Chapter 30

Most importantly, was that Airic had no idea that Drala had sent this, as he focused on memorising the script while being supremely uncomfortable reading it. As such, this incident disappeared quietly.

****

Airic spent the next few days trying to read the script without crying and then practice for the role. It was the hardest thing to date that Airic had to overcome, as it almost physically hurt him to read such an ill-formatted script. He also had headaches quite frequently while trying to decipher what the screenwriter had in mind for each of the scenes he tried to memorise.

During this time, Drala went in and out of the mansion, recommending advertisements, variety shows and other public appearances.

However, every time that Airic read the proposal or watched an example of their usual standards, he baulked and refused to participate. It got so bad that at one point, Airic fed up with both the script and Drala's nagging, exploded. Airic said that he (Drala) had recommended absolutely shite programmes. The shouts had attracted the attention of the bodyguards, and thus, they were witness to Drala's humiliation. The next day, Airic apologised profusely for losing his temper and explained that it was due to frustration caused by understanding the script.

Ostensibly, Drala accepted his apology.

Following that conversation, the air between them seemed more open as Drala provided more support to Airic. Not to mention, that Airic would also consult more with Drala- as he understood the market of this interstellar age.

In other news, while Airic struggled to finish the script, he went on the trending page for his decision to pursue acting so quickly.

*****

Preparations towards the audition continued until the day of the audition. Airic had memorised all his lines and found similar clothes to the character in the script.

At first, the company was not confident with his acting skills due to reports by Drala however, as their relationship improved so did the write-ups.

As a result of such glowing remarks, they were all drunk with joy as they remembered his music capabilities. As such, Lunario scheduled a meeting to hear the results of the audition. The executives also ordered Drala to provide updates on the outcomes of the tryout, which he accepted happily.

Not just the company execs, but also the rest of the net were waiting with bated breath over his performance. During the time leading up to the day, there were arguments over his acting ability, with most people saying that he should stay with music.

Airic was unaware of the commotion headed to the site provided by the film crew for the tryout.

The venue, a rather expensive looking hotel, was filled with various stars from various races. Some of whom reminded Airic of the fantasy creatures he had read about growing up. Notwithstanding the mermaids from earlier on, there were also pixie-like beings, nagas, and even a centaur. Others looked human but with various traits betraying their race, like the Aerion race who could shift into both a human form and a bird form and the Braxtas, who was said to have no fixed genders as birth and could change their sex at will as shapeshifters. Then there were the completely unknown races whom he never thought could exist like the Smaug, who was made from various gases and needed a special suit to leave their home planet.

It was quite a turnout, as anyone who was anyone was here.

Drala was afraid that Airic would think that the line up was too dazzling and regularly looked at him to keep him positive. Airic felt touched as he watched Drala try his best to keep his mind off the A-listers he was competing with, but also felt that with their acting skils he need not be afraid. His pride shone on his face briefly, as well as his disdain, and he hoped it was unnoticed.

However, a paparazzi agent took a photo while lying in wait for the celebrities. Either to make a mistake or to manufacture one for them.

The photograph showed Airic looking down on the A-list stars as well as the pride flowing from his eyes. The look of someone feeling superior to his peers. Unaware that he had captured such a picture, the paparazzi continued clicking to capture as many people as possible.

This media frenzy continued until the opening of the doors to the audition hall.

Once Airic stepped in, he looked disinterested in the expensive splendour of the golden hotel. In his view, it was gaudy compared to the 5-stars on Earth, unaware that gold in this era is not worth as much as it was on Earth. Due to technology, it was easy for scientists to manufacture more gold as such, it was a decorative metal like iron to them. There was no need to gold plate items as it was more reasonable to have it made from gold.

While it was beautiful, he saw it as a waste of gold as the wallpaper was 100% gold as advertised and proven online.

Once the auditions started, he watched the cringe-worthy acting and the looks of approval and amazement for the skills showcased. He did not know how to feel when watching this spectacle. Eventually, it was his turn.

Airic performed like he was really in front of a camera, putting his all into every move and word. He finished and looked at the suddenly quiet room and the dumbfounded looks at his form. He felt awkward, wondering if his acting was too good for them after the previous showings.

Then he heard it, applause.

The standing ovation from both the judges and, some of the actors remaining, as they clapped for his performance. They were all impressed with how he pulled them in. The scene they were watching was tragic, and, he made them all want to comfort him, which, amazed all of them. Even Drala was stunned speechless.

Director Grahn was ecstatic as he welcomed him into the crew. However, just as they were negotiating the contract, someone uploaded a video about Airic on the web.

It showed Airic adamantly refusing to act in director Ohn's new drama, a hint of disdain on his face as he looked at the script. The replies came pouring in like a tsunami as everyone and, their mother went online to scold Airic for daring to look down on director Ohn. It was like a bloodbath occurred in a shark-infested pool, as the paparazzi and other agencies tried to scramble for news. It was at this point the photo of Airic taken earlier by the agent outside the hotel surfaced. It showed Airic looking down on everyone from the angle and the expression on his face. It sent the fans of the people there into another frenzy.

At this point, the people inside were still unaware of the storm outside.

Then, the various assistants who were online delivered the news one-by-one, till only the director was left uninformed. This, was until the assistant director saw the news too and shared it with director Grahn, then everyone but Drala and Airic saw the articles. The looks on their faces changed from admiration to disgust.

Drala and Airic were both rather discerning and were able to pick up on the hostile air. Then, Drala noticed that he had several missed calls from the company and dread crept up his spine. As he called back, he was nervous and was greeted immediately with a roar from the Artiste Director.

After having the situation spelt out for, him he looked forlorn as he repeated the incident to Airic.

Once he looked at the rest of the room, he realised that he was in trouble as no one looked happy to see him. Then he asked:

"I'm not getting the role now am I?"

"No, no you are not." replied the director, face cold.

"Very well then, shall I go now?"

"Please do."

The two left the room and the hotel swiftly and were ambushed by the press outside the door. There were questions thrown into the air continually as they competed to ask their questions. Putting both arms up in a gesture for silence, Airic stated that he would answer two questions only.

The first came swiftly, from a blonde reporter with pink roots: "You turned down the script directed by direcotr Ohn, did you do so due to looking down on director Ohn or was there another reason?"

"No I do not look down on him, as I respect him for his works," he began, people were putting down the anger in their chests, but then he continued. "what I looked down on was the script. It is an awful piece with very little substance." he said.

An uproar erupted online as people became enraged.

The second came after the uproar had somewhat settled. A different reporter asked about the picture posted alongside the news, of him looking down on the actors.

"To be honest, it's not them I looked down on, but their acting skills. I don't say that just because I think that I am the best, I think that because I watched almost all their films and I felt no emotions from their characters. In my opinion, an actor is someone who brings a character to life to tell their story and entertains the audience. When watching their films, I felt none of that. As an individual, they may be better than me but, as an actor, I dare say that I am the best." he declared with confidence.

Again, the internet exploded as everyone wished they could beat Airic up for his bold statements. They almost wanted to climb through the light screen and eat his flesh and drink his blood.

*********

After his interview, he went back to the company, where he got a tongue-lashing concerning his behaviour. He was to be grounded for a year and would receive no jobs or gigs, etc.

As he sat at home, he decided to take some directing classes or scriptwriting courses to bring back the classics lost to time, and prove that he was right.