CH36
Life is a repetition of success and failure, and the difference in life depends on how greatly one succeeds and minimizes failures.
These are the words often uttered by a homeless person who lost everything to coin gambling.
'The master before me seemed like someone who had lost everything due to a single mistake.'
"…Do you think it's going to fail?"
He had grown tired of hearing how much people wanted to work with him, but it was the first time someone had said they thought it would fail.
And that too, from a child actor.
Gavin managed to keep his emotions in check and asked,
"Why would you say that? Without even checking properly."
Ian flipped through the papers he was holding.
A storyboard that briefly introduced the movie and the scenes to be shot in comic form was revealed.
It was precious information that should not be leaked, too generous to be just a birthday gift. Gratefully, he spoke honestly,
"If the movie we were shooting was just a simple action movie, I would have definitely wanted to shoot it. But you're saying the enemy in this movie is not human, but an extraterrestrial life form, right?"
"That's right."
"Then it's a kind of creature feature, which falls under a subgenre of horror."
It can be considered doomed from the start if one is too scared even to watch zombie movies.
"Well, I intended to portray aliens that are close to humans."
"Then, is there a need for the enemy to be an extraterrestrial life form? Because of their inhumane actions? You could just make a Middle Eastern terrorist wielding Aladdin's magic lamp the enemy. They're not very humane either."
Creators should not skimp on asking why.
If the enemy was chosen to be an extraterrestrial life form, it must show why hunters are motivated to act against their very existence.
"It needs to feel threatening and scary enough to think that coexistence with humans would be difficult. But Director… your standards for feeling scared seem too low."
When Ian indirectly called him a phasmophobic, Gavin flinched and defensively said,
"Movies aren't made alone. If something is lacking, someone else will point it out."
"Sure, they might. But if the Director says it's fine, everyone else will probably keep their mouths shut."
It's rare to find someone who wouldn't bend their opinion in front of Gavin, a director and producer with an overwhelming reputation.
Ian, with his mouth shut, seriously said to Gavin,
"You know everything I've said, don't you, Director?"
Would a director called a master not know what has been said so far? Impossible.
He simply ignored the unfavorable truth, and there must be another reason for uncharacteristically making the movie.
There was an anticipated reason.
"Did you notice somewhere that you're a phasmophobic?"
"…How did you know?"
The only reason to challenge a creature feature, which is not his main genre, is just that.
Ian carefully handed back the paper to Gavin. Despite saying it would fail, a master is still a master.
The storyboard alone showed that the action scenes were decent.
Especially the explosion scenes.
As if to prove he wasn't an explosion fanatic, the storyboard was particularly well-crafted.
Anyway, his skills hadn't deteriorated to the point of becoming an old man in the back room as he knew in the future.
"Even if it's revealed that you're a phasmophobic, you'll just be teased. Some might even feel more affectionate and like it. But."
"But?"
"If the movie fails because you're a phasmophobic, people will mock and criticize."
Just like the future, he knew.
If being a phasmophobic had been merely a gossip, it wouldn't have become so widely known.
Aliens that aren't scary at all and action scenes that faded because of it.
As the movie was ridiculed for being suitable for children and failed, journalists sought the cause and even reached the secret Gavin had been hiding.
The reason the master ruined the movie is that he's phasmophobic. How sensational.
A single mistake cost him almost everything, even the life of a director.
"You need courage, Director. You know that, right?"
The courage to reveal being a phasmophobic or the courage to overcome fear.
The choice was up to Gavin himself.
Ian, advising with a serious attitude, smiled brightly at him.
"I appreciate you taking the time for my birthday. I was happy with the gift you gave."
"…It's nice of you to say that. I felt like I received a gift myself. Have a great birthday."
As Gavin, who seemed lost in thought, left, Ian returned inside, and the kids crowded around him.
"What did you talk about with Director Davis? Huh?"
"Was it about casting? It seemed like you were exchanging something, but you don't have anything in your hands."
"It's nothing. He said he'd give me an allowance, but I said it was okay."
"Really?"
Despite such an excuse, the suspicious looks didn't fade, and he resorted to the last method.
He pointed at Ben, who was making a meaningful expression as if he knew something.
"Yeah, it's true. I could even stake Ben Roberts' honor on it."
"Hey, you're staking my honor?!"
"Well, what's the point? It's practically worthless anyway."
It's unclear when he started living so honorably to act so pricey.
Ian whispered to the annoyed Ben.
"I heard the kids and Rachel are going to sleep over at our house today. So, Ayla will be going home alone, right?"
Ben, about to complain, paused and then smiled brightly.
"If it's you, I can trust my honor with you anytime."
"Make sure you do well. Last time you only held hands, right?"
"Don't worry. Who do you think I am?"
Ben Roberts? A pitiful person who gets excited over holding hands, not even a fresh youth.
Ian, clicking his tongue at Ben's previous endeavor, frowned as Larry brought over a box he thought was well hidden.
"Wow, there's so much to play with! What should we start with?"
The core of an American elementary school birthday party isn't the food but the activities.
It's not about setting a table so full it breaks but about playing until the kids' limbs nearly break.
This is what a birthday party host must be prepared for.
Ian, pulling out a large water gun from the box, declared solemnly,
"Alright. Bring it on."
Let's see who falls first today.
***
"…I'm dying."
Is his body getting better? If he was knocked down just by playing with 4 kids, maybe it was all just an illusion.
Ian, sprawled out in the living room with the kids under a blanket, was called by a small voice.
"Ian, are you not sleeping?"
"Rachel?"
As he lifted his head, he saw Rachel, whom he thought had fallen asleep first, looking at him.
"Are you still awake? Is it because the sleeping place is unfamiliar?"
