Wild Hollywood (closed)

[Asa]

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She was a wild child born to the jungles and the wild animals. Now a very sought after animal specialist running the most animal protective reserve in the world. She seems to have a personal connection with every animal she calls "family". She has worked with Hollywood, Bollywood, fashion models etc always caring and guarding the safety and comfort of the animals first and foremost. She catches many off guard with her young age of her mid 20s. Her well toned but voluptuous form was also a little surprising to some as well.

He is a Hollywood action star determined to do all of his own stunts. His latest film puts him opposite this wild beauty and her beasts working in close contact with the animals and their protector.

----------------------------
Dominic Ashton was one of the top action directors in Hollywood. However his last action star cash cow nearly cost him the very carefully built trust and arrangement with the best animal handler he had ever known. This time the casting director had sent him a relatively well known but not as brain dead action actor who he hoped would help salvage the relationship with the animal handler.

He smiled walking up to her as she arrived on set. Very careful about getting too close when the leopard walked up beside her like a well trained guard dog.

Alexis... Lexi... Which one is this? Last I recall your leopards were Dasi and.... Tomo?

She nodded and hearing his name Tomo perked up.

I have Tomo three snakes and my two lowland gorillas with me. Any other animals you decide you need Dominic I will have to send for.

Her tone spoke volumes of her distrust of dealing with another action film with him.

Don't worry Lexi Grant StJohn is no longer welcome in my movies.

She simply nodded and went to tend to the animals. His assistant Joanna walked over.

Do you think the new star will be able to help mend your working relationship with her?

Dominic sighed

He's our only shot... God help us all.

 

[WatchingCloud]

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Carl Pike, up and coming action movie star, watched in fascination out the bubble window of the small helicopter as it swooped lower across the African savanna. For a guy who hadn't left the US Midwest until well into adulthood, it was like watching a documentary. Not far off in the distance, the terrain grew steeper and greener - jungle. He was equal parts excited and nervous.

Not three days ago, Carl had been chilling poolside at his Hollywood home, flipping through some pretty dismal scripts his agent Sandy had sent his way. She called him up early one morning, asking if he'd be interested in taking the lead in the new Dominic Ashton film...which had already begun principal photography. Carl, not even knowing what the script was, leapt at the opportunity. Ashton was something of an idol and he'd hoped they would eventually be able to collaborate. The man was devoted to real effects and on-location shooting for authenticity. Carl loved doing his own stunts whenever possible and knew Ashton would take advantage.

That he was replacing Grant St. John was a bit of a surprise. Why'd that guy bail on the movie? Or had he been fired? All his agent knew was the stock "creative differences" answer. Carl figured he'd undoubtedly learn more on set.

The studio had him on a plane before the day was out. That led to a couple days of air travel through Europe and Cairo, then some decidedly more rustic local hoppers, a four-hour bus ride shotgun with some livestock, and finally this ride in a helicopter that barely squeezed in him and the pilot. Only half of his luggage fit before they reached the weight limit. The rest would (hopefully) arrive in a few days via land. Apparently roads weren't too friendly around here.

The pilot pointed to the production base camp as they circled for a landing in a nearby clearing. Camp was probably the best term. It looked like most of the crew were living out of tents and there were only a handful of trailers. Most of those were likely for props, costuming, and the filming gear. Many actors would balk at these conditions, but Carl found himself looking forward to it. Just like camping with the scouts as a kid, he thought.

The helicopter landed a bit hard but safely and the pilot killed the engine. Carl extracted himself from the vehicle and retrieved his rucksack from behind the seat.

Already, beads of sweat formed on his forehead. The temperature wasn't quite as bad as he'd feared, but the humidity was worse. He took a couple deep breaths, appreciating the clean, earthy smell teased with a few unfamiliar scents. He had dressed appropriately enough - lightweight, short-sleeved cotton button down shirt, khaki cargo shorts, and hiking boots.

An attractive young woman hurried across the field toward them, waving as she approached.

"So glad you made it, Mr. Pike," she said, extending a hand.

"Carl, please."

"I'm Joanna, director Ashton's assistant. Pleasant journey, I hope?"

Carl nodded, falling in beside her as they walked toward the camp. "An adventure, but it went well enough. Can't wait to get started. Hopefully you can hook me up with a script soon, though. My agent tried to get one to me while I was en route, but my phone didn't cooperate. Hell, I'm not even sure what the working title is."

"Well, Dominic is eager to meet you and get production underway again. He'll tell you everything you need to know. Right this way."

 

[Asa]

Alexis sat in a patch of grassland near the camp the leopard by her side and a young lowland gorilla playing nearby. Dominic hurried over and shook hands with Carl.

Welcome welcome... Sandy sure loves questions doesn't she? Conference call with her and Joanna and I don't get a word in edgewise nearly. So script is in your tent... Not all of your costars are human as you can see.

