Bron-31

Continued from Chapter 30: Bron-30 | ABCtales

The cast and crew of West Two productions, ranged in the motley collection of old armchairs and stools eyed Chris expectantly. Bron was at the head of the table, as it were, perched on an old metal beer cask. “You said you had some big news?”! Mike ventured.

“Er, yes. I have. I think I told you that I was going to see that US production company a few weeks back?”

“Yes, you did Chris.”

Chris looked down at his feet, as if his next words were scrawled in chalk on the mottled grey concrete of the concrete floor of the garage. He seemed strangely downbeat, not his usual self.

“Well,” he continued, as if remembering the reason why he was addressing the gathering. “They’ve agreed to fund the next stages of the film, find us a proper studio, decent props, get us a distribution deal, do promotion here and in the States ..”

“WOW! That’s FANTASTIC! Absolutely fuck-in fan-fuckin-TASTIC! Hollywood here we come!” yelled Geoff. “Did you hear that, guys? We’re MADE! Fuckin’ MADE!”

The others were silent, stunned even. Then everyone burst into whoops, yells, high-fives, hands clapped.

“Guys! Guys! GUYS!” said Chris, straining above the din. “It’s not all good news.”

“Why? Whatyer mean? Sounds absolutely brill to me…” said Mike.

“Er, Bron. Think we could have a word … in private?”

“No need. Tell everyone, if they’re going to hear it anyway.”

“OK, well, if you’re sure, Bron. They made a couple of conditions … they stipulated … that they made was that … we replace Bron. They want someone who can do the accent, got someone lined up – Brooke Mallory…”

“Who?”

“Played opposite Kelvin Costa in Tumbleweed … Tumbleweed Two, I think. Maybe Three. Up and coming … Blonde, slightly ditzy …look Bron, I feel terrible about this. I’m so, so sorry about this. I really am. But they do want to keep that scene where’re you almost drown in the Pacific. And the one where you pour the coffee over Sergeant Mearns … if they can find a way of screening your face out a bit.”

“So Bron’s been reduced to Brooke Whatshername’s stunt double …”

“Probably couldn’t persuade her to jump into ice-cold water.”

“Bitch!”

To be continued in Chapter 31