A Beginning
The four young men sat in their recording studio excitedly paging through a book of actors. Every few minutes, one making a comment or deciding who they liked or didn't, very little recording had gotten done that day much to their producer's dismay.
"Oo! Would ya' look at that? We have ta' use him! And we should have a midget, and a very fat lady!" one said excitedly as he exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"That's all well and good John," another chided "However, we can't just have a bus full of midgets and very fat ladies. I think we should work on casting the rest of the bus as well"
"Well, what about her?" the shortest of the four asked.
"yech...her face is all pinched up"
"how about him?"
"He'll do.."
"Ooo...how about her?" John said holding the book up and making it dance
"Nah..." his friend dismissed.
"This bird then?" the short one pointed out a young actress with dark hair. The leader of this project had gone silent looking over the head shot of the girl.
"Alright, Paulie what's wrong with her? Too short? Wrong color hair?" John asked finally.
"Sod off ya' git" Paul laughed "She's perfect for this!"
"Right then, are we done with this for now? I want ta' look at the funny lookin' ones" John added.
"I think we're done...I'll tell Mal to call their agents" Paul said before flipping through the book again with John.
I couldn't believe the call when I got it. It wasn't that I never heard from my casting agent, however it was normally for a commercial or small film. Well, this was a small film...only an hour in length, but it was starring four of the biggest names in Great Britain and they'd hand-picked me.
"Tilly, are ya' still there love?" Malcolm asked me over the phone. I must've been silent for a while.
"Yeah Malcolm, I'm here." Was all I could reply with, as my flat mate watched me eagerly from the couch.
"Are ya' interested in the project, they need an answer as soon as possible" he explained.
Was I interested? What a question! What actress wasn't interested in being in a Beatles film? After the success of A Hard Day's Night, there was practically bloodshed in the acting community to get into Help! I tried for that one, never quite made the cut, now here I am a year later, being told I was hand-picked for the next movie. For me, it wasn't just because I enjoyed their music, but it was a way to boost my own career! Finally I answered my agent.
"Yeah, I'm interested" I said calmly. In my head I was turning cartwheels, my flat mate laughing at me as I mouthed "Oh My God" over and over again.
"Brilliant! It's called Magical Mystery Tour and it starts filming in 2 weeks" Malcolm said excitedly
"Alright, when do I get the script?" I asked. A valid question I thought. He was always grand about getting me scripts so I was able to study up on what I'd be doing, whether I had a dozen lines or said a single word, I'd still want to make that word fantastic so I would be cast again, especially with something this big!
"Well, Tilly love..." Malcolm started "There is no script. Only a rough idea really"
No script? He knew improvisation wasn't my strength! Suddenly the anxiety kicked in and my brain was racing!
"No script?!? Are you daft man?" I said unable to control myself "You know what my strengths are!"
"Tilly lovey, don't worry! You were one of the hand-picked actresses. Just show up and do whatever it is you're asked. I know you can do this! It's an opportunity you really can't afford to turn down!" Malcolm told me. I looked around at the small flat I was living out of, the 'meal' of noodles for dinner and realized....he was right.
"Alright, I'll do it" I sighed.
"Fantastic! You won't regret it!" He said excitedly before ringing off. I placed the phone on the receiver, feeling a sudden wave of joy and trepidation.
"So what commercial are ya' in now Tilly? Are we gettin' another lifetime supply of mouth wash?" Ah yes...my wonderful flat mate, Sam, she loved to tease about that bloody commercial (it was 2 years ago and I still haven't lived it down).
"Sod off!" I said laughing as I chucked a throw pillow at her, still lounged on the couch watching the BBC. "I'll have you know, I was just cast in a new Beatles' film!"
"Don't lark with me Tilly luv!" she said springing up. I can't say I blame her for not believing me, we had that kind of relationship...we joked a lot and sarcasm was never lacking in our flat.
"I'm not! If you want, call Malcolm!" I laughed taking my bowl into the kitchen.
"Alright, alright...you're in a Beatles film Miss Tilly, I'll believe ya'" she said before heading down the tiny hall to our shared bathroom. "I'm going to shower, I don't know what to do with meself over such news!" she said leaning against the door frame and fanning herself. I simply rolled my eyes. That was Sam for ya', always a joker. I can't claim I was much better however. The next thing I did, was call my mum. I knew she wouldn't be overjoyed. It's not that my mum didn't support me, she just wasn't so sure about my choice to pursue acting seriously.
Two weeks came and went. I found myself in an area of Cornwall, nearly 5 hours from home in London, amongst many other actors and actresses. There was a tall busty blonde, I remember that well, looking and my own small frame, trying my hardest to make myself look a bit more...endowed and questioning how I was hand-picked. I remember waking up that morning, showering, and getting a last minute talk from my flat mate (I had to call her, I was ready to stay hidden in my hotel room!).
"Don't be nervous dear," a large woman assured me. I must've looked like a scared little child standing and waiting with them, she continued "My name is Jessie, Jessie Robbins. What's yours then? I figure we'll be workin' together we should at least be on a first name basis" she smiled warmly. I smiled back. I liked her already, she was very welcoming. My biggest trouble as an actress was the fact I was hopelessly shy.
"Tilly, Tilly Beckham" I answered finally.
Jessie, made me feel at ease amongst the excitement and nervousness coursing through my entire body that morning. We'd talked about various projects we'd worked on, our favorite music. The usual small talk. Then the statement "tell us about yourself love" came about.
