(This is a re-edited version of a story which first appeared in 1996. With the permission of the original author, its content has been adapted to provide more universal appeal. Apologies are offered to those whose names appear herein, although they surely must have known that one day the secret would be told.)

Kara's scream was drowned out by the unearthly roar of the dragon as it leaped from the rocks and bore down on her. She strained at her bonds, but the villagers had tied her well. There was naught she could do but shriek in helpless terror as the nightmarish creature dropped from the sky and landed before her, the ground trembling with the impact. The color drained from her face as the beast sank to its belly, hissed, and reached for her, the vicious claws descending like scimitars to seize her body....

"CUT! All right, let's pack it in for today. Five A.M. tomorrow, everyone, five A.M.!"

Draco stood and stretched himself, fore and aft, wings extending and then snapping crisply back into place. He smiled down at his pretty co-star. "That was a stunning performance, Dina! The shock and awe you projected in those eyes was the most realistic I've ever seen."

Dina Meyer swallowed and managed a weak little smile. She wondered if the dragon could hear how much her heart was racing. "Thank you," she managed. "I guess it comes naturally."

"It's a great gift." Draco turned and ambled over to the makeup tent. "Ah, at last, my favorite part of the day." Dina followed as the massive creature slumped to the ground and was instantly set upon by a horde of technicians with mops and long-handled brooms. "This damned pancake," he muttered, and then he caught sight of Dina from the corner of his eye and smiled. "Can't be helped, I know. The lights shine too brightly off my hide without it, or so says Cohen, so I suppose I must endure." His words softened to a happy groan as the broom bristles began to whisk across his scales. "But oh...! When they take it off..." He began to rumble forth a purr that was probably setting off seismographs for miles.

Dina crept onto a stool nearby and watched the dragon while her own makeup tech dismantled his morning's handiwork. She couldn't help smiling, thinking that Draco looked in this position far less the imposing monster he had seemed when she was introduced to him a few hours earlier. At that time, she had thought she was going to drop dead of a heart attack. No wonder Rob Cohen had insisted on doing the Kara- meets-Draco scene right away. The shock and disbelief that had impressed Draco so (and which still lingered on her face) was damned sure to win her Best Actress. Now, though, Draco looked too much like a contented golden retriever for her to be quite so afraid of him, and finally she felt she had the courage to try talking to him.

As soon as Fritz was through messing with her face she slid off of the stool and tiptoed closer. Draco opened one huge eye and gazed at her as she drew near, and for a moment that visceral terror came flooding back, freezing her solid. He saw the look on her face and smiled - a little sadly, it seemed. "I understand, my dear," he rumbled in a voice that was at the same time an earthquake's roar and a soothing caress, it's lilting Scottish accent rolling like a lullaby. "It's quite a natural reaction. You wouldn't believe how long it took us to put together this makeup crew."

Dina couldn't help but laugh, and that helped to bolster her courage. "I'm sorry!' she said as she held up her hands. "Really! I don't mean it. It's just that you're...so...well, big."

Draco gave a little huff and rolled onto his back, giving the crew the opportunity to scrub down his belly. He smiled at her upside- down. "And you are very pretty, if you will forgive my brutish honesty. Has it occurred to you that perhaps I'm just as much in awe of you as you are of me?"

Caught off-guard, Dina could only stare for a moment, and then she burst out laughing. "Me? I, uh...that's so sweet of you to say." The ice broken and her fear melting along with it, she reached out a hesitant hand and touched his chin, just for a second. "Thank you."

"No idle flattery. I speak only the truth."

Dina did not know what to say, and blushed helplessly. One of the makeup technicians patted Draco's foreleg, gave a quick thumbs-up, and the crew retreated with their brushes. Rolling to his feet, the great dragon stretched once more and sighed. "I would gladly withstand a week of that itchy makeup for only five minutes of having it removed." He smiled down at her. "I've an idea. Why don't we go back to my trailer and we'll chat a while? I'd very much like to get to know you a little better. I'm sure, too, it would make it a wee bit easier to work together, wouldn't you say?"

