Forever and a Day (20 page)

Joel sneered, “Yeah. We will know it’s over by the third gong, like that stupid gong show in the seventies. Lame!”

Halo looked at JJ who shrugged back at her. She turned to Joel, and tried to sound concerned but it just was not there, “Joel, what’s the matter? You seem more uptight than usual?”

Joel started shuffling his foot on the tile floor, “Nothing Halo. We should get going. Just be nice, smile pretty to Governor Uteli, and let’s get this done with. I sure the hell can use the rest.”

Halo pursed her full lips together into a pucker then spoke her thoughts, “How’s Johnny holding up?”

Joel instantly looked up at Halo, “What? Oh, he’s fine. Why?”

Halo noticed the quickly covered up nervousness, “I just want to make sure he remembers the rules.”

“Oh! No worry there, he certainly does.” Joel quickly shot back then he muttered to himself, “It’s all I fucking hear about…”

“Good. Wait, what was that?” Halo asked with a seriousness.

“I just said I keep hearing about it. He knows your rules, don’t worry.” Joel said, doing the best he could to hide his testiness.

“He had better.” Halo replied threateningly and she stood looking at Joel and Deacon, “Well? Is there more we need to discuss?”

Both men shook their heads no. Deacon opened the door and found Thomas’s huge back barring the way. Joel and Deacon watched as he slowly turned around and let them out into the hall, not taking his eyes off them.

Thomas spoke up, “Halo and JJ you ride with me and Joseph. These two can walk or find their own ride.”

“Big man, you don’t need to worry about me. I have my own driver.” Joel said looking up defiantly at Thomas.
 

Thomas looked Joel up and down and smirked, “Halo, I don’t like this one’s looks.” He turned to her and gave her a quick wink, “If he bothers you let me know, his driver is my cousin too.” Thomas held the door open with his long arm as Halo smiled as she stepped into the hall with JJ in tow.

Halo had seen Joel’s mouth quickly come open at Thomas’s word, ‘cousin’, and he shut it just as fast and started quickly down the hall. They began to follow when a door opened up ahead and a man stepped out.

Halo heard JJ from behind her, “Johnny…” Halo narrowed her eyes as Johnny turned and immediately met hers. He looked tired with dark circles under his eyes, after a moment’s pause he slowly retreated into his room then slowly shut the door without a word. She saw Joel seem to ignore it as he went to Deborah’s door and quickly knocked.

“Deb, we are leaving!” Joel said loudly at the door and headed out towards the lobby, not stopping to wait.

Thomas stopped at Deborah’s door, “We wait?” He asked, and no sooner said when Deborah stepped out into the hallway.

Halo smiled at her, “Deborah can ride with us.”

With Deborah in tow, Thomas began leading them down the hall. When he got close to Johnny’s door he turned to Halo and pointed at it questioningly, she gave him one deep nod and he blinked hard once at her and gestured for them to follow.

The journey took all of five minutes, Halo saw the house from the road and got a better view as they came up the tree-lined driveway. She saw that it had a spectacular view of the ocean and town below. The Plantation style mansion was not as big as she thought. It was not even half the size of her home, but for here, and what she had seen, it might be the biggest house so far.

Thomas pulled up behind Joel’s Ford Explorer. Joel and Deacon got out with Deacon waving to them. In unison Thomas and Joseph exited the Toyota and opened the doors for the women. Joseph held out his large hand and helped both JJ and Halo out.

Thomas came around to Halo, “We will wait here.”

“You sure? I don’t know how long we will be?” Halo asked courteously.

“Governor Uteli is not a big talker, it is ok. We will wait, or I can go back to the hotel and knock on the door I showed you?” Thomas said smiling.

Halo giggled, “For how much I’d like you to do that and be there to see it? No, you better not, but thank you.” Halo could not help but smile big at the thought she pictured.

Thomas nodded and gestured to the impatiently waiting Joel and Deacon. The three women walked up with the men to the main entrance and was immediately greeted by what Halo could only assume was the butler.

With a polite greeting the old, tall and dark skinned man led them to a library, “The Governor will be with you soon, please make yourself at home in the library.” He turned and shut the dark double wooden doors behind him.

Joel plopped down on a brown leather sofa, while Deacon waited until Halo and the women settled onto the opposite leather sofa, then sat down next to Joel.

“Smells like old musty books in here.” Joel said quietly.

“Hence the word library, Joel.” Deacon muttered back.

“No shit.” Joel said back.

Deacon leaned close to Joel, “What the hell is up with you?”

Joel began bouncing his leg up and down and just stared at Deacon. After a few tense moments, he replied quietly, “Nothing. Just want to get some rest and this damned scene filmed. I don’t like it here, the fucking air conditioning barely keeps my room cool. It sucks ass.”

“Ask for a new room then.” Deacon offered quietly.

“Like you think I didn’t already? With the crew here, they are full for the next few days.” Joel hissed out.

“If you are going to be this bitchy just take my room already, I’ll switch you.” Deacon offered.

“Thanks but no thanks.” Joel said just a touch nicer.

Deacon shrugged and looked to Halo who was attentively watching them both, he smiled at her when a polite knock on the door sounded out. Everyone got up, Joel being the last one as the Governor entered his library.

