7828/You Oughta be in Pictures!

You Oughta be in Pictures!
Date of Scene:	14 September 2021
Location:	Beacon Theater
Synopsis:	The Show Must Go On! It does, after a fashion.
Cast of Characters:	Thomas Blake, Ayanna Dreyfus, Simon Trent, June Connor

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Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake had no love for the studio that owned the Gray Ghost series. they had let the series and his idol -Simon Trent, languish for years before a rising crest of fan love prompted them to allow a reunion series. Before that they even tried to keep Simon from appearing in costume. With the new series on the horizon and the studio likely to make money from the third party licensed they released this theatrical compilation 'The Gray Ghost Strikes!' Thomas was taking the opportunity to see it here, with a live orchestra no less. Thomas settles in and opens his box of Junior Mints. Life is good. It was mid-day, and school had started which meant the theater was mostly empty for this showing. Good, nothing to disturb or distract.

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
Somewhere in the hall, near the center, a lone figure sits quietly and waits for the movie to start. Long dark hair, a brunette, with a large pair of glasses resting on the bridge of her button nose. Her purse is resting on her lap as she's conscious and polite enough not to use the adjacted seat despite being vacant.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake happens to be near the center as well, for optimum viewing. He watches as the music swells. This is as close to a nerd as he gets. He puts his feat on the empty seat before him as the opening credits begin. They were reworked so that the cast each was introduced with a dramatic headshot in glorious monochrome. He flips a mint into the air and catches it in his mouth. He takes no notice of the pretty brunette, nor her glasses and button nose. However, his second cast of a mint meets with disaster as it slides almost off his thumb as he flicks and shoots off to the side, brunette-ward.

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
Ayanna Dreyfus noticed the figure not so far from her putting their feet on the seat in front, frowning a little in distaste and deciding to try and ignore that, keep her eyes on the sceen. But then as something taps her head, she blinks and searches on her lap to find a mint. She turns to the figure with a frown, wanting to throw it back at them but, deep breath and, back to the screen.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Fuuuu... he had no care about the feet on the seat. Build bigger seats, you cheapskates. The Junior Mint fiasco does trouble him. He beaned a girl! Okay it's kind of funny but still wrong. He takes his feet down, tries to look innocent. Yeah that works. He pays attention to the movie as it starts as the Gray Ghost battles fifth column saboteurs from some made up country -Slovakistan!

Why do fictional superheroes always deal with silly made up countries? What are they scared of? It is almost at the point where it hangs a lampshade on the whole genre. He waits for the intermission. The lights go on and the small orchestra players take a break, dump their spit valves and stretch.

It is a contrite, thuggish, yet handsome man who makes his way to Ayanna.

"I wanted to apologize for beaning you with my mint. It was unintentional and I hope it didn't keep you from enjoying the movie. Would you care for a mint as a peace offering?" He holds a small box of mints out to her, unopened.

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
Violet eyes look up from behind those big glasses as the girl raises he rhead. A small shake of her head follows the glance, with "I'm sorry, I don't really like mint" been said softly with an outrageous French accent. With her open cardigan over the green tank top, standing above may allow him a peek at the French girl's cleavage if he's so inclined to do under her watchful eye.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake has good peripheral vision or is not interested. He shrugs. "Please tell me what you would like and I will be glad to get it for you. I have to insist. Part of a sincere apology is making some restitution for damages done." He gives her a smile and the thuggish part melts away. Green eyes gleam. He is good at smiling. Note: some people get very scared when he smiles at them, but that's a different sort of smile. She wouldn't like that smile. "I am Thomas, by the way." He extends a hand in case she wishes to shake it.

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
"Ayanna", the French girl replies and takes the offered hand for a brief handshake. "She pulls out her bottle of mineral water from her purse, it's near half full. "I guess I could use more water, thank you", she says with a small nod.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake says, "You're very welcome." How French can you get? He hurries to get the water. Fortunately, the Beacon is an upscale theater and Perrier is available. It is not lost on Thomas that, a bit over a year ago, he'd been drinking water out of muddy footprints at times and was glad elephants had big feet at that. he also gets a bucket of popcorn, without that motor oil they call butter on it. Then he gets himself an orange juice.

Hurrying back to Ayanna he hands her the bottle and thanks her for being so nice. He sits two seats down from her and smiles again.

