Thursday, September 15, 2022

"Someone's been getting all the sex she can handle," Bethany comments as Nataley places her lunch in the refrigerator.

At her friend's brazen words, the gaping fear in the pit of Nat's stomach only recedes when she ascertains that no one has heard the offhand remark. "Beth -- you need to be more careful!"

"What? No one around here would rat you out. That's crazy."

"Beth -" Exasperated, Nataley takes in a deep breath, releasing it slowly like she's learned through her meditation practice. "Bethany, all it takes is one person being reckless with that information, and everything goes up in smoke. Do you even remember what it was like before?"

"But Nat - the world has changed so much since then."

"Not as much as you think," Nat cautions.

"You might be wrong. Have you even bothered to talk to -" her head swivels as she exaggerates looking for others like a soon-to-be-dead spy in a B-rated movie "-H about this?"

Facing her friend, Nataley grasps the woman's shoulders. "I adore you, Bethany, but this is one area where you truly need to mind your own business."

Ducking her head, the makeup artist agrees reluctantly, "Fine. Can I at least say that you look very loved-up? And that I'm happy for you?"

The smile breaks through then, "Yes, you can say it. We've had some heavy emotional stuff over the last few days, but ultimately, I'm more content with Harry than during the time we were apart."

"I knew it!"

"Oh!" Nataley squealed, hugging her friend again, "I've been doing some thinking, and I might be looking for a Tour Lighting Designer who might be maybe seeking a potential apprentice."

"WHAT?! When did you decide this? Holy shit, Nat! That's huge! Giant! Enormous!" Bethany jumped up and down several times before her enthusiasm suddenly froze, and her face fell. "That means you're planning to leave the show?"

"Not right away, silly goose. Too much to work out with Noah and his father and my family and the condo and a million other details."

"But you're considering it seriously?"

The blush that creeps up Nataley's neck feels warm, and she places her cool hands on her cheeks to try to calm the color. "It's something I love. Watching artists perform with transformative lighting has long been the best entertainment, but I never considered it seriously because of Noah, you know?"

At her friend's curious look, Nataley continued, "Because I would have to leave him with his father for months at a time during a world tour."

"What changed?"

Clamping her mouth shut, Nataley shakes her head. "I don't want to jinx anything. I promise I'll fill you in next week if everything works out."

Raising an eyebrow, Bethany observes her friend cautiously, "Okay, Nat. I just hope you're not in over your head."

"Thanks, Beth." Hugging her friend once more, Nataley heads for the studio, throwing the final words over her shoulder, "I've got hope!" Under her breath she mutters, "More than I've had in a long time."

Around the corner, she enters the studio to find it in disarray. Where the couch normally sits is a pair of single chairs facing each other. The desk has been removed as well, replaced with an armchair and a side table.

"What the hell?" she asks the director who is pointing to a flower pot.

"Change of plans for tonight's show. Ben wants to capitalize on last night's success with Allison Janey so he cut the show to two guests, and he wants Harry to meet with each of them one at a time."

Holy - Nat can't wrap her mind around what's happening.

"Ben -" she overhears Harry, and she shifts her body closer so she can listen better, "James will be back soon enough. How's he going to feel about a complete shift in format?"

"James does what works for him. The schtick. The sketches. The light comedy. When he returns, we'll return to playing to his strengths. But you're here now, and we need to allow for your strengths. This is how we do that. I need you to do some deep background reading on our guests for tonight. You'll talk first with our musical guest --"

"The musical guest?"

"Yes. It's Sam Smith, so I know you'll have plenty to discuss."

Harry nods, crossing his arms and shifting his weight to one side. Nataley makes a mental note to check in with him soon since this is his overwhelmed posture.

"And then while Sam prepares for their song, you'll have about 20 minutes with Emma Watson."

"TWENTY minutes? That's a long time, Ben."

"We'll throw a commercial or two in there. The writers are cutting the opening monologue down so you'll have more time for the interviews. Trust me, mate. You're going to smash it."

"BEN!" calls one of the set designers, waving the producer in his direction.

"Nat!" Tyrone distracts her, approaching from her blind side with a lighting plot. "We've got shit to do. What do you think? Heavy backlights for Harry? Or do we go with softer front lighting? And do we cross fade? Use indirect lighting?"