She took a moment to answer. "Oh...sure!" She'd briefly lost herself in the echoes of that rich, rolling voice. It was indeed like a lullaby when spoken so gently. "Sure, I'd love to. Where did they manage to find a trailer your size, though?"

"Well, to be honest, it isn't so much a trailer as it is a circus tent. 'Going back to my trailer' sounds so much more professional than 'going back to the old tent.' It isn't far off. I would offer to carry you, but I'm afraid that we would need a wrangler on hand, even off-camera. Union rules, you understand. I shall walk slowly for you."

As much as he tried, though, Dina had to break into a trot every few steps just to keep up with him. Twice Draco offered to lift her onto his back, but at each moment a studio employee wandered into view. The dragon muttered under his breath and apologized, and did his best to slow his gait to match his companion's.

Fortunately for both of them the tent was only a short distance away. Dina was amused to see that it was indeed an old circus tent, complete with streamers flying from the tops of the poles and a painted clown's face fading on the flap. There was even a row of goats and donkeys tethered beside the entrance which further added to the carnival atmosphere, but then she realized what they were most likely meant for, and she shivered.

The interior of the tent was surprisingly cozy. A humidifier gave the air a tropical feel, and a huge pile of Serta mattresses in the center made a comfortable bed. Along one side was the largest coffee urn Dina had ever seen. Beside it was a barrel which served as a mug for the dragon, along with a table stacked with smaller cups for smaller visitors such as herself. "May I offer you some tea?" Draco said pleasantly as he settled himself down on the mattresses. "It's Darjeeling."

"Yes, please. Oh - let me." She took a cup from the table and held it under the spigot to fill it, and then stood back as Draco lifted the entire urn and poured half its contents into the barrel for himself. Steam curled up around his muzzle as he lifted the tea to his nose and took a long sniff.

"Mmm. I hope you like it...hot."

Dina laughed and sat down cross-legged on one of the mattresses. "It's very good," she said after a sip, and then watched as Draco carefully dipped his tongue into the steaming barrel and lapped up a few mouthfuls. He seemed to take great care not to splash - a well-mannered dragon indeed. "So," she said after a moment. "Tell me about yourself."

"Certainly. What would you like to know?"

She leaned back on one elbow. "Everything, I suppose. I've never met a dragon before. What brought you to Hollywood?"

"Well, the same thing that brings everyone, I suppose. I wanted to be an actor. I took my inspiration from the Japanese film star Godzilla. I thought that if he could make it big in movies, so could I."

Dina looked askance at him. "Godzilla? I hate to be the one to tell you this, but he was played by a man in a rubber suit."

Draco chuckled deeply and swirled his tea in his cup. "You really believe that, do you?" he said.

Her eyes widened. "Whoa, wait. You don't mean to tell me...."

"Indeed I do. Do you honestly think Toho studios could afford to build a convincing monster suit on their budget, let alone pay an actor enough to lug it about?"

"Oh my God." She shook her head. "I can't believe it."

"It's true."

"I...I guess if you say so. Was he..." She raised a shaky hand up high over her head. "Was he really that..."

Draco laughed thunderously. "Oh, my heavens, no! The chap is really just five feet tall. No, no. One thing the Japanese are very good at is building miniatures, you see, so it only took a little camera magic to pull off the illusion. Did you know that he was only paid two thousand yen a day in his first movie? That was barely fifteen dollars or so in 1956. But now he owns half of Osaka *and* has a controlling interest in Mitsubishi Motor Corporation."

Dina ran her fingers through her hair. "That's incredible." She swallowed and stared up at him. "I mean, you're putting me on, right? Oh...you aren't, are you?" She stood and fetched herself some more tea. "Wow. Talk about bursting bubbles."

Draco shrugged and lapped delicately at his cup. "It's not surprising. The industry *is* controlled by humans, after all. I don't mean to be insulting, of course, but look at how much more ingenious they looked if everyone thought it was some visionary director who made such-and-such visual effect work so well." He took another drink. "Anyway, to continue my tale, I wasn't very well-received at first. The only work I could find was as a stagehand, moving heavy sets and props and such around, and occasionally for aerial photography. I did manage some bit parts here and there. Willis O'Brien's 'The Giant Behemoth' was one of them. Do you know it? Poor fellow was ill when that was made, and sadly, it showed. Most of his animation had to be scrapped. What you did see of the monster on screen was actually me, all done up in a canvas costume. O'Bie was heartbroken, of course, but there wasn't much that could be done about it.

