Chapter 21

He smiled at me and stepped forward with his arms out to embrace me. I quickly took a step backwards and saw his smile wane. He said, a little forlornly, "Well, I understand. I guess that that would have been a bit much to hope for."

Mom's voice, coming from behind me, startled me out of my trance.

She said sharply, "What do you want here, Bill?"

Dad had been startled also, and he flinched. Apparently neither of us had heard Mom coming down the stairs. She walked over and stood next to me before setting her suitcases down.

Dad said, "Hello Susan. How are you?"

"Fine. We're late. We have to catch a plane. What do you want?"

"I was just hoping for a little civility."

"Okay. You've had a little. Have a good trip back to Dayton. Goodbye."

"Susan?"

"What?"

"I've traveled a long way to get here. Aren't you going to invite me in for a cup of coffee?"

"I've told you that we're late. We don't have time for coffee. You should have called before you came. But it is so like you to just show up without taking other people's schedules into consideration. Consideration is a word that never made it into 'your' dictionary."

"The last time that I came, you wouldn't let me in."

"The last time that you came you had your sixteen-year-old girlfriend hanging onto your arm."

"Bambi was eighteen."

"Says you. And you weren't sober either. I had no intention of letting you into my house."

"I wasn't drunk. I just needed a little something to bolster my courage."

"You smelled like a distillery. Hardly the way to show up if you were really looking to see your children. And you haven't bothered to come again during the past six years. You haven't remembered them at their birthdays, at Christmas, or at any other time since they were toddlers. Why are you here now?"

"I wanted to see my children. Where's Cary by the way? I'd like to see my boy while I'm here."

"I've told you that we are late. We don't have time for visiting today. And you haven't answered my question. Why are you here 'now'? You've seen the articles in the newspapers, haven't you? And you want to see how you can benefit."

"Well…, yes. I've seen the articles. I wanted to see if it was my daughter that they were referring to. The name 'Crystal' threw me until I figured that it was Carol's stage name." Looking at me he said, "I'm real happy for your success darling. I recognized you from your pictures as soon as you opened the door." Turning back towards Mom he said, "I'm not looking for anything except to see my kids again. I started feeling very sad when I thought about them growing up without a father around."

"Well you're years too late. They're grown now. And they've grown up without a father."

Just then the cab pulled up in front of the house and sounded it's horn.

Mom said, "That's our cab. We have to go."

Dad said, "I'd like to see Cary before I go back to Dayton. Where is he?"

"I don't have time for this now. You'll have to wait until we get back. You can't see him unless I'm there."

"He's my son. I don't need your permission to see him."

"Yes you do. You waived your custodial rights years ago. And since you've never exercised your visitation rights, I'm sure that they can be considered forfeit also."

"Then I'll go to court and have them restored. I've been making child support payments for the past 13 years. I must have some rights."

"We'll talk about it when I get back. Cary is 16. You didn't have time for him when he was growing up. If you start legal action now, you'll alienate him for sure. He's old enough that the courts will respect 'his' feelings first, about any visitation rights. And besides, you don't have to go to court since I'll allow him to visit with you, if 'he' wishes it. But not today, and I don't have time to discuss it now. Goodbye."

We picked up our suitcases, and Mom bulldozed Dad out the door.

Once outside, Dad said, "Let me help you with your suitcases." He took each of the larger cases from Mom and me and carried them to the rear of the cab. The driver took them and placed them into the trunk. We had followed behind, and handed the smaller cases to the driver for storage in the trunk as well.

Dad said, "When will you be back? I want to call and make arrangements to see Cary."

"We'll be back next weekend, but Crystal is still involved with her play here in town so we'll be in and out a lot."

"I'll keep trying until I get through. Have a good trip. I guess that you're heading for California if the newspapers are correct. Good luck, Carol. I mean Crystal."

I said, "Thank you."

