Rocket Science PT. I

"This is you're room," the writer, Jeff, personally walked me to my room. "Thanks." I pulled my backpack off of my shoulder to the ground. Sliding out my room key he opened the door and held it open. Tugging my 9 months worth of luggage into my new abode, I scanned the four walls. "So here you go, and if you need anything else, please bother someone else with it." He chuckled at his own jokes. From the ten minuets I had spent with Jeffery Blitz I had noticed that he was a teenage boy stuck in a thirty year old mans body. He laughed at the dumb jokes he made, and it was essential he be accepted by everyone. I laughed along politely and waited patiently for his departure. "So the main cast will be having dinner at 8. Meet at the main stage." He waved goodbye and left. Hamlet once question why we imprison ourselves. While I sat on my bed staring at the door that just moments ago I had walked through, I began to wonder why I was here. Never in my 17 years of life have I ever considered being an actor. In my mind following the footsteps of Hepburn and Monroe weren't exactly in my high school portfolio. It wasn't until last semester that I found the stage. My senior year in high school, I was ready for a career with a HMO plan and a good retirement fund. My counselor told me that I had to join some extra curricula's to be accepted into a good college. That's when I auditioned for the play. A little thing my school called Who is Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf. A collection of plays that forced us to do some singing and dancing. I, Red Riding Hood, stole the show. Enough to get an agent, a woman named Chloe Sullivan, to approach me. Feeding me crap about how I was sooo talented. To speed up the story, I auditioned for the film Rocket Science and got the role of Virginia Ryerson, fast talking high school debater. This leads me to my current predicament. So was my being here, in the studio on set of a film I would be working on for 9 months, an imprisonment or a blessing? I hate when I over think. Needing to kill the hour and a half before dinner I found a block of white typed papers on a desk near my bed. They were tied together by brown string, and on the front page were the words "Rocket Science by Jeffery Blitz." The script was probably placed perfectly on the desk by the director to insure that the cast would be ready to film by next week. As if by force I picked up the script and began to read through. An half hour went by, when…Knock knock. Surprised and shocked I looked at my door. Grudgingly I pulled myself over to the entrance to my hell/ palace. Slowly I pulled my door open. When what to my wondering eyes should appear but my knight in shinning armor, with no metal gear. Barging in, he began to speak. " So I was sitting in my room reading the script placed oh so carefully on my desk when the director comes by room. According to him one of the cast members was here and I had to mingle. In hopes that we would get to know each other, and our new found chemistry would show on film. His words not mine. So I put down my script, in which I had only barely begun, and came here. To introduce myself. Hi I'm Nicholas D'Agosto." He stuck out his hand and I positioned mine into his. He for the first time in his long rant actually looked at me. Not through me or around me, but at me. The second after he looked he smiled. "Olivia Montgomery, but call me Liv." I took my hand back to my position, and stared aimlessly at him. I noticed his piercing brown eyes, and that cute funky hairdo that gave him the appearance of just waking up. "I apologize for the barging in, but little did I know that across my span was an attractive girl." His bright white smile made my palms sweat. "I figured that it would be some gawky boy with an six second attention span." He made his way to the chair that was sitting under the desk, pulled it out and took a seat. "So, I figured I would make a quick hello, and depart." "But, since you found it was me an attractive girl, in your words not mine, you decided to stay?" He laughed and nodded. He moved from looking at me to the desk. Noticing that my script was open he began to browse it. "Looks like you too have been doing some reading." His eyes didn't leave the pages, but still continued to hold a conversation with me. "How far did you get?" "Ummm, I got to the part where Ginny found Hal in the janitors closet and they begin to make out." This caught his attention, as he looked away from the pages and stared at me. "Making out… in a janitors closet? This movie is getting even more interesting." He slyly smiled. "Exactly how far did you read? Apparently its not as far as the point that I have read, made noticed by your unskillful knowledge of the script." "Well, I read the opening scene. Two students making out on a front stoop. As a bus passes by. Impressive so far. But this new scene that I have learned of, that just stirs up the pot." "I know now whom the target audience is. Horny teenage boys, with no real life, but a love for the independent films. Thanks for helping to clear that up." I smiled sarcastically at him, in which he replied with an eyebrow raise and his lips pressed tightly together. "I like you." He wide smile laughed. "You know everything, don't you? You are most definitely not afraid to show it. No crap from anyone." I could tell he was joking, but something in his tone said that he half believed what he was saying. I was just about to interrupt his second rant since he entered when his phone rang. A melody of Don't Stop Believing by Journey filled the air. