Authors: Alexis Konsantino
Tina eyed him for a moment, “Thanks. Hey, Halo filmed in Vancouver, Washington a while back, were you on that film?”
Xander paused and nodded.
“Oh! Did you meet her?” Tina asked excitedly.
“Well, not exactly. I did spend a couple of days on that set. I uh, did see her though. She really is a nice person. I think it was her who bought all the cast and crew pizza and soda when the shoot ran long on the second day. Craft services had packed up the food and left. She made sure that there was enough for the extras too.”
“Yep! That sounds like Halo. Maybe you will get to meet her, if you do say ‘hi’ from me, ok?” Tina gave him a wink and a grin to go along with it.
“Trying to tip the scales in my favour are you?” Xander said then laughed.
“Hey, why not?” Tina giggled.
He smiled and shook his head gently at her, “So, to change the subject we will be landing soon. Are you nervous?”
“Yeah.” Tina shuddered slightly. I’m sorry I am being such a pain.”
“No pain at all, besides you gave great advice. I used to get anxious flying too. I ended up taking helicopter lessons from a friend to get over it. Guess what?” Xander asked, and saw Tina shrug at him, “I prefer wings.” Xander chuckled.
“Did it help?”
“Yes. Hey, I just want you to know that if anything happens, and it will not. I will be here for you. You are not alone, ok?” Xander said and gave her a serious look.
“Thanks. I mean, thank you Xander.”
Just then, a chime sounded in the cabin, then Vicki’s voice came over the speakers, “Ladies, gentlemen, the Captain has turned on the fasten seat belt sign…”
“You good with the seatbelt?”
Tina tensed up, “Didn’t undo it…”
“Good.”
The Captain’s voice came over the speaker, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain. We will shortly be making our descent to our destination. The marine layer has dissipated and if reports are correct, we will be landing in sunshine with the temperature holding steady at 71 degrees…”
He saw Tina grip one armrest and with her other she began rubbing her pant leg.
The plane began its decent and suddenly they felt their stomachs drop, Tina quickly grabbed onto Xander’s hand.
She looked up at him with big wide eyes. He could see she was trying to keep it together as she squeezed his fingers tightly.
Xander simply nodded ignoring her death like grip on his fingers, “Ok, pretty soon we are going to start decelerating, and look,” he pointed with his free hand to the window, “we are over the ocean. We will be banking and turning for the airport, ok?” Tina nodded to him.
Suddenly the plane banked and Tina squeezed his hand harder. He smiled, “Get ready for us to slow down.” As soon as he said it, the plane began to decelerate and they felt pushed forward. Tina’s grip surprisingly got tighter.
“We are almost ready to land, see it’s all fine Tina.” Tina looked at him still wide-eyed and silent, “Hey! I didn’t ask, you excited to see your dad?”
Tina turned to him, her hands still in a death grip hold on her armrest and his hand, “Uh, yes. I miss him a lot.”
“I bet he misses you too Tina. I would miss my daughter. Her name is Athena by the way.”
That piqued her interest away from her anxiety a little, “Oh? That’s a pretty name. You guys Greek? I know a few people who are…” She asked with a jitter in her voice.
“Yes! Well, I’m part Greek. Hey look,” Xander pointed out of the window, “we are coming in.”
A thump then the vibration of wheels on asphalt reverberated through the plane as the wheels met the runway. Xander did not think she could squeeze his hand any harder but she certainly found the extra strength to do so, “We landed, see? It’s all good, Tina.”
The roar of the engines decelerated the plane as it slowed down to its taxiing speed, “That was a smooth landing too! How are you doing?”
Tina nodded and slowly let loose of his hand, he wanted to give it a shake to get the blood circulating, but he did not want to embarrass her.
“I’m better.” She blushed pink and took in a breath, “Thank you for your help.”
“It was my honor and a pleasure Tina. I am happy we met and thank you for the great advice. Speaking of advice, can I throw some your way?” He gave her a pained look with a smile.
