Hollywood: Lights, Ink, Entertainment!

….

[Two Weeks Later]

[August 24th, 2010]

….

Iconique Talent Agency - HQ

Christopher sat in his usual spot, glancing up as Anne placed a file on the desk.

"Here are the details of the actors from our agency who match the criteria for all the roles, sir."

He flipped it open. The pages contained a diverse lineup of actors and actresses spanning different ages and levels of experience. But they all shared one thing in common - they were part of his agency.

"Send the list to Regal's assistant." He nodded, letting his gaze linger on a few familiar names.

"Yes, sir." Anne replied, already prepared with the duplicate.

Christopher kept flipping through the pages, his eyes narrowing slightly. "...The auditions should be underway by now."

"That should be the case, unless something unexpected happened." Anne replied matter-of-factly.

"Well, nothing to do but wait." He shut the file with a decisive tap. "Ideally, some of our people will make the shortlist."

Today marked the start of auditions for Regal's next film. A

And this wasn't some minor supporting role - this was for the second lead.

Of all the talent agencies, [ITA] was the only one Regal had personally invited to submit actors in advance. The rest had been left scrambling when the open casting call was announced.

Christopher wasn't about to take that favoritism lightly.

Frankly, he still regretted not securing roles in [Following] when he had the chance. Even the smallest parts in that film had brought recognition to their actors, something exceedingly rare in this industry. A single scene in a critically acclaimed film could do more for a career than years of forgettable projects.

"Make sure our agents overseeing the auditions understand that if a role is offered, they secure it. No second-guessing unless there is a damn good reason not to." His tone left no room for argument.

Right. There was no way he was making the same mistake twice.

There was still time to prepare for the remaining roles, but for now, all eyes were on the second lead. Once Regal sent over the final breakdowns and additional details, his actors could tailor their approach accordingly.

It was an undeniably advantageous position for [ITA].

His relationship with Regal had been good ever since the success of [Following], and Christopher intended to keep it that way.

And why wouldn't he?

Regal had given him three incredibly talented actors …and even turned them into names worth remembering.

It was mutually beneficial to stay on good terms.

Still, Christopher wasn't foolish enough to think that personal ties alone could secure a role. No matter how well they got along now, or in the future, talent was the only thing that truly mattered.

Talent still had to speak for itself. That's how Regal operated.

"Let's just hope it goes well." He smirked faintly. "Apparently, we're not the only ones paying attention to this project. I hear some big names are circling the lead role..."

Anne arched a brow but stayed silent.

….

[Same Time]

….

It was the location where auditions were being conducted.

Once again, Regal had booked the same theater - the very venue where the cast of [Following] had been chosen.

A fitting place. Only - this time, things were different. He had more help, more time, more resources, and, most importantly, real backing - himself.

At the location, a team of four was running the show.

Since it was the first day, the auditions were more like open tryouts, anyone who met the basic criteria from the casting call could walk in and perform.

The available roles were straightforward:

Male: Age range 19–24.

Female: Age range 18–23.

Nothing more, nothing less.

….

Auditions had been running for an hour now.

Regal and Simon sat inside, watching and deciding, while Samantha and Darren managed the crowd outside. Inside, an assistant helped with props and lines.

That was the setup - efficient, streamlined, no unnecessary complications.

Unlike Regal's first film, the turnout this time was massive.

And why wouldn't it be? The requirements alone were enough to pull in a flood of hopefuls - no prior experience needed, no agency backing required, and an absurdly good paycheck.

Then there was the name attached to it.

Not just any director.

A writer and director whose first film had shattered records, becoming the highest-grossing indie debut ever.

And if that wasn't enough, the final push, a budget of 30 to 40 million.

More than enough to turn heads. Even the bigger agencies had taken notice, reaching out and offering their 'special participants.'

Regal's response had been simple - everyone must audition.

No exceptions.

….

Inside the theater, the sixth candidate stood on the small, elevated stage, a rehearsal sheet in hand.

Obviously, he was auditioning for the male role, but beyond that, no other details had been provided.

Even the audition process itself was... unconventional.

"How good are you with sweets?" Regal asked.

The candidate blinked. "...I am cool with them."

"Good. See the cup on the table?" Regal slid a blank sheet of paper forward. "Take a seat and answer our questions while playing with it. Also, you are free to have those candies."

"...Okay."

Regal's eyes followed him closely - the way he sat, how he held the empty coffee cup. Then, Simon took over, asking a series of seemingly random questions - his name, hobbies, past experiences, and expectations.

The whole exchange felt less like an audition and more like an interview aptitude test. After a while-

"Okay." Regal said, tilting his head. "Change how you are sitting. Try crouching."

