Chapter Text
Lexa was going over the choice of actresses with the casting director. She nodded along as the casting director went over the details and personal opinions. Usually, she would pick out the actresses and leave the important decision to Reyes. She trusted her judgement. Mostly, she would rather have one less responsibility to do.
Raven Reyes entered the room and asked the casting director for a moment alone with Lexa. Raven’s opinion was more important.
“Why am I doing this?” Lexa asked.
“You know. In France, the director decides on everything. Not the producer.”
“We’re not in France.”
Raven changed the subject. “Her?” She eyed the picture Lexa was holding. “Too blonde. Mousy looking.” Lexa looked at her, waiting for her to continue. But nothing. She let out a sigh and dropped the photo.
“I watched the audition tape. She seemed alright.”
“Alright isn’t good enough for the investors, Alexa. How about this one? A star in the making, huh?” Raven picked up a photo of an actress with the black hair.
“Don’t you think she’s on the younger side?” The girl had a youthful look to her, which was not what Lexa had envisioned for the role.
“Isn’t that better?”
“Raven.”
Lexa could only assume that the pressure came from the higher ups. Old and out-of-touch men who wanted actresses who were younger, fresher, and with the “right” amount of naïveté. But this was her movie. She’ll get the last say. Or at least, Raven and hers.
“Just pick one.”
“What’s your opinion on them?”
“None.”
Painstakingly true. This was not good news for Lexa. If none of them had made an impression, what was the use of them? A bad opinion was better than nothing.
“Who’s this? She wasn’t in any of the audition tapes here.”
Lexa picked the unclipped picture out of the closed folder. The actress was blonde, blue eyed, average height. At first glance, she was ordinary at best. The cliché features of an actress. The Hollywood stereotype. But she found herself staring at the picture a little longer. The actress was beautiful, she admitted.
And something about her made Lexa curious than usual.
“Born in Australia. American. Fresh out of the water by Hollywood standards. Done a few small indie films and commercials.”
“Why was her folder the odd one out?”
“She didn’t come.”
“Then, call her?” Lexa said like she didn’t know what the big deal was. She really didn’t. “Did she send the initial audition tape, at least?”
Raven scoffed.
“There are literally million other actresses who would die to be in her position. And she missed the opportunity. Why should she be any different? I discarded her.”
Discarded. Like she was yesterday’s meatloaf. Raven can be insensitive. But who could blame her?
Lexa pressed her lips together. Raven was right. Like she always was. They had been working together since the first film Lexa had made. It was Raven who sought her out among more qualified and experienced directors. Raven had chosen her.
“Just send me her original tape. Like you’ve said a million times, time is money. We can’t send another scouting assignment with the time we have left.” Lexa reasoned. “If she’s not up to our standards, I’ll choose the one here.” She tapped her forefinger on the scattered photos. Several faces were frozen in time. Hopes in their eyes.
Raven was silent for a few seconds.
“I’ll get your assistant to send you the email. Let’s just hope your special girl is the one.” She got up and left the room.
--
After making some small changes to the script, Lexa lifted her legs on the table and sipped her coffee. If she could work at home, she would. She leaned her body forward in the chair and pressed play on the video clip.
A video clip of the actress she had been meaning to check out since yesterday. Legs off the table, she placed her mug on the table and grabbed the folder she brought home. She read over the details once again. Her name was Clarke Griffin.
Several minutes later, the video ended. Her opinion?
Clarke had talent. Just like another actress Lexa already knew. She was also an enigma to Lexa. And that was enough for Lexa to warrant an appointment with the actress.
Lexa called her assistant.
“I sent you an email. Details about an actress named Clarke Griffin. I want you to call her agent and set an appointment to meet Clarke at my office tomorrow at 10 am. Let Raven Reyes know as well.”
She could hear scribblings against the paper on the other line. “Actress. Griffin. Reyes. Got it.”
“Good.”
“No problem.”
“Thanks, Cos.”
The call ended and Lexa went back to work.
--
Raven propped herself onto the couch, watching Lexa work at the table and massaging her left leg. Lexa was going through the shooting schedules.
“Where’s the girl?” Raven spoke up first. “She’s late, isn’t she? I told you. This girl’s not worth it.”
“It’s only – ” Lexa checked her wristwatch. “9.45 am. She’ll be here.”
“Good thing your assistant’s smart. If not for the coffee she brought, I would think this is a waste of time. I’m beginning to think it is.”
Lexa rolled her eyes at Raven. Her office phone rang. She pressed the speaker on.
“Yes, Costia?”
“Clarke and her agent are here to see you.”
Raven perked up, suddenly interested in the appointment. Probably wanting to size the actress up. Like she always did.
“Send them in.”
For some reason, Lexa was nervous. A bit. The door opened. Two strangers walked in.
“No way,” Raven said in excitement. Lexa was puzzled. “Octavia?” Raven stood up from the couch and grabbed Octavia by the side arms. She was forward like that. Octavia didn’t seem to mind as she opened her arms to hug her.