“Of course.” She replied with relief.
“I keep Xanax with me when I fly, it helps me because I know it’s there if I need it and it doesn’t make me sleepy. Second, you seem like a very intelligent young woman. Might I suggest you read everything you can about flying, even about how to fly a plane. It’s what I did and that led me to taking egg beater lessons.” He gave her a big smile as she nodded at his suggestion.
Vicki’s voice came over the speakers instructing them to remain seated and buckled up until the seat belt sign goes off.
Tina gathered up her bag and turned to Xander, “Thank you so much for being there for me. You are such a nice guy, I really hope you get the part. I think you and Halo would look awesome on screen together.”
Hearing that, he stopped short for just a moment and smiled, “Tina, it was my pleasure meeting you. Thank you for your advice, I will definitely use it today.”
Tina gave him a nod and a smile.
They remained quiet as the rows ahead of them emptied, when it came to their turn Xander stepped back so Tina could scoot her way out. She looked up at him with a sad smile and gave him a little wave. She started walking up the aisle then turned back, “Xander!” She called out with a big grin, “See you on the red carpet some day!” With another wave, she headed out.
With a nod to Vicki, Xander exited the plane and headed into the terminal hoping he really did have a ride waiting. Once in the terminal he turned on his phone and texted Evie and Athena:
Made it. Interesting trip. Love you! Xxoo.
His phone vibrated, he glanced at it and saw it was Athena’s text:
Grats on the audition! Get Halo’s autograph for me! Mom says Xxoo!
Xander walked his way through the crowded baggage claim area. After retrieving his bag, he was supposed to meet his driver at the exit and he would be holding a sign with his name on it. As usual, his bag was the last to come out. He grabbed it and headed off towards the exit.
Suddenly he heard a familiar voice call out, “He’s over there! C’mon!” Xander turned to see Tina holding a man’s hand, her father Xander presumed. He gave her a smile and got a closer look at the man in tow: He was of average height, skin tone much like his own, bald with a dark goatee and very good looking.
The man smiled at him and stuck out his hand as he came up. Xander reached out, accepted the proffered hand, and received a strong handshake. “This is my dad…” Xander watched as the man and Tina exchanged a glance. The man returned his look at Xander.
“Xander is it? It is a pleasure meeting your acquaintance. I want to thank you for assisting my Christina on her flight down. My name is Ari Ascher.”
Xander did his best not to freeze in place at hearing whose hand he was shaking. He quickly recovered, “Xander Kostinos, sir. Very pleased to meet you. I was happy to be of assistance to Tina, er Christina?” He glanced at Tina questioning.
Tina blurted out, “Dad! I go by Tina now!” She gave her father a playful nudge.
Ari turned to his daughter and smiled, “As you say my dear.” He turned back to Xander with the same smile, “I hear it is you I have to blame for Tina wanting to take flying lessons?”
Xander grimaced, “My apologies sir…”
Ari reached out and patted Xander’s shoulder, interrupting him, “It is quite alright Xander. Tina mentioned you are here for an audition?”
Xander wondered what else Tina divulged, “Yes, sir I am.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tina make a zipping gesture across her lips. “I got the call at 5:30 this morning, quite unexpectedly.” He watched Ari and he could see the gears turning through all the politeness.
“Theatre, feature film, commercial?” Ari asked casually as he produced a business card. Before Xander could answer, Ari continued, “If I did not offer you my personal card, Tina would never let me hear the end of it. As you can see I am in the business as well.”
“Thank you Mr. Ascher. I do know who you are and I think you actually are the business! You have produced so many great films over these past several years.” Xander glanced down at the card. It looked expensive in its gold lettering, it read
: Ari Ascher, President Pantamount Productions
and a lone phone number.
“Ha!” Ari chuckled and looked at Tina, “It does pay the bills.” He turned back to Xander, “I do not mean to pry, should you not want to disclose who you are auditioning with… I will understand.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Ascher…”
“Please Xander, call me Ari.”
