Page 16 of Persuading Penny (Jane Austen Association #4)

T he weather forecast called for dark clouds riding on a brisk breeze allowing for a few rays of sun to pierce through.

Only a little bit of rain was set to fall in the days to come.

This situation was far more suitable for filming outdoors, and the same little group of actors and crew members headed back to Southampton once again.

This time Keely sat with Cliff, discussing the upcoming scenes and what she hoped to capture.

“I’d like a special nod to Jane Austen’s passage through Southampton,” she said. “We could perhaps pass in front of her favorite haunts.”

Cliff nodded as he listened closely.

“I would like to see our characters; Anne and Frederick as well as the others, walking down the street, perhaps get them from behind. No audible dialogue, just them strolling, visiting, sightseeing.”

Again, he nodded. “Did you want a shot of Chawton House, or the cottage where Jane lived? It’s a little way out of town, but accessible. And what about Winchester where she last lived?”

She smiled, clearly impressed. “Oh. You know about all that?”

“I did a bit of digging. Found out how her brother Edward acquired Chawton House and offered the nearby, smaller cottage to his sisters. But weeks before dying she and her sister moved to Winchester.”

“That’s good. I’m happy to hear you’re keeping up. But no. We won’t need to go that far. Just the procession down College Street. Most movie goers who just know Jane as a writer won’t make the connection, but the few avid fans who know all about her life and death will recognize it.”

“I don’t mean to butt in,” Abbie said, “but I think you should consider going all the way to Winchester for a shot of the cathedral. Chawton is about thirty miles from here with Winchester midway there.”

Keely nodded. “I’ll consider it. If we get the scene on the wall done in one day... maybe.”

*****

T he next day was perfect for shooting the wall scene, heavy dark clouds hung low with only a few breaks of faint sunlight.

We set up at a portion of the ancient wall that had once fortified the city. It was a quieter portion with fewer tourists, and an appealing view of the waterfront.

“I think you all know the delicate nature of this scene,” Keely said. “We do not have stunt people on the payroll, so this is all a play of the camera and the proper angles.” She glanced at Cliff who nodded. “And, of course, some very fine editing.”

“Here is how this is going to go,” Keely called to everyone. “We’ll have you and you below the wall.” She pointed to Anne and Frederick. “And all of you will be up on the wall, simply walking. One by one, you will come down here to ground level. Got it?”

Everyone nodded except Louisa.

Keely turned to the young actress playing the ill-fated character. “I know you’re nervous about this scene, but don’t worry. I would never put you in harm’s way. We’ll get a shot of you up on the wall, you’ll act silly and call for Frederick to catch you. That’s all.”

The actress nodded but remained uncertain.

“Then we’ll cut to Anne who hears the thud and the commotion that follows. That’s the magic of movies. All smoke and mirrors, and no one gets hurt. Are we all clear?”

The crew prepared for the shot, getting the proper angle of everyone on the wall. With only Louisa remaining, they captured her attempt at her line.

But the actress froze, unable to speak.

“Cut.” Keely went up to her. “Would you prefer to come down here where it’s only five feet off the ground?”

She nodded and was helped down to the lower level.

“Okay,” Keely cried again. “Let’s try this one more time. Action.”

“I don’t get it,” Bridget muttered. “This is a dull way of shooting the scene. I mean, you don’t even see her fall... not one bit.”

Louisa stood on the lower portion of the wall, barely five feet off the ground and the cameras were put in position.

“Okay,” Keely said. “You’re happy. You’re giddy. You want to play, and you want Frederick to play along. Got it?”

The actress nodded.

“And... action.”

“It’s too high,” Frederick called up to her. “Don’t jump. You’re being too silly now.”

“I am determined I will,” Louisa shouted with a giggle. “And you will catch me.”

“Cut. Great. You did a good job.” Keely told the young actress.

“No. No. No,” Bridget called out clearly unsatisfied. “That was not good at all. That was horrible.” She quickly climbed up the five-foot wall.”

“Bridget come down,” Keely ordered.

“You are all coddling that poor girl. I’ve climbed higher walls when I was a child.” She walked along the edge of the wall, her arms out as she feigned losing her balance. “Ooh,” she said with laughter.

All eyes were on her, fearing a misstep.

“This isn’t funny, Bridget,” Cliff said, clearly concerned. “Please come down.”

“Oh, but it is quite fun.” She looked at Keely. “How about I do the scene instead of Louisa.” She tilted forward. “Come on, Cliff. Catch me.”

“No,” he shouted as he ran beneath her. “Bridget.”

She took a step closer to the edge, her foot catching in the hem of her skirt as she fell to the ground.

“Oh, my God,” Keely let out as she ran to her. “No!”

I ran to her. “Someone call an ambulance,” I instantly shouted to all of them. “Bridget,” I said more gently as I knelt beside her and checked her pulse, her breathing. “Can you hear me, Bridget?”

“Oh, no. No, no, no,” Abbie cried in horror, her hands trembling as she stood over Bridget’s prone figure.

“Bridget,” Cliff said, quickly kneeling on the other side of her. “Is she alright?” he asked me.

“She’s breathing, shallow but there.”

“Her head,” he said as he prepared to turn her onto her back. “She hit her head.”

“Let’s not move her. The paramedics will take care of that.”

He nodded.

I looked at the placement of her arms, the awkward bend of her wrist. “I think she might have broken something here.”

The ambulance was quick to arrive with Cliff boarding to accompany Bridget to the hospital.

Stunned and shocked, the silent and sullen cast and crew returned to the hotel to await news of Bridget’s condition.