Mr. Wyler was staring at her. “David was right. Remarkable likeness in size. Now, if you’ll stand there, very still, we’ll set up the scene and adjust the lighting.”
Ruby stood next to the mammoth, carved marble disk, which was slightly unnerving, but she smiled and turned this way and that way as directed while the crew tested different lights and made adjustments. Another man dressed in a suit as the stand-in for Gregory Peck soon joined her. Together they marked the scene as directed.
Even though Ruby wasn’t acting, she was still excited to be on the set. She absorbed everything. The crowd surrounding them was chattering away, and people were snapping photos as if she were a star. It was all so fascinating. She vowed to do whatever it took to make a career of this, despite her father’s admonition. After all, she was nearly an adult.
Ruby smiled to herself. Imagine getting paid to do this. Her agent, Joseph Applebaum, had negotiated a reasonable sum for her work, plus her trip to Italy. Joseph said it could be a big break for her because William Wyler was one of Hollywood’s best directors.
“Now, Ruby,” Mr. Wyler was saying, pulling her back from her thoughts. “Turn to the side and put your hand in the mouth of that disk. The Mouth of Truth. This is an important moment.”
Her fellow actor laughed nervously. “Better you than me,” he chuckled. “No telling what’s in there.”
Ruby gritted her teeth and eased her hand into the gaping mouth. “Nothing to it.” She wouldn’t be intimidated by an old artifact, although she took care not to let her hand touch the sides. Texas was full of scorpions and rattlesnakes, and she wasn’t afraid to shoot a rabid varmint.
“Just like that,” Mr. Wyler said. “Good. Now hold it, and turn this way.” He asked his crew to check the lighting and angles.
After the scene was blocked out, the director declared a break, and Ruby and her fellow stand-in were released. They were told not to venture too far, so Ruby stayed near the set while Mr. Wyler called in Miss Hepburn and Mr. Peck.
As Ruby made her way from the church and the frightening disk, she came face to face with Miss Hepburn, who looked at her and laughed. Ruby introduced herself.
“I feel like I’m looking in a mirror,” Audrey said, touching Ruby’s identical skirt.
“Me, too,” Ruby said. “Only I think I have the better view.”
“Nonsense,” Audrey said, her voice lilting with laughter. “You’re so beautiful. Do you dance, too?”
“A little, but not like you,” Ruby said, feeling her cheeks color.
“Thank you for blocking out the scene, Ruby. You made it look so easy. But I don’t like the idea of putting my hand in the mouth of that monstrous stone.” Audrey shivered.
“It wasn’t so bad,” Ruby said.
“Well, I think you’re very, very brave.”
Mr. Wyler clapped his hands and called out, “Places everyone.”
Audrey’s hand flew up to her neck. “Will you help me take off this necklace? I slipped away for gelato and stopped at a little shop along the way. I thought this was so sweet. But I can’t wear it in the scene.”
“Continuity, right?” Ruby was proud to use one of her new terms.
“That’s right,” Audrey said. “It’s such a dear piece of jewelry, too.” She glanced at Niccolò and smiled back at Ruby. “Is that your young man?” she whispered, indicating Niccolò, who was standing with a group of people watching. “I’ve seen you two together a lot.”
Ruby nodded. “I think so.” Maybe everyone could see it in her eyes. Audrey was engaged, so she knew what it was like to be in love.
“He’s terribly handsome.” Audrey fiddled with the clasp of the silver, heart-shaped necklace. Two small red stones crowned the top of the heart.
“I can do that for you,” Ruby said. She unclasped it and handed it to Audrey.
“You’re too kind.” Audrey smiled. “Why don’t you keep the necklace? It’s a heart that can be divided, see? Although I hope you are never separated from your loved one.” She pressed the necklace into Ruby’s hands. “This will be so pretty on you. I love the little rubies, and since your name is Ruby, I think it’s meant for you. I want you to have something lovely to remember Rome.”
“But this is such a treasure.”
“So are you, dear Ruby,” Audrey said, breaking into a broad smile. “Oh, there’s Mr. Peck. I should hurry. I hope to see you again soon.”
The two women hugged each other carefully, being mindful of their makeup. With a little wave, Audrey hurried to her place.
Mr. Wyler was talking to Gregory Peck, who then took his place next to Audrey in the scene.
Niccolò sauntered toward her. “Hey, Tex. You looked like a real star in that scene.”
“Shh,” Ruby said, holding her finger to her lips. “They’re about to begin.”
The assistant director called out, “Quiet on the set!”
As the crowd hushed, Niccolò put his arm around her, and Ruby felt her heart flutter. She pressed her fingers against the silver necklace that, until moments ago, had graced Audrey’s slender neck. Ruby knew she would cherish this forever.
The lights flared, and the camera operators focused on the actors. Ruby got the chills thinking that she had been standing there just like that only a few minutes ago. She was becoming a real actress. Just the thought of that made her breathless with joy.
A clapperboard operator carefully wrote the scene and take-number with chalk on a slate board. He stepped before the camera and called out the identifiers before clapping the top of the board.
A hush swept across the crowd.
“Action,” Mr. Wyler called out.
The two actors slid into their characters, transfixing the audience surrounding them. Ruby was impressed with how naturally Audrey acted opposite her experienced co-star. They two actors ran their lines, and Ruby was drawn into the story. Sure enough, Audrey—as Princess Ann—hesitated when putting her hand into the Mouth of Truth, but she did it, just as Ruby had.
Now it was Gregory’s turn. He slid his hand in, and then, when he pulled it out, his hand was missing.
Audrey shrieked, and Ruby saw the director smile and motion to keep the camera rolling. Gregory had tricked her by pulling his coat sleeve down over his hand. It was a silly joke, but Ruby probably would have screamed, too.
Finally, Mr. Wyler called out. “Cut.”
Audrey and Gregory dissolved into laughter at the trick he’d played on her.
“That’s a wrap,” Mr. Wyler said.
“Just one take?” Audrey asked incredulously.
“It was perfect,” the director replied. On his motion, the crew began breaking down equipment for the day.
Elated, Audrey turned to Ruby. “One take! That’s because you set up the scene so beautifully. Will you join us on Via Veneto? We’re all meeting at Café de Paris, or maybe Harry’s Bar. Look for us, will you?”
Ruby promised she would and touched the silver pendant around her neck. “And thank you for the necklace.”
“It was truly meant for you, Ruby.” Audrey waved and hurried off.
“I’m impressed,” Niccolò said, admiring the necklace.