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Dog Days: Pasta Salad!

August 24, 2005 from Delicious! Delicious! www.deliciousdelicious.com

EXT. MOVIE SET--SOMEWHERE IN OHIO--SAME

Caryn follows Miss A. to the crowded set, only to discover a virtual sea of EXTRAS in Civil War attire waiting for their cue. Miss A. somehow spots Mr. R immediately. Her bee line to him takes out a few extras, but she doesn't seem to care. Caryn cranes to see them when a booming voice yells in her ear.

VOICE

Extras, please come this way!

Caryn is surprised to find that the voice belongs to the timid 2nd 2nd AD she'd met before. The girl seems to have grown quite a backbone in the two months on the job. On a mission, the 2nd 2nd sees Caryn holding the plate of eggplant parmesan and stops.

2ND 2ND AD

Why aren't you in costume?

CARYN

Oh, I'm not an--

2ND 2ND AD

We've been back from lunch for a half hour. You really should be dressed and in makeup by now.

Caryn tries to protest again just as Lauren appears and takes the plate from her.

LAUREN

I'll take this. You go to wardrobe.

CARYN

But--

LAUREN

Look, clearly we're short of extras. Be a team player and go.

She shoves Caryn toward the 2nd 2nd with a smirk and heads over to where Mr. R is getting berated by Miss A. Caryn has no choice but to comply.

EXT. MOVIE SET--LATER

Dressed in a dull gray hoop dress and holding a black parasol, Caryn is enveloped in the mass of extras around her, all sweltering in the summer heat. She squirms in her dress to get comfortable, but it is no use.

The crowd seems to perk up as Mr. R. saunters in front of them for the scene. He does not recognize his chef as she wipes the sweat from her forehead. Miss A. shortly follows him wearing an evil scowl on top of her thick make-up.

The crew gathers around for the shot. The Director takes a seat behind the monitor to watch the action just as Caryn spots Lauren watching her from the side, deeply satisfied with Caryn's state.

DIRECTOR

Okay, going again! Try to look lively this time!

Caryn sucks in a deep breath, but the corset prevents her from getting much air. She straightens up in a futile attempt to look lively just as "Action" is called.

INT. TRAILER--LATER

Finally out of the costume and withered like the roasted tomatoes cooling by the stove, Caryn prepares an antipasto plate with a variety of olives, cheeses and vegetables. Mr. R. enters the trailer from the blackness of night outside.

MR. R.

I'm exhausted. Days with extras are always so long. They never pay attention.

Caryn turns to the tomatoes and slices them into pieces. Mr. R. picks at the cheese.

MR. R. (CONT'D)

Ah, this looks great for a hot day like today. Of course, you got to stay in the air conditioned trailer all day.

She throws the tomatoes on the top of a mound of assorted colors: pasta, basil and parmesan. She tosses olive oil into the pasta salad with the last ounce of energy left in her body.

Mr. R. seats himself at a small table by the window as Caryn serves his late dinner. He immediately picks out a roasted tomato to eat first.

MR. R. (CONT'D)

You know, we were short of extras today. You should've helped out. It'd be fun for you to be in the movie.

Caryn slams a dish into the sink.

CARYN

Yeah, sorry. Maybe next time.