Once the dance-hall girl recovered from her alcohol purge, makeup flew in to repair damage and they began again.

* * *

Libby awoke around 8:00 and found Joe’s note.

Text me when you get up.

She smiled and held the note to her chest. She was so glad to be with him, finally. She loved that he wanted her there. Libby dressed, grimacing as she moved, and made her way to the dining room for a cup of coffee. Chuck was sitting in the corner reading a newspaper with a steaming cup of coffee in front of him.

“Good morning,” she said cheerfully.

Lowering the paper, Chuck smiled, “Mornin’. Aren’t you little miss sunshine.”

Libby sat down as a waitress brought her a menu and an empty coffee cup, gesturing a fill. Libby nodded as she reviewed the menu.

The waitress asked, “Should I bring your breakfasts together?” looking at Chuck. He nodded.

“Ham and cheese omelet with toast,” Libby ordered and returned the menu. “Didn’t expect to see you so early.”

“Noisy neighbors…noisy belly,” Chuck laughed.

* * *

An hour of failed practices had passed before Wade shouted, “Get me a new singer,” turning to his assistant director and the writer, Louie Lovrette. “Can we salvage
anything
?”

As they conferred, Joe stepped up, huge grin on his face, “I got this,” Wade looked at him, smirking, “YOU can’t sing TOO...how many roles you gonna play?”

“No, I’ve got someone...she’s perfect for Dolly. I’ll get her here.”

Reflecting a slight agitation, Wade studied Joe, “Well, then do it. How long till she’s here?” Joe held up a finger as he opened his cellphone.

* * *

Libby glanced at her phone, “Joe wants us to join him at the shoot…and he wants us to hurry.”

Seconds later, Chuck received a text, “Bring pappy.” He laughed as he flashed Libby his text. They choked down the remainder of their breakfast, and Libby dropped cash on the table for their check.

“Have you asked about cancellations?” Libby inquired as they were walking out the restaurant.

“Nah,” Chuck replied.

“I’ll ask. You get pappy.”

While Libby was waiting at the front desk, a young girl approached her. “Are you Libby?” she asked expectantly.

“Yes,” Libby replied.

“Joe asked me to pick you and Chuck up to bring you to the shoot.”

“Oh, I was going to ask about renting a car.”

“No time,” the girl quickly replied, as she eagerly tried to move Libby toward the door.

Libby turned to the manager, “Can you find out about renting me a car, you can put it on the same credit card for Charles King’s room. I don’t know how long, just leave it open ended, and...” The girl pulled Libby toward the door. “See if they’ll deliver it,” Libby managed to get it out before the girl pulled her out of the lobby.

“Very good,” the manager called back to her.

Libby pulled away long enough to stick her head back in the doorway, “By the way, did you have a cancellation for a room for Charles King?” she called back across the lobby.

“Yes, we did!” he called back to her.

“Terrific! Thanks!” she replied as she was once again pulled from the door.

Chuck arrived at the doorway with pappy’s case in hand as the two girls climbed into the jeep waiting at the front door.

“Got that, right? You’ve got a room!” Libby smiled.

Chuck smiled back, “Thanks, Libby. You can look out for me anytime. Be warned, that’s a dirty job no woman wants for long,” he smirked.

Fifteen minutes later they were being hurried across the set, after what should have been a thirty minute drive. Joe was studying a script at the bar while lighting was being moved. Extras mingled in their places.

The director returned to his stool and the assistant director called, “Quiet on the set!”

The assistant director called, “Picture’s up!” and everyone became quiet. “Roll sound!” he called again.

“Speed!” the sound tech called.

“Roll camera!” the AD called out.

The camera assistant was standing beside the director of photography, who pointed a finger and the CA called, “Speed!”

Libby and Chuck stood beside the girl who flew around the mountain curves to get them there. Libby’s head felt a little woozy, so she was glad to stand still. She leaned against the back wall and watched, fascinated.

A production assistant brought in a clapper and called out, “Scene 22, Take 3! Marker!” and clapped the clapboard.

The pianist began to play as chatter picked up in the saloon.

“Action,” called the director, and on cue, a conversation at the bar began as a camera focused on the actors. The assistant motioned and background noise lessened as the actors delivered their lines.

Several minutes later the director called, “Cut!”

Joe turned, seeing Libby and Chuck. He walked over to the director and made a statement then quickly joined Libby and Chuck, “Come on,” he said.

As he took them to wardrobe, he explained the situation. Once in the trailer, costumers began measuring Libby for Dolly’s costume without a word. Looking perplexed, Joe began, “Don’t you wanna be in the movies?” he laughed. “We need a madam singer…and I volunteered you.”

Libby looked surprised and Chuck laughed. “Ah, you can do this…piece of cake!” Joe added. “Here, listen.” As Libby was moved to the makeup chair, someone began pulling her hair into a ponytail. Joe picked up pappy and played the melody quickly. As Libby was changing, Joe gave Chuck the sheet music and left them to figure out the song while he returned for retake.

Fifteen minutes later, Libby was escorted onto the stage as Dolly. Wade called out, “Okay, walk through, places.” He approached the stage and explained to Libby, “This is simple...when the piano begins, you sing the song and you’re seductive. Just that simple. Questions?” Libby looked bewildered but shook her head no in reply.

