43 Chapter 43: Argument

There were several lead character parts for the age of fourteen, and they had professional child actors and actresses to do it. Today, they were only filming the adult parts. Queenie and Charles were scheduled to act in the morning.

Edie didn't have any filming to do today, but she watched the whole show. They were amazing, and they definitely deserved to be known as famous. The opening scene established an enjoyable, bright atmosphere that influenced the entire play. Their eyes, limbs, and lines were all in place. Expressing the emotion and atmosphere of the play

Director Lane kept shouting with glistening eyes, "Great!" Edie had been watching it all morning and couldn't believe how creative they were. Edie's first scene was in the afternoon. She didn't look as good as Queenie because she only used the free makeup artist. Charles and Queenie had a particular makeup artist.

Edie had just sat down and was about to get her makeup put on; when she heard an awkward voice from behind her, "Hello, Edie, can I ask you a favor?" She looked up and saw a pretty little face. She was also a new actress playing a small role. Her name was Rena Jacobs. "What's the matter?"

"Edie, the director, said that the scene I shot this morning wasn't any good, so I have to remake it. The other makeup artist is busy, and I was wondering if you would mind if I..." she didn't even need to finish. Edie knew exactly what she wanted. "Sure, no problem, I was here early and had an hour to spare before I am up. I'll just go change my clothes."

Rena was astonished by Edie's answer. She never expected her to say yes, and she said gratefully, "Thank you, Edie." Edie went to the dressing room to change her clothes. When she was getting changed, she hears a noise coming from the makeup room. She walked closer towards the noise and found Rena covering her face and crying. "What happened?" Edie asked.

"The makeup artist Leda Castro is annoyed with me. "I have allergies apparently, and she blamed it on the quality of my cosmetics. I couldn't afford an expensive brand, so I had to use a cheaper one. I've never had allergies before. How of all days could I have an allergy today?"

Edie was surprised to see her face as she wept and raised her head. Her beautiful face was covered in a rash, and the makeup that had just been put on was ruined. She almost looked scary.

"I have meant so many people today, and none of them had any problems. So why is my face all of a sudden breaking out in a rash? Did you use the right makeup?"

"You can't use Dior and Givenchy cosmetics?" Leda became even more upset when she heard Rena's words as if she was blaming her and began to speak harshly. "You have a rash on your face because of your own stupidity, not because of mine. Don't you dare blame this on me? This is not my fault."

I felt a little itchy when you applied the foundation, and there must be a problem with the quality of cosmetics. Leda was getting even angrier, "I have put on Zoe's makeup, and her status is much higher than yours. There was never a problem with her, so why is there a problem with you?"

"That's your own business! That has nothing to do with me and what is going on right now," Rena shouted.

The mentioning of Zoe's name made Edie's heart beat fast. Edie asked, "Leda, was Zoe in front of me getting her makeup put on?" Leda nodded, "Yes." Edie glanced at the dressing table. The foundation was in the middle, and the cap was taken off.

She picked up the foundation and asked, "Leda, is this the bottle of foundation for Rena?" Leda nodded. "Yes." Edie squeezed a bit of foundation on the back of her hand and smelled it. She took a closer look at Rena's face, and the red rash looked like a nickel allergy.

She looked at the ring on Rena's hand and said, "Rena, is your ring silver?" Rena nodded. "Yes."

"Can I borrow it?" asked Edie. Rena didn't know what Edie was going to do, but she took off the ring and handed it to Edie.

Edie took a piece of white paper from the drawer of the dresser and put it on the table. She covered the ring with the foundation. It took the silver ring a little longer, but eventually, it left a mark on the white paper.

"Why did it turn color?" cried Rena, covering her mouth. Sure enough, there was a clear black mark that left a trace on the paper from the foundation. "It's the lead, lead, and silver makes a chemical reaction, and they made a black mark on the paper," Edie said.

Rena glared at Leda, "It's really not a cosmetic problem! Why would you do this to my face? We are going to go tell the director together." Leda started to panic, "No, my cosmetics were all bought at the counter. There isn't any problem with my cosmetics. This is Dior's foundation."

"There is lead in the foundation, and that's a fact. Whether you want to admit it or not. The proof

is right there on that piece of paper!" Rena said. They were quarreling.

"Rena, don't worry, I don't think this had anything to do with Leda." That's not what Rena wanted to hear, "There is lead in the foundation, and it gave me a bad rash? How can you say it doesn't matter?"

"Leda is a famous makeup artist. If there were such a scandal, she would never be able to get another job anywhere. What good would it do for her career for her to do such a thing?" Edie said.

Leda nodded quickly, "Rena, It's not really me." Rena knew that Edie was right. She was an emotional wreck. She began to cry. "What about my face?"

"Rena, don't worry, take off your makeup and wash your face. Then go to the hospital to see the dermatologist, and he will give an ointment for your face, and you will be as good as new."

"You haven't been wearing it for very long. So, I don't think it's severe."

"But, the director," Rena said. "Well, I'll tell the director you had to run an errand for me today," Edie said. "Wait until you see the doctor see if things are better by tomorrow, and then you ask the director for a leave."

Rena thought about it for a moment and immediately agreed, "Well, thank you, I'll go." With that, she quickly removed her makeup. "Miss Edie, thank you for speaking for me, but I really don't know why there's lead in the foundation," Rena said as she was walking away.

"Don't thank me. I was trying to figure out why her face broke out into a rash." Leda, Do you want to know who put the lead in the foundation?" Leda patted the table and snarled, "Of course, that person almost ruined my career. If I knew who she was, I would destroy her."

Edie thought for a moment and then asked, "Did you ever leave the dressing room while putting on Zoe's makeup?"

"Let me see. Yes, I went because I had a call." Leda seemed to see things more transparent now, "You mean, it was Zoe who put the lead in the foundation?"

"I'm not sure yet, so I didn't say it in front of Rena."

Leda was a little skeptical, " Zoe and I have never had any issues in the past. Why would she do this?"

"If you do one thing, you'll know if it was her or not."

"Miss Edie, please say."