Behind The Spotlight

[Pujimaki]

Collin East is a talent agent barely scraping by in the tough world of Hollywood. He's average, has average clients, average luck, and an average career that has no clear direction.

Until one morning, everything changes.

Collin wakes up with a bizarre and unbelievable power. He can see floating words above people's heads. Words that reveal true and innate talents. "Romance Box Office Hit Actor," "Master Director Of Comedy," "Talk Show King," "Olympic Gold Sprinter." Suddenly, the nobodies around him shine with potential only he can see.

Armed with this supernatural insight, Collin sets out to transform the entertainment industry from the inside out.

He discovered an aspiring actor flipping pizzas, an unknown director with a vision that could make everyone laugh, a singer on a subway platform who could top the Billboard 100.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 1


"Looks like everything here is done."

"Yeah, thanks for that. You always know how to find the right people."

Collin East gave a weak smile when he received the praise. He knew it was just a simple compliment that didn't mean much. Compliments were hollow in this industry, an industry where people lied all the time. This was the entertainment industry, after all.

He had been working in showbiz for almost three years now. Yes, he could find the "right" people, people with mediocre talent and even more mediocre salaries.

Being a talent agent was not that simple. So far, he only had three real clients he was truly responsible for. As for the "right" people, they were just freelancers hoping to hit it big in the industry. They were drifters and dreamers in Hollywood.

Collin found them while driving and walking around Los Angeles. He sometimes found them in restaurants, sometimes in night bars, and even in alleyways.

The makeup artist he found was just a hairstylist who had been fired from a salon.

The props master he discovered was a geek who was into dolls... adult dolls.

Even the costume designer he brought in was an anime nerd who was deep into cosplay or some other weird obsession.

The year was 1995, and Collin didn't know how his life would turn out. However, he didn't have a choice but to take a step forward, or else he would be left behind. He didn't want that to happen again.

For someone like him, who had been left behind, not taking a step was the most painful thing. Because it meant he remained stagnant.

Collin East had been a model three years ago. He had been the center of the camera lens once. He experienced photoshoots, modeled for clothes and colognes, but he wasn't that well known. Just like the "right" people he found, Collin was also mediocre. His earnings weren't even stable.

After experiencing heartbreak and a harsh wake-up call, Collin realized that modeling wasn't for him.

"Collin, you have talent."

That was what the producer, Henry Greyson, had told him. Henry had been Collin's partner whenever he needed manpower for a movie project.

Henry was a producer, so of course, it was his job to manage the production crew. Whenever there were missing positions to fill, Henry would contact Collin to find someone. So far, Collin hadn't disappointed him.

Even though Collin's people were socially awkward, they got the job done, and they never made trouble. In fact, the "right" people Henry referred to were those who didn't cause problems. These "right" people worked at a lower pay grade, which made them perfect for production crews looking to cut corners and save money.

Hollywood could be considered the City of Sin, even though Las Vegas already had that title. Technically, Hollywood wasn't even a city, it was just a part of Los Angeles.

But symbolically, Hollywood represented both the dreams and the dirtiness of the entertainment industry.

Many people in the business used drugs. Some were sex addicts. Others had disturbing fetishes.

So, hiring socially awkward workers instead of drug addicts was a much better choice in any situation.

In Henry's last project, one of the casting directors recommended to him had almost raped a small-time actress.

That incident nearly cost them the entire production. Thankfully, the actress didn't press charges and settled for money instead. It was a nightmare Henry didn't want to relive.

It was fortunate that one of the talent agents he knew, Collin East, was someone he could trust. The two had been working together for three years, and Collin had never failed to provide the "right" people.

At the very least, the people Colin recommended had never caused any problems for Henry. For this particular deal, Collin earned around three thousand dollars. Not bad for a small-time agent like him.

"By the way, thanks for hiring my client."

"You shouldn't thank me. Wyatt has a promising future, so Director Esteban hired him."

One of Collin's clients was Wyatt Bray. He was a new graduate, fresh from UCLA's Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media.

Wyatt had been assigned to Collin after the new graduates signed contracts with his agency.

For this project, Wyatt was hired as Esteban's assistant director. That position was hard to come by for a fresh graduate like him.

The assistant director was responsible for scheduling and planning, coordinating the crew, managing the set, and handling many more tasks. It was a heavy responsibility, but also a promising one.

It meant that Wyatt would experience firsthand what it was like to manage a production crew. Wyatt's dream was to direct his own movie, so becoming an assistant director was a blessing for him.

This was also a good thing for Collin. That was why he felt thankful to Henry. At last, Collin had a promising client, a prospect worth cultivating.

His two other clients, a struggling actor and actress, had failed their auditions for Director Esteban's project. They were currently working part-time as a waiter and waitress just to get by.

"Please take care of Wyatt."

Collin bid farewell after introducing the workers to Henry. He wasn't needed anymore. His responsibility was only to find people to fill the jobs.

He left the studio and hailed a taxi. He didn't have a car, he had sold it because he needed money.

The taxi brought him to the apartment complex where he lived with his sister and mother. It was a small apartment with a single bedroom. He slept on the couch while his sister and mother shared the room.

He paid the driver and thanked him.

As he walked into the complex, he suddenly realized his surroundings had turned golden. No, his vision turned golden. It was a unique sensation, but a terrible one.

"Huh... What is happening?"

A wave of nausea hit him hard. He felt dizzy, and his stomach churned violently. The golden vision became more intense. It was blinding. His eyes began to throb with pain.

He instinctively touched his nose and found that it was bleeding. Blood was gushing out.

"...Ugh."

After that, Collin East lost consciousness and collapsed.

Fortunately, a few people witnessed what had happened.

The people who saw him faint and fall to the ground immediately called for help and requested an ambulance.

The golden vision dimmed, until everything went black.


++++++++++++


[Author's Note:]

-- This is an experimental novel. I plan to write at least 100 chapters before deciding if I'll continue it or not.

-- This is a serious mockumentary and parody of the entertainment industry. That means I'll show some dark side of Hollywood, not all the time though.

-- I like using funny names or pun names. That's one of the rare times I can have fun writing.

-- Just to be clear, this is not a harem or smut. I'm tired of writing harem and smut…

-- Please support this novel if you want me to keep writing it.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 2


Collin East weakly opened his eyes and groaned. He felt like his head was going to pop. The pain had lessened, but it was still uncomfortable. The white lights stirred his vision, it didn't help his situation at all.

"Ugh."

"Doctor, my son is awake!"

