An article from the most recent web version of Rhy'Din People:

http://rdi.dragonsmark.com/forums/images/avatars/portrait/122220547753835b008987c.jpg Author Michael Donnelly

Rumor has it that Legendary Films has purchased the movie rights to the best-selling novel Rhy'Din Nights after a bidding war with several smaller film companies.

When asked for comment, Michael Donnelly, author of the novel and its prequel Boston Nights, stated that the movie rights were for sale, but that his publisher was handling the deal and that he was not at liberty to reveal more than that. Donnelly's first novel was on the NY Times Bestseller List for twenty weeks, and was subsequently made into a major motion picture starring Elena De Luca, who has since become his wife.

He did confirm for us that the screenplay adaptation has been completed, but as yet, no firm deal has been reached for the rights to a movie. When asked if Elena was being considered for a role, he said he was not aware of any casting offers, as yet, but that his wife would most likely not be part of any new film deal.

We'll keep our readers up to date as more details about the movie are forthcoming.

What do you think" Who would you like to see star in an upcoming film version of the novel" Leave your suggestions in the comments section below and let us know what you think!

((OOC Note: Feel free to post your characters' responses to the article as replies below. The book is semi-autobiographical and features a romance between two people battling alcoholism amidst the weirdness that's Rhy'Din. There are two main characters - one male and one female - and a small cast of supporting characters. Any questions, let me know. And just have fun with it!))

Annabeth started asking around as soon as she heard the rumors. Without an agent, she knew she'd have to run down every lead on her own. It didn't matter to her. She knew she had to get a part in this movie. It didn't matter how small. She'd even grab an extra position.

She wanted the Jacqueline Ross part though. It wasn't the leading lady, which was just fine with her, but it was a meaty supporting role — like Stella in Streetcar.

She was a little concerned though, she hoped that the filming schedule wouldn't conflict with rep rehearsals. If it did, she'd just have to drop the film. Her first duty was to Rep. But if she could do both, it would be a marvelous holiday season for her.

A good distraction too.

"Oh my gosh! Are you joking me!"!" Yasmin was all but yelling into the phone.

She said softer, "Sorry, Eddie....Seriously, though' Seriously I got a part?" She continued pacing back and forth in her small studio apartment in the marketplace.

There was a slight pause as Eddie answered. Stopping in mid-step, she asked with an excited, "Oh my gosh! Which part?" She listened to her agent's response, before shrieking, "No way! No way! You are kidding me."

Upon hearing his answer, Yasmin immediately started jumping up and down. The vibrations caused some of her second floor furnishings to bounce a little including the nearby fish tank, full of her tiny seamonkies. "Oh my gosh," she repeated for about the twentieth time.

She went over and sat down on her big teal Papasan chair. Bringing her legs up and crossing them one over the other, she laid back with one hand still holding her cell phone to her ear while the other was soon slapped across her forehead. "How in the world did I get the lead?"

She let her free hand drop down next to her on the cushioned seat as Eddie explained all the details.

Yas finally spoke up again, "Yeah, I know I put in for that and the best friend but that was just because I was just shooting high. I wasn't even sure I was going to get anything....I mean, they know I'm "DJ Zazzy Yas", right?" Said with a negative connotation, it was probably the only time she didn't say her on-air personality name with an overly exaggerated sense of self-importance.

"Of course I want the part!" she shouted, jumping up from the chair.

She continued pacing around the whole apartment as she said, "Yeah, go ahead and let them know....Yeah. Yeah, I'll take a couple minutes to get myself together....Ok, I'll talk to you in about a half hour."

It was the longest twenty five minutes of her life.

By the time Eddie called back, she was pacing around the small living room. The seamonkies were excitedly pacing with her, assuming she would be feeding them each time she got near the tank.

"Hello!" Yas answered the phone on the first half ring. "Yeah, so what?s the news?"

"Ok, good," she replied to his answer. "So everything's cool on the financial end....Wait. I wanted to ask you something."

He interrupted before she got a chance to ask, but she clarified, "No, no, Eddie, I know you'll take care of the media. I'm not worried about that. What I want to know is if the movie's got its soundtrack yet."

"No, no, not for me. I've been trying to push this band at WHAM but the execs won't really go full on with them since, you know, it's more "play music" and less "make music". But they are good. If I send you one of their demo tapes, can you see if the person in charge of the soundtrack hears them?"

