Fan Fiction |
by Mimosa & Carmen
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(ATE Filming Location, downtown)
Flora simply can’t hide her excitement. Just this morning Louis has declared the change in the plot to everyone on the crew. Flora feels the pressure, of course, but she knows she will try her best. Beside, her co-stars are great and will always be there if she needs assistance. They’re working as a team!
Talking about co-star, Flora has not been able to spot Gallen at all since they arrived at this filming location. The last glimpse she had of him was when Gallen was talking to Louis next to the equipment van. Flora gets slightly panicked… Their next scene would be up in less than 30 minutes, and as always, Flora would like to rehearse.
ROGER: (approaching) Why Flora? What’s the matter?
FLORA: (snatches Roger’s arm) Have you seen my Tim anywhere?
ROGER: (ironically) Huh? You lose sight of Tim? What’s wrong with you Helen?
FLORA: (exasperated) I’m not kidding Roger, find him for me please.
ROGER: (laughs) Relax! I think I know exactly where he is!
FLORA: Tell me, I’ll look for him.
ROGER: Ah, I don’t think you could.
FLORA: Why?
ROGER: He’s in the man’s room… You don’t want to storm in there, do you?
FLORA: (eyes wide-opened) What? It’s been almost an hour since we came here, and that’s where he’s hiding?
ROGER: (chuckles) Louis really plays him big time!
FLORA: (raises her eyebrows) What do you mean?
ROGER: Flora, your Tim might be tough and all, but up there, he’s a mousey.
Flora is completely puzzled
FLORA: Up there? Up where?
ROGER: (chuckles) You weren’t here the day we shot that scene… The one where Tim’s sister attempted suicide, remember? Well, Tim was kneeling in front of her sister not only because the script said so…
A grin slowly appears on Flora’s face
FLORA: Oh my God! He’s afraid of height? Gallen is afraid of height? That’s unbelievable! (giggles amusingly) So how did he go through the very first scene where Tim himself wanted to jump off the building? Was it shot here too?
ROGER: Tell me about that! Your Tim turned as green as a leaf, and he stopped breathing. Gall did give us a good scare Flora! We had fun watching Louis rushing around scowling. Hard-headed Gallen didn’t tell anyone about his problem! Stupid him! He would have fallen down for real…
Flora turns slightly pale as she imagines Gallen losing control and falling down from the roof. She shudders. Roger looks at Flora inquiringly…
ROGER: Are you okay?
FLORA: Yeah, of course (forcing a short laugh) I don’t have Aeroacrophobia. So what did Louis do to shoot that scene?
ROGER: (sighs) At the end we had to build up a little staging back at “home”…
Roger stops in the middle of his sentence. The thought of having to build another staging for Gallen this time is not too thrilling. The filming schedule now, as Louis has changed the plan, becomes too tight to be switched around. Roger snatches the script from Flora’s hand and starts to scrutinize it… Flora doesn’t protest, for she appears loss in thought…
ROGER: Ah, biu mui, this time it’s you who will be up there I guess? Hmmm…let me see…
FLORA: (fidgeting with her hair) Roger, hmm… I suppose I could ask Louis to change the location? See, Helen doesn’t really need to drag Tim up on the roof there to talk.. Don’t you think so?
ROGER: (considers) Well… (shrugs) You might just give it a try. Louis might listen to you…
By the time Roger finishes, Flora has already disappeared amid the crowd.
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(5 minutes later, by the director's chair)
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LOUIS/COOLMAN: Flora, Gall’s been doing therapy on that ridiculous phobic of his. He told me just now he’s fine with this shot.
FLORA (unconvincingly) He told you he was fine on the first scene too, director!
LOUIS/COOLMAN: Er.. It’s Louis!
FLORA: (slightly annoyed) Yes, Louis…
LOUIS/COOLMAN: (taps Flora’s shoulder reassuringly) Let’s do this! Instead of both of you going to the edge, how about Helen gets a little annoyed (glances at Flora’s expression) and told Tim to stay away? (stops, then added mockingly) That way your Tim will be in the middle of the roof and there won’t be chance for him to fall down..
