The Assistant

s e v e n

She woke up to a loud crash. She assumed it was her cat Picasso, yet she saw him at the edge of the bed sleeping g soundly. She stood up trying to not nudge the small kitten and looked around. Nothing in her house was moved, nothing had changed. She heard another loud crash, it was clearly coming from the hall. Looking at the clock she knew she wouldn't have time to investigate.  She walked back into her room and straight for the bathroom. In the tub was a very large surprise looking at the small cat. A litter box was officially needed so she wouldn't wake up to pee in her tub. Now with no time, she grabbed a pair of flowing black pants which had a matching top and slipped it on. Not having the time she paced through the living room unpacking boxes looking for a matching hat to cover her hair. Fishing for the hat she continued to hear smashes in the hallway along with a small cry. The cry came from her bedroom, Picasso was now awake and in need of love.

"You!" She said picking up the cat. "You are getting a litter box. Today!" He meowed yet again. She put the small cat on her desk and he watched as she painted her face quickly. She moved the cat back to the living room saying goodbye. Her phone had pinged, a text from Rami. It was his usual coffee order except there was another text underneath.

'$20 transferred into your account.'

She was confused but either way she walked throughout the hallway filled with boxes.

"A new neighbor again." The grumpy cat woman spat. "I can barley stand you!" She pointed at Gwen as she walked past. The boxes took up most of the hallway as she passed movers and walked out to the car in heels. She drove to the Starbucks picking up Rami's coffee. She worked for him now which was better for many reasons, one being that maybe she could have a 50 Shades of Grey moment. Holding the coffee she also ordered herself a Strawberry Acci drink and then drove off. She wanted to text Rami saying thank you for the coffee but she knew she shouldn't. She pulled up to the lot on time walking on the set with the two drinks. She saw the trailer and smiled walking up to it and pulling open the door. 

"Hello Rami," She said handing him his drink. "Thank you for the Starbucks."

"I thought I would pay you back due to Maria never paying you to start with." He took a sip and sounded satisfied. "So today you are going to help me with everything." She turned around slightly confused. "I split the week up so Maria has off on some days and you have off the other days. Basically, you may never see her again."

"Can I be honest?" She whispered leaning closer to him. He leaned in as well mimicking her. 

"Yes, you may." He whispered back.

"I didn't really like Maria that much."

"Can I be honest?" Gwen nodded. "I don't think anyone does. She is sadly coming un today though to help. It's quite a big shooting day, we have all the battle scenes and the ball." The two chuckled as Tuter rushed in, a rack of clothes followed behind him. 

"So I have decided we are going to leave these here. These are all your costumes Rami darling. Now no coffee near the costumes and we need to hurry because we have a lot to film today." The door was still open as a new man walked in.

"No we don't. Our main sequence dancer has broken her leg during one of her shows." 

"That sounds awful," Rami said. 

"Yea, apparently her partner was a wee bit tipsy and threw her up but never actually caught her." Gwen, Rami, and Tuter winced thinking about the pain this poor girl was in. "Also the extras are all showing up very slowly. We have a few, one being two girls from New York, I don't know how Maria got them but either way, I am impressed." The director looked up at Gwen. "Take notes from her. But either way, there is no way we can shoot that so now we have a bunch of actresses showing up for no reason."

"Well I do know a dancer we can use, It's only one dance. I don't think that character even has lines." Maria stood behind the director listening in to Rami.

"She actually has two." Gwen wanted to mock the woman so bad and kick her out but she couldn't. "So what is your plan sweetie?" She looks at Rami. "Also don't forget you have dinner tonight at 9. At the Grand Ritz."

"Well, Gwen has been dancing for some time." He looked at her, Maria looked furious. "I could easily teach her the sequence, plus she already knows the entire script and we only need her for the one day on the film." He said standing up and grabbing Gwen's hands. He held them up leading one to his shoulder and holding the other. She felt his hand slowly make it to her back. "She seems to be proper height." 

"Yes, but the paperwork would take too long." Maria quickly intruded. "We have other actresses here who would love to dance with you and be a main plot point in the movie." She said quickly through gritted teeth.

"Well, I hate to interrupt but I do have a beautiful gown that would fit her," Tuter said. The director was torn looking at Gwen.

"How long have you been dancing for?"

"6 Years of ballet." Rami had said before Gwen could even open her mouth. "Which was the requirement if I do remember." He lied straight to the director. 

"Maria is right about the paperwork." Maria looked smug, she was winning the war and this would be the time for Gwen to stand out in the business. "Would you take $800 cash right now?" 

"I'll do it."

"That was a very quick response." The director said. "Are you sure you don't want to think-"

"I will do it." She didn't want to mention that $800 dollars cash would pay for most of this months rent. "How long is the dance sequence and how many times do you want to film it out of curiosity."

"One aerial shot, three floor angles, two-run through, plus a back up aerial shot."

"I'll do it." Gwen said. Tuter took her hands from Rami quickly, dragging her back to the warehouse. 

"Ruby that was amazing!" He giggled pulling her over towards the dress she was staring at a few days ago. "The look on that bitches face was priceless! Now put this on." He said beginning to pull it off the mannequin. "Now darling, put yourself in this, I can adjust the size afterward." 

"Tuter, what if I don't like fit?"

"You can easily add a backing onto it to make it bigger. Now strip sweetie." She looked at him. "There is more danger when I watch Rami strip. He's something worth looking at, no offense." She took her clothes off and stepped into the dress, Tuter helped pull it up. "Oh dear."

"I need to diet I assume?"

"No, you need to eat an entire Thanksgiving meal. I hope I don't have to take this in too much."

"Well, that's a first." Not only was she going to be in a movie now but she was thin enough to fit into a beautiful dress and she would be dancing with Rami Malek. 

"Not to burst your bubble too much," He started while sewing her into the dress. "But it is your lack of boob that is the issue here." 

"Thanks, Tuter."

"I can hear that eye roll." After being sown into the dress she was given glass slippers, Tuter insisted that she have the Cinderella treatment. "You look amazing dear."

"Yes, you do." Gwen knew that voice anywhere. "How did you go from backstage to the main dancer?"

"Lana!" She held her arms out wearing a just as beautiful dress. "It wasn't actually my idea until they said I get $800 cash today. The director was desperate."

"Obviously, he chose you." 

"Man I didn't miss you!" Gwen laughed. 

"Ladies, I hate to interrupt but Ruby has a dance to learn, we can all spill tea later." Tuter walked with her throughout the warehouse leading her to the entrance. 

"You look beautiful." He said dropping everything in his hands. Gwen had chuckled blushing. "May I take you out on a date, I have always wanted to date a princess."