Rise To Stardom - Chapter 111

Chapter 111: Hello. I’m The Curator.
A fairly wide room, one with enough space to fit about thirty people comfortably, was where Jon was now currently leading Kyle and Oliver towards.

It was where Kyle’s private screening was going to happen.

There was also a camera which was expertly situated at the corner of the room, one which was set up to capture the audition of every actor whom had gone through a screening.

However, before all three reached their destination via the elevator, two other individuals were already seated in the room.

“Hmmm…” Barry Goodman, the Producer which had worked with Jon Quentin previously during the glory days of [The Curator], hummed in thought as he watched a video tape on the laptop.

His dirty-brown hair, which already had streaks of gray in them, was styled in a Caesar cut and his dark brown eyes, which reflected the video he was watching, was one of concern.

Currently in his mid-fifties, the man with a fairly average build, let out an inward sigh as he glanced over to his right and thought;

‘Jon, we might have to use an older actor eventually…’

The video tape, one which contained a compilation of all the auditions of the actors whom had been handpicked by Jon himself for the role, made one thing very clear to Barry.

They were going to have a hard time picking an actor who would be filling the shoes of the titular time traveler.

Not because most of them had knocked their acting out of the park but more because, most, didn’t even seem to want to put in any effort into bagging the role.

Sure Barry understood that acting in a TV show whose appeal had been slowly declining over the years didn’t sound very enticing to young actors whom were trying to elevate their career but then again, he couldn’t blame them.

At the same time, he was certain that most talent agencies and agents who managed the career of their talents, would be very skeptical about the show getting back on track.

Considering everything was being kept under wraps regarding the production of the 10th season of The Curator, most probably never knew Jon was going to be the showrunner.

And even then, even if they had known, they would’ve still being very, very skeptical.

Bringing an already terribly reputed show back to form, was no easy feat to say the least, especially with all the almost irrevocable butchering some of the previous showrunners had done.

‘Or should we just compromise and pick an-‘ Barry’s thoughts were cut short when he heard a certain voice, cascade over to his ears.

“I know what you’re thinking Barry, but no.” Tiana Rivers, the Director whom had directed [Evermore Chronicles], Dream Inc’s last hit series which had just rounded up, countered.

Having seemingly predicted his inner thoughts, she kept speaking;

“Even if their agencies tried to dissuade them, as an actor, especially if they are auditioning for a role, they need to give it their all regardless. We aren’t picking any of them.” Tiana strictly stated.

Currently having her dirty-brown hair, styled in a coiffed manner, the woman in her late forties had a sort of timeless beauty to her as her thinly-rimmed glasses, one which framed her chestnut-brown irises, rested on the ridge of her nose with a slight frown on her features.

Known as a no holds barred, no nonsense Director, Tiana Rivers could be sometimes… hard to work with.

However, for those who really got to know her, they understood that this was just her character and she usually meant no harm most of the time.

Simply put, Tiana was not a people pleaser.

Actors who came to build a relationship with her, were actually quite rare as most were either hit or miss on the first impression, with the latter, unfortunately, being more prevalent.

Yet, at the same time, this personality of hers with literally next to no filter, was one that worked wonders when she was making a movie or a series with the actors she got along with.

Her orders were crisp and well-communicated, along with her being open to listening to the ideas of her actors.

As long as they could improve a scene or add more depth to a character, she was always willing to consider it.

That said, one of the things Tiana had a deep disdain for, were actors who weren’t putting their all into a role.

It was also the reason why she was frowning at the moment whilst staring at the video tapes playing on the laptop.

Yet, her frown only deepened even further when she remembered having to sit through all of those lackluster auditions in person and not being able to put the actors in their place because of Jon’s request.

One where he had asked of her to not react to whatever they did, no matter how bad it was.

‘Thankfully, we’ve sorted out the actors for the other roles and today’s screening will be the last…’ Tiana thought to herself, placating her slightly sour mood with that.

No sooner had she thought of that though, Jon opened the door and strolled in.

Casually taking his place on the ergonomic chair, one that was situated between Tiana’s and Barry’s, the director questioned curiously;

“Where’s the actor?”

“Prepping outside. He’ll be in soo-”

Jon hadn’t even completed the statement before the door opened again and in walked Kyle.

His steps were light and casual and his gait, relaxed.

Yet, there was a certain feel of complete composure and elegance in that same manner that he walked, his hands, gently clasped behind his back.

But, more than that, what really ignited a genuine gaze of curiosity from all three individuals, one which they couldn’t even hide, was Kyle’s dress code.

The young man, was currently wearing a well-tailored, thick, intricately embroidered and patterned, sapphire-colored long coat, reminiscent of the Bell Epoque era.

