Film Festival

After what felt like practically months, I snapped back to reality. I took a seat next to Lexi, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek, and looked at the TV.

“And in other news, the 24th Annual Piltivian Film Festival has started back up again.” On the screen was a news reporter standing in front of a building that I was very familiar with. A building that I had been to nearly every year since childhood. My eyes went wide as my brain began to piece together what was happening. “After being canceled for the last three years, it is finally confirmed to be happening. Contestants from all over the state will be able to enter their films into the contest for a chance at a cash prize and to take this from the state level to nationals. The deadline to enter is May 15th. We wish all competitors good luck and an apology for the short notice.”

“Huh? Maria, you alright?” Tae said as she looked over at me.

I couldn’t help it. I had a huge smile on my face and was practically shaking from excitement. “Oh. My. GODDESS!” I shouted, unable to contain it any longer. “They’re finally back! They’re back!” I did a silly little dance in the living room. “It’s like a dream come true!”

“Wait, can someone explain it to me?” Tae said as she looked around at the other girls.

“The Piltivian Film Festival is a global competition for indie film people to show off their talents and movies,” Summer explained as she smiled at my little dance. “If you win at the state level, you get to go to nationals, and then the international competition. It’s a lot of prestige and prize money if you win. Hell, even getting nominated for any categories is important.”

“And I thought that they were done for,” I said, the enthusiasm still never leaving my voice, “But they’re finally back! I still can’t believe it!”

“So, what are you gonna do for a movie?” Lexi asked.

As she did, all the energy in my body just flat out exhumed from my body. “Shit! I hadn’t even thought about that in years!” I started to pace around the room. “I mean, I have some old scripts that I could dust off, but are they too old? Where am I going to find people who want to be part of this in such short notice? Can I do this even with my schoolwork? Oh geez, what about the budget? Do I have enough in my savings?”

I started muttering to myself for quite some time before Danna came up. She firmly clapped her hands on both sides of my cheek and kissed me on the lips. She gave me a reassuring smile and signed a few things at me.

“What Danna is saying is that you aren’t alone,” Summer translated. “You have the rest of us who can help you.”

“Wait, if money is one of the things you’re worried about,” Tae said as she looked over at Danna and Summer, “What about Danna? Isn’t she loaded?”

Danna grimaced a little at the comment and looked away shyly.

“I do not believe that will be possible,” Summer said. “Danna’s father is very… protective of his funds.”

“Even for his own daughter’s girlfriend?” Tae said. There was a long pause in the air before Tae spoke up again. “Wait a minute, does he not know?”

“No.” Summer quickly said as she turned to Tae and stared her in the eyes. “He does not know and we would prefer that it stays that way.” Tae looked like she was about to ask more, but given the vibe in the room, she shut her mouth.

“Well, uh, looking at other ideas, I can always pitch in a cut of my donations,” Lexi said, trying to bring the mood back up. “I got a whole bunch of them, and lately this week, I’ve been really growing a lot. Regina’s been a great streaming partner. Even got a few sponsorships. I bet they wouldn’t mind pitching in a little more if they would get a bit of product placement.”

“I mean, I’ll think about it, but, well, before that, I need a script,” I said as I scratched my head. “Come on Maria. Think of something!” I turned to everyone. “Anyone got any suggestions? I’ll even take just genres.”

“What about what we’re doing for class?” Tae asked as she rubbed her chin.

“That’s not nearly close to being finished,” I said to her. “Plus, I don’t wanna do something that I’m gonna also have to turn in for class. I want this to be a wholly Maria O’Conner original piece.”

“If you need a good genre, mystery always seems to do really well for indie things, if the games that I see people talk about are any indication,” Lexi says as she scrolls through her phone, pulling up various videos about theories regarding some latest horror game.

Danna shook her head and then put her hands into a heart formation. “You think a romance story would work?” I asked Danna, and she nodded her head. “Hmm, maybe.”

“Nah, you gotta go bigger. Porn is always a winner,” Regina said as she put a hand on Summer’s tits. “I bet you could write a great porno.”

I just rolled my eyes at her. “As if I could submit something like that. Not to mention that I’d have to find actors for that.” Regina gestured to the six of them in the room. “No offense, but I don’t think any of you want to be featured in a porno… Okay, maybe Regina.” Regina had a goofy smile on her face and I couldn’t help but smile at her.