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a tiny cell phone and answered the call. "Nick speaking," he spoke fluently into the speaker of the small device. "Yeah I heard. That shit is horrible." The second he realized what he had said, or more importantly whom he had said it in front of, he turned to me. "Dude hold it. Hey Liv I'll see you at 8, yeah?" I nodded, not wanting to interrupt his call. He turned towards the door and exited. The last words I heard muttered under his breath was, "Dammit don't be dim…" Like that he was gone. Maybe the cutest guy I have ever laid eyes on. The best part was he called me attractive. Lovely as that experience was, I did still have about an hour of time left. Sliding into the chair that just seconds ago was graced by the presence of renown greatness. I was still somewhat curious as to if Hal, the main character and underdog of the film, would end up with the out-of-his-league pretty girl. So I tried to finish the script. It was about 10 'til to the time that I had to meet the cast for dinner. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing…. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing… The room phone was buzzing. Scooting from my chair to the phone I answered in no hurry. "Hello?" "Olivia Montgomery?" A young male tone was on the other end of the line. "Yup." "Reece Thompson, from the cast. Well, the director told me to catch up with you before dinner, to get to know you or whatever. But I forgot which room he said you were and yeah…" As his voice trailed off I could tell he really wasn't interested in meeting me at all. It was an obligatory meeting. "Room 312. Its like three doors down from the vending machine." Right after I said that, I realized that I sounded like a "fatty;" knowing exactly where the vending machine was. So I thought it'd be only appropriate to add some comment about how I was indeed not a "fatty." "NOT that I know where the vending machine is because I keep visiting it, or whatever. I mean I just know where it is because, well its next to my room. Like and I passed it coming in, and yeah." The dead silence on the other end of the phone was uncomforting. After a couple of moments he decided to pitch into the conversation. "I'm sorry what did you say, I blanked out. Did I hear something about a vending machine?" I couldn't tell if he was being masochistic by trying to embarrass me till the point of combustion, or if he really wasn't paying attention. "Hello?" "Room 312," and like that I hung up the phone. Noticing the script that was now face down on the carpet, I went to pick it up. The page I was on was no longer there. I was lost. Trying to remember what page I was on I decided to just skim through the pages. I was just around the janitor closet scene again when… knock knock kncok. "Yo," spoke a teenage boy leaning on the door side arch. Sticking out his hand, "Reese." I shook his hand. He was different than Nicholas. He was shorter, still taller than me though. His hair laid differently. He overall looked, more loser-ish. I was intensely staring at him, trying to contrast him to Nicholas. "Whoa, you checking me out already?" He laughed. It took me awhile to understand what he just said. I mean I heard the words, but it didn't connect to my brain. So during the time of the slow connection, I stood in front of him nodding my head. Moments after I realized what I was agreeing too, my eye's popped out of my head."Wait, I mean no. No I wasn't… I was just thinking…""About me naked." His laughter grew. "Oh, yes. Am I that transparent? I want you, I need you, Oh baby, oh baby.""Brittany Spears song?" "Nope, movie line. 10 Things I Hate About You?""Good movie. Damn shame about Heath Ledger." "Yeah, yeah it was." It amazed me how he stood in front of my door. I was foiling his actions to Nicholas's again. Reese didn't try to invite himself in, or rant but waited for my part of the conversation. Most of all, he held my stare. Not looking past me, or through me. It was enduring. Even for these reasons he didn't hold a thing to the looks of Nicholas D'Agosto. "Ready?" He put out his hand. "Sure…" I stuck out my hand not knowing why. The moment my palm hit his, he rapidly jerked me from my room to the other side of him. It was like a ballroom dance move. Closing my door with his other hand, he kept his hand still in mine. He looked at me, then in a moment started running down the hall. I couldn't tell if I was running along with him, or I was just being dragged. Around a minuet later we found ourselves in the main