Hollywood: Lights, Ink, Entertainment!

….

[Same Time]

Iconique Talent Agency HQ.

CEO Office.

"How did the classes go? Think they will help?" Christopher asked, his voice light but probing.

Grace paused for a moment, her gaze distant. "They were good. I am leaning toward the one-month course."

"That makes sense." Christopher gave a thoughtful nod. "We should probably hold off on auditions for now - unless something big comes up."

Grace didn't answer right away, her thoughts seemingly elsewhere.

"...I agree." She murmured, barely paying attention.

"Grace?" Christopher pressed. "You with me?"

"...?sorry." Grace snapped back.

Christopher's eyes narrowed. "Alright, what's going on?"

Grace turned thoughtful at that, hesitating, but something changed as she exhaled slowly before meeting Christopher's gaze.

She finally spoke. "I know this might be asking a lot, but… I need a favor."

Christopher's face turned thoughtful. "What kind of favor?"

"It's about Regal and our film." Grace admitted, her voice steady but tinged with worry. "I just got a call from Seren, and it seems he is having trouble finding a distributor."

"That's a tough break." Christopher nodded in understanding, but he kept his tone measured, adding. "But we are a talent agency, Grace, not a distribution network."

"I know." Grace replied quietly, though there was a flicker of hope in her eyes. "But maybe you could help - introduce him to someone who can."

Fingers drumming lightly against the edge of the table, Christopher considered the request. "Have you two thought about going to the film festival? Plenty of connections there."

Grace's shoulders slumped, and she shook her head. "There isn't any major one anytime soon. Also, I think Regal didn't seem practically interested in the idea."

"Really? Why not?" Christopher raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "It's the easiest route if you think the film has potential... and if you get lucky, maybe even win something. That could seriously boost its reputation."

Grace couldn't answer, her lips pressing together. Christopher's logic was airtight, and she didn't have an answer to justify her stand.

Sensing the pause, Christopher leaned back, shifting the topic. "Have you even watched it? The film?"

Grace blinked, caught off guard. "Uh… no."

A smirk tugged at Christopher's lips in response. "So, you are backing it without even seeing it?"

"I believe it will be good." Grace's tone immediately turned defensive about the film.

….

Christopher turned thoughtful at that.

Actually, unaware of Grace, Regal had invited him to a private screening this coming weekend.

The intention behind the invitation was clear - remarkably similar to what Grace had just suggested.

In fact, Regal hadn't cloaked his request in vague pleasantries - it was pretty straightforward and unapologetically deliberate.

And Christopher appreciated that.

He had only met Regal briefly during the contract signing with Grace, but that short interaction left an impression.

Regal carried himself like someone who knew exactly what he was doing, someone with a sense of purpose and control.

It was a rare attitude, one Christopher seldom encountered, and it had immediately stood out to him.

Of course, there was also Regal's reputation as the author of the recent phenomenon, [Harry Potter] - that alone was enough to make him a figure worth paying attention to.

Fostering a good connection with someone like Regal, or making him owe him something, was always a welcome opportunity for Christopher.

And from the way Regal handled certain decisions, Christopher could tell he values and remembers the help and will definitely keep up to it later.

For him, that kind of person was always worth knowing.

Still, any of this doesn't matter if his product was mediocre.

Even if it turned out to be exceptional, he doesn't have the capabilities to help him - all he will be able to do is connect him to someone who can, and the rest is again in his hands.

…..

Christopher shot back, amused. "Alright. Here is the deal. I will watch the film. Then we will talk."

"Thank you." Grace's eyes widened.

"I was planning to do that even if you didn't ask for it." Christopher shrugged. He added. "However, just remember, I am not promising anything. It all depends on the film."

Grace nodded confidently. "I understand."

….

[Same Day - Evening]

"Sir, I have contacted Mr. Regal. While there are minor changes to the hosting arrangement, the screening will proceed as planned." Anne reported.

Christopher gave a slight nod, processing the update.

He understood what she was implying: Regal might not be present during the show.

If he remembered correctly, this was the first screening - a debut director's film.

For the director to skip such an important event, something more pressing must have come up.

Is it another meeting with a distribution company? He wondered.

"…It seems the trials are still going on." Anne added, breaking the silence.

"Who will be handling the session then?" Christopher asked.

Anne added. "One of the main cast from the film. Keanu Reeves."

Christopher was slightly surprised. "Keanu, huh?"

He had done his homework when taking on the contract with Grace, digging into the key players behind the film.

Keanu Reeves - it was his debut film, and he hadn't made a notable mark before this. As such, Christopher had set his profile aside for now.

Andrew, another member of the cast, had caught his attention a bit more - but only marginally.

In his books, neither had been significant enough to warrant deeper scrutiny yet.

And for Christopher, the real assessment would only come later - when results mattered.

"Whatever, I hope the film turns out decent… because I am really in no mood to be flagged by this dude." Christopher muttered in a wishful tone as he stared at the contact he was dialing.

It was saved under the name: [Stephen Hawking Jr.]

