[F.S.T.T.S] [031]

[Chapter 31: Seeker of Stories (III).]

Last Time on Chapter 030 of [From Shadows To The Spotlight] —

She then further added with a frustrated grimace. "Still, can you tell me why the guy whose only claim to fame is Terminator and its sequel is right up there with those two legends? That's some bull****." huff huff

Daniel chuckled softly as Laura leaned into her rant. "It almost feels like a PR stunt," she continued, "something to hype up audiences for this Titanic movie the media won't shut up about."

Now Continuing —

With a fond smile on his face, Daniel gently placed his hands on her shoulders, careful not to move her suddenly as it might aggravate her injury. He then began to lightly massage her to calm her down.

"If Alex thinks so highly of James, then there has to be a reason behind it," he said. "I know Alex. He isn't one to lie for something that unimportant."

"Wait," Laura said, her expression shifting. "You're telling me the bit about his father—his family—that was… real?"

"You picked up on that?" Daniel asked, a bit surprised.

"Hey, I can be discerning when I want to be," she shot back, a hint of pride in her voice.

Daniel grinned, his fingers snaking down her back. "You absolutely can, Mrs. Castillo."

"No flirting, mister," she quipped with a mock glare, making his arms immediately halt their movement. "We both know where that leads."

"I wouldn't mind going there," Daniel said, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Laura shook her head gently. "But I would. I'm sorry, Danny, but it still hurts whenever I make any sudden moves."

"Please don't apologize, baby," Daniel said, his voice soft and full of regret. "I should've been more considerate with everything you've been going through after the accident."

"Hey!" Laura interjected, her tone turning playful again. "I am not made of glass ya know I'll be fine."

"Will you, though? All alone at home, having to look after Ems? I can stay if y-" Daniel tried to speak up as he was worried about his wife.

"Danny, I've almost completely recovered." But she interjected again, not wanting to cause her husband to take time off. It was because Alex was a kind boss who didn't hound Dan constantly for new stories and results. It had been some time since he brought in a new work.

"Don't tell me you plan on wrangling this new author all the way from across the pond, and how exactly do you plan to go about performing this miracle?"

"No, I was not planning on performing a miracle… though now that you mention it, I do need to figure out how to go about this. But I still can't help but worry about you, honey."

"How about this?" she offered. "I'll call Sarah to keep me company while you're gone. She'll make sure I'm fine if anything happens."

"Don't even joke about that," Daniel replied quickly. "And also, please keep my sister away from Emily. Sarah's not exactly the best role model for her."

Laura laughed softly. "Alright, alright, I'll try. Now, tell me—how are you planning to make contact with this author?"

"Probably the usual route," Daniel said, leaning back against the headboard. "I'll start with the publisher. Bloomsbury was their name, I think. A small in-house publisher that's on the rise and expanding after suddenly exploding with the success of their latest release."

"Is it the one for which you're seeking them out?" She was intrigued wanting to know if the book he was seeking them out for was the reason for their sudden rise and expansion.

"Yep, the very same. I'll see if they can arrange a meeting with the author or at least provide me with her contact information. If that doesn't work, I'll figure something else out."

Laura rested her head against his shoulder, her voice growing soft. "You really think this story could go somewhere?"

Daniel paused, considering her question. His mind drifted briefly to Emily and the way her eyes lit up when she shared her thoughts on the story. "I do," and after some pondering, he said at last. "It's got all the makings of something timeless. And if an unknown author can pull this off on her first try… well, that's worth looking into."

Laura smiled and closed her eyes. "Then I guess you've got your next adventure, Seeker of Stories."

He chuckled fondly at the title, wrapping an arm around her. The title had been something that Alex had jokingly bestowed upon him, and while it had initially seemed ridiculous, but over the years, it had started to feel fitting.

Finding the stories that would capture hearts and imaginations wasn't just a job for him anymore—it was a calling. And as he drifted off to sleep that night, his thoughts were filled with possibilities of what this young British author might bring to the world of cinema.

A young woman by the name of J.K. Rowling.

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Alternative Title - [Chapter 31: The Boy Who Lived.]

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~The Next Morning~ 

Daniel Castillo calmly sat in his favorite armchair with a cup of hot tea cooling on the side table, as he reached the final chapter of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Alex's interview from last night was on pause on the TV before him; unfortunately, he fell asleep right before the final question, the answer to which his wife had only described as heartwarming.

It had piqued his interest, so here he was on a Sunday afternoon, finishing up the second installment in the Harry Potter book series before he would resume the interview.