"Thanks, Eddie. I appreciate it. ...Ok, I'll talk to you later, bud." With a flick of her finger, she ended the call and plopped down in her Papasan chair once more. Sighing softly, she said to herself, "Ok, Yas....this is it....Now you're real.?

"Yas, doll, how ya been?" Eddie said pleasantly, finding her at the little tea shop in the marketplace where she told him to meet her.

"Eddie! Please!" Yasmin said in a hushed tone, rushing over to him through the small aisles of loose tea in glass mason jars.

Even though she told him she would be wearing a pink flower in her hair, he could see passed her middle aged brunette disguise in a New York minute. It was in her bright sky blue eyes. He could pick those eyes out of a lineup. "Whaaat?" The smooth talking agent asked nonchalantly in his accent.

"Com"on, I'm incognito here," Yas said, unintentionally picking up his accent.

"Alrigh' alrigh"," he said quieter. He could tell when she was stressed. She had a habit of mimicking people, a little too closely if-ya-know-what-I-mean. "Com"on, let's sit "ere," he walked her over to a little nook with some seats where customers where encouraged to try samples. "Tell me what?s up, doll."

Yas sat down and took a breath, becoming calm for a moment by breathing in some chamomile tea bag samples beside them. "I don't know. I don't know if I can do this..."

"Whadaya mean?" Eddie asked in his usual rapid fire rate. "You know you got this gig in the bag. You're the girl for this part. Yas, hon, you're the girl for every part. That's your slogan."

"I don't mean for the part," Yas said, half offended. "I mean I don't know if I can do this with the gossip columns."

"Doll, you just have to stand there while I take the shots. I handle the rest. There's nothin" for you "to do"," Eddie said, trying to figure out what the problem was.

"Didn't you see the latest gossip articles?" she asked, not even hiding her troubled look on her older face.

"Uh, yeah....you looked great. Well, not great. You looked terrible, which is great. Just how we planned it. They're so funny, cuz in one of the pictures, your glass is even full and, in another, they don't even know that bottle was half empty when you took that sip."

"No," Yas said with an exasperated sigh, "No, I mean about Eregor and Annabeth..."

"Yeah, so they asked them about it. What's the problem?"

Yas shook her head. "Annabeth was upset about the quotes..."

"You mean the quote that I tipped off the gossip mag with' Was the blue fey witch a little much?"

"No, Eddie, the whole thing was too much. When you said we were going to stage this stuff and you'd take care of the rest, I didn't think you'd go putting words in people's mouths."

Eddie looked at her for a second. "Oh, I gotcha....Yas, hon, I'm sorry. Look for now on, I won't do nothing on behalf of the other people you're working with, "kay' No harm, no foul."

"No, Eddie, there is a foul." Yas handed him the note Annabeth left for her. "What am I supposed to say to her?"

He skimmed over it. "Yasmin, I just wanted you to know, no matter what the tabloids say, I'm not badmouthing you....if you ever want to talk, or just blow off some steam somewhere away from the paparazzi, let me know..." He looked up at her and said sympathetically, "Look, she seems like a sweet girl. She probably just wants to help ya out, ya kno?" Just send her a "I'm fine" card with a gift basket for her troubles or something."

Yas took back the note as he handed it to her and looked around, considering his idea. Whether they were for the best or not, he did have good ideas, which is why she hired him in the first place. "Do you think she likes tea...?" She asked trailing off, looking at all the selections around them.

"Oh! Lemme send it to "er," he said a little more enthusiastically than he should have.

"Why...?" Yas asked skeptically.

"Cuz I heard she doesn't have an agent and I wanna include my card," he said with his cheesy smile.

"Eddie, no. If you so much as even talk to that poor girl..."

He cut her off, "Don't worry, doll, you know you're all I can handle anyway."

She smiled and shook her head, letting some of her long brunette hair fall over her shoulder. Looking around, she put together what she thought was a pretty nice gift basket. Annabeth would find it for her the next day at the Shanachie along with an autographed head shot of Yas, signed, "AB.C. - you're good people.? Yas hoped she would interpret the simple message in two ways; that she knew Annabeth was too nice of a person to say those things to begin with, and that she thanked her for the offer.

