Callbacks

June 1, 2020. Two days later, the Los Angeles Country Club.

“I make sure to play a round of golf with anybody that I’ve made a good deal with,” Edoaurd de Rothschild says, gripping his driver with practiced ease, looking out over the lush green golf course. “And you’ve done a very good job indeed.”

He smiles at me, and then swings the club with a vigour betraying years of practice. The ball goes flying over the fairway, dropping down somewhere on the green. Hanna Maria’s already made her shot, landing her ball on the green too. Makes sense, that they’d be good at this game. I take the shiny, brand-new club that the caddy hands me, hefting it in my hand. I had to buy a set of golf clubs just for today.

“Don’t worry if you’re just starting out, we understand,” Hanna Maria says, watching me as I slowly get into position, placing hand over hand like I’d been taught since I was a little kid. “It’s just for fun, even if Edoaurd likes to get competitive about it.”

“So you’re saying I shouldn’t hold back?” I say, taking my time to roll by shoulders back, getting a feel for the wind swirling in the air.

“Oh, you’ve got experience at this, have you?” Edouard says.

I swing the club, the thwack against the ball a sharp sound that resonates through the course. It flies through the air as I hold my final pose, silently berating my imperfect posture, watching as the ball flies over the green. I squint, adjusting my sunglasses, and watch as the ball drops straight into its target. A hole in one.

“Just beginner’s luck,” I shrug, a playful smile finding its way on my face.

“You’re a monster,” Hanna Maria laughs, and we head onto our golf carts.

I haven’t played since my time on college varsity, so the shot was a little lucky, but still… it’s a good day to be soaking in the sun.

June 2, 2020. Dr. Kee’s Office.

“How’s Eric doing?” I say, shaking Dr. Kee’s hand as I step into his office.

Was it really only two months ago that I first stepped into this room, with all its tan furniture and glamorous movie posters? Crap, I’ve hobnobbed with half the faces on display, even slept with the Merrygold twins…

“He’ll look better than he did when he came in, once I’m done with him,” the doctor replies. “It’ll still be about two weeks before he makes his first public appearance, though. Presumably, it was you who did such a thorough job with his face.”

“I’ll plead the fifth,” I say.

“Eric’s been very tight-lipped about what happened,” the doctor says. “He wouldn’t even say that it was you that referred him in.”

“Oh, he’s got good reason to be on edge,” I say. The fucker thinks I’ve got the world’s most powerful **** against him. “But that’s strictly business between us, you understand?”

Dr. Kee nods.

“I understand the value of privacy and discretion,” he says. “Speaking of which. I believe you have upheld your end of the bargain. Word about Eric hasn’t spread far yet, but I’ve already gotten an inquiry or two from some potential clients. If the world discovers your secret, it won’t be my doing.”

“So we’re even now,” I say.

“It was good doing business with you,” Dr. Kee agrees.

“You’ve done good work,” I grudgingly admit.

“Yes, you have been one of my favourites,” he says, stepping closer to me to survey my face. “Perfect knifework, no sign of scarring—your body, it’s healed magnificently.”

“I would have thought that the Merrygolds would have been your proudest achievement,” I say. “I didn’t notice anything inorganic when I was… becoming acquainted with their physical features.”

Dr. Kee smiles.

“They’re two of my favourites too,” he says. “But at any rate, I believe our business has been concluded. You know where to find me, should you ever need my services again.”

June 3, 2020. My place.

I hear the squeal of delight from Ella Sue’s room only seconds before she bursts into mine, tackling me and hugging me hard.

“Whoa there, what’s gone on?”

“I did it!” Ella Sue yelps, “I did it! Sean got me an audition on the latest film that he’s working on so I went and gave it a shot, but I only had one day to prepare and I was super super nervous during the thing because Sean was watching and all these big Hollywood executives were too, you know, but I gave it my best shot and then I just got a call from them, and they say that I was far and away the best person that they’d seen and so they have their heart set on me, so so now I’ve landed the lead female role!”

She’s been dancing on her feet this entire time, the infectious smile on her face latching onto mine.

“Holy shit, congratulations!” I say, hoisting Ella Sue up into the air, her feet kicking the air in excitement. “I’m so proud of you, you’ve worked so hard for this.”

“I know! I’m going to call the supermarket next, tell them that I’m quitting, because I’m gonna be an actressss…”

“And don’t forget to let your Insta followers know too,” I say, setting her down again. “You seem to have a lot more of them these days.”

“Ooh my god it’s crazy I’ve liked doubled my number of followers in the last few weeks just from all the pics that I’ve been getting with Sean and then the Playboy Party and then the other parties that I’ve gotten invited to after that and meeting all the other famous celebrities,” she says, sounding giddy as can be. I love it.

“Say goodbye to the accountant’s life,” I say. “Sounds like you’re fitting right into the Hollywood crowd now. Next thing I know, you’re going to be moving out.”

“I’m never gonna have to see an Excel spreadsheet again,” Ella Sue says in a sing-song voice. “Can you believe it? I feel like I still can’t believe it! It’s like… a dream or something, it’s so unreal, like… how could do this be real?”

“It’s real,” I laugh as she wriggles out of my arms and starts dancing in the centre of my bedroom. “Does Sean know?”

“Um… I’m telling him next! Who would have thought, all I needed to do to land my big role was to sleep with the lead actor,” she says.

“Don’t say that,” I say, growing concerned for a second.

“No no no that was just a joke, it’s all good, Sean made sure to tell them that they shouldn’t take his opinion into account when they make their decision, but they secretly told me on the call that we had really good chemistry together, and that was part of the reason why they want me,” she says.

“Good chemistry? That’s kind of unfair to everyone else that’s not going out with him,” I say.

“Yeah well, sucks to be them,” she says, sticking her tongue out. “But anyways, got to run now, I’m gonna call Sean!”

She whips out her phone and starts dialing his number, humming a happy song under her breath.