Stumbling to the dressing rooms

A few minutes of wandering, James was getting more worried. It occurred to him that it didn't matter how long he hung around a movie set, unless he actually did something, he wouldn't get cast in the movie. There were surprisingly few people that gave a damn about who he was or where he was meant to go.

The wandering wasn't all bad though, he'd gotten to see more costumes, got a better feel for the movie. Basically this "bar" was a major setpiece of the movie. Some sort of trade was meant to go down between the protagonist and the bad guy, and an AI was involved or something. It was all very "space opera" over the top sort of thing, but there seemed general enthusiasm about it. James was starting to want to see the movie, but more wanted to see himself in the movie more!

Asking a random crew member about extras, James was pointed towards a wall of the studio where he saw an open door blocked by a cute girl who was in earnest conversation (argument?) with a woman sitting on a chair by the door.

"...allergic to latex so I can't really..." the girl was saying, her voice going faster and higher pitched the whole time.

"Look, many costumes don't even use..." the woman

"...but it's just, what do they look like? Can't I know?"

"The director and costume designer went to a lot of effort to make sure each extra costume is unique. Until you know your size..."

"But what if I am given a costume I don't like?"

"Well then you can just leave then. We're trying to make a movie here, if you can't...."

"Just an extra...? How dare you..."

Losing patience, James spoke up tension making his voice a bit higher "I'm an extra, is this where I go?"

The woman just indicated through the door, barely looking towards him "Yes, grab a costume, get changed, do makeup, wait until you're called to set." James quickly went through the door barely hearing the woman's follow up comment . "See, for all you know she took the last costume in your size."

Through the door, James walked through a brief narrow segment before it opened into a big room where he saw banks of makeup desks, mobile coathangers full of different types of clothes and costumes, and a few changing booths. A woman sitting at one such makeup with checklist looked up as he came in.

"Extra?" she asked.

"Yes," James said excited, "I'm James Lee Mulligan."

The woman looked down at the checklist again as James walked up to her. Out of the corner of James' eye, he turned and saw... a galaxy of sparkles. Whether reflective sequins, glitter, or whatever else, the girl that walked past him sparkled like a disco ball. James turned to face her as she went to the short corridor out of the place, admiring the craft and style that went into such a costume... and lets face it, also admiring her rear end. It left James savoring the memory and also wondering if he'd end up with an outlandish costume.

All this left James with his back to the costuming woman who looked up after finishing the notes in her checklist. She was slightly annoyed the new extra had her back to her, but pushed it aside as she still looked him up and down, from his long hair to his shoddy trainers, calculating measurements. She then got up and buried herself in the racks of costumes and clothing, eventually coming out with a heaped armful of clothing she could barely see around.

"Jamie?" she asked.

"Yes?"

With the sound of the reply navigating her her, the woman dumped the clothing in James arms, then turned him around to face one of the changing booths and urged him forward. "I know there are some strange costume here, we've an eclectic art director, but wear them and you'll be a star." A pause. "Extra?" She was already bringing her attention on the next person.

Shaking his head, James pushed into the changing booth and took a breath. Well, he was half of the way there! His name was in the system, and all he had to do was follow instructions and he'd end up on camera. Maybe he could even angle for a speaking part? Like that "Go Spidy Go" gal or "I think he just took that guy's wallet" guy.

But enough of that, time to suit up. With anticipation, James looked down at the costume he would be wearing.