Chapter 7 - Evening Adventure (One)

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"You know, I borrowed the script from Chediak, one of the assistant directors. I'm not sure about anything else, but if they were to reshoot Shawn Hartsey's scene, I think I would be a suitable stand-in," Cole whispered to Sean during the break.

Sean shook his head with indifference. After spending a few weeks with Cole, his opinion of him was gradually changing. Cole was excessively fixated on becoming famous, craving a new role every day while expecting instant success.

Sean couldn't comprehend it. It's admirable to have ambitious goals worth pursuing, but Cole was becoming overly ambitious without a clear direction.

For instance, survival should always take priority. Can you imagine someone who can't even afford to eat bread still trying to convince the director to give them a role? In other words, why should people who can't fulfill their basic needs make others believe they can deliver a stellar performance?

Of course, Sean couldn't express these thoughts now. He wasn't the type of person who enjoyed provoking others, and with a role right in front of him, it was better not to stir up any trouble.

So Sean simply smiled and reminded Cole, "You've mentioned it several times, Cole. It's a shame they won't be reshooting that Hartsey scene, but perhaps Director Rodriguez will consider adding it, giving you a chance to strive for being his stand-in."

"That's not a bad idea. Maybe this could be my opportunity to catch the attention of the director or producer," Cole sighed, gazing intently at the trailer reserved for full-time actors.

Although there were no explicit rules, the hierarchy within the studio was quite clear. The main actors had their trailers for resting, and meals were served in separate areas. Extras and main actors hardly interacted on set.

Sean knew whom Cole was looking at. Despite Cole mentioning being a supporting actor, deep down, he yearned to be the lead.

The male lead in this movie was a boy of Sean's age, with brown-black curly hair, a youthful face, and striking blue eyes. He left a strong impression on Sean.

However, Sean's attention was primarily captivated by the leading lady of Latin descent. Her long, straight dark hair gave her an elegant appearance, with a mischievous aura surrounding her. Aside from her captivating looks, she had a petite, well-proportioned figure, and looked stunning in jeans.

Additionally, there was another Mexican American actress with an hourglass figure and a mature presence, but unfortunately, she wasn't present today as she didn't have any scenes to reshoot.

"Don't tell me you're interested in her, Sean?" Cole teased after noticing Sean's gaze.

"When did it become illegal to appreciate beautiful women?" Sean shrugged.

"Come on, man, they're full-time actors who have already played significant roles, while we're just extras. Striking up a conversation, let alone pursuing someone, isn't easy," Cole shook his head, his tone subtly laced with sarcasm.

"That's not necessarily true." Sean picked up on the sarcasm in Cole's tone, and with a sly smile, he lightly touched his chin. He grabbed another bottle of water and approached the male lead, who was leaning against a prop box, lost in thought.

Cole opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

**********

Sean deliberately bumped into the male lead, causing the water in his hand to spill onto the ground. The guy swiftly picked it up and apologized, even though it wasn't his fault. Due to his past experiences in high school, he felt compelled to apologize for such incidents.

"Don't worry, I don't like this brand of mineral water anyway," Sean said with a lopsided grin prompting the other guy to laugh.

After a brief conversation, the two became acquainted. "By the way, I'm Elijah Wood," Elijah introduced himself, extending his hand for a handshake. He found Sean easy to talk to and around the same age.

"I'm Sean Tang," Sean reciprocated the introduction with a genuine smile, shaking Elijah's hand.

Soon, a lively young girl called out, "Elijah, have you seen my hairpin? I left it on the chair while we were shooting."

A vibrant girl with a charming smile approached them.

Elijah playfully rolled his eyes, "No, Jordana, I haven't seen anything. You should be more careful and not leave things lying around."

He teased her with a sly smile, making it evident that they have a friendly relationship.

"Hi," Jordana noticed Sean at that moment and greeted him immediately. "I'm Jordana, Jordana Brewster."

The young girl smiled at him without any aversion. She was, after all, young, and this was her first film work. All the main cast were newcomers, so there was no arrogance among them.

Sean noticed this and felt the courage to approach them. If they were famous actors, he would have changed his approach.

"Sean, Sean Tang, an extra, one of the alien-controlled players who chased Wood under your leadership." Sean introduced himself, and at the end, Sean said, adopting a serious expression, "Actually, as long as you say the word, I can catch him right away."

Jordana burst into laughter. "You're quite funny, Sean," she said while Sean simply smiled and shrugged.

Elijah pouted playfully next to Jordana, asking, "Even if I might get kicked out by the director?"

"Of course," Sean replied sincerely, causing Jordana to laugh even harder. They proceeded to share anecdotes about the film.

Sometime later, Jordana asked Sean curiously, "How long have you been an extra, Sean?"

"It's been about two to four weeks, I suppose. I wanted some time to plan a road trip across North America, so I took up a relatively easy job with plenty of free time," Sean explained.

"Driving across North America?" Both Jordana and Elijah looked surprised.

"Yes, it's something I've always wanted to do. After graduating, I moved from San Francisco to Los Angeles to pursue my dreams while I'm young, energetic, and curious. Isn't it amazing to do what you truly desire?" Sean's face beamed with a cheerful and radiant expression.

"Wow, that's impressive," Jordana said admirably, slightly stunned by Sean's radiant smile, and Elijah nodded in agreement.

"It's not easy, but I don't want to have any regrets in the future," Sean said, effortlessly maintaining the flow of conversation as they happily chatted for a long time.

**********

"How about that?" Sean exclaimed, walking confidently and posing the question to Cole.

