Free Hearts' Desires by Anke Napp Page B

southwards in order to evade…. And mobilizing the National Guard…”
              The agitated voice of the news reporter spoke of civilian c a sualties and fugitives in the embassies. Shortly after, he knew where this revolt had happened, and a shiver ran down his spine. Zimbabwe. And the film crew would move to the National Park near the border to Zimbabwe for the last s e quences! Max felt sweat drop on the instrument panel and wiped off his forehead. The radio voice faded into more si z zling static. They had still two weeks until they would move to that location. Still… or only? A lot could happen in two weeks, for better or worse! The situation could stabilize - or it could get completely out of control and spill over the border into South Africa. He looked out and discovered Alison still talking with the Animal Welfare - guy. He would tell her later when they were back from this set. He got up and went to the back of the bus to grab a cold mineral water from the ice box.
              Still no sign of the stuntmen.
                  Alison had decided to shoot at least the starting scene of the hunting sequence, because one of the supporting actors, Piet, had an urgent appointment tomorrow. Bad timing again! So they rea r ranged everything and finally gathered around Vance and his colleagues. The armorer handed them the rifles and the wrangler gave them last instructions concerning the horses.
                  "Riding experience?" he asked in the actors' direction.
                  "You're joking, man?" Piet grinned - and with a swift el e gant movement, he was up in the saddle. Wayland seemed to be good in any kind of sport – only some moments ago he had talked about his placement in the last surfer’s competition – and horses weren’t strange to him either. Obviously, no problems would arise from that side, and the trainer focused on Vance.
                  "It's been while," he answered. It had been quite a while , to be honest! "But I'll manage. As long as you aren't a partic u lar ly wild devil horse, pal!" he gave the animal a friendly pat and got a nudge in return.
                  Alison strongly hoped that this part could be managed today. When the clapperboard sounded, she exhaled a silent prayer to the powers of destiny that they might abstain from interfering neg a tively again…
                  Marens stood next to his horse, a determined annoyed look on his face, while he put the flask back in his pocket. “Let's move!” he sneered at the hunting party and lifted hi m self onto the saddle.
                  “ Arend , are you sure you’re fit for the hunt?”
                  “Even half dead I would be a better shot than you!”               He kicked the animal’s side sharply and rode ahead, quickly followed by camera 2.
                  “Hey, didn’t your daughter want to come along? Shouldn’t we wait?” sounded Piet’s voice from the sideline.
                  Camera 3 caught Maren’s bitter face while he remained silent.
                  "Cut!" Alison spread her hands. "Jake, let's see what we got!"
     
    After a light lunch consisting of sandwiches and coffee, the team was waiting again. Meredith from the make-up team tried to teach Thabo to play guitar. He succeeded in some awkward chords and much friendly laughter. Vance had propped his feet on an empty cable box and leaned back in the uncomfortable chair as far as he could. This was going to be a long afternoon. His thoughts wa n dered to Carolyn again – and as fate would have it, Lauren sat down next to him in exactly that moment.
                  “Hi, Vance.” Her voice was as sweet as sugar. “Hope you are not angry anymore?”
              He opened his eyes, discovered her face decorated with a s e ducing smile all too