Chapter 204 - Filler and a Prank

7 AM – West Ouigab

"So… that's it? How about a film producer?" Jouny is dumbfounded looking at the short list of people that Tayaw just e-mailed her.

/I've hired a retired film producer recommended by Yarag, but he won't have creative decisions. He will only handle conflicts among the cast and crew should they arise. You still report to me what you'll shoot every day./ Tayaw says through video chat.

"Okay. But how about the general management? What do you call those folks who do that again?" Jouny asks.

/Line producers. Yes. I've just outsourced a number of them from Black Deer Pictures. They will handle the general stuff like schedules and budget./ Tayaw says.

"Okay. That's all I'm worried about. I don't even know how you made films without producers…" Jouny shakes her head.

/Well? I was using my own money so I didn't need a producer. You also saw how skilled I am at multi-tasking./ Tayaw explains.

"Hmm. True…" Jouny cannot say anything further, being a witness to Tayaw's feats herself.

/So… are you really sure of hiring Nielg and Iliene again?/ Tayaw asks.

"Not entirely. But if there are actors who can express the struggle of Donoy and Nidey, then they're it." Jouny says. Tayaw nods at this.

/There'll be no scheduling conflicts?/ Tayaw asks.

"None. They just happened to conclude their shoot in their own TV shows, so they're free. I've already sent them the script." Jouny says.

/Alright. Cool … tell me, if Uranto isn't busy, would you have hired him instead of Nielg?/ Tayaw asks.

"…" Jouny feels that the question is a test from Tayaw, but she is confident in her decision that she is also offended by the question.

"Ugh. No. Just like how Uranto suited Steven in September Ninth, Nielg looks just like the Donoy in my head." Jouny says.

Tayaw simply smiles at this.

/If you say so… Alright. I have all the stuff I think you need, but if you need more, just tell me./ Tayaw says.

"Thank you, Tayaw. I'll show you what I've learned." Jouny says.

/And I'm excited to see it…/ Tayaw nods. /Oh. Wait a minute…/ Tayaw suddenly realizes something.

"?" Jouny looks at him curiously.

/Good luck casting the actors for Pipa and Jacob by the way. I don't even know where to start looking for good child actors./ Tayaw says.

"…" Jouny is reminded of her worry, her face making Tayaw chuckle.

/Hehehe. Alright. Good talk. I still have something to do./ Tayaw says before *bloop* ending the call. 

~

4pm – New York

[[["/No! No…/" Jessica suddenly says as she abruptly stands up at the plaintiff table.

*murmur* the gallery, the lawyers, and the defense are surprised at the sudden action.

"/This… This mess has been all my own fault. I'm sorry./" Jessica's energy returns back down and she looks down on the floor, looking like she is carrying a huge guilt on her shoulders.

"/I was bringing to Ronny to somewhere that I shouldn't have. I brought him to that cave thinking: he must be feeling the same?/" Jessica looks at the defendant's table.

"What are you doing?!" Eileen, Jessica's friend who is seated right behind her, asks in panic.

"Don't!" Jessica yells at Eileen.

*murmur* *murmur* the gallery descends into noisy chatter at the unexpected situation.

" *Deep Breath* / I've bared all! Tenderness, affection, personal intercourse. I admit, it was entitlement on my part to expect what I wanted.../" Jessica then looks at Ronny and Ronny looks at her eyes..

"/None of this was your fault, Ronny. I'm sorry./" Jessica confesses, her voice breaking.

*MURMUR* *CLAMOR* Everyone in the courtroom descends into loud discussions.

"ORDER!" *slam* *slam* *slam*]]]

"CUT!" Everyone in the 'court room' hears Xiao Song announce, signaling the end of their final scene.

"Nice job everyone!" Gary addresses the extras, the actors, and the crew in the 'courtroom'.

*APPLAUSE* *APPLAUSE* The main actors give each other a hug.

The actors who played lawyers of the opposite sides give each other hand shakes.

The crew high-five each other.

The extras watch in detachment, feeling out of place.

