Three weeks later, things have come to an exciting beginning.

Ian was finally ready with everything to start the next masterpiece the world would be lucky to watch—Inception.

“And tomorrow is going to be the auditions…” Ian said to Raelynn who frowned.

“What? I thought you were free tomorrow?” She asked back.

“When have I ever been free, Rae?”

“And, what do you mean by auditioning? Are you sure you want to audition? All these suggestions are from A-listed actors. If you’re going to audition them, you might as well just promote that you’re looking for actors.”

Ian shook his head.

“I’m not going to audition every actor that was recommended. I’ll be just taking auditions of a very few actors. Just some actors among the recommendations do not qualify in my head. So, I’ve to do screen tests, so that I can check the chemistry in front of the camera.”

Raelynn nodded without saying anything more.

“What do you think of Keanu’s project?”

“I think I already said it’s yours-”

“No, we still have to talk with the other ten directors.”

Ian nodded.

“I know, and we’ll. Just, not right now. I’ve two meetings upcoming, if you want to start on your project straightaway, go ahead and talk to Keanu yourself,” Ian said while Raelynn walked out of the office after a slow nod.

In front of Ian, there were several papers from the actors that the RedBo agency had brought in for Inception.

“Send Mac in,” Ian called Murphy through the intercom, while Murphy replied with a quick “okay”.

In no less than twenty seconds, Mac Edison, the CEO of RedBo Agency walked in. He was the same person who requested that they back up with Renner’s Studio during a party hosted by Jeff Sanson.

“Please, come in.”

“Thank you, Mr. Renner,”

“My pleasure.”

“I’m here with a deal.”

“I’m listening.”

Mac Edison leaned towards Ian and handed over the document he brought with him.

“We’d like to expand the contract for the next five years.”

Ian raised his eyebrows.

“I see.”

“Yes. The newly implemented policy in our Agency requires insurance for the next five years to continue the partnership. And for as long as we’ve come, things have been going great. So..”

Ian nodded, understanding where the man came from.

“I agree. Let’s do it. I’ll send the paperwork to the lawyer. I’ll get back to you once everything is settled.”

“Thank you, Mr. Renner.”

Mac said and stood up. Ian stood up and shook his hand, then he walked out of the room without another word.

Ian took the papers and turned the pages.

-

A week later inside the studio, the screen tests were prepared to begin.

As for the actors, there were multiple selections Ian had done for the main role. Although several directors who Ian had discussions with asked to go with Keanu, Ian said ‘no’ mainly because Keanu already had a hit movie, and Ian wanted Keanu to explore his options without being strictly exclusive to Renner Studio.

“Alright, let’s take two takes, shall we?”

Ian asked, seeing the two actors in front of the cameras.

The two actors were Mike and Neon, who were both B-listed actors. After Ian skimmed through the detailed list of actors, he realised that there was no one that he could select as the main actor.

The two actors walked with confidence to stand in front of the three cameras—which Ian insisted on having, so different angles could be seen from the screen.

Both the actors had their scripts in their hands. They were reading the lines through and through. Before the screentest, after signing a non-disclosure agreement, Ian explained the entire movie plot and the roles that Ian had in mind for them.

“Are we ready?” Ian asked again.

“Alright, sure!”

“Let’s start.”

Raelynn who sat beside them started to read the line where they were supposed to start acting.

During the same moment that passed, the scripts were taken away from their hands.

“The subject's mind can always trace the genesis of the idea. True inspiration is impossible to fake.”

Raelynn read aloud for everyone to hear.

Saito’s character was given to Neon, and Cobb’s character was played by Mike.

“No, it isn't.” Cobb aka, Mike asked.

They both were getting into the character. Their facial expressions changed, their body language started to change and both the men started to act as if they were the characters of the movie.

“Can you do it?” Saito asked.

"I won't do it."

"In exchange, I'll give you the information you were paid to steal."

"Are you giving me a choice? Because I can find my way to square things with Cobol."

"Then you do have a choice," Saito replied.