A female voice frantically raised her tone. It was someone Collin recognized. He heard his mother's voice, full of worry about his condition.

"Mom…" A single word escaped from Collin's mouth. His lips were dry and cracked.

"Son, thank God you're alive. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you too," she cried as tears streamed down her face. She cupped Collin's cheeks as her emotions unraveled.

Then, Collin fell asleep again. His body was still weak and needed more rest. His vision returned to darkness. His mother's voice slowly faded as he lost consciousness.

.........
......
...

When Collin woke up for the second time, the first thing he saw was the white ceiling. He blinked slowly. A familiar scent lingered in the air. It was the sterile and pungent scent of medicine.

He weakly raised his head and found his mother sitting next to his hospital bed, sleeping in an uncomfortable position. Her head had fallen to the side, her arms across her chest.

"This is the second time you woke up. Hopefully, you won't fall asleep again."

Collin turned to his right and found his younger sister glaring at him. Even though she wore makeup, it was obvious from her swollen eyes that she had cried a lot.

Collin gave a weak laugh and apologized. His throat was dry and sore.

"Yeah, sorry about that, Aida."

"Dummy, you don't have to apologize. Just… just take care of yourself."

She sighed with emotion, a mixture of relief and worry that her brother was awake and alive. She knew how much Collin had been working these past few months. They were in debt after their father died.

Their father had cancer, and the family made sure that he received treatment. Unfortunately, after years of battling the illness, going through treatments and surgeries, Tony East, their father, still died. It had been a heavy blow to the family.

In the process, they lost their money, their father's saving, insurance, and their house. But the most painful loss was their father. That was the hardest part.

They were already in debt when Tony died.

Being the man in the family, Collin stepped up and worked hard to provide for them. He was the eldest, and he knew he had to do something for the family. If they gave up on life, their father would be sad in the afterlife.

Collin made sure that his sister would get into college no matter what. He also made sure that his aging mother would never work again. He took all the responsibility on his shoulders.

"The doctor said you overworked yourself. You need to stay in the hospital for three days."

"Three days, huh? That's great to hear. I thought I'd have to stay longer in this place… You know how expensive hospital bills are."

He bitterly laughed. They all knew how hospitals worked.

The medical industry in the United States of America was a complete scam. Sometimes, it felt like people would rather die than face their medical bills, because everyone knew how costly treatment could be.

"Don't worry, your medical insurance covered most of the expenses."

"Ah, thank God."

Collin sighed in relief. He was genuinely happy when he heard that.

"Don't scare us like that again… Bro."

Aida, Collin's younger sister, sniffled and couldn't control her emotions. She tried hard not to cry, but she failed. She choked as she wiped her tears. For a moment, she thought she was going to lose her brother too.

"Don't worry. I'll never do it again."

"You better be."

She sniffled, trying to stop her tears, and walked out of the room. She wiped her face as she approached the nurse's station. The nurses were giggling and talking about a patient.

"Excuse me, um, the guy in room 69 is now awake."

"We will examine him later," the nurse replied.

"Thank you."

The doctor and nurse entered the room and checked Collin's condition. His mother woke up and was overwhelmed with joy when she saw her son awake and responsive.

It took a minute for Aida and Collin to calm their mother down. It had been very hard for their family since losing Tony last year. It would've been devastating if they lost Collin too.

The examination ended with a positive result, Collin could leave the hospital in three days. He was suffering from exhaustion and dehydration. He just needed to rest and stay hydrated. Everyone was relieved to hear it.

Their mother, Evelyn East, decided to stay at the hospital to take care of Collin. Aida had to go to school, so she could only visit during her free time.

The siblings tried to convince Evelyn not to push herself too hard, but their mother was adamant. Most likely, it was because she was extremely worried about her son.

In the end, the siblings gave in and agreed.

Just like that, two days passed, and Collin was on his last day in the hospital when one of his clients came to visit. Collin had already regained most of his strength, and he could move around without much trouble. Although his mother was still adamant about him resting.

The visitor was Wyatt Bray. The young, chubby assistant director wanted to see if his agent was doing alright after hearing about Collin fainting.

Wyatt was sincerely thankful to Collin, who had helped him land a big opportunity, his first real job in the film industry. Yes, his current role on Director Esteban's movie was still as a freelance assistant director. There was no official confirmation that the job was permanent. He was more or less in an internship.

"Wyatt, how's your day?"

The agent joyfully greeted his client, the one who had the most potential to make it big in the industry. Collin didn't forget to wear his usual bright smile, the most used expression in his entire career.

"Good morning, Collin. I brought some fruits for you."

Wyatt still wasn't used to seeing his agent in person. He was honestly confused as to why someone as handsome as Collin East had chosen to become an agent instead of an actor. Collin definitely had the face for the big screen.

In fact, Wyatt had overheard a group of nurses outside talking about how incredibly handsome and hot Collin was.

 

[Pujimaki]

Nah... Wrong post.

 

[Pujimaki]

Another wrong post

 

[Dante0000]

Hollywood What If Chapter

Click to shrink...

Hey, wrong thread I was just checking your new work after chaching up with HWI and got a surprise chapter

 

[Pujimaki]

Hey, wrong thread I was just checking your new work after chaching up with HWI and got a surprise chapter

Click to shrink...

Lol, haha, I already fixed it. My bad.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 3


Wyatt sat down. Evelyn gave her seat to the Assistant Director. There was only one chair in the room for some reason. Probably because the room they were in was the cheapest one in the hospital. The kind that barely met the minimum standard.

Wyatt thanked her with a polite nod and a grateful smile. He then passed the fruits he brought to Evelyn.

"I'll cut fruits for you guys," she said and picked up the fruits.

Wyatt and Collin started talking, mainly about Director Esteban's project. Wyatt said that the filming only needed another month to complete before the post-production.

After that, Wyatt was not sure if he would keep his position or be let go the moment the project was done.

Collin and Wyatt were both silent after that. Collin knew how hard it was to find jobs in Hollywood, especially a position strongly related to movie direction. Collin was not sure if he could find another directorial job for Wyatt.

As for Wyatt, he was stressed because his future was still unknown. He worked hard as an Assistant Director, but he knew that it was still an internship.

"Thanks for helping me find a job, Collin. I know that I'm still a newbie in Hollywood and I don't know how this place works with all its politics and unspoken rules."

"It's fine, really."

Collin couldn't say that he worked hard just so Wyatt would secure the position in Director Esteban's project. A role that dozens of other hungry dreamers would have killed for.

