The Director's Cut Read Free

bit overeager, ready to jump in with all arms and legs, gangly as they might be. Her endearing Southern drawl captured my attention right away and held me captive as I led the way into the studio.
    Erin chattered all the way, barely pausing for breath. Only when we reached the inside of the studio did she fall silent. She stood, eyes wide, looking around the room. After a couple minutes, she blinked away tears.
    â€œYou okay?” I asked, sensing some sort of problem.
    â€œOh, yes.” She nodded, her face now awash with joy. “I’m just so happy. See, I’ve dreamed of working on a sitcom my whole life, but I never thought I’d get the chance. Texas is a long way from L.A., ya know? I probably still wouldn’t be here if my mom hadn’t met Lenora Worth and Kat Murphy at that fund-raiser several months ago. I can hardly believe it, but I’m standing in Studio B, working for Tia Morales, my favorite sitcom director in television history.” Tears now covered her lashes. “Can we say, ‘Died and gone to heaven’?”
    Well, if that didn’t boost my morale, nothing would. So much for worrying that Miss Sunshine had come to steal my job. And if her words hadn’t won me over, the Southern drawl would have. The girl had clearly been in L.A. only a short while. Not long enough to be tainted by the industry.
    I stuck out my hand and smiled. “Erin, I’m glad to have you on board. You’ve worked as a PA before?”
    She shook my hand, the sugary residue from the donut almost causing our palms to stick together. “Not on a sitcom, but I did a short stint on a feature film. I know there’s a lot of grunt work involved, but I don’t mind. I can grunt with the best of ’em. Besides, I enjoy being behind the scenes. Never really aspired to much more than that, to be honest.”
    Funny. When I took in her overly dramatic style and her words and mannerisms, I had the strongest feeling the camera would love her. She had that natural way about her that we directors loved to see on film. Hmm. I’d have to think about that. In the meantime, I really needed to get this sugar off my hand. I fished around in my purse, coming up with a tissue. Rolling it around in my palm, I managed to make things worse instead of better. Before long, my hand was coated with sticky tissue.
    â€œAnyway, your wish is my command.” Erin’s face glowed with excitement, and her Southern drawl grew more pronounced. “What can I do for you? Help the kids run their lines? Act as your go-to gal? Make a run to Starbucks for coffee? I’m ready to roll, Miss Tia. Just let me know where to start.”
    Ugh. Had she really just called me Miss Tia? Why not announce to the whole world that I was single?
    Still, I could hardly fault someone with a smile this genuine. Clearly her words were meant to be endearing. So I came up with a job for her to do.
    â€œI need someone to pick up this week’s copy of the script from the writers so we can start our roundtable reading. Down that long hall to the right.” I pointed. “Our head writer’s name is Athena. Please tell her to give you the copy with the changes I made over the weekend.”
    â€œI can’t wait to meet her, and all of the writers, for that matter.” Erin’s cheeks flushed as she smiled. “I fancy myself a scriptwriter. Who knows? Maybe one day I really will be.”
    â€œSounds like you’ve got a lot of interests.”
    â€œAll film related.” She shrugged. “I guess I need a twelve-step program. I’m hooked on the industry.”
    Me too. But beware, you poor, naive thing. It can eat you for lunch if you’re not careful.
    I patted her on the shoulder and forced a smile. “There are worse fates.” Lowering my voice, I added, “And by the way, I’d appreciate it if you just called me Tia. None of this ‘Miss’ stuff,