Dancing Barefoot Read Online Free PDF Page A

Kobiyashi Maru, the man behind the Corbomite Maneuver, the man who took the Enterprise to the Genesis planet to return Spock’s katra , the man who I had admired since I was eight years old, was
     immediately transformed into WILLIAM FUCKING SHATNER.
    I bit my lip, and turned to say good-bye to the still photographer who had made the
     introduction, but he had vanished as well.
    I walked back to my own stage with my head down, avoiding eye contact the entire way. When
     I got to the entrance, I found Mandy, and asked her to unzip my costume, so I could put my
     fleece back on.
    As she unzipped the back, she said, “did you get to meet William Shatner?”
    â€œYeah.” I didn’t want to let on that I was upset.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” she asked, as she handed me my fleece jacket. There was concern in her
     eyes.
    â€œWell . . .” I hesitated. Saying it out loud would make it real. “He was a dick to
     me.”
    Her eyes widened, and she gasped. “What?! Why? What happened?!”
    I fought back tears, and recounted our introduction.
    â€œWhat an asshole!” She said, “Oh, Wil, I am so sorry!”
    I nodded my head, and she gave me a hug. I drew a deep breath, shrugged my shoulders, and
     walked back to my trailer, where I sat down and cried. I had spent weeks getting up the
     courage to meet this man, and in less than five minutes he had insulted and humiliated me. He
     had reduced me from peer to peon. I had worn my stupid costume, thinking that it would matter
     to him, and he’d made fun of it.
    15 minutes later, an assistant director knocked on my door, and told me that they were
     ready for me on the set. I stood up, wiped my face off, and told him that I’d need to make a
     quick stop at the makeup trailer on my way. He radioed this information to the 1st AD, and
     told me to hurry.
    I walked to the makeup trailer, taking great pains to look at the ground, the walls, the
     sky . . . anything that would keep my head turned away from the Star Trek
     V stage.
    I sat in the chair, and my makeup artist, Jana, began to touch me up.
    â€œI heard about what Shatner did to you.” she said. “Fuck him. He’s a jerk, and has been
     for years. He’s probably just jealous that you’re younger, better looking, and more famous
     than he is.”
    I sighed. I didn’t want him to be a jerk, and I didn’t think that he was jealous of
     anything. I was certain that I’d done something wrong.
    â€œI guess so.” I said, as noncommittally as I could.
    She put down her makeup sponge, and turned the chair away from the mirror, so I was facing
     her. She looked me in the eye, and said, “Don’t let him upset you, Wil. He’s not worth
     it.”
    â€œOkay,” I lied. I knew I was going to be upset about this for a long time.
    â€œOkay,” she said, and dusted my nose with translucent powder.
    I walked into the stage, and took my seat on the bridge of the Enterprise
     D , next to Brent Spiner.
    â€œI heard about Shatner,” Brent said.
    Jesus, was this on the news or something?
    â€œYeah,” I said.
    â€œYou know he wears a toupee, right?”
    I giggled. “No, I didn’t know that.”
    â€œYep. He’s balder than old baldy up there.” He tossed a gold thumb over his shoulder at
     Patrick.
    I giggled some more, as the stored up adrenaline coursed through my veins. “Boy, that’s
     pretty bald.”
    â€œYep.” Brent put his hands up on his console.
    The first AD said, “This will be picture,” and we all focused.
    â€œPicture is up! Very quiet please!” He shouted, “Roll camera!”
    â€œ25 apple, take 1,” the sound mixer said, “Sound has speed!”
    The camera assistant clapped the slate.
    â€œAction!” said the director.
    Patrick entered from his Ready Room, and walked to the captain’s chair.
    â€œMister Crusher, take us out of