He contacted his friends, the producer, and even Director Esteban himself. It was fortunate that Collin was their go-to agent whenever they needed people for missing jobs or someone they could call last-minute.

Wyatt Bray was the most promising client that Collin had. A true gem in a sea of mediocre and half-hearted resumes. He wanted to make sure that Wyatt would get a great start in the industry.

Collin was actually happy when the young aspiring director applied to their agency. He had enough credentials, and he also showed the agency his college movie project that he filmed together with his classmates to pass their subjects. A short horror movie.

At that time, Collin only had two remaining clients, both were small-time actor and actress who were barely scraping by with background roles.

They rarely got roles with lines. They were more like extras in the movies. Faces that filled out the scenes.

Well, Collin was still new in this career, so he never had a solid foundation or enough experience.

Thankfully, he had this unique talent that could discern if someone fit the job or not. An odd instinct, but surprisingly accurate.

It was hard to explain, but Collin could predict if someone would do well in their career just by watching them talk for a few minutes.

Unfortunately, he couldn't predict his own career as an agent. A cruel irony.

So when the agency introduced Wyatt to him, Collin decided to work hard and give him a smooth path, one with more opportunities.

After all, directors were the best clients that an agent could have. There were a lot of factors as to why that was.

Directors were the ones who made the movies from start to finish, with the vision that steered the entire ship.

Directors were always above the actors and actresses when it came to control and decision-making. It was a hard fact that no one could deny.

Actors and actresses might be the faces of the movies, the ones on posters and in headlines. But directors were the ones who created, planned, filmed, and sometimes edited the movies from scratch, shaping every frame and every scene.

Directors were the ones who gave life to movies and made them watchable.

Because thousands of pieces of footage without a clear plot and concise editing, dubbing, and sound were garbage. They were fragments with no meaning.

For Collin to have his first aspiring director was already heaven-sent. A hope in his struggling career.

Because honestly, he didn't have any power or connection to make directors interested in signing with him. He was just a nobody.

So when Wyatt and Collin signed the contract of five years, both of them knew that this was a real endeavor that they had to work out together. A real partnership.

'Let's all hope this time I'll make it.'

Collin weakly smiled as he stared at the pale white ceiling of the hospital room, lost in thought.

Despite being handsome, his career in modeling never really shined. It didn't make it better that the last magazine he modeled for tried to force him to have sex with their male photographer...

Yes, Hollywood, not surprising at all. A place where beauty often meant a price.

"I promised you that I'd send you the script that I wrote. I'm wondering if you can help me register for the Writer's Guild."

Wyatt passed a document to Collin, and he started reading it. He flipped through the pages and gradually understood the plot.

"The Accidental Wedding Crashers? If I remembered correctly, the movie you filmed in college was a horror movie, right?"

Collin asked while skimming through the script with a mixture of curiosity. Honestly, he thought the script Wyatt wrote was a horror movie, but this one seemed to be a comedy.

He had watched his experimental film. It was average, but Wyatt had the filming style that veteran directors had, steady and focused. He had a clear goal for the movie.

Basically, Wyatt recognized the introduction, trigger, development of conflict, climax, aftermath, and conclusion of a story. The structure of good storytelling.

This might look simple, but new directors often had a hard time finding direction in their movies. They sometimes made confusing plots and messy shots.

Wyatt had already grown from that stage. It was clear from his experimental film.

"That's right. Don't get me wrong, I still prefer horror movies. I just feel like this script that I wrote can be sold to some studios... Maybe, maybe we can sell it for millions."

He was hesitant about the latter. The idea of selling a script for a million dollars was out of his league.

However, he understood that he needed money, so he tried writing a script with comedy genre.

"Although, if possible, I want to direct it myself." Wyatt smiled.

He wasn't sure if he would even have the chance to do so. It seemed like being a director would be hard. Especially without the right connection or budget to back him up.

Collin nodded and looked at Wyatt.

Suddenly, a golden light glinted in his pupils, and he groaned, feeling a bit of a headache shake up his skull.

"Ugh!"

"Son, I think you need to lie down."

"It's okay, Mom. I'm fine, really."

Collin immediately stopped his mother from forcing him to lie down. Instead, he looked at Wyatt.

He was shocked to the core. He realized that there were golden letters above Wyatt's head! They were floating, surreal, and shining like the stars in the night sky.

Wyatt Bray:

-- Comedy Scriptwriter Genius.

-- Master Director Of Comedy.

Collin was dumbfounded and had no idea what was going on. How could there be words floating above a person's head?

"Collin, are you okay?"

"Huh?"

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 4


Evelyn handed the paper plates filled with cut fruits to Wyatt and Collin with a gentle smile on her face. The young assistant director thanked the mature woman with a polite nod before turning to talk to Collin.

For some reason, Collin was staring at him intently, as if he had seen a ghost or something otherworldly. To be precise, he was staring above his head, as though something hovered there that defied logic and reality.

"Is there something wrong, Collin?" Wyatt asked curiously.

"N-No, I'm just thinking about some work-related stuff that suddenly came to mind," he stammered awkwardly.

Collin couldn't say that golden words were floating above Wyatt's head. That would be weird, beyond weird, it would be absurd.

He rubbed his eyes gently. He thought he was just hallucinating. But the words were still there, as vivid and surreal as before.

'What does this mean?' He asked himself in silent panic.

Wyatt Bray:

-- Comedy Scriptwriter Genius.

-- Master Director of Comedy.

The golden words expressed that Wyatt's forte was comedy movies, not horror, despite what his earlier project might have suggested.

When Collin was first introduced to Wyatt, he had watched his experimental film in a dimly lit screening room at the agency and concluded that Wyatt could become a director.

It depends on luck, opportunity, and connections whether Wyatt becomes famous.

But being a talent agent, it was Collin's job to create work opportunities and social connections for Wyatt, even when the odds were against them.

In the end, the biggest factor was luck. In this industry, although luck was a concept easy to understand yet hard to come by, it was considered heaven-sent and often the deciding factor between success and obscurity.

But what about talented people?

'There are endless amounts of talented people who remain unknown despite working hard for years sometimes decades,' Collin thought.

He knew some actors who were hardworking but failed to become famous personalities, no matter how many auditions they went to.

'But why... why is it golden? Why are the words floating above Wyatt's head golden...? No, the first thing I should ask is why am I seeing golden words above Wyatt's head in the first place? Oh God, am I really crazy? Did I lose my sanity because of overworking and constant pressure?'

