As I was thinking about the prisoners while waiting for my script reading I heard a notification from the system.
...
New Task:
Impress the casting director
Reward: 5000c
...
It wasn't many coins compared to what I had been used to getting lately, but with my acting experience, the task shouldn't be to hard.
At this time Robert came out and closed the door behind him as he made his way towards me with a sad expression on his face.
"No way.." I said after seeing how upset he looked. In my old world, this was one of the roles he had gotten. He was actually the main character in this film. It was hard to believe they wouldn't cast him.
Robert nodded "Yes, I was reading for the character 'Gay Perry' and although I had practiced doing the character without sleep the last couple of days, I just wasn't what they wanted".
That wasn't right, in my world he read for the main character, not 'Gay Perry'. What bad luck this parallel Robert had. I honestly liked the guy on first impression and although I could try and weasel my way into the lead role now that I know that they had nobody for it yet, I wasn't the type to screw over someone that was good to me even if it was only just a friendly conversation that we have shared recently and nothing more.
As I was thinking about Roberts misfortune, a woman came out and called my name. "You going to still be here after my reading?" I asked as I looked back at Robert who was clearly devastated but tried to hide it.
"I can do that, want to grab a bite afterwards? I know of a place that serves some great fried calamari and catfish. My treat. It's not everyday I meet a Celebrity".
I chuckled to myself when he called me a celebrity. I had a little ways to go before I reached that status even if my system has given me the title. Celebrities weren't typically strapped for cash. "Sounds good". I replied before following the middle aged woman to the script reading room.
Upon entering I saw the director Shane Black sitting in front of a table with a clipboard in hand. Shane had already directed the lethal weapon series and the last boy scout before this movie, the man simply didn't know how to make a bad movie. Ironically he also directed Iron man 3 in my world. I hadn't thought to look him up in this world, I wondered if his resume was as impressive here.
The man appeared to have a relaxed and somewhat dismissive demeanor as he asked me to start whenever I was ready, clearly not expecting much from me who he knew had no prior acting experience and was just an indie singer.
Although I wasn't the type to take advantage of a woman as she slept, I felt I could easily act out such a role as I slowly approached the table in front of me imagining a scantily dressed Barbara on top of it. Looking around to see if anyone else was around, a pretend martini held in my left hand as I reached down with my right hand and slid it up the imaginary legs in front of me, stopping beneath the skirt as I caressed and groped behind her leg and just below her butt.
Shane watched with a surprised look on his face as he had seen me get into character so quickly. I then stopped and looked at him. "Do you mind if I bring my friend in here to bounce my lines off of? He was the guy that was just in here before me".
Director Shane was curious upon seeing the man in front of him get into the role so quickly and just nodded. "Make it quick, I'm on a timed schedule".
Opening the door, I rushed over to Robert put my hand into his neat hair that laid down flat and messed it up the best I could.
"The fuck are you doing man..." Robert asked as I invaded his space.
"Shut up and just follow me, I want you to read the script to the best of your ability".
Walking back and pulling a confused Robert into the script reading room with me, the director handed over a piece of paper to him with his lines on it.
I reenacted the scene I had just done a second ago and then Robert spoke his first lines as he tilted his head at my creepy behavior. "You know what, you better be her doctor".
I looked up at him as if I was humored by his words, not taking him seriously as I temporarily stopped groping the imaginary woman in front of me.
"Walk away. don't think, just do it" Robert added.
I scoffed at his words. "What are you? her brother or something? It's none of your business man" I then put on a smile and continued. "I will fuck you up".
Robert without missing a beat started on his next lines. "No, you'll try, and that little experiment will end in tears my friend. ...So again for the cheap seats, do not think, walk the FUCK away. Or, let's me and you walk outside right now. It's past my bedtime. Make a choice".
"Okay, that's enough" The director said as he looked at the both of us with the a face of approval. "You both did great. I'll let both of you know if you got the part by the end of the week, keep your phones on you".
Robert was taken aback. "Both?" He asked in confusion.
The director got up from his seat and patted Robert on the back. "I'm reconsidering you. Now both of you please leave, I've got many others to still see".
Robert had unknowingly just read the lines of the main character, a role he did great in on my old world. As we left the room and headed out to grab a bite like we had previously agreed to, Robert stopped me with his hand. "Why did you do that for me, we literally just met".
"I only found a way to set up the second meeting, you did the work. Like I said before, I know talent when I see it. I believe you just got a bad read on your first go."
Robert had made a lot of friends over the years, but it was the first time for him to meet someone that would go out of their way for a complete stranger they had just met. It was hard to believe such a man existed. "Just so we are clear, I only wanted to get dinner, I'm not putting out no matter how much you butter me up".
I laughed as I shook my head. "You're a funny guy".
Rob shrugged his shoulders. "I try".
After a few seconds of silence Rob spoke again. "Thanks man".