6

I understand. The fans will just be glad you made an appearance. Thanks again for doing this," Patrick says.

Dean leaves through the theater door. As it swings closed, you hear the chatter of a room full of people. Patrick paces at the edge of the room, and the two security guards stand on opposite sides of him, silent and massive like twin cemetery statues. From behind, the back door leading outside shakes, and you jump from the sudden noise. I could really use a drink.

Through the theater door, the muffled voice of the manager echoes through a loudspeaker. Patrick waves you over.

"Listen, Paramount sent over some talking points: high production value, loads of action sequences, still a family-friendly film." Patrick reads from his phone screen and pushes the theater door open. A murmur of voices spills through the opening. "Also, mention you did your own stunts. Oh, and the local high school baseball team, the Chipmunks, just won a regional title."

The bodyguards step through the door, and you walk into the theater to a rising crescendo of applause. A group of teenagers in the front stand and whistle. Smartphone lights flash in the darkened theater like a sea of night stars. Patrick hands you a pile of movie t-shirts, and you toss them out to the crowd of moviegoers as you walk over to the center of the large theater. You smile and wave and move on back to the blank screen, where a microphone stand and Dean await.

"Hello, Chipper Ridge," you say, and the cheers intensify and drown out your voice over the speakers. You wave your hand in a downward motion, and the noise in the room dulls. "It's great to be here. I appreciate you letting me introduce the film. We worked hard on this project. You're going to see things in this movie you never saw before. It's intense and action-packed. So enjoy and have fun.

Along the side aisle, a staff member waves Dean over, her hand fluttering fast like she's putting out a fire.

"Can I have a t-shirt too?" a young boy calls out from the middle of the theater.

"Everyone is getting a free t-shirt. Right, Patrick?" You turn to your agent, who gives you a thumbs-up.

Out of the corner of your eye, you watch Dean and the young staff member. Dean's face turns sour, as if upset by whatever news she just delivered. He rubs the back of his neck and walks toward you at a quick pace.

"Looks like the manager wants to…" you begin, but Dean snatches the microphone and faces the crowd.

"Sorry everyone, but we have to suspend the film," Dean states in a cold tone. He glances at you, his face perfectly pale. "In the lobby, well…there's a disturbance, some kind of riot, and we feel it's safest to hold the movie and be ready to evacuate. Everyone should remain calm…"

And with that, chaos ensues.