Dad moved towards me again, and again I moved away. He took the hint and stopped trying to get close. Mom and I climbed into the back seat of the cab when the driver held the door for us. Dad waved to us as the cab pulled away and headed for the airport, but neither of us returned his gesture. We also didn't say anything to each other during the ride. It was not something that could be discussed in front of a cab driver. We were aware that anything controversial that was said might find its way into the newspapers or tabloids if the wrong party heard it, so we rode in silence. When we arrived at the airport, the driver opened the door for us and then removed our bags from the trunk. Mom paid and tipped the cab driver before turning to the attendant, at the curbside, who put destination tags on our suitcases and gave Mom the claim checks after she had shown our tickets. Once inside the terminal we found an isolated place to talk while we waited for the plane to board.

I said, in an agitated voice, "Mom, I can't meet with Dad while I am like this."

Mom said, "Crystal, don't get yourself all worked up. We have a week to come up with a plan for handling your father. Right now you have to prepare yourself for your role in the television series. That should be the only thing that you have on your mind. It's important that you do this job well. It will be your introduction to the television industry, and a lot of important people may see it. You'll want to impress them with your talent, just as you've impressed Mr. Daniels."

"Okay, Mom."

I took the script out of my handbag and started to work on the memorization of my lines in each scene. When they called our flight, I stopped and put the script away. The short, bumpy commuter flight to Chicago was no place to work on the script, so I waited until we were on a 767 and had climbed to altitude before resuming. I worked for the entire flight, stopping only long enough to enjoy the meal that was served to us in first-class. When we arrived in LA, I knew the script forward, backwards, and sideways.

A man holding a cardboard sign, with my name on it, was waiting at the gate when we exited the plane. He introduced himself as Stephen, and explained that he would be driving us to our accommodations. Bernard had spoiled us on our last trip by having an electric cart ready. This time we walked, and used the movable walkways, to reach the front of the terminal. Stephen did take our claim checks and retrieve our luggage though, as we waited in the car. He drove us to a very nice hotel not too far from the studio where I would be working. After he had carried our large suitcases to the room, while we carried the small ones, he gave us a very large envelope from the agency and wished us a goodnight as he left. Mom and I unpacked our suitcases before sitting down to look at the contents of the envelope.

The thing that drew my eye immediately was the script. A note that was clipped to the front informing me that there had been major revisions since Friday and that I should discard the old script, and study this new one right away. They apologized for the numerous changes at this late date, and thanked me for my patience. I opened the script and read a few paragraphs. There appeared to be nothing left of the lines that I had memorized. There would be no going out tonight, I would have to stay in and work. I had been hoping that Mom and I might have another little sightseeing expedition like we had had during our last trip to the area.

The other papers were some production notes and a schedule. We would be leaving here on Wednesday evening to travel down to San Diego where the outdoor scenes would be filmed. A car would pick me up at 6 AM tomorrow to bring me to the studio. Good thing that I was an early riser. I wasn't worried about being fully awake at that hour because, in terms of my internal clock, that was 8 AM back home. I decided to get some work done before we went to dinner so I took the script and headed for my bedroom. Over the next hour I read through the entire script and memorized many of my lines while trying to form new mental images of the show.

At 7 o'clock, Mom and I walked down to the hotel dining room. Over dinner I told Mom about the changes in the script. It appeared that the size of my part had increased significantly, and that very little remained of the original dialogue. After dinner we returned to the suite so that I could study some more. Mom watched TV while I worked in my room. At 10 o'clock I decided to call it a night. I was exhausted from the traveling and the studying and I felt like my brain was going to melt down. Besides, it was midnight back home and that was what my internal clock was programmed for. I went to Mom's room and found her dozing in the chair in front of the TV. The exhausting day had taken its toll on her also, so I turned off the set and woke her up so that she could go to bed. She got up groggily and helped me to loosen my corset, and she was preparing herself for bed as I returned to my room to do the same. I fell asleep almost instantly, which is surprising considering the enormity of the day ahead of me.

I awoke to the soft buzzing sound coming from the clock radio next to the bed. I looked at the dial and saw that it was 5 AM. I pulled back the single sheet that I was using for covers and swung my legs around, placing my feet on the floor. I was still not fully awake and I felt around with my toes until I found my slippers. I slipped my feet in and, upon realizing that they were each on the wrong foot, took them off again and switched them. I stretched as I stood up.

