Chapter 224: How To Choke Everyone In One Go
A cold reading was another form of audition, meant to see how well actors could handle unexpected situations and new material. It was like a final filter for the director, the casting director, and the production team to confirm whether their choices were right.
As the actors sat around the long table with Director Sarian and the production team, Lola lingered in the corner. Sitting with them wouldn’t have been a problem, but she preferred the sidelines. Her brows knitted as she scanned the table.
"Where are those two?" she muttered, eyeing Simon in his spot around the table and then Manager Kang across the room. Tilting her head slightly, her brow arched. "They should be here too, right?"
Lola rubbed her chin, darting her eyes across the room in case Pixy and Megan were just late. After all, the reading focused mostly on the main cast’s dialogue. She had seen Manager Kang and Simon previously, but not Megan and Pixy. Still, she hadn’t thought much of it until now.
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the manager.
"Did he... not tell them they got the role?" she muttered to herself, tapping her foot.
After a moment, Lola pushed herself up and quietly walked along the corner of the room until she reached where Ida was standing.
"Hey," she called softly, making Ida turn toward her. "Ida, I think a few actors are missing. Are they not scheduled for the reading?"
"You mean... Megan and Pixy?" Ida clarified, as they were the only ones absent. "Apparently, there’s a scheduling conflict. So, even if they wanted to, they can’t take the parts."
Lola scoffed. "A conflict in schedule?"
"Mhm," Ida nodded. "Their manager told me beforehand."
Lola instinctively turned toward Manager Kang. "A conflict in schedule, huh?"
What schedule? As far as she knew, those two didn’t have anything—no other roles, no commitments!
"Why?" Ida’s quiet question drew her attention. "Lola, I’ve been meaning to ask—why invite those two at all? I get that you think they fit the role, but after what they did to you... isn’t that enough reason to reconsider?"
"That’s true, but..." Lola trailed off, smacking her lips as a wide smile spread across her face. "...like I said, I’m fair and square. Ida, do you have their contact numbers?"
"Hmm?" Ida furrowed her brows. "I do, but why do you need them?"
"Hehe. Just want to make sure with them."
Ida tilted her head, thinking it over. After a moment, she shrugged. "I guess it’s fine... even though their manager already explained the reason."
Finding replacements would be a hassle, even though they already have people in mind. If Lola could persuade them, it would be better because, despite the incident on the first day, Megan and Pixy were talented artists. So, she sent their numbers to Lola.
"Sweet! Thanks!" Lola winked and didn’t hesitate to leave.
But as she walked along the side, she flinched when a loud noise echoed through the hall.
SLAM!
Instinctively, Lola ducked her head before turning to the sound. It came from Director Sarian.
"Simon, what are you doing?!" the director shouted. "Your lines are too simple, yet you can’t even deliver them properly? What’s wrong with you?!"
Simon opened and closed his mouth, eyes darting around at everyone staring back at him. When his gaze landed on Cedrick, all he saw was that plain, emotionless look plastered on the man’s face.
It’s because of him, he thought. He’s messing with me.
Cedrick sat directly across from him, making Simon uncomfortable. Simon had come for Ryker’s role, confident he would get it, only to be slapped by the reality that his expectation wouldn’t materialize.
"I’m... I’m sorry," Simon breathed through gritted teeth, only to catch sight of a figure past Cedrick.
There, in the corner, was Lola, tiptoeing like a thief trying not to be noticed. An idea crossed his mind. He glanced at the other actors and saw a few of them sneaking looks in Lola’s direction.
Simon whipped his head toward Director Sarian. "I’m sorry, Director. It’s just that I was surprised when I saw Taz over there," he pointed at Lola, and naturally, everyone turned.
Director Sarian glanced at Lola. His face twitched. He had spoken to her earlier and didn’t mind the outfit. But a sudden glance at her now? She was genuinely distracting, moving around the room like a spirit.
I suddenly feel like I can’t defend her right now.
"Lola Young, I know you’re the creator and part of the production, but shouldn’t you stay in the corner?" Manager Kang intoned, seizing the opportunity to shift blame onto her. "Can’t you see you’re distracting everyone with that outfit?!"
Lola’s thought bubble filled with question marks. She pointed at herself, then at Manager Kang, then at everyone around the table.
"Why am I suddenly being blamed for someone else’s bull—"
"Have you not seen yourself in the mirror?!" Manager Kang’s voice thundered as he rose from his seat, pointing at her. "Look at yourself! You’re distracting the actors because of that outfit and because you’re moving around like a dead spirit!"
Lola’s face twisted in exasperation, shooting Director Sarian a look. Even he seemed unwilling to defend her. Ida winced, giving her an apologetic glance, and the crew looked equally helpless.
True or not, she was distracting. She looked like a tiny villain toddler in oversized boots.
"It’s just the reading, but you’re already distracting everyone!" Manager Kang continued. "What about when filming starts?! Or what about once Slater joined everyone!?"
Everyone exchanged looks and, to some extent, agreed. Then they turned to Director Sarian, glancing at Lola once more.
"With all due respect, I think Manager Kang is right," one actor finally spoke. Like Simon, he had been messing up because Lola had been seated behind him. "I respect Taz, but the costume seems unnecessary."
"Can’t she wear something proper?" another murmured. "Or at least lighten the makeup."
"Although I think Manager Kang is a little bit too much, it’s true that I heard Slater hates to see ugly things." Another one whispered. "And that right there is..."
Lola pouted, rubbing her chin. "I already lightened it for everyone," she muttered dejectedly. "Also, if I removed it entirely, you’d complain even more because then my real beauty would distract you!"
If there were a way to choke an entire room, Lola had just found it. Her words just made everyone catch their breath, except for a few who secretly agreed.