Collin decided to throw away these thoughts like crumpled paper in a trash can... or else he might overthink until he lost himself, or worse.

"Wyatt, you said that you're not confident if Director Esteban will make you a permanent assistant or not... then, are you interested in making your first film under your name and your vision?"

"My debut movie?" Wyatt was confused by the sudden turn in conversation.

"That's right. We can turn your script into a movie and let the world see what you're capable of."

"But Collin... isn't it expensive to film a movie, even a small one?"

"It depends. In my opinion, we can make this movie with a budget of $100,000 if we manage the costs carefully. But we have to be conscious of our expenses. I've been in Hollywood for three years now. I have an idea of how much budget we need for a project like this."

For this project, they would have to hire unknown actors and actresses so they wouldn't spend a lot of money on casting fees. Many unknown actors and actresses were eager for exposure and grateful for any kind of break. They would happily perform even if they didn't have a salary, or only received meals and credits in return.

As for the crew members... Collin believed that 10 to 20 people were enough to keep the filming running smoothly, as long as everyone did their job.

"..."

Wyatt was speechless and slightly overwhelmed. He was just here to show a script that he wrote over the span of a week, hoping they could register it with the Writer's Guild and perhaps make money.

He didn't expect that Collin would offer him a different job, one so bold and life-changing.

"I'm not sure... I'm still a new graduate. I don't know if I can handle it without failing midway."

"This is your second movie and your debut film in Hollywood, which is a big step no matter how you look at it. Everyone starts somewhere. Don't think too much about it... I'm sure we can handle it together."

"What about the money? In the first place, I don't know if $100,000 is enough to make the film without cutting too many corners."

"... I'll contact someone to provide investment." Collin decided to see if this golden vision was fake or not.

"What about the production crew? Where can we find them in such a short time?"

"Pftt—haha, Wyatt, it seems that you don't understand my forte as an agent and networker. I'm good at finding the right people," Collin laughed.

"..."

Wyatt was hesitant. He knew that this was an opportunity that might be hard to come by again, especially this early in his career.

"Wyatt, I leave the decision to you. I'm your agent, and my job is to make sure that you will become a successful director. I'll respect your decision no matter what you choose."

Wyatt swallowed hard, the weight of responsibility settling in his chest.

"Do you have a reason why you want me to start directing a movie?" he asked curiously, his eyes narrowing.

"Well, let's just say I have a hunch that you're great at making comedy movies, a really strong hunch."

"Collin, you're a strange person, but strangely convincing."

Collin laughed out loud that filled the room for a moment.

"What do you think?"

"We will start the project once my job in Director Esteban's movie is done and I'm officially free of that contract."

He couldn't just leave his job because he had signed a contract with a binding clause that would cost him dearly if broken. He couldn't afford to break the contract not with his current finances.

"That's great to hear, Wyatt."

Collin smiled genuinely, feeling the start of something exciting. The two shook hands firmly, a silent agreement between them.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 5



Collin stretched his arms and groaned in pleasure, feeling the tension melt from his shoulders as he welcomed the start of a new day. He stood up and looked at the mirror. Even though he had toned down going to the gym, his body was still looking great. He combed through his black hair as his deep green eyes adjusted to the light.

He bid farewell to his mother, who kept telling him to rest for one more day. Evelyn was still worried about her son.

But Collin had been resting for two days after leaving the hospital. He had been lying around the house and catching up on sleep, old TV shows, and his mother's endless advice.

He had to return to work, or else he might get fired for slacking off too long or worse, be forgotten and his cubicle occupied... He was on sick leave, so probably not, but the fear still lingered in his gut.

Anyway, he had talked to the management and said that he would return to work today. He made it clear that he was ready to jump back in and handle his work.

He had to. There was no other choice if he wanted to move forward. He had to start the preparation for Wyatt's upcoming project. An unexpected project that had been decided after Collin saw the golden words above Wyatt's head.

Collin couldn't explain it, not in words that made logical sense. But he felt like this was an opportunity that he had to take. To grab with both hands, no matter what. Even if it meant putting his career at risk.

Wyatt was not the only one who was taking a bet here, Collin was also doing the same.

It was because of the floating words above Wyatt's head that explained the young aspiring director had a talent for making comedy movies. Not just average ones, but the kind that left people rolling in laughter.

He had talent in writing a comedy script, and it seemed that he also had talent in filming one. Instincts that couldn't be taught in school.

When their conversation was over, Collin read the script thoroughly and started laughing out loud at every scenario.

That was the moment he decided to believe that the words floating above Wyatt's head were real, not a hallucination or a side effect of his condition. He decided to bet on these vivid words.

He had fun reading the script. It was an unfiltered mature comedy that didn't hesitate to make fun of anything. He confirmed that the script had the potential to become a movie. If they did it right, the movie would perform well at the box office.

Collin was confident that he could find a studio that would be interested in buying the script because production studios were always looking for fresh material.

However, Collin understood that they couldn't maximize the gains they would receive if they sold the script to a production studio and let them direct the movie. It would be giving up control too soon, hurting Collin and Wyatt in the long run.

First, since Wyatt was just a nobody, a newcomer without connections or credits, the studio wouldn't hire him as a director, no matter how promising his vision might be.

Although he would be credited as the scriptwriter of the movie, which was a great start for his career, sadly it still wouldn't be enough to launch his career as a filmmaker.

Second, the best they could get if they sold the script was around $100,000, a solid amount. That was already generous, considering how studios often underpaid newcomers. But Collin believed that the script had more potential than $100,000.

Third, the script might not become a movie and would sit in the studio's script library for years instead, gathering dust while newer, trendier scripts took priority.

Fourth, the box office results of the movie might be disappointing if another director filmed it, someone who didn't understand Wyatt's comedic tone, pacing, and vision.

The fourth was a scenario, a possible one, but not guaranteed. Collin wasn't sure because the box office appeal of the script seemed good.

Collin stepped out of the taxi and looked at the 10-storey building, craning his neck slightly as he took in the familiar sight. The building might not be tall compared to the skyscrapers in Los Angeles, towering giants that loomed in the background, but this building was known to represent many celebrities, actors, musicians, and even directors who walked its hallways daily.

Apex Network Talent. His workplace.

In short, A.N.T.

A name that sounded almost laughable when abbreviated.

The abbreviation made it look small, like an insect instead of a powerhouse, but it was the opposite of that. ANT was a titan in the world of talent representation.

Apex Network Talent was one of the three well-known talent agencies in Hollywood. It was an elite company and had a strong influence.

