the camera on me. I was used to waiting while working on this movie, but today I didnât have to wait very long before Chelsea Alexander joined me on set.
Chelsea looked me in the eye, trying to recognize me. âYouâre the guy from yesterday, right? Fred?â
âFrank,â I managed to say with my zombie teeth.
âOh, okay. Frank,â she said. âI just want to thank you for saving me.â
I opened my mouth to speak but stopped myself. I held up a finger and then turned my back to her as I removed my prosthetic teeth. The only thing more gross than spitting out something in front of a girl was being a zombie and spitting out your teeth in front of a girl.
I turned back to her. âIt was no big deal,â I said, trying hard to compose myself. Even though Iâd vowed not to speak to her again for fear of embarrassment, so far I was doing okay.
âIt was too a big deal,â said Chelsea. âI think you saved my life.â
Now I was embarrassed for a different reason. Again, I was glad that she couldnât see my face, which Iâm sure was beet red.
I scratched the back of my head. âUs zombies were trying to grab you anyway,â I explained. âI was just method acting.â
Chelsea laughed, and I felt relief wash over me. I was actually having a conversation with Chelsea Alexander and not making a fool of myself. Iâd even made her laugh. Cool.
âOkay, are you ready, Chelsea?â asked Josh as he marched over.
âIâm ready,â she replied.
Josh pointed down the alley. âFor this scene, youâre going to run down the alley while this zombie chases after you.â He patted my shoulder. âChelsea, I want you to try the first two doors on the left. Theyâll be locked. But then I want you to duck into the last door on the right. Itâll be open.â
âGot it,â said Chelsea.
âAnd you,â Josh said to me. âJust be a zombie. Almost catch her when sheâs at the second door.â
âYes, sir,â I said.
Josh walked back to video village. Bill stepped forwardand addressed the crew. âPictureâs up! No rehearsal. Letâs shoot this one.â
Once everyone was in place, Josh yelled, âAction!â
Chelsea screamed as she ran down the alley. I shambled after her, doing my best stiff-legged zombie impression. Chelsea looked over her shoulder at me, her eyes wide with terror, and screamed. She was good; I almost stopped chasing her for a second. But then I snapped out of it and picked up the pace when she hit the first door. She jerked the knob back and forth, but it didnât open. She dashed away from my reaching arms and made for the second door. As promised, it was locked. This time, I clutched at her jacket. Chelsea screamed as she jerked it from my grip.
When she hit the third door, I was right behind her. She jerked it open and ducked inside. I arrived just as the door slammed in my face. I groaned and beat the door with my fists.
âAnd . . . cut!â shouted Josh.
I thought it looked like a cool scene, though I wasnât sure how it would play out in the rest of the movie. Neither Joe nor I had read the screenplayâmovie extras didnât get copies of the script.
Josh jogged over. âEverything looked great, you guys. I just want to add one thing.â He turned to me. âI want you to grab her jacket just as before. But this time, donât let go.â
âOkay,â I said.
âAnd, Chelsea . . . really try to break free,â Josh instructed. âIf you have to rip the jacket or take it off altogether, go ahead. We have more just like it.â
âSure thing, Josh,â she said. Josh walked away, and she rolled her eyes when she turned back to me. I laughed politely, but I didnât understand what the big deal was. Iâm no director, but Joshâs instructions sounded good to me.
As we moved