Ok, about me. I'm a born and raised Londoner, I'm 5'3" and painfully shy. Sure, I can act and love doing so, but get me in a normal conversation and I'm at a loss. I've always been a little unsure of myself due to a large rivalry from my older sister, both physically and on various talents. I'm not what one would call plain, nor gorgeous, I'm in this strange middle ground, but I have always been a good actress. My family? Since I mentioned them briefly, I'm the middle child. I have one sister who I don't get on with very well, and another I do. My older sister has this thing that she has to be better than me. I've learned to cope with it, most of the time.
Much as all these thoughts swirled through my head, all I could answer to Jessie was "Oh, I'm your average 23 year old actress hoping to become famous"
She laughed at my joke.
"Well, lovey I'm sure you will someday" she assured. Just then there was a hush over the room, followed by cheers. There they were, the four most famous lads in the UK, John, Paul, George and Ringo. I was in disbelief! Once the room quieted down again Paul spoke to us.
"Welcome everyone. We're happy to have you on board this little project of ours. Um...we do hope you enjoy yourselves. Again, thank you all for joining us on what we hope will be a grand success"
More cheers. Much as my parents always wanted me to be a proper London girl, I had a soft spot for scousers.
The next thing I knew, we were being moved outside to a large bus. As we made our way outside, the shortest of the fabs walked up beside Jessie and I. Ringo, as he was known. I recognized him instantly, his soft, sad eyes...the famous nose and a warm smile.
He grinned at Jessie "So, I hear you'll be me Auntie in this?"
"'spose I am. Although, with a ned like that I don't see how ya' could be related to me!" she laughed. Ringo laughed with her, in turn I laughed along.
"Who's this then?" Ringo asked taking note of me. I blushed horribly.
"Ah, this is the lovely Tilly" Jessie said. "She'll be joining us on the bus"
"Tilly is it?" Ringo asked. I only nodded.
"Well, then Tilly, welcome aboard our little film" he smiled "hope you don't find us to be too much"
I took my seat on the bus, at least where I had been assigned to sit. I hadn't really gotten to know anyone except Jessie who was sitting quite a few rows ahead of me. I knew eventually, as with all projects, I'd get out of my own head and make friends. That day, was beyond terrifying! I sat and calmly smoothed out my skirt, and fussed with my hair. I'd always kept it long, and it had its days of insubordination, and of course as luck would have it, that day was the day it chose to misbehave. As I was fussing with it in a small mirror, a voice crept over the seat in front of me, "makin' yourself all pretty for me then luv?" I knew the voice. I glanced up, peering at the wire rimmed glasses he'd made famous "I'm flattered" he laughed. Not wanting to appear flustered I rolled my eyes, luckily he caught the sarcasm behind my eyeroll and asked "What's your name then?"
"Tilly Beckham, should I bother asking yours?" I joked.
"Well, since you're so polite. It's John. Pleasure to meet ya'," he said extending a hand he then motioned to the man sitting next to him "this quiet git, is George...or did you not need an introduction to him either?"
We laughed. At that moment, I knew John and I would get on well. He reminded me, oddly enough of my flat mate Sam...only male.
The rest of that first day was honestly, a wonderfully chaotic blur. Once I realized that while there was no script, it was ok to just let go and be me, I had fun! There were a lot of random scenes shot on the bus that day, a lot of it was dialogue between Ringo and Jessie, I joked with John and George most of the day. A few scenes would never make it to the final cut. I went to the hotel I was staying at that night, where I ran into a few fellow actors, had a nice dinner with them and went back to my room. I called Sam to tell her about my first day on set, I was ecstatic.
Did I forget to mention at the time I had a boyfriend? Probably, he wasn't really worth mentioning up until this point...not sure if he is even now. Don't get me wrong, he was the epitome of perfect to most girls, dark brown hair, light blue eyes...you get the idea. So, that night I was talking with Sam...Much of the talk I'd expected ("How are they?" "Is it fun?" "What are you doing?"). I answered laughing at each question.
"So, is Paul as gorgeous in person as he is on the telly?" she gushed. I rolled my eyes which I swear she could hear over the phone
"I'm not really lookin luv, I've got a boyfriend"
There was a silence over the phone. I just suspected it was her attempt at a silent treatment over the phone.
"Besides, I thought you liked John best" I teased. She laughed weakly
"Yeah, you're right." I quickly shifted gears.
"How is Cedric? I haven't talked to him since before I left, I promised I'd ring him tonight" I asked figuring he'd at least ask Sam about me. There was a long silence on the phone, where I knew Sam was trying to figure out how to tell me something. My heart sank. I knew something was wrong.
"Tilly lovey...you're my best friend..." she started. I sat on my bed.
Sam let out a sigh "I was out tonight with Ginny, we saw Cedric at the pub"
"Yeah? Don't tell me he got so bombed he passed out in our bath again" I sighed.
"No. It's not that, he was with someone..." she said softly.
"With someone?"
Finally Sam came out with it "Tilly, he was with Daphne". If I didn't think my heart could sink lower, I was wrong. Daphne, my older sister. This was a new low for her.
"I confronted him about it..." Sam continued "It's been going on for a while behind your back apparently, you're being away on this film just gave him more space to mess around. I couldn't keep it from you"
"I have to go." Was all I could muster. I laid back on my bed and sobbed. Cedric and I had been dating nearly a year, of all the people...he had to cheat on me with my sister, who he knew there was bad blood with. I don't recall what time I'd gotten to bed that night, only that I awoke the next morning not wanting to go back to the set.
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this one has a slow start, but its one of my favourites actually. comments and such are appreciated (be kind :) )
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