Michael set the tabloid on the table with a sigh. Though he didn't want to make any assumptions, the photos of Yasmin were kind of damning. Was she doing it for publicity's sake or was she just method acting" Whatever the case, it was dangerous and not just for her.

He couldn't help but wonder if anyone understood the whole point of the story in the first place. It was a movie about redemption, yes, but mostly it was a love story. It was a story about two people battling their own personal demons to find true love. Maybe it was corny, but that was life. His life. Elena's life.

He tapped a finger against his coffee cup as he contemplated that. He'd already been told he wasn't welcome on set. He was "just the writer", after all. Had they all forgotten that if it wasn't for his novel and his screenplay, there wouldn't be a movie at all"

"Go home and do what you do best, Mike," the director had told him, after the first two weeks on set. "Write a sequel."

"Michael, and this is the sequel!" he had corrected the man. No one had ever called him Mike, not even his parents. And what did he mean' Do what he did best' This was his screenplay, his baby, his dream, his project. Didn't he have a right to make sure it was done right"

Still, he'd relented, going home with his tail between his legs, feeling defeated. He'd secretly vowed that if he ever wrote another screenplay, he was going to make sure he had more creative control over the final product.

Just the writer ....

It was times like these when the single bottle of brandy Elena kept in the cupboard was tempting, especially when she was at the cafe and he was home alone, doing whatever writers did when they were in between novels - a whole lot of nothing. One drink ....Just one drink wouldn't hurt, would it"

Michael sighed again and got to his feet. Maybe a little fresh air would clear his head. He grabbed his jacket and started toward the door, unsure where his feet would take him, but at least, he hadn't given in to the demons in his head.

"Look, I understand that you're allegedly a big name in Hollywood," Eregor explained as calmly as he could to the director, while simultaneously counting as high as he could until his inner self stopping ranting. He was approaching 1,000,000 and still counting. "What you're looking for in this scene is completely out of character for Ryan. He's just had a blowout argument with Roxanne, he's not going to go to a bar looking to beat someone up. He's going to go to a bar and try to drink himself into a stup-."

"Yeah, but he still gets into a fight. Bey told me once that the crowds really dig the action."

1,000,001. 1,000,002. 1,000,003. Eregor took a deep breath. "Bey is a myopic buffoon with an explosion fetish." That actually got a laugh, and he pressed his advantage. "Look, yes, the fight's in the script, but it's not something Ryan wants to win. If you want to twist this story into something fundamentally different, then maybe you should reconsider making this film....or maybe I should reconsider this part."

Now that got the man's attention, and he jabbed a finger at Eregor's chest. "You walk out on me, and I will sue your butt! I don't need some diva wannabe messing with my ****!"

Eyebrow raised, Eregor reached up and grabbed that poking finger, firmly but gently pushing it away. "You're getting your cast mixed up. Yasmin's the diva here, not me." He glanced around and spotted the aforementioned starlet staring at him with an indignant expression, and sent her a wink and a grin before turning back to their director. "I'm just an actor who cares more about the integrity of my role than the size of my paycheck. I mean, have you even read this book?"

The man frowned a little and then shrugged. "I read the script, and my girlfriend said it was a good book so..." His voice trailed off.

"Maybe you should. so you'll realize that Ryan Connelly is never going to be a macho action hero. He's a man who's just ripped open the soul of the woman he loves because he couldn't master his own demons, and now he's trying to drown them. This fight, it's a turning point. He goes into it wanting to be beaten down, and that is what drives his epiphany."

Now the director was nodding. "Yeah, I can work with that."

"You should work with Michael, too." Beat. "No, not Bey, I mean Donnelly. He may be 'just the writer' but remember that you're 'just the director' and we're 'just the actors' in all of this. It's your vision for bringing that story to life on the screen, but the story is his, and his words made all of this possible." Eregor leaned in, draping an arm across his director's shoulders. "Without him, Rhydin Nights will be a decent little film....but with his input' That's Oscar potential!"

Asher, quiet as he was through the tabloid drama and the on set shenanigans, broke his silence just for the briefest of times between cigarettes and scenes. First Eregor, then Annabeth, now Asher.

"Unless of course you wanna be known as that guy that ruined a book to movie adaptation. Just saying," the Aussie said around the cigarette caught at the edge of his mouth. The barest hint of a smirk pulled one corner of his lips upwards as he looked on. Because really, who wants to be that guy? With three impassioned pleas on the proverbial record, the elder Price sibling returned to his spot in the background.

