Stage nine was one of the smaller sound units on the Ace lot, but the director had a camera crew, the sound men and an electrician awaiting their arrival.
He tested the lights quickly.
“Just walk onto the set, do your lines and action, and forget about the rest of us,” he said. “We’ll take part of it, maybe.”
Janet’s knees felt very weak and when she touched Helen’s hand it was damp with a chill perspiration.
“This is awful,” whispered Janet. “I wish your Dad could be here.”
“I’m glad he isn’t,” said Helen fervently.
“Go ahead, girls,” urged the director, and Janet and Helen, who had already agreed on the scene, started their lines. The action and words were simple, but both of them were scared stiff and they acted like wooden people.
“Wait a minute,” said Billy Fenstow. “I’m human. I won’t bite and I don’t expect you to be world beaters. Now try that over and loosen up.”
Janet laughed a little and Helen found a handkerchief and wiped the palms of her hands. Both of them felt better. The lights brightened until it was impossible to see the camera crew; it was more like being on the stage of the gym with Miss Williams over in the wings with her prompt book in her hands.
Both girls entered into the spirit of their bit the second time, talking and acting as they had the night of the class play. For the moment they forgot the camera crew and failed to hear the soft whirring of the camera as Billy Fenstow signaled the cameraman to pick up the sequence. They ran through the scene and the lights dimmed.