"You're quite impressive," Cole attempted to conceal it, but his envy was clearly audible in his voice. "Maybe you should ask her out for a drink tonight."

"There might be a chance," Sean reassured him, patting his shoulder and chuckling. "I'll try to get her phone number."

"Really?" Cole responded, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"Have I ever given you a reason to doubt me?" Sean shrugged.

"You're something, man," Cole repeated, sounding more composed this time as if he had made a decision.

Unfortunately, Sean, preoccupied with his pursuit of Jordana's phone number, failed to notice the subtle shift in Cole's tone.

**********

[Scene Change]

As Sean stepped through the door, he was immediately engulfed by a pulsating wave of energy and sound. The air was thick with the mingling scents of cologne, perfume, and sweat. Vibrant lights of various colors danced across the dimly lit room, casting flickering shadows on the swaying bodies that filled the space.

The bass from the speakers thumped through his chest, matching the beat of his racing heart. The DJ skillfully blended tracks, seamlessly transitioning from one song to the next, keeping the crowd in a constant state of euphoria. The music enveloped him, becoming a living entity that coursed through his veins.

Sean's eyes darted around, taking in the eclectic mix of people on the dance floor. Bodies moved in synchronized chaos, their movements fluid and hypnotic. The crowd seemed to be in its world, united by the rhythm and the freedom of expression that the club offered.

Everywhere he looked, there were flashes of vibrant colors and shimmering sequins. The clubbers had meticulously crafted their outfits, donning their finest and most daring attire. It was a feast for the eyes, a visual kaleidoscope that mirrored the diversity of the pulsating beats.

The atmosphere was electric, charged with an intoxicating blend of exhilaration and liberation. Strangers became allies, their laughter, and joy contagious as they celebrated the night together. The air buzzed with conversations and laughter, punctuated by occasional shouts of excitement.

Moving deeper into the club, Sean could feel the heat radiating from the crowd. Sweat glistened on the foreheads and flushed cheeks of those who surrendered themselves to the rhythm. As he made his way towards the bar, he could sense the subtle vibrations coursing through the floor, adding to the palpable energy that filled the room.

Among the crowd, Sean's eyes fell upon Cole and his group engaged in animated conversation and laughter. Sean decided to join them after ordering a non-alcoholic beverage before making his way through the throng of people.

Cole notices Sean making his way toward them through a throng of people. His eyes flickered with an unusual light. He directs his attention to his friend, John, signaling him with his eyes. His heart was beating fast in his ribcage but he maintained his calm.

John spotted a young man weaving through the crowd, his features characterized by curly brown hair, a well-defined jawline, and prominent cheekbones that complemented his attractive face. He is wearing a brown leather jacket matching his hair, and underneath is a white t-shirt with black jeans and sneakers. With a subtle signal to the group, John urged them to move closer to Sean.

"Sean! My man, how are you feeling?" meeting halfway, Cole greeted Sean with enthusiasm, engulfing him in a friendly hug. Sean was slightly taken aback by Cole's uncharacteristically exuberant gesture but brushed aside any thoughts of its peculiarity in the back of his mind.

Cole proceeded to introduce Sean to his group, and in turn, Sean introduced himself. The group consisted of two guys and two girls, with no particularly notable features except for the two girls. Both sported sleek, straight hair—one with black locks named Kailey, and the other with blonde tresses called Nicole. Kailey possessed a petite figure with soft features that emanated a sense of possessiveness among the fairer sex, while Nicole boasted an hourglass figure, high cheekbones, and long lashes that invoked primal, lustful desires.

Furthermore, Nicole donned a stunning red party bodycon dress that clung to her like a second skin, accentuating her every curve and contour. The fabric shimmered under the soft glow of the overhead lights, exuding an irresistible and seductive allure.

The dress showcased a plunging neckline, offering a tantalizing glimpse of her décolletage and drawing attention to her collarbones and the graceful curve of her neck. Delicate spaghetti straps crisscrossed over her shoulders, lending an elegant touch to the ensemble.

As Sean's gaze descended, he couldn't help but notice the intricate details adorning the dress. Delicate lace swirls adorned the sides, tracing mesmerizing patterns that accentuated her waist and hips. The lace seemed to dance across the fabric, adding an air of sophistication to the fiery red garment.

The hemline of the dress hugged her thighs, daringly grazing her knees with every step she took. Its snug fit left little to the imagination, captivating onlookers and eliciting longing glances.

With each graceful movement, the dress seemed to come alive, molding itself to every contour of her body. It whispered promises of passion and excitement, hinting at a night filled with adventure and endless possibilities.

Though momentarily entranced, Sean swiftly regained his composure. He had encountered numerous captivating women in the past, which had fortified his defenses against succumbing to her alluring aura.

However, Nicole's interest in Sean was piqued by his composed demeanor and attractive appearance. Most guys her age tended to stumble over their words when they first met her, except for John and Leo, who were her childhood friends.

Initially, Nicole felt a tinge of annoyance when John approached her, requesting leniency in the club's security measures to allow an 18-year-old to enter. The special request stemmed from the fact that the young person was about to make their debut on a TV show. If it had been one of John's close friends, Nicole might have agreed without hesitation. However, this was different; it involved someone who was a friend of Cole's, with whom she had no prior personal connection. Cole had entered their social circle through a mutual friendship with John and Leo.

Considering the club belonged to her uncle, it wasn't too much trouble to fulfill John's request, albeit somewhat reluctantly. Nicole would simply have to inform her cousin, who would take care of everything. Now, as she caught sight of Sean, any lingering reluctance melted away.

After exchanging some conversation, the group made their way to the reserved area, ready to revel and celebrate throughout the night.