When You're a Star...

"Christopher, I told you already, I can't do this anymore. Please, don't make this harder than it needs to be."

"What do you mean? Morgan, I'm just asking questions. A guy can't take a minute to clarify why he's being dumped after fifteen years?"

"You're acting like we've never talked about this before, like you didn't see it coming, and there is no way you're that dense."

"Dense? Who are you? You have never spoken to me like this before! I'm sorry you're so heartless and unaffected by this, but I'm devastated."

"Don't be so dramatic. We've been living like roommates for over a year now. We haven't had sex in even longer. What did you expect?"

"My tears need a minute to find the edges of my face. If you'll please excuse me."

"Cut!"

"What now?"

"Greg, I don't buy it." A tall, bristly man walked into view.

"Are you serious?" Greg threw his arms up in exasperation and started to walk off the set.

"Where are you going? We're not done shooting." The director followed after him but stopped after only a few steps. "You know what? No, I'm not indulging your tantrums anymore."

"My tantrums?" Greg swung his body around and faced the director head-on. "Daily, you are besieged by requests and complaints from Gloria, and you don't bat an eye. Why?"

"Because she's the talent here, buddy. The movie is called Morgan's Road, not Christopher's. You don't matter, and the only reason I'm not replacing you right now is because we already shot most of your scenes!" Feeling content that he had won the argument, the director started back to his seat.

"Is it because you're fucking?"

The director froze, then turned slowly back to face Greg. "What?"

"Is the reason you're so nice to Gloria and utterly useless to everyone else because you two are fucking? I thought it was a pretty clear question." He looked around, seeking affirmation.

"I may have said I wasn't going to replace you, but I've changed my mind."

At that moment, a petite woman wearing a headset and standing behind the monitors spoke. "Sir? We don't actually have time to recast and then reshoot his scenes. We're already behind schedule and over budget."

"I don't care! I want this shithead off my set."

"Fine! Whatever, the script is shit anyway. I don't need to start my career with this flop." Greg sauntered away, having won the argument.

Gloria looked at the director sadly before following Greg.

She hadn't slept with the director; he had made a pass at her but was rejected. That didn't matter to anyone, certainly not Greg. Once the rumor started, there was no stopping it.

Working with two hot-headed egos like theirs meant she was always picking up the pieces. Her career was on the line, too. They both seemed to forget this fact during their fights. She may be the movie's star, but she was still a woman.

She could never forget that on set.

Author's Note: I started this story a long time ago for an unofficial challenge I missed. I never finished or published it, but I was looking through drafts the other day and kinda liked the story. The prompt was to use the line "My tears need a minute to find the edges of my face. If you'll please excuse me." in a microfiction. I didn't love the line, but I had fun using it in a way that felt natural for me. Enjoy!