The cast, crew, and all the producers, waited for me on stage, not to mention news and entertainment media. Holding up production was contrary to every instinct I had and everything I had ever been taught. Daddy raised me since birth on the cautionary tale about the bad little actress who cost the studio money. This gamble of Penny’s could cost me my career.

The trailer steps shook. I peeked nervously out the window before opening the door. A new production assistant with spiky maroon hair and a wrist full of studded leather bracelets stood holding a sheaf of pink pages. Revisions.

“Leave them on the chair,” I told him.

“If you say so.” He had a pierced tongue and his tone was cocky. I would speak to someone about him later.

I took the pages and waved him away before calling Penny’s office for the third time in an hour.

“Penny Peyser’s office.”

“Yeah Marissa, it’s me again. What the hell is going on?”

“She’s still on the phone with Business Affairs, I’m sure it will just be a few more minutes. Hang on Jackie.” Marissa’s voice was so pleasant and reassuring.

I took a deep breath. “Okay, but please tell her to hurry up and close this deal!”

“Will do, sweetie.”

I peered outside, hoping someone from Wardrobe might walk by and loosen my bodice, but they were all on set. The set call had been for nine a.m. and it was almost noon! What was taking so long? I was a wreck. I couldn’t even begin to think what Daddy was going to say. Even if I didn’t tell him, it would be in the trades by tomorrow.

And what was going through Peter’s mind? Probably nothing. He was probably in his trailer fucking one of my bridesmaids. I wanted the raise if only because I’d be making more money than Peter and that would piss him off.

The phone rang. I picked it up immediately. “Penny? What the hell is—”

“No, this is Moira Parent.”

“Oh, oh, shit,” I said, flustered. “Hi, Moira, um, sorry about all of this. It’s not personal.”

“Nothing to be sorry about, dear. Business is business. Did you get the revisions?”

“Oh, yes, they were just dropped off.”

“Have you had a chance to read them yet?”

“I was just about to do that now.”

“Great. Hope to see you on the set soon.”

“I’m sure you will. Um, Moira, this is awkward, but could you send someone from wardrobe over to loosen this dress?”

“Of course, dear.”

I hung up, relieved that Moira wasn’t angry with me. If she were confident that this would work out, then Penny was right. If only I could breathe! I tried again in vain to reach back where dozens of hooks held me captive. I gave up, picked up the revisions, and began to read.