I checked to see that Mom was awake before taking my bath. There was no time for leisurely soaking today, so I hurried through my preparations as I readied myself for the day. Because we only had an hour until the car came, we didn't order any breakfast. We assumed that there would be someplace to grab something once we got to the studio. Mom must have wanted me to make a 'blonde bombshell' impression on this first day, because she had me dress in an impossibly tight skirt and low-cut blouse. The 4-inch white pumps completed the 'look'.

I protested by saying, "Mom, I already have the job."

"Crystal, you only get one chance to make a first impression. I know that you have the job, and I know that you will impress them with your acting talent. This will help them remember you until your talent makes its lasting impression."

I resignedly said, "Okay, Mom."

So when we left the hotel room I was the epitome of the stereotypical Hollywood starlet. I refused to act like a 'dumb blonde' though. Regardless of how I would be required to act in front of the camera, I would maintain at least a shred of dignity when not in front of an audience.

The car was waiting for us when we exited the hotel. The same driver who had picked us up at the airport would be driving us, and I saw his eyebrows raise when he saw me. I noticed him looking at me in the rear view mirror several times, but I ignored him. I knew how I must look, but I felt sure that he would not proposition me while he was acting as our driver.

We arrived at the studio parking lot within ten minutes, and the driver showed us the way to the set. Bernard, from the agency, was waiting there for us. The driver left as Bernard took over to show us around, but stole several glances over his shoulder as we stood and talked. People began arriving in a steady stream now as the production-company started up for the day. A production assistant came over and introduced herself to Mom and I. She identified herself as Jill Stassbery, and said that she would be coordinating my activities while I was on the set.

She filled me in on the day's proposed shooting schedule and then added, "I know that this will all be new to you. It's rare that we get someone who has never performed in television before, for such a large and important role. But being the star of a currently running play means that you will only need to learn the differences between acting on the stage and acting for the small screen. Here it's all camera angles, lighting, and sound recording. You don't have to project your voice since even the lowest whisper may be picked up by the mics. It's similar to shooting a movie except we don't have endless retakes and editing. We have to get the job done as quickly as possible, and keep the budget down. Here comes the director, Mr. Landois."

A man who appeared to be in his fifties had come into the studio. I noticed that he had a pleasant face and an easy smile, as he said hello to the cast members and crew. He saw us and came over.

Miss Stassbery said, "Mr. Landois, I like to introduce you to Miss Ramsey."

"Ah, Miss Ramsey, welcome to my little world. I'm very pleased to meet you. I've been looking forward to this moment since I saw your wonderful performance in the video clip. You and Oliver appeared to have a real chemistry in that test, and that is why we selected you for this role. We want to duplicate that feeling, and that emotion, in the series opener. Whenever we need a sentimental moment, Oliver will remember his long lost love and imagine that you are off walking in the clouds."

He smiled as he went on to elaborate the image that would be formed in the minds of the viewers. I started to visualize the picture that he was seeing it in his mind, as he described it.

"Do you see what I wish to achieve?"

"Yes. I believe that I do."

"Wonderful. And who is this delightful young lady? Your sister?"

He was referring to Mom. She extended her hand and introduced herself.

"Thank you for the compliment Mr. Landois. I'm Susan Ramsey, Crystal's mother."

"Surely not. I must be getting old. You look hardly old enough to have a small child, and certainly not a grown daughter who is already an accomplished actress. Is Crystal your step-daughter perhaps?"

"No. She's my baby. We just never realized how wonderfully talented she was until she started performing in her play."

I saw that Mom wasn't going to miss a golden opportunity to sing my praises when offered an opening.

Mr. Landois said, "Well, we're going to give her an opportunity to show the world what she can do. And I think that she'll do wonderfully. Fruit will show you where your dressing room is, and the wardrobe and makeup people will be with you shortly. We'll start shooting in about two hours. It has been my pleasure to meet you both and I will see you shortly."

Mr. Landois then waved and strode away purposefully.

I said aloud in a quizzical manner, "Fruit?"

Miss Stassbery said, "That's me. Mr. Landois calls me that because my name reminds him of Strawberries. It's not derogatory, and I don't mind. Mr. Landois has little nicknames for all of us so that he can remember us. I suppose it's better than with the directors who call everybody 'hey you'. Follow me and I'll show you to your dressing room."