Gesturing to Alexis and the animals with her.

That's just a couple of them and their handler Alexis. Please tell me you will not do anything to those animals that will piss her off. Those animals are family to her she is the top animal handler trainer conservationist on the planet. She works with any animal even has a reserve out here. Grew up around them.

He shook his head remembering what StJohn had done pulling a gun on that gorilla with her in the original movie. Part two would hopefully mend fences and have a better overall filming time but then again they had a volcano and mother nature to also hope would be agreeable as well.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Co-stars!? Carl gave the gorilla and leopard (cheetah?) hanging out beside the woman a wary look. That implied some serious animal work. And while Carl considered himself pretty brave and open to new things, animals weren't really his thing. Not that he had anything against them, but after being on the wrong end of a vicious dog attack as a kid, he'd never been comfortable around them. Had he known before accepting the role, it would have been easy to pass. Now?

He wiped his sweaty palms on his shorts. The trainer, Alexis, looked cute at least. Surprisingly young. Most experts on movie sets tended to be pushing fifty or older. She could pass for being a college student. He just hoped she was easier to get along with than some animal lovers. He'd dated a PETA advocate once...that girl had been a little too far out there.

"Will do my best to play nice," Carl said. "Mind if I introduce myself quick, or are we on a tight schedule?"

The way Dominic practically shoved him toward Alexis only served to emphasize the young woman's importance to this shoot. Carl got the sense that St. John had been far more replaceable than her.

Carl approached slowly, especially wary of the way the large cat eyed him like lunch. And the gorilla, while on the small side compared with those he'd seen in zoos, easily outweighed him.

Alexis was even more attractive up close. Indeed young, but with a worldly aura of strength about her. It was almost feral, like the cat beside her.

"Hey," he said, stopping and nodding from a safe distance. "I'm Carl."

 

[Asa]

She looked over and nodded.

I am Alexis. The leopard is Tomo and that little lady is Zia.

Hearing her name the gorilla stopped rolling about and moved over to Carl staring up at him with what appeared to be a smile then patting the ground next to her she gestured in rough sign language play.

Zia was a university guest for a time. People wanting to recreate Koko once she learned all she could and her professor grandpa as she called him died she returned home to stay with me. She is the most tame of your animal costars and one of the more stubborn. She wants you to sit down and play with her.

Zia almost looked like she was going to pout like a small child to get her way. Tomo simply sniffed at the air in his direction but stayed by Alexis side.

 

[WatchingCloud]

"Nice to meet you, Alexis. And you, too, Tomo and Zia." Carl felt a little weird adding the animals, but figured he'd better show some respect. Get things off on the right foot.

When Zia approached, though, Carl took an involuntary step back. The gorilla was fascinating but intimidating. He relaxed slightly on hearing that she'd been raised among people, learning some signing even.

"What sort of things does Zia like to play?" Carl knelt rather than sit, ready to move at a moments notice if need be. "And what is her role in the movie? Sorry, but I haven't even seen the script yet."

 

[Asa]

Zia immediately when he knelt down put her hands over her eyes and then removed them as if peek a boo and laughed. Even for her size she was still very child-like.

Zia loves peek a boo and tickling. Her roll will be seeing you shooting at a jeep and she will start throwing things at it. Including the secured case you are looking for from a plane wreck.

Zia waved a hand at Alexis as if trying to shush her so they could play.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl had played peekaboo with his niece over the holidays last year and remembered how she squealed in delight. Seemed Zia was much the same when he mimicked her actions. The gorilla's playfulness surprised him, putting him slightly more at ease.

"I hear you're quite the expert with animals," he said as he continued to play with Zia. "I'm afraid I may have to lean on you quite a bit. The closest I've been to working with animals is to be thrown through an aquarium. No live fish, for the record.

"Have you worked movies before?"

 

[Asa]

I have been dealing with movies all over the world for years and have had to deal with many actors who have no clue. Just show them love and respect and you should do fine.

Zia laughed and then the next time he covered his eyes she tried to tickle him as she laughed.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl was surprised to hear Alexis had been around so much already, given her age. He'd mistakenly assumed she was here for a more local expertise. Clearly she knew what she was doing.

While distracted with his thoughts, he covered his eyes and heard the gorilla make that peculiar hooting laugh sound and then touch him. He was still nervous enough around her that he flinched hard and toppled over backward, rolling in the grass and frantically trying to get his feet back under him.

As he got up, prepared to have to defend himself, he realized the gorilla was laughing at his response. He felt flush with embarrassment at his over-reaction and being played by a gorilla.

"You're quite the joker, aren't ya?"

Carl glanced over to Alexis. "Is there a sign for 'funny' or 'you win?'"

 

[Asa]

Zia tried to tickle you. She can be a little sneaky that way.

Zia... Actor tired... Go play.

