Read Online Hollyweird by Terri Clark - Free Book Online Page A

that,” Des said smugly. “Total Hollywood slanguage.”
    â€œSpeaking of,” Jameson murmured, and I turned to see what or who had caught his attention.
    â€œJameson!” A perky and petite brunette with some kind of funky utility belt and headset bounded over to us like Tigger on Red Bull. “These the winners?” she asked, her eager gaze boinging back and forth between the three of us before landing on me. “What’s your twenty?”
    â€œUh, uh,” I stammered, thinking she didn’t look much older than me. “I’m not twenty, that is, I’m—”
    â€œFive. ’K. Nat needs you in Buff and Puff in ten. You know this seg is going to hypo the series.”
    My mouth gawped open. It sounded like she was speaking English, but I didn’t understand a thing she’d said.
    â€œThat’s Trix,” Jameson whispered from behind me. “She’s a production assistant, which is why she’s talking like that on her walkie.”
    â€œOhthankyouGod,” I said in a rush, turning to face him. “I thought she was talking to me and I missed it all.” I whizzed my hand over my head.
    â€œI didn’t,” Des said. “She asked someone when they’d arrive. She then told them they had to be in makeup—buff and puff—in ten minutes and that today’s episode—seg—is going to boost—hypo—the series.”
    Again with my jaw dropping.
    Des grinned. “I studied Variety before we left.”
    â€œYeah, I know.” Trix continued gabbing to the unseen actor. “The scribblers are nearly done with it so stay on sked. This is just going to add to your being a topliner. You can tour them once Nat is done with you. Copy that.”
    I raised a questioning brow at my BFF.
    â€œNot sure who Nat is, but I gather the writers are almost finished fixing something so he better stay on schedule, especially as this is going to keep raising his A-list status.”
    I applauded to show my appreciation for her translation skills.
    Des smoothed her Got Blood? T-shirt and shrugged. “You wouldn’t go to Mexico without studying a little Spanish.”
    That was so Des. Always a well-prepared Ghoul Scout herself. “Well, you’re muy impressivo ,” I told her.
    â€œSorry ’bout that,” Trix said, and it took me a sec to realize she was speaking to us. She shoved the mic arm on her headset down and gave us a gleaming smile. I could totally imagine the show’s f/x department adding a little starry ping to her perfectly straight, perfectly white teeth like they sometimes do in toothpaste commercials. “That was Dakota. He’ll be here shortly. He’s got a big day, but he wants to show you lucky winners around once he’s done with Nat in makeup. In the meantime, maybe Jameson can get you a refreshment.”
    â€œI’d be happy to,” Jameson said. “Thanks for the 411, Trix.”
    I could swear I heard the tiniest tinge of laughter in his tone.
    â€œNot a prob,” she chirped before she yanked the headset arm back toward her mouth, pivoted on her sneakers like a woman on a mission, and said, “MJ, I need a 10-100.”
    I turned to Jameson, whose eyes wrinkled with suppressed amusement. “Dare I ask what a 10-100 is?”
    â€œPotty break,” Des answered with a guffaw.
    I put my hand on my heart. “Is she always so … ”
    â€œManic? Caffeinated? Peppy?” Jameson supplied with a cheeky grin.
    â€œUm, yes,” I said, realizing I couldn’t argue with any of those adjectives.
    â€œShe is,” he answered. “But she’s also a real doll who loves her job.”
    â€œGood for her, but she makes me want a nap.”
    Jameson took us to craft services, where Des and I grabbed a couple of Cokes and some nummy taquitos. Sitting backwards on a nearby picnic bench, Des gnawed the crunchy shell of her snack like