Page 26 of Second Act
Chapter 13
The shooting of Violet’s movie was the most exciting time in her life. The cast became exactly what Dash had predicted they would, a family. There wasn’t a lemon in the bunch. The women formed a very congenial group, on and off the set, and the actors Dash had hired and Andy had approved were lively and fun, and organized soccer matches among the cast and technicians, and even pulled Andy and Violet into them. There was a cohesive spirit that Andy had never seen on a set before. Dash ran his movies like a loving father. Everyone wanted the film to go well. Everyone wanted to prove that an indie film could be as good as, or better than, a studio picture. The actors helped each other with their lines. They skipped days off to keep the shoot moving. Henry, the director, was brilliant and supportive. One of their goals was to have the film in theaters in the States in time to qualify for both the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards, so time was of the essence. No one wasted time or money. Their talent was abundant, and the story itself was soexciting and the screenplay so tight that it made shooting easier. No one needed twenty takes to get a scene right because they didn’t know their lines. They were talented, disciplined professionals who gave it their all and gave stunning performances. And the filming went faster than they’d expected.
It was one of the most exciting productions Andy had ever seen made, and Violet was in awe of what she saw the cast and crew do on set every day. She made very few corrections, only if she felt they were going in the wrong direction, and when she did, they were agreeable about it. Andy worked with the actors when they wanted script changes, and the director brought out the best in them. It was an exciting production for everyone involved. Dash had made an excellent distribution deal in both the UK and the States, which was going to help make the film a box office success.
Andy realized now how good Dash was at what he did. He had always thought so, and respected him, but his admiration grew day by day for the quality of Dash’s work, and his sensitivity to the material they were shooting. It was a top-flight production in every way, and Andy was proud to be associated with it. There was no shame in being involved in an independent production like this one. It was a jewel of a movie, and working on it brought Andy and Violet closer with each day and scene that passed, particularly since he knew it was in great part her story.
Word eventually leaked out somehow. It always did on a set, where there were no secrets about anyone or anything, but word spread quietly that Violet was the ex-wife of Gabriel Foster, the criminal who had bilked people out of billions of dollars, and there were whispers that Violet had even lost her seven-year-old son duringthat time. Compassion and sympathy for her were overwhelming, and the cast and crew were proud to dedicate the film to her son’s memory.
The more internationally famous actors were also aware of Andy’s previous position with Global Studios, had worked for him before, and quietly expressed their regret to him that he had been dealt such a tough hand and let go.
Godfrey Hunt, the male lead, was particularly kind to Andy.
“It teaches you a lot about yourself, and what matters to you,” Andy said to him. “I got addicted to the power game. It’s a very dangerous drug. And from one minute to the next you’re stripped of everything you thought was so important, and you have to build your whole life over again. You wind up standing naked on the sidewalk, and your whole world is upside down. Your friends don’t want to know you anymore, and were never your friends in the first place. The people you trusted betray you, your girlfriend or your wife is gone before the day is out. I came to England to run away and hide, and ended up reviving a skill I had shoved in a drawer and forgotten about for twenty years, screenwriting, which I used to love. If Dash weren’t such a stubborn guy, I’d never have made this movie. And I met a woman who taught me what courage really is, and what does matter, not the crap and the tinsel and the phony bullshit. She taught me about being real, and you come back from something like this a different person, a better person than you were. I don’t think I was even happy when I was head of the studio. I thought I was. But I was missing out on everything that mattered. I missed my daughter’s teenage years and my wife left me, and I was so numb and self-involved that I’m not sure I even cared. The women I dated justwanted a better part in their next movie. They were beautiful and looked great on the red carpet, but none of their moving parts were real. They weren’t real. I wasn’t even real. But the perks were fantastic. I have two Bentleys and a classic Rolls in my garage, and the biggest house in Bel-Air. I haven’t seen the house in six months, and I’m not sure I will again. I’m living in an apartment in Notting Hill with shabby furniture, and I’m happy. It wasn’t fun when it happened, but in a way, I recommend getting kicked out on your ass once in a lifetime, so you get to know yourself, what you want, and who you are and what matters to you. In fact, I’m still trying to figure it out. I’m still a work in progress,” he said good-naturedly, and every single member of the cast admired him for what he said, and the example he set them, of courage, patience, and determination in the face of adversity.
