WHO: Match and Anna WHAT: Vignettes in London, and elsewhere WHEN: Recently WHERE: London, Crete, America? WARNINGS: None STATUS: Closed and Complete
Match grinned as he looked around the city from the balcony. He was in London! Wow! He glanced aside at Anna, smiling. Having arrived here this afternoon, which had taken a long flight, they now had neighboring hotel rooms in this awesome place, and were just meeting up to chat.
“So how do you like our view?” He waved a hand out at the beautiful city which was lit by sunset’s light and artificial lights.
***
After settling in and unpacking, Anna connected with all of her group: agents, publicist, et cetera, then meet up with Match. They’d rented out this very expensive high rise, and each had their own suites. The view from Match’s side was actually nicer than the view from her own.
“It’s amazing! I want to go on the eye!” She said, motioning toward the large ferris wheel.
***
“Then let's do it. Tonight is for us. Tomorrow morning, we start the hard work and pretty much don’t stop for days on end.” Match grinned at her. It was a fun place, Paris, and he was glad to see it for work, all expenses paid, but he knew they would work hard and he was up for it.
“This is amazing.”
***
“I’ve only been here once before,” Anna offered. “With a college friend. Last summer. We went to London and then to Paris. I loved the Louvre.” She couldn’t help the bright light that warmed her from inside.
“I’m excited to work, too! We’re so close to the finish line! I really believe in this project, you know?”
***
“Yeah? Cool. It’s an amazing place, the Louvre, too.” He chuckled. “This is all amazing and I cannot wait to be under the lights.” He grinned wider. “The new scenes are going to knock the audience's socks off, I can’t wait to see the full things.” The writer and director were keeping it very under wraps to prevent anything leaking.
“It is going to be great!”
***
The first thing they did when they reached the street below was hail a taxi. Anna would have used her phone to call for an Uber, but she didn’t have international data or calling on her cell phone. And she figured most of the time they’d be around wifi, so it wasn’t that big of a deal, anyway.
The taxi driver suggested a fish-and-chips place, and Anna bounced in her chair. “Dinner first? Then we can go and check out the Eye?”
***
“Definitely. I’m hungry. Lead on oh taxi man!” He chuckled as he turned to Anna. “I’m glad we’re getting this chance, and that we’re here together. You’re a good person and you definitely deserve this.” He nodded.
Soon, they were pulling up next to the restaurant.
***
“Aww, thanks, man.” Anna couldn’t stop grinning. She was definitely going to have to take some melatonin or something so she could get on the London Time Schedule as quickly as possible. She was far too excited to sleep!
She paid the taxi driver with her speciale credit card, then opened the door and climbed out of the cab. “Wow, this place looks amazing!”
***
He followed her out and looked around, then at the restaurant, and he grinned.”This is fantastic.’ Inside, they were seated and given menus in French and English both. Match chuckled. “I have a feeling they saw us coming a mile away.” He felt excited and bouncy, and hopeful. This was an amazing thing.
“How do you feel, Anna? This has all been fast and crazy.”
***
“Oh my God, I feel amazing. It’s like a dream!” Anna beamed as she sat down in the restaurant with him. “I can’t believe we’re actually in London! It’s so surreal! But is it weird that I already miss my family and friends? I know we’re only here a few days, but I miss my roommates and my boyfriend and my sister so much already.”
***
He waved for a waiter even as he nodded to her. “It is. It feels like we are somehow… in a dream or something. But it is amazing.” he chuckled and shook his head.
“It’s not weird at all. Its part of this life, I guess, traveling for shooting films. But yes, we can miss people. Tell me about your people? I don’t really have anyone right now.”
***
“Oooh, really? We’ll have to introduce you to people! I’ve got my roommates… there’s Stefan and his girlfriend Bubbles, and Lexi. Just the four of us in the house. It’s really nice. I like it.” Anna asked the waiter for water, and then ordered fish and chips. When in Rome, right? Err, London?
***
“You don’t have to do that, really, but I’ll be glad to meet your friends. Anyone who is important to you is worth knowing.” He nodded firmly.
Match, er, matched her order and grinned. “I travel a lot for book stuff and acting things. I just haven’t really gotten used to being around people a lot.”
***
“That’s so sweet of you to say!” Anna gave him a bright smile. It was turning into a wonderful trip, a wonderful dinner! Sometimes it was hard to wipe the grin off her face when she had to act out serious scenes.
“Ah, so you’re kind of a lone wolf kinda guy,” Anna nodded. “I can dig it. I was alone for a lot of my life. I was real, real sick as a kid, so I was quarantined a lot. I don’t like to be alone anymore, though!”
***
Match nodded. “I don’t think you’ll have that problem again. From here on our, the hard part will be finding alone time.” he nodded again.
“Fame can be seductive. Keep those you trust close.”
***
“I will.” Anna gave another one of her award winning smiles, and then sat up a little straighter as the food arrived.
She ate her fish and chips with gusto, talking with Match between bites about the shooting schedule, things about the movie, how they were getting on with the director, the producer… and other costars. Then Anna leaned back when the meal was over.
“Should we make it an early night? I’m jetlagged, but I know we have to film in the morning!
***
He ate as well, enjoying himself. The food was excellent, and the drink was good, and he found himself relaxing with her, loving the easy camaraderie they had. He had no idea how he had lucked out to meet her, but it was good.
“Yeah, we should. We can get an early start tomorrow, and enjoy the crazy luck we have.” He smiled as he rose, paying, and held out a hand to her.