[H:F.S.T.T.S] [052]

[Chapter 52. A Master-Class & A Golden Opportunity.]

Last Time on Chapter 051 of [From Shadows To The Spotlight] —

Andrew blinked, genuinely caught off guard by the shift. "Wait—what?"

Malin let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Never mind. Just… don't run away from me again, okay?"

The room went still.

Ravi let the silence linger for a few beats before clearing his throat. "Alright, that's good. That's really good."

Now Continuing –

Malin blinked, as if snapping out of a trance. "Oh! Uh, thanks."

Andrew sat back, a slow grin spreading across his face. "That was… really nice. You had me totally caught up in it."

Ravi scribbled a note: Natural presence. Chemistry with Andrew is strong. A little raw, but nothing that can't be polished. High Potential.

As Malin stepped back, Ravi knew it.

She wasn't the best actress that had walked in today—there were others with more refined technique, more training, more polished delivery.

But she had something else. A natural energy, an effortless charm. She felt like Mary Jane, even when she wasn't speaking.

And that? That was something special.

Something that couldn't be taught or learnt. He knew that Alex would see what he was seeing in her as well.

And with her being so young, it would be easier for them to lock her in as MJ for years to come and she would be thankful for it as they would be the ones to give her, her first break and make her a household name at that.

Ravi exchanged a glance with Andrew, who was still smiling slightly.

"Alright," Ravi said, leaning back. "That'll be all for today, Malin. We'll be in touch."

Malin let out a breath, beaming. "Thank you so much for the opportunity."

She gave them a polite nod before making her way out, closing the door softly behind her.

The room fell into a thoughtful silence.

Andrew let out a low whistle. "She's got something, doesn't she?"

Ravi exhaled, tapping his pen against the table. "Yeah. She does. Kinda like you." He glanced at the notes he'd written throughout the day, mentally weighing his options.

"She's still rough around the edges. Less experienced than some of the others. But again like you.. looking at her just feels like I'm seeing MJ."

"I've heard that Alex is a master at bringing out the best in young actors," Andrew pointed out.

Ravi smirked. "That he is."

He drummed his fingers on the table. "If Alex picks her, we'll send her through an accelerated program of the Master Class like you."

Andrew's brows lifted. "The program he started a few years back?"

"Yeah. Originally it was just an acting course, but now it's expanded—directing, stunt choreography, cinematography, even prop design."

"He started it as a way to give veteran actors who weren't getting work anymore a chance to teach the next generation." Ravi smiled slightly.

"A lot of people who went through it have gone on to do amazing things. If she gets the role, she'll be in good hands."

Andrew nodded, looking thoughtful. "So, what now?"

Ravi stretched, closing his notebook with a decisive thud. "Now?" He glanced at the clock. "Now we get some sleep. And tomorrow morning with a fresh look at the tapes I'll draw up a shortlist and then it will be up to Alex to make the final call."

"How are classes, I don't think your parents were to happy to hear about your acting gig." He asked the young man, curious to hear about how that went.

"They weren't, my agent probably thought the money might sway them, but they're quite comfortable."

"It was actually my incessant begging that got them to finally agree to me being an actor." Andrew explained with embarrassed smile as he chuckled at the memory.

"Was it the job or the industry?"

"I.. they aren't too keen on me falling into the bad social circles of this place." Andrew carefully worded his reply, he knew that MONARCH had a stellar track record with such things but it never hurt to be careful.

"That's very wise of them. You'd be smart to stay away from the vices of the degenerates that pollute this industry and make a mockery of it young man." Ravi sincerely advised him to stay clear of these people and coping habits.

Andrew made a mental note to keep the wise words in mind, as Mr. Bhatt's assistant was organizing the files for the final round of auditions. He decided to ask a question he was curious about, "When will Alex see them? When will be called in next?"

"Tomorrow... evening probably." Ravi replied. "He wants to finalize MJ quickly so we can start chemistry tests with Peter–You."

"And what about Gwen?"

Ravi smiled, leaning forward to review Reese Witherspoon's notes. "Gwen.. Reese is my top choice for that role. She's got the spark, the intelligence, and the kind of presence we need for that her and I'm confident Alex will see it too."

Andrew raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Do you think she'll steal the show? She is one of Peter's longest standing love interests beside MJ."