You're just a supporting role, Ash. Don't get too smarmy. He reminded himself. At the very least though, he thought he was doing right by the dog eared copy of Rhy'Din Nights that was stuffed somewhere in the bottom of his bedside table drawer. That was good enough for him.

Monday morning dawned bright and early, and the set for Rhy'Din Nights was already bustling with action. Crew had been there for a few hours already, and even the cast had been in makeup and costume for a while. As the director assembled the team to start work for the day, a bright voice interrupted proceedings.

"Good morning! We brought breakfast!"

Making her way onto the set with her little sister in tow was Mataya De Luca. Not simply 'Taya, or even Mataya, as most knew her, but the full force of nature that deserved the complete name. Dressed to impress in power-red pencil dress, she certainly drew the eye this morning, she and Elena bringing with them two massive baskets each containing various breakfast bits and pieces.

"Come, come, everybody should start the day with a good meal," Mataya trilled delightedly, gesturing for cast and crew to help themselves as Elena uncovered the baskets for their pleasure. "I know I'm not interrupting, because the light wasn't on!"

Behind her, Elena bit her lip to keep from laughing at her sister's over-the-top declarations. She hadn't actually wanted to come along to this, but 'Taya had insisted that she was necessary. It remained to be seen just how necessary, but no doubt all would be revealed in time.

The director stared at them, his mouth open in an aborted yell about the interruption. After all, who could stand up to Mataya De Luca in full sway' And she had him firmly in her sights.

"Oh, Mr. Lee! Hello!"

His mouth snapped shut abruptly as the power-dressed producer made her way over to him, the definitely less power-dressed presence of Elena close behind her.

"Mr. Lee, I would very much like to talk to you," Mataya enthused cheerfully, entirely too excited about her big moment. She didn't often get to play the deceptively bubbly businesswoman these days. "Should we go somewhere private" Oh, by the way, have you met my sister, Elena Donnelly?"

As Elena nodded at the unfortunate Mr. Lee, she realized what her sister had meant by deeming her "necessary". The second it sank in that her last name was Donnelly and that she was Mataya's sister, the man turned an uncomfortable shade of purplish-green.

"Your ....sister, Ms. De Luca?"

"Yes, my baby sister," Mataya informed him, her bright smile somehow turning ever so slightly predatory as she looked at the man who had managed to upset her brother-in-law. "I don't believe you were aware that the author is also my brother-in-law, were you?"

"I-I ..."

"No, I didn't think so," she went on, steamrollering over any objections he might have had. "Now I've disrupted your plan for the morning, are you sure you want to have this conversation out here?" One hand shooed Elena back toward the breakfast baskets, where the cast and crew were congregating, still within earshot of this particular conversation.

To his credit, the director made a real effort to claw a little dignity back as he straightened up. "Ms. De Luca, I am sure that you have nothing to say to me that you would not say to any member of your cast or crew."

"Damn straight, skippy." There was real danger in the sweet way Mataya said that, but it was a danger only a practiced 'Taya-watcher would be aware of it. She dug into her purse, pulling out a sheaf of paper. "Mr. Lee, I am here to inform you that your services are no longer required. Please sign here to terminate your contract, and please ....remember that the confidentiality clause in your original contract is still very much active. I had a lawyer check for me."

All the blood seemed to drain from Frederick Lee's face as she delivered that no-nonsense request. He was apparently not used to producers actually exercising their right to have a director removed, even during production. "You ....you can't do that ..."

"Actually, Mr. Lee, I think you'll find I can," she informed him pleasantly, but there were blades hidden in the sweet tone now. "When you signed this contract, you agreed to certain stipulations. You shook my hand and assured me that you would welcome the creative insight offered by the author of the original source material, not to mention the script. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that you had not only all but dismissed Michael Donnelly from the set, but had sent the script for re-writes to make it conform to your own narrow-minded view of what you wanted to be directing."

The director swallowed, attempting to gather his thoughts. "Ms. De Luca, I was assured that I would have full creative control over this project -"

"No, Mr. Lee, you were not." Another sheaf of paper came out of Mataya's purse. "I have here the transcript and minutes of our contract negotiations with you, and you will see that I have underlined the offending passages. Now ....had this been just a simple mistake or misunderstanding, I might have been inclined to give you a second chance. However, I understand that you have also been enjoying creative differences with my actors, and I trust them far more with Michael's work than I would ever trust you. I have spoken with the other producers and they are in agreement with me."