This whole 10-storey building was owned by ANT, filled from top to bottom with talent agents and such.

Collin applied to the company after he decided to change his career, taking the path of working behind the spotlight.

He had an idea of how the job worked because he was a model and had been handled by an agent once.

He was hired and started working as an agent, slowly building his client list and reputation brick by brick.

His three years in the company were quite smooth, considering that he was the go-to person whenever projects were in dire need of capable people.

Last month, the company's CEO retired, and a new person took over the position, bringing in a fresh wave of speculation and rumors.

Collin never saw the new CEO because he was busy. He was constantly hustling and looking for jobs for his clients and contacts to earn commission.

He heard that the new CEO was a young woman, someone rumored to be sharp and ambitious.

He stepped into the company and clocked in. He immediately adapted to his usual rhythm while his mind wandered to Wyatt's script.

.........

......

...

"Oh, you're free this month? Are you looking for a job? I know a place where you can work, but I'm not sure if they will hire you on the spot. I'll give you the address... You don't have to thank me. We must help each other, especially in this industry where everyone needs a hand once in a while. By the way, a month from now I might ask you for a favor. What, of course not? We will pay you, don't worry. I'm not running a charity here. What do you think of me? Nice, I'll remember that, you're a good friend. Thanks."

Collin ended the call and leaned against his chair, letting out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.

He looked around the place, eyes drifting from cubicle to cubicle with mild amusement. Six agents shared this tiny office room, a chaotic jungle of ringing phones, conversation, and energy drinks. Having a cubicle for each agent, separated only by thin panels that barely blocked sound, the room was their battlefield.

It was noisy. Almost headache-inducing at times, and people were either talking to their clients or talking to themselves.

Collin hoped that one day he would have his own office on the higher floors. A space with real walls, a door, and maybe even a view of the city.

For now, since he didn't have any famous clients, he had to share a room with other small-time agents like him. All of them were trying to climb the same ladder.

He stood up and left the room for a smoke break, an old habit triggered by stress and long hours.

But he then stopped when he recalled that the doctor forbade him from smoking, even though it was not related to his sickness and technically wouldn't affect his recovery.

His mother agreed and told the doctor that she would nag Collin if she saw him smoking. Knowing her, she would carry out that promise with relentless determination.

Collin bitterly smiled and decided to talk to his friend instead. He was hoping a good conversation would take the attention off his bad habits.

[Collin East's illustration.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 6


Collin went to the elevator to reach the 8th floor and tapped the button as the elevator slowly made its rise. His friend's office was on this floor, indicating that he had a higher status in the company. A position that came with more power, better clients, and a bigger paycheck.

In ANT, the higher the floor you worked on, the higher your status. People often joked that promotions could be measured in floors. Obviously, the CEO of ANT was staying on the 10th floor, the highest floor in the building. A place where most employees rarely had the chance to step on.

Collin and his friend had known each other since high school, their friendship forged through conversations, dumb pranks, and cafeteria meals.

Although his friend was two years older than him, he never acted like a senior.

In fact, his friend helped him get a job in the company, a huge favor that changed Collin's life trajectory.

'He was also the one who taught me how to be a professional agent. Showing me the ropes,' Collin thought.

Collin could describe his friend in one word, thick-face. Unapologetically bold and unafraid to do anything as long as there was profit.

He was probably the most shameless person Collin had ever met, but that shamelessness had helped him close some big deals.

He walked to the hallway, the click of his shoes echoing in the corridor. But before he could even reach his destination, he found his friend talking to a woman. His posture relaxed, but his eyes flickering with seriousness.

"I want a $10 million contract, the bare minimum. If they are interested in hiring someone as gorgeous and talented as me, they need to offer at least that amount or they're not worth my time."

The woman scoffed, unimpressed with the studio's offer.

"You don't have to worry. I'll take care of it. You just have to listen to me. Don't answer their calls, don't even look at their messages. The negotiations should happen between me and them, that's how it works. All you have to do is relax, enjoy your free time. Maybe you can take some time and party around. A little vacation never hurt anyone. I will settle it, and your salary will be $10 million, no, $15 million, because you're worth every penny."

"You better be. Don't mess this up," she muttered with narrowed eyes.

The woman scoffed and walked away, her heels clicking confidently against the floor. The way she strutted was attention-grabbing, turning heads like a model on the runway. Her hips swayed in a seducing manner that demanded attention.

Collin recognized the woman immediately, even before she passed by him. She was Jolyne Robs, a walking headline. She was an A-list actress who starred in many romance movies, blockbusters that made audiences cry and critics applause.

She was famous all over the world, with fan clubs on every continent and luxury brand deals stacked under her name. Light red hair, brown eyes, and seductive pouty lips.

Jolyne walked towards the elevator and found Collin standing there. Collin greeted her with a polite smile and a nod. Jolyne paused for a second, as if debating whether to acknowledge him.

Her eyes scanned him up and down, assessing, like a casting director, before walking without a word.

'That guy is handsome, unfairly and roughly handsome. Is he an actor? Wait, did I meet him somewhere? Meh, probably a nobody who auditioned for some of the movies I starred in.'

She was very wrong, not even close to the truth. The reason why she remembered Collin was because he helped the actress find a personal assistant for her, someone who ended up being her most loyal staff member to date.

Jolyne mistook him for an actor because most handsome men in the industry were striving to become actors instead of talent agents. Someone as handsome as Collin rarely stayed behind the scenes/spotlight.

"Arnold."

Collin called his friend, who was two years older than him. A man who had always carried himself like a big brother and a hustler rolled into one.

Arnold Johnson, a name well known in their industry. He was a talent agent who managed three celebrities, a modest number, but each one had their own strength. To be precise, he managed one A-list actress, Jolyne Robs, and two B-list celebrities, an actor and a horror movie director, both with growing reputations and steady work.

The difference between A-list celebrities and B-list celebrities was quite obvious, a wide gap in terms of fame and paycheck.

A-list celebrities were global superstars. They graced magazine covers, hosted Saturday Night, and had sponsor deals waiting. Famous all over the world, they were treated like royalty.

B-list celebrities were well-known personalities. They had fans and steady gigs but lacked that international pull, one level lower than a superstar.

Most people knew Jackson Mike, who was the King of Pop, a living legend with timeless hits.

But only die-hard fans of Rock N Roll knew Colt Kurtvain, who was the vocalist of the band Enlightenment, a cult icon in his own right.

The difference between A-list and B-list.

Arnold kept his smiling face, his trademark grin plastered on like armor. But it was obvious that he was stressed, his jaw clenched just slightly.

