Astrid is an actress who moved to L.A. to get into show business. She's done plays, commercials, bit parts in major and minor movies: she's very professional about it & very ambitious. And though it has taken a few years & many many small & crappy parts, her agent calls her & tells her she's finally up for a huge part, a co-starring role, in a major motion picture, directed by Byron Palisades. She's worked for Byron before, but only as a bit player...her agent tells her he wants to cast 'unknowns' in this pic, he doesn't want the audience coming in with any pre-conceived ideas about the characters. Astrid's been in a lot of movies, but she is still definitely 'unknown'...and this particuar part is particularly suited to her. A comic book character called 'Death' apparently. Astrid can't wait to audition. Then, by some stroke of luck, Astrid 'meets' one of her new neighbors who just moved into the apartment upstairs: Alison, and old 'girlfriend' of hers, and one of Byron Palisades production assisstants. When Astrid was a bit player for one of Byron's movies, she had a brief affair with Alison, who didn't know she had a boyfriend at the same time, too. Gavin, Astrid recalls. Astrid doesn't mind being called 'bi-sexual', but she thinks of it more as being attracted to anyone who obscures the line of gender strereotypes. She likes men like Gavin, who while very masculine in some respects, also had a very feminine sensibility, and she likes women like Alison, beautiful, large-breasted women, with strong arms & a very masculine aggressivenes. Astrid often wanted to have a three way with both these lovers, they were both such contrasts in themselves & also would contrast each other splendidly. But Alison would never go near a man for sex, and Gavin could be downright prudish about some things, despite being incredibly horny, all the time. And of course, each thought he/she had Astrid exclusively, so she couldn't even bring it up to either. Well, that's over wth now...she & Alison moved on after the filming was over, and Gavin...Astrid had to break his heart. He was just too clingy, and Astrid doesn't have time for that kind of involvement. Gavin doesn't matter, he was just an art student. But Alison works for Byron Palisades, is important to him, so Astrid is glad she & Alison parted company amicably. Because now she promises to put in a good word for her at the audition tomorrow.

Astrid does great in her audtition. She knew she would. She's been working towards this since she did her first school play as a child.

"You're exactly what I'm looking for for this role," Byron tells her. Astrid is in!

She's so happy, she hugs Alison when she tells her she got the part.

Astrid is going to play a character who is a personification of death, portrayed as young Goth-type woman. She starts rehearsing her lines as soon as she get home. This is the biggest role she's ever gotten: she's going to more than ace it. Maybe win herself a 'best supporting actress' award.

Before any movie starts, there's costume fittings & photo sessions. Astrid has already heard the star of this movie will be an unknown like herself, someone Byron met in a cafe (Astrid still can't believe something so outrageous coud happen in this day & age, a star 'discovered' on the streets of L.A.) and she has also heard that this new 'star' is already as demanding as one who's been coddled by the studios for years, he actually insisted on bringing in his own costume designer. But when Astrid shows up for the costume shoot, she is amazed to find that this unknown actor is none other than her ex-boyfriend, Gavin. "Astrid!" he exclaims on seeing here, "Are you in this movie?" He's suprised to see her?! She's actually an actress, she's worked hard to get this supporting role...he's done nothing to deserve it, but here he is, the star of the show.

"Listen, Gavin, you know how hard I've worked for this. Just because you're a 'star' now, don't go ruining this for me out of spite. I've heard about the petty demands you've been making, getting your own costume designer..just don't try to mess with me, or I will find a way to take you down...," she threatens. "First, I'm not a 'star', Astrid. I don't even want to be here...I'm only in this to help my girlfriend..the costume designer. I'm not going to 'mess' with you: I don't want anything to do with you...if I knew you were going to be involved in this...," he says, and she can see him trying to hold in his anger. The fool is still mad at her for breaking up with him. He always was a pathetic ass, now he's just proving it to her again.

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