The Blackwell Lessons by Sk Quinn

white cheeks and her skin looks tired. Like she could use some healthy food and a good night’s sleep.
    Sigourney doesn’t greet any of us, but she sidles up to Nadia and whispers in her ear.
    Nadia nods, not looking at Sigourney, then calls the camera people over. They all huddle in a corner, talking in hushed voices.
    ‘What’s this all about?’ says Ruby, fluffing out her fairy skirt.
    ‘Sigourney making drama,’ says Leo. ‘Just like always.’
    ‘She should be fucking apologising to us for being late, ’scuse my language,’ says Baz. He’s wearing chain mail, a metal helmet and a huge sword.
    ‘What’s going on Nadia?’ he calls out. ‘This costume weighs a ton. I’m fucking boiling, ’scuse my language. Oh fuck it – you ladies are going to have to get used to my language. Otherwise I’ll be apologising every other second. Anyway. We can’t sit around all day waiting for Miss Supermodel to get her act together.’
    Nadia strides over. ‘Okay, listen. Sigourney is feeling a little nervous. So we’re going to be kind to her.’
    Nadia waves Sigourney over. ‘Come and meet the cast, Sigourney. Leo you know already of course.’
    Sigourney tiptoes towards us, head bent, eyes shy and nervous.
    ‘How’s it going Sigourney?’ says Leo, hand on the hilt of his sword.
    Sigourney throws him a timid, fawn-like smile. ‘Oh you know. A bit anxious. My first time on a movie.’
    ‘How’s the husband?’
    Sigourney’s eyes drop to the grass. ‘The divorce came through last month. He finally did it. Oh well. His loss.’
    ‘Plenty more fish in the sea,’ says Leo.
    ‘Exactly. And I have this whole movie project to keep me busy. Which is great. Except I have no idea what’s going on right now. Which scene are we filming?’
    ‘If you turned up on time you’d know,’ Baz growls.
    Sigourney gives a light, girlish laugh.
    ‘It’s not funny,’ says Baz. ‘You’re not on your magazine set now. We’re on location. If we have to shoot another day here it’ll cost the film company millions. So set your fucking alarm tomorrow.’
    Sigourney’s lips go tight. ‘I’ll do my own makeup,’ she tells Nadia. ‘Where’s the dressing room?’
    ‘That marquee over there.’ Nadia points.
    ‘ Marquee ?’ Sigourney’s lips part, as if to complain. But then she clearly thinks better of it. ‘I’ll get changed then.’
    ‘Be quick,’ says Nadia. ‘We’ve waited long enough for you.’
    Sigourney’s face turns thunderous. ‘I explained all that already.’
    She stalks off.

30
    We manage to shoot a few scenes without Sigourney.
    When she reappears in costume with her hair and makeup done, I have to admit she looks stunning. Makeup does a lot for her.
    To my surprise, she comes right up to me. ‘Hey,’ she says, smoothing her hair. ‘That dress – it was supposed to be mine wasn’t it?’
    ‘Um … I think they had it in mind for your character,’ I say. ‘But we decided it worked well for my character too.’
    ‘And you weren’t here yesterday,’ says Baz. ‘If you had been, you might have had some say in what you were going to wear.’
    ‘Swap with me?’ Sigourney asks, giving me a catlike smile.
    ‘Well I suppose I could—’
    ‘For Christ’s sake don’t swap with her,’ Baz barks. ‘She needs to learn a lesson. She can’t just turn up late and get exactly what she wants.’ He turns his dark eyes on Sigourney. ‘Sweetheart. It’s bad enough you’re late. Don’t go making any more trouble. You’ve got a pretty dress on. And you haven’t been fired yet. Count your fucking blessings, ’scuse my language, and let’s get filming.’
    ‘How dare you talk to me like that,’ Sigourney fires back.
    ‘How dare you keep us all waiting and then demand the dress off the leading lady?’
    ‘Baz, it’s fine,’ I say.
    ‘Leading lady?’ Sigourney puts her hands on her skinny hips. ‘What are you talking about. I’m the leading lady.’
    Baz laughs. ‘Oh no you’re