Love, Bassy Part 11

Hey sis,

I’m finding the kitchen more and more of a refuge for my increasingly more hectic life.  Yesterday I learned to make mom’s ratatouille and renoit grapes pancakes.

 

Now that my secret appears to be out, the paparazzi are following me everywhere.  I can’t even play in front of the theater without someone taking pictures of it.

 

“I don’t know if this will make you feel any better,” my boss said,  “but I took a vacation in China recently, in an attempt to escape this, and the paparazzi followed me there and took pictures of me while I dined at the eatery in Shang Simla.  They’re ever-present.  It’s something you have to get used to.  Once you choose this life, your privacy is gone, forever.”

 

I took a deep breath.  My public awaits.

I’m just hoping that when all the lights dim and the cameras go away, that I’ll still be the same person.  Like dad was, I’m told.  There’s no way you can prepare for being famous and all that comes with it.  I mean, mom and dad told me some things – but things are different even from their time.  So much more media attention.  There’s no way that you’re not changed in some way because of all this. 

Love, Bassy

Love, Bassy – Getting the Script

Hey sis,

My phone rang just as I was opening my mail. 

“Hey, Sebastian, it’s Kris Verhoeven.  I need to talk to you.  Meet me at my apartment after work this evening.”

And with that, I had to drop my plans for attending Jessica Talon’s dinner party to go see what she wanted.

Meanwhile, Savannah, it’s getting a little bit crazy.  When goth teenage boys take photos of you with their camera phones while you’re walking outside the movie theater, then it’s a sign that you’re on your way to having your picture on posters all over.  Thing is, I don’t think I’ve done anything to warrant all of this.  I’m actually a bit weirded out by the whole thing.  I wonder if it was like this when mom and dad were doing their business. 

Verhoeven moved into a new apartment building right next to Crescent Bay, the Veranda Villas, which was a nicer penthouse with two stories.  At least she’s no longer cramped in one room now.  I had to press the call box to let her know I was in the lobby. 

“Sebastian.”

“Hello, Ms. Verhoeven.”

“Please, call me Kris.”

She then pulled out a leather-bound book from the knapsack she was carrying.

“This is the script for ‘All My Sims.’  You’re going to read for the role of Jon, who’s the manipulative, conniving brother of the main character Peter, played by Devin Ashton.  The two of you are both sleeping with Casey, played by Tiara Angelista.  I don’t write these things, I just put them together.  The whole point of acting isn’t actually reading from pieces of paper, but actually making the audience believe that you’re not an actor playing a role, but someone else entirely.”

Needless to say, I hurriedly took it home.

There’s something about actually having the script in my hands that made it final for me.  There’s a part of me that doesn’t really believe this is all happening. 

Gotta get to work.  This script is over two hundred pages and I have to memorize almost half of it.  Love, Bassy

Love, Bassy Part 10

Hey sis,

Had to pass out flyers to promote the movie and there was this, um, ‘soulful’ lady in a yellow gown.  I knew she was the opera diva, Aria Trill. 

Here’s the problem.  Aria knew who I was.  And she knew who my parents are too. 

“Those blue eyes look so familiar to me,” she said. 

I shrugged.  “How so?”

“Are you related to Nathan Plumb?”

I let out a big gulp.  “He – he’s my father.”

Aria nodded.  “Thought so.”

“Let not a word of this conversation slip through your teeth.”

Aria shook her head.  “Why not?  The resemblance is unmistakable.  I worked with your mother too.  After she left the orchestra to raise you and your sister, it wasn’t the same.  So I came over here.  Truthfully I’d like to retire to my couch but there aren’t any youngins coming up in my line of work.  Everyone’s doing that hip hop stuff.  Shakin’ and gyratin’.”

Speaking of shakin’ and gyratin’, I don’t know my boss’ secret.  She’s got a different chick on her shoulder every night.  And these aren’t plain Janes either, these are good-looking girls, some of them celebs themselves. 

I’m going to auditions a lot of the time now.  This was my 2nd audition in as many nights. I met Terence Luna, who’s a bouncer at the Bridgeport Sports Zone.  Apparently he and I are trying out for the same part.  Turns out he used to be a football player but he blew out his knee, and then turned to acting. 

Wish me luck.  GTG.  Later.

Love, Bassy

Love, Bassy Part 9

 

Hey sis,

I wanted to show you this view of downtown Bridgeport at night from my apartment.

I had to take a new headshot for my portfolio.  So, whaddya think?  I don’t know if you’re happy that I grew my hair out but, anyway.  Here it is. 

I went to this club called Aquarius because my agent said he wanted me to dance there for three hours.  I met Lola Belle, who’s only the biggest rock star in Simland at the moment, even though I had to admit to her I wasn’t familiar with her music. 

I ended up sharing the dance floor with a couple of really thin guys with glowing eyes.  I didn’t know if they were vampires or not. 

The real surprise was when Lola asked me to dance, and I did.  We danced the night away.  She also gave me her phone number. 

