It had been a week since I had healed Quincy and he was now being trained by the league of assassins within the holodeck. His progress was average, but his determination was unmatched.
I was currently standing in front of Jor-El in the fortress of solitude next to Superman as Jor-El spoke to me. "You have far exceeded any expectations I could have possibly had for you. I can teach you no more than I have already taught you, because I have taught you all that I know. I hope you use my teachings well".
As a King, I could not bow even if the man in front of me was my Martial arts Master. Kings do not bow. Instead I looked up at my Kryptonian martial arts instructor and paid my respect in another way. "You have taught me so much and for that I am grateful. If your son ever falls into danger in the future, I will be there for him as a favor to you"
Superman hearing my words spoke up. "As a favor to my father? Aren't we friends? Wouldn't you be there for me anyway?"
I shook my head. "I do not have any idealistic fools like you as my friends, we are merely co workers that share the similar goal of protecting Earth".
Superman patted me on the back. "Yeah yeah, sure sure. You aren't fooling anyone".
Hearing Superman's words I couldn't help but think he had misunderstood me. I honestly couldn't stand the fool at most times. Sure we bonded a bit while training together, but I could honestly say Superman truly pissed me off more than any other Hero and frankly at most times I forced myself to get along with him.
Today was the last day of filming of 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' so I quickly said my goodbyes and headed to the newest filming location. When I first arrived on set Shane called out to me. "Aeric, come here"
I walked over to Shane who honestly was a blast to work with. Most of the cast were. Sean had been the only one that had given me any problems and he had been gone since the first day of filming thanks to his hair mishap. "What's up?" I asked
Shane looked at me with a smile on his face. "Since today is the last day of filming I just wanted you to know how much I loved working with you. If I ever need a lead role in the future for something I will seriously consider you. You are always in frame right where you need to be for the camera, the sound guy absolutely loves you, you get along well with your co stars, and even though this is your first ever movie, my job as a director has been easy thanks to you. You are seriously talented in acting my friend".
I could only sit there and nod. Shane had no idea this wasn't my first acting job and even though I was labeled as a failed actor in my last life due to my attitude and inability to work with others and of course lack of work towards the end of my career, I had been part of some pretty big projects and I was a huge hit in not only Broadway, but I had even participated in foreign films in bollywood and a couple of Korean and Japanese drama films. I was an international hit even if America and Hollywood couldn't stand me. I was very well versed in this field and I also had the system to back me up now.
If I failed even though I had the systems assistance, I could only blame myself and my lack of talent. As Shane rambled on about how much he enjoyed working with me, I was honestly happy to hear it. It was new to me. It felt nice to be appreciated at work.
"Okay, I'm done talking your ear off. Go get ready to film your last scene and tell Robert to get ready as well".
"Alright" I said as I went to grab Robert who I figured was currently in his dressing room. After knocking on his dressing room door I walked right in. Stepping into the Robs dressing room I was shocked to see him sitting in his chair about to take some pills from an unmarked container.
Without thinking I swiped the bottle from him. "Drugs? I don't mean to sound like a square Rob, but do you have a prescription?" I was well aware of Rob's substance abuse problem in my last life. He was both an alcoholic and a drug abuser and it had wrecked his early career.
Rob stared at me like I was an oddball. "Give it back, I'm just trying to ease my nerves".
I gripped the bottle in my hand hearing his words. "No, Sorry pal, I can't do that. You may not know it, but this is how good people ruin their lives. I have seen it many times before. You may think you are exempt to addiction, but you are not. Smoke some weed and take off the edge if you must, but leave the hardcore stuff alone. It's only a downward spiral from here if you continue".
Rob was now clearly irritated by me. "Give them back". His body language and words told me that he had been using for a bit and was already somewhat hooked. I considered Rob one of my friends and I didn't want to stand by as he destroyed himself and his budding career.
After thinking a second I decided to give in just this once. "I'll give them back, but you have to promise me that after filming today you will let me take you to an in-patient rehab".
Robert looked at me like I was crazy once again. "What the f#ck man, who do you think you are?"
I was now somewhat angry myself as he got angry with me for caring to call him out on his bullsh!t. "Who do I think I am? I thought I was your friend, friends don't just sit aside and watch their friends ruin themselves. Now agree so we can go do our last scene".
Robert eyed the bottle of pills in my hand, clearly feinin for them. "Sure, just give me my pills. I'll go to rehab with you, pinky promise, cross my heart and hope to die".
Feeling like a dumbass as I tossed the pill bottle back to him, I watched as he took two from the bottle and swallowed them down without water. I felt like shit, but If using his addiction against him to make sure he went to rehab was my best option, of course id take it. The world isn't always black and white. Grey areas exist. This was a grey area in my eyes.
Going on set we were told which scene we were doing and then we headed to the parked car they had prepared for the scene. I sat in the drivers seat and Rob sat in the passenger seat. In Hollywood the filming of scenes weren't usually in order so we were filming a scene from the middle of the film even though it was the last day of filming.
I heard the director call out " and....action".
Having already put myself into character I looked over to Rob. "Go, sleep badly. Any questions, hesitate to call".
"Bad" Rob's character replied.
I looked at him annoyed. "Excuse me?"
With a look of superiority Rob explained. "Sleep bad, because otherwise it makes it seem like the mechanism that allows you to sleep-"
"What f#ckhead? Badly is an adverb, who taught you grammar? Get out. Vanish".
Rob opened the passenger door and got out with a face of slight shame.
"Cut, that's a wrap boys. No need to reshoot, you both did great". Shane then walked up onto the set as Rob and I were both now out of the car standing beside each other. Shane continued speaking to us. "The cast and crew are having a small get together after filming, are you two interested in joining?
I looked over at Robert, fully willing to go to the party if he wanted before I took him to rehab, but Robert spoke up surprising me. "Sorry Shane, Aeric and I have plans today".
Shane seemed a little upset hearing Rob's words but tried not to show it. "Well, if you had prior plans, nothing I can do about it".
"You sure you don't want to go? I don't mind". I spoke as the director headed away to talk to others in the cast.
Rob put his head down a bit. "No, I am also aware I have a problem and I don't want to see anyone else I know until I get better".
Hearing Robs words I walked over and put my arm around his neck putting him in a headlock and then giving a light noogie. "I'll visit you if they let me. When I'm a big director one day, I will put you in a movie that will blow everyone away, count on it".
Rob rolled his eyes as he easily got out of my headlock. "Okay, whatever you say man".
Not long after leaving the set, Rob voluntarily checked himself into a rehab facility. I had him write my name down as someone to contact if something went wrong.