As she led us away to the dressing rooms, I wondered what my nickname would be. Would it be based on my name, my 'blonde bombshell' appearance, or my role in the series? I guess time will tell. I might not even be around long enough to get one.

The dressing room that was assigned to me had my name on the door. It was written in black magic marker on a piece of tan masking tape. It said 'Ramsey'. I knew that next week some other name would adorn this door in a similar fashion. Inside I found very austere furnishings; there was only a makeup table with a mirror, and several chairs. So much for the lavish image of Hollywood. We had hardly been inside the room for a minute before there was a knock at the door.

In response to my, "Come in", two wardrobe people entered and hung several hangers, containing clothes, in the previously empty closet. They introduced themselves as Liz and Toni. Both women appeared to be in their fifties and reminded me a great deal of Barbara, which caused me to wonder if they played cards when not required to be making wardrobe adjustments. They had me stand up and then began measuring me from top to bottom.

Liz sighed and said, "Good. The measurements that came from the agency were accurate. That will make life easier today. Everything was prepared based on those numbers. Take your clothes off, dear."

With Mom's help I stripped down to bra, corset, panty-girdle, and hose. My time spent changing clothes for the play had diminished my normal hesitancy about undressing in front of strangers.

Toni, looking at the padded panty-girdle commented, "Giving nature a little help, ehh? Well, we'll keep your secret there but the corset will have to go after this morning's shooting. It would be too noticeable under the clothes that you have to wear. You're supposed to be a California girl."

"But that will change my measurements."

"We're prepared for that. We had your measurements with and without. We didn't know about the padding though. We'll have to adjust the swimsuit. But you won't need that until Thursday."

"Swimsuit?"

"Yes. For the location shots where you go paragliding off into the wild blue yonder with the seagulls."

I looked over at Mom, and she just nodded very slightly at me. For the next hour I tried on a number of different outfits that I would wear over the three days of shooting. Everything except the swimsuit. Liz said that they would adjust that without my having to try it on, and then make any final adjustments on Thursday morning. I was relieved that they didn't want to do it now. Toni had taken the dress that I would need first and made some minor modifications while I had continued to work with Liz. Liz had marked the alterations on each garment where changes were necessary.

When Toni returned with the dress that I would wear first, a wedding dress, I put it on and then I was rushed off to makeup. A makeup person worked on my face while a hairstylist tried to style my hair and a manicurist labored on my hands because my nail color was all wrong for the outfits that I would wear. As I sat in the special barbershop chair, Jill came in to bring me up to speed on the story line and shooting. I learned that much of the first show had been shot. Almost everything, in fact, except my scenes and some of the outdoors shots. It was during the early editing that they decided to make major modifications to my role and that was where the revised script had come from. I would not be meeting most of the regular cast because they were not needed on the set today. The story would open from the honeymoon vacation of Oliver and his wife. Five days after their wedding, they go parasailing in Mexico. A freak accident tangles her lines at the same time that an unusually strong wind carries her out to sea. She is last seen rising ever higher, and is carried westward over the Pacific Ocean as Oliver looks on helplessly.

The opening shot would be Oliver and I entering the honeymoon suite at the resort. There would be four days of wining and dining, and bedroom sports activities, before we go parasailing. The bedroom set was being prepared as we spoke, but I knew that this was to be a family show and nothing that would receive less than a G rating would be shot. Mostly, it would be a lot of hugging and kissing. My wardrobe did not include any nightgowns or lingerie, so the intimate scenes would only be implied. That had been our understanding when we had agreed to the job, and we could not entertain any deviation from that.

When I was done in makeup, Jill led me out to the set where we would shoot the first scenes. Oliver was there talking with Mr. Landois about today's shooting. When he saw me his face lit up and he embraced me like a long lost love. He kissed me in the same way that we had kissed for the D & L video clip, and I responded in the same fashion, just as we had rehearsed weeks ago.

Mr. Landois started clapping and said, "Wonderful, wonderful. That's the kind of passion that we want to see when we start shooting. I knew that the Princess would be the one for this job when we saw that clip. You two have a real magic together. You can't fake that kind of affection."