"My big break came in 1961. I was originally cast in the role of the dragon in "The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm." I was very excited to finally have a leading role, but at the last minute, we discovered that Buddy Hackett was allergic to me. He said, 'Get that filthy thing off the set before my - he used a rather rude word here - nose blows off my face.'" Draco paused and angrily clenched a taloned fist. "It could only have been an improvement on that disgusting little troll, I tell you. Imagine! 'Filthy thing' indeed! And that coming from *him*. I was so insulted that I was ready to leave show business altogether. 'To the Devil with you, you little bastard!' I shouted, and then his agent ran up and started shrieking at me, and - oh, it was quite a row."

He took several long laps of his tea and calmed himself down before continuing. "Luckily for me, Albert Broccoli heard me bellowing at my agent after all that mess and came in to talk to me. It seemed that the lead he had cast in his upcoming secret agent movie just didn't have the right voice for the part. Cubby - that's what we called Albert - wanted this fellow very badly because he was quite handsome and had a fine talent, but he couldn't do anything with that dreadful voice. All squeaky and shrill, like a teakettle trying to cough a hairball. Cubby was horribly upset and had no idea what to do, but then he overheard me. Half the studio overheard me that afternoon, I should imagine. He came trotting in straightaway and asked me if I would do a voice-over for the role.

"The actor, incidentally, was a delightful young man named Sean Connery. 'Dr. No' thus became my first full-length role."

Dina almost dropped her cup. "What? That was *your* voice?"

Draco grinned toothily and raised his head up high. "My name is Bond," he intoned. "James Bond."

Dina laughed and applauded! "That's amazing! You're really him. I mean, I never realized it wasn't his voice."

"Oh, the poor man sounds terrible in real life. Quite a shame, for someone with his talent. I shall tell you, Dina, that Sean is the most astonishingly decent chap I have met in many years. We've worked very closely together since that film. I've done all of the voice-overs for him, and he has remained a terribly close friend. There is no actor for whom I've greater respect. Would you care for some more tea?"

"No, thank you. I suppose I really ought to be getting back and getting some rest. Early day tomorrow, remember?"

"Only for Dennis and myself. You're lucky - you can sleep in if you want to."

She realized that was true. "Well, still, I'd like to see it."

Draco nodded. "Then I shall see you in the morning. Thank you so much for visiting, though. It was indeed a pleasure, and a terrific honor." "It was mutual!" She backed a few steps toward the doorflap, giving herself a view of just how large Draco was in his entirety. "Good night!"

The night was understandably restless for Dina, though. It was not every day that she was introduced to a legendary monster, not to mention finding out that she was going to be working with one in a feature film. Draco came to her thoughts every time she closed her eyes. He was a beautiful creature, to be sure. Even gold itself didn't gleam quite as nicely as his scales did - and oh, that voice! No wonder the earlier Bond films were everyone's favorites.

She was still awake, and still thinking thoughts of the dragon when the alarm rang. Sighing, she shut it off, washed up in the trailer's little shower stall, and headed for the set.

The sun was only just beginning to hint at rising when she arrived, and already the site was buzzing with activity. As she dodged electricians and sound technicians, she scanned the ridge above and finally caught a glimpse of Draco. He stood in stark silhouette, like part of the mountain itself, and then like a flash he was gone.

Rob Cohen suddenly emerged from the darkness and clambered into the director's chair. "All right, let's have it quiet people!" He fumbled for his radio handset. "Dennis, Draco, we've got a lovely sun up there. Let's show folks how it's done. Get'em rolling, guys."

Dina stepped back into the shadows with the rest of the crew and watched quietly as Rob called, "Action!" There were a few seconds of silence, followed by a prattle of hoofbeats, and then the shape of a man on horseback appeared before the disk of the rising sun. He approached at a slow trot, bouncing lazily in the saddle. Suddenly there was a great rushing sound, and Draco's magnificent form rose above him, mighty wings slashing through the air like gigantic knives. Dina's heart skipped as the dragon's silhouette climbed higher, dwarfing the rider below it as it reached the top of the sun's disk. His legs kicked under him, running on the wind itself, as his pounding wings bore him higher still. He rose, and the sun began to scatter off of his scales like sparks blown from a wildfire.

