start recording.

Billy was trying on the dress he had to wear for his first scene, the moment when he becomes hopelessly enamored with Jo March, played by Winona. On the first day, Winona locked herself in the hotel to make a phone call, God knows with whom.

-Billy, I'm glad you made it through the casting. - said Nigel, giving Billy a hearty greeting. Nigel was the typical American, with almost pinkish-white skin, glasses, and blonde hair. His only distinctive feature was his chubby features, not without subtracting a formal style since even in jeans, he could look formal.

-Thank you. Without your recommendations, I couldn't be part of this great production. - said Billy, shaking hands with Nigel, who could only nod. Even though he only passed along the resume and didn't mention anything beyond having the qualifications, no one would deny a favor from a promising future actor.

-It's your first scene, from what I see. - said Nigel, who had just arrived recently but already had a clear thread about the state of the shoot.

-It is, and I have to give my best. - said Billy, adjusting his personality to the one required for Laurie, a charming, friendly, and sympathetic neighbor of the women in the neighboring house.

Nigel just let him work while adjusting the crew's schedules and coordinating entrances, exits, the use of the set, and all the chores that a coordinator does. Producers give orders, but he is the one in charge of carrying out what the producers want, and in the way they asked.

Winona arrived like an angel, with her dress fixed and just right, her delicate features only accentuating her fair skin. The neckline she wore wasn't very revealing, but a woman of her caliber differed; it was almost an invitation to drive the unprepared crazy.

-Mr. Theodore, I hope you are a gentleman and can guide me on the set. Although I must say I'm a tough woman who won't hesitate to give you a black eye if you overstep. - said Winona, particularly cheerful. Her smile made her even more beautiful.

-Madam, please, at the first moment I find myself out of line for a lady of your caliber, you can hit me with all your might. I'll carry the blows without remorse as if they were medals. - said Billy, kissing Winona's knuckles.

She just rolled her mermaid-like eyes, as if it were a common attitude, something that happened to her every day. Her cheeks were like squirrels.

-Laurie. - said Winona, extending her hand for Billy to take, her chin raised, expressing the dignity she wanted to reflect.

-My lady. - said Billy, following Winona's particular mood.

-The black hair suits you well. - said Winona, pointing out Billy's evident change of hair color, a strong black that made him look somewhat more mature than with blonde hair.

-How do you feel? - asked the woman with black hair, somewhat more restrained and returning to her normal posture.

-Good, these three days have served me well for a review, and I think I'm ready to shoot. - said Billy.

-And you, I've noticed you've been down? - Winona said to the woman.

-Not at all, just a bit tired. I've had a lot to think about, and sometimes I get lost in my thoughts. It's common; I often do it many times. On the other hand, Claire mentioned that you're a great painter. - said Winona.

-I am, although my skills with pen and pencil are better than with brushes, but I can manage. - said Billy, opening the door for Winona.

-Thanks. -

-I'd love to see your drawings. We can see them after today's set. By the way, Claire, Trini, Kristen, and I are going to have something delicious on Saturday afternoon. There's a dessert shop. If we're careful, no one will find out about our little escapade. It would be good if you came. - said Winona, kissing his cheek as a farewell. The work was about to begin.

The March family gathered on the set that perfectly imitated ancient life. If it weren't for the number of cameras, fortunately, the set wasn't as large as they thought, and good distribution allowed filming different scenes concentrated in the same location, almost four acres.

-Billy, you're about to start, try to stay calm, let Winona set the pace, and just act charmingly. - said Gilliam Armstrong, the film director, to which Billy could only agree and focused on taking his seat, prepared for the work that was about to come

Scene 19.

Laurie was there, black and dark curly hair, big eyes, and beautiful teeth. Jo March (Winona), who acted in a masculine way, exuded a strong masculine feeling that was difficult to portray given her ladylike appearance.

-I suppose you'll be going to college soon. I can see you burying yourself in your books; I mean, studying hard. - Jo said.

Billy just smiled and shrugged, gesturing with his eyes as if thinking about something.

-It'll take me another two or three years; I won't go before turning seventeen. - he replied.

-But aren't you only fifteen? - Jo asked.

-Sixteen next month. - Billy answered.

-How I wish I could go to college! It seems you don't like it. - Jo/Winona said.

-I hate it, nothing more than work or fun, and I don't like the way they do it in this country. - Billy replied.

-What do you like? - Jo asked.

-Living in Italy, having fun my way. - Billy said.

Winona made an anxious face but was interrupted by Laurie with a bow. In the moment she could ask, Laurie's eyebrows furrowed in such a way that Jo didn't dare to ask.

-What a fantastic dance! Why don't you go dance to it? - Winona asked.

-If you come with me. - Billy said, smiling broadly, with a French bow, leaning to the floor.

-I can't because I told Meg I wouldn't dance because... - Winona giggled.

-Why? - Billy asked interestedly. - Won't you tell? -

-Never! - Winona exclaimed, on the verge of laughing, and it showed in her eyes. Something that ended up infecting Billy too, although he didn't want to, he fell under Winona's charm. But the natural reaction was allowed by the director, given the captivating nature of the scene. Laurie represents for Jo the love of a young man, the love he has to show. Jo despises Laurie, but Laurie's rejection is a growth that makes Jo grow as a person and realize the problems of life and how wonderful it is to be loved.

-Never? -

-Hahaha, it's not fair. - Winona breathed, but Billy also infected her. - Well, I have the bad habit of standing in front of the fire and ending up burning my dresses, as happened with this one; although it's well patched, it looks a bit, and Meg advised me not to move so that no one sees it. You can laugh if you want; it's very funny. - Winona said.

But Billy/Laurie didn't laugh; he looked down with a strange and sweet expression. He carefully took Jo's hands, something that wasn't in the script but Billy's talent evolution lit up the scene like no other. The multiple appropriate angles captivated the scene.

[3 exclamation points]

-Don't mind that; I'll tell you how we'll manage: there's a big corridor where we can dance very well without anyone seeing us. Come with me, we'll have fun! - Billy said charmingly.

Cut.

-It was a magnificent scene, but I fear, Billy, that you were too charming. Laurie is more awkward, but we'll do two more takes; try to be more shy. - Gillian said.

So, they repeated the scene two more times to leave the first take and what we call improvisation on set, which a good director can cut and redo when filming a movie, like exploiting his actors and giving a strong identity to their performances.

-You're a great actor. - Winona said, unusually serious.

-I do what I can, and I don't complain. I enjoy acting and playing roles. - Billy said.

-Come, take me to eat. - Winona said, grabbing Billy's arm.

-Of course! - Billy said, ignoring the boldness of the protagonist. Although it was still printed in him, unable to avoid traces of Theodore's personality, not because it was a habit, it was Billy's method of immersing himself so much in the role that sometimes he just followed with his character. This one was charming and cordial, something that encouraged the production with Billy's friendly gestures.

-Perfect, the hotel will be fine. We want discretion, and today I don't want to deal with the media. - Winona said.

-Allow me to invite you. - Billy said, taking Winona to the eatery. On the way, he also brought Trini, who decided to join, and there were no changes or contradictions from either of them. Trini was a lively and straightforward woman.

....

We are going to chapter 227 on Patreon. Good day everyone. but, as sometimes there are chapters in interludes, they are not counted here, we go to 230.