FLORA: (nods eagerly) Thanks so much, Louis!
Louis watches as the usual sweet smile finally appears on Flora’s smile again. He shrugs. Has he detected a little too much concern there? Louis’ lips set into a grim line. He nods to himself, and calls after Flora
LOUIS: Would you want to have dinner tonight?
FLORA: (surprises) Huh?
LOUIS: (flashes his best smile) Just want to celebrate with you, that’s all.
FLORA: (hesitates) Uh… Louis, I… I’ll have to check my schedule… I’m not sure…
LOUIS: (hastily) Fine, let me know after your second scene then.
Flora doesn’t answer. She walked back to her chair, distracted.
ROGER (impatiently) What does Coolman say, Flora?
FLORA (absent-mindedly) Huh? Oh, er.. Yeah, he said Tim doesn’t have to stay near the edge.
ROGER: What’s the matter now? That’s not the best solution, but better…
FLORA: (cuts Roger off) Biu Gor, he asks me out
ROGER: What? Coolman?
Flora nods, as Roger stands stunned. So Louis strikes…
ROGER: (tongue-tied) So… ?
FLORA: (bites her lips) Tell me why I feel this odd feeling… (takes in a sharp breath) of Louis promoting me only to … make me happy?
ROGER: Aren’t you happy?
FLORA: (eyes wavered) What I mean is… Would he promote me only because he likes me? (irritably) I thought he values my acting!
BOWIE: (cheerfully) Ah, what nonsense!
FLORA and ROGER: Bowie?
BOWIE: Just stop by to say congrat, Flora. And stop that nonsense… I think everyone sees how good you are. Louis can’t simply make the decision of promoting you all by himself.
Flora is glad to have Bowie by her side… She reaches for his hand:
FLORA: (smiles) You’re wonderful! Always know how to make me feel better! (to Roger) I think I should rehearse a bit before making a fool of myself.
Roger hands her back the script and watches in silence… For some mysterious reason, words have deserted the loquacious Roger.
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(The roof, actual filming location)
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LOUIS/COOLMAN: Everyone in the position, quick!
Flora glances at Gallen. He has reemerged exactly 5 minutes ago, looking quite composed. It’s such a windy day, Flora thinks, especially on top of this 20-odd-story building.
LOUIS/COOLMAN: Flora, Gall, ready? Camera, roll!
HELEN/FLORA (coldly) Stay away from me, Tim
TIM/ GALLEN: Hear me out, will you?
Gallen advances a few steps toward Flora, the wind blows a little harder, and Flora thinks Gallen turns paler than his usual shade. He snatches at his collar and yanks it lose. That is not on the script. Flora would feel his breathing becomes more audible… Let’s just this scene be over with soon, she prays inside. Somehow it hurts her to see Gallen suffers.
HELEN/FLORA (spins on her heel to now have her back to Tim) What… Oh…
Everything happens in a flash. Helen’s heel gets caught in a piece of cord lying on the surface, sending her body forward and off the edge. She lets out a short cry in horror…
A strong arm caught hers just in a split second… Flora shuts her eyes, she would feel the ghastly gust of wind surrounding her and the horrifying emptiness under her feet.
Before Flora faints, she feels some more arms catch her and bring her back to the roof.
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(A few minutes later, on the step leading down form the roof)
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ROGER: Here, take some water… You look worse than Flora.
Gallen’s still panting. His hands are still trembling despite his will.
ROGER: (tries to cheer him up) Ha, hero to the rescue!
GALLEN: (stammers) I.. I can’t believe you, Roger! Still can joke about it?
ROGER: (seriously) I thought you can’t stand height… (sighs) Flora must be extremely important to you!
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P.S. Phew, that was close! What would a Valentine be without Flora? What if Gallen couldn't overcome his fear and caught her in time? ~shudder~ Ahhhh
Well, now that Flora ends up in the hospital, the guys may have more chance to shower their attention on her, don't they? Hmmm... Wonder who will strike next...