"EVERYONE! The extras. Thank you for your working with us. We prepared something for you all at the Kraft service outside. The main and supporting actors, and crew too. Please, stay. Your jobs aren't over." Xiao Song announces.

The extras leaving the room, only the main and supporting actors and the crew remain.

"I thought that was our last scene…" Nathan asks, on behalf of the cast and crew that remained.

"It was. And congratulations again for a job well done. Change out your costumes, go take a shower, whatever. Let's meet later at Yuta's in Woodhaven for dinner and drinks." Xiao Song says.

*APPLAUSE* *APPLAUSE* The cast and crew celebrate at this.

"Will Isaac be there?" Nathan asks.

"I don't know. All we know is that he reserved the whole place for us." Helena says.

"We've not seen him throughout filming. Is his comic books really enough as contribution for his directing credit?" Damien says.

"…" Gary, Xiao Song, and Helena, had they not spent time with Damien would have misinterpreted Damien's question as defaming. Xiao Song however, is still annoyed at how Damien asked his question.

"He's in charge of composing music for the sound track. He's also editing the film, he finalizes everything. Happy?" Xiao Song says.

"…" Damien can only nod at the response, realizing that there is still post-production.

With that. The filming of 'Australia' finally wraps up. 

~

7 PM – Yuta's Grill, Woodhaven New York. 

"Man. Are you sure you don't want to work for us?" The head cook of the restaurant says as he watches Tayaw finish grilling another plate of pork and beef perfectly.

The line cooks on the other hand, watch Tayaw work in both anxiety and awe while also trying their hardest to keep up.

"Grilling meat ain't anything special. What do you need me for?" Tayaw replies as he puts garnish on the plates.

"Yes. Grilling isn't that impressive, we can do it too... but doing the job of three cooks at once is." The head cook says.

"Nah. I'd rather open my own restaurant." Tayaw says.

"Heh. If you do. You better not have stolen our recipe." The head cook says.

"Hehe." Tayaw can only chuckle at that.

"Hey. You already reserved the restaurant. Why are you working the kitchen too? We can handle everything by ourselves considering there's less diners than usual." The line cook whose station was taken over by Tayaw, asks.

"It's a part of why I paid extra. I want to experience this." Tayaw answers.

"Heh. Rich, havin' - nothin' – better – to – do, bored mo'f.u.c.ker." The line cook scoffs.

"That's right. I'm f*ckin bored." Tayaw says as he picks up a tray and lies five plates of dishes on it.

"You're bringing it out?" The head cook asks.

"Yeah. And. Oh. I'm done cooking. I have to entertain my guests." Tayaw says.

With that, the other line cooks who have only been watching, excitedly take over Tayaw's spot, not wanting to be outshined by their guest.

-

Meanwhile, at the dining area of the restaurant, the table where the directors, Helena, and the main cast are, is noisy with chatter, patiently drinking beverages while waiting for their next plates of food.

"Yeah. She told him she was with her friends. She also promised to call… And --- " Helena who was telling a story, suddenly stops, looking dumbfounded.

"…" The other people in the table then look at where Helena is looking.

Except for Xiao Song, Gary, and Claire, the rest of the people at the table are confused at Helena's reaction. 

"What … the f.u.c.k?" Helena finally says as Tayaw, dressed in chef clothes approach their table, carrying the dishes, about to serve them.

"PUHAHA!!! What the hell are you doing, man?" Xiao Song after recovering from the unexpected sight, bursts out in laughter.

"Good evening, ladies and gents. Here is our famous grilled pork and beef platter." Tayaw ignores Xiao Song's question and greets the people at the table instead, in his most hospitable voice.

"AHAHAHA!" Tayaw's words make Gary, Helena, Xiao Song, and Claire beyond amused.

Nathan, Damien, and Jo, are still confused at the scene.

"How was the food? I hope it was to your liking?" Tayaw asks, making the people he already met giggle more.

"It was great. It was great! You cooked them?" Helena asks, going along with the bit.

