gave me a creepy shiver. I heard a wolf howl.
Corbin sipped from a steaming cup as he directed the bustling activity. “Wow, you guys are early,” I said as his crew pulled tripods, flash umbrellas, and lighting equipment from the backs of their vans.
“That’s why our clients like us,” he said. “We show up when we say we will and deliver more than we promise.”
About fifteen people dressed in black T-shirts and jeans unloaded equipment with minimal conversation. Intent on their tasks, they gave me no more than a passing glance as they ferried lights and big black boxes trimmed in chrome up to the front door.
“I heard there was a mix-up with your accommodations in Emberstowne. Where are you staying?” I asked.
Corbin scowled. “We
were
staying at the Waltham Arms,” he said, “but a union dispute broke a couple days ago. There’s no way we’re crossing picket lines, so we had to find another place with room enough for the duration. The only place with vacancies was this rinky-dink Oak Tree Hotel. More like motel, if you ask me.”
I knew of it. Quite a drop in opulence from the Waltham Arms.
Corbin squinted up at the sky. “They predicted a clear day. I hope it doesn’t get too hot in there.” He waved a hand in the general direction of the equipment. “I always work up a sweat around those lights. And I have an idea for a few additional outdoor shots. I walked past the garden yesterday. It’s magnificent. My compliments to your staff.”
“They’ll be happy to hear it,” I said, thinking that this would give me an excuse to contact Jack. Maybe one of these days, he and I could have a real adult conversation. At this point, I was less interested in pursuing a romantic relationship than I was in setting things right. I wanted us to be friends if we could. If not, I wanted to know why. I deserved that much.
“What’s the grimace for?” Corbin asked.
Embarrassed to have my emotions play across my face, I stammered, “I’m sorry. Just something on my mind.”
Corbin’s bright eyes sparkled in the dim light. “It’s a man, isn’t it?”
I hoped the flush I felt didn’t show. “That obvious?”
“I have two daughters. They’re both married now, but I remember that look. I always saw it when their boyfriends messed up and my daughters were trying hard to forgive. Rationalizing, justifying.” He shot me that wacky grin. “Am I close?”
I smiled. “Closer than I’d like to admit.”
“If you’ll indulge an old dad’s intrusion, I’ll tell you what I told them: Your guy is going to make you frown once in a while. That’s life, kiddo. But if there are more frowns than smiles, maybe it’s time to take another look around.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
The dozen or so staffers sipped from steaming paper cups as they went about their work, speaking only when necessary, as though reluctant to dispel the morning’s tranquility. Corbin noticed me watching and handed me one of the extra coffees he had nearby.
“Wow,” I said, after a quick sip, “this is strong.”
“Can you think of a better way to get a group moving this early?”
We talked a little more and then I pointed to the vans. “You don’t have any logo on the sides of your vehicles.”
“You ever work for a film company?” he asked.
“No.”
“Well, let me tell you. The entire world has stars in its eyes. You hang out a filmmaker shingle and every DiCaprio or Streep wannabe comes knocking at the window to ask if they can be an extra, or audition, or whatever. We tell them that it’s not up to us—that’s the casting director’s role.”
“Aren’t you the casting director?” I asked.
“They don’t know that, do they?” He winked. “Seriously, that’s why we took our identification off the trucks. We could be anything: movers, laundry service . . .” He got a mischievous look in his eyes. “Shadowy transport for serial killers.”
I laughed politely. After two murders on
Corbin sipped from a steaming cup as he directed the bustling activity. “Wow, you guys are early,” I said as his crew pulled tripods, flash umbrellas, and lighting equipment from the backs of their vans.
“That’s why our clients like us,” he said. “We show up when we say we will and deliver more than we promise.”
About fifteen people dressed in black T-shirts and jeans unloaded equipment with minimal conversation. Intent on their tasks, they gave me no more than a passing glance as they ferried lights and big black boxes trimmed in chrome up to the front door.
“I heard there was a mix-up with your accommodations in Emberstowne. Where are you staying?” I asked.
Corbin scowled. “We
were
staying at the Waltham Arms,” he said, “but a union dispute broke a couple days ago. There’s no way we’re crossing picket lines, so we had to find another place with room enough for the duration. The only place with vacancies was this rinky-dink Oak Tree Hotel. More like motel, if you ask me.”
I knew of it. Quite a drop in opulence from the Waltham Arms.
Corbin squinted up at the sky. “They predicted a clear day. I hope it doesn’t get too hot in there.” He waved a hand in the general direction of the equipment. “I always work up a sweat around those lights. And I have an idea for a few additional outdoor shots. I walked past the garden yesterday. It’s magnificent. My compliments to your staff.”
“They’ll be happy to hear it,” I said, thinking that this would give me an excuse to contact Jack. Maybe one of these days, he and I could have a real adult conversation. At this point, I was less interested in pursuing a romantic relationship than I was in setting things right. I wanted us to be friends if we could. If not, I wanted to know why. I deserved that much.
“What’s the grimace for?” Corbin asked.
Embarrassed to have my emotions play across my face, I stammered, “I’m sorry. Just something on my mind.”
Corbin’s bright eyes sparkled in the dim light. “It’s a man, isn’t it?”
I hoped the flush I felt didn’t show. “That obvious?”
“I have two daughters. They’re both married now, but I remember that look. I always saw it when their boyfriends messed up and my daughters were trying hard to forgive. Rationalizing, justifying.” He shot me that wacky grin. “Am I close?”
I smiled. “Closer than I’d like to admit.”
“If you’ll indulge an old dad’s intrusion, I’ll tell you what I told them: Your guy is going to make you frown once in a while. That’s life, kiddo. But if there are more frowns than smiles, maybe it’s time to take another look around.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
The dozen or so staffers sipped from steaming paper cups as they went about their work, speaking only when necessary, as though reluctant to dispel the morning’s tranquility. Corbin noticed me watching and handed me one of the extra coffees he had nearby.
“Wow,” I said, after a quick sip, “this is strong.”
“Can you think of a better way to get a group moving this early?”
We talked a little more and then I pointed to the vans. “You don’t have any logo on the sides of your vehicles.”
“You ever work for a film company?” he asked.
“No.”
“Well, let me tell you. The entire world has stars in its eyes. You hang out a filmmaker shingle and every DiCaprio or Streep wannabe comes knocking at the window to ask if they can be an extra, or audition, or whatever. We tell them that it’s not up to us—that’s the casting director’s role.”
“Aren’t you the casting director?” I asked.
“They don’t know that, do they?” He winked. “Seriously, that’s why we took our identification off the trucks. We could be anything: movers, laundry service . . .” He got a mischievous look in his eyes. “Shadowy transport for serial killers.”
I laughed politely. After two murders on
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