He was saving it for the last as a treat for his "hard work". Though to him, he hadn't worked a single day in his life, as he loved his work and treated it more like a hobby than a regular 9-to-5.

The living room was bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun filtering through the curtains. His brow furrowed as his eyes swept across the last lines. Gently closing the book, he leaned back, letting out a contemplative breath.

"That was… quite something," he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with a mixture of admiration and mild reservation.

Daniel was a man who prided himself on his ability to analyze a story from multiple perspectives—its themes, pacing, character development, and world-building. It was a skill honed over years of reading everything from obscure novellas to global bestsellers in his search for stories that could be translated into captivating films.

And he hadn't just confined his search to books; long back he had understood the fallacy of his methods if he only confined his search to books. Then he would only find stories that found a mouthpiece or a person who was willing to write them down. Alex had once told him the amount of stories that are put to paper is only a fraction of the amount that resides in the minds of humans. 

This book had managed to draw him in, much like its predecessor, yet there were slight cracks he couldn't ignore. The narrative was solid, the tension palpable, and the mystery satisfying. But certain plot points felt overly convenient, and he had noticed a missed opportunity or two in expanding the richness of the magical world.

Yet, as his thoughts returned to Emily's delighted face whenever she talked about the book, his small criticisms seemed trivial. To her, the series was nothing short of magical, and he couldn't deny its appeal, especially to children and teenagers.

Daniel picked up a notepad from the table, jotting down quick thoughts:

Strengths: Engaging plot, lovable characters, compelling mystery.

Weaknesses: Some pacing issues. Could do with more exploration of the magical lore.

Setting the notepad aside, he glanced at the wall clock. It was nearing the time for supper, but first, he just had one last thing to take care of before he could watch Alex's interview in peace.

He retrieved the contact information for Bloomsbury Publishing, tucked neatly in the folder he'd been keeping since finishing the first book. Reaching for the phone, he dialed the number he had been saving for this moment.

The call was brief but productive. After being transferred twice, he was put through to a polite yet guarded representative who listened carefully as Daniel introduced himself as a representative of Alex Masters Productions.

He explained his interest in the Harry Potter series and expressed a desire to meet with the author.

The response was predictably cautious. Bloomsbury had good reason to be protective. Accepting Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone back in 1997 had been a bold move for the young, independent publishing house.

No one could have predicted that within a year, the first two books would sell nearly a million copies worldwide, transforming both the company and the author into overnight sensations, at least in British literary circles.

After some negotiation, the representative agreed to relay his request to meet J.K. Rowling. However, there was a condition: Bloomsbury insisted on being present at any such meeting to safeguard their interests.

Daniel agreed without hesitation, knowing the value of diplomacy in such matters.

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~The Finale of Alex's Interview~

The screen faded back in as Margaret Ross, seated across from Alex Masters, leaned forward with a warm smile.

"Alex, thank you for sharing those incredible stories about your early career. Here is my final question for you; it's something I'm sure our viewers are curious about. What's the one film that has had the most profound impact on your life?"

Upon hearing the question, Alex's expression softened as he leaned back in his chair. His eyes, which moments before had been sharp and full of charisma, took on a far-off, reflective gaze, as if the question had transported him to another time and place.

"There are two answers to that question," Alex finally said after a brief moment of silence, his voice quieter than before. "The first is Star Wars: A New Hope."

Margaret's brow lifted slightly, intrigued. She asked to elaborate further; having tested the waters, she knew that he was in the mood to share and would most likely answer freely.

"A classic, of course. But why that one?"

Alex's gaze turned downward briefly, and when he looked back up, there was a shadow of something deeply personal in his eyes. "Something.. bad had happened in my.. family around that time. Something terrible. It was—" He paused, searching for the right words, "—a time of despair."

"I didn't know what was happening, why it was happening, or how to even deal with it. I felt like I was drowning in emotions I couldn't even name."

Margaret's expression softened with sympathy, but she didn't interrupt. The room seemed to hold its breath as Alex continued.

"Then one day, my mom… she took me and my sisters to see this new sci-fi movie that everyone was talking about. And for two hours, sitting in that dark theater, something amazing happened."

"I just forgot... all that pain, the sadness, the confusion—it all just.. disappeared. For those two hours, I was transported to another galaxy, where heroes fought evil, where hope mattered, and where anything seemed possible."

Margaret's voice was gentle. "That must have been an incredible escape."

