Lord of Entertainment

Chapter 90: Blondie

(Arthur POV)

It's been two days since I started auditions, but I'm still searching for actors to play Blondie, Angel Eyes, and Tuco.

I'm aiming to cast a half-demon, half-human as Blondie to make the story more believable. While I bought "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" from the System's Entertainment Shop, I've been adapting the script to fit this world's history.

There's actual record of demons working as bounty hunters in Empirica's past, though most were half-human, half-demon rather than pure demons.

For Angel Eyes, the outlaw, I'm looking to cast an elf. Despite elves' reputation for being peaceful, many rebelled and migrated to Empirica when it was still developing, especially on the west coast.

During Empirica's Frontier Age, many elves reportedly became outlaws.

It makes sense for an elf outlaw to play the "bad" character.

As for the "ugly" bandit, I plan to cast a dwarf.

This time, I won't be acting in the film. With my new {Cinematic Vision} ability, I want to focus solely on directing.

So far, no luck finding anyone suitable for the lead roles. Then, in struts Damien Darkflame—sauntering into the audition studio like he owns the place, demanding to be cast as the lead.

"Hold up," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral. "If you want the lead, you'll need to audition like everyone else. That means getting in line."

Damien's face contorted with indignation. "Are you out of your mind?" He jabbed a thumb at his chest. "I'm Damien Darkflame! A demon superstar! I'm doing your little movie a favor by even considering it, and you have the gall to reject me?"

I stared at him, momentarily lost for words. Beside me, Klein and the others shifted uncomfortably.

Klein leaned in, whispering urgently, "Boss, what do we do? Damien's still a big name in the industry. An A-lister."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "A-list in the demon realm, maybe." I shook my head. "Firfel, Shafel, even Imkrag have already left him in the dust—not just here, but globally."

Klein fell silent, digesting this.

Damien, growing impatient, pressed on. "Well? What's it gonna be? I don't have all day to waste on this. Am I in or not?"

I met his gaze, my expression hardening. "No," I said firmly. "Back of the line. Everyone gets a fair shot here. Being... well, you, doesn't buy you any special treatment."

Damien's face flushed with anger as he continued to argue. I'd had enough. With a subtle nod, I signaled the fiend demon security to escort him out.

As Damien was led away, still protesting, I turned back to the waiting hopefuls. "Right, let's get this audition back on track."

***

(3rd Person POV)

{Morningstar, Soul City}

At the Snake Agency office, an imp demon regarded the actor before him with indifference. "I'm sorry, but I really can't find a role for you, Clint."

Clint, a half-human, half-demon, looked worse for wear. His appearance spoke volumes - sleepless nights and missed meals evident in his haggard face.

"You're my agent, Ralph... Can't you find something for me? I'm really struggling here. Haven't eaten in days." Clint's voice was thin and weary, his exhaustion palpable.

Ralph shrugged, unmoved. "Sorry, Clint. Not much I can do. Why don't you look for other jobs while waiting for your big break?" His tone was flat, devoid of sympathy.

Clint sighed heavily. "I can't... I've been job hunting for weeks. The few who hired me paid peanuts. It's not enough to live on..."

"I really can't do anything for you, Clint," Ralph repeated, shrugging again. "You've gotta hang in there and keep looking."

After a moment of silence, Clint perked up. "Wait - what about that project you mentioned? The exiled prince's new film?"

Ralph grabbed a nearby newspaper. "Oh, this?" He snorted. "I don't think you stand a chance there, Clint."

He pointed at the headline. "Look, even Damien Darkflame got the cold shoulder from the ex-prince. Damien lined up to audition and was rejected outright!"

Clint fell silent, eyes scanning the headline and grainy photos.

"You don't have any luck there," Ralph shook his head, lighting a cigarette. "No way Arthur would be interested in you."

Clint knew Ralph was probably right. But after leaving Snake Agency, he set off for Ferland City anyway.

Ralph might be right, but Clint figured taking a chance beat waiting for a big break that would likely never come.

He was well aware that Snake Agency and Ralph were stringing him along, dangling false hope. Two months of waiting, and not even a minor role had come his way through them.

***

(Arthur POV)

The audition's been running for a week now. I've managed to cast an elf named Levi Hayes for the outlaw, and for "the ugly," I picked a dwarf who's just the right mix of scary and, well, ugly.

My {Cinematic Vision} skill's been a godsend in spotting the right actors for each role.

But "Blondie"? That's been a tough nut to crack. A few caught my eye, but {Cinematic Vision} told me they just wouldn't cut it in the role.

I was starting to think I'd have to play Blondie myself when this actor shows up to audition.

Clint Foster, he calls himself.

Funny thing is, Clint's got a bit of a young Clint Eastwood look about him - same hair, eyes, and nose. But looks aren't everything. What matters is if he can pull off the role.

I can see the hunger in his eyes, the desperation in his demeanor. Guy's clearly been through the wringer.

"Action," I call out.

Clint starts his scene, and I watch with interest. As the audition wraps up, I find myself nodding in approval.

My {Cinematic Vision} kicked in, showing me flashes of Clint in various scenes, nailing the role. After a moment's consideration, my fingers tapping rhythmically on the arm of my chair, I made my decision. This Clint guy was our Blondie.

***

(3rd Person POV)

Clint watched Arthur's expression, his heart in his throat. The silence from Arthur and the casting crew felt deafening.

He needed this role. Desperately.

"Did... Did I do okay?" Clint's voice came out as a hoarse whisper.

Arthur's smile caught everyone off guard. "Looks like we've found our lead," he announced, surprising not just Clint, but everyone at the audition, including the actors still waiting in line.

***

Arthur's film project had been under intense scrutiny from the start. The media had been circling like vultures, especially after the incident with Damien Darkflame.

They'd had a field day reporting on how the famous actor had been escorted out, forced to line up, only to be rejected.

So when news broke that some unknown actor had snagged the role Damien had coveted, the media pounced. Headlines screamed across papers and news sites: "Unknown Face Steals Role from Damien Darkflame!"

When Damien caught wind of this, his reaction was explosive. In a fit of rage, he hurled a fireball at his agency's table and tossed a chair at his hapless manager.

Naturally, Damien's meltdown became its own scandal, plastered across the media, further tarnishing his already bruised reputation.

***

(Clint Foster POV)

I'm still reeling. Me, landing the lead role of "Blondie"? It's surreal.

My agent's words echo in my head: "You don't have any luck there. No way Arthur would be interested in you." Yet here I am, having done the so-called impossible.

And as if that wasn't enough, ex-prince Arthur drops another bombshell. He's offering me a contract with his "Hellfire Agency."

"Clint Foster," he says, eyeing me thoughtfully. "Your profile says you're with Snake Agency..." He pauses, then adds, "How about joining my agency instead? I'll offer you an upfront payment of forty thousand dollars."

I nearly choke on my drink. Forty... Forty fucking thousand dollars?!

Without missing a beat, I blurt out, "I'm in!" The enthusiasm in my voice surprises even me.

It's a no-brainer, really. My current agency, my agent? They couldn't care less about me. So why not go with an agency that's willing to put forty grand on the table?

This feels like a dream. But if it is, I sure as hell don't want to wake up.