stage. Out of breath, I tried to ask what the running was for. Opening my mouth, words ran short when I saw Nicholas. He looked around the room, and I had wished that the searching was for me. I may never know if I was the one he was searching for, but I do know that I was the one who he found. When he saw me, he began to walk over. My heart was racing, and I was freaking out that my hair was messy from all of that running. Which reminded me, shit my hand. My hand was still interlocked with Reese's. Pulling my hand away, I moved it to my side. "Hey," Nicholas stood opposite of me. "Hello, again." Shit that sounded retarded. Instead of wait for him to rant, I decided to take my own rant. "Nice ringtone. Don't Stop Believing good song. From an excellent band. But if you ask me, that song doesn't compare to other great Journey hits. Not that I am a huge Journey fan myself. Only really know there songs from the movies." I stared at his blank expression. "I don't think I've ever met anyone who has analyzed my ringtone." He gave one of his award winning smiles. Trying to hide my embarrassed expression with a smile, I began to walk away. Turning a half circle I bumped shoulders into someone behind me. This bump was consequently more forceful from the other person's side, thus causing me to fall from the collision. Landing on my back with a boom. A sharp was pain shooting up my back. "OOOOO." My eyes were closed. If I didn't see anyone, that meant no one was looking at me. "I am soooooooo sorry." Yet another voice filled with testosterone spoke. I didn't want to open my eyes. For I knew the moment I did the world would continue from the pause it was currently holding. "Can you hear me?" The voice now sounded worried. Not wanting him to worry even more, I opened my eyes. Above me was this Asian boy looking down. His head was accompanied by three others, Nicholas's, Reese's, and some guy I have never met. Eight eyes were looking at me, terrified that my brittle girly fragile bones were shattered. The Asian boy helped me up. "Aah." I tried not to let anymore sounds of pain out. I would not support their pshovanistic thought of my need for help. Standing up felt like hell, but I would rather feel like hell than shoot a hundred years of woman rights movements to hell. "Thanks." "I am soooo sorry." He said again. "I'm Aaron Yoo. And I feel like an idiot." He smiled friendly upon me. "Olivia Montgomery. And since I was the one on the ground, I think I'm crowned the idiot. Or at least for now." Smiling back at him. I couldn't seem to be angry at him. His features were just so friendly. His eyes small and brown were sweet. And his mouth was tiny in comparison to his wide smile. I wanted to pinch his checks and pat him on the head. He looked at the guy standing next to him, hitting his arm slightly. "This guy is Vincent Piazza." Vincent smiled and nodded. "The guy who hit me into you." They both laughed. "Domino effect.""I guess so," Vincent pitched into the conversation. There we stood. In a sea of testosterone, I alone fought for estrogen oxygen. Hoping that this wasn't the only cast members I looked around. The stage was empty, except for a shadow of a man coming across the stage. By the springy hair I knew it was the director Jeff. "Glad you all made it on time," he yelled across the stage. "This is everyone. For the time being. The rest of the members of the film will be coming along as the week progresses. Meantime I thought we'd all like to get to know each other." Then came the line I had heard before. "In hopes that our new found chemistry will show on film." He stood and smiled. "So you all have met?" His eyes scanned the five people. There was a scatter of yeahs. "Good, so I hope you all are ready to leave." We all walked to a blue mini van placed outside the stage. This was my chariot for the night, even though it still maintained its pumpkin form. The movie was being filmed in Baltimore, Maryland. Driving along the streets was serene. I was so caught up in the reflection of the streets that the sudden stop of the car caused me to slam back into my seat. Holding my head I hoped no one had seen that. "So here we are," Blitz spoke to the car. Almost in sync the three doors of the car opened. "Dude, where exactly is here?" Vincent questioned. Not exactly an unreasonable question. We were currently parked in a parking lot of a gray brick building. Since it was night it gave the building this creepy cult look. Blitz didn't respond but instead paced around the van, around the edge of the building that led to the front. The front placed a door, and a huge neon sign that said "LASER QUEST: LASER TAG AT ITS BEST." "So can you guess where we are at now?" Blitz looked so excited. "Hell," I muttered. Oh crap, I just said that out loud. Blitz now looked from the building to me. The darkness of night covered most of his face, but I was guessing he wasn't pleased with my response to this excellent adventure. "HELL YEAH!" I shouted trying to sound enthusiastic. "Can't wait either?" Blitz asked me. "Nope. Laser tag equals… awesomeness." Around