14117/The Count of Monte Cristo: And Action! Sailing Sailing...

The Count of Monte Cristo: And Action! Sailing Sailing...
Date of Scene:	19 March 2023
Location:	The Docks at Metropolis Harbor
Synopsis:	All is well as The Count of Monte Cristo cast sets out to film their sea scenes. Megan looks amazing and Mike looks homeless. Caleb sneaks onto the property to sell some merchandise and instead ends up getting swept into the movie casting machine. Is no one safe?!
Cast of Characters:	Michael Hannigan, Megan Gwynn, Caleb Dykstra
Tinyplot:	The Count of Monte Cristo

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Michael Hannigan has posed:
While it may be the early morning hours, there is a bit of foot traffic at one dock situated in Metropolis. There is a bit of an uncanny look to the area. If one were to look in one direction they'd see the signs of civilization. But if one were to look the other way out into the water, they'd see a glimpse of something more from the 1800s rocking just so.

Is this a time warp?

Not quite. The Metropolis branch of the multi-city alliance to bring The Count of Monte Cristo Musical to the big screen is very much responsible for this. As several of the key figures of the story are of the seafaring variety, today is one of hopefully few days needed to knock out the necessary boat related scenes to make the storytelling work. And with the pressure to get things moving, there's a lot of scurrying about the dock. A catering company appears to be loading boxed lunches onto a transport boat that is earmarked for transporting cast and crew to the water bound set. Also loading up is a woman wearing a polo shirt and jeans. Definitely not crew, but being that she's accompanied by two floating roomba shaped objects with arms. She's probably here for good reason as well. And as time goes on, persons in period based smuggler costumes are emerging from dressing trailers situated on the nearby land.

Outside one of the trailers, there seems to be a rather upset red head speaking with a slightly taller blond man. Being neither of them are in costume, one could assume they are more crew.

Megan Gwynn has posed:
Megan Gwynn had signed up for some smuggler role - what's her name again? Well either way she's excited to dress up looking like some sort of punk pirate with her bright pink hair, although she was thoughtful enough to hide her wings under her jacket so she didn't end up looking like that pirate faerie from Tinkerbell..No need to mix genres right?

She steps out of one of the trailers, glancing around at all the hustle and bustle, not entirely sure where she should be or what she should be doing..There's just Soo much to take in..Wow..

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Caleb's been here for like and hour, hour and a half, trying to sell. Because his mob boss told him to; 'there are needy personas in film productions, so go there and sell; I don't care if you have to go all the way to fuckin' Hollywood, that shit I want sold', he's been told.

And when the head mobster talks, it's meant to be followed. And to follow, Caleb even discharged himself from the hospital - a recent pneumothorax - so he could comply.

And now Caleb is trying to find someone that's willing to buy. Security's been dodged reasonably enough - given his penchant to cough from the recent rattle - and he finds himself inside the complex, moving towards the actors' trailers...

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As Megan steps out of the trailer, she soon finds herself not the only colorful smuggler. The rather open casting has allowed for several visible mutants to join the ranks along with some rather average looking folks. But each of them carrying their own sense of style. Although, there was apparently a lot more work done with her costume in particular to highlight the rise in ranks amongst the non-uniform crew.

As Megan steps out, the stern woman who was at the auditions and fittings walks forward, in her hands, a clipboard. There's a glance to the pink haired woman and a slight look downwards for a moment, checking off something. "Miss Gwynn!" Anissa Yates greets, striding over, "Very prompt. I like that. Now, before we continue, when acting, do you prefer to be addressed by your actual name, or your character name of Luisa?"

While Anissa speaks with Megan, the pair of persons outside of the trailers seem to be coming to a general conclusion. The redhead gives a wary look over towards the currently engaged Anissa before glancing back to the blond. "I don't know where we're going to find one on such short notice."

"Well we're going to have to try. Grab a crewmember if we need to. We need someone to fill that gap."

"Neil, have you SEEN the size of the crew? There's not enough fabric for that-"

Wait.

Did she just call the crew members...

Moving on!

As Caleb comes near the trailers, one of the trailer doors creak open, allowing for a dirtied man in tattered looking clothes to emerge. Thanks to the effects of movie magic, Nick Drago is sporting a sizable beard and his hair looks, even longer. If it wasn't for his exit from the actors trailer, one might assume that a homeless man had just woken up there and was having a look around. Pale eyes catch a look to the young man wandering around. Not quite remembering the name but remembering the face, a makeup assisted rough hand lifts up to wave to him.

Megan Gwynn has posed:
Megan Gwynn looks down at her colorful costume, a filly white peasant blouse, black corset belt, red sash, striped red and black pants and a pirate scarf of sorts. Check. Looks like a postage check. Some one hands her a realistic looking foil and she slips it in her scabbard wuth a grin. "Woot, I feel more like Cinnamon now but Luisa works just fine!" she nods and grins to the crew member, "ask where do you want me to stand?"

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
And the actors and extras start to be called, so Caleb now needs to hide. Hide, behind the trailers... Oh, people! Retreat... Dammit, security's been tipped!

What to do? What to do?

He's finding himself being pushed towards the gather of actors and extras... Oh, crap!

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Anissa nods as Megan opts to be called by her character name. "Very good because that's all the director will probably call you by anyways." She still makes another note on the clipboard as she seems to be going through a list on there. "And have you had a chance to read through the itinerary that was sent to you earlier today or reviewed the food listing to make sure there was something you can eat?"

