Excuse Me, Miss

Claire entered Matt’s office and closed the door with her foot. “What is so pressing that you had to call me over?” she asked, folding her arms.

Matt looked up from his notes. His glasses were perched precariously on the end of his nose and his red hair was standing up on end. “Claire, I'm panicking.”

Claire looked around the paper-covered office. “I see that. What kind of crisis are we having today?”

“Remember how I told Kyle I'd already found someone for the lead?” Matt asked.

Claire's mouth dropped. “You haven't found anyone?” she asked incredulously.

“I've narrowed it down to three, but I can't decide who's better,” he said, shuffling papers together. “I need a feminine perspective.”

Claire sighed. “Who do you have?” she asked, coming over to the desk. Matt laid out three headshots. “This is Park Shin,” he said, pointing at the first one. Claire considered him. He was handsome, but not memorable. “Next,” Claire said dismissively.

“Go Heejin,” Matt said, moving on to the second picture. Claire shook her head. “The lead character is a prince. This guy looks more like a librarian.”

Matt coughed nervously. “Okay,” he said, discarding it. He laid out the last picture. “Choi Minho,” he said. Claire tilted her head. “I like him,” she said. “He's got a very expressive face. Do you have a full body shot?”

Matt dug out another picture and handed it to her. “How tall is he?” she asked, studying him.

“Six feet even, I think.”

“I feel like I know him from somewhere,” Claire murmured. “Has he been in other stuff?”

“Yeah, but he’s actually an idol,” Matt said. “His group’s called Shiny or Sparkly or something like that.”

“Yeah, that sounds familiar,” Claire agreed. “Have you spoken to his manager?”

“I sent the pilot script over this morning,” Matt replied. “The manager liked it, so he’s going to pass it on to Minho. Hopefully we’ll know something by tomorrow.”

Claire straightened up. “Kyle’s going to be mad if you don’t land this guy,” she reminded him. Matt groaned. “I know, I know. Thanks, Claire.”

Claire left, shaking her head. She went outside and crossed the lot to where her lighting crew was waiting. “Is the van packed?” she asked, picking up a clipboard.

Philip, her assistant, nodded. “The set’s still being finished, but we should be able to start taking test shots tomorrow afternoon.”

Claire nodded. “Make sure we have enough diffusers,” she instructed, handing him the clipboard. “I want to make sure the outdoor shots are softer this time.”

“Are you planning on taking Lonny with us?”

Claire grimaced. “Yes, but he’s on a strict drink ban around all of the equipment,” she said. “He’s lucky I didn’t take that monitor out of his paycheck.”

Claire went back inside in search of another cup of coffee. She ran a hand through her short brown hair, rumpling it carelessly. She found half a pot of coffee in the break room and poured a tall cup. She glanced Matt running by and rolled her eyes. That’s what he gets for not being ready, she thought.


******


Minho closed the script, mulling it over thoughtfully. “What’s this?” Jonghyun asked, grabbing it from him.

“A script for a new T.V. show,” Minho replied. “They want me to play the lead.”

“Really?” Jinki asked, sitting across from him. “What did Jinyeong say?”

“He thinks it’ll be a great success,” Minho said, crossing his long legs. “Since we’re not on tour he thinks I should do it.”

Jonghyun flipped the script open. “ ‘A Korean prince finds himself on the run when his family is assassinated and his throne stolen from him. He finds love and friendship in the most unlikely places, but can he save his country without losing himself?’ ” Jonghyun closed it up again. “Sounds like fun,” he said, tossing the script to Minho.

“What do you think?” Taemin asked, munching on grapes.

Minho shrugged. “I don’t know. I was thinking about taking a vacation.”

“You should do it!” Kibum called from the kitchen. “Maybe the fans will start calling you ‘Prince Minho’.”

Everyone laughed and Minho smiled. “Okay, I’ll read for them, but that doesn’t mean I’m taking it,” he said, standing up.

“Of course not, your Highness,” Jinki teased.


******


“Claire!”

Claire groaned. “I’m going to kill him,” she muttered. Philip sniggered and Claire turned around. “What’s up, Matt?” she asked. “I’m trying to get set up for-”

“Choi Minho’s agreed to read for the part!” Matt said excitedly. “He’s coming in today.”

“That’s great, Matt,” Claire murmured, watching the camera crew set up lights. They were filming in one of South Korea’s prettiest areas way up in the mountains. If it wasn’t for the constant hammering Claire could’ve believed herself in ancient Korea.

“Did you tell Kyle?” she asked, turning away from her crew.

“He sounded pretty excited about getting an idol for Prince Hyeon,” Matt said, walking down the path with her. “I just hope Mr. Choi likes the script.”

