I walked on the set shadowed by James and Gideon, my progress was rather slow as I had lots of well wishers and concerned inquiries from the cast and crew as I made my way to my trailer, word sure travels fast in Hollywood I thought to myself. The rumour mill would no doubt be working overtime now. And with it, I guess any chance of keeping a lid on this problem would be impossible now. As I neared my trailer I found Ken waiting patiently for me. He looked up from his conversation with Lizzie and Eric and he moved to meet me half way.
‘God love, you gave us a scare.’ He said as he kissed my cheek.
‘It gave me quite a scare as well, let me tell you.’ I hugged him back.
‘You sure you’re up to filming this scene?’ He asked with a raised eyebrow as he looked about. ‘And where’s Kevin, not with you today?’
I pulled a face recalling my heated discussion with Kevin over breakfast this morning about the fact that I didn’t want him to come with me to the set today and for once I got my way. ‘Yeah I’m up to it, honestly Ken. I can’t sit at home brooding. I made Kevin stay at home, and he’s not happy about it either, but he can’t be babysitting me all the time. So I’ve talked him into taking my father for a game of golf. At least together they can moan about slicing, losing balls and getting caught in bunkers and whatever torture that silly game devises for them both and still have someone understanding about it as they console one another. The pleasures of golf have always eluded me.’ I grinned. ‘And besides I can concentrate better if Kevin’s not here distracting me.’
Ken laughed catching my drift. ‘Arh newly married couples.’
‘So Ken you want me in makeup now?’
‘May as well, I’ve got a few scenes to shoot, then we can do yours.’ We walked over to where Lizzie and Eric sat waiting. I smiled a hello at them both as Ken said. ‘Well I’ll leave you in these capable hands, see you in an hour or so Jac’
‘Righto Ken, hi guys how are you both this morning? Are you ready to do your worst Lizzie?’
‘Yep Jac, come this way.’ She cheerfully started to walk off. But a light hand on my arm held me back. I looked into Eric’s worried eyes. ‘Ms Ryecroft, are you sure you’re not hurt, I mean, pardon me asking, it’s none of my business and all but I was wondering.’
‘It’s ok Eric. I don’t mind you asking. I’m not hurt. I was scared, terrified actually, but I came to no harm thanks to AJ.’
A look of relief crossed his pale features. ‘I’m so glad to hear that Ms Ryecroft.’ He gave me a bright smile. ‘Can I get you a cup of tea to drink while you Lizzie does your makeup?’
‘Thanks Eric, I’d love one.’ He turned away in a hurry to make it for me. But I tugged at his sleeve. ‘And Eric.’ He turned an inquiring face to mine. ‘Please call me Jac, all my friends do, and you are my friend aren’t you?’
He coloured and stammered. ‘Um, well, yes I mean not a close friend but ok then Jac, if it’s not too much of an imposition. I’ll call you Jac if that’s what you really want.’
I grinned at him ‘Good then, well I better catch Lizzie up she’ll be moaning about my tardiness.’
‘I’ll bring your tea to the make up trailer as soon as I’ve made it, would Gideon and James like some as well?’
‘I’m sure they would, thanks Eric.’ I watched him hurry away.
‘Someone’s got a crush on you.’ James smiled echoing Kevin’s earlier thoughts on Eric.
‘Yeah, he’s a sweet kid. Shy type, well mannered but sweet. Hard worker as well. He’s very keen and willing to do anything for any of the crew, so he’s well liked amongst them.’
‘Jac’ I heard a shout. ‘Where on earth are you?’
‘Coming Lizzie. Oops I’ll be in trouble, come on my trusty shadows. Come and watch me be transformed.’
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Looking left and right the silent figure in the shadows made sure the coast was clear. Heaving his burden on to his shoulders with a grunt he made his way quickly to the car with the open boot waiting like a giant mouth to receive his burden. Letting it roll into the boot with a thud, he reached up and slammed it shut. Then with a quick look around, he got in the car started the engine and drove away totally unconcerned. It wasn’t long till he arrived at his destination, at this time of night there no one was around, he could go about his business with impunity. The lake looked peaceful enough, its glassy surface glistening as the moon broke through the cloud cover suddenly. The distant sounds of wildlife that filled the still nights air, but he hardly noticed in his single minded attention to his task. But as quickly as the moon appeared it was gone again, the clouds providing the cover of darkness he needed to perform his task. For once the voices in his head were silent. It was as if they knew he needed to have all his wits and guile about him if he was to succeed in his mission. He opened the boot again collecting all the necessary equipment needed to send the car and it’s owner to a watery grave. To be on the safe side, he checked the contents of his bag that he had removed from the boot. Yes, everything he needed to implement the first step of his plan was there. With a satisfied grunt he thought to himself, this security guard must die. Nothing was going to stand in the way of him achieving his objective. Nothing! And if he happened to leave a few dead bodies scattered along the way, so be it. If needs must, he was willing to do anything required to make that woman his. He would succeed in turning her eyes away from the man she married, if not well, he’d cross that bridge when he got to it. Now he had a plan to carry out, pushing all thought of her from his mind he needed to concentrate on what he was doing.
