Keekee was so done for the day.
She wanted to go home before the sky turned pitch black. Although she lived close by and knew the mountains like the line of her palms, the last thing she wanted was to get lost in the mountains in the pitch dark. So after finishing up a few more scenes, while getting yelled at, she quickly tried to get everything ready for the next day’s shot before everyone could go scot-free.
#FilmAssistantLife
All the while she would hear various gossip and chatter from those who either lacked the same diligence as her or physical stamina.
"The Director is a bastard when it comes to stunt work. He kept having me jump off a three story cliff, with nothing but a single-size mattress he picked up from a garage sale as a crash pad. If the ground didn't break my legs, the loose spring coils nearly took my eye out!"
"Tip of the iceberg bro. The actress he has the hots for kept flubbing her lines every take. So he had me turn what was a single sentence into a single word. Had half a mind to just quit right then and there, because the rest of the scene barely made a lick of sense!"
"Guys, guys. Come on, we all know who had it the worst: his wife. She may be all smiles and laughter, but she's got to clean EVERYONE's costume before the next shoot tomorrow. Sucks to suck man."
Keekee bite the insides of her cheek.
As much as she wanted to unload her grievances with her co-workers, to get the pain off her own chest, she was still – after all – the Director's closest assistant. Even if she never agreed with his work philosophy, she didn’t want to vent her stress onto a ‘caring’ ear – only to get bit in the ass later by the ‘caring’ ear.
So she kept her distance and only spoke when spoken to. No matter how much she questioned her life choices, a job was a job. It pays the rent, so she had no right to complain.
"Okay that's should be everything for tonight!" Keekee would coordinate packing things up for the night, locking key equipment, lights, even high end camera in their trailers and sheds. Had to be responsible, or else she’s gonna take the fall if anything goes missing. She tugs at her loose clothing to vent cool air into her body as she groaned, "Aaah. So want a showeeeeer... Oh hey guys, what are you playing?"
She approached a group of 'friends' – people who lived too far away and decided to camp overnight on site out of convenience – who were all playing a strange game.
It was strange because they were just throwing money onto the table – but no cards were dealt.
One of the security guards chuckled, "We're all waiting to see when he'll pass out."
Keekee raised an eyebrow, "Who pass out?"
The make-up artist chipped into the pool, "You know who we're talking about, Keekeeeeee. It's Mr. I Don't Need Stunt Wires over there. Man's been sitting there like a lump even as we pack up for the night. Don't know what he wants but he sure looks hella confused."
A stage light woman slipped in on the conversation like a pair of shoes, "The guy hasn't eaten anyyyything. So we all waiting to see when he'll die of starvation. The idiot."
"Guys!” Keekee snapped, “Th-that is just mean of you! Knock it off already!" She swatted the mountain of cash off their table and stormed off.
She approached Martial Kim and tried to wake him, "Kim! Kim! Are you okay? Speak to me!"
Ah. Is it dark already? I swore I only closed my eyes for a minute. This voice sounds familiar, but my head hurts too much from all the noise around me.
“M-Martial Blue Sister? Is that you?” Martial Kim murmured as he tapped his forehead. “Oh. It is you, Miss Keekee.”
“Y-Yeah! I-I thought you said you can go home, Kim!...Wait, I-I said that right?”
You said many things, most of which I could not catch with how fast you were talking. Do you even breath when you speak, I wonder. Aaah. What are these lanterns made of, so bright like the moon glaring at me.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“Kim, y-you heard me say you were done for the day right? Like you could have taken the day off, go home and-and come back tomorrow. Oh crap, oh crap! I-I am so so sooo sorry for wasting your time like that. C-can you walk, I’ll take you to your car!”
Martial Kim tried to say something – but his stomach spoke on his behalf with a growl.
“...Oh...my...god!” Keekee face palmed herself, “Y-you must be like, super hungry right now, right!? D-didn’t the staff like, show you where our dinner is being served? It’s totally free even!...Y-you know what – wait here. I’ll be right back, for real!”