“I’m sure he does,” Claire assured him. “I’ll catch up with you later,” she said, waving Philip over.

After hours of setting up and taking test footage Claire couldn't ignore her growling stomach anymore. She headed to the food tent, mentally going over her to-do list. She heard screaming and stopped, looking around quickly. “What in the-”

A group of interns came running around the corner, squealing excitedly. “Miss Gresham!” one of them called. “Did you hear? Choi Minho is here!”

“Yeah, I know,” Claire said cautiously.

“Have you seen him? I have to have his autograph!”

Claire shrugged. “No, sorry,” she said, continuing on her way. The interns ran up the path, still squealing. Claire shook her head. Some professionalism, she thought. Kyle would tell her she was being too hard on them, but Claire simply didn't have patience for starstruck teenagers.

The food tent was empty, lunch having passed hours ago. There was pan of sandwiches wrapped in plastic and Claire leaned over it. She selected what looked like a turkey sandwich and walked up to the drink table. Her foot connected with something hard and she winced.

“Ow!”

“Sorry,” she said automatically. She started to walk away, then stopped. “Wait, what?” she muttered, setting her food down. She bent over and lifted the tablecloth up.

It was a man, laying on his side and rubbing his stomach. “Hi,” he said, giving her an awkward smile.

Claire raised her eyebrows. “Mr. Choi?” she asked.

“Yes,” he whispered.

“What are you-” there was a distant squeal and Claire dropped the tablecloth. The interns ran by again, passing the food tent without a second glance. They disappeared and Claire lifted the tablecloth again. “They're gone,” she said. “Maybe you should come out.”

Minho crawled out, getting to his feet stiffly. “Thank you,” he said, bowing.

“I thought idols loved their fans,” Claire commented.

“Yeah, but those girls are crazy,” he said, brushing leaves off of his clothes. “I've been trying to get to the set for twenty minutes, but I keep getting cornered.”

“I'll take you,” Claire offered, grabbing her sandwich. “I'm Claire,” she said, extending her free hand.

“Choi Minho,” Minho replied, shaking her hand firmly.

“Don't worry about the interns, they're rather terrified of me,” Claire said, leading the way back to the path. “You'll be safe with me, your Highness.”

Minho blushed slightly. “I'm sorry, I interrupted your lunch,” he said, pointing at Claire's unopened sandwich.

“It's okay, I'll eat when we get to the set,” she said, brushing it off. “So are you officially our prince?”

Minho shrugged. “I liked the script, but I'm not sure I'm right for this role. Hyeon seems like a really intense character. I don't know if I can pull that off.”

“Think about it this way,” Claire said, putting her hands into her pockets. “Hyeon seems intense at first, but that's more of a front. Really he's vulnerable and scared, not to mention grieving the loss of his family. You don't have to turn yourself into a prince. You have to turn a prince into a human being.”

Minho stopped. “I never thought of it that way,” he said, smiling slightly. “Did you write the script?”

“No, my brother did,” Claire replied. “Kyle's always been a little romantic, though he pretends he's not. I helped him with a lot of the editing.”

“So what do you do?” Minho asked, resuming their walk.

“I'm the DP,” Claire replied.

“ 'DP’?” Minho echoed.

“Director of photography,” she clarified. “It's my job to make sure you look pretty on camera.”

Minho laughed as they turned the corner to the set. “Wow,” he said, looking up at the nearly completed palace.

“Impressive, right? It's almost too bad it has to be burned down.”

“Burned down?” Minho asked. “Oh right, the fire. That's how Hyeon’s family dies, right?”

“They're already dead before the fire starts,” a voice behind them said. They turned around and Claire smiled. “Minho, this is my brother, Kyle Gresham,” she said. “Kyle, this is Choi Minho, your prospective prince.”

Kyle shook Minho’s hand. “Nice to meet you,” he said, “though we were expecting you half an hour ago.”

“I'm sorry, I kept him talking,” Claire said before Minho could speak. “I was giving him some details on his character.”

“Were you? And how do you feel about it?” Kyle asked, looking at Minho.

Minho glanced at Claire. “I think I'd love to play Prince Hyeon,” he replied. “If you'll have me.”

Kyle looked pleased. “I'll contact your manager and have the contracts drawn up,” he said, pulling out his phone. He walked away, talking rapidly.

“That was fast,” Claire said, unwrapping her sandwich.

“You made a convincing argument,” Minho said, winking at her. “I think we're going to be great friends.”

“Don't you think we'll be a little busy to be friends?” Claire asked, biting into her sandwich.

“Never,” Minho replied with a grin.

Notes