33 Ch 33: Trial By Audition

Friday, 28th March, 2008

{1st Person POV}

'How can I make myself more famous?' I thought in a thinking position, with both my hands resting on the table supporting my chin.

I was currently sitting inside of a small-sized film theatre, which I had rented for a few hours.

Well, it'll be more correct to say that the studio rented this place rather than me, but small stuff like that doesn't matter.

There were three tables placed next to each other, with two chairs for one table. There was one plastic bottle for each person, which is bad because I'm a REALLY thirsty person.

Anyways, both the tables and the chairs looked like they came straight out of a prison, and they were breaking my back.

"What's got you thinking?" Came a voice from my left.

I turned in that direction, and sitting there was Michael Young, who was going to play the role of Alfred Borden in 'The Prestige'. He was also one of the producers, which I was incredibly thankful for because otherwise this film wouldn't have been greenlit.

"Just thinking about the audition." I said while gazing at the table.

"Why're you worried about that? I'm sure what's-her-name will do fine!" Michael said in a carefree tone.

'This guy…' I stared straight at his eyes for a while, to which Michael tilted his head. "It's just that, I have to audition too, y'know? The execs and producers don't trust my ability."

"Hmm, right, good point." Michael nodded his head continuously.

Well, I'm sure that at least Michael trusts me, right? I mean, he has to. There's no other way around it. Right? Right?

"You trust my acting abilities, right?" I asked in a hopeful tone, with my eyes sparkling, full of hope.

But the response I got killed- No, it brutally murdered that hope in an instant.

"Actually, no. I haven't seen you act yet, so I'm a bit excited for your performance."

"Ah…"

'Whatever, it doesn't really matter what they think, because I know my acting chops are good.'

I said this over and over in my heart, before I looked to my right, where someone with a face so smug that I wanted to punch it was sitting. But punching him be suicide, so I can't do that.

Yeah, It was the CEO of SkyMount, Edward King, someone who shouldn't be here.

"And why are you here?" I asked in a suspicious tone.

I mean, seriously, what the hell is he here for? Does he not have other things like finances and more important films to look after?

Mr. King turned to look at me, and said. "Why can't I be here? It's a film my company is producing and will be distributing in the first place, no? So, I ought to check if everything's going fine." Mr. King slightly tilted his head and AGAIN! HE HAD THAT SMUG LOOK!

"Oh, and I didn't really have much to do today, so I came here to pass some time, but please don't tell anyone about that part, okay?"

"I'll spread the word if you don't stop with that smug look.?" I said. Although it would be more appropriate to call it 'threatening than anything. "Also, if you don't have anything to do, then just go home or something." I sighed.

"I can't." Mr. King said with a cheerful smile, which was less irritating than the smug grin.

"Why?" I asked.

What the hell is stopping him from returning home? Is there a ghost or something?

"My wife won't let me."

"Ah…"

After hearing Mr. King's reasoning, I felt incredible sympathy for him. That one line was all I needed to understand this man's pain.

According to Oliver's memories, something like that also happened to his father too. Whenever he'd have nothing to do at work, he'd return home, only for mother to tell him that he probably still had some work left, and so he should go to his workplace.

Of course, my father just went to pubs or met up with his friends instead of going to his workplace.

"I see. Well, my condolence, Mr. King." I said, and went back to my earlier thoughts.

Okay, getting back to my plan on how to become more famous, I can do three things.

Option A: Write a popular book from the Old World in this world and get a following from people who aren't interested in films and such. I can reach the most people this way, and my name would become a huge deal.

Of course, this way not everyone would know that I create films, but it's still worth it.

Option B: Create video games.

Yes, I can't create games on my own, but I CAN submit stories and game mechanics for them.

But there's a HUGE problem: A game studio wouldn't like me meddling in the creation of games, because, y'know, I'm a pretty small and niche director. I don't have any sort of popularity.

Not now, at least.

And that's why, I'll do this later, preferably when I've become a person so popular that I could sell things on my name alone.

So, that leaves Option C: Acting in other films and commercials.

This is, at least by my logic, quite possibly the best one.

If I was only restricting myself to the film industry, that is.

Doing commercials and acting in other films is certainly a great way to get popular, and with the help of the system, I can surely garner fans who'll consider me as some sort of 'slept on actor' or 'hidden gem' or something along those lines.

You see, people really like to think that they are better than others for knowing someone obscure who's pretty great, like a singer or an actor. People like the feeling of being a fan of someone from the beginning, so that they can flaunt about how 'they always knew [insert name here] always had it in them' and shit.

And that's why, I had decided to go with both Option A AND Option C.

Neither of the two would be hard for me to do, and they'd bring me closer to my goal.

Of course, the question arises: What the hell would I even write?

Obviously something that was critically praised, but that list includes hundreds of books.

And that's why, I'll look for a novel to write later.

I checked my watch, which read 10:29 A.M.

