Jason—no, Ethan Parker—stood outside the small apartment building, the unfamiliar streets of this parallel world stretching out before him. The chill morning air swept through the narrow streets, and the noise of distant traffic reminded him that, despite everything, life here wasn't so different from what he was used to. Yet the subtle differences, the outdated cars and low-tech billboards, told him he wasn't in the world he once knew.
He tightened his grip on the wallet and took a deep breath. If there was one thing he had learned in his old life, it was that waiting around for things to happen never got you anywhere. He had a new body, a fresh start, and most importantly, the knowledge of an industry far more advanced than the one he now found himself in. But first, he had to figure out how to survive—how to find his way into this world's entertainment scene.
He walked down the street, his eyes scanning the signs and storefronts. Most of the businesses were small, local places—cafés, convenience stores, and mom-and-pop shops. There wasn't much glitz or glamour, certainly nothing that screamed show business. But as he turned a corner, he spotted a large bulletin board plastered with flyers and advertisements.
Ethan approached it, scanning the faded pieces of paper pinned to the board. Most of it was local news—lost pets, job postings, and community events—but one flyer caught his eye. "Internship Opportunities in Media Production" it read, in bold black letters. The flyer was tattered, its corners curling from exposure to the elements, but it was exactly what Ethan needed.
He tore the flyer from the board, studying the details. The internship was for a small, local film studio—"Beacon Studios"—which, according to the flyer, specialized in low-budget television films. They were looking for someone to help with production design, props, and costumes.
A small smile tugged at Ethan's lips. It wasn't glamorous, but it was a way in. His old life had taught him that no job was too small, especially in the entertainment industry. Once you had a foot in the door, you could start climbing.
Pocketing the flyer, Ethan turned and headed in the direction of the studio's address. As he walked, he let his mind wander, imagining what this new opportunity might bring. He didn't know much about Beacon Studios, but if they were small and underfunded, then he might have more creative control than he ever had before. And if the industry here was as underdeveloped as he suspected, then his modern knowledge could give him a significant advantage.
After a short walk, Ethan found himself standing outside a small, run-down building with a faded sign that read "Beacon Studios." The place looked more like an old warehouse than a film studio, its brick exterior worn and cracked, and the windows covered in dust. A sense of déjà vu washed over him—he had seen places like this back in LA, small studios on the verge of shutting down, trying to churn out cheap content to stay afloat.
But Ethan wasn't deterred. He had nothing to lose.
Pushing open the front door, he stepped inside, greeted by the faint scent of old coffee and dust. The reception area was empty, except for a young woman behind the desk, typing away on a bulky computer. She looked up as he approached, her expression a mixture of boredom and mild curiosity.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice monotone.
Ethan held up the crumpled flyer. "I saw this posted and wanted to apply for the internship."
The woman raised an eyebrow, glancing at the flyer before nodding. "You're here for the internship? You're not the first, but they're still looking. Just fill out the application and I'll get it to the right person."
She handed him a form and pointed to a small, wobbly table in the corner. Ethan took the form and sat down, quickly filling in the basic information: Ethan Parker, 18 years old, no previous experience in this world. He hesitated for a moment when it came to listing his skills, but then decided to lean into what he knew.
"Experience with props, production design, and costumes," he wrote. That much was true, thanks to his time working behind the scenes in his old life, taking whatever jobs he could to make ends meet. He had worked on enough low-budget productions to know how to stretch a dollar and make things look better than they had any right to.
After completing the form, he handed it back to the receptionist, who gave it a cursory glance before dropping it into a file folder.
"They'll get back to you if they're interested," she said, already turning her attention back to her computer.
"Thanks," Ethan said, though he doubted she even heard him.
As he stepped outside, the nerves began to settle in. He had no idea if they would call him back or if this studio even had the budget to take on an intern. But at least he had taken the first step.
He spent the next few days exploring the area, trying to get a better sense of the world he now inhabited. It was strange how similar everything was, yet slightly off. The technology seemed to be a few decades behind, and the entertainment industry lacked the polish and sophistication he was used to. There were no billboards for major movies or global music stars. In fact, the few advertisements he saw were for local talent, most of whom seemed to be in the D or C tiers of the star ranking system.
That system intrigued him. It was clear that actors, directors, and musicians were ranked in this world, with S-tier being the pinnacle of fame and F-tier being the lowest. The ranking system applied not only within countries but globally as well, creating a competitive environment where the top stars were constantly vying for the limited spots in the S and A tiers.
Ethan began to understand just how different things were here. The entertainment industry wasn't as saturated, and while the competition was fierce, it was more about navigating the internal hierarchies than about the social media and brand-building aspects he knew from his previous life. He could use that to his advantage. He had the knowledge of how a fully developed industry worked—the marketing, the media training, the production techniques that elevated projects to the next level.
It wasn't long before his phone rang.
Ethan picked it up, his heart thudding in his chest when he saw the number. "Hello?"
"Hi, Ethan, this is Janice from Beacon Studios. We looked over your application, and we'd like you to come in for an interview tomorrow morning. Does 10 a.m. work for you?"
Ethan's chest tightened with excitement and relief. "Yes, that works perfectly. Thank you."
"Great. Just come to the main office and ask for Mr. Green. He'll be conducting the interview. See you tomorrow."
As the call ended, Ethan leaned back against the wall, a grin spreading across his face. This was it. His foot was officially in the door.
Tomorrow, he would begin the next step of his journey, and he was determined not to waste this second chance. This world was different, but so was he. He knew what it took to make it, and this time, he wouldn't let anything stand in his way.