Under the cover of darkness he rigged up the contraption needed to make the car slowly disappear into the lakes murky depths. He turned the ignition on, and placed his handy work on the accelerator. Shutting the driver’s side door quietly, he stood back without remorse and watched the car move slowly at first till it gathered up speed and momentum as it ran down the slope of the lake’s edge. Till with a splash that was swallowed up amongst the night’s sounds, the car disappeared from view, and only the radiating concentric circles on the surface of the lake betrayed its existence. He watched and waited till all movement on the water stilled. Somewhere in the distance a bird took to a startled flight but he didn’t flinch. Without a backward glance he picked up his bag and walked with a quick unhurried pace to the spot under cover of trees, where earlier in the day he’d left his own vehicle. Climbing in he drove off satisfied. Tomorrow would see the next part of his plan put into action
********************************************
‘You sure look different Jac.’ Gideon said as I emerged out of the makeup trailer.
‘Yeah I’d hardly recognise you Jac’ James added as he walked around me studying me intently.
I twirled about with a laugh in my medieval costume. ‘You like?’ But I schooled my features into mock seriousness. ‘Now my faithful shadows I must sink myself into my role. Try to be good chappies and blend into the background. This can get rather tedious if your stuck watching, for that I’m sorry.’
They followed me as I picked my way carefully towards Ken already in his medieval garb and the waiting cameras. As ever when filming wasn’t in progress, people milled about, hustling from one area of the soundstage to another, all intent on their own tasks.
‘Arh there you are Jac, ready?’ Ken asked as he dusted off some fluff of his sleeve of his velvet doublet.
‘As I’m ever as I’m going to be. My lines are memorised, let the cameras roll.’ I quipped.
‘Ok let’s get this show on the road.’ Ken said, clapping his hands getting everyone’s attention. ‘Ok let’s have some quiet please. Everyone in position? Louis?’ he looked about making sure Louis was settled and ready to shoot the scene.
‘Ok Jac ready?’ at my nod he gathered himself into his role.
‘Lights, cameras, action’ Louis said, then clapperboard snapped shut. We began the scene where Banquo’s ghost makes his appearance at dinner and McBeth, being the only one able to see him has a fit of rage, which leaves me to take charge and try and calm my distraught raging husband. I suggest the guests leave and not to take any notice of my husbands fit as I usher them out, then when left alone I encourage McBeth to get some sleep. We shoot the scene over and over, until Ken and Louis are satisfied with the footage. Then it was the closeup work, as they shot various angles of the scene from different vantage points around the set.
‘Ok well done Jac and Ken, it looked good. Ok everyone lets move it hey. Time means money on a shoot.’
‘Good work Louie. Jac that’s you finished for the day, well done love.’ Ken said sitting down on the nearest chair. ‘Stuart can you bring me the storyboards please, I want to have a look at the next scenes.’ he yelled out to a passing aid. ‘Tired sweetheart?’ he asked as I sat down next to him and looked over at the storyboards he was perusing.
‘Actually no I’m not. But I never am after filming. I’m always bouncing off the walls ready for more.’
Ken grinned. ‘Yes I can see you’re a live wire. Kevin has my sympathies.’
‘Ha ha, funny guy Kenneth. So are we on schedule with the filming?’ I asked curious.
Ken pulled a face.’ ‘Yeah pretty much so. But you know anything can happen.’
‘Oh for sure, so you think that scene with McDuff will work out the way you want it to?’
Ken pursed his lips. ‘It’s worth trying I feel, and if it doesn’t work out we’ll go back to the original idea. We talked for a while in general about his concepts, while the technicians set up for the lighting for the next scenes. I stayed around watching Ken and Louis at work. For me to observe was to learn, and in my trade you never stopped learning.
****************************************
Pulling his cap down over his face he scanned his pass, and the soundstage door swung open. He had this ability to appear nondescript, to be able to blend in with his surroundings. There was nothing distinctive about his features or haircolour, he was just another face in the crowd, and this suited his objective just fine. Unhurriedly he made his way to the set where filming for MacBeth was under way for the day. No one stopped him, no one questioned his right to be here. In his mind killing the security guard justified the means to an end, just has his plan here today would serve it’s purpose.
