PROGRAM LOG
by Junior
Part 3:I slept on and off during the night and early morning. Around four a.m. I decided to get up. It was still a bit dark out, so I reached over to the small table next to me and turned on a lamp. I got up and walked over to the fold down kitchen table. On the table, the script lay open to page two. I slid into the bench seat, grabbed the script and started to read it again. There is no way I can act...especially in front of cameras! And to top it off I have to do this in front of them! Oh boy, what did I get myself into... Five a.m. came too soon, and as I freshened up in the small makeshift bathroom, I heard a knock on the trailer door.
“Hello are you awake in there,” a woman asked.
A woman’s voice? Who could this be? “Come on in,” I replied.
The door opened and a young woman stepped in carrying some clothes draped across one arm, papers in one hand, and a wicker hand basket in the other. She plopped all the stuff down on the kitchen table and offered a hand out in greeting. “Hi! My name’s Laurann Cordero, and I am the female costumer for this show. I’m here to get you into character as Chet’s sister.”
“Hi Laurann, my name is Connie. Listen...am I really going to be in this show,” I asked.
She stopped what she was doing and looked at me. “What do you mean?” Laurann’s face frowned in confusion.
“Oh, never mind...I guess I’m just a bit scared.” I hope I don’t run off the set screaming. “So, what am I wearing today?”
“I thought you’d never ask!” Her face lit up with a big smile as she started to rummage through the clothes.
***
A half an hour later, I stepped out of the trailer in my new duds. I’m so embarrassed...if I wore this in 1999 I’d be brought out to the middle of a street and shot. I wore a pair of cream-colored, wide-legged slacks with a horrible shiny-blue polyester tunic top that tied at the waist with a matching fabric belt. The shoes weren't too bad, a pair of wedge-heeled espadrilles, but the whole outfit looked like Marsha Brady does disco. Oh yeah, I feel groovy now...I'll probably scare the victims to death.
Just when I was about to run back into the trailer to try to talk my way out of this ridiculous outfit, Stoker came up to me, already in his blue uniform costume with a cup of coffee in hand. Oh, great, he looks like a poster boy for firefighters and I look like a Studio 54 reject.
“Hey Connie, I want to show you something.” Stoker reached into his back pants pocket and brought out his wallet. When he opened it to a picture of a baby boy his face gleamed with happiness.
“Oh Stoker,” I smiled, “he’s so cute! Looks just like ya too! You must be very proud.”
“Yes I am.” The pride of being a father showed on Stoker’s face.
“Hey Stoker! Get over here,” Dennis yelled from across the station’s parking lot. “We need you over here.”
“We’ll talk later. I’ve got more pictures in my car that I’d like to show you when we have the time. See you on the set!” Stoker put his wallet back and took off for the station’s inside bay area where the engine and squad were.
I stood in front of the trailer and watched the hustle and bustle of the crew members at work. Lighting was being set up along with big microphones on long metal arms and cameras were being put into places marked with yellow tape in the shape of an "X" on the floor. I heard sound checks and commands shouted from one worker to another. It almost looked like a madhouse but in all this craziness was the making of a great TV show. Gosh, if they only knew the impact this show has made...
Laurann came out of the trailer and walked up to me. “I have the other outfits laid out on the bed in your trailer. Don’t worry if you don’t know what’s going on, I’ll be nearby. The cast and director will help you with your lines and acting but anything else you come to me. I’ll help you with clothes, makeup, and anything only a woman can do. Any questions?”
“Um...yeah. When will I know I’m needed on the set,” I asked.
“Well, while we are filming, all cast is required to be on the set. Have your script with you and while you’re not acting, I recommend you study and memorize your lines. Watch what’s going on around you, and also observe the other actors when they are in character. That way you will get a feeling for them and how you might portray your character as well.” Laurann guided me towards the station. While we walked she said, “these are a bunch of great guys,” she pointed with her finger to the breakfast buffet table set up next to the back wall. There stood Randy, Kevin, Marco, Tim, Dennis, Mike, and Stoker.
Wow, now that would make a great photo, all of them in their firefighter outfits and Dennis coaching them on today’s filming. “Should I go over there for the briefing,” I asked.
“Yeah, let’s go. Oh, and by the way, watch your head when your on the set.” Laurann sent me a quick smile and pointed up with her finger.
What does she mean by that? Maybe because of all the cameras, lights, and microphones being moved around? Yeah, that must be it...
