Chapter 4: The Audition

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[Hello readers, I like to point out that this is purely fictional. So, please 🙏 don't take the narrative very seriously because sometimes things might not go with logic, and don't take offense. Thank you for your understanding, hope you all are well.]

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Sean had never pondered how long he would remain in the entertainment industry. In his opinion, actors and celebrities were too distant from him. He was content with his life and took up this job as a means to address his financial difficulties.

He would have spoken up, but he feared that the seemingly conscientious Frederick would tear him apart if he revealed the truth.

Nevertheless, Sean was satisfied with his current job as an extra. He considered it stable, especially since he secured it through the Endeavour Elite Agency. Therefore, he had no worries about accepting it.

However, compared to actors with union backgrounds like SAG, AFTRA, and major studios that required a certain percentage of union members in film or TV production, his pay was lower. Unionized extras earned more, which was why Frederick had given him that advice.

Unfortunately, as Sean mentioned, he was on the brink of bankruptcy, so he couldn't afford the membership fees for any union. AFTRA required at least $1,000, and SAG demanded a minimum of $2,000.

Furthermore, the union also deducted a commission from the income, although not as much as the agent did. However, extras generally did not have to pay this fee. Interestingly, the highest commission rates were charged to actors earning tens or even hundreds of thousands, whereas the big stars making millions didn't pay as much. It was an indulgence of the wealthy, as his father or someone had said.

Apart from that, the relative ease of his current job was one of its perks. As long as Sean sat at the round table, holding a newspaper, or pretended to chat with others on the street, he was good to go. The crew even provided lunch. No acting skills were required. Could it get any better than this?

This allowed him ample time to adjust his life, carefully consider his plans for his future, make more time for his workout regime, and reduce his time spent alone in Los Angeles.

Therefore, the first two weeks of September were the most relaxing for Sean since he arrived in Los Angeles. He worked as a background extra during the day and spent his evenings either partying with new friends, teasing Polk in the apartment, reading books on acting techniques, doing his workout regime, or planning his future.

However, there were still some matters he had to attend to, such as—

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"Don't lecture me, Lacey. Look at yourself. What qualifications do you have to teach me?!" Sean said irritably, looking at the person sitting in front of him. He shifted his gaze, slightly gritted his teeth, and his eyes showed a hint of helplessness.

"I didn't intend to teach you a lesson..." the middle-aged man wearing glasses replied expressionlessly.

"Don't give me that nonsense!" Sean interrupted and roared.

"Okay, I believe that should suffice," a voice interjected, bringing relief to the tense atmosphere.

Several people were sitting nearby. One person operated a small camera, capturing shots of the previous scenes. Another person seemed unfazed as if these events had nothing to do with him. The remaining three huddled together, whispering to one another.

"Thank you for your performance, Mr. Tang," a middle-aged man in a black t-shirt, around forty years old, stood up and said a few minutes later. He also made an inviting gesture.

"Then, Mr. Thewlis..." Sean, walking out, glanced at the middle-aged man with observing eyes, hoping to learn whether he had secured the role through his expression or body language.

To be honest, Frederick was quite competent as an agent. He had managed to secure three audition roles for Sean in three to four weeks: a minor role in the popular TV series "Happy Family" and supporting roles in two youth-oriented movies with a budget of approximately $20 million.

Two of the auditions didn't go well, but he made it to the final round for this film called "Varsity Blues," which revolved around a backup quarterback who is chosen to lead a Texas football team to victory after the star quarterback is injured. Although Sean had no plans to enter the entertainment industry, it would be nice if he landed a good role.

As mentioned before, he acted in plays and musicals during his school days and even secured a spot in the national high school competition. It was impossible to deny that he had a desire to express himself. If he could land a role that allowed him to showcase his talent and earn a good amount of money in the process, it would be excellent for his future.

Furthermore, there was a chance he could even get the lead role. The specific role hadn't been determined since the beginning of the audition. From the first round to the second round, Sean tried out for several roles.

"Don't worry, Mr. Tang," the film's casting director, David Thewlis, smiled and patted Sean's shoulder as they exited.

For some reason, Sean always felt that there was something else in this guy's smile, something... familiar?

