From the production tents, the coastline looked plain. The water was calm under a light sky, small waves coming in without force. The air was salty, leaving a layer on equipment and clothing—sand collected in the seams of boots and along the edges of cables. The hospital façade stood against it. From certain angles, it was convincing when the wind hit it; less so.
Noah arrived on set before first call. He stepped out of a rented SUV already gathering dust.
The crew moved differently outside than inside the studio. Radios replaced shouting. Sandbags held down light stands. The wind changed direction unexpectedly, affecting microphones and fabric.
He adjusted his jacket collar and walked past the catering tent to the temporary staging area. A production assistant nodded as he went by. "The wind's picking up again," she said, looking at the water.
"It holds," Noah replied, without looking up.