Passion? I hadn't felt any passion. I was just responding to a kiss the same way that I always did when on stage. Was I conveying a sense of passion? Did my co-actors feel that I was being passionate? And we 'were' faking the affection. I didn't think for a minute that Oliver had any special affection towards me; and I had none for him. But who was I to dispute Mr. Landois' statement. He was, after all, the boss.... Princess? Was he talking about me? Was that to be my nickname while on this set? How did he mean that? I wondered if 'Fruit' knew where it came from?

Oliver went to makeup while Mr. Landois took me aside and explained the scenes that we would be shooting today. He explained his perspective of the situation and the message that he wanted to convey. Since time was limited, we wouldn't have as much time to rehearse as he would have liked, but we should be able to complete the shooting if I knew my lines. I said that I did, and that I was prepared. He smiled and said that that was wonderful; then he excused himself to take care of some other matters, but not before signaling the makeup person to touch up my makeup where Oliver had mussed it. When the makeup woman was through, Jill took me onto the set so that the technicians could get set up. I did some sound level tests, and toed my marks so that the camera and sound people could get set.

When Oliver was ready, Mr. Landois had us run through the first scene. After a half dozen rehearsals, he decided to shoot it. It went well and it only took several takes to get one that he was pleased with. Then we shot until he got a second that he liked. This would be the opening for the show and he wanted to have it down perfectly. Between each take the makeup people had run onto the set and touched us up because we had so much contact in the scene. After that we shot the close-ups.

We worked until 1 o'clock before breaking for lunch. I was starving since I hadn't had any breakfast. Mom had found out where the cafeteria was and we made our way there after I changed out of the wedding dress. Most of the crew was already there when we went in. We each took a tray and picked from among the food dishes available. I selected a Caesar's salad, fruit cup, and glass of iced tea, while Mom got a tuna salad plate, chocolate pudding, and hot tea.

We found an empty table and sat down to eat. We were engrossed in conversation when Jill stopped by our table and asked if she could join us.

I said, "Of course. Please sit down."

After she had settled in she said, "You're doing marvelous, Crystal. You've picked up everything very quickly. Mr. Landois is very pleased so far."

"Thank you. I was worried that I had offended him somehow when he started to call me Princess. Like maybe he thought that I was aloof or something."

She laughed. "No. I told you that he had nicknames for everybody, but they are almost never mean-spirited. They are associative terms that help him remember everybody."

"Then, do you know why he keeps referring to me as Princess."

"Yes, I do. It's because of your role. Your character goes sailing off into the sunset. Sort of like sky dancing, or sky walking. In 'Star Wars', Luke Skywalker's sister was Princess Lea. He also thinks that you look a little like a very young Carrie Fisher, the actress who played Princess Lea. Ipso facto, your nickname is now Princess. Welcome to the ranks, Princess."

"Thanks, Fruit."

We all giggled. Jill was a good conversationalist and we enjoyed our time together at lunch. When it was time to return to the set, I said, "Doesn't Oliver eat lunch?"

Jill said, "He never eats with us. He always eats in his dressing room. Some guy brings him his meals every day. Maybe he's afraid of the cafeteria food? Since this is a new show, and the cast and crew haven't worked together for very long, we haven't figured each other out yet. In time we'll learn each other's idiosyncrasies, foibles, and perspicacity."

I laughed and said, "Foibles and perspicacity? You sound like a dictionary."

She smiled and said, "Sorry. I'm studying to be a writer. I wanted to be an actress, but I've come to the conclusion that I just don't have the talent to make it very far, so I'm changing my focus. I want to write for television, or the movies. I figure that that offers me greater opportunities than directing, which is pretty much a closed club."

We continued to talk as we ate. Jill told us how she had examined all of the avenues open to actresses that couldn't 'make it' and had decided on the one that seemed to fit her best.

After lunch, we walked back to the set together and saw that things were gearing up again as lights, and equipment, were turned on. I went to my dressing room to change for the next scene. After having my makeup touched up, I reported back to the set. We worked until 7 o'clock, broke for dinner, and then resumed work until 10 PM. By the time that we had wrapped for the day, I was totally exhausted. I couldn't wait to get into bed by the time that we had gotten back to the hotel. Tomorrow, we would pack our bags and bring them with us to the set. When the day's shooting was complete, we would travel to San Diego for the final's days shooting which included all of the outdoor scenes.

