Page 132 of Out of the Gold

But this isn’t Broadway. And it’s aboutherfather. Remaining seated, I push back from the table.

Sam seizes the moment. “Chase, I haven’t read the script yet, but I have high hopes for this movie. They’ve hired the writers fromBohemian Rhapsody, so you know this is going to be big. Not thatDoctor Manipul8isn’t a huge franchise, but this one movie could redefine your career.”

His last words stump me. “Redefine it?”

“Yes. You’ve played leading man roles, from romantic comedies to a superhero. This part will rocket you into superstar status. Your paydays will more than double. More. Than. Double.”

My heart skips a beat. “It’s all about the money with you, isn’t it?”

“You know that isn’t true, Chase. I want what’s best for you, for all of my clients.” His eyes dart from me to his interns, and back to me. “I want your career to continue to grow.”

I rub my hands together. Here’s my chance. “I’ve lost several movie roles lately to younger actors.”

He picks up a pen. “That’s true. But don’t you see? Playing Braxton Hunte will give you what you’ve been looking for. Respectability.”

“Respect,” I choke out.

“Don’t think I don’t know why you wanted that role on Broadway. You lost a couple of roles and were seeing the end of your career in front of you. You naturally thought if you got a job on Broadway, you’d be able to extend that. This movie will do that for you without having to deal with the grind of Broadway. Believe me, I’ve had several clients go that route, only to come back to me begging for a movie. I don’t want to see that happen to you.”

Absorbing what he said, I grab my water and take a sip. And another. “You’ve had clients do Broadway, only to return to movies?”

“I didn’t say that. What I said was I had clients go off to do a play or a musical or something and come back looking for a movie. I succeeded about half the time, and most only got supporting roles moving forward.”

“But you have had exceptions?”

He scribbles something down onto his notepad. “I have.” He sighs. “But they had gotten their start on Broadway before hitting it big in the movies. They are the ones who can switch between the two genres without taking a hit.”

“And I started in movies.”

“Exactly.”

My hand clenches around the water bottle. This role is going to be amazing, and it could launch my career in a different direction, the way I thought going to Broadway would. “Do you really think playing Brax would open up more doors for me?”

“I can’t say for certain, as I’m sure you’re aware. You can never truly predict how things shake out in this business. But if past is prologue, the movie will be a huge hit and will propel you to get bigger and better roles.”

I roll my chair back under the table. Movies. I know how to make them. I’m comfortable in front of the cameras. CGI is my friend. I can act in an ensemble or with only one other person on the screen. It takes me away from home for months at a time, but that’s not an issue for me. I can hook up with whoever on set and leave her when it’s over. My life yawns ahead of me.

“What about Netflix? I’ve been hearing good things about that studio.”

“So have I. In fact, I’ve been getting info from them and Amazon Prime Video. Those roles usually have more meat to them.”

I nod. Picking up the contract again, I read it more thoroughly.

Sam’s intern interrupts. “I think this role will be great for you, Chase. I’ve Googled Hunte and read about their career. I bet the script will be fantastic.”

I tip my head at her enthusiasm. “I do have one major problem, though. I can’t sing like him.”

Sam waves his hand. “They’ll overdub your voice. No one really can sing like Braxton.”

My head slams against the back of my chair. He’s addressed all of my possible objections. All except one. How do I feel about playing my ex-girlfriend’s father? My stomach constricts.

I look at the young woman. “If you’ll please excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

As I make my way to the men’s room, my heart rate picks up. Thankfully, I’m the only one in here. It takes me a few deep breaths to get my breathing back to normal.

Can I do this? Can I play him, knowing that he’s Melody’s father? Myex-girlfriend. Who I desperately want back, but know she’d rather design an entire wardrobe for my sister than spare one word for me. I stare into the mirror.Get a grip, man.She’s just one woman in a long string of them.

So what that I let my guard down with her? Fat lot of good that gave me. She turned my innermost feelings against me.

---