And he was well aware that at night, like a little mouse, Violet was scribbling away on what she hoped would be her next movie. And he was beginning to hope it would be too.
—
He was checking in with Wendy regularly. He felt terrible that he hadn’t seen her or her kids since February, during a long holiday weekend. He wanted to, but he had gotten so caught up in running away and surviving what had happened and now with the new movie that he hadn’t gotten to New York to see them. Wendy and her family were busy and had their own plans too. He had promised he would be there for Thanksgiving, which wasn’t easy either, since it wasn’t a holiday in England. He had already told Dash that he would have to be away that weekend, without fail. It would havebeen nine months then since he had seen his daughter, and she was so good about it. She and her family were going to South America with Peter’s parents for Christmas, so he wouldn’t see them then.
He had asked Violet to join him at Wendy’s for Thanksgiving, which was a first. He had never asked any of the women he dated to go to Wendy’s with him, and most of them wouldn’t have wanted to go. If there wasn’t a red carpet involved, Alana had no interest. But Violet wasn’t just a date. He felt as though he had found his soul mate and wanted her to meet his family. He only had Wendy and her husband and children. Violet had no family at all, but she didn’t want to intrude on Andy’s at a holiday occasion as a stranger, and he hadn’t seen his family in many months. She told him she’d rather meet them at a less intimate time, which he thought was typical of her, always sensitive to others’ feelings. She didn’t want to take away Wendy’s precious time with him, but he wanted them to meet.
Wendy was curious about her too. He had mentioned Violet several times, which was new for him. His emotions were more raw and open than they had ever been, and there was something different in his voice when he talked about her. All she knew was that her father had hired Violet as an assistant in the small town where he was living, and now he was working on a movie with her. And she had guessed that they were living together, another first for him.
“Is this serious, Dad?” she had asked him. “It’s beginning to sound like it. You’re spending a lot of time with her.”
“That’s true, I am. It might be serious. She’s an exceptional person, and I’d like you to meet her.” That was definitely new for him. She had met Alana a few times, but it had never been important to him, and he had discouraged it. Alana wasn’t interested in his familyanyway. Wendy wondered if Violet was any different or just another opportunist, which came with the territory. Andy attracted them like moths to flame, though probably less so now without a studio and an important job behind him. But he was making a movie anyway, so that might be enough to attract other ambitious women. Wendy worried about him falling hard for one of them, but so far he never had. This one might be different. She was concerned and had spoken to her husband about it. Peter said that there was enough to worry about with Wendy’s dad right now, and the blow to his ego and concern about his future, that there was no need to add worries about a woman to the mix. Peter was sure that Andy was in no mood for romance. He had enough on his plate without that and was feeling the pain of the blow to his image and stature in Hollywood. It could be a very cruel place, and Andy had felt the sharp end of it, as Peter knew. He had extended his sympathy to his father-in-law when he got fired, and Andy had sounded terrible, like a broken man, in the first few days afterward. Peter had never heard him like that before, and had been genuinely concerned.
—
They had almost finished filming the movie when Andy left alone to spend Thanksgiving in New York with Wendy, her husband, and their children. Violet was working on the set and writing furiously at night. Andy was thrilled to see his family, and stayed in Greenwich with them. Wendy was happy to be with him too, and thought he was in better emotional shape and spirits than she’d seen in years. He seemed peaceful and happy, and was excited about the movie he was working on, which was a small one, but he said it was a gem.He spoke respectfully and lovingly of Violet, which made Wendy more curious than ever about her. And she had never seen her father so peaceful and calm. He seemed genuinely happy.
He enjoyed his grandchildren too, although his daughter was the main event for him. She was loved in her job and her marriage. They had a lovely home, and a wide circle of friends. He remembered those years when he was the same age as Wendy and Peter. He was still screenwriting then, before he became head of Global Studios, and he hadn’t started neglecting his family yet. Most of the damage had been done later. But when she was small, as Wendy’s children were now, he had enjoyed her, and he and Jean had been happier than they were later on, once their marriage had disintegrated from neglect on his part. He always readily accepted his responsibility for the divorce.
He enjoyed the holiday with the family, carved the turkey, and flew back to London on Sunday. Violet was waiting for him when he got back to the apartment in Notting Hill. Dash had texted him that they had rushed through the weekend and were ready to wrap the film. He had arranged for a special preview showing of the film in order to qualify for the Golden Globes.
