Deception on the Set by Franklin W. Dixon Read Free Book Online

the camera on me. I was used to waiting while working on this movie, but today I didn’t have to wait very long before Chelsea Alexander joined me on set.
    Chelsea looked me in the eye, trying to recognize me. “You’re the guy from yesterday, right? Fred?”
    â€œFrank,” I managed to say with my zombie teeth.
    â€œOh, okay. Frank,” she said. “I just want to thank you for saving me.”
    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. “It was no big deal,” I said, trying hard to compose myself. Even though I’d vowed not to speak to her again for fear of embarrassment, so far I was doing okay.
    â€œIt was too a big deal,” said Chelsea. “I think you saved my life.”
    Now I was embarrassed for a different reason. Again, I was glad that she couldn’t see my face, which I’m sure was beet red.
    I scratched the back of my head. “Us zombies were trying to grab you anyway,” I explained. “I was just method acting.”
    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. I’d even made her laugh. Cool.
    â€œOkay, are you ready, Chelsea?” asked Josh as he marched over.
    â€œI’m ready,” she replied.
    Josh pointed down the alley. “For this scene, you’re going to run down the alley while this zombie chases after you.” He patted my shoulder. “Chelsea, I want you to try the first two doors on the left. They’ll be locked. But then I want you to duck into the last door on the right. It’ll be open.”
    â€œGot it,” said Chelsea.
    â€œAnd you,” Josh said to me. “Just be a zombie. Almost catch her when she’s at the second door.”
    â€œYes, sir,” I said.
    Josh walked back to video village. Bill stepped forwardand addressed the crew. “Picture’s up! No rehearsal. Let’s shoot this one.”
    Once everyone was in place, Josh yelled, “Action!”
    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 didn’t 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.
    â€œAnd . . . cut!” shouted Josh.
    I thought it looked like a cool scene, though I wasn’t sure how it would play out in the rest of the movie. Neither Joe nor I had read the screenplay—movie extras didn’t get copies of the script.
    Josh jogged over. “Everything looked great, you guys. I just want to add one thing.” He turned to me. “I want you to grab her jacket just as before. But this time, don’t let go.”
    â€œOkay,” I said.
    â€œAnd, Chelsea . . . really try to break free,” Josh instructed. “If you have to rip the jacket or take it off altogether, go ahead. We have more just like it.”
    â€œSure thing, Josh,” she said. Josh walked away, and she rolled her eyes when she turned back to me. I laughed politely, but I didn’t understand what the big deal was. I’m no director, but Josh’s instructions sounded good to me.
    As we moved