Death of a Blue Movie Star (Rune 2)

Who still hadn't called.

No, don't think about him now.

Tommy absently polished the buckle with his thumb. The metal tongue went right through Dallas.

"Hey." He smiled. He squinted, meaning: Sorry, I've forgotten your name.

She stuck her hand out and as they shook she said, "Rune."

"Right, sure. How's your film coming?"

"Slow, but moving along."

Then he said to Nicole, "You're looking pretty good today."

There was silence for a moment.

Odd woman out. Rune stood up.

"I better be going. I'm late for work."

"Naw, stay, stay," Tommy said. "I only stopped by for a minute. I wanted to ask Nicole something. But maybe you're interested too, Rune. Want a job?"

"I better not take on another one. I'm not doing too well with the one I've got," Rune said.

"Like, doing what?" Nicole asked Tommy.

"I'm doing a tape on how to make vegetarian appetizers. I need a chef."

Rune shook her head. "Unless they come in a boil-pouch you're talking to the wrong person."

"I don't know," Nicole said. "Would I have to, you know, talk?"

"Not on camera. All you've got to do is mix up stuff. Garlic and avocado and sprouts and peanut butter ... Well, not all together. I mean, they're great recipes. Come on, honey. It'll be a snap. It's for one of my infomercials."

She said, "You're sure I wouldn't have to, like, memorize dialogue?"

Tommy said, "Naw, it's all voice-over. You just make the food, then we record the vocal track after. Do as many takes as you want."

Nicole looked at Rune. "You're sure you don't want to?"

Tommy said to her, "I really could use two."

"Full plate right at the moment."

Nicole asked, "And I'd get paid?"

"Oh, sure. We aren't talking union. But the client'll cough up a hundred bucks an hour for talent. Should be about three hours tops, with the prep time and any reshoots."

"What about my fingernails?" She held them up--an inch-long and glossy burnt-umber.

"Come on," he chided, grinning. "You're looking for excuses."

"Go for it, Nicole," Rune encouraged.

A smile spread across her glossy lips. "A movie with my clothes on ... My mother's been after me for years to try that." She shoved her hand, with its lethal nails, toward Tommy.

"Deal," she said, and they shook as if they'd just signed a million-dollar contract.