After exiting the audition room, Thewlis summoned a few actors who were waiting outside and had also participated in the final audition. Thewlis addressed everyone, "I have to say, you all performed very well, excellent. So, it is difficult to decide who is more suitable at the moment. I have to hand over your files to the producers, and they will judge. Please be patient and wait for their reply, understand?"

"Okay, Mr. Thewlis," several candidates nodded in agreement.

He felt a little disappointed, but in his current relaxed state of mind, he wasn't too concerned about it. However, just as he was about to leave, Thewlis gently tapped him on the shoulder.

Sean was puzzled but quickly noticed the look in Thewlis's eyes. Thoughts raced through his mind, and he decided to wait until the others left before turning to the corridor with Thewlis.

"You are from San Francisco, right, Mr. Tang?" Thewlis asked.

"Yes," Sean nodded.

"It's a very beautiful city," Thewlis said with a meaningful smile. "I wanted to move there for a while, and many Hollywood actors came from San Francisco."

Although the conversation seemed slightly off-topic, Thewlis's tone was perfectly controlled, making it sound like a formal greeting.

"Listen, Sean, from my point of view, you and James are the best male leads," Thewlis finally got down to business. "But the producers and investors don't think so. Now I'm asking you, do you want the role?"

"Well... of course," Sean replied calmly.

"Very good," Thewlis squinted and seemed satisfied with his answer. "Then the night after tomorrow, our production crew has a party at the Winston Bar in Beverly Hills. I can introduce you to them at the party if you're willing to attend. It will be up to you to win them over and persuade them."

"Has James also been invited?" Sean asked cautiously after thinking for a few seconds.

James Van Der Beek was one of the actors who made it to the final round. Sean didn't know much about his acting skills, but he knew he was a sunny and handsome young man.

"Of course," Thewlis nodded.

"Okay, I will participate," Sean agreed, although he felt a bit uneasy about it. He listened as Thewlis continued, "Very good, then tomorrow, a little later, I will call you and him separately, and we can find a place to calmly discuss the specific situation."

Internally, Sean frowned, but he maintained a calm demeanor on the surface. "I see," he responded.

"That's it," Thewlis patted Sean's shoulder with satisfaction, and an indescribable playfulness appeared on his face once again.

"What is this guy trying to do?" Sean thought as he left the office area of the studio and returned to his car. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Thewlis, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.

In any case, one thing was clear for now—Thewlis's eyes were familiar, but it wasn't a good sign. Sean rubbed his chin in contemplation and glanced at the studio in the distance through the car window. Why did it feel familiar, and what was the hidden meaning behind Thewlis's words? Then it hit him.

"Darn it," Sean exclaimed. He turned the steering wheel, letting out a wry smile. This was too ridiculous, but...

After some thought, he got out of the car to find a phone booth and dialed a number. "Hey, Fred? It's me, Sean. Are you free now? I want to talk with you... Okay, I'll wait for you there."

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"You said... he wants to... with you?" Frederick sat at the small round table under the parasol in the cafe, taking a few seconds to process Sean's words before smiling, a non-smiling expression.

"No doubt. Don't forget where I'm from, Fred. I'm quite familiar with that kind of gaze," Sean replied, feeling annoyed and a little depressed.

The possibility that Thewlis was gay was high. Sean had lived in San Francisco for almost 18 years, and that place had been the center of North American gay culture since the 1970s. Rainbow flags hanging outside some communities and countless same-sex couples on the streets made him all too familiar with that kind of gaze.

If he hadn't been in Los Angeles for two months and busy planning for the future, he would have recognized it immediately.

All those hints, combined with Thewlis's behavior, left no doubt about what the guy had in mind when asking him out.

"You called me out for this?" Frederick asked quietly. "Can't you find a store that sells Vaseline and condoms?"

"What are you talking about?" Sean frowned. "Don't you find that disturbing? I'm not gay!"

"Then why?" the agent sighed inwardly.

"I just want to know what's going on," Sean leaned back in his chair with his hands clasped, looking at the agent with a frown.

"Okay, tell me honestly what you think, Sean," Frederick asked after taking a deep breath.