Placing her hand gently on his arm, she reminds him to "Breathe, Ty." In the moment that her assistant is drawing in deep gulps of air, it occurs to her that this is the perfect training ground for him. "I want you to draw up a lighting plot for the interview segments. I'll work on the musical guest."

Quizzically, he tilts his head in her direction. "Shouldn't it be the other way around?"

"Nope. Time for you to earn your new job title as Assistant Lighting Director. I'll look it over and make suggestions afterwards, but it's your baby. You've worked with Harry almost as much as I have in the past, so you know how to light him. Think about the mood you want to set for these interviews, and then plot it out."

Bewildered, Tyrone shakes his head. "There's not enough time."

"Go then! You've got about two hours before we need to start hanging lights. Use it wisely!"

She's astonished at her brazen attitude about passing the project across to Ty. On the other hand, the whole switch in one day is outrageous. Nataley cannot fathom what Ben is thinking.

Knocking on the door to James' office where Harry has set up shop, Nat smiles blandly at the writer standing near Harry as the woman bends over to give him a clear shot at her cleavage. "Sorry to interrupt, Jody, but I need to touch base with Harry about tonight's lighting."

"Humph," the writer stands, making sure her body brushes Harry's as she exits the room. "I'll wait just outside the door here, H!"

"Thanks," he smiles, dimples out, as Nataley shuts the door on the woman. "Jealous?"

"What?" Nat plants her hands on her hips. "Lost your mind?"

"You know if we went public with our relationship, people like Jody wouldn't try to tempt me."

"Ha! Except that there will always be women and men who think they can attract your attention and encourage you to dabble with them."

"Sure. You're probably right. It's not like all of my fans have respected my previous relationships."

"Or know boundaries. Anyway," Nataley physically shakes her body to get rid of the emotion she feels. "I'm here to check on you. This plan of Ben's is..."

"Brilliant?"

"Hasty."

"Oh, yes. It is that. Lighting going to be okay?"

"Of course. I've got my best guy working on it." Crossing the room, she rests her rear on the desk as she faces him. "You going to be okay with this short of a lead time for the interviews?"

Resting his face in his palms, Harry slowly moves his head from side to side.

"I'll manage because I already know and admire these artists, but coming up with genuine questions is not as easy as coming up with fluff to help them promo their work."

"Hey," she brushes his hair away from his hands, and he sits up to make eye contact with her. "All anyone wants you to do tonight is be a good listener. You're amazingly talented at getting people to reveal their inner thoughts just by hearing them out and asking questions that make you curious. If you try to steer the interview on any one particular path, it won't be authentic. Viewers will know that. They're smart. People want to see two people connecting on a legitimate level."

"But it falls to me to keep the conversation going." Harry's expression, fear mixed with excitement, reminds her of how Noah looked when he had to perform at his school performance.

"H - my love --" she whispers, stroking the underside of his jaw as he gazes at her, "you can have some questions as back-up. Of course you should. But ultimately, you need to just listen to your guests. They'll fall under your spell and spill their deepest secrets. It will be brilliant television. Besides, you know exactly what questions NOT to ask."

"What if I fail?"

"Then we either go back to the previous format or you try again with different preparation. The world will not end. James will not lose his job. You will not plummet into the depths of unemployment. Loosen up and have a good time with it, H. It's all just for fun anyway. People want to be entertained, and you'll be able to do that no matter what you say or do in front of the camera." When he started shaking his head, she rested a finger over his lips. "No arguing, H. You're going to amaze everyone. I believe in you." Removing her finger, she replaced it with her lips, coaxing him to open to her.

When he did, she let him take control. Pushing back his chair, he stood, towering over her, their lips maintaining their connection as he wrapped an arm around her waist. Repeatedly, his tongue sought reassurance which she provided, sliding her hands over his back, using her trimmed fingernails to lightly scratch at his muscles.

When he came up for air, Nataley smiled at him, their faces only inches apart. "I love you, Harry Edward Styles."

"Same, Nataley Penelope Zwinger."

With that exchange, she shuffles to the door, opening it with a fast twist of the knob, nearly causing the writer to stumble inside, her ear having been pressed to the door.

"Thanks, Jody. The lighting is going to really show off his dimples, so I appreciate the few minutes to touch base with him." Feeling proud of herself for not being rude, Nat makes her way to the dressing room of the night's musical act.

