Read Take Two for Free Online Page B

tiny worn-out table with uneven legs. The breeze was cooler, the sidewalk fringed with street people, everything they owned
     on their backs or smashed into a shopping cart. The salty ocean air pulsed with heavy rap music from a couple street dancers
     at the other end of the block, the sound blending with the occasional honking horn and rumbling truck heading east on Santa
     Monica Boulevard.
    Conversation was too hard against the noise, so they boxed up their second slices. Back in their rented editing room, they
     finished the pizza as Keith reviewed their notes from the earlier session. It was eight o’clock. Four hours until they could
     call it a night.
    Keith grabbed two cans of Diet Coke from the small refrigerator in the back corner of the room and handed one to Chase. “Okay.”
     He popped the top of his can and took a swig. “I want this scene less than two minutes total. We’re still at five and change.
     I have an idea, but let’s look at it again.” He sat down in front of the console.
    Chase took the chair next to him and hit the Play button. Three seconds from the front of a clip, two from the back, a camera
     angle deleted. A half hour disappeared, every cut piece saved in a digital file in case they needed it again. When the scene
     was down to two minutes, fifteen seconds, Chase rubbed his eyes. “That’s better. Let’s move on.”
    Before Keith could advance the film, his phone rang. He didn’t recognize the caller ID. The area code was Los Angeles, otherwise
     he wouldn’t have answered it. “Hello?”
    “Keith Ellison? Barry Gaynor here. Los Angeles Film Festival.”
    “Yes, Mr. Gaynor.” His heart slammed into double rhythm. The deadline for entering the LA Film Festival was December 5, weeks
     away. Entry in the competition was one of the reasons they were hurrying with the edit. “This is Keith. How can I help you?”
    “Well,” the man chuckled. “First off, call me Barry.” He allowed a dramatic pause, then dropped his voice a notch. “Don’t
     usually make these calls, but I had to this time.”
    Chase stopped fiddling with the control panel. He turned and watched the conversation, his brows raised. “LA Film Festival?”
     he mouthed.
    Keith nodded.
    “Anyway …” The laughter faded from Barry’s voice. “I hear from my good friend Kendall Adams you’ve got yourself a hit film.”
    “Kendall called them,” Keith mouthed to Chase. He swallowed hard and tried to focus. “We were happy with it. Everyone gave
     it their best.”
    “That’s what I hear. Kendall can’t stop talking about it.”
    “We’re editing now, my coproducer and I.”
    “Good. Think you’ll be finished by the fifth?”
    Keith allowed a smile. “That’s the goal.”
    “So you’re entering our festival, right? Kendall promised me.”
    “Yes. Definitely.”
    “When you submit it, send it to my attention.” There was a smile in Barry’s voice. “I’ll be waiting.”
    “Definitely. Will do.” They made small talk for another minute and the conversation was over.
    Keith had cautioned himself not to get overly thrilled at any stage along the way of movie making. Too many things could go
     wrong. But as he set his phone down he had to work to keep from shouting out loud.
    “What’d he say?”
    “Kendall’s the real deal. I guess she’s friends with the guy who heads up the festival. You won’t believe this.” Keith stared
     at his friend and released a single laugh. “He called to make sure we were submitting.”
    “Because of Kendall?” Chase leaned back in his seat. “That could be huge. I mean, that doesn’t happen.”
    Keith’s heart settled down some. “Except with God. He might be using Kendall, but none of this happens without Him.” He nodded
     at the oversized screen above them. “Let’s get back at it.”
    They worked until after midnight, then walked back to the hotel. Fewer street people were out, but they were offered cocaine
     from a guy in a trench coat,