She glared at him, aware that almost every word was being absorbed by an avid audience. "So ....here is what you are going to do," she told the pale-faced man in front of her. "You are going to sign this termination of employment. You are going to inform us, via our lawyers, whether you would like to remain credited as an assistant director, or have your name removed from this project altogether. You are going to behave like an adult and keep any petty resentments to yourself once you have left this set, or I will sue you to the deepest depths of whichever Hell you care to name." Offering him that brilliant kilowatt De Luca smile, she handed him a pen. "Are we clear?"

Annabeth looked over at Mataya's bright greeting and the two large baskets, with breakfast from the smells coming out of it. Oh, she brought food, Lord love her.

"Good morning! We brought breakfast!" she cried just confirming what Annabeth's empty stomach had confirmed. She'd woken up later than she'd wanted to that morning so she'd skipped breakfast. Putting her rewrites in her pocket, she started making her way toward the delectables. She only moved faster when Mataya encouraged them.

But something stopped her in her tracks. She'd love to say that she realized the crew had been there longer and she was letting them have a turn, but honestly, it hit her that Mataya was there for some other reason than to bring breakfast.

She discretely followed the sisters as they approached the director. Mr. Lee was obviously swallowing his urge to yell. Screaming at one of your producers especially in front of the cast and crew was a pretty stupid thing to do.

"Mr. Lee, I would very much like to talk to you," Annabeth didn't know Mataya as well as some of the others in the cast, but she knew that tone. She had used it herself a few times. Things were about to get interesting.

And then she dropped the bombshell. Annabeth managed barely not to crow. She hadn't really had an issue with Frederick Lee, until she found out about Michael Donnelly being "encouraged" to stay away. And then the rewrites began to hit. And then there was the subtle and not so subtle hints that it was his way or no way, and that creative suggestions from the actors weren't appreciated. The tension had become palpable by the time Eregor had stood up. It had been even stronger today.

"Your ....sister, Ms. De Luca?" She almost felt sorry for him - almost. She knew that every eye and ear was trained on the two of them. He had become a player in his very own drama.

And then the paper was pulled out, and the next bomb was released. She glanced around to see where Yasmin, Eregon, and the others were. Mostly just to see their reactions. She was just trying to hold it together and be professional. She had forgotten all about being hungry.

And then he made the stupidest mistake of his career, "You ....you can't do that ...," or so she thought until he followed it up with "...I was assured that I would have full creative control...." The man was an idiot. Then again, she shouldn't have been too surprised. He took advice from Michael Bey.

Mataya continued to shred him to pieces, and finally just handed him the pen. If it wasn't clear to Lee by now, it was to everyone else in earshot. He would never work for Mataya again, and her influence was probably a bit longer than Lee imagined.

She began to wonder now though who would replace him. She wasn't worried though. Mataya might have trust in her actors, well this one at least had trust in her. She'd find someone who could do it.

Someone who might very well give them an Oscar shot. Next year anyway. There was no way they'd finish the production and release by the end of December now. But she didn't care. All that mattered to her right now was that Lee was gone, Donnelly was back, and Mataya was bad-***.

She pumped her fist at the end of the announcement. There were times to be professional and there were times when you just had to be completely honest.

She grinned to everyone around her, and just about the time Mataya and Elena were walking off her stomach let out a large rumble. Blushing so that her face matched her hair, she moved to see if there were any of those croissants left.

As she munched on one she pulled the rewrites she had in her pocket out. "Anybody, gotta match?"

The morning of December 14th, the cast and crew of Rhy'Din Nights were called back to the set to continue the work they had started, but this time under a different director - one who cared about the integrity of the film, the story, and all those involved in its creation, including the author.

Breakfast had once again been provided by Incredible Edibles and would continue to be every day the work continued. As for their new director, though some might think Jon pretentious and unapproachable, he was nothing of the sort. He was dressed casually and comfortably in a pair of navy chinos and a button-down shirt, untamed curls falling over his forehead, his face clean-shaven, blue eyes clear and bright. He wore two rings, one on each hand. On his right, an onyx stone set in yellow gold, which marked him as one of the Granger family; the other on his left, a band of gold, which declared him a happily married man.