Zia looked to him with an almost pout again then seeing something that caught her eyes she moved to a stump studying a butterfly.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl found it remarkable how strong a rapport Alexis had with Zia, able to speak seemingly complex ideas and have her understand.

"That's amazing," he said, watching as the gorilla wandered off a short distance, its attention diverted.

He then turned back to Alexis. Through the entire exchange, she'd remained sitting back in the grass beside the leopard. He doubted the big cat was nearly as sociable or trained as the gorilla, yet it sure seemed to be attached to her like any pet...or, more accurately, companion.

"Honestly, I'm already feeling a little better about the shoot. Granted, I haven't read the script yet, so maybe that's a bit premature...

"How many of your friends did you bring along?"

He wasn't sure he wanted to know.

 

[Asa]

Tomo three snakes and Zia and her adoptive brother, a young silverback.

Tomo will appear to have made the plane wreck his home. I told you Zia will seem to help you the silver back and the snakes will just be chance encounters. Zia and Tomo will be primary animal costars.

Tomo taking that as some understood que stood stretched and walked up to him sniffed his hand and nudged him.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Snakes? Carl wasn't particularly keen on hearing that. Surely they wouldn't be venomous, right?

He didn't have much time to fret over it, though, as Tomo got up and wandered lazily toward him. Carl froze, afraid any movement might be taken the wrong way by the large cat. Up close, he realized it was smaller than him, yet he'd seen those fangs when it had yawned. It sniffed his hand and then game it a nudge, like a dog or cat looking to be scratched.

Very tentatively, Carl placed his hand on Tomo's head and lightly scratched him behind the ears. He couldn't believe he was actually doing this. The film production's insurer probably wouldn't be happy (maybe that was half the reason they were in a remote corner of Africa rather than California). His agent, if she believed him, would probably ask why he hadn't gotten someone to film it so she could post it to his social media channels.

"You know what they say about stepping outside your comfort zone..."

 

[Asa]

She just watched him and how her animals responded to him. Her face revealed nothing however she was impressed with Tomo walking up to him like that. Tomo just stood there pressing his head up into the scratching behind his ears happily as his tail swished lazily almost in unison.

Dominic walked over smiling ear to ear seeing him bonding with the animals.

Tomo likes you...good it will look more convincing when he leaves the wreckage to let you search. However unlike you Mr. Tomo Carl here has a script to read so can I have my actor back?

Clearly Dominic had worked with Zia before because as she charged toward him expecting to play he produced a banana for her.

Snack now peek a boo later little lady. Carl you ready to see your tent?

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl was impressed at the director's comfort level with the animals. It helped calm his own nerves a bit further. He also made a mental note - snag treats for Zia from the commissary, or whatever passed for food service on this shoot.

"Guess we'll have to pick this up later," He said to Tomo, giving him one last scratch. "And you, too, Zia.

"Miss Alexis, a pleasure to meet you. I'm sure we'll be seeing quite a bit of each other, from the sound of it."

Carl slung his rucksack back over his shoulder, gave Alexis a wave, and turned back to Dominic. "Lead on."

 

[Asa]

The director gave him a tour of the camp and showed him to his tent and the script.

We are pretty informal around here when not filming so if ya need anything just holler and if ya feel any ground shimmies its just the volcano. Won't erupt but likes letting us know it's there from time to time

 

[WatchingCloud]

The tent was just that, albeit a fair bit nicer than what he'd used as a kid. There was an elevated cot with mosquito netting, trunk in place of dressers, a small portable sink type contraption with mirror, a folding lounge chair, and several lights.

"Volcano? Guess the pilot forgot to mention that on the way in." Carl had seen the increasing elevation not far away, but wouldn't have guessed there was an active volcano in there.

"Sounds good, though," he said, tossing his sack on the trunk. "Let me grab a much needed shower after all the time traveling and I'll dig right into the script. I assume costuming will want to have a crack at me, too, before the day is out. When do we start shooting?"

Dominic gave him until the next morning to get settled, saying his assistant would make sure he was ready on time.

Carl retrieved clean boxers and shorts from his bag, found a towel in the trunk, and wandered off to the shower tent that had been pointed out earlier in his tour. It was covered, sort of, but basically an open air pair of showers with curtains offering token modesty. The water was fed by gravity from a solar tank on a wooden frame between the showers.

"Mr. Pike?" A middle aged man, fit and energetic looking, flagged him down. "Nice to see you here. I'm Casey, director of photography."

Carl shook hands.

"Just a bit of advice. The showers are adequate, but don't have much pressure. If you're looking for a nicer experience, there's a stream with a pool and small waterfall about a quarter mile into the jungle that way. Just follow the trail. It's kinda open to everyone, so not for the modest or easily offended. Pretty sure a couple of the ladies on the crew are hoping to see you there, if you get my drift. Probably no one around right now, though. Gets the most activity in the morning and before dark."

