Milkshake Hearts

Chapter 160: Paper

It's a complete coincidence that Shayne runs into one of the lead producers on Goldbergs chatting to the casting director while he's waiting between scenes on his one day of shooting that week, but he takes it for what it is, quickly moving over and asking if he can speak with them.

"Sure, what's up?" the casting director asks, casually. Shayne winces internally.

"I'm not sure how much of next season is planned out, but I'm actually going to end my contract effective as soon as possible, and I know there's no time fixed on mine anyway so I was going to request end of May," he tells them, keeping his tone firm and level, "so I'll see out the couple of days I'm scheduled in early May to end this season, but nothing more after that."

"Yeah, okay, we can handle that," the producer agrees, nodding, before adding, "can I ask why? Another opportunity?"

"I do work full time elsewhere, the timing of that plus this too is a bit too much and while this has been good, I think I need to move elsewhere to grow more," he answers, carefully, the casting director nodding in response.

"Makes sense, makes sense- just give us a call if you want a reference for anything else even if it's not for a while if you're going to focus on Smosh more for a bit, happy to help you out there," she tells him, before tilting her head to the side, "is there something to the rumours Smosh is expanding, then?"

"I mean, it was already publicly confirmed, it's not exactly rumours," he shrugs, "but this is just me reassessing my work-life balance as much as anything else."

"Of course, of course, and I know this year hasn't been great here with all the issues that needed reshoots," the producer sighs, "but no worries, we'll pass it on as necessary, but we'll release your contract end of May."

"Cool, thanks," Shayne nods, before awkwardly moving back to set, feeling just a little bit lighter as he does.

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His meeting with Ian is a lot more planned, given he requests it formally. In all honesty, he should probably be talking to their new CEO and Lisa from HR too, but he's more comfortable to just start with Ian.

"Hey Shayne," Ian greets him, his own tone a little downcast when he gestures for Shayne to come in and sit down in his office, now a little less open and glass-walled than his office at their shared space with Mythical.

"Hey," Shayne greets, a little nervous, watching Ian almost grimace. His odd expression makes Shayne confused, but he sits down and tries to push through it. Maybe he's just having a bad day.

"So... what was it you wanted to talk about?" Ian asks, tapping his pen repetitively and almost anxiously against the notepad in front of him. Shayne makes a mental note to make it quick - maybe he's just got a really busy, stressful day.

"So, couple of things, but I guess the biggest one is that I've officially ended my contract at Goldbergs - or at least, it will end in May while I'm on holidays with Court - so that is no longer going to be a restraint on my availability here going forward," he explains, watching as Ian's whole body relaxes and he gives an obvious sigh of relief, raising an eyebrow questioningly at him in response.

"I was so worried you were wanting to quit Smosh, after everything over winter with the long days and screwing up your home life-" Ian cuts himself off, shaking his head, Shayne shaking his head in response.

"I've been thinking about my career for a while actually, and I do need to give myself space to grow and develop more, but it's actually- it was Goldbergs throwing unexpected extra days on me and messing with my time and my health, and it was Goldbergs holding me in one place career-wise. I was actually... if it's possible, with all the expansion here and with me having full availability again, I was hoping I'd be able to do more here," he admits, his tone turning careful, but Ian immediately nods.