There was also a red gem, situated in the middle of the Ascot-tied scarf around his high collared white shirt, one which was tucked neatly into the embroidered red vest he was also wearing.

‘I guess that’s what was in the briefcase…’ Jon mused to himself with a curious thought, loving the distinct dress style that Kyle was in.

Sure it wasn’t something The Curator had ever worn in the show’s long run but, then again, it was something the time traveler most definitely would’ve loved to wear if given the opportunity.

However, before he, Barry or even Tiana could say anything, Kyle’s calm voice, one which was purposely lowered yet still very audible, cascaded over to their ears.

“Ah~… there it is…”

“There’s that, familiar expression…” The Curator smoothly twirled over to face them and said, his eyes, looking at all three with a mixture of a soft, empathic yet contemplative gaze.

Watching him look at them as if they were his grandkids, Barry and Tiana, were a bit… stunned.

To them, it made quite literally, next to no sense how a young man, could make both of them feel so young with a single gaze.

In that moment, it almost felt like an old soul was trapped inside the young man’s body as he kept holding their gaze, making him feel, almost like an enigma to them.

But for Jon, he was quite literally, smiling to himself.

This was the main quality he was after when he had Kyle audition for the role.

One he had noticed on the very first day they had conversed.

The idea of a seemingly old, old soul, trapped inside the body of a young man.

“Centuries pass and it never gets old, you know?” The Curator however, soon resumed speaking, a thoughtful yet curious expression, instantly replacing the previous blend of complex expressions on his features.

It was such an immediate shift, one that genuinely caught Tiana and Barry off-guard and yet, The Curator seemingly continued his monologue.

“Humans, and their, insatiable need to satisfy their curiosity…” he contemplated out loud to himself for a brief moment, his hands gesturing outwardly, after which he then spoke to the three again;

“My attire’s cool, I know.” he flexed the intricately designed long coat a bit with a proud expression, one that immediately elicited a thought in the minds of all Jon, Tiana and Barry.

‘So random…’

Yet, it was that randomness that also made them realize that this was the slightly eccentric persona of The Curator in action.

“Like it? Of course you do.” The Curator immediately asked and answered with a gentle nod to himself, after which he then returned his gaze, back towards the three with a curious question, almost as if he was just as curious they were;

“But you’re more interested in this, weirdo, aren’t you?”

To that, all three, simply nodded gently, wanting for Kyle to continue the audition.

As far as they knew, there was not a single scene of such in all nine seasons of the show so they all knew, that this was all an original from the young man himself.

It was also why they were very curious to hear more of what he had to say.

Contemplating to himself for a brief moment, seemingly trying to find the best way to explain who he was, The Curator, snapped his fingers and then asked with a bright expression;

“Would you like, to hear a story?”

Yet, almost instantaneously, The Curator continued as if he already knew all three would answer in the affirmative;

“The story of a man who’s been, running… running away from something, his entire life…”

“Running, hoping that he inadvertently, runs, back… back towards the same thing he’s been, running from…”

Taking a brief pause, his bright expression slowly morphing into a more introspective one, The Curator quietly stated;

“Himself.”

Hearing that, watching as the expression on the face of the young man, flipped to fit the current introspective feel, Jon, Tiana and Barry, all of whom were moved by his words, heard him speak again;

“Do you know, who that man is?” he questioned again, this time, staring at them with a mix of a saddened, pained and downcast expression;

“A man, who’s walked amongst Gods and survived…”

“Travelled through, a war-torn dimension, unscathed…”

“Experienced, a universe, where the laws of physics were machinated by the mind of a mad heretic…”

“He’s watched universes freeze and creations crumble.”

“He’s seen things you wouldn’t believe.”

“He’s lost things, no one would ever understand.”

“He knows things, things that should, never be known.”

“And in his hands, lies the keys to some of the biggest secrets of the universe…”

Staring at the three individuals before him, his previously sad expression now slowly returning back to its initial softness when he had first started the audition, The Curator spoke after a brief pause;

“That, man… if he is to be called a man, is none other, than me.”

“Hello. I’m The Curator.”

Hearing the enigma, finally introduce himself… hearing the way it was delivered, a certain, tingling chill, ran up the spine of Jon, one which was shared by Tiana and Barry too.

Yet, The Curator still had a few more words to say before the audition ended;

“That was just the prologue, you know…”

“A tip, of the iceberg…”

“So, if you’re still curious about who I am, which I presume, you probably, still are…”

“…would you, like to hear more?” he inquired, a slight grin, one that could only be described as fascinating yet mysterious, gracing his lips.