More requests followed in quick succession.

Finally, after three more minutes, the audition wrapped up.

"Thank you. We will be in touch."

A polite rejection. Despite Regal's masking face, Simon's unimpressed expression was enough to confirm the outcome.

The candidate, now visibly defeated, left the room, and as soon as the door shut behind him, the assistant stepped in, rearranging the props and candies.

Outside, Darren and Samantha kept the process moving, checking names, handing out scripts, preparing the next candidate for the waiting area.

"Next!" Samantha called out.

….

And so, the auditions continued in the same manner, with the same unconventional methods for assessing candidates.

"Can you arrange those chess pieces?"

The confusion on the candidates' faces was constant, but they followed his instructions regardless, sometimes asking hesitant questions, sometimes just doing as told.

Regal watched closely.

The way they held the coffee cup, moved the chess pieces, the slight haze in their gaze, and the laziness in their voice modulation - even something that simple could reveal a lot.

Right now, he was searching for his L.

Stephen Jr. had already been cast - not as L, but as Light.

….

It was break time.

And Simon noticed something unusual… though, at this point, it really wasn't unusual anymore.

Regal was flipping through a stack of papers, his expression oddly focused.

"What's that?" Simon asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Huh? This?" Regal glanced up, a cookie in one hand and a sheet of paper in the other.

"I am trying to learn a new language." He said casually before taking another bite.

Simon stared at him, his face practically spelling out, Seriously?

Regal met his gaze with an expression that read just as clearly - Yep, seriously.

Simon deadpanned. He officially did not care anymore.

Anyway, after a short break, the auditions resumed. Samantha went back to managing the crowd outside, with Darren assisting her.

Another candidate walked in, performed, and left - another rejection.

Samantha called for the next candidate.

Another rejection.

Then… silence.

Regal waited.

And waited.

No one stepped in.

Just then, muffled voices from outside reached his ears. At first, a low murmur - then an escalation. Raised voices, sharp tones cutting through the usual murmuring of the waiting area.

The commotion only grew louder with each passing second.

Regal exhaled, pushing back his chair. "I will check it out."

Simon followed as he opened the door. The moment it was halfway open, the sound, previously dulled by the walls, hit them full force.

"SHUT THE HELL U—!"

….

[Few Minutes Before]

….

The auditions stretched on until lunch.

Outside, the remaining candidates stood around, some chatting, others anxiously waiting. Those who had already auditioned left with mixed reactions, most walking out roughly five to six minutes after entering.

Among them stood a young man with curly black hair, leaning against the wall.

I should be next, right? He wondered, watching a brown-haired guy disappear inside.

It was already noon. In three hours, more than twenty people had gone in, yet over thirty still remained, including him.

At least the audition team had been considerate enough to give them a short break. Some seemed surprised by this, though he wasn't sure if that was unusual.

He didn't know anyone here, and truth be told, he didn't know much about how auditions typically worked.

One thing was clear, he felt out of place.

Everyone around him looked more experienced, their confidence and poise making it seem as if they barely met the role's age criteria. In contrast, he suspected he was probably the youngest one here.

Even now, he still wondered how someone like him had ended up at this audition.

After all, he had just been signed to a major talent agency barely a month ago, fresh out of graduation, with no real experience to his name.

As he thought that alone was a big thing, he was surprised to learn that their head talent manager asked him to attend the audition.

On top of that, the film was being directed by Regal Serephsail - the youngest talent to make his mark in Hollywood.

He just couldn't believ–!

"YOU! What are you doing here?" 

A sudden, all-too-recognizable voice cut through his thoughts.

Eh? His eyes snapped up. Danny Kart - the audition manager.

He recognized the man immediately, but the hostility in his tone threw him off. What does he mean, why am I here?

"I am here for the audition, sir." He answered respectfully.

Danny's expression twisted with a vanemous look. "Are you messing with me? Who gave you permission?"

"...I was told it was from you, sir."

"Me?" Danny's glare darkened before he pulled out his phone, stabbing at the screen.

The call was picked up immediately. No greetings, no pleasantries - just a sharp demand. "Who did you send for the audition?"

The voice on the other end responded, but he couldn't make out the conversation.

Danny's expression, however, only grew more irate.

Then–

"YOU FOOL! IT'S NOT TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET! I ASKED YOU TO INFORM MATTHIEU CHARPENTIER!"

The entire waiting area fell into stunned silence. So much so, over the phone, the apology was audible. ["S-sorry, sir."]

"JUST SHUT UP! I WILL DEAL WITH YOU LATER!" Danny barked before hanging up.

.

….

[To be continued…]

★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★

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