Mr. Dubois' Farm: Movie Magic Part 01

“You have got to be shitting me…” Clark growled. The actor wasn’t exactly known for his anger. It was the job of a good PR team that was able to keep his anger under wraps. However, that only made him all the more threatening. “I asked for zero calories with no artificial sugars and you try to give me diet? Is this job a joke to you?”

“No sir. It’s just--”

Clark let out a long drawn out sigh. His apathetic look made the young PA want to just run away. “Look,” he squeezed at his temples as though to quell the undying anger within him, “if I wanted excuses, I would ask for them. Just get the fuck out of here. Alright?”

“Y-yes sir,” Matthew stammered. His legs were still shaking.

“Now!”

“Yes! Right away!” Mathew rushed out of the actors trailer. The plastic door bounced back open and he quickly tried to close it again. The harsh light blazing from the sun was all the more apparent as he stepped out of the cool trailer. He held his hand up to his face as beads of sweat formed around his brow. It took everything he had to keep his curses from escaping his lips.

Matthew took a few steps towards the camera crew. His mind was still abuzz. He didn’t know how he’d been picked to be on such a large production. A big superhero blockbuster was far bigger than any of the student films he’d done in the past. But here he was, running around for Clark Jacoby and making sure everything turned out right. Of course that also meant he could be fired instantly if a single thing went wrong. His stomach churned as he thought about what he’d do after this.

“Tough customer?”

“Huh?!” Matthew jumped at the sudden deep voice behind him. “Oh sorry!” he instantly apologized and shot his eyes to the ground. It was Mr. Dubois. He had allowed them to graciously use his farm for next to nothing. “I didn’t realize you were behind me…”

“It’s fine,” Mr. Dubois smiled. “I know I can be a bit intimidating.” And he sure could be. He looked like he should be on the cover of a romance novel. That was even after the photoshop to make them look even bigger. He was at least kind of enough not to have a ripped undershirt showing off his abs. But even the lightest bit of sweat against his skin seemed to stick the shirt against the hard muscles, showing each and every one of those six muscles off.

“Sorry sir…” Matthew’s eyes were still staring at the other man’s brown boots. He hated looking at the other man’s handsome face. It was just too perfect. And more kind. Especially compared to anyone he’d met back in Hollywood. However that made him more worried because he’d never really been around someone like that.

Mr. Dubois let out a laugh. “No need to be so stiff. I’m a pretty nice guy.” He paused for a second and pulled out a cup. “Hey, you know what always makes me feel better? A glass of warm milk.”

Matthew stared at it for a second. He didn’t even know where it came from. Or register just how weird it was for someone to be offering him milk. Especially warm milk in the middle of summer. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m lactose intolerant. I can’t have any.”

“Really? Cause I’ve never had anyone have a problem with it before.”

“No really,” Matthew remembered the few times he’d been ‘pranked’ and the day after. It wasn’t ever pleasant and only would make the stress he was under worse. “I really can’t.”

“But--”

“Carson!” the director’s loud voice pierced through the trailers that had been set up. “Where the fuck is that kid! Get him here. Now!”

“Shit!” Matthew’s body seized up and he almost dropped to the ground. “I’ve gotta go! Thank you again for letting us use the farm!”

“No problem,” Mr. Dubois said. “It’s my pleasure.”

Matthew quickly sprinted over to his director. Grant Silverstein, was pacing back and forth with his tablet in hand and a few other interns following closely behind him. “Sir,” Matthew huffed out as he caught up to the other man. “I’m here. Right here…”

“Good,” Grant’s eyes didn’t even lift from his tablet. “Go get Frank and Janet ready for their scene.”

“Yes sir.”

With that Matthew was instantly off looking for the two older actors currently playing the superhero’s step parents. (Technically the superhero's adopted because he's an alien.) Being a bit smaller time actors they had been able to get into that small niche of playing someone’s parents. Usually it was more for a drama but Mr. Silverstein had thought they’d make a good enough couple to finally make it to the big screen.

Mathew started at the buffet table set out for all the actors. Frank was known to be a bit of an eater on set. Once he’d see those sandwiches and cookies, the table would start to clean up. It was nice that nothing really went to waste. However, that also meant some of the staff didn’t always get their fill either.

