Chapter 166 - A Coincidental Meeting

December 3, 2012 – Monday, 2 pm - Route 95, Indian Springs, Nevada

"Dad. I didn't think we'd drive too far away from Vegas. This place is perfect. Looks just like Australia." Claire tells Gary. (claire. Refer to chapter 120)

"Maybe? What do you think, Xiao Song?" Gary asks.

"It's perfect, I think. Is this good enough for what was in your mind, Helena?" Xiao Song asks Helena.

"Just a part of it, but this is good enough for maybe half of the scenes." Helena says. 

Gary, his daughter Claire, Xiao Song, and Helena Paddington, just stepped out of their SUV which they parked on the side of the highway. They are currently appreciating the view of the vast desert expanse in the outskirts of the small Nevada town, Indian Springs.

Gary and Xiao Song, after reading 'Australia', no longer bothered to look for scripts or other materials to make into a film. A month ago, they already contacted the Outcault Award – winning author of 'Australia', Helena Paddington, regarding their interest in adapting her novel into a film. Helena, hearing their proposal could not help but rejoice and be hopeful so she immediately sold the film adaptation license of her novel. 

Helena was also hired by Gary and Xiao Song as a consultant, which led her to join the group of two directors and one actress, to scout for possible filming locations.

*Vroom* *Vroom!!!* The four suddenly hear engines roaring in the distance.

"Hey! Look!" Xiao Song, with the best eyes, spots the source of the sounds immediately and points them out.

"Oh my god! What's going on?!" Claire exclaims as she looks at the source of the roaring engines, anxiety apparent in her voice. Her feeling is also shared by Gary and Helena. 

From their high vantage point, they can clearly see an unpaved road of sand that branched out from the main highway, a hundred or so meters away from them. Along the unpaved road, is a speeding transport truck, followed by four cars and another transport truck.

The four cars which are the closest to the speeding truck's tail look like old station wagons and the truck behind the four station wagons looks similar to the truck that is in the front. The dust that the vehicles are producing from their wheels are adding to the intensity of the situation. 

"Wait! What's that?!" Xiao Song points once again as he spots a drone flying ahead of the land vehicles.

"A drone? What's going on?" Gary says. 

The group of spectators then silently watches as the two station wagons and the drone overtakes the leading truck and are looking as if they are trying to slow the truck down. *Bang* The spectators then see the pursued truck bump one of the station wagons in its way, only to no avail.

The two station wagons then gains more distance away from the leading truck and after leading a considerable distance, they then *screech!!!* made a maneuver to suddenly stop, perpendicularly, blocking the unpaved road.

The doors of the two leading station wagons quickly open and three men, from each car, steps out carrying what looks like long barreled guns. The men made a linear formation following their impromptu barricade, and point their guns to the truck coming their way. The truck, having its way blocked, with the threat of being shot, *Crrrrhhhhhhh* also quickly stops. 

"Oh no.. Oh no.." Xiao Song mutters in fear as his group sees three of the armed men walk to the truck, still pointing their guns towards it.

The two other station wagons that remained behind the tail of the truck also soon stops and more armed men exited. The armed men then open the truck's front and back doors, and drag out its passengers, and makes them unload whatever that is inside the truck, then load it to the other truck which is now apparent that is the armed men's. 

"Call the cops!" Gary orders Claire after seeing what looks like a highway robbery.

"Wait! Wait…" Xiao Song however, stops the two immediately.

"Why? It's a robbery!" Claire says as she dials her phone.

"I think they're filming!" Xiao Song exclaims. 

"What?" The rest of the group are confused.

"Look closely. We didn't see it but along the men with guns, are what looks like cameramen. Look." Xiao Song points out.

The other three then look closely and they see that there are indeed four men carrying cameras on the scene, shooting, standing behind each of the four station wagons. 

The group also shortly sees someone, wearing light brown clothes, stand up in the middle of the road, just a few feet ahead of the scene of the crime. That someone also looks like they are also carrying a camera. "What the f*ck. A cameraman in camouflage?" Xiao Song remarks, dumbfounded. 

"Jesus Christ. I thought it was a real robbery." Gary drawls out and chuckles in relief after realizing the situation.

"Yeah…" Helena listlessly says. 

They then see the camouflaged cameraman gesture to who now, apparently are actors, to gather for a huddle. A minute or two later, the gathering is dispersed and the actors get back in their designated vehicles, driving back to the direction they all came from. The camouflaged cameraman also gets back in position and proceeds to lie down on his stomach, positioning his camera once again. 

"Looks like they're doing it again… So that guy is the director, huh?" Xiao Song says, agreeing with his group's assumptions. 

A minute or two later, the chasing scene they witnessed earlier is playing once again in front of their eyes. The only difference this time, is that the actors playing the passengers of the pursued truck are not made to unload crates from the truck, but are made to kneel by the side of the road, with guns pointed at them. 

The group sees the camouflaged cameraman stand up once again and talk to the actors involved. The group also did not realize that there are more people in the trucks which they figured are either actors or some members of the crew. A few seconds later, the actors and the crew start clapping and cheering enthusiastically that even Xiao Song in his group can hear clearly despite how far they are. 