“These ladies know the dance, you just sit on the piano and sing the song…think you can handle that?”

“Sure,” Libby tried to look confident, then glanced at the back of the room at Joe. He smiled and nodded with confidence. She tried to match his enthusiasm as she was helped over to the piano. Someone came up and put a wireless microphone on Libby.

The director returned to his stool, “PLACES... okay, let’s walk through this. We may need to rethink some of the lighting. Let’s just see how this goes. We’re behind schedule people! Help me out here so we can get to lunch on schedule.”

The routine callouts went around the room, and the pianist whispered to Libby, “No problem, I’ll nod when you’re to come in. Here’s the tempo…is this good?” he played a little of the song and she nodded. She posed seductively, leaning on her elbow.

The piano began, and Libby fell into the song.

Once the song ended, Wade called, “That’ll do...okay. Sound! Are we good?”

“Crystal clear, and double-mic’ed ready when you are,” the sound tech called out.

The sound man moved in close to Libby with the boom and the piano man called out, “Ready.” The sound man called out something to the production assistant in front of him, who scribbled on a slate. Stretching to holding it between Libby, who was standing on the stage, and the boom, the PA called out “Scene 20, take 7!”

After “Action” was called, the pianist began playing the song and Libby sang through it. When the song finished, the sound man asked her to do it again, take 8 was recorded.

Libby watched in amazement as people moved around the room. As she waited for her next direction, Libby caught Joe as he smiled up at her from the back of the saloon. After a short time, the director again called for places and take 9 began. She sang the song again, but this time with a little less enthusiasm. After the first phrase, he again called, “Cut.” With a new camera placement, the lights shifted and she sang the same verse again.

“You’re doing great,” the pianist winked at her, “Just have fun with it.” Libby smiled at his encouragement.

“Action!” Wade called and the pianist began again.

Libby started the next measure of the song as she looked over the crowd of extras, as they whooped and whistled. Joe walked through the door on cue, and suddenly Libby remembered the final round of the competition at the fair. Joe became her focal point. Giving it her all, she flirted with the extras, but her attention was mostly on Joe. She stepped down off the piano onto the first table next to the stage. Giving a little dance as she sang, she stepped on a chair, then to the next table. Libby started getting into the song more and more, as she walked from table to table. Holding heads or shoulders as she passed to keep her balance, sometimes she’d be offered a hand. She knocked off a hat from one cowboy, then tossed one across the room. Libby worked the song...as she got to the table in front of Joe; he walked up to face her. She leaned over and shoved him into the chair behind him as she was reaching the song’s finale. As she sang the last chorus of the song Libby swung down from the table and straddling Joe’s lap as she took his hat and placed it on her head.

The bar crowd roared, and moments later the director called excitedly, “CUT! That lighting alright?” as he conferred with the DP. A few moments later, he called out “Nice job! Well done!” as he shook his head in disbelief. Joe beamed at Libby as she put his hat back on his head. Joe cut his eyes back to Wade, who was still shaking his head and laughing. Libby lifted herself off Joe’s lap as extras came to offer their hand, cheer and congratulate her.

The director, writer, camera operator huddled around a monitor and laughed occasionally.

“I think we can do that one more time…just move the light over here,” and he walked over to a place just behind Joe. People began shifting equipment madly. Thirty minutes later, a few more lights were repositioned and the camera was moved to a dolly, Libby again repeated her dance across the tables.

As the monitor was again reviewed, the muffled comments were drowned out by the extras’ laughs and chides. Libby sat on Joe’s lap, clearly tired but happy everyone seemed pleased.

Joe looked at her with great admiration, “See, I knew you’d be great.”

Libby beamed.

“That’s
lunch
,” called out the AD.

Libby stood, and the crowd gathered around her, walking her out the door as she tried to stop to wait for Joe. In a momentary lull, Libby called back, “Coming, Joe?”

“In a minute. You go ahead, I’ll be there.” Libby looked back over her shoulder at him as the crowd swept her out the door. Joe shifted in his seat as Davis Wade walked by, slapped him on the shoulder, and with a nod and a smile, walked away.

Wade met up with Louie Lovrette outside to discuss the afternoon’s shoot. Wade called “Dolly!” and motioned for her to come over.

“It’s Libby,” she smiled as she approached, winded and a little pale from her performance and all the excitement.

“Hey, that was great. We all were counting on an easy shoot this morning. I should know better than to rely on kids. They get a taste of ‘showbiz,’ and think they can do anything they want. Thanks again for stepping in, you were great!” Wade laughed. “You be sure to check in at the production office and take care of your paperwork. I don’t know how much of what you did will be in the final cut, but you did a great job. Louie, you’re gonna have to write her another piece in there somewhere.”

“I was thinkin’ the same thing!” Louie laughed. “You were great. If it looks half as good on camera as what I saw, you’re gonna steal the show.”

Libby blushed, “Thanks, I was just glad I could help.” She looked back for Joe, who still hadn’t left the saloon. “It was great to meet you. Thanks so much—I really had fun.” As she moved away, the two men looked at each other, shaking their heads in disbelief.