Xander nodded, “Tina saw me reading my sides and I asked her not to discuss it. Thinking back, a stranger asking a young lady not to disclose something is rather inappropriate. For that I apologize to you both.”
Tina shrugged and smiled as her father patted Xander on the shoulder again, “No harm done. You were saying?” Ari urged.
“Yes, the working title to the film is ‘The Throwaway Girl’.”
Ari nodded then his dark eyes widened slightly, “Xander, where are my manners? Are you in need of a ride?”
“Oh! I forgot. I’m supposed to look for a man from the production company with a sign with my name at the exit.”
“Shall we chat as we head that way?”
“Certainly sir, uh Ari.”
They began walking slowly towards the exit, “Xander I know the script. The last I heard the film was ready to begin filming. Halo Raines is the lead and producer along with… Joel Miller.”
Xander caught the hesitation and the tension in Ari’s voice when he mentioned the last producer’s name.
Ari stopped and looked at Xander, “Might I offer you a bit of advice?”
“Yes! Please do Ari.”
Ari stepped close, “The Miller’s, both Irwin and his son Joel are not to be trifled with. How can I say this? Here it is simply: I refuse to do business with either of them.”
“Ari? Should I pass on the audition?” Xander asked with hesitation.
“No, no! By all means do the audition. Joel Miller is a very capable producer… if you meet him you will see my meaning. Which role are you reading for?”
“Dad! They changed up the script it looked like a re-write.”
“Yes, it did need quite a bit of polish now didn’t it?” Ari chuckled.
“I am reading for one of the Mercenaries, the one who is… uh keeping the lead, prisoner.”
“Oh? I thought that role went to…”
Xander quickly put his hands up begging off, “Please Ari, I don’t care to know who it is. I’d rather go in clear headed. I’m sorry.”
“I understand.” Ari glanced to the exit and nodded in that direction, “I believe your driver is here.”
Xander turned and waved at a wide-eyed and opened mouthed young man who was holding the sign. He was not looking at him, but at Ari Ascher and seemed to be quite surprised. Xander waved to him again and the young man finally held up his hand, nodded, and stepped a few paces away.
“Well then Xander, you did my daughter a great service today and in return I would like to do something for you. May I call Halo on your behalf?” He looked down at his daughter who was smiling and nodding. “Perhaps as a gesture of our gratitude?”
He ran his hand through his hair and then winced, “Ari, thank you for your generous offer… I—I know I will regret this later but I will have to decline. I think if I land this role it should be on my own merits.” He winced again, “Please don’t tell anyone, if my agent hears of this… I think it will be the end of that.”
Ari smiled, “You have my respect, Xander… I take it you are not only an aspiring actor?”
“There you have it Ari, my wife and I own and operate a senior care and service company. Fourteen years running, that is what really pays my bills… I have a sixteen year old daughter at home as well.”
Ari’s laugh was deep and he patted Xander’s shoulder again, “You know how it is then!” He glanced at his daughter who simply rolled her eyes at him back. Looking back at Xander, he gave him a quick once over and smiled, “If I come across a role that I think you may fit, I will give your agent a call?”
“Of course sir!” Xander pulled out his actor’s card and handed it to Ari.
“No favouritism, my word.” Ari said with a serious tone and reached for Xander’s hand.
Xander shook Ari’s hand and the firmness of Ari’s handshake was genuine. Xander sensed that this was a man that no one dares to trifle with. He had the urge to look around to see if there were any bodyguards or even a Goombah or two standing discretely by, “Thank you Ari, it truly was an honor to meet you and Tina.”
Tina came up and shook his hand, “Sorry to see you go, but good luck. Thank you for your help too.”
“My pleasure Tina, you are quite the amazing and beautiful young lady.”
Xander waved as Ari led Tina away. He turned to his driver and saw him discretely slide his phone into his pocket. He walked up to the young man and shook his hand, “Sorry to keep you waiting, I’m Xander.”