The following days passed in a whirlwind of preparation. Ethan and Liam kept themselves busy fine-tuning the script, discussing possible casting options, and bracing themselves for the inevitable pushback from the Old Guard. They knew they had to make their move quickly if they wanted to keep control over the casting process.
Ethan kept checking his phone every few hours, hoping to see a notification from Rory. They had agreed on a deadline for the self-tape, and while Ethan trusted that Rory would deliver, the waiting game was nerve-wracking. The studio politics were shifting, and with the Old Guard likely planning their own moves, time wasn't on their side.
Finally, on the evening of the third day, the notification he'd been waiting for appeared: a message from Rory.
Rory: Hey, Ethan. Just sent over my tape for the Tommy role. Let me know what you think!
Ethan felt a surge of anticipation as he opened his email and found the file Rory had sent. He quickly forwarded it to Liam, texting him a quick, "Check your inbox. Rory's tape just came in." Then, he clicked play.
The screen flickered to life, and there was Rory, standing in what looked like a modestly lit room. Dressed in a simple, rugged outfit that reflected the post-war setting of Silent Heroes, Rory looked completely in character. His hair was slightly disheveled, and his face had a haunted expression—like a man who'd been through hell and was still fighting to survive.
The scene Rory had chosen to perform was one of the key moments in the pilot, where Tommy Greaves, alone in a bar after another night of heavy drinking, confronts the ghosts of his past. It's a quiet, intense scene that requires the actor to convey a multitude of emotions without overdoing it—guilt, anger, sorrow, and regret all rolled into one.
As Rory began speaking the lines, Ethan was immediately drawn in. His voice was low, almost a whisper, as if Tommy were afraid to give too much away. But the emotion behind each word was unmistakable. Rory didn't just deliver the lines—he became Tommy, a man crushed by the weight of what he'd done, yet too proud to let anyone see him break.
At one point, Rory's character stops mid-sentence, his voice cracking slightly as he struggles to keep control. His hands tremble as he pours himself another drink, and for a brief moment, his mask slips, revealing the broken man beneath the bravado. It was subtle, but incredibly powerful.
Ethan leaned forward, completely immersed in the performance. Rory had nailed it. The way he played Tommy's internal struggle was exactly what they needed for the role—quiet, intense, but with an emotional depth that left room for the audience to empathize with him.
When the tape ended, Ethan sat back in his chair, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. This was it. Rory had the potential to carry the show. He wasn't just good—he was perfect for Tommy Greaves.
A few minutes later, his phone buzzed. It was Liam.
Liam: Holy crap. Rory just killed it. This is the guy, no question.
Ethan grinned and texted back quickly. Ethan: I know. He's got everything we need for Tommy. We need to push him for this role, no matter what.
Liam called almost immediately. "I'm still in shock. I wasn't sure how well he'd handle the intensity of that scene, but he nailed it. He's got that quiet power—just like we talked about."
Ethan nodded, pacing the room as he spoke. "Yeah, and the way he controlled his emotions without overplaying them… man, that's hard to pull off. He's come a long way since Breaking Point."
"Definitely," Liam agreed. "And Bryce Maddox's coaching is showing through. Rory's learned how to tap into those layers without making it look forced. He's got the complexity that Tommy needs."
"So what's next?" Ethan asked, already thinking ahead. "We need to get this in front of Davis and the network as soon as possible."
Liam paused for a moment before responding. "Yeah, but you know the Old Guard's going to make their move soon. We need to make sure they don't try to pull any stunts to push their actors into the lead roles."
Ethan's jaw clenched. He knew Liam was right. The Old Guard, led by Paulson and his crew, wouldn't just sit back and let the New Bloods take over one of the studio's most high-profile projects. They'd be pushing for their own top-tier talent, trying to leverage the star power of C and B-tier actors to get their way.
"They're going to come at us with bigger names, but that's where we've got to stand firm," Ethan said. "Rory's perfect for Tommy because he understands the character. It's not about the rating—it's about the performance. We've got to sell that."
"Agreed," Liam said. "And we have to do it before the Old Guard can push too hard. If we present Rory to Davis and TRN with a strong case, we might be able to lock him in before they start making a fuss."
Ethan felt a surge of determination. "Let's get the tape to Davis first thing tomorrow. We'll pitch Rory as Tommy, make our case, and push for the casting to be locked in before anyone else can interfere."
Liam's voice was filled with confidence. "Let's do it. If Davis sees what we see in Rory, there's no way they can turn him down."
The next morning, Ethan and Liam met in Davis's office, their nerves masked by professional confidence. They knew this was a crucial moment. If Davis liked Rory's audition tape, it would give them the upper hand in the casting process. If he didn't, the Old Guard would seize the opportunity to push their own actors into the lead roles, and the creative vision of Silent Heroes could be compromised.
Davis sat behind his desk, watching the tape on his computer. Ethan and Liam stood nearby, waiting for his reaction. The room was silent as the scene played out, Rory's performance gripping the air around them.
When the tape ended, Davis sat back in his chair, his face unreadable for a moment.
Then, he looked up at them, nodding slightly. "This is good. Really good."
Ethan exhaled, relief flooding through him.
"Rory's got something," Davis continued. "He's not a big name, but his performance… there's real depth there. That's what Silent Heroes needs—a lead who can carry the emotional weight without overdoing it."
Liam spoke up, his voice steady. "Exactly. Rory's been working hard, and we think he's the right choice for Tommy. He's not just another actor—he understands the character on a deeper level."
Davis leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. "I'll admit, I was expecting you two to push for a higher-rated actor. But after seeing this… I can see why you want Rory for the role. Let me talk to TRN and see how they feel about it."
Ethan and Liam exchanged a quick glance. This was the moment of truth.
"If the network's on board," Davis continued, "I'll greenlight him for the role."
Ethan nodded, doing his best to keep his excitement contained. "Thanks, Davis. We really believe Rory's the right fit."
Davis gave them a small smile. "Let's see what TRN says. I'll be in touch soon."
As they left Davis's office, Liam turned to Ethan, grinning. "That went well."
"Yeah," Ethan said, feeling a sense of victory. "Now we just need the network's approval, and we've got our lead."
They had won the first round, but Ethan knew the battle wasn't over yet. The Old Guard would still be coming for them, but for now, they had momentum on their side.
And with Rory Campbell in their corner, they were ready to fight for Silent Heroes.