Double Take

It took a few seconds before the crew realized that something was wrong, and it wasn't until Sandy dove off the pier that they knew what was happening. By then, it was almost too late. Sandy grabbed Ashley and towed her towards shore until a small boat was found to rescue her. It didn't take the paramedics long to diagnose her condition. The impact with the pier had broken her left leg in two places.

Darla Palmer was beside herself. They had one more scene to film with Ashley, involving her in a close-up with another actor. Sandy was sitting around his trailer with a hangdog expression when she came in without knocking.

"How could you have let her do that?" Darla shouted.

"She's a big girl, she does what she wants to."

"Well, you should have stopped her."

"She's the star. I'm just a stunt double, remember?"

"Not any more?"

"What are you talking about? Am I fired?"

"No, you're not fired, although I'd love to do it. You've just been promoted."

"Promoted?"

"That's right. Get off your ass and get into wardrobe. You're going to shoot Ashley's scene for her."

Sandy froze. He knew what was in the script. "I can't do that. I mean, she's got that big love scene…."

"She doesn't have that big love scene. You've got that big love scene. Now get going, Missy. It's going to cost the studio a fortune if we can't wrap this week."

"You can't make me do this."

"Read your contract."

* * *

Sandy was in a trance as the minions went to work on him. The final episode of the season ended with Pepper Reef going to an exclusive Beverly Hills restaurant with her dream guy, played by a journeyman actor named Randy Romaine. Randy was the consummate professional, and Darla had no worries about him. The question was whether Sandy could pull off the switch.

For the first time, he was going to have to really pass as a woman. He had gotten by for months wearing wetsuits and swimsuits, never spending more than a few minutes before the camera, and never opening his mouth. They would be able to dub Ashley's voice over his during final editing, but the acting would be all his. Sandy had proven that he could fool the cast and crew, but would he be able to fool the camera?