“Gosh, we have to stop getting blood on these hardwood floors,” Frankie said on her hands and knees.

Dressed in a funereal shroud, Gigi trailed through the red-dyed corn syrup. Frankie wiped at the dark drops. Gigi sat at her laptop reviewing the footage. Her closeups filled the tiny screen. Frankie hefted the prop box on one hip.

“I mean—I have to be more careful. I mean your parents’ have such nice things. They were so gracious to let us use your house for a set,”Frankie said.

The Vampire Princess Screams At Midnight was in its third week of filming. Gigi was the film’s star, director, writer, editor, cinematographer, and producer. Frankie was staff.

“My parents don’t know shit. We’re going to have to redo this reanimation scene. Sean and May lacks the intensity I need for that scene,” Gigi said.

“Considering you’re paying them in pizza I think they are doing…”

Frankie’s voice faded at Gigi’s expression. Why had she agreed to this, Frankie thought. They had been friends since first grade but something changed in middle school. Gigi started forgetting to save Frankie a space at their lunch table. It was like their friendship was twisted in a fishing net. When Gigi asked for help Frankie had thought it was a fresh start.

“Well all I know is they had better be better this afternoon. Or I’m replacing the lot of them,” Gigi said.

Frankie rolled her eyes at her friend’s back. Her stomach roiled at the thought of more reshoots. Long endless days, this short was exhausting. Frankie had been at Gigi’s beck and call. It was Taco Tuesday for chrissakes.

“Wait, did you contact the cast about the reshoot?”

“Not my job,” Gigi said without bothering to turn around.

Frankie spluttered. An opened jar of fake blood smashed into Gigi’s laptop. Suddenly red was was everywhere. Squishing bloody footsteps, Frankie stomped out.