Las Vegas.
Caesars Palace.
---
"You're still laughing?"
After deciding to give up, Joey walked away dejectedly. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Adam struggling to hold back his laughter, his face contorted as he tried to keep it in. This only made Joey more embarrassed and annoyed.
"Hahaha!"
Adam couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?"
Joey glared at him.
"Isn't it funny? You actually considered doing adult films! Hahaha."
Adam was laughing uncontrollably.
"What's wrong with that? It's called sacrificing for art!"
Joey tried to make himself look noble.
"Yes, yes, exactly!"
Adam nodded seriously, "Art is supre, and sacrificing for art is an honor... because you were definitely going to get naked for it."
"You're not allowed to tell anyone about this!"
Joey threatened.
"That's impossible!"
Adam refused without hesitation, his tone righteous, "We can't be so selfish! Such a funny story has to be shared with our friends!"
"..."
Joey suddenly didn't feel like talking anymore and just walked forward in silence.
"Where are you going now?"
Adam quickly caught up, still smiling.
"To quit my job!"
Joey glared at Adam, "Since you're willing to lend
the money, there's no point in staying as this Roman soldier anymore. I'm going to fully focus on preparing for the lead role and beco a star!"
"You can do it."
Adam patted Joey's armor, "I fully support you!"
Joey's expression softened. He pointed at Adam, "Co watch my performance tonight!"
"What performance?"
Adam was curious.
"You'll see when the ti cos."
Joey walked off quickly but turned back after a few steps to add, "Don't bring your family, but Juno and the others can co. I'll let you know when. That's all!"
---
New York.
Apartnt 520.
Chandler and Susie, the tall, beautiful woman, were sitting on the couch, looking a bit down.
"Still worried about apologizing to Joey?"
Monica asked.
"Yeah."
Chandler frowned, "I've tried calling him for days to apologize, but he won't even listen to my explanation."
"And what exactly are you planning to explain?"
Ross teased, "That what you said wasn't true?"
"No, no!"
Chandler shot Ross a look, his tone mocking, "Next ti I call him, as soon as he picks up, I'll say that Ross agreed with
and that everything I said was true! I'm sure he'll accept that explanation!"
"Co on!"
Ross rolled his eyes and forced a smile, "I was just joking. Don't tell Joey that!"
"What happened?"
Susie had just gotten back from a shoot and was confused.
Chandler explained the situation.
"Oh! I heard about that!"
Susie suddenly understood and laughed, "Chandler, you did nothing wrong. That director's film crew disbanded. They're not shooting anymore. You can tell Joey to co back."
"Disbanded?"
Everyone exclaid in unison.
"Yeah."
Susie thought for a mont and continued, "If I rember correctly, I heard about it a few days ago. The production ran out of money and shut down. It happens all the ti in this industry."
As a makeup artist who often worked on set, Susie was well-inford about industry gossip.
"But I spoke to Joey yesterday," Phoebe said, puzzled. "He said everything was going great."
"The movie is called Shutter Speed, and it's shooting in Las Vegas?"
Susie confird.
"Yes!"
Chandler nodded.
"Then there's no mistake."
Susie said confidently, "That crew disbanded days ago. I heard about it on Monday."
"Monday?"
Chandler murmured, "That's around the ti Joey arrived."
"Maybe they found new funding and restarted production?"
Monica guessed.
"No way."
Susie shook her head, "If they restarted, I would've heard about it."
"I think I know what happened."
Ross looked like he figured it out, "Joey must be too embarrassed to admit it. He didn't want to co back right away, so he's pretending he's still working on the movie."
"That must be it!"
Chandler blad himself, "It's all my fault! If I hadn't doubted him and made him angry, he wouldn't be stubbornly staying there. He'd have co back already."
He stood up decisively, "I'm calling him right now. If he doesn't answer, I'll go to Las Vegas and bring him back myself."
---
Ring! Ring!
Just then, the phone rang.
"It must be Joey!"
Chandler rushed to grab the phone, "Joey!"
"You miss him that much?"
Adam's laughter ca from the other end.
"Adam?"
Chandler sounded disappointed.
"I get that Joey's your best bud, but I'm your friend too. No need to sound so upset."
Adam joked.
"It's not that," Chandler admitted, "You don't know what's going on."
"Let
guess," Adam said seriously, "You're anxiously waiting for Joey's call. Did you do sothing to upset him? And he's not ho—he's out of town?
The only reason he'd leave is for a movie, but if he's mad, then maybe you didn't support his acting dreams?"
"OMG!"
Chandler was stunned, "Are all psychology majors this good?"
"Of course... I'm just ssing with you!"
Adam laughed, "I'm in Las Vegas. I ran into Joey and heard it all from him."
"..."
Chandler sighed, "Adam, I'm not in the mood for jokes. How's Joey? Susie said his film crew disbanded."
"Yeah," Adam teased, "Well, technically not fully disbanded. The director told Joey to wait there until he could find funding to restart production."
"That's impossible."
Chandler panicked, "Susie's always in the know. The production is definitely canceled. I can't imagine how crushed Joey must be..."
"Why don't you co see for yourself?"
Adam suggested, "Then you can comfort him in person."
"I'll fly out right now."
Chandler agreed imdiately.
"Don't co alone," Adam said with a chuckle, "Bring Susie, Monica, and everyone else. We'll have fun, and I'll cover the hotel—luxury suites!"
"Seriously?"
When Chandler got confirmation, he relayed Adam's invitation to everyone.
"I'm in!"
"Luxury suites? Count
in!"
Everyone was excited.
"Then hurry up," Adam urged, "Joey's performing tonight. It might even be... a restricted show."
"Restricted show? In Las Vegas?"
Chandler's heart sank, a bad feeling washing over him. He involuntarily echoed his ex-girlfriend Janice's signature line, "O~M~G~!"
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