Knocking, she patiently waits until they invite her in.

"Nataley! So lovely to see you again!" Rising, they kiss both of her cheeks. "You look fabulous!"

"And you're a flirty tease," Nat replies, smiling. "Checking to see what you've got planned for tonight. I assume it will be your newest single, but I don't know what instrumentation you're planning. Wanna make sure we light you up!"

"Aw, Nat. You're always so welcoming to me when I come to Late Late. Thank you. I'm going with a bare bones approach tonight. I'm singing a cappella."

"Oh wow." Nat fans herself, "That's going to be amazing. I've got chills just thinking about it. So what do you need for lighting? Do you want something that shifts? Remains stable?"

"Nataley," the musician cautions, "You're the lighting designer. I want you to decide, and then we'll see what it looks like in rehearsal. Deal?"

"You drive a hard bargain, Sam Smith, but I'm in." She shakes their hand. "I'll go prepare now."

As she places her hand on the door, Sam stops her. "Nataley?"

"Sam?"

She turns to face them, her eyes roaming over their face.

"Harry's interviewing me first."

"Yeah."

"Should I be worried?"

"About what?"

They wring their hands in front. "Nat..."

"Harry is the kindest, most generous soul on the planet. I promise he will bring that attitude into his conversation with you. You have nothing to fear. It's going to be the best interview you've ever given."

"Promise?"

Crossing the floor quickly, Nat wraps her arms around them. "I swear. And if he's not kind, I'll kick his ass for you."

Sam doubled over, laughing. "I'd pay to see that."

"I'd accept money for you to watch it." With that final parting shot, she exits the room, shaking her head. Celebs. They're just like us. A bundle of insecurity and indecision. Pausing, she quickly turns back to the door, knocking again.

"Come in." Sam's voice bids her, and she enters the room once more.

"Nat?"

"I've got a question, and I would appreciate an honest answer please."

Guarded, they watch her and nod slowly. "Okay."

"Would you ever consider hiring me as a tour LD?"

"Are you looking for work, Nat?"

"I'm exploring my options, Sam, and I want to know if I have any shot whatsoever in such a drastic change in careers."

They cock their hip, folding one arm over the other and brushing their lip with gentle fingers. "You want an honest answer?"

"Yes please." Her stomach in knots, she waits for their assessment, knowing that one musician wouldn't make or break her plans.

"Nataley, you are one of the most amazing LDs with whom I've had the pleasure of working. You could take on anything in the world of lighting, and I would be a fan. If you want, I'll gladly invite you to interview for my next tour LD. It won't be for another couple of years because we're getting ready to start this next tour, but I would be honored if you would interview in the future."

Incredulity swept through Nataley, nearly forcing her to her knees. She reached out for something to steady her, and her hands landed on the counter to the room's bar.

"You okay, Nat?"

"You're not just shining me on, Sam?"

"Not even remotely. You've got talent, and I always trust the lighting you choose here on the Late Late Show. I can only imagine how brilliant you would be on tour. Whatever artist gets you as their LD is lucky as fuck."

Their words ring in her ears, and she nods, thanking them before she returns to the hallway, pulling the dressing room door closed behind her.

Head ringing with Sam's praise, Nataley returns to the lighting booth to find her assistant in a mild panic.

"Nat! You've got to rescue me. I don't know if I'm doing this right. Can you look it over and let me know what you think?"

Her eyes roam the lighting plot, and her brow wrinkles. He'd used cooler lighting in the three-point set-up, and she can picture it in her head.

"Do not leave me hanging like this," Ty groans, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"You've got a gel in a Tungsten here," she taps a light on the plot, "but I think you'd do better with a scoop."

Examining the plot, Tyrone nods. "Yeah, I can see that. I'll swap it out." He starts to move away, twisting back to her. "Wait. Is that your only criticism?"

Nataley shrugs. "It's good, Ty. You've gotten so much better. I should have been letting you design plots months ago."

"Shit! Really?"

The smile comes to her face unbidden at his exuberance. "Yes. Really. I'll talk to Ben about getting you credit for tonight."

With a grin that she doesn't think will fade for days, Tyrone struts away, pride in his step. Nataley isn't immune as a feeling of equal pride overtakes her while watching him. She helped grow that talent. What a success! She couldn't wait to see how the lighting played in the show.