The A List

@ BadStreetBoys

Eleanor couldn't help but smile a bit as Thomas agreed to make her her breakfast, tying her hair back into a simple braid since she knew it would have to be undone once they got to hair and makeup on set, but she liked keeping it out of her eyes. Once downstairs she took a seat in the living room where she always sat to eat and do the crossword in the newspaper, offering Thomas a small smile as he passed her her food, a faint blush lighting up her cheeks as well.

"Thank you, Thomas." She murmured as he left the room, digging in with a content hum. It was infuriating to her how he could be so kind to her one minute and then an absolute asshole the next. It was almost as if he liked toying with her feelings, especially because he had to know how much she liked him.

@ katahdin
Thomas nodded and smiled at Eleanor before sitting down beside her. Much closer than he had the night before. His arm rested on the couch behind them. His eyes moved down to the crossword in front of them. “Four across is Colosseum.” He said and smiled down at Eleanor again before turning the television on. “When you’re done we should head out. I wanna get there early.” He paused. “Costume and makeup takes much too long.” He said and chuckled.

Thomas relaxed into the sofa as he waited for Eleanor to finish her breakfast. When she was done he grabbed a sweatshirt and walked out to the limousine waiting for them, he slid into the back seat and told their driver which studio to go to. He looked across at Eleanor when she got in. “Director says we have three scenes to film today. Then a few more and we’re almost done.” He told her and grinned. “This movie is gonna be y’all of the Oscars. It’s gonna be the best. And it’s all because of you and me.”

@ BadStreetBoys

Eleanor glanced over at Thomas as he sat beside her before turning back to her breakfast. It wasn't unheard of for him to sit with her, but he usually wasn't in this good of a mood, or as kind. "I knew that, I just hadn't gotten there yet." She murmured between bites as she filled in the answers, giving a little nod as he explained that he wanted to get there early and that they only had a few scenes to shoot.

"Hopefully everything goes well and we can be done quickly. I can't remember the last time I didn't have a day that was fully booked, and I'm hoping to at least be able to get a few hours this afternoon off to relax." She sighed, setting her plate down once she'd finished, setting down the newspaper too before following him out to their car. She frowned a bit as he spoke about how great the movie was going to be, turning to look out the window. "Yes, it'll be good... But after it has been released, I think.. I think we should break up once everything is done." She admitted softly. It'd been something she'd been thinking about for a while, and despite having enjoyed how nice their morning was, normally their days were filled with name calling and screaming matches, and she just couldn't take that anymore.

@ katahdin
Thomas had a cheeky grin on his face until Eleanor began to speak. He raised his eyebrow, scowling slightly as she finished. “Why would we do that?” He asked harshly. “We, this, all of it works because of us being together. One or the other is, meh. But together we’re the power couple.” He said and turned slightly to face her. “Do you realize how shitty the press would handle this and how much blowback we could get in our careers?” He countered.

Thomas shook his head and sighed, turning away again. She had pissed him off but he didn’t want to start screaming before filming. He knew he needed to calm down and relax that way he could get into character correctly. The couple arrived at the studio and Thomas looked over at Eleanor. “We’ll talk later, don’t bring this shit up again while we work.” He told her as he quickly got out of the car, and just as quickly was whisked away by the costume designers.

@ BadStreetBoys

"I don't want to constantly feel like my life is a lie, Thomas." Eleanor argued back with a frown. "Yes, this relationship works wonders for our careers, but I hate having to constantly be playing the roll of the happy girlfriend. As far as everyone is concerned, we've been dating for over two years now. At some point they'll expect us to get married, to have kids, and I don't want to build a life like that that's completely based on lies and hatred, it isn't fair. I'd rather deal with the press hating me than living a lie, Thomas." She hoped that he could at least understand where she was coming from, shaking her head a little as she turned away to look out the window again with a frown.

"Fine.." She murmured as he said not to bring it up again while at work, nodding as he headed out of the car and went off to hair and makeup and to get into costume for the day.

@ katahdin
Thomas was furious that Eleanor wanted to break up. It could ruin his career trajectory. He didn't want to risk his career for anything. He kind of liked Elanor too, but he wouldn't tell her that. He didn't want her to know because, frankly, Thomas didn't trust Eleanor anymore. About 8 months prior some tabloid accused his of cheating based on a few crew members and an unknown actress' words for a film he was in. Thomas knew he didn't do it, and he thought Eleanor would know him well enough and trust him enough to know it wasn't true. But she came home one day and was screaming at him for what he did. He couldn't believe she didn't believe him. It was at that moment he just kind of shut off. He yelled back. And here they were 8 months later. Thomas didn't enjoy the fighting, but he did at the same time because it was during the fights that he felt passion again.

