Hollywood Part 1

Chapter 239

Hollywood

Part 1

Lots of people have dreamt about going to Hollywood and mingle with the movie stars, or become them and most of all live in million dollar homes like they do. I however never dared to dream that dream coming from a broken home and bouncing around in the system. I have seen my share of million dollar homes and slept in their beds, but too own one was never an option and I was good with that. However, I have always dreamed of going to see where they make the movies I have seen at home via TV or Movie Theater.

Just seeing the sign below was all it took for me to gasp like a fish then told we were going to MGM Studios where all the magic happens. We were literally bouncing in our seats with anticipation, Man I wish my bothers at home were here to see the sights, but sad to say they were in school and back in Heber where it was nice and cold, but there was no reason in the world we couldn’t take it home with us. Stringum had given everyone a camera with all the film we could carry. Our parents were given a camcorder to make lasting memories with us.

Kenny and Zane were like us, a kid in a candy store looking at everything at once as we landed at the airport. Stringum had one more surprise for us as we were met at the gate; finding all our friends and family from Heber waiting for us; even Kerry and Jody and their husbands. Kerry looked a lot slimmer now that she had the baby who was riding along in a stroller. Stringum said. “I hope you don’t mind that I have taken all the kids from school today and closed the stores so we could all have a bit of a holiday.”

Mom and Dad shook their heads quickly making all the introductions. I was right when Mom and Dad introduced my new brothers that my two sisters fell in love with each of them and they, in turn, fell in love with them, including our new brother Calvin who stood out because he was the only black kid in our family. Arthur was a little timid and a little bit jealous because of the way Mom and Dad had accepted all the boys into our family. Mom had made it clear that they weren’t foster kids; they had legally adopted each and every one of them.

Jared, Jason, and Jonathan were more than pleased about having new brothers that were around their age, which meant they would be spending the most time with them. No one seemed to care that Calvin was black…. To everyone in our family, he was just another brother. I smiled when the boys each gave their ages and shook hands wondering how long it was going to take before they took off all their clothes and ran naked through our houses; probably not long knowing my brothers.

The only one that wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea was Holly than again she was still angry about what had happened in regards of her Dad and his friends trying to kill her entire family due to the fact they had not her and her Dad making friends with them. She still had this look that said black people were the scum of the earth as she eyed Chef Phillips and his two boys and Dr. Sars, Stringum’s new wife adding to the fact they were all black. 

Stringum stated he promised that all the kids would have to write a 5-page paper regarding our field trip to the MGM Studio and give it to our school's principle for allowing us all to take the day off, having us all groan, but it would be worth it.

The first item of business was a nice hot breakfast as we all got on the two large school buses that Stringum had arranged so we could all see the sites of our favorite movies stars houses; which made perfect sense, because it would have looked like a funeral parade of limos going down the streets of Hollywood California. Stringum made sure we each had our swimsuits because today’s field trip included a trip to Raging Waters Water Park after we had visited MGM Studios. Now it was official this was going to be the best field trip ever.

Stringum told the driver to take us to Denny’s where he had reserved the main banquet room just for us as we checked to make sure we had everything in our gym bags; he had each given to us to put our things in. Plus he gave us all some spending money to buy souvenirs and fun t-shirts mementos. He went over the rules once we arrived at Denny’s as we were led into the reserve dining area. As the waitress went around collecting drink orders as we looked over the breakfast menu.

He put us all in groups of 6 with someone in charge of our group so none of us would get lost along the way. He went over the rules regarding our field trip to the studio. Telling us we can ask many questions we like, but don’t touch anything unless they say that we can, but most of all don’t wander off on our own because it’s a big place and we could easily get lost. Telling our parents that it will be their job to ensure we have everyone on the bus before we have to send a search party to find us.

That if anyone disobeys these rules they will be grounded for a month if we have to go looking for them. Our parents gave us the look that said we could count on that punishment and then some. Jonathon and Calvin were with me plus Mark, Sal, and Eli. Eli told the boys they better not try getting lost or they would miss something vital as he used his two fingers and swiped them below his crotch, getting the reaction he wanted.

Once our meal arrived the room became almost deafening as everyone started to talk about all the things they wanted to see and hope to see. Eli and my bothers Jared and Jason wanted to hear about what happened where we ended up after Mark and I left them at the Salt Lake Airport. Mark said. “Not much, Pig Face tried to rape us, Nate made him cry and turned him into a little baby as he and I flew our private jet to clear to Saint Gorge and landed it without so much as a scratch.”

Jared said. “Yea right,” Stringum overheard him and said it was true.

Dad confirmed earning gasping looks that said. “How cool is my big brother?”

