Chapter 15: The Audition Room

Lucas stood in the center of his living room, a script in hand, practicing the lines he had been given for the Red Oak Studios audition. The excitement from the initial meeting had given way to focus and determination. This was his moment, but he knew that the pressure was immense. He couldn't just rely on the high from the meeting—he had to be better, sharper, more prepared than ever.

The character he was auditioning for in the dramatic thriller was one that resonated deeply with Lucas: a man haunted by his past, struggling to reconcile with the people he had hurt. The emotional weight of the role mirrored some of the internal struggles Lucas had faced in his own life, and he was determined to bring that authenticity to the audition.

He ran the scene again, pacing back and forth, throwing himself into the character's mindset. The dialogue was intense, filled with raw emotion, but Lucas felt a strange sense of comfort as he delved deeper into the character's psyche. It was as though every experience, every rejection, every doubt he had ever faced was fueling his performance, making it more genuine, more real.

As he rehearsed, his phone buzzed on the coffee table. He ignored it at first, determined to stay in the zone, but after a few minutes, curiosity got the better of him. He grabbed the phone and saw it was a message from Darren.

"Break a leg at the audition, man. You've got this. Let me know how it goes!"

Lucas smiled. Darren had been one of his biggest supporters on set, and knowing he had people rooting for him made all the difference. He shot back a quick reply.

"Thanks, Darren. I'll give it everything I've got."

He placed the phone back down and returned to the script. There was no time for distractions now. The audition was only a few days away, and every moment counted.

On the day of the audition, Lucas arrived at Red Oak Studios early. The waiting room was filled with actors—some seasoned professionals, others fresh faces like himself, all vying for the same coveted roles. The air was thick with tension, but Lucas focused on staying calm. He had done the work, put in the hours. Now it was time to deliver.

He scanned the room, noticing how each actor carried themselves—some pacing nervously, others sitting quietly, reviewing their lines. Lucas found a spot near the window and took a seat, closing his eyes for a moment to center himself. He knew what these moments felt like—he had been here before, in the uncertain space between opportunity and rejection. But this time, it felt different. He was different.

As he sat there, a woman with a clipboard entered the room. "Lucas Cheng?" she called.

Lucas stood, his heart racing but his expression calm. "That's me."

"Follow me, please," she said, offering a polite smile.

They walked down a long hallway, the sounds of the waiting room fading behind them. The woman led him to a door with a small placard that read Audition Room 3. She opened the door and gestured for Lucas to enter.

Inside, the room was minimalist and quiet. At the far end of the space sat Greg Warner, along with two other people Lucas didn't recognize—likely a director and a producer. They were reviewing papers in front of them but looked up as Lucas walked in. Greg smiled, giving Lucas a nod of acknowledgment.

"Lucas, good to see you," Greg said. "Thank you for coming in."

Lucas returned the smile, though his nerves were simmering beneath the surface. "Thank you for the opportunity."

Greg motioned to the other two seated at the table. "This is Emily Quinn, the director, and Jared Keller, the producer. They'll be watching today."

Emily gave Lucas a friendly smile, while Jared nodded curtly, his expression unreadable.

"We're really looking forward to seeing your take on the character," Emily said, her voice warm and encouraging. "Whenever you're ready, we'll jump right in."

Lucas took a deep breath, nodded, and stepped to the center of the room. The script was familiar in his hands, and as he stood there, the nerves began to melt away. He had prepared for this. He had lived and breathed the character for days. Now, it was time to let it all go and trust in the work.

The scene he was about to perform was a pivotal one—an emotionally charged confrontation between the character and his estranged daughter. The dialogue was raw, full of regret and desperation, and Lucas had spent hours practicing how to bring the right balance of vulnerability and strength to the performance.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, sinking into the character's emotions, and when he opened them, he was no longer Lucas Cheng. He was the man on the edge, fighting for redemption.

The scene unfolded with an intensity that filled the small room. Lucas's voice was steady, but the cracks of emotion bled through in all the right places. His hands shook slightly as he spoke, his eyes wide with the desperation of a man who knew he had lost everything but was still clinging to the faint hope of forgiveness. Each word, each gesture felt real, grounded in the character's pain and guilt.

"I know I wasn't there when you needed me," Lucas said, his voice low and trembling. "I know I failed you. But I'm here now. Please—please let me make it right."

He paused, his eyes searching the imaginary space where his character's daughter would be, his breath hitching in his throat. The silence in the room was deafening, but Lucas held the moment, letting the weight of the unsaid words hang in the air.

When he finally spoke again, his voice cracked with emotion. "I can't take back the past. But I swear, I'll spend the rest of my life trying to be the father you deserved."

The room remained still as Lucas finished the scene, his chest rising and falling with the intensity of the performance. For a few seconds, there was nothing but silence. Then Emily leaned forward, her eyes shining with approval.

"That was incredible," she said softly. "You brought such honesty to the role. I could feel the struggle, the regret—it was all there."

Greg nodded in agreement, a small smile on his face. "I told you he was the real deal."

Jared, the producer, glanced at his notes before looking up at Lucas. His expression was hard to read, but his words were clear. "That was excellent work, Lucas. We'll be in touch."

Lucas exhaled slowly, nodding. "Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity."

As he turned to leave the room, his heart was still racing, but it wasn't fear that filled him now. It was pride. He had given everything in that room—left it all on the table—and now, whatever happened next, he knew he had done his best.

The drive home from Red Oak was a blur of emotions. Lucas's mind was buzzing with everything that had just happened. The intensity of the audition, the feedback from Emily and Greg—it all felt surreal. He had been in that room, vulnerable and exposed, and yet he had thrived. He had delivered the performance he had envisioned, and for the first time in a long time, he felt truly proud of himself.

When he arrived back at his apartment, he collapsed onto the couch, letting the adrenaline slowly fade from his body. He glanced at his phone, half-expecting to see a message from Darren or Rachel, but there was nothing yet. Not that he needed it. He knew in his gut that he had done something special today.

Later that evening, as Lucas sat in the quiet of his apartment, his phone buzzed. He picked it up, his heart skipping a beat when he saw the name on the screen.

Greg Warner.

Lucas took a deep breath and opened the message.

"Lucas, you were incredible today. We're moving you forward to the final round of auditions. We'll be in touch with the details soon, but I wanted to personally congratulate you. You've made quite the impression on everyone here at Red Oak."

Lucas stared at the message, his chest tight with emotion. He had done it. He had made it through the first round.

He set the phone down, leaning back on the couch with a deep sigh of relief. This wasn't the end—not by a long shot—but it was a step. A huge step. And it felt like everything was finally falling into place.

For the first time in years, Lucas felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.