To my surprise, the other girls looked at each other and shrugged. “I mean, it’s acting, right?” Tae said. “You already had me topless for a scriptwriting last week.”

“I’d be topless if I could if it wasn’t against TOS,” Lexi said as she put a hand around Summer’s waist and planted a kiss on her lips. “I’m usually bottomless.”

“Can confirm,” Regina said with a sly smile.

“Danna would not be allowed to be in such, but, I would not mind acting in one,” Summer said as she firmly kissed Lexi in return.

“You know I’d do anything for you, babe,” Vanessa said as she sauntered out of my room, her hair was a mess and she had a wide grin on her face. She stumbled her way to the couch and laid down across Regina and Summer’s laps. “Ah, comfy.”

I bit my lip as the thought of all seven of us recording a porn movie crossed my mind. Despite having sex daily, it itched a different part of me that sent shivers down my spine. It took a lot of courage and willpower to shake that thought out of my head. “Even if I wanted to,” I said, trying to steer them back on track, “There are rules and regulations that I have to follow.”

Danna reached down and held my hands. Subtly, she used one of her fingers to tap on the Reality Ring and gave me a knowing look. I gently shook my head at her. She gave a bit of a disappointed, but understanding expression. She leaned up and gave me a quick kiss on the lips, to which I responded by squeezing her ass and pulling her towards me.

“Yeah, keep the good stuff for us!” Regina chuckled as she watched Danna and I.

“Well, if I know my girl,” Vanessa said, “then I know that she’s brilliant enough to figure out something amazing. And you know that we’ll help you.”

“Thanks girls,” I said as I smiled at them. And then, I heard my stomach rumble. This morning had already been so busy, I had forgotten completely to eat anything! I clutched my stomach in embarrassment and a few of the others chuckled.

“Well, let’s not keep Maria from breakfast any longer,” Summer said as she moved so that there would be room for Danna and I. “Come and eat. You can think about script stuff later.”

“Alright,” I lamented, but she was right. I sat down and started to eat the breakfast that summer had prepared for us.

As I chewed, my mind raced with various ideas, trying to come up with something that I could do as a script. With a limited cast and budget, there had to be a story that could utilize both. The suggestions that the girls had brought up bounced around in my mind, but even after about half an hour, there wasn’t anything substantial.

I sighed loudly, to which Vanessa took the opportunity to grab onto my face and passionately kiss my lips. She pulled her face away while she bit her lips a little. But before I could get her back, Lexi pulled Vanessa away and claimed her face with her lips. Not wanting to miss out on the opportunity, Danna moved to straddle Tae and began to make out with her, her tongue already darting in and out of Tae’s mouth. Summer scooted over and planted several kisses all over my face and neck, and as I looked down, I saw Regina planting several of her own kisses on Summer’s ass. It wasn’t long before the girls were all swapping partners and before I knew it, I was kissing along Danna’s neck.

After several rounds of mutual kissing and trading continued, there was a sudden burst of inspiration as if all the ideas hit the corner of the screen at the same time.

“I got it!” I said as I quickly stood up, a wide grin on my face, pushing Lexi off my face and back into Vanessa’s waiting arms.

“Oh, I know that look,” Vanessa said with a smile.

I scrambled to get off the couch and rushed over to my room to turn on my computer. There was no way that I was going to lose this idea! I had to strike while the forge was hot.

“Whoa, someone lit a fire under her ass,” Regina chuckled as she tilted her head to watch me impatiently tap my fingers on my desk for my computer to load faster.

“That’s her big idea face,” Vanessa said as she turned Lexi’s head and planted a firm kiss on the lips. “She’s going to be busy for a bit. Let’s leave her be.”

And busy I was because I just had an absolutely golden idea for a film script!

(Author's Note: HOLY FUCK has it been too long. I have been VERY busy with a lot of stuff, but, I am FINALLY returning back to this! For those of you keeping up with my other stories and such, those will be finished, but, I am finishing Ringmaster first. It was my first and it DESERVES it. But, at the same time, expect longer chapters, so they won't be that frequent. If you wanna support me or read them early, I'll drop a link to my Patreon, provided I'm not told I can't. The journey continues~!

https://www.patreon.com/GaylynneQuince )