I took over the conversation said. “Mr. Tate then flew us to a place called Needles Arizona where there is this huge clear water lake; which used to be Marks and Sal’s summer house; where they used to do most of their porn films. Now it’s a pile of rubble where Stringum going to build a huge new filming studio. It was also where I met Charles, Pete, and Ricky your new brothers. Besides Mark here and Sal, now we have a huge family again as we did before. Except we don’t have any sister’s living with us anymore. Mom and Dad are going to be going nuts when we all get together and rough house.”

Mom overheard me, and came over and said; “which will be punishable by death if anything gets broken. Make no mistake boys, chores, and homework always come first before fun but be warned. I like nice things and if my nice things get broken when you boys are roughhousing.” She made cut right below her waist. “I’ll string your balls around my neck.” Mom getting the look she wanted as she gave a quick nod then told me to make sure they ate everything on their plate.

I said. “Mom were boys. You know we lick our plates clean.”

She said. “Just making sure, because last time I checked my boys could be blown away in a stiff breeze. I having too fatten them up so they won’t.” She said. “Waitress, I would like another plate for each of my boys here, I am afraid they might eat the cushions they are sitting on.” She nodded and Mom said “Make sure Nate that you feed them every couple of hours. I promised the doctor that they would be nice and fat the next time he sees them.” I said I would do my best and she nodded giving me the evil eye that she was watching them. 

Mark said. “I really like her, Sal and I never really had a mother before that actually cares about our well being.”

Charles said sitting next to us one table over. “We never had a mother period or a father for that matter.”

I said. “Well you do now, and I tell you sometimes that’s a good thing.”

Mom said. “I heard that.” I looked back as she gave me the evil eye again. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy in the inside.

After a nice breakfast, we made our way to the studio where we were met at the gate for our guided a tour. The High Bishop and his three boys plus his new wife the Holy Queen were just as excited as we were and so was Calvin pretend Mom Loretta, everyone was here well except for Sparky who was most likely on my bed sprawled out chewing on a nice bone. Knowing he is going to chew me out royally for leaving him behind again. Yet he better get used to it this week considering I would be spending most of the week with Mr. Tate. Once we were back in Heber or at least that was the plan.

The place was big and amazing as our guide gave us special badges to wear that would allow us in some of the buildings that normally most visitors aren’t allowed in. We were special because of Stringum and Mr. Vincent. So we could see the large studio where the real magic happens. Eli and I made sure we had everyone in our group with us.

I had purchased a ball of string when were doing some window shopping on our way overseeing the movie stars plasters on the sidewalk. I was using it to keep our group together as Eli and I tied leashes on each of the boys; having to pass the string to the other groups because they all liked my idea. Plus no one wanted to get grounded or miss out on the fun today ending at the water park.

At this time Hollywood was doing the movies: (Star Trek the voyage home, Aliens, Poltergeist II and Running Scared.) Mom and Dad hated horror films, but it was awesome to see the live sets. We boys couldn’t wait to see them in the theaters so we can say we saw that movie being made. It was beyond exciting as we got to watch a screen test as we were put on stage behind a green screen and told walk to our mark. All we saw was the green screen in the back, on the floor and on the sides of us. Then when it was played back it looked like we were walking down a hallway of star trek, or we were walking on the moon.

Mr. Tate and our crew were head over heels seeing the cameras and the sound booth where there were at least 15 screens showing all at once in different directions. Stringum said this was what he wanted to build but on a smaller scale, but this was pretty closes to the size he wanted. I gasped when the prices was estimated in the millions of dollars. Just for the sound and lighting booth alone. But the main building or warehouse was a duplicate to what he wanted. With high ceilings where they can lower and higher scene sets using large cranes and including the lights and microphones that could pick up a pin drop anywhere on the set itself.

The cameras too were all basically a motorized vehicle which allowed the cameramen to sit in front of the large cameras in front of them and film close shots plus the cameras on the set covered in green like the stage that would look invisible on camera that could get even closer shots. Almost right on top us being so close, yet not seen when the film is rolling. We would put on green socks on our arms and it would look like they had been cut off. It was the coolest thing since sliced bread.

Our two makeup artists were going gaga over the makeup they wanted to use and wigs and facial masks they could make. Stringum told them the skies the limit and they were taking him up on that offer. As they were introduced to the people that can make it happen. They would spend most of the day here buying until they had every last item that was available.

For us, we couldn’t wait to see the outdoor sets and then do some more sightseeing before the water park opened which would be around noon but wouldn’t be busy until 2 or 3 when school let out for the day. We wouldn’t need to be at the airport until 4 pm and fly back using one large jumbo jet for all of us kids while the parents and the adults flew back using Stringum’s private jet. Giving them a chance to talk about money in regards to what is a fair acting price.