Nothing but Trouble_ A Kevin Kerney Novel - Michael Mcgarrity [42]
“Do you like the idea?” Johnny asked.
“Can we get the rodeo grounds?”
“For a song, guaranteed. It sits unused most of the year except for a short horse-racing season in the spring and a community rodeo in late summer.”
Usher pushed the laptop away and reached for a tablet. “Are you up to pulling an all-nighter?”
Johnny laughed. “Hell, besides rodeoing, that’s what I do best.”
Chapter Five
Up and ready to go at four a.m., Kerney checked the second bedroom for Johnny and found it empty. At the mercantile building the caterers had breakfast ready and Johnny and Malcolm Usher were sitting together, chowing down on scrambled eggs and bacon.
With his breakfast plate in hand Kerney walked toward an empty table, only to be waved over by Johnny. He sat down with the two men, both of whom had circles under their eyes and slack looks on their tired faces. “Long night?” he asked.
Johnny managed a smile. “You could say that, but we got a lot of good work done.”
Usher nodded in agreement.
“Why the early wake-up call?” Kerney asked Usher.
“We’ve got daybreak and early-morning scenes in the script,” Usher replied. “We can’t plan for them correctly unless we know what the light will be like at that time of day. The same applies to our evening and nighttime shoots.”
“We may be doing the rodeo scenes after all,” Johnny said.
“That’s good news,” Kerney said.
“If Charlie Zwick can find the money in the budget for it,” Usher cautioned.
“Will that be a problem?” Kerney asked. If Johnny got what he wanted, maybe he’d stop bitching about his story idea getting all screwed up.
“I think we’ve worked it so it won’t be,” Usher replied.
Kerney nodded. “If you’ve got a minute, can I ask how you plan to use me on the film?”
“You’ve read the screenplay?” Usher asked.
“Several times.”
Usher laid his fork beside his plate of half-eaten scrambled eggs and bacon. “Your job is to tell me what real cops would do. Anything that has to do with police procedure is your domain. If you see me planning to do something that’s completely screwball, tell me or my assistant director. Examples might be how the police would position themselves or restrain somebody—that sort of thing. The fewer glitches we have when we’re shooting, the smoother things will go.”
“That sounds easy enough,” Kerney said.
Usher downed the rest of his coffee. “But please don’t get upset with me if I don’t use every suggestion you make.”
“It’s your movie,” Kerney said. “I’m not here to argue.”
“How refreshing,” Usher said, giving Johnny a pointed look. “Enjoy yourself, Chief Kerney. I think you’ll find it fun to see how movies get made, although sometimes it can be real boring.”
Usher left and Johnny leaned back in his chair and broke into a big grin.
“You look pleased with yourself,” Kerney said.
Johnny drained his coffee. “If the rodeo scenes get overhauled the way Usher and I brainstormed them, I’m going to be a happy camper. Maybe you did me a favor yesterday after all. The more exposure my clients get in the film, the better the chances that I can get them bigger product endorsement deals and more acting jobs.”
“Are you trying to becoming a movie mogul?” Kerney asked.
“I don’t see why not,” Johnny replied. “There’s a lot of money to be made in motion pictures.”
“Well, you’ve got your foot in the door,” Kerney said. “But from what I’ve heard, making movies is a risky business.”
Johnny dropped his napkin on the table. “It’s no more risky than anything else I’ve done. Hell, you can’t get anywhere if you don’t roll the dice.” He pushed his chair away from the table. “Our first stop is at the ranch. It’s quite a spread. Old Joe has sunk a fortune into it. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
“I was there yesterday,” Kerney said, “and had lunch with your parents and Julia.”
Johnny’s eyes widened in surprise. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“I haven’t had a chance,” Kerney said as he walked with Johnny out the