Thomas sat in his chair as multiple people were around him, touching p his makeup, making sure all the pieces of his costume were perfect before the director was yelling for everyone to get into their places. Thomas moved into position, across the stage from Eleanor.

@ BadStreetBoys

Eleanor wasn't looking forward to the rest of the day on set with Thomas angry at her. She almost couldn't believe that he cared more about his career than living an honest and fulfilling life, but after the fight they'd had 8 months ago she wasn't that surprised. Yes, she'd overreacted and yelled and said things she regretted, but he'd said worse to her, including a good bit about how she was lucky he had taken one for the team in being in a relationship with her, since no one would ever really love her. That had been a low blow, especially since he had to know that she loved him, and she'd felt trapped and depressed ever since. She'd threatened to walk out then, too, but he'd convinced her to stay, but now she wasn't sure if he could. She'd offer to take the hit in the tabloids for him, spin the breakup story to say that she'd been the one to leave him, she just wanted a chance to feel like herself again.

Once her hair and makeup had been done and had changed into her costume she headed to her position on stage, letting a production assistant make some last minute adjustments before she looked over at Thomas.

@ katahdin
Thomas sighed softly as he thought about where their relationship had started, what it went through, and where it was now. He snapped out of it when the director called for them to begin. Thomas took a step forward, opening his mouth to say his line. But he stopped and shook his head. "Fuck it. stop." He said and waved his hand at the director and the cameraman. "I don't even know what scene this is. Someone give me a script." He said and looked around at the crew members. "Now damn it!" He barked. Thomas grabbed the script from the crew member and walked over to Eleanor.

Thomas was reading over the script and their lines as he looked down at Eleanor. "You know me, I'm never good with scenes like this." he murmured, giving her a small smile. He reached up and gently moved a strand of hair from her face. "Help me out?" He asked, quietly, as if he didn't want others to hear. Thomas still had a soft spot for Eleanor, he usually just buried it because he believed it would just get him hurt again.

@ BadStreetBoys

Eleanor had moved into her position once the assistant had left her, taking a small breath to get herself into character as she waited for Thomas to say his lines, but she flinched as he cursed and shouted for a script, looking away with a sigh as she moved back to the edge of the set to take a seat, knowing he'd probably need a minute or two to get himself ready. She looked up in surprise though when he moved over to her and very quietly asked for help, hesitating a moment before nodding, unable to help but lean her head into his touch as he tucked her hair behind her ear.

She didn't know why he'd asked for her help or was being so kind, probably to try to convince her to stay in this fake relationship with him, but no matter how badly she wanted it to be real she knew it was just all an act, a part that he'd asked her to play, and that she'd never get to feel like herself again if she stayed. "I find it easier to say the lines and interact with my costar if I apply it to something in my life, try to relate to it a bit more on a personal level." She explained softly, turning a bit so that she could glance over the script as well. "So this scene your character comes home after being gone for a few days because of his drinking and trying to hunt down that criminal, and my character is upset and worried, and wants to leave, and your character has to convince mine to stay because you love her, even if your job sometimes gets in the way." She summarized, taking the opportunity to reread her lines. "I know it's not your usual action scene with guns and fighting and whatever, but I think these scenes are important too, even if they're not as fun." She said before shrugging taking a step back from him. "Make sense? I'm going to go grab some water before we start up again, give you a chance to get into character... Do you want anything?"

@ katahdin
Thomas was smiling as Eleanor spoke to him. He chuckled quietly at the irony of this scene and their lives as of late. "Thank you." He murmured. His eyes moved down to the paper then back up to Eleanor. He leaned down and kissed her gently, then leaned in to whisper in her ear. "I'm sorry for shouting at you earlier. I do really want to have an honest conversation later." He told her before he straightened himself up and plastered a grin on his face. "Water please." He said and moved back across the stage looking at the director, mouthing 'sorry.'

Thomas read the lines and began to think about how he felt in regards to Eleanor. When she came back, he thanked her for the water and quickly drank it. Thomas took a breath and looked across as everyone was in position. The director called action and Thomas stepped through the fake door, looking to Eleanor. "What are these suitcases doing here?" His character asked.