“Frank!” Matthew called out to the actor. The older man looked over his shoulder, plate in hand. “C’mon…” Matthew whined. “We talked about this… The studio can’t keep changing your costume because you’re eating so much.”

Frank couldn’t defend himself between his chewing. A intelligible defense was trying to force its way out of his mouth between chews, but Matthew’s face only seemed to show more discomfort. “I’m-- sorry,” Frank finally swallowed. “It’s just all so good…” There was a bit of a rasp in his voice as he said.

“I know… I know…” Matthew said. He wanted to sound a little bit sympathetic. “But you’re not in a small production any more. Wasted time means wasted money and Silverstein doesn’t have a long fuse. You need to be prepped and ready to go.”

With a roll of the eyes, Frank still nodded. However, another voice interjected. “I think he looks plenty ready,” Mr. Dubois said. There was a crate of small plastic milk bottles in his hand. He set them down on the table with a loud thud. “Thought you guys might want some free product.”

“Absolutely!” Frank instantly grabbed one of the plastic containers and opened it up.

“Best milk you’ve ever had,” Mr. Dubois smiled.

Frank tipped it back even more. The milk started to dribble down the sides of his mouth. “Yeah!” he let out an overly satisfied gasp. He already reached for a second bottle and opened it up.

“Pace yourself,” Mr. Dubois said. “You need to make sure everyone gets some.”

“Right,” Frank nodded. He went to sipping the bottle instead of chugging it again. “But this is real good. How do you do it?”

“I make it fresh, everyday.”

“Wow… Must be a lot of work…”

Mr. Dubois laughed. “If you enjoy your work, you never work a day in your life. Or whatever that saying is. And boy, do I enjoy it.”

“Well, it sure looks like. And with strong hands like those, I’m sure they’re used to working with those udders.”

“Something like that. But it’s more with method than strength. Pull too hard and no one has a good time.”

The two guys laughed at the innuendo. Matthew just rolled his eyes. “C’mon, we need to go get you ready. And get you away from the food table…” He pulled at the heftier man. But Frank hadn’t started moving, making it impossible to move. Matthew looked back. “What’s wrong?”

“Just one more bite…” Frank rubbed at his belly. The large gut protruded far out in front of him.

Matthew let out an angry sigh. “Really?” It was more of a statement of frustration than an actual question.

Frank’s body seemed to collapse in on itself as he shrugged uncomfortably. But Mr. Dubois stepped in. “I think it should be fine.” he said. Matthew shot him a look. “Shouldn’t it? I mean it looks like he’s been working out about 4 or 5 times a week to get into shape. Why wouldn’t it be bad for him to cheat. At least a little bit.”

‘A little bit?’ the statement ran through Matthew’s head over and over again. ‘Yeah, it wouldn’t be too much of a problem. But…’ something about it only being a little bit felt like it was off. Matthew looked over Frank again. He couldn’t quite place it but it felt like it wasn’t the same man he’d been looking at even just a few moments ago. His chest pushed out a little further while his big belly had pulled back. There was a bit more strength built up in his broad shoulders and his sleeves were rolled up over strong meaty forearms.

“Am I wrong?” Mr. Dubois laughed. “I mean most farmers don’t really look like me. But it sure seems like he was trying.”

Even more of Frank’s bulk seemed to pull in on itself. He didn’t look nearly as overweight as Matthew was thinking he was. If anything it was all muscular bulk. A bit of a belly but clear powerful muscles underneath whatever fat may have been there. Frank’s posture fixed itself and he seemed to be a few inches taller than just even a few seconds ago.

Matthew shook his head. He wasn’t sure what he was thinking. None of that made sense. He must have been thinking back to rehearsals or something. Because Frank had taken to working out surprisingly well. “Fine. Whatever. Just eat it on the way.” Again he started pulling at Frank’s hand, this time actually moving him as Frank walked right along with him.

For a second Matthew looked back and saw a few more of the guys working on set go over to the table. Each one seemed incredibly interested in Mr. Dubois’ milk.