The tension of the meeting with Lindsay and Tom still lingered in the air as Ethan and Liam returned to their office. They had made their case for the cast, but the battle wasn't over. The Old Guard's push for higher-tier actors had complicated things, and while Lindsay seemed open to their choices, they both knew TRN's final decision could go either way.
Liam sat down at his desk, fidgeting with his phone. "I think we did well in the meeting, but we're still on thin ice. If TRN leans toward the Old Guard's proposal, we could lose Rory as Tommy."
Ethan nodded, pacing the room. "Yeah, we need to find a way to lock in our casting, something that makes our choices undeniable."
Suddenly, a thought struck him—one that hadn't occurred to him until now. If Rory was their pick for Tommy Greaves, and his connection to Bryce Maddox had been a big part of his recent growth as an actor, why not bring Bryce on board to coach the entire cast?
"Wait," Ethan said, stopping mid-pace. "What if we get Bryce Maddox involved in the project?"
Liam raised an eyebrow. "Bryce? You mean as an actor?"
"No, not as an actor," Ethan said, the idea solidifying in his mind. "As a coach. He's already been working with Rory, and his reputation as a coach is stellar. If we can get him on board to coach the entire cast, it would add a level of credibility and polish to our team that TRN can't ignore."
Liam's eyes lit up as he caught on. "That's genius. Bryce is well-respected in the industry, even among the Old Guard. If he's vouching for our cast and helping them elevate their performances, it could sway TRN in our favor."
Ethan grabbed his phone, scrolling through his contacts until he found Rory's number. He quickly shot off a message.
Ethan: Hey Rory, I've got a favor to ask. Would you be able to connect us with Bryce Maddox? We're thinking of bringing him on as a coach for the Silent Heroes cast. Let me know!
He hit send and immediately started thinking through the logistics. Bryce had worked with high-level actors and up-and-comers alike, and his coaching style was known for pushing actors to bring out the raw, emotional depth of their characters. Having him on board could be a game-changer—not just for Rory, but for the entire cast.
As he waited for Rory's response, Ethan turned to Liam. "We still need to cast Jimmy. He's the heart of the show, and we can't afford to get it wrong."
Liam leaned forward, flipping through his notes. "Yeah, Jimmy's the one character we haven't locked down. We've auditioned a few actors, but no one's really stood out."
Ethan sat down, deep in thought. Jimmy Rivers was the emotional anchor of Silent Heroes—the medic who had survived the war but was haunted by the lives he couldn't save. He needed to be someone who could project a quiet strength while carrying the weight of his guilt, someone who could make the audience root for him, even when he wasn't saying much.
"We need someone with real depth," Ethan said. "Jimmy's not the loudest or the most dramatic, but his presence needs to fill the screen."
Liam flipped to a page in his notes. "There's this guy we haven't seen yet—Marcus Wyatt. He's F-tier, not well-known, but he's done some small indie films that have gotten good reviews. He's got that quiet intensity we're looking for. I think we should bring him in for an audition."
Ethan considered it for a moment. "Let's give him a shot. If he's got the emotional range, he might be exactly what we need for Jimmy."
As they continued discussing the other details, Ethan's phone buzzed. It was a message from Rory.
Rory: Hey Ethan, I talked to Bryce, and he's interested! He's got a tight schedule, but he said he'd be willing to coach the cast if it fits around his other commitments. Want me to put you in touch?
Ethan grinned, immediately typing back.
Ethan: Absolutely. Thanks, Rory! Let's get this set up ASAP.
He turned to Liam, the excitement evident in his voice. "Bryce is on board. This is huge."
Liam leaned back, letting out a relieved laugh. "This could be the thing that tips the scales in our favor."
The next day, Ethan found himself on a video call with Bryce Maddox, a B-tier actor and well-regarded acting coach. Even over the call, Bryce radiated confidence and intensity, the kind of presence that made it clear why he was so respected in the industry.
"Rory speaks highly of you guys," Bryce said, his deep voice steady. "I've seen the progress he's made, and it's clear he's dedicated. So, you want me to come on board as a coach for the rest of the cast?"
"Exactly," Ethan said. "We're building a cast that's full of talent, but not necessarily experience. Your coaching would be invaluable, not just for Rory but for everyone. We want this show to feel as authentic and emotionally raw as possible, and we think you can help elevate the performances."
Bryce nodded thoughtfully. "I've got a pretty packed schedule, but I'm interested. Silent Heroes sounds like the kind of project I'd like to be involved in. I'll need to work out the timing, but I think we can make it work."
Ethan smiled, feeling the pieces coming together. "That's great to hear. If we can get you on board, it'll give us an edge with the network. They're already impressed with Rory, and having your name attached would give the project even more credibility."
"Let's make it happen," Bryce said. "I'll send over my schedule, and we can figure out the details."
As the call ended, Ethan leaned back in his chair, feeling more confident than he had in days. With Bryce Maddox on board as the acting coach and a strong contender for Jimmy in the works, they were finally gaining the upper hand.
Ethan turned to Liam, who had been listening in. "We've got Bryce. Now, let's focus on locking down Marcus Wyatt for Jimmy. If he's as good as we think, we'll have the perfect cast."
Liam grinned. "Let's set up the audition. We're getting closer."
With their casting nearly complete and Bryce Maddox's support, Ethan felt the tide beginning to turn. The Old Guard might have the star power, but Silent Heroes was building something better—something authentic.
And soon, everyone would see it.