Iceman

Television Park

“Pull your coat down a little,” a metallic voice commanded over the intercom, and the good-looking man seated beside the car mouthed a silent okay and leaned forward as far as he could, pulling his coat down under him as well as he was able, smoothing his lapels.

“Okay now?” he asked aloud.

The intercom did not choose to reply and a boy with a rattail haircut clicked a marking slate clapper and said, “Fourteen,” looking at the man in the chair saying, “Stand by."

The seated man held his smile into the bright lights, and when the rattail boy pointed at him, he smiled widely and said, “Luxury in a beautiful car you CAN afford. Because nobody beats our deal.” He let the smile relax a little and took a breath.

The intercom squawked, “Let's do it again."

“Sure."

“Take Fifteen."

“Luxury in a beautiful car you CAN afford. Because nobody beats our deal.” He was very tired. “Was that better?"

“Let's wild-track it again, please,” she answered in her grating, metallic squawk.

“Sixteen,” the boy said, and marked it.

“Luxury in a beautiful car you CAN afford. Because nobody—"

“Hold it."

He breathed again. Fucking imbeciles.

“Wha hoppen?” He beamed in the direction of the control booth.

“You're saying Lug-sury. It's LUCKS-U-REE. Make it a real hard X sound, okay?"

“LUXury in a beautiful car. Like so?"

“Better. Do it again. Here we go."

“Seventeen."

“Nobody ... Shit, I'm sorry. I forgot the line.” He kept his smile as the rattail boy giggled and said, “That's a take.” Wise little fuck. “Okay. I'll get it right this time, folks. I promise."

“Okay,” over the intercom. He could feel himself reddening a little. Fuck it.

“Eighteen,” the kid said in a tone of unmasked contempt.

“LUXury in a beautiful car you CAN afford. Because nobody beats our deal.” The eyes boring in under the red light. His hundredth spot maybe. An old pro.

“I think that one got it, but give me a safety,” she said, and he tilted his head back and said, “Sure,” ever the gentleman.

“Nineteen, safety,” the wise-ass kid said, and the man in the chair smiled brightly, gestured to the new car parked in the production studio, and gave her another perfect one. Smiling into the camera with his handsome public face.