Chapter Text
Flying into LAX, Anna was starting to feel a little apprehensive. This new job was going to be demanding. Before she got the phone call from Paramount Pictures, she never would have believed it possible. Her dream was finally becoming reality. Production running was the first step towards becoming a producer. Hopefully this would be an opportunity to make connections in an industry where it was all about building relationships. The old saying, it's not what you know, it's who you know. Sums up the movie industry.
As soon she exited the plane, she was hit by the warmth of the Californian sun. It was such a refreshing change from her hometown of cold, dreary London. To tell you the truth, the location itself excited her as much as the job opportunity, the allure of Hollywood was too strong to resist. As she queued through arrivals and made it to the baggage carrousel she smiled to herself, this was sure going to be an adventure. As she waited for her luggage to come around on the conveyor belt she immediately regretted how much luggage she had brought. When it came to hauling the three huge trunks from the conveyor belt she felt like explaining to the people staring that she was going to be here for a long time. Blockbuster movies aren't shot in a day after all!
She surveyed the sea of people waiting at the arrivals gate and sure enough spotted a tall, suntanned man holding a plaque with her name. Anna Williams. He was clearly the guy from Paramount Pictures, sent to drive her to the studios that would be her home for the coming months. It could take some getting used to, living in a trailer on a Studio Lot, but it would be an experience for sure. Having spoken to several people who had worked on films, none had ever heard of an assistant living in the studios alongside the actors, it was apparently unusual. Assistants were usually sent to live together in apartments or cheap hotels. One thing was for sure, whoever was behind this movie liked to do things differently. Anna had taken the job on the premise that she was not to be told who she would be working for. Her friends and family thought she was stupid for accepting but Anna was just pleased to finally be given the opportunity to work on films.
The Toyota Prius the man had waiting for her was stereotypically Californian, of course the studios wanted to embrace the "Green" ethos of the state and show how much they cared for the environment. Anna rolled her eyes, the big companies always pulled this kind of thing. Unfortunately for Anna, they hadn't thought about how little room there was in the boot. The driver had to cram her luggage in, taking over both the boot and the back seat. As Anna sat down in the passenger seat she started to feel guilty. Perhaps she didn't need to bring those twelve bikinis?
The drive from the airport to the studios was fairly uneventful nevertheless interesting. Surrounded by luggage, Anna peeked over the top of her tote bag and spied many, many palm trees. She could not wait to explore Los Angeles. Making idle chitchat with her driver, Anna interrogated him about the job she would be doing. She'd been told the barest minimum details and was frustrated that she knew so little. Her questioning was in vain however as he claimed that he didn't know what movie she would be working on and went on to say that even if he knew, he would not tell her. The rest of the journey passed in silence, Anna enthralled by the scenery.
Half an hour later they pulled up outside the iconic archway entrance to Paramount Pictures. It was even more impressive in real life. As security waved the car through the gates Anna felt the gravitas of the moment. She was about to embark on her first ever movie. Production runner may not be the most prestigious of titles but it would surely be a rock-solid start to her career. Having previously assisted actors in the West End, she was used to working with famous people but this... This was a whole different ballgame. Hollywood.
The car finally came to a stop outside a small, retro, silver trailer with a stripy awning that jutted out over a small wooden deck. The driver helped Anna out of the car and fetched her luggage inside. She thanked him as he left and relished in her new position. She was astounded as she stepped into the trailer for her first look around. It may have been small but it was simply exquisite. The living area was mostly taken up by two large light gray sofas that surrounded a light wood table. Having tested out the sofas (perhaps more comfortable than those she had left behind at home) Anna took a proper look at the kitchenette. Light gray with light wood counters, it matched the table perfectly. The refrigerator was huge, and after opening it, she was pleasantly surprised to find it fully stocked.
Making her way past the kitchenette Anna opened the first door on the left. It was a relatively roomy closet that put her overpacking fears to rest. The next door revealed a compact but well fitted bathroom, complete with fluffy, white hotel robe. Finally Anna reached the door at the end of the short corridor. Opening it, her breath was taken away. The bed was sumptuous, covered in bright white linens and throw pillows galore. A beautiful vase of pink peonies was placed on the nightstand. Anna's mouth was gaping open at the cushiness of it all. When she'd taken the job she had presumed she'd be put up in some cheap and cheerful motel. This little trailer was heaven!
Turning her back on the bedroom, she wandered back to the lounge, noticing a piece of paper sitting on the table. Picking it up she saw it was a note to her:
Hey Anna, Welcome to LA. I'm thrilled to have you assist with this project. Let's hope it's the first of many! Get a good nights sleep and come down to my office tomorrow morning, we'll be explaining everything. Jeffrey Abrams.
Anna re-read the note, wondering who Jeffrey Abrams was, and wondering where on earth his office could be? The only 'Abrams' Anna could think of was J.J Abrams, but she had never heard of him being called Jeffrey, although J.J had to be short for something... Pondering this for a moment she realised that she could just ask the security man at the front gate tomorrow morning for directions to this guy's office since it was starting to get late. The other odd thing she noticed was that this he hadn't written a specific time. She couldn't help but think they seemed extraordinarily laid back round here. They seemed to float through life, savouring every moment and most importantly, having fun. So different from London...
As evening drew in, Anna began to unpack, thankful that everything fitted in the closet and in the under bed storage. Unfortunately it was then that she realised she had no idea where to put the three empty suitcases. Leaving them temporarily in the living area (they could be sorted tomorrow), she got ready for bed. Not feeling sleepy, thanks to the jet lag, she struggled to get to sleep. This, alongside the mystery of the note kept her awake for sometime. Anna eventually got to sleep at two o'clock in the morning and woke up a short while after. She stared at the clock on the nightstand and saw it was only half past six. After lying there, still thinking about the note, she got up and wandered into her little kitchen to see what might be good for breakfast. After a quick shower and a slightly lonely breakfast of her favourite cereal (how did they know?) she decided to go out for a walk around the studios. She would ask the security guard where to go for this meeting.
Leaving her trailer, Anna noticed just how warm it was for quarter to eight in the morning, it was divine. The studios themselves were just starting to come to life, with a few people milling about on their way to work on the various sets spread out around the place. Finally reaching the security guards post Anna found him talking to another studio services worker. Feeling bad about interrupting she almost went away, planning to come back later. Fortunately his colleague bid goodbye and the security guard turned to Anna. "Morning miss, can I help you with something?"
"Yes actually! Could you please take a look at this note left in my trailer? I have no idea who it's from, but they've set up a meeting for this morning and I have no idea where to go!"
He raised an eyebrow as she passed him the note, then burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" she asked, perplexed by his sudden outburst.
"It's the director, J.J Abrams. Typical of him to put no time or place."
"What? As in J.J Abrams who directed Lost and Star Trek?" Anna looked incredulously at him. She had been right to make that connection last night, even in her crazed, jet-lagged state.
"Yep the very one. His office is in the South Corner of the studios. I'll get you a map and show you exactly where."
He disappeared off into his post and returned a short while later with a map. He'd drawn on it in Sharpie marker, a little dotted trail and an X marking the spot.
"Thank you so so much!"
"You're welcome, have a good day miss."
"You too!"
Anna walked back towards her trailer, if it is THE J.J Abrams then she decided that she should probably put some better clothes on. Daisy dukes would not impress and as it was only 8 o'clock she had time to change into something more professional.