"In fact, I have. I especially cooked with care the food that went to this table." Tayaw says.

"?" Gary stares in skepticism.

"You can ask the other cooks." Tayaw shrugs as he takes the only empty seat between Nathan and Claire.

"True. You smell like grease. But why is your uniform so clean then?" Claire asks.

"Ah. All the mess is on my apron. I left it in the kitchen." Tayaw explains before turning to Nathan. 

"Hey Mr. Barnes. Big fan." Tayaw says as he offers his hand to Nathan. *snicker* *Snicker*.

"Nice to meet you…" Nathan is confused but politely shakes Tayaw's hand.

"Damien f*ckin Buchanan. The Academy award winner. I can't believe you're in our restaurant." Tayaw addresses Damien next, his excessive compliment embarrassing Damien.

"Nice to meet you too, the food is great…" Damien says. *Puhup* *Snicker* *Giggle*

"I'm  glad you liked it. Oh... And the beautiful Jo Singer. You look even more beautiful in person, Miss Singer." Tayaw greets Jo.  *Snicker* *giggle* *scoff*

"Hey there. It's a pleasure that we have such a handsome young man as our chef." Jo says. *Snicker* *giggle* *scoff*

"Oh… Thank you, Miss Singer." Tayaw says as he elegantly holds his chest.  *Snicker* *giggle* 

"Anyways. I personally know Helena here and I was beyond elated when I heard 'Australia' is being adapted to film." Tayaw says, making Helena roll her eyes but still kept to herself to watch Tayaw's act.

"So let me guess… Hn.. Mr. Buchanan, you play Ronnie, right? You look just like Ronnie in my head." Tayaw asks. Damien is pleased at this.

"Ms. Messick, I already know you're playing Jessica… That means Mr. Barnes will play Jimmy, Ronnie's best friend." Tayaw says.

"That's right… impressive." Nathan says.

"And finally, you Ms. Singer, I guess you're playing Eileen? Jessica's manipulative friend?" Tayaw asks.

"Yes." Jo nods.

"Huh... I can't see it. Ms. Singer, you look really … dainty to be Eileen." Tayaw says.

"Well, I'm an actress. I can assume another identity." Jo says.

"Fascinating…" Tayaw eyes Jo, finding the resemblance between her and Jenna, with Jo being a bit taller and her hair curlier.

Jo however gets shy at Tayaw's stare.

"I'm sorry. Was I staring? You're just too beautiful to not look at." Tayaw says, embarrassing Jo further.  *boo* *Pff* Xiao Song, Helena, and Claire jeer at the comment. 

"I'm sorry, but something weird is going on right now." Damien saves Jo by pointing out the obvious. He did not forget the look of recognition that The Messicks, Xiao Song, and Helena gave Tayaw earlier.

"Right. What was so funny?" Nathan asks, bothered by the giggles.

"Alright. Drop it now. It's over." Gary, while amused, foresees that the act is about to end. *Groan* Helena, Xiao Song, and Claire express their disappointment. 

"Oh… How rude of me. I didn't introduce myself yet. I'm your film editor, soundtrack composer, and an investor too. Isaac Yawat. Pleased to finally meet you three." Tayaw finally says.

"…" It takes a second for Damien, Jo, and Nathan to process Tayaw's words before their eyes widen in realization and recognition. 

"Hmm.. ehem.. HAHAHAHA!" Damien then bursts out in laughter after replaying what just happened up this point. Jo and Nathan soon follow. 

"Ah. Man. That... was a fresh way to introduce yourself." Damien shakes his head. 

"Puhup... I'm gonna borrow that." Nathan is still giggling.

"Oh my god! You should be an actor! You really nailed acting like one." Jo says. 

"Maybe I'll work as a chef on the side instead. The head chef of this place really wants to hire me. Anyways. Please. Enjoy your food while it's hot. I really did cook them." Tayaw says. 

"OOhh.." The rest of the group are impressed. 

"Yes. Let's eat while we talk. I know you three have a lot of questions for Isaac here." Gary says.