He waited for everyone to gather and settle in before he greeted them officially. Though there was a friendly smile on his face, there was a no-nonsense professionalism about him when it came to his work, even among friends.

"Good morning. Some of you know me and some of you don't. For those of you who don't, my name is Jonathan Granger. I'm sure you've all heard by now that I'm your new director. Before anyone jumps to any conclusions about my role in this film, I'd like to say a few words.

"First of all, yes, this is my first attempt at directing a film. For some of you, this might be your first attempt at acting in a film. It's a learning process for all of us, so we're bound to make some mistakes. That said, I accepted Mataya's offer to direct because I believe in Michael's story, and I think it's one that should be told. In my mind, it's not a story about addiction, but about redemption. At the heart of it, it's a love story. It's about the power of love to overcome all obstacles. The power of family and friends, and the single-minded determination to change your life for the better.

"Now, some of you might ask, 'What the hell does he know about it"' Quite a bit actually. Some of you might think you know a little about my history, but I'm here to tell you the truth. First of all, I'm an amnesiac. Technically speaking, I have what is referred to as post-traumatic amnesia, which is caused by an injury to the brain. I don't remember anything about my life before about five years ago, but I do know that I wasn't the nicest person. I was a cocaine addict and a womanizer. I was drunk on fame and didn't care about anyone or anything but myself. I went into rehab and returned here to Rhy'Din to focus on the things that were really important to me - my family and the theater. I'm telling you this because I want you to know that for me, this isn't just about directing my first movie. It's a challenge, yes, but I'm directing this movie because if just one person sees it, understands it, and takes steps to change their life, then it's all worthwhile.

"I don't want to speak for the author, but I think that's what he was trying to say when he wrote the book. It's entertaining, yes. It's a good story, but it's more than just that. Ryan is Michael, and Roxanne is Elena. It's their story, and they are trusting us to tell it. Unlike your previous director, I will be working closing with Michael and Elena, and we will be sticking very closely to the book and the script. There will be no artistic interpretations or deviations from the source material. This is Michael's vision, and we - all of us together - are merely the vessels through which it will be brought to the screen and a wider audience.

"I am not concerned about awards, and you shouldn't be either. I'm not gonna lie. Some of you are gonna have to dig deep on this one, but each and every one of you was cast for a reason. You were cast because we - Mataya and myself - believe in each and every one of you as much as we believe in the script, and we believe it is you who can bring this movie and the characters to life. All we ask is that you come here every day with a willingness to work, to do your best, and if anyone at any time has any problems or concerns, we want you to feel free to come to me or Mataya to express those concerns. But I am going to warn you right now - I will not tolerate any unprofessional behavior while on set. What you do off set is your own business, but keep in mind that there is good publicity and bad publicity. What we want for this movie is good publicity, so please use your own best discretion, and let the movie speak for itself.

"Eregor and Yasmin, I would like you to meet with Michael and Elena. Talk to them, get to know them better. This is their story we're telling here, and no one knows it better than them. Michael will be on set every day to help us understand his vision and get through the rough patches. We may have to make some changes here and there, but no changes will be made without the author's knowledge and expressed permission. You have my word on that.

"Breakfast and lunch will be provided daily, and I expect each and every one of you to be here on time and ready to work. If you do need some time off for one reason or another, you should come to me or Mataya to discuss it, and we'll be more than happy to work with you on that.

"As most of you know, the premiere has been moved to March. That gives us a little extra time to work on the filming and editing process. I'm afraid we aren't going to make it in time for the awards circuit this year, but I am confident that if we all cooperate and work together, we can make this film a memorable one, and perhaps, if we're lucky, it might just touch a few hearts and change a few lives.

"I am looking forward to working with all of you, and I am grateful for the opportunity. That's all I have to say. Now, let's all have some breakfast and get to work, shall we?" ((The above post actually happens the morning of the 14th. Please feel free to post your character's comments, questions, and reactions to Jon's little speech. And if anyone has any questions, don't be afraid to PM me. Thanks, everyone! :) ))

Dec. 7th

"It's like she pulled some Jedi mind tricks on him as she pinned him in the corner and then shoved that contract in his face like a magnifying glass held over an ant " watching him burn and flail." Peanut gallery comments were being cracked with a sly grin and sharp eyes kept on the scene. Then for Mataya's reminder to stay tactful and mum on the director change, Belle lifted her fingers to her mouth in a zipped closed gesture. No one was hearing a peep from her.