me I heard chuckles from the four guys. But it didn't matter, I assumed Blitz was happy and that's all that mattered. "Wait…"Vincent came to my rescue. "Dinner?" I almost forgot about dinner. "Yeah," Nick joined into the conversation . "Speaking of I'm starving." He crept up next to me and swept me under his arm. "Dinner is here." Blitz pointed to the building. "Pizza before, or pizza after?" "Before," Aaron almost cheered. "Deal." Entering the laser arena was insane. The entire room was dark, except for the bright neon lights shining in every corner. Behind the desk encompassed random guys running around screaming. Taking a left we found ourselves at the food court. Tables placed outside of the laser arena functioned as our seats. The five stars took a seat as Blitz went to place our order. In the front was a man sitting at a desk. "Welcome to Laser Quest ," the guy at the desk spoke. He had a named tag that read Doug. "Laser tag at its best. How can I help you?" Turning away I analyzed the room. I couldn't understand how anyone could have fun running around in the dark. "Nice cover up." A voice behind me whispered. Turning around I saw Reece. I had no idea what he was talking about. "Ummm…. Thank you." "Hell… yeah," he mocked me. "So you've ever played?""No." And I really hadn't. I never had, nor did I ever plan on. It wasn't exactly on my life list. "Its a lot more fun than you imagine." He bumped my shoulder and smiled. "Sure…" Rolling my eyes I turned back to Blitz and Doug. Doug had come from behind the desk, and was approaching us with 5 vest. Blitz was already wearing his vest, and was holding 6 guns. Handing out the vests, Doug began to explain the rules. Apparently we were in pairs. We had three lives and if we were shot with the water gun-esque things three times we were dead. The person last standing was the winner. As if there were any real winners in this game. "Okay," Doug finished explaining where the limits were and how to shoot the guns. "So once you choose the teams I'll program it in the computers mainframe, and you can start." He went back to his desk. Blitz turned to us. "Teams?" Blitz scanned the five of us. UGH. I hate picking teammates, I am always last pick. "I'll take the girl." Whoa who just said that? Turning to the voice I saw Nick. He put his arm around me and smiled. I felt like Josie in Never Been Kissed, the scene where she was crowned prom queen. Amazed Nick picked me, I was more amazed by the fact that I wasn't picked last. "Nah," Reece pitched in the conversation, "I think I'll take the girl." "Doesn't matter," Vincent pitched in, "what you two say, because she wants to be teamed with me." Laughing at this cosmic joke, I turned to Aaron. "So do you want to be my partner?" I joked."Nah," Aaron laughed. "I pretty much think you are gonna suck." "Probably…" I laughed. "So where are we?," Blitz asked still looking for his kick-ass teammate. "Well…I want to go with Vincent," Aaron looked at Vincent who gave him a nod and went to stand by him. "You two?" Blitz looked at Reece and Nick. "I think," I chirped in, "they wanted to be teammates." They both quizzically stared at me. "Which I guess leaves you and me." Blitz seemed less than ecstatic about this. "Woot…" I tried to sound reassuring. Once the names were in the computer, our vest were on, and our guns were loaded we began our mission. Blitz turned to me."I believe in you. You will not get shot. You are a survivor." I laughed. It sounded like a spell. In the background "Miss Murder" began to play. "READY," Doug shouted as the music increased. "Go." And like that Blitz began to run wildly into the dark room. So… I stood not knowing what to do next. Starting to move away from my current spot in the dark, I saw a corner. Thinking that the corner could activate some kind of force field I decided to hide out there. Ten minuets went by. Still I stood in the corner. When Blitz ran by my corner. I didn't want to look useless so I jumped out from the corner. Blitz jumped around with his gun in the air. "Ok, its only you." He sounded out of breath. "So are you still alive?" I nodded my head. Technically that was the truth. He didn't ask if I had entered the battlefield. "Ok so Aaron and Vincent are both out. Which leaves Reece and Nick. I think Nick has one life, and Reece has two. I've been shot twice. How are you?""Ummm… got all three lives." He looked at me quizzically. "I got lost in the darkness." He chuckled and ran off. While he was running off, a neon light hit his vest with a loud irritating pew sound. Turning around I saw Reece and Nick. Oh crap. Running back to my corner, I could hear Blitz say something. "I don't know where she is." Sounds of footsteps came my way. They stopped just before the corner. "You go right," one of the voices tried to whisper. "If I hear a shot I'll come after you." Then one set of steps ran opposite direction of me. Petrified I didn't want to leave my corner. But the steps were coming closer and closer. As a shadowed figure approached me, I tried to focus my eyes through the darkness. Here goes