Waking Up in Hollywood

Allen woke to the sound of knocking. For a moment, he lay still, eyes bleary and unfocused as he stared at the ceiling. The softness of a mattress beneath him was a strange sensation, one that tugged at the edges of his memory like a dream slipping away. Wasn't I… somewhere else?

Another knock—louder this time.

"Allen, rent's due in two weeks! A thousand bucks, remember? You don't pay, you're out!"

The voice was gruff and impatient, pulling Allen fully out of his daze. He shot upright, rubbing his face. The room around him slowly came into focus. He was in an apartment—small, cluttered, but livable. Sunlight streamed through thin curtains, casting a hazy glow over a cheap coffee table and a threadbare couch. An old guitar leaned against the wall in the corner, and a few cardboard boxes sat half-open, their contents haphazardly strewn around.

"California?" Allen muttered, the word tumbling out before he could stop it. The memories hit him all at once—the encounter with the god, the blinding light, the promise of a second chance. He'd been reborn. But this wasn't some glamorous start. No, this was real. Tangible.

The knocking stopped, and Allen heard footsteps retreating down the hallway. Rent. A thousand dollars. In two weeks. The reality of his situation sank in quickly. He'd been given a new life, but the challenges hadn't magically disappeared. He still needed to survive, and to do that, he needed money.

Swinging his legs off the bed, Allen stood up, running a hand through his messy hair. His eyes scanned the room again, this time with a sharper focus. On a small table near the door, he spotted a pile of cash—$500. Not nearly enough to cover rent, but it was something. Next to the cash was a cheap phone, probably a prepaid one. He picked it up, the screen flickering to life with a generic wallpaper.

No contacts. No apps. Nothing to indicate who he was or where to start. Then, his gaze shifted to the guitar resting in the corner, and a small smile tugged at his lips. He knew that guitar. He knew how to play.

The knock at the door and the mention of rent had already planted his first goal firmly in his mind. He needed to get $1,000 fast. And maybe, just maybe, that guitar could help him.

Allen crossed the room and picked up the instrument, the wood familiar under his fingers. He strummed it lightly, the strings vibrating in a way that sent a ripple of nostalgia through him. He hadn't played in a long time, not since... his old life. His mind drifted back to late nights in his crummy apartment, playing to distract himself from the silence, from the endless grind of his dead-end job.

But this time, things were different. This time, he had a chance. He had a system.

The thought sparked a memory of what the god Phanes had told him. The system would guide him, help him succeed in this new life. But how did it work? He sat back down on the bed, the guitar resting across his lap, and closed his eyes, concentrating. He didn't know exactly what he was doing, but something inside him clicked, like opening a door in his mind.

SYSTEM ACTIVATED

The words appeared before his eyes in glowing, translucent letters. He blinked, startled, but it felt natural, as if it had always been there, waiting for him to access it. A moment later, a screen materialized in his vision, displaying a series of stats and attributes:

Allen Rice

Vocal Talent: 6

Songwriting: 5

Appearance: 6

Charisma: 4

Intelligence: 7

Each attribute had a scale next to it, marked from 1 to 10, with 10 being the peak. His stats weren't terrible, but they weren't impressive either. He was a 6 at best in most categories—just above average. The number that stood out the most was Charisma, sitting at a 4. It made sense. He'd never been the most charming or confident person.

But that's what the system was for. It wasn't just a tracker of his abilities—it was a tool to help him improve. As if in response to his thoughts, the screen shifted, and a new section appeared, labeled Quests. A small notification blinked at the top.

New Quest: First Step into the Spotlight

Objective: Perform live at a local venue

Reward: 250 Showbiz Points, 100 Dollars

Time Limit: 1 Week

Allen stared at the words, his heart pounding. A live performance? He hadn't performed in front of anyone in years. The idea of it sent a nervous jolt through him, but he didn't have much of a choice. The quest was clear, and the reward—$100—was the first step toward paying his rent. Plus, the Showbiz Points seemed important, though he wasn't sure exactly how they worked yet.

The system seemed to anticipate his curiosity. Another screen popped up, explaining the basics:

Showbiz Points are earned by completing quests and can be used to improve skills, purchase equipment, or unlock new opportunities in the entertainment industry. Your rise to stardom will be measured not just by money, but by the accumulation of these points, which reflect your growing presence in the industry.

The explanation was short, but it told him enough. Showbiz Points were crucial, and the system would help him along the way. It wouldn't be easy, but with this system, he had a fighting chance.

Allen let out a long breath, setting the guitar aside for a moment as he considered his next move. One week to find a venue, get a gig, and perform in front of an audience. He didn't know anything about the local music scene, but he could figure it out.

He grabbed the phone and scrolled through the empty contacts. No help there. He'd have to start from scratch. Maybe there were some bars or clubs nearby that hosted open mic nights. It was a long shot, but it was all he had right now.

Setting the phone down, Allen picked up the guitar again, letting his fingers dance over the strings as he played a slow, melancholic tune. Music had always been his escape, but now it was his lifeline.

"Alright," he muttered to himself. "Let's see what you've got, Hollywood."

His mind began to race, thinking of ways to find his first gig. He'd have to push past the fear, past the doubt that crept in at the edges. This was his chance, his only chance, and he wasn't going to waste it.

The system had laid out the path, but it was up to him to take the first step.