"You're still laughing?"
After deciding to give up, Joey walked away dejectedly. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Adam struggling to hold back his laughter, his face contorted as he tried to keep it in. This only made Joey more embarrassed and annoyed.
Adam couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.
"Isn't it funny? You actually considered doing adult films! Hahaha."
Adam was laughing uncontrollably.
"What's wrong with that? It's called sacrificing for art!"
Joey tried to make himself look noble.
Adam nodded seriously, "Art is supreme, and sacrificing for art is an honor... because you were definitely going to get naked for it."
"You're not allowed to tell anyone about this!"
Adam refused without hesitation, his tone righteous, "We can't be so selfish! Such a funny story has to be shared with our friends!"
Joey suddenly didn't feel like talking anymore and just walked forward in silence.
"Where are you going now?"
Adam quickly caught up, still smiling.
Joey glared at Adam, "Since you're willing to lend me the money, there's no point in staying as this Roman soldier anymore. I'm going to fully focus on preparing for the lead role and become a star!"
Adam patted Joey's armor, "I fully support you!"
Joey's expression softened. He pointed at Adam, "Come watch my performance tonight!"
"You'll see when the time comes."
Joey walked off quickly but turned back after a few steps to add, "Don't bring your family, but Juno and the others can come. I'll let you know when. That's all!"
Chandler and Susie, the tall, beautiful woman, were sitting on the couch, looking a bit down.
"Still worried about apologizing to Joey?"
Chandler frowned, "I've tried calling him for days to apologize, but he won't even listen to my explanation."
"And what exactly are you planning to explain?"
Ross teased, "That what you said wasn't true?"
Chandler shot Ross a look, his tone mocking, "Next time I call him, as soon as he picks up, I'll say that Ross agreed with me and that everything I said was true! I'm sure he'll accept that explanation!"
Ross rolled his eyes and forced a smile, "I was just joking. Don't tell Joey that!"
Susie had just gotten back from a shoot and was confused.
Chandler explained the situation.
"Oh! I heard about that!"
Susie suddenly understood and laughed, "Chandler, you did nothing wrong. That director's film crew disbanded. They're not shooting anymore. You can tell Joey to come back."
Everyone exclaimed in unison. Google seaʀᴄh N0velFire.ɴet
Susie thought for a moment and continued, "If I remember correctly, I heard about it a few days ago. The production ran out of money and shut down. It happens all the time in this industry."
As a makeup artist who often worked on set, Susie was well-informed about industry gossip.
"But I spoke to Joey yesterday," Phoebe said, puzzled. "He said everything was going great."
"The movie is called Shutter Speed, and it's shooting in Las Vegas?"
"Then there's no mistake."
Susie said confidently, "That crew disbanded days ago. I heard about it on Monday."
Chandler murmured, "That's around the time Joey arrived."
"Maybe they found new funding and restarted production?"
Susie shook her head, "If they restarted, I would've heard about it."
"I think I know what happened."
Ross looked like he figured it out, "Joey must be too embarrassed to admit it. He didn't want to come back right away, so he's pretending he's still working on the movie."
Chandler blamed himself, "It's all my fault! If I hadn't doubted him and made him angry, he wouldn't be stubbornly staying there. He'd have come back already."
He stood up decisively, "I'm calling him right now. If he doesn't answer, I'll go to Las Vegas and bring him back myself."
Just then, the phone rang.
Chandler rushed to grab the phone, "Joey!"
"You miss him that much?"
Adam's laughter came from the other end.
Chandler sounded disappointed.
"I get that Joey's your best bud, but I'm your friend too. No need to sound so upset."
"It's not that," Chandler admitted, "You don't know what's going on."
"Let me guess," Adam said seriously, "You're anxiously waiting for Joey's call. Did you do something to upset him? And he's not home—he's out of town?
The only reason he'd leave is for a movie, but if he's mad, then maybe you didn't support his acting dreams?"
Chandler was stunned, "Are all psychology majors this good?"
"Of course... I'm just messing with you!"
Adam laughed, "I'm in Las Vegas. I ran into Joey and heard it all from him."
Chandler sighed, "Adam, I'm not in the mood for jokes. How's Joey? Susie said his film crew disbanded."
"Yeah," Adam teased, "Well, technically not fully disbanded. The director told Joey to wait there until he could find funding to restart production."
Chandler panicked, "Susie's always in the know. The production is definitely canceled. I can't imagine how crushed Joey must be..."
"Why don't you come see for yourself?"
Adam suggested, "Then you can comfort him in person."
"I'll fly out right now."
Chandler agreed immediately.
"Don't come alone," Adam said with a chuckle, "Bring Susie, Monica, and everyone else. We'll have fun, and I'll cover the hotel—luxury suites!"
When Chandler got confirmation, he relayed Adam's invitation to everyone.
"Luxury suites? Count me in!"
Everyone was excited.
"Then hurry up," Adam urged, "Joey's performing tonight. It might even be... a restricted show."
"Restricted show? In Las Vegas?"
Chandler's heart sank, a bad feeling washing over him. He involuntarily echoed his ex-girlfriend Janice's signature line, "O~M~G~!"