"Hey. Hey! Get back in the car! Let's go see them before they leave!" Gary suddenly orders frantically as he enters the shotgun seat of the SUV. Xiao Song, Helena, and Claire, also realize the situation and they hurriedly filled in the car. 

-------

"Good! It's not perfect, but I think it's already the best we can do. It's unwise if we go for a perfect sequence. The juice isn't just worth the squeeze. So, great job, everyone!" Tayaw congratulates the actors and the staff after their last cut.

*Applause* The actors and the crew, who initially thought they were going to be in the cold desert until the sun goes down, are relieved. 

It has been 6 weeks since filming began. During those 6 weeks, Tayaw, the cast and crew, had basically smooth sailing. The main actors, gaining enough practice before the filming even began, had adjusted very well. The past 6 weeks had also been focused on the main and supporting characters as Tayaw already finished the scenes of extras and side characters last September.

"Alright. The main actors, the regular extras, and the crew, please pack up. See y'all back in Ouigab in… 46 hours. That'll be Thursday, 9 am in Ouigab local time. The rest, a word." Tayaw says.

This prompts the extras and the crew to excitedly hop on one truck and ready to drive away.

"Oh. Hey, Geoff. A moment before you go?" Tayaw says.

"We'll wait in the truck." Luca, Warren, and Frank, tells Geoff before hopping in one of the station wagons. 

"Sup Isaac?" Geoff asks, confused at being singled out.

"I know that you've already done your scenes last month, but I'm sorry, this will not be the last time I'll be calling you back." Tayaw reveals.

"Oh, it's fine. I'll actually be back in Teungeb to see the sights. But, do we have a lot more to add?" Geoff asks.

"Not really. But a few kinks here and there requires re-shoots. Don't worry, I'll finalize everything before Christmas." Tayaw promises.

"That's cool then. Phew. I was worried you thought my acting was off." Geoff says in relief.

"You did fine. Okay. The guys are waiting." Tayaw says and gestures Geoff to his colleagues. 

After the cast and the crew leave with the trucks, Tayaw then turns his attention to the extras remaining.

"Gentlemen, thank you for your time, for doing this for free." Tayaw tells the group of extras.

"Heh. No problem. I don't know about the others, but I just wanna experience what my grandpa did." Extra 1 says.

"True. Even though I don't get to play your film's version of my grandpa, I'd like to think I just did." Extra 2 says.

"That's for you two, assholes. Why can't I play my grandfather?" Extra 3 asks in indignation.

Before Tayaw can reply, "HAHA! You dumb f*ck. I'm sure you can't memorize lines anyways." Extra 4 cuts in. 

The extras, four of them, all in their 30s, are direct descendants of the founding members of the original Nevada Coniglio. (refer to 'Golden Rabbit Chapters' for extra context)

The filming location of the scene they just shot, being only an hour or two from their homes in Las Vegas, are convenient for them to travel to, therefore they agreed immediately with Tayaw's request. Them also being either heirs or members of very wealthy families, sponsored the vintage cars and trucks Tayaw just used, as encouraged by the current heads of their families.

*Crrrrrrr* Tayaw and the extras' attention are taken by an approaching blue SUV.

"Whoah…" The extras suddenly become apprehensive and they put their hands on where their guns are holstered, ready for action.

"Whoah. Calm down, everyone. Why would a car approach us with those prop rifles on your hands if they want trouble?" Tayaw calms the gentlemen down as he hears voices of women coming inside the vehicle. The extras, hearing Tayaw, all calm down immediately at Tayaw's reasoning. 

The SUV soon stops and Gary, Xiao Song, Claire, and Helena steps out of the vehicle. Tayaw immediately recognizes Gary and Xiao Song as he already met them in Sorrento.

"Oh! Aren't you… uh… Claire Messick?" Extra 3 recognizes the recognizable actress Claire. 

"Yeah. Gentlemen, this guy here is Claire Messick, an actress. This is her father Gary Messick, a great film director which y'all may have heard of. This guy's Jun Xiao Song, a Taiwanese director, and this lady…" Tayaw struggles. "Helena.. Author." Helena introduces herself to Tayaw and the extras.

Helena's and company meanwhile, slowly realized that it is Tayaw that is in front of them.

"That's right! Helena Paddington. Nice to meet you, Miss Paddington, Miss Messick. I'm Isaac Yawat, a film maker and a musician." Tayaw introduces himself to the two ladies as they shake his hand. The extras greets the newcomers too. 

"Well, it looks like you have a boring meeting to do. We'll excuse ourselves. I don't want to stay in here. I don't want my skin cracking from the… arid air." Extra 1 says, assuming that the newcomers' presence is arranged by Tayaw.

"Hm. I guess that's the reason why we ended the shoot early, huh? Oh well, more time for fun for me. I'm bouncing too." Extra 2 says.

"Claire, if you wanna have lunch sometime? Call me anytime you're in Vegas." Extra 3, makes a move and gives her his business card.

"Yeah. I'll invite your wife to that lunch too." Extra 4 blocks the man's move.

"Man, f*ck you." Extra 3 can only say.

"Anyways, Isaac. You want this one, right? Just park it at Roller's Casino and leave the thing with one of the guards." Extra 1 tosses the keys of one of the vintage station wagons to Tayaw.

"Alright. Thanks man." Tayaw says, realizing that he has no ride to town now that the trucks left with his crew.