Rob's voice shattered the spell. "That's great, Babe! Give me another one!" Dina realized then that she hadn't been breathing. Draco abruptly tucked his wings in and dropped into the shadows, and then rose once more, clawing his way heavenward, the rush of his wings creating spiraling swirls of mist on either side of him. Rob called for yet another, and again Draco rose against the face of the sun. "Beautiful! We're gonna print that one, Babe!"

The crew applauded. A trio of Union wranglers dashed in and seized Dennis Quaid's horse as the actor dismounted. Draco arched his back in midair and glided downward, wings sweeping back , neck and tail outstretched. Dina took an involuntary step backward, as did most of the crew members, as the gigantic creature swooped low over their heads, so close that any one of them could have reached up and touched him had they not been diving for the ground. Draco's chuckle rumbled through the morning air as he backwinged and alighted on all four feet behind the sound table. "Sorry everyone!" he said merrily. "Just wanted to make sure no one had fallen asleep down here."

There were some giggles and some grumbles as everyone stood up again, but Rob was impatient to move on. "Dina! Sweetie, I could kiss you! Thanks for getting up. We're going to run number two-eighteen this morning instead of two-twelve, so I need you in garb. Give me two minutes."

"What? I..."

"Makeup! She's beautiful! Just touch up the edges. Love you!"

Rob was gone before Dina could say another word. Fritz glided out of nowhere and fussed her into a chair. Resigned, she sat back and let herself be transformed. Behind her she could hear Rob and Draco talking, or rather arguing about something. Rob's voice was nothing more than a distant mutter, but Draco's was as resonant and rich as ever, and she could clearly hear every word.

"I can't," she heard him growl. "No, I simply can't! Rob, be reasonable! My body just cannot work that way....no....oh, for Heaven's sake, old chap, I know it's long, but it isn't supposed to bend like that. I'll be in agony."

Dina giggled, and Fritz huffed impatiently at her. "Hold still, little girl!" She tried, but the image that came to mind was just too much. Fritz glanced down the hill to where Draco and the director were quarreling and smirked. "They're talking about this neck, little girl. Now, you get your mind out of the gutter and pay attention."

"Why, Fritz, whyever would my sweet and innocent little mind would be in such a horrible place as the gutter?" She gave him her best wholesome expression and batted her eyelashes playfully.

He smirked again. "You can't fool me. I know exactly what's going through your mind. I saw how you were looking at him." He gave her a little swat atop the head. "You're thinking about what dragons do to all those virgins they carry away."

"Virgin? Ha! It's been a while, Babe."

"Yeah, well maybe he isn't picky." He expertly dodged a kick and slipped up behind her. "Now hold still. Two minutes are almost up. Time is money, remember?"

"Yes, I know." She surrendered, and within moments was back in character.

She did not see any more of Draco for the rest of the day. It disappointed her, but she hadn't the time to dwell much upon it. The day's schedule was full, and other than a hasty lunch and a quick Diet Coke break at midafternoon, she did not stop moving until day's end, when Fritz finally pushed her into a chair and returned her to her real- life self. "You get to sleep in tomorrow, little girl," he told her as he packed up his kit. "Just Dennis and the Extra Army the whole day."

Dina shuffled out and looked around. Fritz had taken his time in removing her makeup, so most everyone else had already left the set. The evening was pleasant, though, the air bracing as she took a deep breath. She held it, and then let it out. She always had enjoyed working on location, especially out in the wilderness like she was now.

The stillness was broken abruptly by a swirling gust that blew her hair into her face. There was a thump from behind, and hot breath ruffled past her ears. "Hello."

She spun around and almost lost her balance. "Jesus! Don't do that!"

Draco jerked his head back and looked genuinely dismayed. "I'm so awfully sorry! I didn't mean to startle you at all! I thought you would have heard me coming."

