Kiera got off the elevator and was relieved she when she saw the director still in the hall just outside the designated hall for today's table read. It would mean the main and more experienced actors have yet to arrive.
There was an unspoken and very intricate timing being orchestrated as to the time of arrival of various actors for every single event. As a rookie, Kiera needed to be here before the main leads and more experienced actors, but should arrive after the rest of the cast as the second female lead.
It was important to remain good relations with the administrative team. Piss them off and you might find yourself arriving after a more famous actor, if you're lucky they would just laugh off your apologies; worst scenario, you would be suffering during the shoot.
To maintain good relations with the team, Fifi would later on share some imported snacks with them once the table read was on the way.
Kiera took a deep breath and approached the director.
This was it. It was showtime.
----
Anastasia Estelle, was considered as one of best actresses during her prime. For the past decade she had taken part in only two movies, wanting to focus on her children and her family.
Now, her youngest child was off to university and she was bored just staying at home or meeting up with her friends; gossiping and shopping aimlessly. The family business just couldn't hold her interest.
After lamenting about her boredom during breakfast one morning, her husband had laughed at her and encouraged her to pick from the stack of scripts the directors and producers still sent to her.
It was to dip her toes into acting and see if it was still of interest to her.
She waved him off. "I'm happily retired, thank you very much." She had insisted, she was in her mid-forties and she was no longer relevant to the younger crowd.
It had irked her when her husband had just laughed at her and kissed the top of her head before he left for work.
She told herself she would dispose of the scripts as she had always done, but the temptation had gotten to her. She had ended up browsing through the scripts and for some reason this novel adaptation had captured her interest.
She had always liked acting as the woman scorned, her husband pointed out when she told him she'll see if the role was still open. She had scoffed at him.
Now here she was, at her first table read in years.
"How do you feel?" Her manager asked.
"Nervous and excited. Though I have no idea why I should be nervous at my age." Anastasia said with a chuckle. "And I don't know most of these newcomers and though you shared some information as to the actors I will be working with, not knowing all the gossip feels new. It feels unsettling going into battle almost blind."
Her manager nodded, "I haven't been on scene as well. I'll try to socialize with the other managers and try to get any news. Do consider the various agencies I shared with you; you might need to make a decision sooner rather than later."
Tasia sighed, "I know. I never actually planned to go out of retirement, I never thought I needed to continue gathering information about everyone."
During her prime, she would never have considered going into a table reading without knowing exactly how her co-actors would possibly act. Who will be the most likely to pour coffee over her, who had backers she couldn't insult. At least she was still considered as a more experienced actor, no one would dare be rude to her until she showed weakness.
She studied her reflection in the elevator mirrors. Perfectly coifed hair with wisps curling just so at her temples and the side of her face and a simple but expensive dress suit from one of the high-end brands.
'This should do for now.' Her ruby red lips quirked into an arrogant smile, 'If they think I've gotten soft in my old age, then they can come and try.'
She stepped out of the elevator; she was looking forward to stirring the pot and seeing what comes up.
---
Kiera has been casually chatting with the director and assistant director for a minute or so when a familiar face approached them.
Those green eyes seemed to be full of mirth.
After their little accident, Kiera had casually asked Sophia about her acting partner during her audition.
"Why are you asking about him now?" Sophia asked.
Kiera shrugged and acted nonchalant, "Well, I thought he was a signed actor with the agency but I never saw him in classes. I wanted to thank him for going along with me during my audition."
Sophia chuckled, "Alec was one of the first actors we have signed."
Alexander "Alec" Greer.
Getting that name, it was easy to do her research about him online.
And let's just say those intense green eyes looking at her across the screen from various pictures of him was not what she expected when she did her initial search.
He had several modeling gigs under his belt and a few successful acting roles. His looks guaranteed a growing fan club.
The more she learned about him during her quick search, the surer she was that he will be extremely famous within a year or so, but his name did not ring any bells.
It had bothered her, but she knew she had already gone beyond the script of her old life. She shouldn't be shocked it might have caused other changes in other people's lives.
Having irrevocably changed the future and her future knowledge being moot was a dizzying thought. But she resolved herself to focus on the present and enjoy what she currently has.
"Good morning, director." Alec had reached them and had exchanged greetings and handshakes with the director and assistant director.
"Glad to see you, Alec. Alec, this is Kiera, our second female lead." Nathan, the director gestured towards her. "Kiera, this is Alexander, our secondary male lead."
Alec, his emerald eyes full of mischief, "Great meeting you once again, Kiera."
Kiera maintained her cordial smile as they shook hands, "Looking forward to working with you."
"You two know each other?" Rick, the assistant director looked at the both of them.
Alec grinned, "We're from the same agency." He threw her a playful wink.
Kiera fought the urge to bury her face in her hands. The table read hasn't started and she had the beginning of a stress headache.