Ethan arrived at the studio early the next day, the familiar buzz of excitement and pressure already thrumming in the air. Each step felt lighter now. He had found his rhythm, gained the trust of the crew, and was beginning to see the bigger picture. For the first time in his life—or lives—he felt like he was actually getting somewhere.
The past few days had been challenging, no doubt, but each problem he solved, each small crisis he handled, added to the confidence that was growing within him. Beacon Studios was far from glamorous, but it was his proving ground, and Ethan was determined to make the most of it.
As he stepped into the props and costumes area, Marge greeted him with her usual gruff nod. "You're early," she said, her eyes already focused on a half-finished costume draped across the worktable.
"Wanted to get a head start," Ethan replied, setting his bag down and moving toward the props. The swords and shields from yesterday's scene were still scattered across the table, a few of them showing signs of wear and tear from the battle sequences. "Anything specific you need help with today?"
Marge glanced up from her sewing, her eyes studying him for a moment before she spoke. "Actually, yeah. I was thinking—since you've been doing so well with the props and helping out on set, maybe it's time you take on something a little bigger."
Ethan's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected this so soon. "What do you have in mind?"
Marge set down the needle and thread, leaning back in her chair. "We've got another production coming up after this one. Smaller scale, but still important. I need someone who can manage the props department while I focus more on costumes. You've proven you've got the skills for it, and I think you can handle the responsibility. What do you say?"
Ethan blinked, stunned for a moment. He had been hoping for more responsibility, but this was more than he expected. Managing the props department—even for a smaller production—was a big step up. It meant overseeing the preparation, organization, and maintenance of everything used on set. It meant being responsible for a key part of the production's success.
"I'd love to," Ethan said, a smile spreading across his face. "Thank you for trusting me with this, Marge."
She waved him off, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "Don't thank me yet, kid. Let's see how you handle it first."
Ethan spent the rest of the morning helping with the final scenes for the current production. The atmosphere on set was tense, as always, but there was a sense of excitement, too. They were nearing the end of the shoot, and everyone was eager to wrap things up. The actors had settled into their roles, the crew had found their pace, and even Rick Donovan, who usually barked orders with impatience, seemed a little more relaxed.
As the hours passed, Ethan found himself falling into the familiar rhythm of the set. He made sure the props were where they needed to be, checked in with the actors to ensure they were comfortable with their gear, and kept an eye on any potential issues. It was exhausting work, but it was also exhilarating. Every day felt like a test, and every day he felt himself getting stronger, more confident.
During a break between scenes, Ethan found himself standing near Eric Green, the production assistant who had been one of the first people to welcome him to Beacon Studios. Eric had a clipboard in hand, as usual, but his face looked more relaxed than it had earlier in the week.
"You've been doing good work, Ethan," Eric said, glancing up from his notes. "Rick mentioned you've been a big help keeping the shoot on schedule."
Ethan felt a swell of pride. "Thanks. I'm just trying to keep everything running smoothly."
Eric chuckled. "Well, you're doing better than most of the interns we get. You've got a good head for this stuff. If you're planning to stick around, there might be more opportunities for you here."
"Actually," Ethan began, "Marge mentioned that there's another production starting soon. She wants me to manage the props department for it."
Eric raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed. "Marge doesn't hand out responsibilities like that unless she thinks you're ready. That's a big deal, man. Congrats."
Ethan smiled, feeling a rush of excitement. "Thanks. It feels like a big step."
"Well, if anyone can handle it, it's you," Eric said, slapping him on the back. "Just make sure you don't burn yourself out. This industry has a way of chewing people up if they're not careful."
"I'll keep that in mind," Ethan replied, though deep down he was more determined than ever. He wasn't just here to survive—he was here to thrive.
As the day drew to a close and the final shots for the production were wrapped, there was a sense of relief that swept through the set. Rick Donovan gave his usual terse nod of approval before heading off to review the footage, while the actors began changing out of their costumes, laughing and chatting as they relaxed for the first time in days.
Ethan stayed behind to help Marge pack up the remaining props and costumes. As they worked, Marge glanced over at him. "You're ready for this, you know," she said, her voice softer than usual. "You've got the talent, and you've got the drive. That's more than most people who come through here."
Ethan met her gaze, feeling the weight of her words. "I appreciate that, Marge. I won't let you down."
She smiled, the lines on her face softening. "I know you won't."
As they finished up, Ethan found himself thinking about what the future held. Beacon Studios was a small, struggling company, but it had given him an opportunity to prove himself. It had given him a foothold in this world, a chance to climb the ladder in an industry that was just starting to find its footing.
But Ethan knew that if he wanted to make a real impact, he couldn't stay here forever. He needed to start thinking bigger, about how he could use his knowledge from his past life to shape this world's entertainment industry. There was so much potential here, and he was determined to make the most of it.
Later that night, as he lay in his small apartment, Ethan's mind raced with ideas. He thought about the projects he could create, the actors he could work with, the films and TV shows that could push the boundaries of what was possible in this world. He wasn't just here to be a part of the industry—he was here to change it.
This was only the beginning, and Ethan was ready for whatever came next. He had his foot in the door, and now it was time to push it wide open.
As sleep finally claimed him, one thought echoed in his mind: This time, I won't fail.