Ethan woke up the next morning feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. It wasn't often you got a second chance at life, and as surreal as his situation was, he knew that this interview could be the start of something new—something better. He couldn't afford to mess it up.
The day was crisp as he made his way to Beacon Studios. The streets bustled with early morning commuters, people rushing to work, sipping coffee as they moved past him. For a moment, he let himself get lost in the rhythm of the city. It felt good to walk with purpose again, even if it was just to a small studio for an internship interview.
By the time he arrived, the sun had climbed higher into the sky, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement outside the studio. He stood in front of the building, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. The rundown exterior of Beacon Studios had an oddly comforting effect. This wasn't a major production company with big expectations; this was a place where he could start small and grow. He could work his way up here, just as he had dreamed of doing in his old life.
Pushing open the door, Ethan stepped inside, the smell of stale coffee greeting him once again. The receptionist from yesterday was at her desk, still typing away at the old computer. She glanced up at him, recognition flickering in her eyes.
"You here for the interview?" she asked, her tone less bored than it had been yesterday.
"Yeah," Ethan replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Mr. Green's office is down the hall, third door on the left. Good luck," she added, almost as an afterthought.
Ethan thanked her and made his way down the narrow hallway. The building's age was even more apparent inside, with peeling wallpaper and creaky floors that groaned underfoot. But despite its shabby appearance, there was a certain charm to the place. It reminded him of the small production companies he had worked with back in LA—the kind that were scrappy, underfunded, but full of passionate people who just wanted to make something great.
When he reached the door labeled "Mr. Green, Production Manager", he took a deep breath and knocked.
"Come in," a gruff voice called from inside.
Ethan opened the door to find a small, cluttered office. Piles of scripts and paperwork covered every surface, and the walls were adorned with old movie posters, their colors faded with time. Behind the desk sat a man in his mid-forties with salt-and-pepper hair and a no-nonsense expression. He wore a rumpled shirt and a tired look, as if he'd been up half the night working on something that wasn't quite going his way.
"You must be Ethan," the man said, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. "Have a seat."
Ethan sat down, trying to stay calm and focused. Mr. Green looked him up and down, his expression unreadable.
"So, you're applying for the production intern position," Mr. Green began, glancing down at Ethan's application. "Tell me, why do you want to work in props and costumes?"
Ethan paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "I've always been interested in the creative side of production," he began, his voice steady. "Props and costumes are essential for building a world that feels real to the audience. I've worked on a few small projects before, and I've learned how much of an impact the right design choices can have on a scene. Plus, I'm good at making the most out of a limited budget."
Mr. Green raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Limited budget, huh? You'll fit right in around here then. This place barely scrapes by most of the time. We make D-rated TV movies—nothing glamorous, but it pays the bills." He leaned back in his chair, studying Ethan. "So, what kind of experience are we talking about?"
Ethan hesitated for a second, choosing to be vague but truthful. "I've worked in independent productions, mostly small-scale, but I've learned a lot about how to get things done efficiently. I know how to stretch resources and make things look good even when the budget is tight."
Mr. Green gave a short chuckle. "You'll need that skill here. We don't exactly have the luxury of big budgets, and we're constantly finding ways to cut corners without the audience noticing."
Ethan smiled slightly, relieved that Mr. Green seemed receptive. "I'm ready for that challenge. I know I can contribute."
Mr. Green nodded thoughtfully, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the desk. "We've had a few interns come through here before—some lasted, most didn't. It's not an easy gig. You'll be doing a lot of the grunt work, and don't expect much recognition. But if you can handle it, there's a lot you can learn." He tapped a pencil against the desk. "Why don't we give you a trial period? Two weeks. We'll see how you do, and if you're still standing at the end of it, we'll talk about keeping you on. Deal?"
Ethan's heart raced with excitement, but he kept his expression calm. "Deal. I won't let you down."
"Good." Mr. Green stood up and extended his hand. Ethan shook it, feeling the weight of the opportunity sink in. "You can start tomorrow. We're working on a new TV movie, and we're short on hands. You'll be working closely with Marge in the props and costumes department. She's been here longer than anyone, so listen to her. She knows her stuff."
"I will," Ethan replied, standing up. "Thank you, Mr. Green. I won't waste this chance."
Mr. Green waved him off with a grunt of approval. "Get ready for a lot of long days and late nights. See you tomorrow."
Ethan left the office, his heart pounding with excitement. He had done it. He had his foot in the door. As he stepped back into the street, the cold air hit him like a wake-up call. This was it. His second chance. This time, he wouldn't let it slip away.
He spent the rest of the day wandering the city, his mind racing with ideas. He was already strategizing, thinking about how he could use the next two weeks to prove his worth. The industry here might be underdeveloped, but that only meant there were more opportunities for someone like him—someone who knew how things could be done better.
As he passed a local café, he noticed a group of young people gathered around a table, discussing a recent TV show. He paused, listening in on their conversation. The show they were talking about sounded mediocre at best, but it was clear that even in this world, people craved good content.
Ethan smiled to himself. This world had no idea what was coming.
Tomorrow, he would begin his journey. And this time, he was determined to rise to the top.