"Well, I didn't. I guess I'm too beat." She smoothed her hair back with her hands. "So, where've you been all day?"

"Down at Property. I really am sorry."

She shook her head. "Forget it. I'm fine. Property?"

"Yes. They needed to put some detail on a few models and wanted me for reference."

"Oh, OK. I was worried that Rob had barked you off the set this morning. What was that all about, anyway?"

"Just a minor stylistic disagreement. The fellow actually wanted Bowen to lasso my neck during the forest scene, and have it snap back, something like this. I told him that I'm not a rodeo horse and that I didn't fancy having my neck broken, so we decided that it will be my hind leg that Bowen will snag."

"Really? You won an argument with him? There's a first."

"Actually, he was quite reasonable about it. Er, you're shivering a bit. Are you certain I didn't give you a bad fright?"

She hugged herself. "Just a little. I've had worse on Hollywood Boulevard."

"If you say so. Still, I am awfully sorry. I thought I might walk you home, or if you cared, have you over for a bit more tea. I really did enjoy our chat last night and was hoping I could look forward to another."

Dina thought for a moment and then smiled. "Darjeeling?"

"Naturally!"

"That works."

She jogged alongside of him back to his tent. The donkeys and goats were gone, and she tried not to give them too much thought. There was a fresh vat of Darjeeling in the urn, though, and it warmed her insides pleasantly as she sat down with her host. "I've been meaning to ask about what you said last night, about people hushing up non-human performances and taking credit for it. I didn't really think you were serious. But this film is still being advertised as having a 'computer- generated dragon.' They're still doing it, aren't they, even today?"

Draco sighed and looked down into his barrel of tea. "Yes, I'm afraid so," he said sadly. "It's for different reasons, though. The movie-going public isn't ready for an actual live dragon. If they were to know that I was playing myself, it would be a terrific blow to the industry. How can I explain this? The magic of this film is seeing a dragon brought to life on the great silver screen. It would lose that impact if everyone knew that it wasn't an illusion, but actual reality. The latter is never quite so engrossing as is the human imagination. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"I think so. I can tell it still bothers you."

"Of course. I'd be lying if I said it didn't. Still, I can understand it. Hollywood is a dream machine, and myself, and my kind, are still part of that dream. If it were to start pouring out reality, then there would soon be no more dreams for it to weave. And you and I, all actors - where would we be if it were not for those dreams?"

Dina nodded slowly and sipped at her tea. They were silent for a while, and at length she said, "What about those props you mentioned? Did you mean the big foam-rubber mockups of your head and claws? I couldn't see how they would need them when they've got you around."

Draco laughed. "To the contrary, they are needed now more than ever!"

"But how come? Couldn't you just..." She pantomimed lowering her hand down on something.

"Of course I could. Dennis would have none of it, though." He lowered his voice and leaned his immense head a little closer to her. "Dennis Quaid really doesn't care for me," he whispered conspiratorially. "Not at all. We've some rather deep-rooted differences, which I shan't go into. I don't think that the notion of being under my forefoot sat well with him in the least. Especially not in a film where I have higher billing than he does."

"Oh, I see!" she whispered back. "And that's why they need a replica of your head, because he wouldn't get into your mouth."

Draco picked up his tea again. "Actually, I was the one who nixed that idea. Quite frankly, the very idea of having that man squatting on my tongue for God-knows-how-long makes me nauseous."

Dina laughed, and Draco slumped half onto his side, a casual, relaxed pose. "Actually," he continued, "I had a similar situation when I worked on 'Q'. There were some close-up scenes where a huge claw was to come down and snatch up some detectives. Naturally they sought my services, since it's far less expensive to use a stagehand, if you'll pardon the pun, rather than construct a full-sized mockup. The problem lay in that one of the actors - the chap's name escapes me - went all into a panic whenever my claws came down around him. He tried his best, poor fellow, but he just couldn't stay calm. Some sort of phobia, I suppose. I talked with him for hours, trying to ease him into it, but as much as he wanted to, he just couldn't bring himself to stay underneath for more than a split second. So the director came onto the set with an enormous bottle of Scotch, and said to the chap...."