“Ok. Today we are going to do some quick shots, like maybe two or three, of the squad going with Connie here sitting in it and also her sitting in the engine,” Dennis instructed. All the guys nodded. Dennis looked at me and laid his arm around my shoulder. “And remember here guys, we have an amateur with us for this episode so please...take it easy on her?”
With that said, the group chuckled a bit and then all went into the station bay area. Dennis steered me with his arm still around my shoulder in the same direction and said, “Don’t you worry. Just pretend that there are no cameras around and just act natural. Believe me you’ll do fine.” He pulled his arm off of me and went to some cameras nearby.
Kevin waved at me to come by him. As I walked towards him he handed me an extra fireman’s helmet. “Here take this and put it on for the driving shots. I think we only need to do three of them. One with just us, one with just the engine and then you with us but with the engine going along.”
“Where do I sit for these...um...shots,” I asked.
“Well, when you go out with the squad, you will sit between Randy and I. Then for the engine, you might sit between Mike Norell and Stoker. Are you ready?” Before I could answer, Kevin walked over to the driver side of the squad and got in.
I just stood there until I felt a hand on my right shoulder. I turned around to see Randy in his uniform blues and fireman’s helmet looking at me with his gorgeous smile. “Whenever you're ready, just scoot on into the squad. We are going to film these shots now.”
“S-s-s..sure,” I stuttered. He looks so good! And smells good too...kind of a nice musky man smell. THANK YOU HALODECK!!! I climbed into the squad and moved over next to Kevin so that I was positioned in the middle of the bench seat. My left leg touched Kevin’s. “Oops, so sorry about that.”
“That’s expected when we ride with three people in the squad. Don’t worry about it,” Kevin answered.
Randy sat down in the squad next to me on the right side and closed the door. All I need now is a welder to melt the doors shut and I’m in heaven! The rest of the guys jumped up into the engine with turnout gear and helmets on. Then we all just waited for Dennis to give us the go ahead.
“And action,” Dennis yelled.
Kevin turned on the squad engine and lights. Stoker did the same to the engine. After traffic was stopped, Kevin was given the cue to drive out and turn left with the engine to follow. He put it into drive and we all pulled out of the station perfectly. With the engine close behind we drove halfway down the street to finish that shot. When I knew the cameras were not on us inside the squad I started to laugh.
“What’s so funny, Connie?” Randy asked.
“I just forgot that the sirens and stuff get edited in later and I feel kind of funny knowing that we are going on a life saving run with just some lights flashing,” I answered in between bursts of laughter.
“Yeah, well, we’ve been doing this show for some time now and I guess we all got used to it,” Kevin said. “But I can see your point.”
A hand radio went off inside the squad. “Return to the station guys. We got this one.” It sounded like Dennis’ voice.
“Good. One down and two to go,” Randy said.
***
We all returned to the station and reparked the squad and engine. The next two shots went fine and we all gathered in the back parking lot. Randy smoked a cigarette and the others all stood around waiting to hear what was next.
“All right guys, we got the shots. Now it’s off to the studio for the real acting.” Dennis said with a smile. “Can someone give Connie a ride all right? I’ll meet all of you there.” He grabbed up all his paperwork, threw it in a suitcase and headed for his car. Tim and Marco followed behind to get a ride with him.
“Connie, you’re welcome to come with us,” Randy said. “I’ve got a Land Rover and seeing you're the guest of honor for this episode, I’ll let you ride in the passenger seat up front with me.”
“Who else is going with you?” Please let it be just me!
“Just Kevin. Mike Norell and Mike Stoker are going in Stoker’s car. Tim and Marco are going with Dennis.” Randy headed to his vehicle and opened the passenger side door for me to step inside. Kevin got in the back. I shrugged my shoulders in agreement and hopped in. Randy closed my door, went around the front of the Land Rover, got in the driver’s seat, started the engine, and we were off in a flash.
The sun beat down on an almost cloudless day. On the way to the studio I sat and looked out my window. The wind blew across my face pushing my long hair back. Every so often I’d sneak a glance towards Randy. As he drove his hair flowed like waves against the wind coming through his open window. His golden skin shined in the sun’s rays. This is a perfect moment.
“So, Connie,” Kevin said as he scooted himself up between Randy and I, “you look good in this outfit.”
Are you insane? Oh yeah, I forgot I was in the 70’s. “Thank you Kevin. You really think so?”
“Sure I do,” Kevin answered.