Carl thanked him and found the idea of a cool dip under a waterfall enticing. He'd shown enough skin around film crews before that he wasn't overly concerned about modesty. As promised, the trail wasn't difficult to find and the path led straight to the pool and falls. He was also the only one there.

He stripped off his clothing and dove into the shallow but refreshingly cool water, coming up under the falls. Yes, this he could get used to. He wondered if any of the crew were both attractive and single. Wouldn't hurt to have a little fling in a place like this. His mind wandered to the animal trainer, Alexis. She was certainly attractive, and her top had given him a nice view of her ample curves and athletic figure. He wondered what she was like. It had been hard to get a read on her in their first meeting. His cock swelled a bit as the possibilities knocked around the back of his mind.

 

[Asa]

Once filming began Alexis was mall over the set. The snakes were simple enough to work with as was Tomo. Zia had moments where she wanted to play when it came to being on set with Carl. She certainly had taken quite a liking to him even giving him the signed name of "my friend". Her brother had his moments where he did not like the spotlights they used but beyond that a perfect actor.

The line of who liked working with her and those scared of crossing her was crystal clear in the first week of filming. Dominic was clearly pleased that everything was working out and had figured out a way with Alexis help to focus the silverback away from the spotlights. Wardrobe had to find plausible reasons to have pockets to hold his favorite fruit in them oranges.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl settled into the filming schedule easily enough. The crew was competent and most everyone seemed to be getting along. Granted, a bout of bad weather or other trying conditions could change all that at a moment's notice...

So far, most of the filming had just involved Carl alone against the elements or Carl with some of the animals. He was still nervous around some of them, Zia being perhaps the one exception, but it was getting better for the most part. Alexis was as competent as advertised and Carl was pretty sure he had met her expectations.

Of course, smooth sailing on a movie shoot meant something had to go sour, and it did so during a late afternoon shot in the plane wreckage scene. Carl was searching inside the fuselage when Tomo appeared unexpectedly and roared at him. Carl knew it was coming, had heard Tomo roar before at Alexis's command, and yet it still triggered a violent flashback to the dog attack he'd suffered as a kid. His body started shaking, blood running hot and cold almost simultaneously before it drained from his head and made him nearly black out. He started scrambling away from the leopard, tripping over the wreckage props.

"Stop. Stop!" he called out. On one level, he knew his reaction was irrational and embarrassing, but there was simply nothing he could do to stop it. Some action hero he was.

 

[Asa]

Dominic yelled

CUT!

Zia beat everyone over to him and snorted till she realized even Tomo was worried about his reaction. Alexis sent Tomo over to Dominic who had a snack for him quickly placed in his hand by Joanna.

What happened? Harmonics... Echo in here what?

Alexis questioned while Zia studied him and kept moving his hand to her shoulder as if the fur should calm him since it was hers.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl took several deep breaths, collecting himself. His heartrate slowly began to settle back down.

As his senses returned to him, he found Alexis asking him questions about what happened and Zia trying to comfort him. He let the gorilla put his hand on her shoulder and he patted her reassuringly. Such a human gesture of compassion.

"Sorry," Carl muttered, now more embarrassed than frightened. "Just, the growl set me off. Something about it combined with the confined quarters, I guess.

"I didn't say anything earlier, because I was hoping it wouldn't be an issue. I was attacked by a dog when I was a kid and, well, it took a long time to get over that. Guess I haven't completely. Seventy-three stitches..."

Carl patted his inner thigh and shook his head.

"Every now and then, even just seeing a vicious dog in a movie, can trigger a reaction. Something like PTSD, I guess. Been a while since I had an episode.

"I'm sure we can work through this. Might just need a little time or desensitization. You and Zia and Tomo have already done wonders. Maybe we just need to work through things a little more after hours. In the meantime, maybe I do something calming like get thrown off a building or do a car chase to clear my head."

He wondered, if in a controlled environment, he could work through the growling and exposed teeth response...

 

[Asa]

Dominic...

She called.

Move on to the scene where he is running from the Jeep full of soldiers and Zia throwing things. He and Tomo and I will work out a better arrangement for their scene.

 

[WatchingCloud]

"Thanks," Carl said softly to Alexis, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Appreciate it."

Carl was still amazed at the level of control Alexis had over the shoot, even beyond the animals' actions. The way Dominic respected her, she was practically an assistant director. In a sense, he supposed she was.

"Zia, sorry to throw a wrench in the shooting schedule. You ready to bail me out?"

 

[Asa]

Zia began signing tickle and laughing. Alexis simply smiled. She was cond of him and how he tried to be cal around the animals and they bad taken to him well also. As if they had known him all their lives.

Dominic just nodded and called for the scene change and everyone headed to the make shift road around here and got set up.