"Okay you're done. Now get on over to the makeup trailer because you need some work done." I didn't have time to be offended because she was already onto the next girl and I was pushed out of the trailer.
I found my way to the makeup trailer and an overtly gay man was surprised by my appearance. "Okay gurl, you have a lot of natural beauty but we need to fix some stuff. What are you supposed to be?"
"A waitress" I replied once I figured out what he was asking. I watched as he quickly put some red lipstick on me and then darkened my eyes with black eye liner and eye shadow. I never used that much makeup before on myself but things would have to change because I looked so sexy.
"Okay now that's done, we need to work on your hair. "He used a brush to tease my hair up and then put it all in a simple pony tail. "We don't want you to be too sexy because you're just a waitress but this is the movies so you need to be sexier than the average waitress. Now get out of here and good luck!"
I didn't realize it but four hours had passed since I arrived this morning. I walked on set to find someone that could tell me where I needed to go.
"You're the waitress right?" A skinny guy with a clipboard asked.
I nodded my head and then he pointed to a sound stage down the lot. "You better get over there fast because I think they're waiting for you."
"Shit! Okay thanks!" I said as I walked away very quickly. I made my way to the sound stage door and opened it up. My eyes needed a moment to adjust as I went from outside to a dark room. A small restaurant set was built that looked like an actual place you would go eat on a romantic date.
I could see the woman that flagged me down last night in the corner of the fake restaurant. "Hey waitress girl! Where have you been?" Nobody ever tries to know someone's name. I guess that's the difference between Hollywood and a small town.
"So sorry, I was caught up in makeup," I said apologetically.
"Don't worry about it! Now this is what's going to happen. When the director yells "action" you take this menu and bring it to Chris at the table. After that you need to ask him if he wants anything to drink."
"Oh wait I thought I wasn't going to have any lines?" I asked nervously.
"Sorry things change all the time so now you'll ask him that and then the next scene you'll need to take his order." She then gave me a copy of the script for the scene. The script showed four lines that I would have to memorize and I only had a few minutes before shooting started. My body started to sweat and I felt like the room was caving in on me.
"You can do this Alexis! Just breathe!" I told myself. Everyone was getting to their places and then Chris showed up. He was wearing a black suit and his long hair was slicked back that made him look ridiculously sexy. He sat down at the fake restaurant table and I stood off on the side nervously holding the menus waiting for the director.
"ACTION!!" I made my way to the table where Chris was sitting and when he looked up at me I froze. He smiled really big and I opened my mouth to say my line but nothing came out. I so nervous from all the cameras and the people watching that I flubbed my lines.
The director screamed "CUT!! Back to your positions!" I walked back to my starting position with my head down. "Don't mess this up Alexis!" I thought to myself.
"ACTION!!" I walked again to the table and my hands were shaking so bad the menus were flopping up and down in my arms. I went to say my line and all that came out was "want drink?" "CUT!! Let's take five, people."
I couldn't believe what was happening and that it was all my fault. My step stepdad walked up to me. "What's the problem, Alexis?"
"Hi. Sorry I'm just so nervous right now. Thanks for this opportunity but I don't think I can handle this."
"Okay Alexis, you just need to take a couple deep breaths." Now when you come back and do your lines I want you to focus only on me. Don't pay attention to the cameras or the people watching. Just pretend it's you and me here all alone." I took a couple deep breaths as he talked and I could feel his voice literally soothing me.
The next time the director called action I went up to Chris and I imagined that I really was a waitress. I was able to push everyone out of the room and just focus on the moment. I didn't even really try to remember my lines, it all just came so naturally. Before I knew it, the director yelled cut and it was over. I walked off the set and my mind was in a blur and my heart was racing.