@ BadStreetBoys

Eleanor gave a little nod as he thanked her, glancing up at him before looking back at the script. "No problem." She didn't mind helping. He was a talented actor, but he'd chosen to focus more on action films than anything with some sort of substance, and she knew if he could figure it out his career would be set for him. She was surprised as he leaned down and kissed her, especially considering how gentle it was, looking up at him with obvious shock as he apologized for yelling earlier and asking to sit down and have a conversation about everything later, simply nodding before she turned to head off to the refreshment table, grabbing two bottles of water and his favorite candy bar, knowing he might want something else to have at the side for after the scene was finished.

Once back in her position she waited for Thomas to get ready and the director to call action before she began to move, carrying one of the fake suitcases before freezing as Thomas' character entered, looking at him with a scowl. "They're here because I'm leaving. I can't do this anymore, Jason. You've been gone for three days, I had no idea where you were, whether you were alive or not. And even when you're home your drunk, and I just can't take it anymore. You love your career and your drinks more than me, so I'm leaving." There was a lot of emotion delivered behind her lines, tears even pricking at the corners of her eyes. She was good at her job, that was for sure, and she was hoping they'd be able to nail the scene the first time.

@ katahdin
Thomas shook his head, taking another step forward and knocking one of the suitcases across the room as his character was supposed to do. "My job is what puts food on this table. I put men behind bars that may have otherwise gotten away with their nefarious crimes." He yelled. "You don't know what its like to stare evil in the face day in and day out, Lily! You'd drink too if you'd been through what I have." he said coldly, taking another step forward and knocking another suitcase over.

Thomas had an emotional look in his eyes. He swallowed hard as he took one more step closer. He could feel his emotion radiating off his body. He was tense and one hand balled into a fist so tight his knuckles turned white. "I love you!" He screamed, beginning to go off script. The director shushing people, leaning in and listening carefully. Thomas was known for going off script when something hit an emotional point for him, and those scenes were known to be his best. "I care about you, deeply. I don't want you knowing what goes inside my head. I let the real world hurt me enough, I don't want to deal with it at home to." He said and took another step closer. "I drink to hide the pain, so I don't have to deal with it here too. I love you, but damn it you don't trust me and do you know how much that hurts?" Thomas closed the gap between he and Eleanor, again reaching up, his hand on her face, caressing it. "I love you, if you walk out that door it will destroy me. But you probably don't believe me, because you never have." he said and turned away, closing his eyes tightly to avoid tears from welling up into them. The director yelled cut and began to clap. "Thomas I don't know where that came from but that was absolute gold." He told him. "That scene is done, your improv was better than the written scene."

@ BadStreetBoys

Eleanor could feel the emotion swelling within her as well, especially when Thomas began to go off script. Despite still being in character and keeping to the scene, she couldn't help but feel like it was Thomas speaking to Eleanor, not Jason to Lily. Her hand rested over his as he approached her and rested he caressed her face, closing her eyes as she squeezed his hand, letting tears leak down her cheeks. "You don't let me in, Jason. I love you, I want to make this work, but I can't do it by myself. If you just trusted me, let me in, I could help." She pleased softly, opening her eyes to look up at him as he pulled away, blinking a little in surprise as she director suddenly yelled cut and one of her makeup assistants was rushing over to dab at her tears and touch up her makeup.

She remained silent as the director praised Thomas for his improv, moving back over to her seat off stage to sip at her water, letting out a shaky sigh. Now was not the time to get emotional, especially when they still had two more scenes to go before they'd be allowed to head home for the day.

@ katahdin
Thomas wiped his face, moving off stage. “I’m going to my room.” He announced. “So if I need a costume change or makeup done you better come with me.” He said, overconfidently. Thomas was an emotional man, but he didn’t like that to show. He wanted people to believe he was a confident and arrogant person. Someone who could do anything. And he was able to hold that facade most of the time. He moved across the set and went into his dressing room as crew members quickly followed.

The director got up and walked over to Eleanor as the women prepared her for the next scene. “How does he do this?” The Director asked with a goofy grin. “I’ve never seen someone able to improv as well as Thomas can. I usually hate when people go against my script and screen directions, but he is the exception.” He told her laughing.

