Zip It: Chap 10-The Silver Screen
The Silver Screen
Chapter 10 of Zip It. Note: these characters are not mine.
After his encounter with the filmmaker Bella Green, Tim rode back to Dillon on his motorcycle, considering his options. She wanted Tim to screen test for a part in her next film about a stranger passing through town, hustling chess and arm wrestling matches to make money. He thought it sounded crazy, but movies about crazier things are made all the time. And Morley Jeans wanted him to do another shoot, this time for their t-shirts. The jeans campaign he’d done for them was a hit, and he liked working with them. Oh, and the money…
He needed to decide whether to go to college. He’d received letters of interest from Oklahoma and Midland State offering some scholarship money, but hadn’t thought much about it since no one in his family had ever graduated from college. But staying with the Taylors forced a new perspective... they were supportive and didn’t expect the worst, the way his own family had-the way he had of himself.
His grades were average, but it helped being a Panther. Teachers overlooked his absences and graded his work on a “Panthers curve.” It wasn’t fair, but he figured his talent on the field was his contribution. He brought glory and pride to Dillon! Life didn’t get any better than being Texas State champs. He just had to ignore Billy calling him stupid as a way to bolster himself. Tim loved Billy, but saw his limits and wanted to do better.
-/-/-/-
Tim aced the screen test. The film role wasn’t exactly a stretch for Tim. His character, based along the lines of James Dean and Clint Eastwood, was the strong silent type-a badass rebel. Oh, and he rode a motorcycle. Bingo.
He was all ready for the arm wrestling scenes, since he and Billy had regular matches. Even though Billy was smaller than Tim, he was tough as hell and scrappy, and they swapped wins until recently, when Tim began winning. Tim’d had a recent growth spurt, putting on some serious muscle in the last year, and his biceps were huge.
Chess was another deal. He played some with Street before he started varsity, but it’d been years. Not that he had to actually play during the filming-it was all pretty much shot so it didn’t matter-but he felt like he should be able to understand his moves.
So he turned to Landry for help. Good old Landry… Tim’s go-to guy for anything brain-related. You want me to spend the next three nights doing what! Landry had yelled when Tim called him. Playing chess with you? Are you on crack? I got Crucifictorious rehearsal and whatnot…
He relented, of course, being an Eagle Scout and a dutiful friend. Tim supplied the beer, and after a rough start-a rook? what the…? it moves in an what shape? christ-Tim got it and began to enjoy his matches with Landry, who always came stocked with deep philosophical opinions. Tim never beat him, but the games got longer and longer. Hey Eight-five, I owe you dude, seriously. You’ll come to the opening night with me, okay? Landry replied, Just understand why you’re doing what you’re doing, okay little grasshopper?
-/-/-/-
The first day of shooting, the start of which was scheduled for spring break, Tim did several scenes on his motorcycle, riding up to a bar, removing his helmet, tossing his hair, walking inside. The next day, they had him do scene where he basically set up shop at a table in the saloon, and guys challenged him to arm wrestle. Punching the clock, Bella calls it. He was wearing one of his signature sleeveless tees that showed off his arms, upon her directive.
He warmed up with a few dozen pushups, and when he buckled down in his first “match,” against a much bulkier guy, his arms were pumped. He could hear the small crew quiet down and then start buzzing about his body. He wasn’t a total egomaniac, but he knew his looks and his sculpted frame were his best asset after his prowess on the football field, and dabbling in modelling. Other opponents followed, and in the script his character had to lose at least one match to make it interesting.
But his guns had everyone gaping, even after a day of shooting. Bella smiled at this, squeezing his arm and winking at him as she gave him some notes, which he bent close to hear. Bella was about 25, with black hair, pale skin, and handsome features, but it was her confidence that was irresistible.
The chess matches were shot the next days. A dumb jock reputation had preceded Tim. But after some on set sniggering about him being a trained gorilla, Bella told him to just relax and be himself. People noticed he actually knew what he was doing. And Bella had been right… he was so gorgeous that even just watching him inspect the chess board-his eyes shifting from dark hazel to bright green with the lighting-was plenty to look at. But more than that, his expression reflected a variety of emotional states and concentrated thoughts.
-/-/-/-
After the week of shooting was over, there was a cast party, and afterward Bella and Tim went to grab a late-night bite at the diner. They were giddy with happiness and few too many beers. You’re gonna be a star, Tim. At least in my little indie world. Mark my words. He scoffed, wanting to believe her, but thinking it was frivolous and a waste of time. Then again, what else would he be doing but sitting around drinking and watching the tube, now that football was basically over?
Don’t know bout that, but that’s real sweet of you to say, he said, his cheeks dimpling. They walked to Bella’s car and he took her hands, playing with her fingers. But he didn’t talk, another thing that Bella was learning about him… communicating exactly what he meant without words. It had convinced her Tim’d be perfect on film.
He looked at her for a long while, slowly closing the gap between them, dropping his forehead against hers, breathing deeply, lips parted. His eyes were full of gratitude and affection, then peppered with doubt. She read: Not everyone’s seen any worth in me, but you do. But then you’ll be gone, too. And then he flashed her the sultriest look, drawing a blush to her cheeks.
You have no idea of your full effect on people, do you my dear, she laughed. I just saw ten emotions cross your mind. Here’s one of them. She lifted his chin, locked gazes, and leaned in to kiss him chastely, checking his heavy-lidded eyes, then fully, embracing him and pressing their bodies flush before wrapping her arms tight around his waist.
She paused and pulled back to look at him. Hey, what’s up? Don't stop, I liked that… he murmured. Tim, I have to tell you a secret… I, uh… I normally play for the other team.
He shook his head and chuffed. He did recall seeing Bella laughing (flirting?) with another woman, but hadn't thought anything of it. Til now.
Then he gave a wicked laugh. Not tonight you don’t, he said, clasping her head and moving in for a deep one. Tonight you play with me, Green.
-/-/-/-
The next morning, Tim leaned against the kitchen counter and finished his second cup of coffee. Gotta hit the road, Bella. This has been something, he said, grinning.
I’ll be in touch soon, she said. Might need to do some reshoots or additional scenes or voiceovers, depending on how editing goes. But it’ll be a few months before this thing is in any shape at all, hopefully in time for the film festival in Austin.
Then again, I might just need to be with you.
Tim gathered her up and gave her a long, thoughtful kiss. You just say the word and I’m here, boss, he whispered, before getting on his bike, waving, and riding off toward Dillon.