Hell's Actor Chapter 5: A Good Sunday

"The other issue lies in the na." She put up seven fingers. "There are seven characters that are central to the plot."

"There is no protagonist."

She nodded. "While Lucifer and Satan have more scenes, the story doesn’t solely revolve around them. Depending on the direction, so of these may beco main roles, and so may beco supporting roles. In the best-case scenario, other than Satan, every role is considered a supporting role. But in the worst-case scenario, all seven are considered main roles."

"Production cost rises."

Hyerin clapped her hands. "Correct. If they are playing main roles, they want to be paid like main actors."

"How long is it going to be?"

"That’s another problem. It’s more than an hour long with only seven episodes in total. That’s short for a TV series."

Averie liked it more and more. He couldn’t believe there were such saints in the modern world who would solely focus on the quality of their work.

"They have signed two A-list actors for the roles of Lucifer and Satan, which is good. But it’s even harder to hire for other roles. They can’t hire A-listers for every role. Those actors want to play leading roles."

"But they need good actors."

"They need very good actors—without overspending," she said, wiping her mouth with a tissue. "They have managed to hire four great B-listers who do not mind playing such roles. Honestly, any established actor who wants to play in this drama must not care about comrcialism or their image. They only care about acting and artistry, it seems."

Averie couldn’t be happier. It was as if he was listening to the most beautiful music.

"What about Asmodeus?" he asked, barely hiding his grin.

"Those few actors that show interest in the role aren’t up to the writer’s standards. It’s a character that requires a very specific look and impactful acting. The director isn’t happy either. He asked the writer to lessen the character’s impact on the plot just so they could hire soone decent and move on to the production stage. But she would not listen. She is very stubborn about that character."

’Of course, she is,’ Averie thought. ’All good writers are the sa. They would rather die than compromise.’

"So, they are holding an audition," she said. "Entertainnt companies, acting schools, universities, etc. have been notified."

"When is that?"

"Sunday."

"And when is that?"

"Tomorrow." She gave him a suspicious glance. "Why are you asking all of this?"

"Can you do sothing for ?"

"Sure. What—"

"Get into that audition room."

***

It was Sunday.

Hyerin was on her way to pick up Averie in a taxi. She had promised to accompany him to the audition held by Elvin Productions. He didn’t want her to, but she insisted.

Just yesterday, she had cleaned his apartnt, wiped his dishes, and made lunch for him before leaving. She wanted to stay, but he needed to sleep. So, instead, she spent so ti writing his CV. A friend of hers helped in adding him to the applicant list.

"What’s going through your head, now?" she murmured as the car parked outside the apartnt building. "You never said anything about acting before."

She entered the building after instructing the driver to wait, but her worries wouldn’t subside.

She didn’t question him the day before as it didn’t seem he would answer.

’Still, this is better than before,’ she thought, recalling the severe case of depression that had plagued her friend for the past year.

No matter how much she wanted to, she couldn’t help him. She could only sit by and watch as her friend lost interest in everything, becoming more and more lethargic. She didn’t understand what was causing him so much grief, and it saddened her even more—because no matter what, he wouldn’t answer.

’He feels different now; he feels liberated—freed.’

She smiled brightly.

’Abrupt or not, if he is interested in acting, I will help him.’

She was more cheerful than ever. Her friend had returned to her from the jaws of clinical depression. She was happy he had found sothing that piqued his interest. And she was determined not to let him fall back into that pit again.

’We should celebrate tonight.’

Before she knew it, she had arrived in front of his apartnt. She pressed the doorbell. And a second later, the door opened. Her friend’s face greeted her.

He wore a loose white shirt that matched well with his black dress pants. The top two buttons of his shirt were intentionally left open. The black pocket square added a touch of flair that felt both unique and unusual.

He was good at grabbing attention, or so Hyerin felt as she took a peek at his face. Unlike the day before, there were no dark circles under his eyes.

"Shall we?" he asked, flashing a subtle grin.

Hyerin thought her friend looked very attractive today. No, he was not just attractive; he was unusually hot. There was a word for it, but she did not want to use it for soone she considered her closest friend.

’He was always good-looking, but what’s this now?’

"Sothing the matter?" he asked.

"Well—"

"Let’s go."

"Wait!" she exclaid, hurriedly grabbing his arm. "See, I will support your decision no matter what. But are you sure you want to audition for this role? There are better roles for a rookie—roles that won’t hurt your image. They will be easier to play."

That was true. She did not want to see her friend behaving oddly like so perverted sicko. Of course, the role was not as bad as that, but Hyerin wasn’t thinking straight. She did not want him to play a role that would ruin his career before it even began. But more than anything, she didn’t want him to be disappointed by being rejected for a role that was always out of hand.

’It’s an ambitious project, and there will be more experienced actors there.’

She didn’t want him to relapse into depression. She was so afraid of the thought that she had refused to broach the subject yesterday.

’Not many actors debut in such an important role.’

"Are you worried?" Averie asked.

She was afraid of saying it—scared of jinxing it. But yes, she was worried.

"Don’t be," he continued. "We will have a nice al afterwards, okay? Whether I get the role or not, we should enjoy this beautiful Sunday."

Those words seed to allay Hyerin’s worries as she accompanied him to the taxi.

But most of what Averie said was nonsense.

’Oh, we will have a nice al,’ he thought, ’as a celebration for getting the role.’

He knew the role was his even before he auditioned.