3: The accidential actress

 *Meri*

 Should I have done… like something ? Am I just stupid thinking I felt anything ? I mean it was a complete stranger I was looking at. I had returned after about 20 minutes, but he had been gone and maybe that was for the best… I mean what was I going to say to him ?

 I have been spending the last four hours looking at shops and landmarks, sending a few shots to Lumi. And now I am walking over Leicester square, wanting to check out the theaters before going home.

 There are quite a lot of people gathered down the side street that I turn down. But it is probably just like a guided tour or something. I am kind of walking in my own thoughts, honestly thinking about my running man, pushing a bit to get through the crowd and not really looking.

 Just as I get through, cursing to myself that people are so selfish blocking the street like that, someone slams into me hard. And hadn't they quickly caught me I would have definitely been knocked over.

 "What the fuck woman, are you blind ? Cut, cut, cuuuut". Some guy is screaming, stomping over. 

 I have no idea what is going on, looking around in confusion. "Uh sorry… what did I do ?"

 "What did you do ? Besides dragging your fat ass into the shot, ruining everything". He sounds so angry I almost start crying … I always hated getting yelled at.

 "Hey Jason, no reason to yell at the poor girl, she clearly had no idea". A warm and very British voice coming from the man still supporting me says. "Are you okay darling… Sorry for the… hey don't I know you from somewhere ?"

 I look up into startling blue eyes and they seem both so new and so well known at the same time. "I… I don't think so… I am totally new here".

 "I am pretty good with faces… hey Hampton Heath about four hours ago by the running track… you were… watching the area while I was running". He breaks out in a warm smile, like he is proud to remember.

 "Oh". Is all that comes out of my mouth. The build fits, so does the sandy ginger beard. The cap is gone, revealing sandy ginger curls, combed back from a handsome face, with an aristocratic nose and cheekbones you could cut yourself on. "I was there… on the Heath".

 He smiles again, the smile making the sides of his eyes wrinkle with laugh lines. "See I am good with faces". 

"Are you done flirting with the girl Tommy ? We need this scene done before Tony returns". The man from before is right next to us.

 I feel the man next to me tensing up, his arm tightening around me. "Are you done Jason ? I think we should wait for Tony actually".

 "What is happening here ? Tom ? Jason ?" An elderly man with a grey beard shows up.

 Jason turns to the older man. "This girl ruined the…".

 "Listen Tony". Tom cuts in. "This poor girl didn't realise what was going on and accidentally walked in front of me. Luckily she is unharmed … but Jason proceeded to yell at her and insult her, which is unacceptable".

 "Jason, is this true ?" The man who is apparently called Tony asks. 

 I feel a bit weird… A bit like I am standing in the middle of a movie. And suddenly I am aware of what is happening around me. People looking and whispering.

"I'll just leave now". I try getting out of my running guy's arm… what did he call him Tommy ? Or is it Tom ?

Jason glares at me. "Yeah… but she ruined the shot, it Took a long time to set up".

 "We'll talk later. Now go get Lena to the emergency room". He turns to me, sending me a friendly smile. "I am sorry about my assistant's behaviour miss, I will make sure he never does that again".

 "It's okay… I'll just get out of your way". I try smiling. "Sorry for the inconvenience".

 He smiles at me and I try to go, but well the arm around my waist simply keeps me there as he asks Tony. "Is it bad with Lena ?"

 "A sprain I think. But she is definitely done for today. So we have to rethink the last scene". Tony answers.

 "Hmm… she only had that one scene right ? Where we only see her from behind and I pull her out of the way right ?" When Tony nods, Tom continues. "Our girl here… Sorry for my bad manners, what is your name darling ?"

 I am feeling more than confused by now. "Meri".

 "Meri here has almost the same height and build as Lena, put her in the wig and clothes and she can do the scene for us". He squeezes me softly.

 Tony, who must be the director of whatever they are filming, is looking me over. "You are right, she is. Hmm Meri, do you have any acting experience ?"

 "Me ? Not beside School plays and such". I feel like I am caught in some weird surrealistic dream.

 "Well you don't really have to do much… The actress playing the female lead twisted her ankle. She is only in one more scene, we see her from back as a car slides towards her. Tom here, our hero, jumps in and pulls her to safety". He looks at me excited. "You think you can do that ? It would be a big help".

 I kind of feel guilty for ruining their shot, and I don't really know how to say no with all those people watching, so I nod, even if I mostly feel like running away. "Well I guess I can do that, if it's helpful".

 "Marvelous darling… it's easy really, don't worry about it". Tom says, smiling down at me.

 "Great … wonderful". Tony waves a woman over. "Get her into Lena's wig and costume, we need her ready as fast as possible".

 And with that I am whisked off to a trailer, not knowing what to think or how to feel.