Rosita''s weak grasp of the script and her shallow understanding of tradition left
her performance hopelessly superficial.
After a week on set, progress had ground to a halt.
Atst, Grover snapped.
"Cut! Cut! Cut!" His shout rang out across the studio for what felt like the hundredth time. "That''s it! We''re done for today!"
Bill rushed over, hands raised in a cating gesture. "Grover, take it easy. Getting worked up isn''t good for you. Ms. Lockwood''s just a little out of practice-it''s been a while since herst film. She just needs some time to get back into the groove
"It''s been a week!" Grover barked, arms akimbo. "We haven''t gotten a single usable take! There''s a whole crew here, wasting their time because of her. Didn''t she even read the character notes I gave her?"
"She did, she did..." Bill said quickly, his smile stretched thin.
"Then why is her acting still such a mess?" Grover rubbed his neck, inhaling deeply, but the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. "I told you from the start, she wasn''t right for this role! But you insisted..."
He let out a heavy sigh, then turned to Bill with finality. "Call the boss. Tell him to rece Ms. Lockwood. Get the girl from ourpany—what''s her name, Mary? Yes, Mary! She''s got real talent. She''s perfect for this part! Let her do it."
Bill hesitated, looking genuinely troubled. "That''s... not possible. Ms. Lockwood''s the lead the boss personally chose. We really can''t rece her."
"Then I can''t direct this film anymore," Grover shot back. "Tell the boss to find someone else to run this circus!"
"Come on, Grover," Bill said, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don''t be hasty. I''ll call the boss and let him know what''s going on."
Grover snorted in disgust.
Bill pulled out his phone and stepped aside, already dialing.
Beneath a sun umbre, Rosita sat in her chair, watching Bill make the call across the lot.
She''d heard every word Grover had said just now.
He actually dared to look down on her? Wanted to rece her?
A cold, mocking smile crossed Rosita''s lips.
She was thepany''s rising star-if anyone was getting reced, it certainly wasn''t going to be her.
After a few minutes, Bill returned to Grover''s side.
"The boss has it covered. Ms. Lockwood will have a week of private coaching. A specialist in traditional arts will work with her. Grover, you can use this week to shoot scenes with the other actors."
Grover pressed his lips together and sighed. "Let''s hope Ms. Lockwood shows some improvement after this week."
Bill pped him on the back, grinning. "She will! You know Ms. Lockwood-her dedication is famous in the industry!"
Grover rolled his eyes so hard he nearly saw the ceiling.
Rosita was in a foul mood when she learned the boss wanted her off set for a week of lessons.
But there was no use fighting his decision.
Bill told her sses would start tomorrow. For today, she could rest.
After a moment''s thought, Rosita decided to visit Lauren at the hospital.
But when she arrived, a nurse informed her that Lauren had checked herself out.
Rosita returned to her car and called her private investigator.
"Find out where my mother went."
"On it."
Back at Lunar Heights Estate, Rosita received a video message from the investigator.
The footage showed Lauren, looking wounded and angry, clutching Gavin by the arm and demanding, "While you were with me, you were still sneaking around with that little tramp? Gavin, do you have any idea how much you''ve hurt me?"
"Lauren, those are just rumors," Gavin said, eyes darting nervously. "This isn''t the
right ce to talk. Let''s find somewhere more private."
Gavin led a protesting, half-reluctant Lauren into his car.
A voice note followed: "They''re
headed to a hotel. Looks like Gavin''s afraid Lauren will make a scene in front of Mrs. Prescott. He''s ying the sympathy card, probably trying to calm her down for now
Rosita let out a coldugh and saved the video.
Then she dialed Jason Prescott.
"Jason... No, I just got back from the set and thought I''d check in on you. How''s everything at home?"