Annabeth was easily tossed a lighter, throwing her own rewrite sheets into the mix for the mini-burning party. "Mmm. Maybe some marshmallows too huh?"

Dec. 14th

A new week, a new director, and new structure.

Belle was thankful that Jon and Mataya were more level headed and less chaotic than Mr. Lee had been with his change ups and detours from the original work. When the smoke cleared and the production was under way once more, Belle tried to snag a moment or two with each of them to reiterate that her shift at the Matadero Meats facility was early morning to mid-afternoon, but she was dedicated to managing both obligations.

"I'm one of the butchers in the back of the meat packing facility you see. Oh, but I totally show up clean and showered and all that. Ain't got to worry about me showing up pulling a Carrie coated in pigs blood and ****." Their reactions to her less than pristine word choice would be indicative of whether or not Belle realized it was a mistake or not to talk to people who were the reason how she got hired in the first place.

"Uh "yeah anyway, just wanted to say thanks for the opportunity. I'm a hard worker, whatever the task. Looking forward to the big picture when it comes on out." Her words could have used more finesse, but her smile was still warm and sincere as she tried to offer a handshake.

There wasn't much more Jon could add that Mataya hadn't already said. They were perfectly willing to work with the actors' personal and private schedules as much as possible - especially that of the supporting cast - so long as it didn't delay filming too much.

Like Mataya, he was struck by the young woman's resemblance to his cousin Kaylee, but this was Rhy'Din, and he knew everyone here seemed to have at least one doppleganger around, though he'd yet to meet his own.

He shook Belle's hand and offered his patented Jon Granger kilowatt smile, knowing what it was like to juggle a busy schedule and more than one obligation. After all, he was not only an actor, producer, acting coach, and now director, but a husband and father, as well, and of all the hats he wore, the latter was the most important.

"I'm sure you'll be fine, Miss Gallows. We can work around your schedule," he assured the young woman, chuckling a little at the description she gave of her usual job. Who better to play the part based on Mataya than a woman with an equally cheeky sense of humor?

Annabeth listened intently to Jon's speech. The only thing that surprised her was his confession. It sounded very much like the man he was now was not the man he used to be. She could work with that, she could work with Jon. Heck she did work with Jon. If nothing else it meant she wouldn't have to explain to *him* every day not to shorten her name.

She had no problems with his insistence on being on time. The walk took a while, but that always gave her time to run through her lines, her cues, her motivation. And she hoped the walking time would be shortened considerably after she found a house.

No her concerns about Rhydin Nights had nothing to do with the new director. Her concern was making sure that her performance was what it should be. That she did her part in making Michael's script into the movie it deserved to be.

It was time to work. She was just grateful that she seemed to be surrounded by people that felt the same way.

Sitting at her dressing room vanity, Yas stared at herself in the mirror, preparing for the day of shooting.

She looked into her bright blue eyes as her Caucasian fair skinned alter ego looked back at her with her platinum blonde short pixie cut hair. She had worn this look more lately than her sky blue skinned radio personality with short white wild hair. Wanting to be taken more seriously as an actress, she thought she should go with something more "normal" for her everyday look now. But normal was bland. Normal wasn't her. Then again, she wasn't her. She was Roxanne. Well, she was supposed to be.

Running her fingers through her hair, Yas started to fluff it up, giving it a little volume. As she did, the hair began to grow in length and color, matching Roxanne's longer beach blonde hair. When she was done, her hair was identical to the picture she had on her vanity mirror of Elena, the actress that first played the role, though Yasmin kept her own facial features.

She didn't need to touch her hair to make her metamorphosis work. It was just a habit she liked to do when she needed to see herself change. She once likened it to an artist. An artist sees all the layers that the piece is built up from. An artist sees all the minor imperfections they couldn't get quite right. An artist ....doesn't see the result of their labor; they see the process of creation behind it. By playing with her hair, Yas could temporarily forget what it looked like, and be better able to see the new product.

