Junior Year Box Set

When we found the car, a large Range Rover SUV, Fritz had me sit in the back while he loaded my luggage. I thought a Range Rover was an alternative to a Jeep. This was nothing like my Jeep. It looked like what I would expect a high-end luxury carmaker like Rolls Royce would put out. Then I remembered that this was Rita James’ car. If you were made of money, you would only want the best.

Fritz ignored me as we exited LAX and began our journey to where I’d be staying. I quietly took in the city I’d be living in for the next several weeks. This was certainly not where I grew up. Our destination was the hills that overlooked LA. When we pulled through the gates, I did a double take. This house looked familiar. When we stopped, I got out.

“David,” Fritz said as he came around the car, “when we’re anywhere but at the house, I need you to wait until your driver opens the door. It’s not because we’re trying to put on airs, it’s for your security. The driver won’t open the door if they think there’s a threat. Please let them do their job.”

“Sure,” I said distractedly. “Why does this house seem so familiar?”

“It was rented out to a cable series called Entourage. You might have seen it on TV. Come on, I’ll give you the tour. Halle and Rita are at the studio, so you might as well get the lay of the land,” Fritz suggested.

I recognized the media room and the large kitchen from the TV show. When we stepped out back, the view of LA was spectacular. The property was built on a hill, so they had a large patio area right out the back. You then could walk down the stairs to where there was a pool. On the next level down there was a tennis court with a basketball hoop. Turning to Fritz, I smiled.

“I think I’m going to like it here.”

“I’m sure you will.”

He introduced me to the staff. Rita had a cook, maid, and six security people. Usually, Fritz would be with Rita, but she suggested that since we already knew each other, she wanted him to be my driver/body guard. Two of the security people were with Rita and Halle, and another one was with Trip at the beach house. There was always one person at the main house who monitored the security systems. They also kept in contact with each of the other security people. I hoped to never need anything like this.

He and I got my luggage out of the SUV and took it to my room. The maid came in and began to unpack for me, surprising me. I started to say something, but Fritz shook his head, so I let her do her job. I learned her name was Chloe. There were some things I would have to get used to.

Once I was unpacked, I pulled out my schedule for the upcoming week and stepped out to the patio to enjoy the marvelous LA weather. Tomorrow I was at the studio in the morning and then scheduled to have lunch with Saul and Frank. After that, I was free for the rest of the day. I pulled out my script and read my lines for tomorrow.

I was surprised when the cook brought me out a fruit tray and an iced tea.

“Thank you.”

“If there’s anything special that you require, please let me know,” Rosy offered.

I told her what I usually ate in season, but explained that I wasn’t training right now. While I preferred to try to stay on my diet, I didn’t want to cause any problems. I also told her I wanted to experience what LA had to offer, and that included the food, even if it wasn’t good for me.

◊◊◊

Halle came out of the house and sat down next to me, and I looked up from my script. I was a little irritated that they’d sent me the third version in as many weeks. Halle told me that wasn’t unusual, and that I should expect more changes when I arrived.

“What were you and your mom up to?” I asked.

“We had someone drop out last minute, and we need to replace them. We were doing screen tests all day. It seemed we ran through like thirty people today.”

“Did you find anyone?” I asked.

“No. Maybe. I don’t know,” she vacillated. “Mom said one guy might do, but he’s supposed to be my boyfriend, and there was no chemistry. He kissed like a carp out of water.”

She stuck her lips out in a little ‘O’ and made kissing motions. I did the same and tried to kiss her.

“David! Stop!” she giggled. “It was really gross.”

“I wish I could help,” I said and shrugged, not knowing what I could do.

Halle held up a finger that told me to wait and ran inside. She was back a moment later with her mom. Poor Rita looked stressed out, and the movie hadn’t even started shooting. Halle handed me another script.

“Read this, and when you’re ready, we’ll do the scene,” she told me.

I wasn’t a complete idiot; I realized she wanted me to read for one of the leads. Thankfully, it was a short scene. I looked at Rita.

“How do you want me to do it?” I asked.

That got the first hint of a smile from her.

“The character is Adam Conant. He’s dating Diana but finds Cassie attractive. So there’s a repressed undercurrent of longing on his part towards Cassie.”

“Okay. I’m ready,” I said, putting the script down.

Adam: ‘Diana told me what happened.’

Cassie: ‘Are they okay?’