[Lincoln Studio]

“...This board meeting concludes with bringing the attention of everyone to where it is necessary. The numbers should be around how they are for at least two more weeks, and if there's something unusual, just know that things might not be going as we plan, alright?” the person who sat in the middle of the huge conference room yelled for everyone to hear.

“Yes, sir.”

“On it!”

The rest of the people who were seated around the table stood up and walked away while discussing different things. Their whispers were still audible for the same person who kept yelling about how things were supposed to go with his next movie.

“Why do you seem to be so on edge today?” A man wearing a dark blue suit walked towards him. He was on the other end of the table, and considering the tone the man was talking about the whole time, he knew that there was something that was bothering him.

“Why do you think it is?” the other man snapped.

“Will, I think you have nothing to be so aggressive about, what is it? Talk to me,”

“I don’t even know what to say anymore, Gar. It’s just all this competition that is making me edgy. Ah!” Will sighed loudly as he propped himself down his chair.

The office room finally became empty, and it was just the two men who remained after the long office discussion that made the entire staff spend four hours back to back in conversations.

“Competition? Are you really talking about Ian’s new movie? I-”

“You don’t have to say anything, really. And it is true that I can’t wait and watch the media go all over crazy for a movie that is still in phase one.

“I get it, he is talented and every movie he writes, it’s almost as if they’re some great masterpieces that waited for their own success.”

The outburst of Will made Gar’s eyes widen in surprise. Will was never an aggressive man. It wasn’t every day that you see a CEO like Will pissed out on some movie promotion. By how he talked and kept looking angry, Gar felt as if there was some more to his aggression.

Is it who Ian is? Is it how successful he is? Or is it how the media and the people are already so sure that Ian is going to become a success with his new movie? Nevertheless, Gar had to ask the question that bothered Will to grit his own teeth so hard that-

“Why is jaw clenching like that? What is it? Man,” Gar took a closer look and continued. “The last time you were this angry was when you found out Vianna had been cheating on you,” He couldn’t help but say what truly was in his mind.

Their friendship drew back ten years. Five years in the industry and five years off the industry. However, the fact that Gar was shocked by Will’s determination and what bothered him, made him concerned as well.

“I have been in this industry for 10 years. Ten years. And the last two years were horrible. Yeah, we made three blockbusters, but all nine movies done by different directors were complete flops.

“Our company has overachieved numbers for seven years, and this… The hype Ian is earning, shouldn’t be his. It should be ours,” Will sighed once again. Then, in a calm tone, he asked, “Why do you think there’s just so much chaos going for him? Do you think there’s a reason?”

Gar nodded at his question. After the little rant Will had done, it seemed as if he visibly relaxed.

“It’s just Ian had this back-to-back movie directing thing going on with romcoms. And for some reason, no matter how much he worked on the same genre over and over, people started to love his movies-” Will narrowed his eyes at Gar who quickly quit complimenting Ian.

“Well, this time, it’s just he’s doing an action movie. Although the word isn’t officially out yet, the man is trying something new with marketing, or so everyone assumes.”

“Well, don’t worry. I’m pretty sure our next movie is going to surpass his. And Darkness Is Alike would be released in around six-seven months.” Will took a deep breath in. “If my calculations are correct, the competition would be high up and in the air without a doubt. Let’s see what happens. By hook or crook, I want to win this little race.”

-

[In set - Cast & team of John Wick]

“Alright, everyone! Focus once again! I want all your eyes here! Can we please get some enthusiasm to continue the shooting or is it going to be like this always?!” Ian asked noticing everyone was almost asleep.

It was 5 in the morning. Their schedules were tight-packed as Ian wanted to finish the shooting early. Considering how he promised Keanu extra time to practice and get into character, he wanted to expand the shooting schedule, but tighten it so that there wouldn’t be extra time wasted.

“Up! I’m ready!” Keanu walked in with a chirpy smile. “If anyone knows me, that’d be how much of a morning person I’m. I mean, who doesn’t like a morning person in the set?! Oh, My- My! Is that the puppy?” Keanu asked the latter in a high pitch.

He was in his forties, and yet his eyes wrinkled in adoration.

“Is he sleeping?” Another voice came from behind, and everyone turned to see Niko bent to watch the puppy closely.

“Here he is, the dog father!” Ian said loud enough to make everyone laugh.

It was the second day that the puppy was set. The first day, no one was able to keep the puppy away from Niko as he kept playing with it the entire time that shooting wasn’t ongoing. During one of those breaks, he even asked the owner if he could keep the puppy.

“Shhh! Guys, I swear to God, if anyone made a noise… I’d surely make sure that you look weird as heck in the movie. I’m not even kidding,” He said in a hushed tone making everyone laugh again. “Shhh!”

-

In less than two hours, the shooting started again.

“So, this part is easy. As we know the puppy is in the house now. So there’s nothing much to worry about. The same ol’ drill. But here, instead of the alarm, it’s the dog that’s going to wake you up. The expressions should vary as I explained before. Are we ready?” Ian asked loud enough for Keanu to hear.

As he wasn’t that close to Keanu, he had to talk more loudly than he normally did.

The next thing he knew was Keanu doing the scene but far from how he had expected.

“...CUT CUT CUT! No, no, no… There have to be facial changes. The second camera focuses too much on your face, so I need more emotions even though you’re sleeping…” Ian said with a shrug and Keanu said nothing but nodded.

-

| Scene - 7 | Take - 4 |

The alarm sounds, followed by silence when a heavy hand drops down upon the snooze button.

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

Silence.

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

Silence.

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

A beat... and John sighs, pulls back the covers, and kicks out his legs, sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing his eyes.

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

John glances over at MOOSE who lies on the bed, her paws crossed, head tilted, and tail excitedly wagging in notes of

three.

John growls looking at the cameras.

I'm up, I'm up.

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

The sounds that were provided by Ian truly make John get into the character with the rest of the world including the cameras blurring from his vision.

-

Ian was watching everything happening from the director's finder.

“CUT! PERFECT! THAT WAS PERFECT!!” Ian yelled for everyone to hear.

From the little monitor screen, he had been analyzing every movement of Keanu, and surprisingly, it went more perfectly than he imagined.

“.... DAMN!” The next thing he knew was Keanu yelling and jumping off of the bed.

“Take the dog and clean up the sheets!”

Niko walked through all the equipment and walked closer to the puppy who still kept jumping on the bed.

While Niko was getting closer, he barked in a very puppy tone.

“Feisty one, aren’t ya?” Niko said and lifted the puppy in a single swift motion. He walked closer to Ian while holding the puppy toward his body. “If Raelynn saw him, I’m sure she’d bring it everywhere she goes. There’s no doubt in it!” he mumbled and walked away with a smile.

Ian was smiling from ear to ear as well. And immediately, he knew what was happening to him. Little things—-Fuck! It’s always the little things! He thought aloud and shook his head, shrugging the thought away.