"Sir, I don't think you will be able to make it to the screening." Just then, Anne added, glancing at her phone as a new message popped up.

….

Next Day - Sunday.

.

Stephen Hawking - a young man in his early twenties, leaned against his car, staring up at the four-story building with '[ITA]' emblazoned on it.

His phone pressed to his ear as he waited for a response from the other line.

["Stephen, I am not in the office."] Christopher's calm voice finally came through. ["Anne will be accompanying you instead."]

A frown tugged at Stephen's lips. His gaze narrowed at the building as if it had somehow betrayed him. "How does that make any sense? You are the one who invited me."

["Are you done? If so, help me behave during the screening too."] Christopher replied, brushing aside his complaints with effortless ease.

tut-!

Before Stephen could protest, he heard the click of the line going dead.

"Tsk… I am not a kid." Staring at the screen, Stephen muttered.

He shoved the phone into his pocket, the preakness still simmering as he climbed into the driver's seat.

….

Soon after, Anne appeared, striding quickly toward the car. She slid into the passenger seat, offering a polite nod as she buckled up.

Stephen put the car in gear, pulling out onto the street. "Got any idea what this film's about?"

"It's an indie project. Written and directed by Regal Serephsail. He is 22." Anne replied, her tone measured. "The film's title [Following]."

Stephen glanced at her, an eyebrow arched in silent question. "And what am I supposed to do with that? You all could have just contacted the old man directly. Would have been simpler."

"...." Anne didn't answer, her eyes fixed ahead on the road.

She understood the frustration but knew it wasn't her decision to make.

No point in defending the process.

Stephen's voice broke the stillness, low and frustrated. "Damn, you people…"

He huffed, his tone sharp. "Don't ask me to be polite if the movie turns out to be shit."

….

Before long, they found themselves standing outside a modest apartment building.

Stephen adjusted his jacket, casting a skeptical glance at the structure. "This is the place, right?"

Without answering, Anne moved ahead, pressed the buzzer, and waited.

"Yeah, coming!" - a quick, clear voice called from inside.

Seconds later, the door swung open, revealing a striking figure - Keanu Reeves. His neatly combed black hair framed sharp features that drew their immediate attention.

"We are looking for Regal Serephsail." Anne stated, her voice direct as she locked eyes with him.

"You have got the right place." Keanu nodded and stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter. "Come on in."

They entered, and Keanu closed the door behind them with a soft click.

"Regal is tied up with something, but don't worry. I will be handling the screening today." He explained, leading them into a sleek room.

Anne took in the surroundings, the layout.

It was the same space she had visited to sign Grace's contract for the film.

However, there were some noticeable changes. The long table had been pushed to the side and leaned against a wall, its legs detached. All the chairs were neatly stacked on the opposite side. The projector, still prominently positioned, remained in place, and the door at the far end of the room was unchanged.

In the center, though the arrangement was different, there was now a long couch flanked by two smaller ones on either side.

Keanu came to a stop and turned to face them, extending a hand with an easy grin. "Keanu Reeves. I am in the film you are about to see."

Anne nodded, her expression neutral yet polite. "I am Kaira. Mr. Christopher couldn't make it today. And in his stead, his guest will accompany me."

At that, Stephen came forward and shook Keanu's hand. "I am Stephen Hawking. Thanks for having us."

"Not a problem. Regal mentioned there would be two of you. I was expecting company." Keanu motioned toward the projector. "Let's get started. I believe you will enjoy this."

"Thanks." Stephen could feel Keanu's easy going demeanor, and that was enough for his curiosity to get the better of him. "So, you are the main lead in the film?"

Keanu, who was making the final adjustments to the projector, gave a small, self-assured smile. "Nah. Second lead, actually."

That caught Stephen off guard. Keanu had a presence that practically demanded attention.

The idea of casting him as anything less than the lead felt... off.

Especially for an indie film as they purely focus on getting as much attention.

There was something about his aura that reminded Stephen of someone else he knew - someone with an unmistakable air of command.

Obviously, Keanu didn't quite match up to that person, not even close, but Stephen felt the resemblance was there.

Still, he held back his thoughts.

Better to wait until after the movie.

Keanu gestured toward the couch. "Make yourselves comfortable. The setup is done, so we can start whenever you are ready."

Anne exchanged a quick glance with Stephen before nodding. "We are ready."

"Yep, me too." Stephen added, settling back into the couch.

"Alright." Keanu moved across the room. He closed each window manually, ensuring the room was dark and distraction-free.

The faint hum of the projector broke the quiet, and within moments, the screen flared to life, casting a soft, flickering glow across the room.

Keanu stepped back, his figure framed by the light from the screen.

"All set." He said, his tone steady but charged with undercurrent excitement and nervousness.

As the opening scene began to unfold, Anne and Stephen let themselves remove any and every distraction, bringing their attention to the images on the screen.

The room sank into stillness, save for the gentle whirring of the projector and the story pulling them in frame by frame.

….

After exactly ninety-seven minutes and some seconds -

Clap! Clap!

- a single resounding clap filled the small room.

.

….

[To be continued…

★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★

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