"Possibly," Ravi said with a grin. "And I think Alex would be okay with that. Gwen is pivotal in her own right. She's not just a supporting character—she's integral to the world we're building."

He closed Reese's file and added it to the shortlist, making a mental note to emphasize her strengths during tomorrow's meeting.

As the casting team wrapped up for the day, Ravi reflected on the monumental task ahead. This wasn't just about casting one film—it was about setting the stage for a trilogy that would redefine superhero movies.

Alex had made it clear from the start: this wasn't just a project; it was a foundation for something bigger. The plan was ambitious. The first Spider-Man movie would release in 1998, with the sequels following closely in 2000.

Filming all the movies for the MCU back-to-back was a bold move, but it allowed Alex to maintain continuity and dive deeper into the characters' arcs.

Ravi glanced at the clock. Other casting directors were working on characters like Norman Osborn, Aunt May, and J. Jonah Jameson. Each role was a piece of the puzzle, and every actor chosen had to fit seamlessly into Alex's vision.

He thought about the high expectations and the pressure that came with being part of this project.

Yet, despite the weight of it all, he felt a thrill of excitement. The pieces were falling into place, and soon, they would create something extraordinary.

"Let's call it a day," Ravi said, standing and stretching. "Tomorrow's going to be even busier."

As the team began packing up, Ravi couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. They were on the brink of something groundbreaking, and he knew they had assembled a cast that would make it unforgettable.

Tomorrow, the final decisions would be made. And with Alex's keen eye guiding the process, Ravi was confident they were building a legacy that would stand the test of time.

---------

~Over two months later~

~The Hollywood Tribune, LA~

~Linda Carver's POV~

Linda adjusted the collar of her blouse, smoothing out invisible wrinkles as she walked toward Mr. Thatcher's office.

It had been months—long, grueling months—since she had been cast down from her throne as The Hollywood Tribune's chief editor. 

Demoted, humiliated, left to toil in obscurity.

No more exclusive interviews, no red carpet access, no breaking news stories with her name at the top.

Just the slow grind of writing uncredited filler articles and chasing scraps left behind by reporters who now looked at her with the same wary distance one would reserve for a disgraced public figure.

She had learned the hard way that no other reputable media house would touch her after the scandal she had helped Langston orchestrate against Alex Masters.

Despite her sincere apology, and attempts to look for other media houses no one wanted to hire a journalist who had been so thoroughly exposed for spreading malicious, fabricated claims against one of the most respected figures in Hollywood.

And so, she stayed.

She worked.

She endured.

With every article, she rebuilt herself—carefully, meticulously. The old Linda Carver had thrived on sensation, on pushing narratives without caution, on weaving scandal even when the truth wasn't clear. That Linda had believed she was untouchable.

The new Linda? She had learned the consequences of arrogance.

She still pursued controversy—that much hadn't changed. But now, every story she wrote was backed by due diligence, by airtight sources, by words so carefully chosen that no one could hold her accountable.

Once bitten, twice shy.

But despite all her efforts, the power and prestige she once wielded had vanished.

That was why Mr. Thatcher's sudden summons had sent a jolt of hope through her. Was this it? Had she finally done enough?

She knocked once, then stepped inside his office.

---------

Mr. Thatcher was a sharp-eyed man, the kind who spoke in careful, deliberate tones that made it clear he did not waste words. He gestured for her to sit without looking up from a file he was flipping through.

She obeyed, hands folded in her lap, waiting.

Finally, he set the file down and clasped his hands together. "You've been working hard."

Linda straightened, pulse quickening. "Yes, sir."

"You've spent the past few months making yourself useful," he continued, his voice devoid of praise, merely stating facts. "Your coverage on Warner and Disney has been relentless. Your evidence against Langston, particularly, has pleased the right people."

Her breath caught. The right people?

Mr. Thatcher's lips twitched, almost as if he found something amusing. "And because of that… you've earned yourself a reward."

Linda schooled her expression, forcing herself not to appear too eager. "What reward would that be?"

Inside, she was hoping—no, expecting—something to put herself back on the map.

Would it be an exclusive interview, or access to a major press event, or maybe even the coveted screening of a anticipated blockbuster.

Anything that would remind Hollywood that Linda Carver was still in the game.

Mr. Thatcher's gaze locked onto hers. "You'll be attending the internal press screening of Alex Masters' new film."

For a second, Linda thought she had misheard him.