“So do I,” Randy said.
I didn’t notice him looking me up and down. When our eyes met he shot me a warm smile of satisfaction. It was a side of him I started to notice and, quite frankly, enjoy. I smiled back at him and then looked down at my hands so as not to display my flushed face. Was he just checking me out?
“Thanks. Both of you. I really didn’t get any feedback on this outfit earlier at the station and I reckoned that ya’ll hated it,” I said.
Randy let out a short chuckle. “Are you Southern by any chance? I’ve noticed your little accent kinda comes and goes.”
“No, but I did spend some time in Georgia, and I picked up the accent a bit. Every so often it slips out. I hope I don’t let it slip while we’re filming.” I drew my head up to see them since the blood that had rushed to my face earlier seemed to simmer down.
“I kinda like it. I think that your twang will spice up your character. Plus, I’m a native Californian, and I enjoy meeting people with accents,” Kevin said. “I find it exciting.”
Before I could even blush to that remark, Randy jumped in. “Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?”
“Sure. I was born and raised in Chicago. Had a typical childhood. I’ll be 24 in three days. I’m part German and part Cherokee. I love the outdoors and am an expert horse rider and driver.” I paused to think a bit. “Let’s see...oh yeah, I love pickup trucks and country music.”
With no quick response from either, we turned into the drive of Universal Studios. Randy showed the guard at the booth his pass and we were permitted through. The wooden arm gate rose up and we drove in. After many twists and turns through Universal, we finally pulled up to Studio 12.
“We’re here,” Kevin announced.
Randy hopped out and ran around the front of the vehicle in order to help me with the door.
“Thanks Randy. You don’t really have to.” He waved his hand to show me that it was no big deal. I stepped out and almost fell over because of the shoes I wore. I grabbed on to the open door to keep my balance and not fall flat on my face.
All three of us walked inside. Randy and Kevin walked over to the fire station sets. I just stood there for a few minutes to take a quick look around. The studio was separated into two dominant parts. On the left were the sets for the different rooms of the fire station. The right side contained the hospital sets. A narrow walkway lined with extra light stands and stacked boxes labeled "ELECTRICAL EQUIPTMENT" led me farther into the studio. A warm feeling came over me. When I saw how the cast acted like one big family, my fears started going away.
As I approached the sets the ladies washroom door located along this hallway swung open and out came Julie London. “Hello,” I said.
She looked at me, smiled shyly and offered a handshake. “Hi, you must be Connie. Or should I say Katie!”
Her voice is so angelic sounding. “Yes I am, and you are Julie. Or should I say Dixie,” I joked.
“Touche honey. She’s got you there,” Bobby Troup said from behind her. He walked up to us and said, “Hi I’m Bobby.” We shook hands.
I got excited and said, “Well howdy Bobby...er...I mean hello.” My head shook in disbelief and embarrassment.
“I see we have a Southerner here! Will you be using it in the script?” Bobby asked.
“You know you’re the second person to ask me that question?” I sighed and they chuckled at my response.
“All right! I need all firemen by the fire station sets,” yelled Dennis. Pointing to Julie and Bobby he said, “you hospital people...go get your stethoscopes or something...”
“Hey, I heard that!” Robert Fuller came around to the front of the hospital exam room set. Already in full costume including lab coat he pulled the stethoscope out of his pocket and dangled it up in the air. “Anything else I can do to pass the time Dennis? I’ve got mine already!” He said sarcastically.
“Sure there is, Rob,” said Tim. “Look up!”
Robert looked up just in time to see a huge spider hanging above his head. “AH!” He screamed and ran away from it. Everyone broke out in laughter. As Robert got his composure back he noticed he was the butt of another rubber spider trick. “I’ll get you guys yet,” he warned, shaking his fist at them.
I walked to the fire station’s kitchen set where the others were taking their places to get ready to start filming. I was told to go stand just outside the kitchen doorway. Randy stood next to me in order to make an entrance. Kevin, Marco, Tim and Mike Norell sat down on the kitchen chairs with coffee mugs in hand. A prop man gave Mike a piece of paper as a prop to use as a department memo. Stoker went over to the bay area set and picked up a cloth to pretend to clean the engine.
“You ready?” Randy asked.
“I sure am! Let’s go,” I replied. Randy ribbed my side in a "go get ‘em" attitude.
“All right people! Are we ready?” Dennis asked. Everyone nodded their heads. “Good, and...action!”