Ethan was in the middle of reviewing the latest round of notes when there was a knock on the office door. He glanced up, expecting Liam to pop in with coffee or a new idea for the script, but instead, the door swung open to reveal Dan Lawson. Ethan blinked in surprise. Dan was a C-tier actor—someone who had been around Beacon Studios for years and had always been closely associated with the senior producers, particularly Paulson. Ethan knew Dan's name had been floated by the Old Guard for Silent Heroes, but he hadn't expected Dan to show up at their office.
"Dan," Ethan said, standing up. "This is… unexpected."
Dan flashed a charming smile as he stepped inside. He had the kind of confidence that came from years of experience and a reputation for landing roles in some of the more high-profile projects Beacon produced. He was tall, with sharp features and a polished demeanor, but there was something more genuine about his expression today.
"Ethan, Liam," Dan said, nodding to both of them as Liam entered behind Ethan, equally surprised to see him. "I hope you don't mind me dropping by unannounced. I've been hearing some things around the studio, and I thought it was time we had a conversation."
Ethan and Liam exchanged a quick glance, both wondering what Dan was getting at.
Liam was the first to speak. "Sure, Dan. What's on your mind?"
Dan took a deep breath, crossing his arms as he leaned casually against the doorframe. "I know that the role of Jimmy Rivers is still open. And I also know that a lot of people—Paulson, Nancy, and the rest—have been pushing me for a different role, maybe even Tommy Greaves, but that's not why I'm here."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So why are you here?"
Dan's expression shifted slightly, becoming more sincere. "Look, I've been in this industry for a while, and I've worked on a lot of projects. But I've also seen Breaking Point, and I have to say, I was really impressed with what you two did. The character work, the pacing—it was one of the few shows that actually took risks, and I respect that."
Liam leaned back in his chair, clearly surprised. "You're a fan of Breaking Point?"
Dan nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, I am. That's part of why I'm here. I've been hearing whispers about Silent Heroes, and from what I've picked up, it sounds like another project where you guys are trying to tell a real, emotional story. That's something I want to be a part of."
Ethan exchanged a look with Liam. Dan Lawson—a seasoned C-tier actor who had every reason to align himself with the Old Guard—was standing in their office, asking to be a part of Silent Heroes? This was definitely not what they expected.
"And you're here… because you want to audition for Jimmy?" Ethan asked, leaning forward with curiosity.
Dan nodded again, his expression turning serious. "Exactly. I know the role hasn't been filled yet, and I know what people might expect me to say, given who I usually work with, but I think I'd be a good fit for Jimmy. He's not the loudest character in the story, but he's the one who holds it together. He's got quiet strength, and I'd love the chance to bring that to life."
Liam narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to gauge Dan's sincerity. "You know that the Old Guard—Paulson and his group—have been pushing for you to play Tommy, right?"
Dan chuckled lightly. "Yeah, I know. But that's not what I want. I've done the flashy roles, the guys with bravado and charisma. Jimmy's different. He's broken, but he's got this core of resilience. That's the kind of challenge I'm looking for."
Ethan took a moment to process what Dan was saying. Dan wasn't just some C-tier actor trying to boost his career—he genuinely seemed interested in the depth and emotional weight of the role. But Ethan couldn't ignore the elephant in the room.
"You realize that working with us might put you at odds with Paulson and the others, right?" Ethan said carefully. "They're already pushing their actors for this project."
Dan didn't miss a beat. "I know that. But I'm not here to play politics. I'm here because I want to be a part of something real. If Silent Heroes is half as good as Breaking Point, then I want in. And if that means stepping out of the Old Guard's shadow, then so be it."
Liam raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "You're willing to risk your standing with Paulson and his team for this?"
Dan shrugged, his smile returning. "I'm an actor. My job is to find the best roles, the ones that challenge me. If I keep playing it safe, what's the point? I think Silent Heroes is one of those rare projects that could really mean something. I'm willing to take that risk."
Ethan and Liam exchanged another glance. This was not the Dan Lawson they had expected to meet. The version of him standing in their office wasn't the polished, politically savvy actor they had heard about—it was someone who seemed genuinely passionate about the art of storytelling.
"All right," Ethan said finally. "If you're serious about this, then we'll give you a shot. We've still got a few auditions lined up for Jimmy, but we'll schedule a time for you to read for the role."
Dan's smile widened, and there was a hint of relief in his eyes. "I appreciate that. I won't let you down."
Liam stood and offered Dan a handshake. "We're looking forward to seeing what you bring to the table."
Dan shook his hand, his grip firm. "Thanks, guys. I'll make sure to bring my A-game."
As Dan turned to leave, Ethan called after him. "One more thing, Dan. Why now? Why come to us for Jimmy, when you could've easily been pushed for Tommy?"
Dan paused at the door, glancing back over his shoulder. "Because, Ethan, I don't want to just be another face in a big cast. I want to be part of something that leaves an impact. And I think that's what Silent Heroes is."
With that, Dan left, closing the door quietly behind him.
Ethan stood there for a moment, processing everything that had just happened. Dan Lawson, one of the Old Guard's favorite actors, had just walked into their office and asked for a chance to be a part of their project. And not as a flashy, attention-grabbing lead, but as the quiet, deeply emotional heart of the show.
Liam let out a low whistle. "I didn't see that coming."
"Neither did I," Ethan admitted. "But if Dan's serious—and if he can pull off the audition—he might just be the right choice for Jimmy."
Liam nodded slowly. "Yeah. I've never worked with him before, but he's got the experience. And if he's willing to break from the Old Guard for this, maybe he really does believe in the project."
Ethan sat back down at his desk, feeling the weight of the decision ahead. They had a few more auditions to get through before they could make a final choice, but Dan Lawson's unexpected interest had just added a new dynamic to the casting process.
"Let's see what he brings to the audition," Ethan said, pulling up the list of actors they were considering for Jimmy. "If Dan can deliver, we might just have our cast."
The tide was shifting again, and Ethan knew that Silent Heroes was quickly becoming more than just a project—it was becoming a battleground for the future of Beacon Studios. And for the first time, it felt like they had a real chance to win.