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
Ayanna Dreyfus nods and smiles at Thomas, saying "thank you" softly again and storing the fresh bottle in her bag to slowly warm up to a temperature that would freeze her brain or irritate her throat. She unscrews the cap from her bottle and takes a sip, still not finishing it. "I've never watche a movie with a live orchestra before", she says.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Ah. Apparently he undid the Junior Mint damage. He remarks, "Well it was normal with the silent pictures of course. D.W. Griffith, Chaplin, Melier... I like the jazz they've been playing. It fits the world of the Gray Ghost. It's timeless. The production of the series made a point of mixing up props and references to blur the time of the setting. Jazz is timeless as well. Are you enjoying the movie?"

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
Ayanna Dreyfus notices the young man knows quite a bit about cinema and this movie too, she not wanting to offend with her overly feminine/French preferences, she nods, saying "yes, it's certainly a different experience, especially now that most of the videos we see are on a tiny phone screen".

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake leans forward. The gray Ghost in his civilian guise is in a club, putting some questions to an energetic if vapid hostess. "That's... my mother. Sienna Blake. Right before she got married." He grins suddenly and forgets the world for a moment, almost in his own reality. As for the woman, it is very clear where Thomas gets his eyes, and good looks from. His are marred, on closer examination with many healed scars and nicks. They seem to enhance his image rather than diminish it. "Phones are no way to watch movies. The only reason they've gotten bigger is because some genius realized they can show pornography on them."

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
"So your mother is a movie actress?", Ayanna asks curiously. Obviously this is a movie and not the actual super heroes portraying themselves. With all the huge ego of super heroes and villains, she's never heard of anyone also portraying themselves on screen. "You do look alike", she adds with a smile, meaning it as a compliment.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake waits till the scene is over before answering. "My mother and father both died a while ago. Hunting accident. She... quit this soon after marrying my... father." Small stress on father. he turns back to Ayanna. "That is kind of you to say. She was beautiful. Merci." He smiles at her with his mother's eyes.

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
Ayanna Dreyfus blinks a few times and flowns a little, "but, wait, isn't that supposed to be a new movie?", she asks and brushes a lock of her hair away from her face, leading it to rest behind her ear.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake explains, "The show is old. They repackaged a couple of related episodes dealing with these Fascists and released it as a movie this year. The studio wanted to capitalize on the fact people actually liked this show and Simon Trent. The jerks. Simon is a humanitarian as well as a great actor. I signed him to a cable show I'm working on." Thomas gets a shush and quiets down.

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
Ayanna Dreyfus giggles softly at Thomas being hushed by another distant figure in the cinema hall and nods without words, keeping her mouth shut not to annoy anyone with her voice or her accent.

Simon Trent has posed:
     Simon slowly sneaks his way into the theater. He's got his head kept down and his usual attire as he makes his way to the nearest available seat to the door. He lowers himself down watching the silver screen with a great deal of interest as he lowers himself further and further into the seat attempting to keep himself from view.

     There wasn't nearly the turnout he was expecting, then again he wasn't exactly expecting packed wall to wall with cinema goers, but a man can hope and dream.

     The Simon Trent on the screen as the civilian gray ghost is a much younger man in his early 30's. He's confident and chiseled as the modern day Simon but there's more of that youthful spark to him as he wines and dines around the building on screen. Say what you want about how cheesy some of the concepts and scripting on display are there's something enchanting about his performance as he gives it his all showing that the Academy was right to give him those awards even if his talents were considered wasted on Beware the Gray Ghost.

     The next scene on display is the notorious dancing scene where in civilian garb the Gray Ghost dances the night away with a singer songwriter who was at the time all the rage but in hindsight had turned to be something of a one hit wonder as with so many of the big name guest stars on these old shows.

     The dancing is fluid and rhythmic having clearly taken countless retakes to get right as they disperse dialog in the midst of their choreography, not the least creative way to give something of an information dump.

June Connor has posed:
    The psuedo-employee of Thomas, and incidentally the woman who was accessory to Ayanna's spontaneous temporary kidnapping, both walk into the theater. They are the same person. June's hair has been dyed a new color, it's more purple than it was previously, but still with the same style. She's late, but who cares, it's not like she actually paid to get in. If you can't use ninja skills to freeload a film now and again, then what are they good for, anyway?

