[Chapter 251: Monica's Sexyness]
The film officially went into production.
Linton knew Naomi was a guest star with only three scenes. One scene showed her sitting in a small car by the roadside waiting for Linton to exit the mall, then being hit by a truck driven by a criminal. Another had her lying in a hospital bed, and the last was walking with Linton. These scenes were simple, so they shot all her parts on the first day.
Linton wanted Naomi to finish early so she could focus on her own projects since she was a top actress with a lot going on. She had just taken the lead in Warner Bros.' The Client and was contractually committed to join that production next month. This was a role Linton had selected for her from many offers. He had seen the movie before and, although he forgot the exact box office, it did pretty well.
But even after completing her scenes, Naomi chose to stay with the crew longer. She said she was about to join a new production that would keep her busy for months, so she wanted to stay and absorb more energy now to prepare.
Linton agreed; having her around made the nightly parties livelier. Plus, she learned new moves from Monica and was especially wild in her part, like she was using up all her energy in advance. Linton was pleased.
Naomi stayed for another week until her agent insisted she leave.
...
Heidi Klum, who played the second female lead in The Rock and had limited scenes, also wrapped up after two months. She wasn't a big star, and because Linton wasn't the director there, her schedule couldn't be accommodated. Her modeling gigs kept her busy, and though she enjoyed the parties, she had to head out.
...
As Happy Death Day was still doing well in theaters and Monica was very popular, Linton thought it was prime time for Monica to do promotional events and convert her fame into business. Shooting a movie now wasn't ideal. Monica didn't care; as long as she was with Linton daily, she was happy, though her agent likely worried.
Though Monica was the lead in The Man from Nowhere, her screen time was limited. Since she was Linton's woman, he concentrated her scenes and filmed them early so she could capitalize on her rising fame from Happy Death Day sooner.
...
Monica's role was a prostitute. It was an easy part for her -- her standout films later, like Franck Spadone, Malèna, and How Much Do You Love Me?, often featured her playing dancers or prostitutes.
In the film, she overheard a drug gang's phone call, got greedy, stole narcotics intending to sell them, pushing the plot forward.
After her scene, Monica walked into the nightclub's backstage lounge wearing a sexy sequined skirt and high heels.
...
"Cut," Linton called, a bit dissatisfied. He turned to his two assistant directors, Jonathan Glazer and James Wong, standing nearby. "Thoughts?"
"Pretty good and very tempting," James said thoughtfully, being a screenwriter more than a cameraman.
Jonathan, a strong commercial director, said, "With Monica's appeal, the film could be more enticing and attract more viewers."
"Monica, can you sway your hips more? That might help," Linton invited her over and explained.
She got the hint she hadn't been flirty enough and said, "Give me two minutes."
...
After a quick adjustment, Monica flipped into a flirtatious mode. The camera zoomed slowly, focusing on her round, perky behind swaying suggestively, teasing the audience much like her role in Malèna.
Linton noticed the men on set, including Jonathan and James, staring intently, their breaths heavier.
What's a sultry beauty? Monica embodied it perfectly.
Linton believed most male viewers would be drawn to this scene. He planned to edit it into the trailer to attract many male fans.
Of course, the rest could only watch; any action was out of the question -- he'd keep that to himself.
The shoot went on.
...
Monica changed in a dark dressing room, about to put on a red coat when she overheard a gang member's call about a drug deal.
"I've got the goods and am leaving now."
Monica's greed took over. She grabbed her stun gun and shocked the gangster from behind while he changed.
She found a big bag wrapped tightly in clear film inside his backpack.
Her breathing quickened with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
A dancer and drug addict working low at the nightclub, Monica knew the bag was worth at least hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Panic soon hit her heavily made-up face as she realized the terrible consequences if caught -- she snatched the bag and fled.
...
"OK, passed."
Filming continued.
...
Monica portrayed Scarlett's mother, who stole drugs and fought hard with her man over the loot's uneven split.
After getting slapped twice, her man stormed off. In low spirits, Monica told Scarlett to leave since her addiction was acting up and she didn't want her daughter to see her like that.
...
Hearing Monica's moans, Scarlett curled up in a corner, covering her ears, looking fragile and pitiful.
Lonely and scared, she knocked on the door next door at Linton's family store. "I just felt sorry for you, uncle, so I came to see you."
"You make your own bed," Linton replied calmly, handing her a pillow without further words.
With his abilities, he surely knew what was happening next door and what Monica was up to, but he chose to ignore it.
"Uncle, do you know what people call you?"
"What?"
"They say you're a ghost. And do you know my nickname?"
"What?"
"They call me Trash Can because my aunt said when my mom was pregnant, she kicked a trash can on the street and broke her toe, so they named me that."
Scarlett grinned brightly.
"Go to bed."
Linton stayed stern and shut the door.
When the girl's soft snores came from the room, he appeared ghostlike and gently covered her with a blanket.
...
"OK, passed."
*****
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