Lance Reynolds stretched out in the first class seat on the airliner. After a year of hard work on what might evolve into a new sci-fi franchise, he felt he had earned a rest. As the plane leveled out over the Pacific Ocean, Lance reclined his chair, stretching his 6'0" muscular frame. Drink in hand, he grinned victoriously. He'd made it. After a decade of near misses, bit parts and one or two supporting parts in smaller movies, he'd finally made it. He had, according to the very eccentric writer of "Battlespace", just the right look and physique to man the leading role of Morgan Foehammer, the troubled and gruff hero with a heart of gold. Lance chuckled a little, embarassed by his character's name. It was a tale of good vs evil, but with a few unexpected twists.
It hadn't been an easy journey. There were auditions, tests, and finally extensive training to fit the role. It was a physically demanding role where Lance got to do many of his own stunts. As a result he now had a ripped body and a taste for working out and indulging in extreme sports. The secluded resort he was whisked off to specialized in surfing, cliff climbing, scuba diving, and parachuting. It was also, according to the studio head, a luxurious secluded resort run by a family with some hired help from the local populace. Lance could hardly wait.
The only cloud on the horizon was that his wife wasn't coming with him. She was on a three-month tour, advertising HER latest movie. They'd met on the set of a horror movie early in their career, his character being killed off quickly while she gained fame and notoriety by "accidentally" losing her bra in her death scene. Her career took off like a comet while his was in the doldrums, going nowhere until his agent, squealing with excitement, told him he'd been handpicked by the author of the next big franchise to play the lead. As it was, she supported him with her income from ever larger hit movies (mostly romantic comedies and costume dramas). They sealed their marriage a couple of years ago, and he guessed he loved her, though she had grown more distant as her fame became stellar. There were whispers of an Oscar next year for her part in the latest Jane Austen adaptation. In the back of his mind, his conscience was gnawing at him, though. DID he really love her like he should? They were cordial enough when together, but something seemed... off. Maybe it was just the fact that he too would be going on promotional trips and be away large portions of time?
Finishing his drink, he pushed the thoughts out of his head. He dozed off and didn't wake up until they landed on Hawaii. He would transfer to one of the smaller islands by a smaller plane, he'd been told. And when he emerged into the transit hall, someone were waiting for him, holding a plaque bearing his name. Smiling a little selfconsciously over being treated like a VIP, Lance shyly walked up to the man to find out that he was his personal pilot out to the island. He could get used to this. He had been treated to VIP treatment from time to time, but that was only because he was married to Gwen. But this was for him. He got giddy just thinking about it.
The flight out of Honolulu was picturesque, with no clouds to mar the view. Lance spent the flight admiring the view as the sun played with the ocean. The pilot wasn't one for small talk, so Lance had a quiet flight. The doubt he'd had about his married life the day before were forgotten, and he was just looking forward to a month, a whole MONTH of relaxation and sports!
The plane banked and landed on a small island. The airport was situated (he was told) by the only town on the island. The resort was a 15 minute drive from here, and there was a driver waiting for him in a large SUV. The driver was a bit mor chatty than the pilot had been, and he introduced himself as Brett, the owner and manager of the resort. He was a rugged sort of man in his forties, dark hair turning gray and a slight paunch on an otherwise healthy body. This was a contrast to Lance's well trained physique, his dirty blonde hair and light brown eyes. The road out of town to the resort was a dirt road, and Brett launched into a tale about how they'd meant to pave the road for several years now, but things just kept getting in the way.
Lance didn't care so much about the road per se. They drove along the coast, ocean on their right and a lush forest on the left. Lance fell instantly in love with the place. He leaned back and eased into the conversation with Brett as the vistas of beautiful nature whizzed past the car. After a number of turns, the road opened up on the resort. Sitting near the beach, there were several buildings, a pier, and what looked like a boathouse.
"Yeah, you're gonna have the place more or less to yourself, Lance," Brett told him. Lance just smiled broadly at that. That would suit him JUST fine. They drove up to the main building and Lance got out, surveying his surroundings.
It hadn't been an easy journey. There were auditions, tests, and finally extensive training to fit the role. It was a physically demanding role where Lance got to do many of his own stunts. As a result he now had a ripped body and a taste for working out and indulging in extreme sports. The secluded resort he was whisked off to specialized in surfing, cliff climbing, scuba diving, and parachuting. It was also, according to the studio head, a luxurious secluded resort run by a family with some hired help from the local populace. Lance could hardly wait.
The only cloud on the horizon was that his wife wasn't coming with him. She was on a three-month tour, advertising HER latest movie. They'd met on the set of a horror movie early in their career, his character being killed off quickly while she gained fame and notoriety by "accidentally" losing her bra in her death scene. Her career took off like a comet while his was in the doldrums, going nowhere until his agent, squealing with excitement, told him he'd been handpicked by the author of the next big franchise to play the lead. As it was, she supported him with her income from ever larger hit movies (mostly romantic comedies and costume dramas). They sealed their marriage a couple of years ago, and he guessed he loved her, though she had grown more distant as her fame became stellar. There were whispers of an Oscar next year for her part in the latest Jane Austen adaptation. In the back of his mind, his conscience was gnawing at him, though. DID he really love her like he should? They were cordial enough when together, but something seemed... off. Maybe it was just the fact that he too would be going on promotional trips and be away large portions of time?
Finishing his drink, he pushed the thoughts out of his head. He dozed off and didn't wake up until they landed on Hawaii. He would transfer to one of the smaller islands by a smaller plane, he'd been told. And when he emerged into the transit hall, someone were waiting for him, holding a plaque bearing his name. Smiling a little selfconsciously over being treated like a VIP, Lance shyly walked up to the man to find out that he was his personal pilot out to the island. He could get used to this. He had been treated to VIP treatment from time to time, but that was only because he was married to Gwen. But this was for him. He got giddy just thinking about it.
The flight out of Honolulu was picturesque, with no clouds to mar the view. Lance spent the flight admiring the view as the sun played with the ocean. The pilot wasn't one for small talk, so Lance had a quiet flight. The doubt he'd had about his married life the day before were forgotten, and he was just looking forward to a month, a whole MONTH of relaxation and sports!
The plane banked and landed on a small island. The airport was situated (he was told) by the only town on the island. The resort was a 15 minute drive from here, and there was a driver waiting for him in a large SUV. The driver was a bit mor chatty than the pilot had been, and he introduced himself as Brett, the owner and manager of the resort. He was a rugged sort of man in his forties, dark hair turning gray and a slight paunch on an otherwise healthy body. This was a contrast to Lance's well trained physique, his dirty blonde hair and light brown eyes. The road out of town to the resort was a dirt road, and Brett launched into a tale about how they'd meant to pave the road for several years now, but things just kept getting in the way.
Lance didn't care so much about the road per se. They drove along the coast, ocean on their right and a lush forest on the left. Lance fell instantly in love with the place. He leaned back and eased into the conversation with Brett as the vistas of beautiful nature whizzed past the car. After a number of turns, the road opened up on the resort. Sitting near the beach, there were several buildings, a pier, and what looked like a boathouse.
"Yeah, you're gonna have the place more or less to yourself, Lance," Brett told him. Lance just smiled broadly at that. That would suit him JUST fine. They drove up to the main building and Lance got out, surveying his surroundings.