Martial Kim swayed when Keekee dashed off like the wind. Before he could grasp the air for something like a cane or railing, Keekee rushed back to shove something into his arms. “Please eat it! Fill up your stomach! Man, I-I feel terrible if you just passed out and end up in the hospital! Th-they would have to air lift you out, as if the ambulance can survive all-terrain!”
Airlift? Ambulance? I cannot follow what you are saying... Oh? Something is warm in my eyes. What is this? A paper bag?.... Something smells...interesting. Martial Kim would open the bag and rummage inside, his thoughts stirring along with new emotions, Oddly colourful for a wrapper for rations? I wonder, what are these symbols painted across it?”
“Burgers!” Keekee chirped. “Fresh from a major fast food joint—well technically, still fresh ish. O-our production has a sponsorship with them so they send us free take out! Go on, don’t be shy! Oh and pssst. Don’t tell anyone but, hahaha, I snuck an extra burger just for you!”
“...???”
“...What’s wrong, Kim? Everyone loves burgers!... Oh my your fingers are shaking. C-can you open it? H-here, let me help!”
Martial Kim watched as Keekee reached over to pull apart the strange wrapper in his hand, making it bloom like a rose. It revealed the morsel in his hand, soft, hot, and--
It smells wonderful. Is this a steam bun? It does not look as white as the buns back home. Strange colour, and it is cut in two? What a waste...Oh? This filling, a whole slice of meat and vegetables? How lavish, I was expected something minced and pulped into a meat ball as big as a thumb.
"Looks good right?" Keekee encouraged Martial Kim to eat, "Please eat up and safely go home for the night. You live nearby right?"
"..." Martial Kim tried to get his bearings. Last he recalled, he was about several towns away from the Capital. Unsure of exactly where he was, all he could do was shake his head.
I have yet to see a travelers' inn nearby. And it would be rude for me to stay in their encampment uninvited. Perhaps, I should camp out in the mountains – like I had done in my early days as a wandering youth in the martial arts world.
"O-oh. Oh." Keekee eyes widen, "You don't have a place to stay? Is that why you're still here? Ah. Y-you must be like, really down on your luck and really want this part right, to impress the Director so he HAS to give you a job. Uh...Okay. Since he wants you anyway, it only makes total sense to give you trailer!"
A trailer? Is that some kind of currency in this part of the empire?
"O-okay, this time legit wait right here. I'll go find a spare trailer and get it ready, so you can have a hot shower and a bed. I-I'll be back, in a jiffy!"
Back in a jiffy? What does that even mean?...Ah, there she goes. This girl seems to have a habit of running around like a rabbit in the woods.
Alone with his strange bun, Martial Kim cannot help but examine it.
Odd, this meat does not look like it was sliced like a steak. Is it grounded but shaped into a full moon? Hmm. It still smells good. A small taste would not hurt... Oh my. Oh my. This flavour. So hearty and fulfilling. Hmm, what seasoning did they put in this grounded meat. What kind of meat is in it? Pork? Beef? Goat or Lamb? I never expect this taste to be so powerful, and comforting at the same time.
In the silence of the night, the sound of a burger wrapper rustling about could be heard followed by hearty chewing.
Hmm. There is this drip of yellow has this hearty tang to it, not at all overpowering yet enhances the taste. I wonder, what is this sauce they slathered on the bun. Picklish, zesty, almost fruity. Never tasted this tarty sensation. Hmmm.
Soon, the first burger disappeared from his hands, leaving only the empty wrapper. The young master couldn't resist and would peel off any excess sauce and vegetables with his fingers to put into his mouth. Not a single piece wasted.
Delicious, absolutely delicious! Wow, I feel energized just from a single bun! What did she call again? A Burger? If only I could learn the recipe back home...
Martial Kim’s face fell.
Oh yes. Home. The Capital, Moon Tavern. Keekee is right, I should be on my way. I overstayed my welcome...I wonder, if this piece of silver would be enough compensation for everything?
The film crew started to call it a night, clearing off their money from their table. By the time Keekee raced past them with a set of keys in her hands, one of them called out to her.
“Dammit Keekee!” A make-up artist snorted, “I lost all my money thanks to you!”
“Wh-what do you mean!?”
“The bastard walked out. I was betting on him to fall over starving. Why the hell did you go and feed him like a stray cat!?”
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