In the audition room...
Director Sarian clicked his tongue in disappointment. They had just watched the second-to-last actor of this batch, and it was clear he was unimpressed.
"Next!" he called, not bothering to look at the next actor standing before them. He only glanced up after finishing his notes on the previous actor’s paper.
"Can you do this part?" he asked the actor. "I’ll give you a minute."
"Yes, Director." The actor cleared his throat, checking the script one last time, making every second of that minute count.
As the actor prepared, Lola couldn’t help but study the panel. Even the twins looked bored. None of them said a word, but the disappointment on their faces was enough to show they were displeased.
Well, I can’t blame them, Lola mentally shrugged, watching the actor take his cue. I wonder if Cedrick is alright... I’m a bit worried about him.
Being a fallen star in the entertainment industry made someone a target—not just for artists, but also for managers, agency staff, and sometimes even networks. Throwing Cedrick into a room full of actors with significant popularity was like tossing him into a devil’s den.
They would trample him to smithereens.
The corners of Lola’s mouth hooked up as she cupped her cheek, watching the actor.
Shred him to smithereens... just the way I want it.
Lola couldn’t be beside Cedrick to help him internalize the role. But putting him in this situation—forcing him to see the rot of the entertainment industry—would help him rise above all of them.
"Cut!" Director Sarian nodded. "Good work."
"We’ll be contacting you with the results. Good job!" another panel member added, smiling, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
As the actor left, the panel members were given a five-minute break.
"Ugh..." Director Sarian leaned back, pushing his glasses up as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why are they all acting so crazy? How can they not understand that Ryker is insane, but the crazy thing about him is that he is crazy, but is really good at convincing others he is not."
The older lady on the panel leaned back as well, tapping the tip of her pen against the table. "Kids, what do you think of the actors so far?"
Everyone looked at the twins and waited for their opinion.
"Ryker’s role is someone others would mistake for a typical successful person," said Second in a knowing tone. "But even with how he presents himself, he gives off a strange aura."
"Ryker never acts crazy," Chacha added with a pout. "Even when he is twisted, it’s not obvious madness. His reveal isn’t that he’s insane—it’s that he’s mad."
Hence, Ryker’s complexity. Chacha wasn’t wrong; Ryker was crazy. But it was a calm, terrifying type of insanity—the kind that made him frightening.
"Good analysis," another panel member nodded approvingly at the twins. "So, what do you think of the actors so far?"
"They were good!" Second cheered. "But they’re not Ryker, right, Mommy?"
Lola smiled and ruffled their heads. "That is correct," she said, glancing at the panel. "I share my children’s opinion, but I believe each of you has your own. Some showed promise, perhaps, but the lack of time to prepare and internalize the role may have prevented them from reaching their full potential."
"Either way, I am looking forward to what others have to offer," she added.
"No, they’re bad," Director Sarian frowned. "Don’t be so kind, Taz. You wrote Ryker, so you know better and understand him better."
"But Taz might be right," the older lady countered. "The lack of preparation could be a factor. If no one satisfies us today, it may be worth holding another round of auditions."
"I don’t think that’s a bad idea," another panel member agreed.
"Don’t worry!" Chacha chimed cheerfully, smiling. "My Mommy loves this project so much that she wouldn’t want to waste your time~!"
Second nodded enthusiastically. "She values everyone’s time, so no one will go home today with a heavy heart~!"
The panel members smiled at their positivity. Even the staff in the room couldn’t help but hold on to whatever hope the twins were holding onto.
"Right?" Director Sarian nodded at the twins. "We can only stay positive. Taz trained someone, and we have high expectations. At the same time, we haven’t even seen half the performances yet. So, we’ll see."
He shot Lola a look of approval, and she smiled, glancing at the twins and winking, offering them snacks prepared by the crew.
Thanks to the twins, everyone’s hope hadn’t died completely. Soon, the five-minute break ended, and a new batch of actors entered the audition room. Each batch consisted of five actors.
"Next!" Director Sarian called the actors waiting, but his brows furrowed when he spotted Cedrick. He almost didn’t recognize the neat, composed man walking in. But that wasn’t what caught his attention.
Unlike the other actors, Cedrick sat quietly, observing the first actor of the batch.
"You have one minute to prepare," a younger panel member said, then looked at Director Sarian. "Is there a specific part you want him to do?"
The director didn’t answer. Curious, the panel member followed his gaze—and immediately spotted Cedrick.
Now, both Director Sarian and the other panelist stared silently at Cedrick. Lola noticed and smirked in satisfaction.
He’s already Ryker, she thought, shifting her gaze to the last panel member, who was also watching Cedrick intently.
As mentioned earlier, Ryker was insane, and there was always something unsettling about him. Even in Cedrick’s calm, quiet presence, the panel and crew felt uncomfortable.
Ryker was terrifying, but if he were real... everyone would know not to mess with him. Right now, no one felt excitement or awe toward Cedrick. What they felt was a suffocating dread, even though he was simply sitting calmly.
"Everyone’s looking at you," Simon, seated beside Cedrick, said with a cocky side-eye. "Guess they can’t believe someone like you is here. You can still back out and save some face before the panel kicks you out."