"And I choose to leave."

“Cut! Again? This time, can we focus on the words in a much more serious way? Like, Mike, try maintaining eye contact!”

“Give me five!” Mike said back.

“Take five.”

Everyone in the set was dismissed in an instant.

-

Mike walked back to sit beside his agent, who had come to visit the shot as if it was just the screen test.

He was a bitter person inside and out. Although he was a B-listed actor, his personality wasn’t anywhere near a B-listed actor.

His agent knew the fact that he was regarding how doubtable he was being with novice directors. But his agent also knew that Ian could be the final step to becoming an A-listed actor and getting the big break.

“I can’t believe that man pointed out my flaws.”

Mike said as soon as he sat on the nearest chair beside his agent. Since they had known each other for so long—since the beginning of his career, his agent, Imon, knew that he was the guy who’d talk lots of bad things about a person who he didn't like.

“I mean, someone had to.”

Surprisingly, his agent talked back for the first time in a very long time.

“What are you saying, Imon? Huh? You think it’d be easier for me if I start questioning my acting skills?” Mike asked aloud.

Some of the heads turned to their side as Mike couldn’t help but lower the latter part of his statement in tone as he realised what he was doing.

“Mike, we both know that Ian could be your ladder to win one of those awards that could help your entire career. You’ve heard how those stars act in just a single movie, but then their entire career is going upwards. Don’t you want to be next?” Simon asked with much authenticity in his voice.

“I mean, what are you saying? I should hold back what he says… And for what even? I’d be better off without bearing all the insults.”

“What if those points would help you to portray your character more? Mike, I don’t want to walk away from a director just for a single sentence that he said. You’ve come a long way, and your arrogance wouldn’t take you any further than you’ve come. Do you not understand-”

“Alright! Let’s try again!”

-

Ian shouted for everyone in the set to hear.

“Mike, get back here! Let’s take the scene!”

At this moment, he knew what sort of an actor Mike was. Truthfully, if there was anything on the set and in his team that he liked, it was how all the people were loyal to him.

And as soon as Mike started to discuss how unfair Ian is regarding his actions, one of the workers who were around Mike and Imon told Ian as quickly as possible.

Thus, the shot started rolling.

-

After thirteen tries, Ian felt exhausted just by looking at how awful their chemistry together was.

“I think this just isn’t what I’m looking forward to!” Ian said, finally looking at both the actors.

“What? What is it?” Mike was quick to ask the question.

Neon was a great actor with a great personality, and Ian had this feeling that he’d get the part. Regardless he said, “It just wasn’t what I was looking for. Anyway, that’s a wrap! Let’s keep the actor hunting going!”

“Copied!” Raelynn yelled across the set and all of them started to dismiss.

“Hey, Mike!” Ian grabbed Mike’s attention.

“Yeah? What?”

“I’d like to let you know that, the reason you’re not getting the part is not your acting skills. It’s your poor personality. And if you want to continue to keep working in the industry, I’d love to discuss with you the director’s and the producer’s perspectives. And that is, we don’t like arrogant assholes walking around the set entitled. Hope you get the message, loud and clear. Earn the fucking respect and adjust that attitude.”

Mike’s face turned bitter and his lips started to twitch. The fact that Mike was holding back whatever he wanted to say was visible.

“Yeah?” Ian pushed it.

The people around them stood still and continued to watch what was happening without uttering a word.

Mike raised his eyebrows and said, “nothing.”

“Neon. You got the part. Saito is all yours.”

Ian said loudly as he saw Mike walking outside. He scoffed loud enough for everyone to hear, and then his agent walked beside me.

“Thank you!” Neon smiled at Ian.

“Dismissed, everyone! Rae, we’ve to discuss more suitable actors for Cobb.”

Ian said as he remembered how Leonardo Di Caprio nailed his performance in the movie.

‘I wish Leonardo existed here. Fuck!’ Ian thought to himself and walked out of the studio.

-

Stones! Stones! Stones! I demand stones! (And f- weekend is ending~)

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