Jolyne was a famous actress and recognized as a Hollywood goddess, admired from afar by millions. But she clearly had flaws. Flaws that made managing her both a blessing and a curse.

In Arnold's opinion, Jolyne was too arrogant. Too used to being praised without question, yet she was easy to convince. Like a balloon that could be pushed in any direction with the right strength of wind.

One time, while negotiating for a movie, Arnold was striving for a $10 million deal. He was confident, aggressive, and ready to close the deal. But because the producer convinced Jolyne to sign the contract for a lower salary, using manipulative language that played on her pride, Arnold's job became nothing, like dust in the wind.

At that time, the producer kept saying Jolyne couldn't perform the female lead's role because she didn't know how to act. Insulting her talent and pushing her buttons.

Jolyne was so offended that she immediately agreed to the contract, a reaction driven by pride. And thus, she received only a $1 million salary, a tenth of what they originally aimed for.

The movie was a box office hit, a success with international praise. But Jolyne didn't make much money out of it, which left a bitter taste in everyone's mouth.

Since then, Jolyne had become serious about salary, turning into a hawk when it came to contract terms.

And since then, Arnold made sure that the actress would stay away from negotiations. Shielding her from any deal until the terms were written on paper.

She was not allowed to contact the production crew unless the contract had been signed, a hard rule Arnold enforced religiously.

"Looks like you have a tough day as usual," Collin commented.

"Don't even talk about it, my brain is melting," Arnold sighed.

"How about you? You came out of the hospital?"

"Yeah. I started working again today, first day back in the warzone."

"Your mom told me it's because of being overworked. You should really learn how to take care of yourself. You should take your time and rest longer. There's no glory in collapsing at your desk."

Arnold was too busy to visit Collin in person, always caught up in meetings or chasing deals. But he called Evelyn last time and even delivered a box of fruits for Collin, a gesture that said more than any visit.

"I don't have time to rest. I have too many things to do."

"Kid, listen to your elders. Once you've reached my status, higher floor, fancy clients, and all, you will realize that having a vacation is a miracle. A rare and beautiful thing."

"You're just two years older than me, barely older. Why do you keep calling me kid?" Collin blurted out.

"It doesn't matter. Respect your seniors," Arnold said, not missing a beat.

"I'm also taller than you and you know it."

"...It doesn't matter. Height doesn't mean anything in the real world," Arnold was firm in his opinion.

"And? What's the reason you want to talk to me? I thought your client was hired as an assistant director. You should be celebrating."

"About that... We have a slight change of plans. Can you lend me $200,000?"

"Fuu--!"

Arnold started coughing when Collin asked for money, nearly choking on air as his eyes widened in disbelief.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 7


"I know you're in debt, but I didn't know that you were having a hard time. I have a tip for you. Don't borrow money because you will become more indebted, and the cycle will just keep dragging you deeper. Just pay your debt slowly and steadily. I'm sure the bank is not asking for that amount in a short time unless it's a predatory lender, which I doubt it is."

$200 thousand was a huge amount by any standard, even for someone in the entertainment industry. Arnold was shocked that Collin was asking for that amount so bluntly, without hesitation.

He knew that Collin was not in a good situation financially after what happened to his father. But he didn't expect that the bank would ask his friend for $200 thousand from the get-go like it was some loan shark. That was fucked up on so many levels.

"No, it's not about my debt. Well, the bank is asking me for payment, but it's not that deep, I can take care of it. Anyway, my client and I are thinking of making a film together, and we're currently laying out the groundwork."

Collin started explaining the situation to Arnold, and his old friend listened with his unreadable poker face. Arnold's expression didn't change much, despite how serious the topic was.

Whenever it was job-related, Arnold was the serious type, a complete transformation from his normally shameless self.

"You've been in the industry for many years, albeit you spent more time in the modeling industry than on films or television. But I know that you have an idea of how tough it is to make a movie. Collin, you understand the risks better than most rookies ever could."

Collin nodded firmly, showing he didn't take the matter lightly.

Making a movie was very hard. It was a grueling process filled with uncertainty. The financial risk alone was something that Collin didn't want to shoulder if possible.

Movies often experience budget overruns because no matter how detailed the planning is, unforeseen expenses always come up. Collin wasn't sure that $200 thousand was even enough to make one from start to finish without cutting corners.

Return on Investment (ROI) was another factor to take seriously. Not all movies made money, and many didn't even break even. Most of the time, movies flopped at the box office without warning, even with big names attached.

Another important risk was the market and distribution risks, which many first-time producers underestimated. Comedy was a popular genre, but not all comedy movies would be appreciated by audiences or critics. As for distribution, they had to sign a contract with big studios, and most of the time, the contract was bad for them. Restrictive, one-sided, and borderline exploitative.

These were just some of the risks of making movies, and they were enough to scare off most beginners.

"Directors never fund their own movies unless they're desperate or independently wealthy. You're an agent, you shouldn't shoulder the responsibility. It's not your job to take the risks."

Arnold Johnson pulled out his phone with a sigh, his fingers already typing before Collin could say anything else.

"Based on your expression, you are serious about this project of yours. Serious enough to ask and beg me, and I respect that. I have no intention of lending you money, you probably know that already from past experience."

Collin weakly smiled in resignation, not surprise. He expected it. Arnold had another character trait, he was a cheap bastard through and through.

Arnold was one of the top talent agents in ANT, but he was cheap as hell and proud of it like it was a virtue. Well, Collin was also a cheap bastard because he was poor.

"I know someone who can help you with connections far better than mine."

Collin's pupils slightly trembled as he saw Arnold typing on his phone.

"I'm going to call the CEO right now, no warning, no appointment."

"You mean the new CEO?"

Collin didn't know much about the CEO. He just knew that the CEO was a young woman, apparently.

"That's right. You're in the hospital, so you didn't meet her when she introduced herself to the employees a few weeks ago. She's… different."

"... Are you sure you're going to be all right? We don't know the CEO's behavior. Maybe she won't like it if you call her without notice or business reason."

"Nah, it's fine." Arnold chuckled with reckless confidence.

"Besides, she's the one who said that if an agent had new ideas, she wanted to hear them. Her exact words, not mine."

"Bro, I'm asking for a production budget, not a business idea."

"It doesn't matter, she will hear it."

The call connected without delay, and Arnold's posture straightened slightly.

"Hello, Ma'am? Yes, that's right. It's me, Arnold. Hehe, of course, I'm working hard. I'm the best agent in your company, after all, just ask around!"

