3D: Open Door Season

Octavia came through. How did Ranveer, a mere stranger, deserve such kindness? Shortly after gathering the courage to accept her offer, an audition landed in his lap. The next day, he received a call back, and the next week a role! It was just a commercial, but holy smokes! He could call himself an actor now! A real actor!

The days in between blurred together, and he spent them daydreaming idly, imagining himself on the Westridge stage accepting the first of many Starlight Accolade Awards, forehead beading with sweat from the spotlights beaming on him, hands shaking from nerves, family and friends smiling back at him, and giving praise to his one and only. Meeting Maya began a new season—a season of opened doors. Through her, he found the greatest love he’d ever known, a friend like no other, happiness beyond measure, unbridled joy, a pathway to follow his dreams, and even friendship with one of his favorite celebrities, Jonathan Pruett. Love is action and a choice, they said. Maya made choosing to love easy. That love filled him with gratitude and propelled his actions. Friends poked fun and called him “Mr. House Wife,” but that’s what love made him do. Even picking up Maya’s clothes from the floor though seeing the constant mess made his eye twitch.

Traveling to Del Sol Valley was not the easiest trip to make, but no one great achieved genuine success without sacrifice. Perhaps one day they’d move closer when the job demanded more of his time. But life with Maya in Oasis Springs was everything he needed. And Mini Maya too. Ever since agreeing to begin a family, he considered her often. If given a choice, he preferred a son to perpetuate the Singh name. But Maya wanted a girl and only one child. His mother nagged him throughout his adult life about settling down and starting a family. The wedding lingered in pending status, but by modern definition he was settled. And soon, they’d welcome Baby Singh and make Mom proud.

On the way to DSV Studios, Ranveer imagined bright, blue, sunny skies, warm sun, beautifully manicured grounds, and high dollar celebrities everywhere. Instead, thick, gray clouds covered the warm sun. He zipped up his sweater and put on his lucky hat when the first chilly gust nearly knocked him over. Truly, the hat wasn’t lucky. Maya gave it to him as a joke. Why else would he wear a Llamacorns hat? She was his lucky charm, and the hat was a piece of her he carried when he needed her close. A few actors ran past him, and a woman with a badge and clipboard wrote something as they trotted by. She must have been a producer.

“Hello, I’m-“

“Late,” she said with narrowed eyes.

He checked the time on his phone. “But, it’s 10 ’til.”

“If you’re not here 20 minutes early, you’re late.”

Heat of embarrassed warmed his cold cheeks. “Sorry. Guess I didn’t get that memo, heh.”

She rolled her eyes. “Come on.”

He followed her inside and took in the scene. So many producers rushed back and forth, talking to actors and stagehands. Even the chaos of production couldn’t squelch his excitement.

“Wow,” he whispered.

“First time?”

He snorted. “It wasn’t obvious before?”

“Cute. I’ve got more people to check in. I’ll leave you with Krysta. Hey, Krys! We got a newbie over here.”

Two brunettes walked toward him. The one with the badge asked, “You married?”

The randomness of the question startled him, but he answered proudly. “Engaged.”

“Congrats. Stay away from that one,” she said, nodding at the other brunette.

“I can hear you, you know,” that one said.

Whatever drama Krysta attempted to shield him from gave him a chuckle.

“Is this my actor?” a man said from behind.

“Yes, sir,” Krysta said.

The man shook his hand. “I’m Aiden, the director. Good to meet you. It seems you have friends in high places.”

“Please tell me this is my co-star,” Venessa Jeong interrupted, appearing from nowhere.

That one sighed heavily and closed her eyes. Ranveer felt like he was in the middle of something.

“Give me someone delicious like him, and I’ll get the scene right, Aiden,” Venessa yelled.

“Krys,” Aiden said. “Please get this man to wardrobe before a fight breaks out.”

Everyone always appeared so polished and poised on screen, but behind the scenes was a different story. Julio would get a kick out of Venessa’s thirst.

Krysta led him through crowds of actors practicing their lines. The conflicting voices echoed throughout the large room and excited him. How many commercials were they shooting? The dresser gave a pirate costume. Maya probably needed some sunshine at work, so he sent her a selfie; she enjoyed it as he imagined she would.

The costume lady sent him next door for makeup and hair. Knowing one day he’d have to give up his prized, precious hair for a starring role, he hoped that day had not arrived. The thick, black locks played an important part of his signature look, and it was too soon to lose it. Luckily, they only trimmed the ends.

He had a few minutes to kill before showtime, so he joined the other actors in front of the mirrors to practice his lines.

“Ok,” the director yelled. “Where’s my pirate?”

Ranveer trotted to the stage and took his position on the X behind the wheel. How was any of this real? Just a few weeks ago he sat at a desk coding some application he’d never use, and now…

“Quiet on the set! All right. This scene is simple. Just give me your best pirate driving the ship.”

“Pirates don’t drive, Aiden,” Krysta said in a hilarious deadpan voice.

“Whatever! He knows what I mean. ACTION!”

Ranveer took a deep breath and shook out all the nervousness through his hands. “I got this,” he whispered.

“Good! Now go to the products and say the line.”

It happened so fast it didn’t feel real. One take? Was it really good enough?

“ACTION!”

“Ahoy mateys! Try our new scent Tropical Paradise and yer mighty fine garb be fresh as the seas.”

“CUT! Good! Ok, next commercial!”

Ranveer hurried off stage while the stagehands replaced the set. Production continued as if he didn’t exist, so he went home. Maya had been his number one fan, and no one could ever rival her. She didn’t need a reason to celebrate him and waited anxiously to hear every detail of his day.