Liam stared at the man in front of him, his words echoing in his mind.
"To make you a star."
A laugh almost escaped his lips. Was this some kind of joke? He was broke, struggling, and had nothing to offer.
"And what makes you think I have what it takes?" Liam asked, leaning back.
The man smirked. "That's what we're about to find out."
He slid a small card across the table. Liam picked it up and read the words printed in gold lettering:
"Audition. Midnight. Address on the back."
Liam frowned. "An audition? For what?"
"A chance." The man stood up, adjusting his suit. "Show up, and you might just change your life. Don't, and you'll stay exactly where you are."
With that, he turned and walked out of the café, leaving Liam alone with a racing heart and a card that felt heavier than it should.
11:45 PM – The Warehouse
The address led him to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Liam hesitated outside the massive rusted doors. Was this a setup? A scam?
But deep down, he knew—if he didn't take risks, he'd be stuck in the same miserable cycle forever.
He pushed open the doors.
Inside, a dozen people stood in a dimly lit space, some stretching, some looking just as lost as him. A stage had been set up at the far end, with a panel of judges sitting behind a long table.
Before he could take in more details, a voice boomed through the warehouse.
"Listen up!"
A bald man in a leather jacket stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the group.
"You're here because you think you have talent. But this isn't some basic audition. If you want to survive in this industry, you have to prove you can handle anything. Tonight, you'll perform under pressure."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Liam clenched his fists.
"Your challenge is simple," the man continued. "Each of you will take the stage and perform something in front of us. No preparation, no second chances. Sing, act, dance—I don't care what you do. But if you bore us… you're out."
Liam's stomach twisted. Perform? In front of strangers? With zero preparation?
This was insane.
But then again, so was his life.
One by one, the others stepped up—some sang, some acted out dramatic scenes, some danced like their lives depended on it. Some got nods of approval. Others were cut off before they even finished.
Then, it was Liam's turn.
He stepped onto the stage. The lights were blinding, the air thick with expectation.
"What will you perform?" one of the judges asked.
Liam took a deep breath.
"I'll… improvise."
Silence. Then a smirk from the bald man.
"Interesting. Go on, then. Impress us."
Liam's heart pounded. He had no plan. No safety net.
This was it.
His first real test.
And he couldn't afford to fail.