'It's about time.' I thought.

The time Scarlett and I had agreed upon for the audition was 10:30 A.M. And sure enough, Scarlett came from the backstage and took some deep breaths.

A few seconds later, she stepped forward and said, "I'm ready."

"That's good." I replied.

Michael got up from his chair and walked onto the stage. He would be playing the role of Borden, so I thought it was best for him to act out Borden's scenes in Scarlett's audition too.

The scene Scarlett would be acting out would be the one where Olivia meets Borden for the first time. But not from the start, though.

"Begin!" I shouted.

| POV Change {3rd Person POV}

Michael, who had now fully immersed himself as Alfred Borden, was standing beside a non-functioning machine.

Infact, Oliver had gotten a small set built for this, with work having been started this week.

Of course, most of it was empty and small, filled with just props for show. This was after all just for an audition.

Scarlett, who had also immersed herself as Olivia walked into Borden's workshop. "Interesting workshop." She said.

Borden looks at her and then back at the table and puts on his gloves. "We make do." He replied.

"My name is Olivia Wenscombe." She introduced.

"I know who you are. Are you here to steal the rest of my show?" Borden asked, his voice laced with scepticism.

Olivia looks at one of the letters laying on Borden's table, and says. "No. I'm here to give your show what is missing."

"And what might that be?" He asks.

"Me." She replies.

Borden looks in the direction of the door, where Fallon was supposed to be standing.

Chuckling, Borden says to Fallon, "Wasn't I just saying that, Bernard? A woman's touch."

"I've left Angier. I want a job."

Borden walks closer to Olivia, who was standing behind the table.

"I know you have no reason to trust me-" She continued.

"Why on Earth wouldn't I trust you? You're the mistress of my enemy." Borden remarked.

Olivia is taken aback by Borden, and tries to steer the conversation in another direction. "Mr. Borden-"

"Alfred." Borden corrects.

"Alfred, I'm going to tell you the truth."

"Ah, the truth. A slippery notion in our life of work, Mrs. Wenscombe."

Before Scarlett could say her next lines, Oliver interrupted. "Alright, that's it!" He said. "Both of you did a great job!" He applauded.

"Thank you." Scarlett said.

Oliver stood up from his chair, and looked at Mr. King. "You think she's good?"

"...Yeah. The chemistry between the two seems quite good, and she's also talented. So I'm A-Okay with Johansson being in the film." Mr. King said. "Of course, now its YOUR turn."

"Yeah, yeah. I know that." Oliver said and walked onto the stage.

"Shall we begin?" He asked Michael.

"Yep."

The scene that the two young men were to be acting out was the funeral of Angier's wife, Julia.

Michael immersed himself into the role of Borden, and walked towards Oliver (Angier) with a remorseful gaze.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Angier." He said.

Angier looked down and closed his eyes, before opening them again and asking Borden, "Which knot did you tie?"

Borden's eyes looked here and there, before he muttered in a low voice, "I was asking myself that."

"And?" Angier asked, his expressions screaming that he was on the verge of bursting into tears.

"And, uh… I'm sorry. I-I just don't know." Borden said, his eyes meeting Angier's for a second, before running away from them

Angied was surprised with Borden's response.

"You don't know?" He asked.

"... I'm sorry." Borden apologised one last time before walking away.

"You don't know?" Angier asked again, this time his voice filled with anger.

"You don't know?!" Angier shouted at Borden, who had left the room.

Oliver switched off his 'Acting mode' and sighed. He looked at Michael and asked, "So, how was my acting?"

"Really good, I must say."

Oliver smiled, and then turned to Mr. King, and asked him the same question. "... You're great."

Oliver walked off the stage and went near the arranged tables, and brought out a sheet of paper.

"So, now that I know your capabilities, miss Johansson, I'd like to welcome you to the team." Oliver said and handed Scarlett the contract.

"Gladly." She replied with a smile and signed the contract after thoroughly reading it.

With that, the private audition came to an end.

***

Saturday, 29th March, 2008

{1st Person POV}

I was sitting inside my personal office space, leaning on my comfy chair.

"Haah, that went better than I expected." I said, and straightened my back.

"Alrighty, let's see how many major are left."

I recounted the major characters left to play, which turned out to be 5; Cutter, Julia, Sarah, Alley and Tesla.

"Ah shit…" I muttered, realising that I had way more work left to do than I initially thought.

And so, I spent the rest of my day searching for actors willing to act in 'The Prestige'.

~~~

A/N: Well, well, looks whose back!

Yes, I know this chapter should've come out two weeks ago, and I'm really sorry about that, but I re-wrote the middle portion because that was going to introduce a plot point that I wasn't satisfied with.

Also, don't ask me what the title means, because I came up with it in 5 seconds.

Also also, I've messaged the Webnovel email for the voting system, which should be allowed from this week.

Anyways, see ya later!