Chapter 14: Into the Unknown

The day of Lucas's meeting with Red Oak Studios had finally arrived. He stood in front of the mirror in his apartment, adjusting his collar for what felt like the hundredth time. His nerves were running high, but beneath them was a current of excitement. This meeting wasn't just about potential roles—it was about everything he had been working toward since the beginning.

He took a deep breath, staring at his reflection. His face looked more focused than it had in years, the uncertainty that had once clouded his eyes replaced with a steely determination. Today could change everything.

His phone buzzed on the counter, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was a message from Mia, his friend on set, who had become a constant source of encouragement throughout the filming process.

"Good luck today! You've got this."

Lucas smiled at the message, grateful for the support. He had told only a handful of people about the meeting, wanting to keep things low-key until he knew more. But those who knew had been cheering him on from the sidelines, their confidence in him helping to keep his doubts at bay.

He grabbed his jacket, gave himself one last glance in the mirror, and headed out the door.

Red Oak Studios was located in one of the sleekest parts of the city, its towering glass building a symbol of Hollywood's power and influence. As Lucas approached the entrance, the weight of the moment hit him fully. This was a place where careers were made and futures were shaped. For years, he had imagined what it would be like to walk through these doors, to be in the same rooms where some of the biggest decisions in the industry were made. And now, here he was.

The lobby was vast and modern, with high ceilings and minimalist décor. The people who moved through the space looked like they belonged there—stylishly dressed, confidently striding from one important meeting to the next. Lucas took a deep breath, steadying himself as he approached the reception desk.

"Hi, I have a meeting with Greg Warner," he said, his voice steady but firm.

The receptionist, a poised woman with sharp features, smiled politely as she checked her schedule. "Ah, yes. Mr. Cheng. He's expecting you. Please head up to the 12th floor. They'll take you from there."

Lucas thanked her and made his way to the elevators, his heart pounding in his chest. The ride up felt both quick and endless, the anticipation growing with each passing second. When the doors finally opened, a young assistant was waiting for him.

"Lucas, right? Greg's ready for you. Follow me," the assistant said with a friendly smile.

As they walked through the halls, Lucas couldn't help but take in the sleek, professional atmosphere. Everything about the place screamed success, from the polished floors to the framed posters of blockbuster films lining the walls. This was where the magic happened—the behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped careers and built legacies.

Finally, they reached a large conference room where Greg Warner, the casting director, was seated. He was a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and an air of authority, but there was a warmth in his smile that immediately put Lucas at ease.

"Lucas, it's a pleasure to meet you," Greg said, standing to shake his hand. "I've been hearing great things about your work."

"Thank you," Lucas replied, his voice steady despite the nerves. "I'm honored to be here."

"Please, sit," Greg said, gesturing to the seat across from him. "Let's get into it."

As Lucas sat down, Greg wasted no time diving into the reason for the meeting.

"I've had my eye on your performance in your current film, and from what I've seen and heard, you've got a lot of potential. Red Oak is always on the lookout for fresh talent, and I think you'd be a great fit for some upcoming projects we have in development," Greg explained, his tone professional yet encouraging.

Lucas's heart raced. This was it. The moment he had been waiting for.

"We're currently in pre-production for a few different films, and we're looking for actors who can bring depth and emotional range to the roles. From what I've seen in your performance as Mark, I think you'd be perfect for a couple of these projects," Greg continued, sliding a few papers across the table toward Lucas. "These are outlines of the roles we're considering you for. Have a look."

Lucas took the papers, his hands trembling slightly as he read through the descriptions. The first role was for a dramatic thriller, a character-driven story about a man grappling with his past mistakes and the consequences that follow. The second was a more action-oriented role, with heavy emotional undertones, set in a dystopian future. Both were significant roles, and both seemed tailored for the kind of performance Lucas had been honing over the last few months.

"These are incredible," Lucas said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm honestly blown away that you're considering me for these."

Greg smiled. "You've earned it, Lucas. You've shown us what you can do, and we're confident you have what it takes to bring these characters to life. Of course, nothing is set in stone yet—we're still in the early stages of casting—but I wanted to get you in the room early and let you know that you're on our radar."

Lucas nodded, trying to contain his excitement. This was more than he could have hoped for. The thought of working with a studio like Red Oak on projects of this scale felt like a dream.

"We'll be holding formal auditions in the next few weeks," Greg continued, "and I'd like you to prepare for both of these roles. The competition will be tough, but I'm confident you'll stand out."

Lucas could hardly believe what he was hearing. This wasn't just a meeting—it was a chance to audition for roles that could catapult his career to the next level.

"I'll be ready," Lucas said, his voice filled with determination. "Thank you so much for this opportunity."

Greg stood, offering his hand again. "I look forward to seeing what you bring to the table. Stay in touch with my office, and we'll set up your audition times."

As Lucas shook his hand, the reality of the moment finally hit him. He was in the game now—really in it.

On the drive home, Lucas's mind raced with a thousand thoughts. The weight of the meeting pressed down on him, not in a bad way, but in the way that signified how much everything was about to change. He had spent so long on the outside, fighting for every small role, every opportunity, and now he was standing on the edge of something bigger than he had ever imagined.

When he got back to his apartment, he immediately called Rachel. She picked up on the second ring, her voice bright and excited.

"Lucas! How did it go?"

Lucas grinned, the excitement bubbling over. "It went amazing, Rachel. They want me to audition for two major roles in their next films. I can't believe this is happening."

Rachel laughed, the sound filled with pride. "I knew it! I knew this was going to happen for you. I'm so proud of you, Lucas. This is huge."

"I still can't believe it," Lucas admitted. "But I feel ready for it. For the first time, I actually feel like I can handle this."

"You can, Lucas. You've been preparing for this moment for years, even when you didn't know it. You've got the talent, and now the world is starting to see it. This is just the beginning."

Her words filled Lucas with a deep sense of confidence. This wasn't just a dream anymore. It was real, and it was happening.

As they wrapped up the call, Lucas sat in silence for a moment, letting everything sink in. He had worked so hard to get here, and now, he was finally seeing the fruits of his labor. The future was wide open, full of possibility. And for the first time, Lucas didn't feel scared.

He felt ready.