“How was it?” Violet asked him when she put her arms around him and kissed him. He had texted her all weekend but hadn’t called, nor had she, not wanting to intrude.
“Like a Norman Rockwell painting. A big golden turkey, a table full of food, two beautiful children, a happy young couple, the crystal and silver gleaming. It was perfect. I’m glad I went. She’s a happy young woman with a nice husband, sweet kids, and a good job. I couldn’t want anything more for her.” Violet was only six years olderthan Wendy, but she had been through so much that she seemed more mature. Wendy had lived a golden, easy life, except for her father’s absence for much of it. But her own marriage seemed warm and solid. She had chosen well. And Peter came from a good family of two sisters, a brother, and loving parents who had set their children a good example of a solid marriage, not like him and Jean.
“What’s new here?” he asked Violet.
“The bank notified me that the house finally sold in the auction. It went for almost nothing. Gabe spent a fortune on it. But I’m glad it’s gone.” They hadn’t gotten back there for a weekend after they left, as Andy had suspected they wouldn’t, so they didn’t need to go back for anything. It had served them well for a few months, but given its history for Violet, he was relieved for her that it was out of her life at last and she’d never have to see it again. A page had turned. “The woman at the bank said a Saudi couple with five children bought it, and they were very happy. They’re going to use it as a summer home.” Violet smiled happily at him. “And I’ve been working on the new movie all weekend. I can’t wait for you to read what I’ve got.” It was too late for him to read it that night. He was tired, but she was so obviously excited about it that he was eager to read it too. She was already thinking ahead to the next chapter of their lives.
They were going straight into postproduction, and were ready for it, so they could release the film before Christmas. Everyone was going to be working round the clock on postproduction. The unions would never have allowed that on a studio film. But the independents could do whatever they wanted if their employees were willing, and paid enough overtime. Both Dash and Andy were happy to foot the bill for that. They wanted to get the film out in time to beconsidered for the Golden Globe Awards in January and the Academy Awards in March. If they won anything at all, it would make the film a much bigger commercial success and establish Andy’s reputation as a screenwriter and Violet’s for the original story she’d written. It could be the start of a big career for her, and a dream come true.
—
The last day of shooting was very emotional for the cast, and everyone who worked on the picture. The final scenes were beautifully filmed and deeply moving and every one of the performers gave it their best, with Henry’s meticulous direction. He was an extraordinary director. Andy even cried when he watched them film the last scene, and Dash had tears in his eyes too. There were hugs and tears and tender goodbyes, as they all left the set that had been home to them for three months.
Postproduction was scheduled to start at sixa.m. the next day, and Dash was going to be there. Andy had promised to come in too. And Violet was going with him, to learn more about the process. He’d had time to read her new material by then, and he loved it. It was about a close family on a farm in the Midwest and what happens to each of them once they grow up. Violet was fascinated with down-to-earth American values. They symbolized the best of family life to her, rather than more formal, distant British rules. It was a strong, emotional piece. With the right actors, Andy could see it becoming a big hit in the States. It showed a whole other side of Violet’s talent as a writer. He had already talked to Dash about it, and depending on how their first movie performed in the next fewweeks, he was willing to do another film with them. Violet still had to write it, but she had a strong outline and all the infrastructure in place. She had learned a lot on their first film.
With everyone working around the clock, they had the special preview, made the list for the Golden Globe nominations for Best Dramatic Picture just in time, and got the movie into the theaters with their distribution deal. By the week after Christmas, they knew they had a hit on their hands. The numbers were unbelievable. It was the thriller of the season. Everybody wanted to see it. The critics loved it and so did the audiences. Dash and Andy were going to make their money back and a healthy profit, Violet was on her way for the original story, and Andy’s script got rave reviews.
“I told you that you should be making indie movies,” Dash reminded him. Violet and Andy went out to dinner with Dash to celebrate. Andy called every member of the cast and crew to thank them for their hard work. And Violet and Andy spent a quiet Christmas together. He took her to Paris for New Year’s Eve, and they stayed at the Ritz. He loved spoiling her, because she never expected it, and was so touched whenever he did. She was the easiest, most undemanding, caring woman he’d ever known.
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