Thread: Hyde and Seek [ Chai & Mr Quixotic ]

RE Hyde and Seek Ariamella Mr Quixotic I don't drink, came Katrina's automatic response, her voice and demeanor soft, almost completely different than it had been with Michael, and she shifted her eyes to focus on Hannah as they waited. My palette has never really included alcohol, but I can understand the appeal. I guess wine isn't so bad. And those fruity cocktails. The elevator doors opened and the actress shrugged, stepping forward with the casting director. Like Renier, her room was at the fourteenth floor - accessible only through private key access - and after she had inserted the card in the appropriate slot, both women began the journey up. Truthfully, Katrina enjoyed the sophistication that came with being a cultured drinker, and with her recent birthday into the 'big 2-1,' she anticipated being able to enjoy the occasional wine here and there, or maybe something even a little bit stronger. But it wasn't her decision to make, as her mother had gone running to Myles with a list of reasons her daughter would need to abstain from drinking. The biggest on the list was that she needed her reputation intact as a well-respected actress, and that alone had been enough to make Myles jump on board with the decision. It was part of her appeal, he said, that she was a 'good girl,' seemingly innocent someone who put her personal image and dignity above all else. But she knew her mother had only wanted her to avoid the same mistake of indulging too much in alcohol and its aftereffects hangovers, headaches, bad sex... kids. And so Nicole Ellis instilled into her daughter the harmful effects of drinking, and also encouraged her monthly birth control injection, just in case something went 'wrong'. Without the safety of her phone to shield her from the awkwardness at being alone with the Hannah, Katrina sneaked a glance over, wondering if she was supposed to say something. Did the casting director expect her to express her fascination and appreciation for Michael's actions? Hannah was right that director did have a funny way of showing how much he cared, and in the young actress's mind, the slap had only proved to her how little he cared for his female lead. And not just the actions, but the words he'd used were specifically designed to infuriate her. Looking back, she knew that, knew he was deliberately trying to make her upset, yet she'd fought back. Why? Too much liked Nicole , the voice inside her head reasoned, and she knew it to be true. Michael Rodriguez had just skimmed the surface of what lay beneath the facade of perfection, without even realizing what he had truly done. Moments later, a ding sounded and the doors opened, revealing a wide, ornately decorated hallway that held none of the congested arrangement of rooms that the lower floors did, but a spacious floor plan that screamed luxury. Katrina led the way to the Ambassador Suite, the smallest of the specialty suites, and turned the corner to find Renier standing outside his own room with a tall blonde, one of the girls with a minor but repeated role throughout Hyde and Seek. Checking out tomorrow morning? he teased, his smirk growing to a full grin when his co-star ignored him, walking past without so much of a second glance his way. His laugh faded away as the pair of women turned another corner and came to a stop in front of what looked to be the entrance to lavish living quarters. Katrina had, of course, paid for her own room. Her guilty conscience prompted her to do so as it was her own fault that their time at the Beverly Wilshire was extended by a few extra days, and while nothing could make up for the loss of time, effort, and money, she figured that maybe the 5,500-per-night fee that came with staying in the luxury room would be enough to help clear some of that guilt. Renier, on the other hand, had opted for the Penthouse Suite and paid the ridiculous 7,500 nightly price tag, all to have three bedrooms, and bathrooms made with Italian marble. Maybe you can stay a night? It'll help you practice really getting into character, and maybe we'd actually accomplish something during filming, he'd taunted her the first night they were there. God, I wish he wasn't so much of a... a... him , Katrina muttered as she unlocked the heavy mahogany doors to her room and walked inside, kicking her heels off and relishing the instant comfort that came to her feet. Gesturing to the mini-bar located just off the dining area, she turned to Hannah and said, Please, make yourself at home, or call up service if you want something a little more specialty. The actress stepped out to the terrace to give the older woman some time to relax, but she mostly needed time to think. Michael's parting words kept running through her mind You could be a once in a generation actress, but until you find the courage to stop holding yourself back in front of the lens, you'll never be better than mediocre. If you won't do it for me, do it for your Mother. No, she decided, even though she had always wanted approval from Nicole, their rocky relationship had made it so she never actively sought to do things for her mother. If anything, Katrina always did things for herself, knowing that at the end of the day, nothing mattered except what she thought of her own actions. She was self-critical, a perfectionist, and that was the way she liked it. But Michael had shaken her confidence with the biting comment, and she suddenly wondered if it was true. Hadn't she already attained the ability to act well? Acting wasn't about letting go or holding back , she mentally repeated to herself, it was calculated to show just the right amount control over every aspect of a certain role was how one could properly understand it, and bring it to life. So why did Michael's words make her doubt that mantra? Katrina walked back inside and laid her petite body onto one of the over-sized couches, rolled over onto her back and stared at the high ceilings above her. Why was Hyde and Seek so difficult? What's wrong with me? she asked aloud more to herself than Hannah, letting on that even she was vulnerable to the pressures of her job, then sighed at the fatigue she felt from the day. ... I know what I said back there, but I'm not actually quitting. Just thought you should know. I want to finish this - I really, truly do - and besides, if I don't, Myles is going to give me a lecture about losing out on eight big ones. She didn't even bother mentioning her mother, who would have most likely given her another useless lecture on 'settling.'