Audition.
Calista already had an audition to prepare for.
This agency had done in hours what her previous one couldn't accomplish in months, a clear testament to the difference in quality. She drove to the venue in her new car, and heads turned as people assumed she was someone important, a high-profile figure who could land the role effortlessly.
In reality, Calista knew her talent might not be enough, so she leaned into the illusion of power and confidence.
She had nothing to lose by trying. Her appearance and the car she drove had already given her an edge—she was attended to almost immediately. Few others had taken the time to present themselves well, and naturally, she stood out.
The project itself wasn't glamorous. It was a low-budget movie unlikely to make it to cinemas, but Calista knew it would look good on her résumé.
She needed to build a portfolio that made people take her seriously.