Alex nodded slowly. "It wasn't just an escape. It was a lifeline. I decided that day, sitting in that theater, that I wanted to be a part of creating something like that. I wanted to make people feel what I felt at that moment."

"Within the next few months, I… well, I dropped out of school, and somehow, through luck and sheer will, I found myself working on the set of Jaws 2. It was the beginning of everything."

Margaret's eyes glistened slightly as she smiled. "Thank you for sharing that, Alex. I can imagine how hard it must have been to revisit those memories, but it's such a powerful testament to the impact of storytelling."

Alex offered a faint smile of gratitude but didn't dwell on the moment. He seemed to know when to pivot. So did Marge, who quickly moved on.

"And the second movie?" Margaret asked, her tone lighter now.

"The second," Alex said, his eyes regaining their spark, "is Jurassic Park."

Margaret's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Well, now that makes sense. After all, it was the first movie to ever cross a billion dollars at the box office, and it was yours."

Alex shook his head modestly, his tone humble, his lines practiced and smooth as if he had done it hundreds of times. "It wasn't mine. It was the product of a collaborative effort—Studio MONARCH, Universal Studios, and, of course, Steven Spielberg."

"I was just fortunate enough to be a part of it. But for me, it wasn't the record-breaking box office numbers that made it one of the most impactful in my life. But rather, it was what we were able to accomplish with that movie."

Margaret tilted her head slightly, curiosity etched on her face. "And what was that?"

"We created something that had never been done before," Alex explained, leaning forward slightly. "The seamless integration of CGI and practical effects to such a grand scale that we successfully… brought dinosaurs to life on the big screen."

"It opened up a whole new world of possibilities. For years, I'd been hesitant to pursue certain ideas—sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural stories—because of how difficult they were to pull off convincingly."

"But after Jurassic Park, I realized that the only limits were the ones we imposed on ourselves. It changed everything for me."

Margaret's eyes lit up with realization. "Is that why MONARCH's filmography has shifted so much in recent years? All those groundbreaking fantasy and sci-fi projects… were they inspired by what you learned during Jurassic Park?"

Alex nodded. "Absolutely. That film showed me what was possible. And now?" He paused, a small smile playing on his lips. "Now I'm working on something in the high fantasy genre. It's a passion project of mine, and I think it's going to be something really special."

Margaret leaned forward slightly, sensing a tantalizing hint of something bigger. "And after that? What's next for Alex Masters?"

Alex's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with excitement and mischief. "Let's just say it's a series of films that can only be described as a child's dream come true. Something truly marvelous and magical."

Margaret chuckled, shaking her head. "You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"Not yet," Alex replied, his tone teasing. "But trust me, it'll be worth the wait."

Margaret laughed softly, recognizing the game he was playing. "Fair enough. So, when can we expect to see this high fantasy project you've been working on?"

Alex's expression softened as he replied, "If we are able to stick to our schedule and aren't hindered by any mishaps, then it'll probably be out sometime in the summer next year. We're pouring everything we have into it."

Margaret smiled warmly. "Well, if it's anything like your other works, I'm sure it'll be extraordinary. Thank you, Alex, for giving us a glimpse into your journey and your vision."

Alex inclined his head, his humility shining through despite his larger-than-life persona. "Thank you, Margaret. It's always a pleasure."

The screen faded to black as the interview concluded, leaving Margaret's words and Alex's inspiring story resonating deeply with viewers everywhere.

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~After the interview~

Alex got into the car and was met with his head secretary, who was in charge of keeping track of his daily itinerary and ensuring that he met all his planned goals and quotas in an orderly fashion.

"Hey, Donna, was the "marvelous" at the end a little too on the nose?" He chuckled at the easter egg he threw in at the end.

"Alex, if you're asking me if someone will be able to figure out that you're working on the setting up of a superhero movie, especially one from Marvel. Then my answer would be yes, but not the ones you're worried about; I don't think they will be finding out about it, at least not this soon."

— To be Continued...

{2,602 words}

{TRL: Anyways, this is the new Hollywood story that has been bouncing around in my head. I really need to get this out, so here's another chapter.

Please comment your thoughts on how the auditions went, and also which MCU characters do you want to see auditions for.

If anyone guessed Marvel then you would be correct. I would really appreciate any feedback you have for me in the comments.

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Yes, free. If you're interested you'll find the link in the Author's thoughts section or just google TheRamenLord and Patreon.

If you like my work and would like to support me then by becoming a paid member you read from 10 to 20 chapters ahead of the public release depending on tier you purchase.