"It's not that. It's not uncomfortable at all. Can we talk upstairs for a moment?"
"Let's do that."
Since it seemed she waited until the kids were asleep to make this request, Ian gladly got up.
As they went up to the rooftop terrace, the cool breeze made him feel awake.
"It's nice."
At this late hour, with everyone asleep, and the stars unusually visible tonight, Rachel hummed.
On a rhythm where the joyful groove of R&B could be felt, she tapped on the railing as if it were an instrument.
In a brief moment, a wonderful piece was born.
Under the night sky, this performance allowed even ordinary people to glimpse her genius.
Lost in the music for a moment, Rachel turned to Ian.
"I had a lot of fun today. I haven't had such an exciting time with my peers."
"There will be many more days like this."
It was almost a promise.
The time spent playfully squabbling with friends over a water gun fight was the ordinary life Ian had longed for after losing his family.
"But as much as it was fun, it was also unsettling. To realize that there are so many people who know the good in Ian and that you've made many memories without me. It's pathetic, isn't it?"
"Being jealous is normal. There's nothing pathetic about it."
"Is it also normal to dislike that your first kiss was with Dorothy?"
First kiss.
In Ian's life, it was a name of no value.
'When was my first kiss? Probably then.'
It was when someone had said they would give money to homeless women for kissing his dreadful face.
The first person to step forward among those who would rather starve than do it was his first kiss partner. The memory of them vigorously wiping their lips afterward is still vivid.
Honestly, he still thought, what's the big deal about a first kiss?
"Why? Afraid we might grow apart?"
A slight nod.
How much courage and turmoil were mixed in that small movement? It's clear just by looking at those tightly shut eyes.
'What am I to Rachel?'
First friend, someone to admire, or someone she likes.
He couldn't be sure of the exact emotion. He only knew what would happen if he ignored the courage she had mustered.
'Given her personality, she'd hide. Maybe it would be hard to meet again.'
It wasn't romantic affection. At most, it was like looking at a cute younger sibling.
But it wasn't a relationship light enough to be indifferent if it ended. Pondering what to do, Ian smiled lightly.
'What am I even worrying about?'
Talking about a first kiss sounds profound, but at best, it's a peck between elementary schoolers. He's been to bed with a woman, so what's the big deal?
Ian leaned in.
A brief contact of skin.
The girl's eyes widened.
"Oh, uh. What?!"
"Are you okay? Nothing's ruined, right?"
"I'm fine!"
Asking with a smile, the girl with a flushed face hurried down the stairs.
Relieved she didn't get hurt on her way down, Ian touched his lips where warmth was shared.
"It didn't make my heart race or anything."
He felt a bit disappointed. Experiencing the fresh emotions of a first kiss could have helped with acting.
'No, maybe it's a good thing I didn't feel it.
Considering his mental age, getting flustered would be more dangerous.
"Still, this time was better."
The scent of strawberry-flavored toothpaste was much better than the harsh smell of alcohol from that day.
Leaving behind this newfound realization, Ian headed to his room on the second floor, while sounds of embarrassed pacing echoed from the first floor.
***
Gavin slowly flipped through the papers on the table.
Scenarios, storyboards in production, documents on budget and distribution deals. Pre-production work is done before the production phase.
"It's going to fail?"
He murmured the words he heard.
No one who had seen the work had ever said that. If they knew of his current dilemma, they'd probably tease him for being swayed by a single child actor's words.
With the biggest hurdle, the investment, already secured, he could simply ignore it.
"I know too. That it can't go on like this."
Yes, the sincere concerns that had been dismissed as mere pre-production jitters were unveiled through Ian's words.
"It might not fail."
It wasn't that he had been lax in his preparations for this unfamiliar challenge. As always, he had done his best, and what lay ahead was the result.
Even so, he doubted it would fail miserably, but neither did it seem like it would turn out to be a satisfying work.
"Should I just give it up?"
Even this wasn't an easy decision. Investments had been received, and staff members had willingly joined, ready to collaborate.
Giving up or continuing with the production, neither option was easy.
After much deliberation, Gavin picked up the phone.
-Eh, Director Davis? What's the matter?
"Ben, can you talk right now?"
-Of course. Is this about your next project?
"That's correct, but it's not about your casting."
Ben Roberts was included in the audition list, but actor casting wasn't the priority at the moment.
-Then what is it?
"You said you're close to Ian Pryce, right? What kind of kid is he from your perspective?"
-Ian, huh?
Sensing that a casual response wouldn't suffice, Ben took a moment before replying.
-He's not childlike and quite mature. It's easier if you just treat him as an adult. Oh, and he seems to have a good sense too.
"Sense?"
-You know, catching a thief, saving a child. It was all over the news. He played a role in exposing Herman's sexual misconduct too.
Considering the listed incidents, Gavin couldn't help but think the kid was extraordinary.
"So, what do you think about getting help from him?"
-Help?
Ben chuckled.
-If you can get it, you should. I've received help from him too.
"Is that so? Thanks."
After expressing his gratitude, Gavin quickly ended the call.
It would have been tricky if Ben had probed further about what kind of help he intended to seek.
Gavin organized his thoughts before dialing again.
"Ian?"
***
-Aaaargh!
A zombie rushed forward and bit off a survivor's arm.
In a room filled with the sound of splattering blood and chilling screams, a young voice noted,
"So, that scene was edited like that."
Crunch!
"Aah!"
A survivor's neck snapped at an unnatural angle, eliciting a scream.
"Oh, the screams are quite vivid."
Or was it? Perhaps it was Gavin's scream.
Ian and Gavin.
Their secret project had begun.
TL/n -
Phasmophobia = Fear of ghosts and the supernatural