Collin cringed as he listened to their conversation, as if the words themselves were physically painful to hear. He didn't hear what the CEO was saying, but Arnold was too shameless to raise his voice like he was trying to impress her through sheer enthusiasm.

Besides, Arnold was not the best agent in the company by any metric that mattered. At least there were five or six agents who performed better than him in terms of revenue, talent deals, and reputation.

As Arnold and the CEO talked, Collin realized that something was happening above Arnold's head, something strange and utterly surreal.

Words started materializing above his head as if written by invisible ink turning visible in midair. They were floating and becoming clear until Collin recognized them.

Arnold Johnson:

-- A Shameless Person

Collin was stunned as his eyes widened, and he unconsciously took a step back.

'What the hell? A shameless person? So being shameless is also a talent worthy of being labeled by the golden vision?'

Based on his understanding, the words that float above people's heads indicate their talents or skills.

'Hm? But why are the words colored white instead of gold like Wyatt's were? What does that even mean?'

Collin had only witnessed two scenarios of words floating above people's heads since this mysterious phenomenon began. His understanding was incomplete and filled with questions he had no answers for.

Unlike Wyatt Bray, who had golden words above his head, Arnold's words were pale white, dull, like chalk dust or faded paper.

Collin described it as bleak and underwhelming, different from Wyatt's shiny gold, which invoked strong admiration from Collin and carried an aura of destiny.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 8


Arnold's conversation with the CEO ended, and he put his phone back in his pocket with a self-satisfied grin that screamed "mission accomplished."

Unlike the typical phones with thick bodies, Arnold's device was smooth and slim, clearly chosen for both style and function. His phone was one of the latest models released by Mokia, designed to slip into his pocket without creating an awkward bulge.

As an agent, Arnold had to project an image. His status wasn't something he could afford to downplay. In this industry, appearances mattered, and even a phone was a part of the image.

Despite earning seven digits a year, he actually felt guilty about spending a couple thousand on a brand-new phone.

"The CEO agreed. She wants to meet you. You've got a copy of the script and proposal ready on your desk, I assume?"

Collin was genuinely surprised that Arnold had managed to convince the new CEO to meet with him on such short notice, and with such confidence. Collin's palms had already started to sweat. They were talking about the CEO here.

"Yeah, it's on my table. I've been keeping it ready, just in case an opportunity popped up."

"Take it to the top floor and present it to the CEO personally. Don't mess this up."

"Thanks, Arnold. I mean it, really."

"Most of the time, producers are the ones responsible for pitching business proposals to investors. It's literally their job to handle financing and logistics. But you guys don't have a producer yet. You're an agent, so this isn't exactly your field, but I think you've got guts."

"Yeah, I have to do it anyway, even if I'm nervous as hell."

"That's the spirit, kid. Go fight for your dream."

Arnold gave Collin a solid tap on the shoulder before walking off toward his office with his usual confident, uncaring attitude.

"I have to talk to the producer to negotiate Jolyne's salary. I can't help you convince the CEO this time around."

Collin was already grateful that Arnold had arranged a meeting with the CEO. That alone was a miracle, considering Arnold's stingy reputation. He knew it was almost impossible to find someone willing to invest in a project without expecting something tangible in return. $200,000 wasn't easy to secure unless one had serious connections or valuable collateral.

Furthermore, the director was essentially a nobody. No filmography, no festival awards, no name recognition. No sane person would hand over $200,000 without a proven track record.

They could apply for a bank loan, but that required collateral or, at the very least, a good credit score. Collin's score was low since he was in debt and had missed multiple payments over the past year... Such a sad life.

He returned to his desk and picked up the documents with trembling hands, trying not to show how nervous he felt. It was a copy of the script and a detailed business plan he and Wyatt had spent considerable time preparing, editing, and refining.

Based on their calculations, they believed that $200,000 would be enough to create the film on an indie level, if everything was managed tightly and without waste.

Collin stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the 10th floor, inhaling deeply as his heart pounded in his chest. This was his first time going to the top floor since joining the company. That level was usually reserved for high-level business meetings and was the personal workspace of the CEO, who operated in near-isolation from the rest of the staff.

Only ten minutes had passed since Arnold had instructed him to head upstairs, so thankfully, Collin believed he wasn't late. Any delay might have broken his nerves entirely.

At the top floor, he found the CEO's executive assistant, another new face in the company. Young, polished, and clearly trained to handle high-level corporate interactions.

"Excuse me, I'm here to meet the CEO about a project proposal."

"Are you Sir Collin East, perhaps?" the female assistant asked, glancing at her monitor to confirm his identity.

"That's right, I'm Collin East."

"I'll take you to the office. Please follow me."

"Thanks for your help."

The woman opened the door with a professional smile, stepping aside to let him through. Collin took a deep breath as he entered the office like he was stepping onto a stage for the first time. He had walked countless runways in near-nude outfits, but this was different.

He deliberately avoided looking around, worried that he'd seem like a rookie overwhelmed by wealth. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the woman seated at the desk. The woman was poised, composed, and radiating quiet authority.

She had short, black wolf-cut hair and deep blue eyes, a rare combination. Her gaze felt sharp and observant. She wore a neatly pressed white blouse, elegant and professional without being showy.

Collin couldn't tell whether she wore pants or a skirt from where he stood, but he didn't dwell on it. He was far too nervous to care about anything beyond the upcoming conversation.

"Mister East. It's nice to meet you. I'm the new CEO of Apex Network Talent, Lila Seraphina."

The woman stood and extended her hand. Her grip was firm, but not intimidating. For the record, she was wearing a black pencil skirt, tailored perfectly to complement her blouse.

"Hello, Ma'am. I-" Collin stammered, caught off guard by the CEO's commanding presence. She was stunning, far beyond what he had expected from someone in a corporate role. The old CEO had been overweight, in his sixties, and barely showed up unless there was a crisis.

'Seraphina? A unique surname, perhaps a Latina?"

But that wasn't why Collin stuttered like a fool. When he looked at her, he had a strange sensation. As though he had met her somewhere before. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember where or when.

"Okay, let's start our meeting. Arnold said you have a business proposal you'd like to discuss. Something about a new film project?"

"...Excuse me, but have we met before?" Collin blurted the question before he could stop himself and immediately regretted it.

Lila chuckled softly, the kind of laugh that sounded genuinely amused.

"Collin, I don't think that kind of pick-up line is going to work on me. You'll need something better than that."

