The next morning, Joel arrived at the studio's legal office with Mitchell by his side. The air was crisp, and a faint breeze carried the scent of anticipation. He adjusted his jacket and stepped into the office, where a receptionist guided them to a conference room.
To Joel's surprise, the woman from the audition was already there. She stood up as soon as she saw him.
"I didn't introduce myself that day," she said, extending her hand. "I'm Jessica Davies, the director of this film."
Joel froze for a moment, her name hitting him like a truck. Jessica Davies? His heart shook. His thoughts became chaotic.
The original Joel had been a huge fan of her films. Jessica Davies was a low-key director, rarely appearing in the media. Even when she did, she often wore a mask, keeping her face hidden. That explained why he hadn't recognized her before. But one question echoed in his mind: Why is she here?
With her status, did she really need to attend the signing of an extra's contract?
Despite his swirling thoughts, Joel maintained his composure and replied, "I've been a fan of your films."
Jessica's lips curled into a smile, one so innocent and warm it almost seemed out of place for a woman in her 40s. "Thank you," she said softly. "Please, sit down."
As she took her seat, her assistant handed two copies of the contract—one for Joel and one for Mitchell. Joel began reading the document carefully, but Mitchell frowned slightly as he scanned the pages.
Leaning closer, Mitchell whispered, "You said this was for an extra role, right? Why does it say supporting role here?"
Joel's eyes widened, and he immediately double-checked the contract. His heart skipped a beat. Supporting role?!
Unable to contain his shock, he blurted, "What?!"
Jessica, who had been sitting calmly, smiled at his reaction. "Oh, I forgot to mention," she said nonchalantly. "I increased your role."
She gestured to her assistant, who handed Joel a script. "This is your character's script."
Joel took it eagerly, his hands trembling slightly as he flipped through the pages. His character had been expanded significantly. He now had several lines, a scene where he interacted directly with the main antagonist, and even a fight scene with the second male lead.
His mind raced. Why? This wasn't normal. Directors didn't just hand out bigger roles to extras. But he suppressed his questions.
Jessica observed him with a calm demeanor, her piercing eyes making him feel as though she could read his every thought. "What do you think?" she asked.
Joel looked up from the script, excitement bubbling in his chest. "I accept the role," he said firmly.
Mitchell, who had been quiet until now, gave a small nod, indicating that the contract was fair and had no hidden traps.
Jessica nodded back. "Good. Since you're new, you'll only receive $20,000 for this role. It's still a lot for someone just starting out, but given the importance of your character, you deserve it."
Joel felt like his brain short-circuited. $20,000?!
He wouldn't have made even $1,000 for the extra roles he'd played before. This was a windfall. A huge leap forward. He nodded quickly, hiding his disbelief.
After signing the contract, Jessica stood and smiled at him again. "Shooting starts in two weeks. Don't cut your hair; the stylist will handle that on set."
Her words reminded him of the baldness issue. Joel gritted his teeth but forced a polite nod. Her smile widened, as if she enjoyed teasing him, and then she left the room with her assistant in tow.
Joel exhaled deeply, his emotions a mix of relief and disbelief.
Mitchell stood beside him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Well, it seems you've gotten yourself a solid opportunity. Make the most of it."
"Yeah," Joel murmured, still staring at the door Jessica had exited through.
Mitchell bid him goodbye, and the two parted ways. As Joel walked back to his apartment, he couldn't stop thinking about everything that had just happened.
Why did she increase my role? he wondered. But as much as his mind searched for answers, he couldn't come up with anything concrete.
For now, all he could do was focus on preparing for the shoot. This was his chance—a real chance—to prove himself. Whatever the reason, he wasn't going to waste it.