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“So, how did your day go? I hope it wasn’t too boring having to stare at me for hours,” I jested. Truthfully, she had been great. She had directed the fans effortlessly and kindly, asking them to shift closer to one side, reposition their hand or to adjust their footing.
It had been anything but boring for me, smiling atherfor hours on end.
“The day was really good, it was a lot of fun. I didn’t really know what to expect when I started, but after about the third group of people, I got the hang of it,” she remarked, like it was no big deal. “And no, to answer your question, it was not boring to stare at you. In fact, you were great with everyone…”
I sensed there was a question she was holding back. “…But?”
“How do you do it? I mean, there weresomany people and they demanded your attention and they all wanted something from you. Don’t you ever feel, I don’t, likeviolatedor something?” Her fork was back in the air when she saidviolated, this time spinning it while searching for the right word.
I guess I never really thought about it that way. It was a job, nothing less, nothing more.
Reaching out, I grabbed a small clump of grapes from the charcuterie board as I thought about my answer.
“Well, no, I guess not. It’s just part of what I do and I enjoy it.” I popped a grape in my mouth. “It’s really fun to meet people and hear their stories and it’s always humbling when they share how the character has changed something significant in their lives.”
“Well, you’re really good at it. It was kind of fun to see all the different costumes. Some were adorable, some seemed like they were very intricate and some,” she paused, “were quite revealing.”
At the mention of revealing, my mind went elsewhere, cosplays completely forgotten. It must have shown on my face.
Lucy placed her fork down and sighed. “Ok, ok, let’s address the elephant in the room: I’m sorry I accidentally flashed you. Obviously, I didn’t mean to and it was embarrassing and stupid and can we just forget it ever happened?” She didn’t stop for a breath until she was done, her eyes resting on my plate while she attempted to not make eye contact with me. Her shoulders rolled forward, a completely dejected look on her face.
“I know not what you refer to, Lucy,” I boasted, though a fleeting image of her chest was front and center in my mind now that the incident had been brought up.
Looking at me finally, she blurted, “I’m kind of accident prone.”
Taking another grape, I hid my smirk behind my hand before eating it. “I might have picked up on that…”
Lucy eyed me haughtily. “And I don’t always make the best first impression, made utterly evident by how you and I crossed paths.”
“You must be referring to the jackass that was trying to corner you and not the need to find a restroom,” I skirted.
“I was—and thanks for that, by the way.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So, now that my blunders have been addressed and locked away in a box, what’s your story? How’d you get into acting?”
Glancing at her plate that was now empty, she went for the salami and paired each slice with neat little squares of cheese. She tossed her long, wavy hair over her shoulders before she sought her target.
Sitting back in my chair I recalled how I got into this crazy industry. “It’s just kind of the basic story. I was discovered when I was around eighteen by a modeling agent and acting was the next natural progression for me.” I chuckled and added, “Kind of the Ashton Kutcher deal.”
“Mmm, I see…and are you from San Diego or did you move to California once you were discovered?” Her salami and cheese had disappeared and Lucy was eyeing the almonds next.
“No, I’m from Las Vegas originally. Or just outside, actually.”
“Sin City. Was the move a culture shock, or no?” The almonds were no longer safe.
It had been a big change, but ultimately one that had been worth it. At first, it was fun and exciting and new. It was an adventure that was filled with the promise of a sizeable paycheck; it allowed me to put myself through college and not have to burden my parents or result in me being upside down in student debt.
After telling Lucy, I turned the tables. I wanted to know more about her. I also really liked the way her mouth was slightly asymmetrical, the left side being a fraction lower than the right. When she spoke, it became more evident.
She and I talked until the obligatory questions had been answered. It was a rare conversation when someone didn’t know something about me. And I was here for it.
Fans would ask after personal things like pets, my mom’s surgery she had recently or the home I purchased three years ago.
Interviewers would ask about relationships with costars and directors. They’d have hypotheses about what was next for me. They’d ask questions about any off-limit topic.
It seemed that the public was always trying to be one step ahead of me, when in reality, they didn’t knowme. They knew who they made me to be in their mind.
