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artist Chang had passed this job on to one of his trainees, a redhead named Meredith. It was her first major produ c tion and she was nervous.
                  Noticing that, Vance decided to put his grumpy mood aside as best as he could and be as friendly and easy going as possible. No matter what his personal problems were, his co-workers should not be affected by them, that was one of Vance’s prime directives. So far, he was getting along fairly well with all the people on a set.
                  “Morning, Meredith!” he answered to her somewhat shy greeting and sat in the chair she indicated. “I suppose jet lag has not left much to do for you! I haven’t shaved for two days and I’m sure I look as tired as I feel!” He smiled.
                  “Well…” The ice was broken. Meredith laughed and reached for the makeup utensils. “I’ve seen worse! However… I think your hair might be too short if I remember the descri p tion of your ch a racter correctly.”
    “Yes, I guess so,” admitted Vance without opening his eyes. “But there was nothing I could do about that! They cast me only a week ago. So, unless you are going to put one of those ugly wigs on me – and I hope Alison has not mentioned an y thing in that direction - we have to deal with my Marine hai r cut.”
                  Alison walked past the equipment, giving every position a last check. The team with the additional lighting was ready, the focus pullers and the grips gave her a thumb-up, too. The two cameras were in position – even if Jake yawned pitifully. The sound-assistant just gave last instructions to his helpers.
              As planned, they would start with the first scene on sch e dule, what accidentally happened to be the first meeting b e tween father and daughter. It was taking place outside on the porch. Alison spotted Vance and checked his appearance. Yes, this was more or less how she had pictured Arend M a rens in reading the script: shabby white suite with missing bu t tons, half open shirt… Of course, the hair was definitely too short, too orderly. Well, she would see in a few minutes, if it worked despite this flaw!
                  “Good morning, Alison. Satisfied?” Vance asked, noticing her visual check-up.
                  “We shall see.” The comment left no doubt of her skepti c ism .
                  Vance’s pride was stung by her remark and her behavior. A p parently s he thought he was one of those action stars who couldn’t’ do anything but shout order s, shoot and wrestle in the mud ! Well, he would show her differently ! He was a pro and would not give her any reason to complain. On the co n trary! Yes, he’d show her! He was a graduate of the prest i gious Montreal School of Performing Arts! He would act with every finesse he was capable of, as if an Oscar was at stake, if only to see her jaw drop in su r prise!
                  “Vance,” Jake shouted across the set, watching the scene, “ give us your best hangover-face ever! ”
                  “Shouldn’t be a problem!”
                  From the corner of her eye, Alison saw Lauren Bastian on the garden path, dressed in a costume that made her in fact look like the innocent 16-year old from a convent school.
              Wonderful! Good job! Never thought this was possible!
                  “Ready to go everyone?” Alison asked. “ Positions ever y one !”
                  Vance stepped up on the porch. Lauren installed herself next to the requisite cab with the extra as driver, a guy who smelled disgustingly of garlic, she noticed. One last look around, then assi s tant director Mendez declared “Picture is up”. A moment later the clapper gave the sign. Alison felt the remnants of her jet lag dizziness vanish, when she called “A c