Lexa looked at Raven and then, at Octavia. Waiting for an explanation.
“We knew each other in highschool and college.” Octavia offered first.
“Knew each other? We were partners in crime.”
After that, they were in their own world. Chatting away.
Lexa rested her gaze on the equally confused person, Clarke Griffin. True to the written information, she was 5’5 and slim in nature. Clarke met Lexa’s gaze and gave a small smile.
Prettier in person.
The photos in Clarke’s folder did not do her justice.
“Clarke.” Lexa started first. She gestured her to sit down. “Octavia? Raven?”
“Oh. I’ve booked us a place at the Pyes for brunch. I thought it would be a good idea if we were in a more personal setting. Raven, join us?” Octavia replied.
“I can’t. I have a set location to inspect and finalise some things with boring people. You know how it goes.” Then, there was something in Raven’s eyes. A flicker of an idea. “How ‘bout you join me? We have a lot to discuss still. I’m sure Lexa and the actress of yours will be fine. Get to know each other.”
Raven gave Clarke a once-over. Lexa resisted rolling her eyes at her. Raven winked at Lexa before leaving the room with Octavia.
“Your assistant knows my number. Give me a call once you’ve decided, if Clarke is the one you want. Or not.” Octavia spoke as if Clarke was not in the room. She gave a thumbs up to the said actress and left with Raven.
Silence hung in the air after the door was shut.
Lexa looked at Clarke again and decided that they should go get brunch and start there.
--
They sat opposite of each other. In a room full of important people. Men in expensive suits. Women bathed in too much perfume. It was not even lunch yet. If you wanted to feel insignificant, this was the place to be.
“So, Clarke. Tell me about yourself.” Lexa said.
Clarke lifted her eyes to meet Lexa’s. They were bluer than Lexa expected. Clarke said the same things she had said in the video. It was not what Lexa wanted.
“No. Tell me something that you wouldn’t usually tell someone about yourself to a person like me.”
Clarke took a sip of water. Lexa watched the little signs of nervousness in Clarke’s hands.
Then, there was that tiny knowing smile on Clarke’s face. Was it a smile? Lexa couldn’t tell. But she was more interested than she was ten seconds ago.
“I paint.”
“A true artist at heart. What do you draw?”
“People. Places. Whatever I feel like.”
“Good. And good to know.” Lexa just nodded. She wondered at how Clarke would act out in an emotional scene. She shifted in her seat, her leg crossed over the other. “Why did you miss the audition?” She asked in a neutral manner.
“I-I.. had a family emergency.” Clarke sounded sincere and true. Lexa believed her.
Clarke’s eyes were really blue. Lexa caught herself in Clarke’s eyes, again. She felt her throat go dry. It was her turn to drink. They talked a few more. About the movie, the characters, the technicalities, and so on. Several moments later, Lexa found herself sharing a story about her first movie.
Clarke was attentive. Something Lexa had noticed.
Brunch was over. She checked her watch and realised she had some other place to be.
“It was nice meeting you, Clarke.”
Clarke responded with a smile. Lexa stared at her lips for a second and averted her gaze quickly.
--
Lexa had set up a second audition and called back two actresses. Raven was not fond of this idea. This time, it would be a reading with the already chosen lead actor, Finn Collins. He was Raven’s final choice.
The casting director was going through which scenes to perform with Finn.
“I don’t see why we needed a second one. It’s a -”
“A waste of time.” Lexa finished Raven’s sentence. “But it’s not. Chemistry is important.”
She was tapping her pen against the table. Her other hand holding a coffee mug. Her mind drifted, imagining how Clarke’s audition would go. She had Raven’s choice, a black haired haired girl named Alice, to come back for the second audition.
Alice was the first to enter the room. A hopeful smile pasted on her lips. Lexa didn’t see what Raven saw in her. Lexa followed Alice’s eyeline, and it landed on Raven briefly. A small tick upward at the corner of Raven’s mouth. Alice responded with a wink.
Oh, no. Lexa nudged Raven in the ribs with her elbow.
“Raven. We’re here to evaluate.” She whispered harshly. Raven rolled her eyes at her.
After everyone was ready, the audition started. The girl was fine. Lexa still thought that she was still too young for this kind of role. But nothing was out of ordinary. There was some chemistry, but Finn didn’t seem captivated by her. Nor did she by him.
Perhaps, her mind was set after the black haired girl left the room. She knew who she wanted. Clarke came in afterwards. Lexa snuck a glance at Raven, hoping to get a read on her. Clarke dressed casually.
At first, she read her script alone. The second reading, it was with Finn. Lexa watched the two of them and closed her eyes for a moment. To get a feel of their deliveries. She opened her eyes and tuned out their voices.
She watched their expressions. There was chemistry. A really good one. Finn seemed satisfied. Clarke looked confident, but not too much that it seemed that arrogant. Lexa looked at Raven. An approving look on her face. This was a good sign. Lexa was right in her choice. It felt good to be right.
But Raven was right, too. This was a waste of time. She had already chosen Clarke since the first meeting.