@ BadStreetBoys

Eleanor looked up at the director when he approached her, offering him a polite smile and a little nod as he spoke about Thomas. "Yes, he's a very talented actor.." She murmured, glancing off in the direction that he'd gone. "It's about lunch time, could we maybe take a small break?" She asked, heading off toward Thomas' trailer, knocking lightly on the door.

"Thomas? The director is letting us take a break for lunch.. Could I come in?" She asked softly, not wanting to just walk without permission. Especially knowing how upset he had been earlier, she didn't want to intrude when she wasn't wanted.

@ katahdin
Thomas heard Eleanor knock. “Come on in!” He called out. Thomas sat in a chair, sitting in front of the large mirror as he looked at himself in it. He was in a new outfit for the next scene. It was a sort of suit, but it was torn, unbuttoned, and dirty from a previous fight scene.

He swiveled around in the chair as he heard Eleanor wall in. “What do you want to eat?” He asked, folding his hands in his lap as he looked across the room at her. He quickly turned and grabbed another chair from beneath his mirror and slid it out, motioning to the chair. “Sit.” He said with a smile, quickly wiping it from his face and replacing it with a smirk. “You’ve never been in here.” He said, just realizing the fact.

@ BadStreetBoys

Eleanor opened up the door slowly and stepped in, shutting it behind her. She'd stopped by her own trailer to change costumes on the way over since she knew it would save time once they were done with lunch, and was now wearing the black cocktail dress and heels for the next scene. "I'm fine with whatever, I usually don't eat much on set, anyway." She explained as she sat, smoothing out her dress.

She shook her head when he mentioned that she'd never been in his trailer, choosing to ignore his smirk. "I'd never had a reason before. You've never been to my trailer, either." She pointed out, smiling politely as an assistant brought them both some water and asked what they wanted to eat before heading out to get it, promising to be back in a few minutes. "The director was very impressed with your improvisation of that scene." She told him, smoothing out her dress a bit more, needing to do something with her hands to keep herself distracted. She didn't want to fight with him anymore, at least not on set.

@ katahdin
Thomas nodded and pulled out his phone. “I ordered us some chicken.” He said and shrugged. “I don’t want much either, I just wanna get out of here.” Her told her. His eyes watched Eleanor as she moved towards him and the seat he offered her. “That’s fair, you’ve never invited me in.” He teased, thougH smiling. “You know what They say about What goes on in trailers.” He said with a wink, biting his lips. Thomas shook his head and gave Eleanor another smile.

When Thomas heard the director complimented his improv he nodded with a laugh. “I’m known for doing things my way, I guess I’ve learned to do a good job.” He said and shrugged. “I think it even helped your character, you were shocked. So I think it added to the emotion.” He told her. Thomas noticed how nervous Eleanor seemed, which was Making him nervous. He didn’t want her to ask about his emotions. He didn’t even want to have emotions sometimes.

@ BadStreetBoys

Eleanor nodded in agreement as he said he just wanted to leave, letting out a tired sigh as she looked around his trailer curiously. "Agreed. And you've never asked to come in." She pointed out, knowing he was teasing, but he made it seemed like she was the one who was shutting him out and keeping him away. She frowned though as he winked, looking at him for a moment before looking away. "Nothing like that happens in my trailer.. It's just another stage as far as I'm concerned."

She nodded as he said he thought he'd helped her character too, giving a little shrug. "The director seemed pleased, and we got through it, I suppose that's all that matters at the end of the day." She murmured. She glanced up when she noticed how nervous she seemed, looking down at her lap with a frown before getting up. "I shouldn't have intruded on your space, I'm sorry.. I know you've said before that you didn't want me here. I'll see you back on set." She said before heading toward the door.

@ katahdin
Thomas frowned as he noticed Eleanor closing herself to him as he flirted with her. “You’re right I haven’t.” He said quietly, pausing for a moment trying to think about what he should do or say to make things better. “Nothing has happened in my trailer either in years.” He told her, honestly.

Thomas nodded listening to her. “Three more scenes and we can go home.” He murmured. Thomas reaches out and grabbed her arm gently. “No, Elle, please don’t go.” Biting his lip when he realized he called her an old intimate nickname. He swallowed again and gave her a smile. “Don’t go, we can eat together before the next scene.” He said. Thomas pat the chair beside him again, hoping she would stay. A few moments later one of the few members brought in their lunch, telling them the director wanted everyone in position in 15 minutes.