Shaken, Not Stirred
Originally posted on August 16, 2009
Gideon: So… how is it?
Andrea: How is what?
Gideon: Your drink?
Andrea: It’s all right, I guess.
Gideon: All right? You guess?
Andrea: Maybe just not what I needed after all.
Gideon: You seem jumpy this evening – I was hoping it might help you relax.
Andrea: I know… but I do better when I handle my stress more directly.
Gideon: Ah. Note to self: Do not attempt to ply the lovely Ms. Sebastian with liquor in hopes that she will let you have your wicked way. Especially do not waste your expertly shaken vodka martini on such a fruitless endeavor….
Andrea: *laughs* Knock it off, Gideon….
Gideon: …Apparently the curvaceously divine yet undeniably tense Ms. Sebastian has her own methods of calming her nerves when necessary…
Andrea: Who said I was nervous?
Gideon: Aren’t you?
Andrea: No, I’m…… well to be quite honest… yes, I am. Tomorrow’s shoot has me a little on edge.
Gideon: Of course it does. After all, it is the most pivotal scene of the whole film. Also the most amorous.
Andrea: Don’t remind me. Are you having drinks now because they help you relax?
Gideon: No, I’m having one drink …one … because I enjoy it, not because I need it. It’s a really bad idea to use alcohol as a crutch.
Andrea: What do you do then, when you’re uneasy about an upcoming scene? Are you ever nervous?
Gideon: At times. Not a lot.
Andrea: That figures. Although I’m surprised you would admit it at all. What do you do about it, when you are?
Gideon: Put in some extra effort. Rehearse more. Practice, practice, practice. For example…..why don’t you come over here, Andrea?……
Gideon: …and sit on my lap. Just as will be required in tomorrow’s big scene.
Andrea: Will the chair hold both of us?
Gideon: Sure, no problem.
Andrea: Eyes forward, Mr. Bennett. I know exactly where you’re looking.
Gideon: Just getting into character, Ms. Sebastian. You don’t think the Faux Father would look? You can bet your next plum role he would, and since their encounter takes place in relative seclusion, the poor man is tempted beyond endurance to do more than look….
Andrea: This is hardly a secluded spot, Gideon.
Gideon: And neither will the set be, tomorrow when we shoot this segment.
Andrea: But…
Gideon: Enough chitchat – let’s see if we can do something about your nerves….
Andrea: Yes, let’s.
Gideon: First a review of some grass roots basics….
Andrea: You don’t say.
Gideon: I am confident we will manage to lay the groundwork for an excellent performance on your part.
Andrea: Gideon.
Gideon: Hmmm?
Gideon: Any better?
Andrea: Mmmm, yes. Shaken but not stirred.