The next day I was late for work because I didn’t get back from Aquarius until 5 in the morning. 

I totally forgot about my screen test.  I’m auditioning for the role of the restaurant chef in this movie.  I hope I didn’t screw this up.

Love, Bassy

Love, Bassy Part 8 (cont’d)

My next assignment was, as Matt Hamming’s PA, to convince the award-winning journalist Renee Littler to appear in a cameo for our film. 

My phone was still ringing as I was trying to do this.  And Renee wasn’t the easiest person to talk to.  I had to try to impress her by doing and saying things I didn’t want to do and say.  First, I spoke about my family’s wealth.  I said it by not mentioning just who my family was.  Then I dropped a few names – like Matt Hamming.  I’m still not sure if I’ve succeeded.  Guess I’ll have to wait and see. 

The next day at work I had to pass out flyers at Waylon’s. 

I got a call from Alan Stanley, head of the studio, with an invite to his ultra-exclusive party. 

So I drove across the freeway to the Bridgeport Hills, the tony area where the stars live.  It’s an area similar to Summer Hill where we live in Sunset Valley. 

I got to Alan Stanley’s mansion at a quarter to nine.  This is the place he shares with his GF, lead actress Emmy Starr. 

Going to the studio head’s house should have overwhelmed me, but it didn’t. 

I looked around his house, and everything seemed so … old.  Very art-deco type of glam. 

I caught a glimpse of Mr. Stanley, looking tired and haggard, speaking to the music mogul, Tom Wordy.  Hmm, what about?

I’m not sure who this girl is but I think she’s a groupie.  Not sure how she got into this party but oh well, not my place to find out, either. 

And there was my boss, Ms. Verhoeven, sporting a new ‘do and specs.  She showed up a whole hour after I did.  Not sure what to make of the hairstyle though. 

You and I, Vanna, we’re used to parties but we’re not used to them being incredibly stuffy.  Even at our get-togethers we weren’t above dancing and having fun. 

So when I saw everyone just standing around looking dumb, I did what any good Plumb would do. I whipped out my brand-new keyboard and started playing. 

That seemed to tide the time for some folks, especially Verhoeven who came and stood behind me. 

By the time everyone left, they seemed … sated … that some networking happened at Casa Stanley. 

It’s getting late, I need to be getting to bed.  I still have to show my face at the studio tomorrow.

Love, Bassy

Love, Bassy Part 8

Hey sis,

I was leaving work when I get a call from Ms. Griswold. 

“Sebastian, this is your agent.  So, we both know you’re gorgeous – but listen, to keep up that image, you gotta hit the gym and lose some of that baby fat.  Go work out for a bit!”

I got to the gym at a quarter till eleven. 

 

I found an empty machine and decided to lift weights. 

I thought I was going to have it easy. 

Bad move.  I wasn’t even a fraction of the way into the workout before I knew I was really out of shape. 

I’ve also had to give up my hamburgers and my chips and my pizza.  And let’s not forget, dad’s key lime pies and homemade cookies.  I’m living off salads and soups, basically. 

I know since you and Andy got married, you all had to trim the fat from your diet too.

(cont’d on next page)

Response #2

Hey little bro,

I’m browsing thru the local bookstore, and the news from Bridgeport gets out here too, so don’t think you’re safe if you screw up.  Just fair warning.

Anyway, Bass, isn’t this your boss?  The studio brass can’t be happy about this headline:

Neither can they be happy about this picture from the issue.

“Director Kristy Verhoeven gets it on with an unidentified female at The Grind, a local hot spot.”

Man, how short and tight can that girl’s dress be?  Looks like it was painted on her, seriously.  Do all the women in Bridgeport dress like this? 

Anyway, I’m tangled with kiddo stuff here.  I had to go to the school for Satis and Sety (again) because they’re flunking.  Seems the school got a new principal, and the new principal had not been told their story.  So I had to tell it to her.  I also had to tell all of their new teachers since they started high school. 

I’ve taken a leave of absence from my job to deal with Satis and Sety’s school issues.  It was not an easy decision to make, given that I love my job.  But I love Satis and Sety more and I want to see them succeed, so this was something that had to be done.  I am this close to pulling them out of school and teaching them myself. 

Andy’s been to the school, too.  He takes Sety fishing and tries to work in math lessons while they’re out with the rod and reel. 

In other news, the conservatives took back control of City Hall.  Malcolm Landgraab II was reelected to the city council as the representative from the Summer Hill district.  He ran unopposed. 

So you’re Matt Hamming’s PA eh?  I bet he has you tired at the end of the day.  I’ve heard he’s, well, incredibly conceited. 

You know, I was struck by your comment about rediscovering your love of music.  Just because you're studying to be an actor doesn't mean you have to give up your music. In fact, I’m pretty sure there’s a way you could do both. 

Why are you afraid of people finding out who you are?  You are a Plumb.  We Plumbs do things differently, we always have.  You should be proud of that!  You should embrace it.  If they discover who you are, chill.  It’s not the end of the world. 

Love you.  Savannah