As Megan's question registers, Anissa pauses, looking to the trailers nearby and then to the clipboard. Pages are flipped and the eyes scan side to side for a few tense moments. The page lowers.

"Well Luisa, you are correct that there will be a disembark scene filmed at some point but according to the itinerary, the first thing up will be the 'Fishing Dantes out of the water' scene followed by the 'initial questioning and recruitment scene' before he has a chance to dry out. Then there is the 'knife fight' scene between Dantes and Jacapo. All of that will be taking place on the big boat which is away from the dock."

Anissa smiles, lowering the clipboard for a moment, "Suffice to say, you can stand where you please for the time being so long as you are on the shuttle boat in 30 minutes. Catering does have some light fare on the shuttle boat should you become a bit peckish. If you do get bored, I'd recommend you skim through the Itinerary again. It also lists which of your castmates is scheduled for today."

Seeing Caleb being swept in the sea of extras with what looks to be security following, Nick makes his move. Coming down the steps, he strides over. "Hey man, long time." Nick greets from under the beard, giving him a pat on the back.

The clasp upon the back seems to be sufficient enough signal for security to back off. "Kid must be part of that work study program Shaw Studios is doing." One mutters. "Damn celebrities, forgetting to clear this shit first."

But, as Caleb is moved, the contrast of his attire amongst the already dressed extras draws unneeded attention towards him. The redhead peers over. And upon seeing the young man, she blinks. "Neil!"

The blond man, who had been eyeing a particular pink haired woman, blinks, turning his head, "Yes Kristy?"

"LOOK!" A hand is pointed at Caleb.

Megan Gwynn has posed:
Megan Gwynn's eyes brighten at the mention of food and having to wait a bit before her scene comes on. "Well, you don't need to tell me twice!" she's already making a beeline for the snack station. In her hurry she nearly trips over Caleb and grins, "Heey nice costume, one of the smugglers? Cool!" she waves to him as she hurries off to stuff her mouth.

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
It all happens so fast, it's a blur, really.

First, Nick busts him wide open. "...Crap!" Which this is enough to have the security detail that was onto him backing off. "Phew!"

A mixed blessing, really, because now Neil and Kristy are pointing straight at him. "...Uhm... Hello?" He even offers a dumbfounded wave.

In the midst of all the adrenaline released, he looks numbingly surprised when Megan compliments him on his costume. "Uhhm... Thanks... My design, believe it or not."

To quote Homer Simpson: D'OH!!

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As Megan comes by to inquire if Caleb is one of the smugglers, the redhead and blond come forward. "Not yet," the woman states, looking over to Caleb, "Hiiiii. Kristy Ramos. Uh- we could REALLY use you to fill in for one of the ones that just opened up. One of them called in sick and you're JUST their size, AND you've got the look."

The blond man nods, pairing up his pleading look to match Kristy's "What do you say? A bit of an experience, easy money, and we feed you."

Nick tilts his head, considering the costumers and then Caleb, "...That's actually a pretty good deal." He responds, getting on the 'recruit Caleb' train. "Not everyday someone comes up to you saying they want you in their movie."

Megan Gwynn has posed:
Megan Gwynn is bust at the snack table, stuffing her mouth..."Coooooookie! Umnumnumnumnuuuuuuuuum!" yeah, she's a teeny bit busy at the moment to notice anything or anyone else right now..Please leave a message and she MIGHT respond in about 30 min or so if she doesn't choke on all the food..

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
The teen's silly grin fades progressively as he's talked to about food and easy money into a 'how am I going to get out of this now?' grin. But the offers make him nod (thank you very much, brain!) instinctively (are you on vacation, brain?).

"Uhm... Okay. What're my lines?"

Somewhere in the maze of his brain, Caleb facepalms. Hard.

Megan Gwynn has posed:
Megan Gwynn turns back to the sets, wandering about, looking for any familiar faces as she waits for her part to begin. Oh but there is so much to see and take in, the costumes, the sets, the acting! She frowns, cleaning her mouth of crumbs, adjusting her sash as she waits, peering at the slightly nervous looking teen, "Heya, relax, it'll be fun!" she tries to encourage Caleb, "You new to all of this too?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Oh that's the best part." Kristy replies with a smile, "It's a background extra so you just stand in a designated place and just laugh at him on cue."

Kristy points over to the homeless looking Nick. Before gesturing over to Megan who is currently having a Cookie Monster breakfast. "She's got most of the lines out of the smugglers, plus a musical number and dance routine. You got the easy part."

Neil nods, "But first we need to get you in costume."

"Correct! I'll go get Anissa! You get him dressed, Neil!" If Caleb was having second thoughts, he's not going to be able to voice them as Kristy speeds over to the woman with the clipboard.

Nick tilts his head, looking to the younger guy and then to Megan as she comes back. Finally getting a look at her outfit. "Costume's looking good. Hopefully the boat trip will be a bit different than the last one we were on."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"But... No but... You see, but..." That's basically busted with laser-guidance, and Caleb's brain is just about locked out. Oh well, it's better than getting caught by security and have the police called, right?

Right?

He thumbs-up, and heads - or is carried off - to the dressing room.

And in some part of his mind, Caleb shrugs.

Megan Gwynn has posed:
Megan Gwynn sighs, "Gee I hope so. At least I'm all fuelled up and ready for action, and I brought some water too, so let's get this done!" she's of course practiced her lines til she was blue in the face and ready for action as she follows the others onto the boat, looking forward to the next scene..