"I'm sorry. I just thought I'd seen you before… maybe at an event or something."

"Maybe or maybe not. I don't recall meeting you, though. Sorry to disappoint."

Snapping out of his awkward daze, Collin pulled himself together. He couldn't afford to screw this up with nervousness. This meeting might be their only shot at getting the project launched.

He was eager to launch Wyatt's project to test his theory about the strange phenomenon he'd been experiencing. He was increasingly convinced the hallucinations weren't random or stress-induced. The words floating above people's heads seemed to signify their talents. A kind of supernatural marker or divine label.

The best way to prove it was to see if Wyatt, whose golden label glowed, could actually create a box office hit. To confirm that his "talent" was real.

+++++

[I'll post another chapter later.]

 

[Pujimaki]

I mistakenly post Hollywood What If here.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 9


Lila's expression turned professional, and she gestured to a chair.

"Please, sit. Let's focus on your proposal. I'm eager to hear what you've prepared."

Collin took a seat, gripping his documents with slightly sweaty palms.

"Yes, of course. Sorry again for the awkward start."

Lila smiled, her deep blue eyes sparkling under the soft office lighting.

"No need to apologize. I'm interested in your project. Arnold speaks highly of you, more than once, actually."

Collin's nerves eased slightly, though he knew Arnold had probably exaggerated to hype him up.

"Thank you, Ma'am."

"Please, call me Lila. We're not formal here unless it's a board meeting, and this clearly isn't one." She leaned forward, her wolf-cut hair moving with subtle grace.

"Tell me, what's this project that made Arnold barge into my schedule?"

Collin launched into his pitch, outlining Wyatt's film concept, target audience, and marketing strategy with the kind of energy only desperation and hope could fuel.

His nervousness vanished as if it had never existed. He'd practiced this pitch since his hospital stay, rewriting it in his mind again and again. He couldn't afford to let go of the opportunity now sitting across from him.

Lila listened intently, her expression unreadable. A corporate mask revealing nothing.

As he spoke, Collin couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen Lila before, long before her rise to CEO. He stole glances now and then, but the memory stayed elusive.

When he finished, Lila leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers rhythmically against the polished wood of her desk.

"Impressive. You've clearly put thought into this. What makes you believe this film can succeed in today's saturated market?"

By now, Collin's nerves had fully given way to clarity and focus. If he'd learned anything from Arnold, it was to never appear nervous in business meetings, especially not when seeking investment.

"I believe in the director's vision wholeheartedly. I've seen his creations and picked up on indicators suggesting the film will emotionally and cinematically resonate with audiences."

He wasn't technically lying, though he wasn't revealing the full truth either. It amazed him how smoothly the half-truth rolled off his tongue.

Lila's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, a flicker of curiosity or suspicion.

"Indicators? What kind of indicators are we talking about?"

Collin's heart pounded in his chest. Should he tell her about the strange words he saw floating above people's heads?

"Just a gut feeling, Ma'am, I mean, Lila. A really strong one, if that helps."

He wanted to slap himself right then. He knew that reply cost him credibility. Gut feelings rarely convinced investors, especially ones who probably experienced a dozen business pitches each week.

Lila's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she nodded, her expression still unreadable.

"I'll consider your proposal. Tell me more about your director, Wyatt. What's his background?"

"He's a recent graduate from UCLA's Department of Film and Television. He just finished his degree last year. I watched his first film, it was a horror movie, and I saw real potential in his technical skill and creative vision."

Collin was prepared for this question and handed over a sleek folder with Wyatt's credentials neatly compiled.

He wasn't just Wyatt's manager in this case, he was part mentor, part big brother, part damage control.

He knew the young director would probably panic if he had to talk to investors alone and unprepared.

"Let's see…" Lila murmured, scanning the pages with focused eyes.

Collin watched closely but still couldn't read her expression. She was like a poker champion. She was calm, controlled, and unreadable.

"It was nice meeting you, Collin. I'll be in touch. Someone will contact you once I've reviewed everything."

"Okay. Thank you for your time, Lila."

Deep inside, Collin was screaming with hope, fear, and a rush of adrenaline. Based on Lila's tone, the chances of getting investment were far better than he dared to dream when he walked into the building that morning.

He excused himself after thanking her again, closing the door softly behind him and resisting the urge to jump for joy.

Once Collin was gone, Lila looked at the folder again, a faint glint of amusement in her eyes.

"…I'll give you a chance, this once," she muttered to herself with a small, thoughtful smile. Then, she picked up her private line and made a call.

"Hello? You said you were looking for an investment, right? Do I look like I'd scam you just for fun? Yeah, yeah, just contact them yourself if you're interested. I'll fax you the script and their contact number within the hour. Don't share the script with anyone, or you know what'll happen. I don't make empty threats. Huh? I'm not scared at all. Your so-called connections mean nothing."

…......

…...

…

Collin exhaled inside the elevator. He'd signed clients to movies before, some of them not even that bad. He had also convinced Director Esteban to bring Wyatt on as an assistant director, which was a massive win that nearly didn't happen.

But none of that ever made him as nervous as the CEO did. It was not even close.

"Maybe it's because she's so beautiful that I'm afraid of doing something dumb that'll give her the ick and ruin my chances before they even start… Collin, I thought we were past the stage of simping for pretty girls."

Collin was handsome and fully aware of it, he didn't need a mirror to confirm. He wouldn't have made it in the modeling industry otherwise, where good looks were the bare minimum. He did things subconsciously that enhanced his charm such as a tilt of the head, a casual lean, and a half-smirk. All of it rehearsed and yet effortless.

He returned to his desk, still replaying the conversation in his head. The place was noisy as usual. Agents on phones, fast-paced negotiations echoing through the office.

As for him, he wasn't that busy. He had only a few clients and a handful of projects, which was both a blessing and a curse in this industry. Besides, he'd just recovered from an illness and didn't want to push himself too hard. He couldn't bear to worry his family again after the fainting that landed him in the hospital.

He was reviewing potential film roles for his clients, most were low-budget indie productions or student projects, when the phone on his desk rang. It immediately caught his attention.

He answered, surprised to hear Wyatt on the line. His tone equal parts excited and confused.

"Collin, someone just called me a few minutes ago. He said he wanted to talk about the script and that he got it directly from someone at ANT."

"Huh? That fast?!" Collin's jaw nearly dropped.

He was stunned. He had just finished speaking with the CEO half an hour ago and now someone was already interested in their project? It felt like things were finally beginning to align.

++++++

[Second and last chapter of the day.]