Before getting into bed, Mom gave me a brown paper bag, which she said had been given to her by Barbara. I opened it and took out something that was sealed in a plastic wrapper.

Mom said, "Barbara said that it's called a 'gaff', and that she had told you that she would get you one when you first became Crystal. She had ordered it, and then forgot to give it to you when it came in. You use it under swimsuits and revealing clothing to hold your secret in, so it will do what the panty-girdle does, without the padding. You'll need it when you wear the swimsuit on Thursday."

"Okay. Thanks, Mom." I yawned, and she kissed me goodnight.

Mom turned off the light as she left my bedroom. I was exhausted, but satisfied that I had made it through the day without anyone suspecting my secret. At least I thought that no one suspected. I turned onto my side and fell asleep in minutes.

The following morning was as busy we had expected it to be. We had to rush to get ready to leave for the set, and we also had to pack for the trip. We would not be returning to LA, preferring instead to fly back to Chicago directly from San Diego. I didn't spend a lot of time putting makeup on this morning since I knew that it would all have to be done over again anyway, at the studio. I was still feeling a little tired, and would never have woken up on time without the clock radio, but we were ready when the car arrived to pick us up.

After we arrived at the studio Mom went to the cafeteria, and brought back a couple of teas and prune Danishes. Not exactly the most wholesome of breakfasts, but it would help us get through until lunch.

I felt a lot more comfortable in the presence of the crew today. After our full day together yesterday I knew what to expect, and what was expected of me. We worked until almost 1 o'clock again today before breaking for lunch. Mom, Jill, and I walked to the cafeteria together. Oliver must have taken his meal in his dressing room again because we never saw him until we had returned to the set. This days shooting was a series of quick costume changes, and shots in the fake dining room and hallways of the mythical hotel. I was required to spend most of my time hanging onto Oliver like a young girl 'totally' in love. Dialogue consisted of mainly amusing, romantic witticisms. We must have kissed in every room of the hotel, plus in all of the elevators. I wondered if the TV viewers were going to be glad when I floated away. Sometimes, enough is enough. There were some brief dialogue periods also. On camera we talked about life, our character's personal interests, and our future together. We wrapped up the shooting around 5 o'clock, and Mr. Landois announced that those of us who would be traveling south should be back from dinner by 6 o'clock.

A little after 6, we left the studio and boarded the bus that would take us on the three-hour trip to San Diego. I enjoyed watching out of the window, but I wished that we could have traveled along the coast rather than on the interstate.

Jill said that the trip would take twice as long if we drove along the coast.

Around 9 o'clock we traveled over a bridge to an island called Coronado, and within five minutes we had pulled up next to a large hotel that someone had called 'The Del'. I learned that a lot of movies and TV shows had used this building as a backdrop. Jill said that tomorrow, in the light, I would recognize its distinctive look, and that I had surely seen it dozens of times, even though I may not have realized what it really was.

We filed off of the bus, and walked inside where we were handed our room keys after giving our names to the desk clerk. Mom and I had been assigned adjoining rooms, with a connecting door, and we were told that our bags would be brought to our room shortly. I felt a little restless after the long ride and talked Mom into taking a walk with me, so we went out the rear of the hotel and strolled around the decks that overlooked the ocean. The roar of the surf was exhilarating, and it was not something that a Mid-westerner is accustomed to. Plexiglas panels protected us from the ocean spray as we peered out into the darkness. I couldn't wait until tomorrow when the ocean would be visible. For tonight all I could see was the light reflecting in the foam as the waves broke on the shore, and a few lights off in the distance which might be ships traveling along the coast. On the way back to the hotel we took an alternate route which led us through the basement where the shops were located. Although the shops were closed, we spent a great deal of time in the hallways because there were historical photos mounted on all of the walls. I saw pictures dating back to the 1800's when the island was mostly empty. I also saw a lot of references to 'The Strand'. I guess that that was what the island was called years ago. And I guess that it isn't technically an island. There appeared to be a land bridge, at the southern most end, that connected with San Diego. Coronado actually forms a harbor, which is filled with U.S. Navy vessels. As it grew late, Mom steered me towards the elevator. She said that there may be more time for exploring tomorrow, but tonight I needed my rest. I went reluctantly.

