The Cast of Characters

It’s Hollywood in action,
Another movie being filmed.
A cast of walking props,
Otherwise known as extras,
Waits to do their thing.
They are a bevy of characters,
Seemingly an obligatory part
Of almost every film ever made.
There are the set vultures,
Guys trying to hit on
All the good looking female extras,
Going from one to the next,
Pretending to be a star.
Then there are
The moaners and groaners,
Bored out of their minds,
Complaining about life,
Claiming they are only working
As a favor for someone,
Or for some pocket change,
Broadcasting that being an extra
Isn’t a real job for them.
They imagine themselves a superstar
And look down on the others.
There are also the enigmas,
The silent types,
Only there for the money.
Being an extra
Occurs as a bother to them,
And they are in and out
As quick as they can,
Not wanting to
To socialize with the others,
Or to be seen or heard
Except when requesting
Permission to leave.
Then there are
The blabbermouths
Who seem to think,
The more they talk,
The better chance
They have of being discovered.
If they are female,
They will constantly be
Adjusting their makeup,
Trying to correct
Some imagined defect,
Practicing the
The subtle and not so subtle
Art of looking good.
Last of all are the professionals.
They talk about being an extra
As if it is a union wage job,
And spice their conversations
With technical details of benefits,
Treating it like a 9 to 5 grind,
Seemingly without excitement,
Devoid of passion.
In spite of their acts
Every extra secretly harbors
Dreams of being
The one-in-a-million
Who gets discovered.
It’s a game of chance they play,
Spinning the wheel of fortune
Hoping for a lucky break.