    She strolls down the aisle, right past Thomas, hearing his voice as he's shushed. Oh, a date, she gives him an inverted nod and continues past, apparently not even recognizing Ayanna, before plopping unceremoniously into a seat with one between her and Simon Trent, the star of the show. However, she isn't looking at him, and seems to have no concept that she's just sat next to a movie star.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake notes the sometimes absent employee. "Excuse me a moment," he tells Ayanna. He takes a Junior Mint and thumb flicks it at the back of June's head. "I know her." Where's she been lately? Doing stuff for Satana no doubt! Flick! He readies another mint in case he misses.

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
Ayanna Dreyfus blinks at Thomas and gasps voicelessly at his rudenes. Throwing things at people, from behind, at their head and the thing being sweets...? That's so many paux pas without even mentioning the bad relation between hair and sweets. Still, she remains quiet, the movie is playing and that figure is his friend, so, whatever?

Simon Trent has posed:
     Simon is absorbed in the film quoting his own lines. It's been so long for him since he'd actually seen an episode of the gray ghost proper and yet it all floods back to him like a waterfall. He's quiet in his quoting as he leans forward towards the screen. He can remember filming this episode the trouble it gave his feet the retakes the long hours deep into the- ow.

     He blinks a few times, drawn completely out of the movie as something beans him in the back of the head quite firmly. It's a low pause from him as he reaches behind his back grabbing the Jr mint that had smacked him right square in the back of the head by mistake. He turns around on the spot looking for where it might have come from so that he can avoid the next one that might come flying his direction.

June Connor has posed:
    June was just adjusting into her seat when the mint flicks Simon in the back of the head. She glances at him as he turns around, more as a curiosity of what causes his turning than anything else. She spots Thomas again and his date, and then looks back at Simon. Wait...

    She takes several long seconds staring at him, unapologetic to how awkward that might be. He looks a lot like someone. She looks back at the screen. "No fuckin' way." She does another look at the Simon and back to the screen. Back to Simon, as if trying to clarify with the light of the screen as her only sourse. Is that actually Simon Trent?

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake climbs over the seats to the row between him and Simon and then over into their row. Some executive producer. He freezes when he sees who it is.

"Mr. Trent... I am... so sorry. I was having a little joke with my friend over there." He nods at June. "I hope I didn't hu..."

"Hey. You. Pretty boy! that's enough outta you. You got any upbringing or you live with animals?" Well as a matter of fact...

Thomas straightens up and turns to be confronted by an usher. The usher is confronted by Thomas' chest. "Are you ditching middle school or something?" Thomas asks.

He gets grabbed by the arm and is dragged from the seats and up the row too surprised then bemused to act.

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
Ayanna Dreyfus looks at the unfolding scene with surprise written all over her face, which is well illuminated by the light coming from the cinema screen, though not probably enough to tell the color of her eyes. She looks at the exchange between Thomas and the person, Trent? Learning the other person was the one he actually aimed at. Impolote and a bad aim. Sheesh...

Simon Trent has posed:
     "No, it's fine, normally I'd have caught it with my incredible ref-" and Thomas is being drug off, that's rude they were in the middle of a conversation in the midst of a somewhat crowded theater. Who just interrupts a perfectly good conversation like that?

     Simon stands up from his seat and makes his way to the row just to follow along behind the usher and explain the situation to him, surely this whole thing can just be swept under the rug like so many Junior Mints.

June Connor has posed:
    Why didn't June buy popcorn? It would be very iconic to have at the moment. As Trent's identity is confirmed, a wry smile of amusement crosses her face. "Shit, this is better than the movie," she comments with a laugh at Thomas' expense. She happily stands to her feet, stepping out of the row so Simon can extricate himself and join the conversation. Instead of sitting back down, though, she just turns around to lean against the row in front of her.

There's someone sitting in that seat, and she turns around to see June's butt next to her face. "Uh, excuse me?" she says to June.

    "Yer lookin' the wrong way," June comments to the side. "Check out who's in the theater," she says. The woman and her date turn around, seeing the one and only Simon Trent.

    "Oh wow, is that really him?" she asks her date. Danger. The public has been alerted.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Mini-usher is somewhat mollified. Provided the great actor will watch over 'Pretty Boy.' A somewhat subdued Thomas returns sitting next to June. He says in a whisper, "Not one word. You get me?" He rises up in a crouch and gestures to Ayanna, point to her, then holding his hands in front of his chest like he has arthritis or is miming she has large breasts. After a moment he stops that and points to the large popcorn he left beside her. I mean she does... never mind. He wants the popcorn.