Our bags had been placed in our rooms while we had been out, so we unpacked them and prepared ourselves for bed. We unlocked the door, and then left the doorway, which joined our rooms, open all night. I fell asleep to the sounds of the ocean as it crashed upon the shore less than a hundred feet from where I slept. Since we were looking west, the sun was not visible over the ocean as dawn filtered into our rooms. Having awakened early, I stood at the window and stared out at the ocean as the light slowly illuminated the vastness of the Pacific. Mom didn't wake up until she received her wake-up call from the hotel switchboard. I hurried to my own phone when it rang and I thanked the operator for the call. When Mom had helped me to remove the corset, I walked into the bathroom, filled the tub with warm water and settled into the frothy coating that rose up from the bubble bath infused water. After washing, I ran a razor over my legs to make sure that they were silky smooth, and then checked the rest of my body. Not finding any hair, I got out of the tub and dried myself off. I powdered my body, and I put on the new gaff that Mom had given me on Tuesday night. I dressed normally after that, but I was ready for when I had to strip and put on the bathing suit.

Mom and I went down to breakfast when we had dressed. At this early hour, every person in the dining room was part of the TV crew, and we sat down and had a light breakfast with Jill after greeting, and being greeted by, the entire group. The whole crew had now taken to calling me 'Princess', having picked up the nickname that Mr. Landois had conferred on me.

As if on cue, virtually everyone in the dining room got up to leave at the same time. I didn't have a watch on, but I assumed that it must have been prearranged for that time. Mom, Jill and I had finished our breakfast and we got up and filed out with everybody else.

We spent the morning doing the location establishing shots for the episode. After lunch, we got onto the bus and drove a little north so that we could do the shots that required cliffs overlooking the ocean. The gaff did its job and I was able to wear the swimsuit with full confidence that my secret was safe. My only concern came when a technician was trying to help me into a paragliding harness. He touched my crotch with the back of his hand as he adjusted the straps, but he didn't appear to notice anything. I spent a lot of time in that paragliding harness, being suspended from a crane in such a way so it would appear that I was really paragliding. This was only for the close-ups. A stunt person would actually do the paragliding for the cameras. Whether the accident would be shot with blue screen or computer animation, I didn't know, and it didn't really matter. But I did look forward to seeing the final results. Oliver and I had a chance to talk, between shots, as we hung suspended over the cliffs near Del Mar. Out of the hearing range of eavesdroppers, we spoke openly about the show, and it's chances for success. Oliver told me how happy he was that I had agreed to do it even though it was only for the opening show. He said that he had enjoyed our working together at the agency, and again at the studio. He added that he hoped that the writer's wrote some flash back episodes so that I would be needed some more. He told me that he felt very comfortable in my company, where he usually felt so uncomfortable with most girls. I told him that I appreciated his recommending me for the position and that I had also enjoyed working with him. I didn't express my confusion over his statement about being uncomfortable with most girls. His handsome features and well-toned body would surely make him a hit with the girls.

It was late in the day when Mr. Landois was finally satisfied with the shots that they had gotten and we were lowered to the ground for the last time. Arriving back at the hotel, Mom and I expressed our thanks to Mr. Landois and Jill, and said our good-byes to everybody, before taking the car to Charles Lindbergh airport in downtown San Diego.

After a short wait, we boarded our flight and departed for Chicago. With the television job completed, I could finally stop worrying about having my secret discovered on the set. I was now perfectly free to begin worrying about what Dad was going to do when he found out that I wasn't Carol. How would he feel when he finds out that he has two daughters, instead of just one?

It was late when we got into Chicago so we went to the hotel where we had stayed the last time. We would continue on in the morning so that I could be at the theatre in plenty of time to prepare for our next-to-last weekend of performances. I was glad that the play's performance schedule was finally ending because my own schedule had gotten rather hectic and I didn't want to carry over the pressures of doing the play while returning to high-school for my junior year. When I finally got to bed, I fell asleep almost immediately, despite the uncomfortable mattress on the hotel bed. It had been a long day since I had first awoken and spent so much time staring out at the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean, from the window of my room in the Del Coronado Hotel.

 

(continued in Chapter 21)

 

 

 

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