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“We do not have it in the budget to get you that type of a crane Moni.” Tina answered her employee with the same answer she’d given the last two times. “We’re only a quarter of the way through this project and we’re already nearly 13,000 dollars over budget.”
“I know.”
“When I get back I have to explain to the studio why we’re over budget on this project already.”
“I know Tina.”
“And now you want me to justify the rental of a crane that’s at the very least 15,000 a week with a, what was it you asked for? A thirty foot reach and stabilizer? Not to mention the request we’ll have to put in for the modification of the permits. You do realize how insane of a request that is right now?”
“I need you to picture this, come here.” Tina could see beyond her sunglasses that Moni was trying to charm her into submission, that much was obvious. Still she let this woman take her hand and lead her further down into the canyon where they were shooting final scenes for the movie. Tina saw a few people standing around taking care of their responsibilities and such but the actors’ stand-ins were in robes drinking water nearby.
“Ok picture this,”
Bette displayed her pass for the set around her neck as she was carrying a sluggish Angie. She’d just picked her up from daycare and now she was picking up Tina from work. She planned her last day at the office to be short that way she could be well rested for the operation tomorrow and the party later on tonight. She had Angie on her hip as she walked down the preset dirt path mindful of her expensive shoes and the small rocks along the way. From her view point she could see Tina watching some woman animatedly explain something to her. Tina was continuing to shake her head in between her responses. Again the woman was persistent holding up her finger to Tina to give her another moment to explain. She gathered what looked to be the actors and cued for someone to turn on the rain machine, the actors began, what looked to be intense dialogue, and then they began clinging to each other in a tight embrace. All the while the woman continued with an elaborate explanation to Tina. She used her arms in a swooping motion, and used her thumbs and forefinger to as a focal point for Tina.
Still Tina continued to shake her head in the negative, but the persistent woman continued to invade Tina’s space only this time she took Tina’s hand and with a flirtatious smile she kissed it trying to charm Tina into agreement. Tina smiled as she tucked her windblown hair behind her ear, she continued to shake her head no. Bette could clearly see it from there Tina was not charmed by this woman and she knew it, her inability to effect change with Tina was obvious some thirty odd yards away. She clenched Tina’s hand tighter into both of hers and moved even closer to her, Tina took a step back, but still her hand was firmly in this woman’s grasp. Tina continued to shake her head and with a laughing smile she again swept her hair back behind her ear and turned her head away from this woman and in doing so she finally caught Bette’s eye. Tina stepped back and waved to Bette to come down and join them, it was then she realized that Moni was still holding her hand. She shook it loose once Bette got closer to her. Tina leaned into Bette and stood on one foot of her tippy toes to kiss her cheek, Bette was still in her work shoes and Tina had been walking up and down the path all day so she was in tennis shoes. Angie was tired and had her head resting on Bette’s shoulder as she looked at Moni with a furrowed brow, Moni moved in to tickle Angie ‘Hello’ but the little girl turned her head into Bette’s neck and gripped her a little bit tighter around the neck.
“I’m sorry I don’t think we’ve met before.” Moni said staring at Bette and mentally wondering why Tina had changed babysitters.
“Oh God, forgive my scatter brain. Moni, this is my girlfriend Bette. Bette this is Moni, she’s trying to scam me into giving her expensive toys.”
“Oh you’re one of Tina’s friends.” Moni stuck out one of her hands for Bette. “And don’t believe Tina, scam is a very accusatory and ugly word.”
Bette shifted Angie further up onto her hip as she was about to address the issue of what Moni chose to hear in Tina’s introduction. “Oh no, no Moni,” Tina interrupted. “Bette is my girlfriend, we’re a couple.”
Moni simply gave a closed lip smile with a, “Mmhh.” With a touch of a condescending eyebrow.
Bette was not able to respond before the assistant director came over and told them that they were ready for the last shot of the day. Bette stepped back as the three of them walked back over towards the actors and continued to work.