"People would think I'm nuts..." she thought to herself. "Though I guess they already think I am." She smiled at her inside joke. Although she gained much pleasure from instantly changing in front of people when she wanted to do a little shock and all, but this way helped her ease into her physical changes. But physical changes where just one aspect. She needed to change her internal dialogue as well.

Picking up her book, she flipped to the author's picture. "It doesn't make any sense," she thought, "Why would I want to be with someone that it is so hard to be with them' Obstacle after obstacle. Its like worlds stand in our way. We have so much that we both have to overcome, so many things holding both of us back. I don't even know if he wants to be with me, or why..." she trailed off.

"Why would he want to be with someone like me anyway' He is so brilliant, so creative, and so amazing when he's him, the him I see in him. I want to believe its the real him, but I'm not even sure. He has so much holding him back. It's not even his fault, but at the same time it is. But how can I fault him for it when I'm guilty of the same things too?"

"All the things I want to hate him for are the same things I love him for. I love him for his strength and his weakness, all at the same time. As hard as it is to try to make this relationship work, I can't imagine the thought of not trying everything I can to make it work. I have to be with him. I don't know why I feel this way. Sometimes I wish I didn't. I hate our fights, our terrible fights that seem like they rip out my soul....but I can't piece myself back together until I make up with him. I need him. I need everything that he is, all of the good and all of the bad. My head knows its stupid, but my heart can't help it. My every thought, every feeling I have - is him. No matter how this turns out, for better or for worse, I love him and I will always love him."

She looked up to the mirror. Although nothing about her appearance seemed to change in the reflection, she was ready.

Roxanne put down the book on the vanity and walked out of the room, ready to begin her day.

As soon as Jon called out that it was a wrap, Eregor shouted a triumphant "Yes!" and turned to hug Yasmin. It was an embrace far more energetic than romantic compared to the one they'd just shot, but no less real for the difference. "We did it! You were fantastic!"

He gave a thumbs-up to a pair of grips, who nodded and dashed off, only to return shortly pulling large wheeled coolers containing chilled bottles of sparkling apple cider and white grape juice. Each bottle bore the mark of Gardenhome Orchards; since not everyone involved with the production could partake of champagne, Eregor had made sure to provide something sans alcohol to celebrate the end of filming.

Michael smiled as a celebration of sorts broke out around him, a sense of relief flooding him, like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. There was still the editing and promoting and premiere to get through, not to mention reviews, but the hard part was over, and now was time to celebrate.

He grinned further as someone handed him a glass of sparkling grape juice, rather than champagne, and turned to find Jon and Mataya toasting cast and crew. It was then that Elena joined him, her arms going around him, just like Ryan and Roxanne in that final take from the movie, and suddenly glasses were lifted in honor of them - the real life heroes whose story had made it onto the big screen, albeit somewhat fictionalized for artistic and dramatic purposes.

Michael felt a swell of pride in that moment, a lump in this throat as he looked from face to face, each of the people gathered having played an integral role in bringing their story to life.

Someone - he suspected Mataya - shouted, "Speech!" and he flushed with embarrassment, Elena poking him in the side to say at least a few words to the group of people who'd supported him and believed in his work.

"Um, I'm not sure what to say really, except that without all of you, none of this would have been possible. I really am speechless," he said with a chuckle, looking to Elena for help.

"What he means is he's very touched and very honored that everyone has committed so much to a project that started with a crazy woman threatening him with a baseball bat while he was so hungover he couldn't see straight," Elena laughed, her arm warm about her husband's back. "It's been amazing to watch, and I, for one, am very proud of everyone."

Michael chuckled again as Elena put into words what he was thinking, but having trouble expressing. "I couldn't have said it better myself!"

That said, someone put the radio on - tuned to WHAM 101.1 FM, of course - and their director announced with a grin, "Let's get this party started!"

Yas stopped her running while Michael gave his impromptu speech so she could give her attention to the artist. For one who wrote so deep and passionately for his characters, he was awkwardly cute in his spoken word skills. "Good thing he has Roxanne....I mean, Elena," she thought.

At hearing the radio tuned to her station, she unsuccessfully hid a smile behind her practically empty glass.

After taking her first and only sip of white grape, she answered Annabeth. "Definitely tomorrow. I'll have my people set it up with your people," she said while dashing off again. Never missing the chance to claim she had "people" in earshot of others, she thought it made her sound important. She'd make sure to have ?her secretary' call her later to set up a time and place.