Governor Uteli stood about six foot two, you could tell that at one point he was as broad shouldered as Thomas or Joseph, but heading to what looked like his mid-sixties, his build was thinning. He wore his salt and pepper hair very short but long enough to part at the side, business like. He was dressed in a well-tailored gray suit, white shirt and blue tie. When he addressed them, his voice was deep and authoritative.

“Good evening! I am Governor Uteli, thank you for coming to my home.” He stepped in and immediately walked towards Halo who was smiling her best for him. He gave her a slight bow, “Miss Raines, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have enjoyed several of your movies over these past few years.”

Halo did a small dip, curtsey style and accepted the governor’s extended hand, “Mr. Governor, the pleasure is mine. Thank you for inviting us and being a fan of my films too!” She gave him a little laugh, then continued, “May I introduce my friends and co-workers?”

“Yes Miss Raines, please do.” The governor said smiling broadly.

Halo walked over to Joel and set her hand on his bony shoulder, “This is my co-producer, Joel Miller.”

Joel smiled and stepped forward and shook the governor’s hand, “Pleasure to meet you Mr. Governor.”

“And you Mr. Miller.”

Halo set her hand on Deacon’s shoulder and began the rest of the introductions.

They waited as the governor took the seat at the head of both couches, then everyone returned to their previously vacated places. The governor’s gaze fell upon Halo, “Halo… such a unique and beautiful name. I’ve been told that your middle name is ‘Heaven’ is this correct?”

“Yes, Mr. Governor it is.” Halo said still smiling.

“Our community here in American Samoa is Christian based, are you parents religious?” Governor Uteli asked still watching Halo.

Halo dipped her head and smiled shyly, “I would say that my mother is spiritual, and my father follows along.” Uteli smiled and nodded then turned to Joel and Deacon.

“Are you gentlemen finding our island amiable to your movie making?”

Deacon spoke first, “Yes, Mr. Governor. The local citizens are very helpful and kind as are the people we hired to help staff our crew. Thank you, sir.”

“That is good news!” He turned back to Halo, “Halo, I believe it is you we should thank for bringing your movie making to us?”

Halo nodded, “Yes Mr. Governor, I heard that the tuna industry doesn’t even offer our stateside minimum wage and that jobs are difficult to come by. Before I left I did hear about Triple Sea wishing to build a new canning factory here, is this correct?”

Uteli gave her a nod and smile, “You are indeed correct, Halo. Even though the wage is low, this will offer more jobs to our people, in time the wages may improve—if they do indeed build here.”

“Excuse me Mr. Governor, is it true that most cannery workers are female and not from here?” Halo asked.

“I see you have done your homework, I appreciate your interest in our people. Thank you. To answer your question, yes on all the accounts you mentioned. I hope that we can attract a greater amount of indigenous laborers. Due to the arduous nature of cleaning fish, it is not the most prestigious of jobs. I know… as a teen I worked the line at the Starkist cannery.”

“The working conditions must have been worse…” Halo said.

Uteli gave her a nod, “Let’s talk of the movie! Is there anything that my office can do to assist you, Halo?”

Halo wore an appreciative look, “I don’t know, it’s my understanding that we are good to go on filming in the morning, Joel?” Halo asked a bored looking Joel.

Joel sat up a bit at hearing his name, “Ah, yes. We are scheduled to be on the beach set at six tomorrow morning. When we are done, Deb here will double check our set after we leave to be sure as we leave the site in good order, sir.”

“Mr. Governor,” Halo interjected, “I heard about the three bells or gongs, is this common with all the villages here?”

“It is mainly in the small hamlets and villages throughout our island. Like I mentioned, we are a very Christian based community and the outlying areas are the most traditional. Prayer service will not last long, the delay you might encounter should only be minor.”

Deacon nodded, “We will be listening and it’s not a problem. We are accustomed to having to film in public areas.”

Uteli did not take his eyes from Halo as he nodded, “Halo, you will be playing the lead role? I was informed there was a John Stone, a well-known actor filming with you. Is he unwell, I was expecting to meet him.”

Joel sat up, “Mr. Governor, Johnny Stone is tired from his flight and is getting in as much time preparing for his role as he can. I apologize for not bringing him along with us.”

“I see. Preparedness is key to success.” Uteli paused and gathered his words, “At some point I would like to meet this John Stone, I have heard much about him.”

Joel smiled, “Mr. Governor, Johnny would be honored to meet you. I will have my assistant call your office and find a suitable time?”

“That would be ideal, Mr. Miller.” Uteli replied and looked from Joel back to Halo with a half-smile, “Halo, this Saturday, my wife and I are hosting an informal state dinner with our local leaders. We would be grateful if you would be able to attend, with possibly your assistant. Due to the venue being small, I am unable to extend an invitation to you all, my sincere apologies.” Uteli placed his hand on his chest and gave the two men a polite small bow in their direction.

Halo spoke up first, “I would be honored Mr. Governor, JJ please make a note of this on our schedule.” JJ nodded and began entering the information on her iPad, “What time, Mr. Governor?” Halo asked.

“Seven PM for drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Dinner at eight PM. Informal attire is fine.” Uteli smiled.