Dina hummed and nodded politely, though her mind was wandering away from Draco's story and back to Fritz's flippant little remark that afternoon. Damn him -- he'd hit very close to the mark, the little fink. Dark, secret little thoughts that had been flitting about the shadows of her mind had been brought into uncomfortably clear focus with that comment, only for an instant, but once glimpsed she could not easily ignore them again. She began to realized just why she fidgeted so in Draco's presence. It was not really fear, not entirely awe. With him lying on his side, now, she found herself gazing at the vast expanse of his scales. She felt an odd quivering inside, a flittering of wings in her stomach, a stirring that carried her back through time to days when tales were written of these creatures and young women.

She realized abruptly that Draco was no longer speaking. Jolted, she saw that he was peering curiously down at her. How long had she been staring? And he'd obviously seen her staring. And *where* she was staring. "Oh, my..."

Draco said nothing. Dina swallowed nervously and clambered to her feet. "I...oh, shit. I didn't...."

"Is everything all right?"

Giggling now like a shy teenager, she ran her fingers through her hair. "I was...I think I ought..." She turned to go, and was surprised to see a single talon descend behind her. Her face burned with embarrassment as she sidestepped to go around it.

"You needn't run off, Dina."

The voice, so deep and soothing and gentle, arrested her. She swayed, resting a hand on the curved talon for balance. "Please don't feel embarrassed. I'm...actually rather flattered."

Dina flushed deeply, wanting to rush out of the tent, rush out and hide, but her feet would not move. She stood with her fingers gripping tightly around the ivory talon, her insides quivering with that same electricity that she now knew for certain was not caused by fear.

"And I certainly wouldn't think any less of you if you were curious." Draco's breath puffed warmly against her back as he spoke, the rumble of his voice resonating throughout her body. His eyes, as she turned slowly around, were warm and encouraging. Almost in a trance, she reached up and laid a delicate hand upon his snout. A shiver ran through him at the touch, and suddenly it was his turn to look uncomfortable. "Oh dear. That was terribly forward of me. Please do forgive me..."

"No. Ssh." Dina stepped forward slowly, her uncertainty giving way to fascination. Draco stood perfectly still as she edged up under his chin, spread her arms, and hugged his neck softly. When she pressed her cheek to his throat, she could sense the thrumming of a purr, silent to the ear yet felt through every bone in her body. It joined with the growing trembling deep in her being, a harmonious chord.

"So now you know why Dennis Quaid really does not care for me," Draco whispered, smiling. "I wind up with all the prettiest girls. It's a dragon-thing, I suppose."

The next morning, Dina rode down to the set in style, perched on the back of Draco's neck. A few wranglers glowered at the two as they passed by, but after the dragon bared his teeth at them they held their peace. There would be no whining from the Union this day.

Draco set Dina down atop the cliff and settled himself down before her. His makeup crew scurried around his legs, touching up a few shining spots here and there. "Andrew," he called to a young man who was hovering nearby, "be good enough to simmer another pot of Darjeeling for me, would you? There's a good fellow." He gave Dina a warm smile as the young man ducked obediently away.

Rob Cohen trotted up behind Dina. "Good morning, folks! Right on time for the serenade scene, I see, so let's get it in the can before lunch. All set Dina?"

"Ready," she said.

"Love it. Draco, how's the voice?"

The dragon cleared his throat. "I..."

"Great! Craig, a bit more light on Dina, please. Ready to roll."

Draco shuffled all four feet and took a deep breath. "Hrrr... no, hmm... hrrr....blast, someone kindly give me a 'G'?...ah, thank you. Hrrrr....yes, jolly good."

"Action!"

Draco's head rose as he began his haunting song, the notes rumbling through the air like the voice of a bass fiddle. Dina's bones quivered within her body as the mesmerizing sound resonated through her, and she leaned back against a rock, listening raptly to the echoes as they died away. "You have a beautiful voice."

"Why, thank you!" Draco said, swinging his head in closer to her. "We dragons love to sing when we're happy."

His left eye, the one hidden from the camera, gave her a quick wink, and he smiled. Dina smiled back. "But you're not like a dragon at all."

At least, not just *any* dragon, she thought. And tonight, we are going to see just how well you can sing. . .