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
Ayanna doesn't understnad how and why would the popcorn be related to her breasts, making her blush a little and blink a few times in confusion and maybe more than a bit of offense. Still, she grabs the popcorn and makes her way over, avoiding the urge to just turn it upside down to rain down on Thomas's head, handing it to him instead. She can't help feeling sorry for the orchestra who must be pretty much playing mostly for themselves with all the distractions around.

Simon Trent has posed:
     A low murmur spreads through the theater between the patrons a murmur consisting of two confused words "Simon Trent?" Simon stands confident on the spot as he realizes that the jig is up so to say. He puffs out his chest and looks over towards the film screen listening to the orchestra as he tries to calm people down somewhat. A few more people make their way into the aisle to get a look at him. "Wow he got old" One voice speaks up quietly causing Simon to point a finger and start to say something before lowering his finger slightly as someone else adds. "When did he lose his hair?" and "Didn't he die back in 2017?"

     It's far from the outpouring of fan adoration that he might have been expecting when he showed up. He blinks his eyes rapidly for a few moments collecting himself. The wind flows out from his sails completely deflating him partially as he clears his throat and makes his way back for his seat.

June Connor has posed:
    June's response is simply to give the grin of the cat that ate the canary. "I didn't say shit," she answers, chewing on a piece of her fingernail in amusement. She glances over at Ayanna, "Damn, you got balls," she tells Thomas as he makes the indication in front of Ayanna of her chest size. June's chest looks like it decided to call it quits at age twelve, so there's certainly no chance that the motions are an indication of her own endowment.

    "So could you...?" the woman in front of June tries to indicate again that she doesn't like that June's butt is still sitting on the back of her seat.

    June doesn't answer, but she does move, standing up. She glances back at Ayanna. Why does she look familiar? Hmm.

    As Simon's star moment seems to fall flat, she offers a crooked frown. "Damn, that's harsh," she says, earning a couple of shushes that were previously directed to Thomas. "What? It's true, y'all are assholes to the guy that made the movie you're watchin'." She doesn't seem to be so concerned with public opinion of her behavior. "Man's a legend, don't be dicks."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake whispers, "I was indicating a bowl. Here this is a bowl." Gestures a bit. "These are breasts." Gestures some more. The distinction is faint. 'Oh, sorry. This is the lovely Ayanna. This is June and the great Simon Trent."

The orchestra stops playing. The film stops. After a moment an MC comes on the stage with a microphone and the lights go on.

The MC speaks as the theater falls silent. "Ladies and gentlemen... I would like to thank the great Simon Trent for that amusing bit of improv. Thank you, Mr. Trent. We will now ask again for your /silence/... and best behavior as we return to _The Gray Ghost Strikes_... having rewound the last ten minutes. Thank you Mr. Trent." There is a scattering of polite applause. Thomas settles down and offers popcorn. The lights go down.

Ayanna Dreyfus has posed:
Ayanna Dreyfus drops into a vacant seat as soon as the lights turn on, not wanting to be standing there like a sore thumb. It's enough she might already be associated with one most impolite person here. She offers a smile and a nod to Simon and June, narrowing her eyes a little at the latter as there's something familiar about her. She keeps her mouth shut and thus keeps her annoying accent to herself, but she nearly groans at Thomas's indications of bowls and breasts. If she would have groaned, it too would probably sound French.

Simon Trent has posed:
     Simon makes his way back to his seat attempting not to start any further stir within the cinema. He's embarrassed and more than a bit put off by the whole situation but he seems to be somewhat used to it. He sets himself down with care as the movie reels its way back the prior ten minutes of chaos a bit more red in the face than he was prior.

     He slinks down into his chair playing off the whole thing with a look of confidence the moment he notices a pair of younger gentlemen looking in his direction. (Well that could have gone much better) A voice echoes out in his head as sat beside him is the apparition only he can see of the Gray Ghost. (All the acting in the world can't get you out of a sour situation half as well as good old fashioned honesty.) As he looks back to the silver screen watching the familiar scenary roll on by.

June Connor has posed:
    "Well," June looks back at Thomas and Ayanna. "I'll let you two do your thing," she gives a waggle of the eyebrows. She knows what Thomas is like, it's not like he hides it. She removes herself from the row, and is that one bold person in the theater who goes to reseat herself right next to the movie star. Hey, he's probably rich! Why wouldn't she?

    "Sup," she says simply, this time not leaving the seat gap between herself and Simon.