*******************************************
Eric busied himself around the set, running errands, helping out in whatever why he could. He was essentially a shy young man, who led a quiet life. But the burning passion in his life was movies and the process involved in making them. A friend of his family had put him in touch with Mr Brannah’s production company, where after a few pulled strings he started work as a general set hand. He had revelled in his job, had started to come out of his shell because the film set offered a camaraderie like he had never before experienced. He never seemed to fit anywhere before, was always the outsider, now he felt like he belonged. He took in his stride all the goodnatured ribbing and teasing of his fellow workers, and was just starting to feel at ease with teasing them back. Being of an easygoing willing helpful nature, he found out that he was also well liked and each day was a pleasure to be able to watch these great performers at work. He looked and learned. But he loved to watch Jacqueline Ryecroft most of all. For all her aristocratic blood and notoriety she showed him nothing but kindness and friendship. He had found her completely different, nothing like her reputation had made her out to be. There was no wild partying, no bad behaviour, just the upmost professionalism, and certainly no airs and graces that he would have expected of someone who was rarely out of the tabloids. It had been the proudest moment of his life when she had cajoled him into calling her Jac and not Ms Ryecroft. He would do anything to please her. If he was truthful to himself he would admit to a crush on her, but half the crew did as well, but anyone could she worshiped and loved her husband. And he could see her husband loved her back, and for that he was glad.
He busied himself carrying Lizzie’s equipment to Jac’s trailer. He knew Jac would be finished shooting soon, and he wanted to have everything ready for Lizzie as she got Jac out of her costume. He opened the trailer’s door and kicked the door shut, He placed the armful of equipment on the table, and he went to the sink to fill up the kettle. He would make sure it was boiled so he could make Jac her customary cup of tea as Lizzie helped undress Jac. While Lizzie unpinned her wig and helped Jac take off the thick heavy makeup used in filming, Jac would sit there and drink tea and crack jokes with various cast and crew members. He laughed to himself at the thought of Gideon and James sitting in here with them all. Those two bodyguards were huge men, they would take up all the available space. Humming softly to himself, he suddenly sensed someone watching him. He placed the kettle on the sink and turned around to see an unfamiliar security guard sitting studying him. Startled, Eric shivered and for some unknown reason he felt ill at ease with the guards presence in Jac’s trailer. He sensed danger and was suddenly ill at ease.
‘Um do I know you?’ he tried to ask in a steady voice, and silently cursed himself when it came out as croak. The guard stood up and nonchalantly bolted the door, with a snap that echoed around the silent trailer, the bolt slid home. He turned around with a feral grin on those ordinary features that sent a chill sweat of cold fear running down Eric’s spine and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end.
‘No. No you don’t know me actually, but soon everyone will know you.’ Eric still unsure of his predicament backed up a step or two.
‘Know me why?’ he asked shakily and confused, he looked about him with eyes wide with fear and saw there would be no escape route.
The guard sighed, and looked at his glove enclosed fingers, he thoughtfully picked at the material that encased his hands, before looking up at Eric malevolently that caused Eric to back into the sink. ‘You’re going to be my messenger Eric. You have a major role of a sorts in the drama that’s about to unfold. See I need some one to make my point to Jacqueline, that I will not be messed about with. She’s pushed me too far now. She will be mine, and you're going to make it for me.’
‘You’re the stalker, the clown.’ Eric interrupted, illumination lighting his scared face. Suddenly he felt brave enough to say ‘You didn’t get her last time, what makes you think you will now.’
The stalker shrugged his shoulders and sniffed disdainfully.’ Today she’s safe. Tomorrow.’ Again that chilling shrug of the shoulders ‘Who knows what the future might bring.’
‘You won’t get near Jac, they won’t let you.’ Eric stammered biting his lip in fear.
‘You think?’ he said his voice heavy with malignant intent. He took a step closer to Eric. ‘Enough. Her fate at the moment doesn’t concern me. Your fate on the other hand concerns me greatly Eric.’ Ice cold eyes peered with deadly intent into pale terrified ones. Two hands snaked out and captured Eric suddenly about the throat, and squeezed, tightening his grip upon Eric’s windpipe. Eric’s limbs flailed about as he tried to fight off his attacker, he managed to get his hands up to his assailant’s face and a lucky swipe caught his attackers cheek, Eric raked his fingers along the cheekbone of the stalker drawing blood, but this just enraged his attacker more. He tightened his grip on Eric’s throat forcing Eric to collapse to his knees. Eric’s hands frantically sort to free the attackers grip, but to no avail he was getting weaker and weaker. It was getting dark and hard to see, the trailer began to sway and Eric felt everything oppressively close in on him. Eric needed air and he couldn’t breathe. His windpipe was on fire, and his lungs burning with the effort of forcing oxygen into his air starve lungs. The edges of his vision were becoming more and more blurred, and he felt himself pulled deeper and deeper into the darkness, into the black mire of unconsciousness, till there at the end was a tunnel of bright white light calling him. He gave up fighting and with one last desperate gasp he became the stalkers second victim