nothing. A bright neon light shot from my gun, and that same irritating sound that had killed Blitz sounded. I couldn't tell who I shot, or if the shot killed, but left no time to figure out. Running away from the corner I found a random wall opposite of the corner that blocked me from the dark figure. "Dude," one of the voices yelled. "You hit?""Yeah," the second voice replied. Now both of the voices were in one spot. "You've got two lives right?" No response came for this question. "Alright… its up to you." Peeking around the corner I saw him go into another part of the room. One down…"Liv?" The voice shouted. As if it were a game of Marco Polo. "You over here?" From the sound of his voice he was on the same side of the wall. Turning around I saw the outline of the attacker. Omg… I raised my gun firing another neon light. I didn't want to stick around incase he had another life. So I ran to the other side of the wall. "Dudeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…" I heard him complain. "Kay, I'm out." "Really?" I asked returning to the other side of the wall. When I got there I couldn't see anything. Worse though I didn't see anyone. " Wait… what?" Confused I turned around to Reece holding a gun. "Sorry." He fired and the neon light hit me. Having no idea what to do next I lifted my gun. Now both of our guns were ready to fire. "Its like a scene from Die Hard. Both of our lives are at risk." He laughed and walked closer as I drew back. "Only one difference…" Intently he stared at me. "This is just a game." I smiled hoping he would agree. Pew another shot fired. Still confused I shot my gun too. Pew… There we both stood. Not exactly knowing what happened I put my gun down. "Did I win?" No response came from the other side so I waited. "I've…" his mouth formed an "O," been…shot." Then he fell to the ground holding his heart. Staring at him I started to laugh. "Ummm…okie dokie." Trying not to laugh, I attempted to walk away nonchalantly. "You're just going to leave me dead?" Turning back I let out a laugh. "Pretty much." "Fine, will you at least help me up?" He reached his arm in the air. Leaning forward I decided to help him. Putting his hand in mine, I felt a tug. Boom… Hitting the floor back first, yet again. "What was that?" My laughter made the words incomprehensible. Moving to a sitting position. Looking over at Reece he was just staring at me. Not laughing or hiding, but watching. Instead of waiting for his response, I stood up. "I was punk'd." Still he spoke nothing. Steps were rapidly moving towards us. "You won." Blitz yelled from around the corner. He was soon followed by Aaron, Vincent, and the wonderful Nicholas. "You actually didn't suck." His smile shown brightly through the darkness. "I guess not." Reece finally stood up and went next to Nick. "So…"Blitz looked at the whole lot of us, "that was fun." I assumed he thought it was fun because he won. The excursion was through and we left. Giving the vests and guns back to Doug, we exited the dark room. Walking back to the car I felt a tap on my shoulder. Looking back it was Aaron. "Congratulations." He laughed and walked up to my side. "True gumption with a gun." "Ummm… gumption? Seeing as to I hid in the corner most of the game, I don't know…" Laughing his small eyes got wide. "Did you really hide?" He leaned into me as if it were a secret. "Our little secret," I leaned towards him. He smiled and laughed. Entering the chariot I sat beside the window and Aaron. The entire car ride back he told me of his life in New Jersey. About his college years at Pennsylvania, and every detail about his girlfriend at home. A petite girl named Emma. There story is actually enduring. They grew up together in Jersey, but began to date on the set of a TV show they did The Bedford Diaries."So… do you have a Emma?" he asked as we exited the van."Nah, I like guys." A devious smile composed on my face. Eyebrows raised and lips pressed together he waited for a real answer. "No." I smiled hoping that my relationship status wouldn't define who I was in his eyes. However just like most people in a relationship, single people were contaminated. "Ball buster?" he joked. "No. More like a Carmen Sandiego. I run away." His intense stare on my face looked sort of sad. He felt bad for me. "I have no real emotions. I guess that's why I'm an actor." Now he looked as though he really felt bad for me. "Stop looking at me like that." Entering the main stage I tried to change the subject. "So… goodnight," I addressed everyone. "Good play," Blitz responded. Random nights were spoken from the guys. Walking away I heard someone coming after me. Thinking it was Aaron I turned around and firmly whispered. "Ok, I am single. And that's it." A surprised Reece stopped in his tracks."Good to know I guess…" For the first time since I killed him did he actually respond to me. "Thought you were Aaron." Turning back, I continued to walk back to my room. I didn't want to catch the stare that he had been given me all night. "Night…" Twisting my hand backwards, I waved without turning around.