Then, her heart stopped.

What?

Her composure wavered for the first time in months. That was an invitation-only event. The kind of screening that only select insiders, trusted industry professionals, and critics got to see before the general press had a sniff at it.

She wasn't just being allowed to attend any screening.

She was being sent into Alex Masters' domain.

Which meant—he had allowed it. 

There was no way Mr. Thatcher would risk offending Alex by sending her otherwise.

Linda forced her voice to remain steady. "Are you saying that Alex… that someone from his team… requested my presence?"

Mr. Thatcher did not confirm nor deny. His fingers drummed against his desk. "Let's just say that the man who holds your career in his hands has taken notice of your efforts."

A slow, creeping realization settled into her bones. He's testing me.

That had to be it.

Alex Masters—who had every reason to despise her—wasn't throwing her a bone. He was watching, waiting to see if she would slip up again or if she had learned her lesson.

A part of her bristled at the thought, but another part, the rational part, knew that this was an opportunity.

A golden opportunity.

She had spent months in exile. This was her chance to step back into the spotlight from the shadows.

Linda Carver may not have been the same ruthless woman she once was, but she was still ambitious.

She stood up, smoothing her blouse, meeting Mr. Thatcher's gaze with a quiet determination. "I understand, sir."

"Do you?" He leaned back, a shadow of amusement in his eyes. "See that you do. You'll only get one shot at this, Carver. Don't waste it."

Linda nodded. "I won't let you down, sir."

Thatcher nodded and then went back to reading the report on his desk, she picked up on the non-verbal dismissal and politely bowed slightly before taking her leave.

---------

As she left Mr. Thatcher's office, a rush of emotions threatened to overtake her.

Excitement. Apprehension. Determination.

For the first time in months, she had been given a real assignment—one that mattered.

And not just any assignment.

It was a front-row seat to Alex Masters' directorial debut.

The film that had the entire industry in whispers, wrapped in secrecy, its production details known only to a trusted few.

She would be among the first few to see it.

Linda swallowed.

She would be stepping into a room where Alex Masters allowed her to be.

She would not take that for granted.

Whatever was waiting for her at that screening—whether it was a test, a challenge, or simply another step towards reclaiming her place—she would be ready.

And for the first time in a long while, the fire of ambition burned bright once more within her heart.

--------

Linda Carver wasn't new to exclusivity. She had attended elite Hollywood parties, attended red carpet events, and even rubbed shoulders with industry giants. Yet, as she stepped onto the private jet bound for New Zealand, she knew—this was going to be quite different.

This wasn't just another premiere.

This was more of a handpicked gathering of Hollywood elites, it was an invitation-only event where only those Alex Masters trusted were allowed to witness his magnum opus before the rest of the world.

And she still found difficult to wrap her head around was that she, Linda Carver, was one of them.

Even after all these years covering Hollywood's biggest stories, she had never seen a studio go to such lengths for secrecy. No one—not even the most seasoned insiders—knew much about it.

Its production had been shrouded in mystery, its set locked down tighter than a government facility.

The few details that had emerged only heightened the anticipation. It was rumored that Masters had not just filmed one movie—he had actually filmed an entire trilogy at once.

It was rumored that the production budget of the films was above 300 million dollars, an absurd figure that she might've dismissed before.

But now she chose to believe, it was an undertaking so ambitious, so audacious, that even the most hardened industry veterans whispered about it with a mix of admiration and disbelief.

As the jet lifted off, Linda took in her surroundings.

It wasn't just critics and journalists on board.

Steven Spielberg leaned back in a leather seat, deep in conversation with George Lucas. Across the aisle, James Cameron, ever the perfectionist, scrolled through notes on his laptop, likely comparing Masters' feat to his own Titanic-scale productions.

Actors—legends in their own right—were scattered throughout, some chatting, others simply taking in the luxury of the experience. Linda spotted Robert Downey Jr. laughing with Jim Carrey, while Tom Hanks and River Phoenix spoke in hushed tones near the bar.

The air buzzed with an unspoken energy.

No one here had any idea what they were about to see.

And that was the most exciting part.

– To be continued...

{2,463 words}

TRL: 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.

Also would you like to read ahead? You can do so for free up to 3 chapters ahead of the public release on my Patreon page as Free Member.

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 20 to 25 chapters ahead of the public release depending on tier you purchase.}