Holthum Manor

The Setup

   -Monday Morning-

   I sat at my dark walnut desk and scrolled through the up and coming TV shows and movies on my computer. "I need something fresh! Something different." I thought out loud as I swiveled in my comfy white office chair. I got up and walked to one of the many tall windows that lined the back wall of my office. I stared out at the busy street and watched people passing by living their lives. People arguing, laughing, holding hands, listening to music. Then it hit me, I walked back to my chair and grabbed out a piece of paper and started to write down ideas. I held the button on my phone to ring for my assistant. "Mr Holthum, what can I do for you?" Sydney asked. "Get Mr. Abolvsky on the phone. I just had an idea for my next big hit!" I said tapping my foot in anticipation. "Of course sir, I'll phone him and see if he's available for a call. If he isn't would you like me to schedule the soonest appointment?" She asked. "Yes." I said hanging up the call and continuing to write down ideas. I opened the top drawer of my desk and pulled out a red wooden cigar box placing it on my lap. I unlatched the golden hook on it's front and flipped the lid. The smell of tobacco quickly filled the room. I grabbed one of the brown cigars and held it to my nose taking in a deep inhale. "I'll never get sick of that smell." I said to my self quietly as I placed the cigar between my lips and pulled a silver lighter out from my coat pocket lighting the cigar and taking a few small puffs. The smoke faded above me as I leaned back in my chair looking at the smooth white ceiling.

   "Mr. Holthum." My assistants voice came muffled from behind the door. "Come in." I said sitting up in my seat. "Mr. Abolvsky is on line 1, am I okay to take my lunch?" She asked standing in front of my desk with her feet together and hands crossed at her waist. "Of course Sydney and here, bring me something back from wherever you go. Lunch is on me today." I said reaching in my pocket and pulling out my credit card then placing it on my desk and sliding it across to her end. "Thank you." She said grabbing it off the desk and exiting my office. I clicked the button on the desk phone answering Mr. Abolvsky's call as I took another puff of my cigar. "Clint, how have you been old friend?" I asked as I placed my elbows on the desk's edge. "If it isn't the great Trever Holthum. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Clint said with a chuckle. "I have an idea for my next big movie and I think your just the guy to help me bring it to life." I said removing the cigar from my lips. "I want to invite a group of unknown actors to my Island for what they think will be a getaway to learn how to improve their acting abilities but, I intend on making it appear as if I have been murdered. I want to fill the manor with the best cameras and speakers that money can buy then set up a bout of clues for them to find. The best part is it's all going to be unscripted." I finished staring at the phone. Silence loomed over the room. "Unscripted?" Clint asked cautiously. "Yes, I think that taking aspiring actors and putting them into a situation such as that with complete strangers would make for an unmatched level of performance that nobody has done yet but, I will also have someone I have been working with join as a member of this group to nudge them in the right direction when it is needed so they don't stray too far from the path." I added. "I think it definitely sounds like in interesting concept and I'd love to be apart of your team to put it all together. When did you want to start?" Clint said enthusiastically. "I know it's short notice but i'd like to get started this weekend. I don't have time to wait months." I said with a cough pulling out a handkerchief and wiping my mouth then placing it back into my coat.

   "I'll see who's available to get get on board in that time and give you a call on Thursday so we can get a flight arranged to your island." He exclaimed. "Alright Clint thank you, I'll look forward to your call." I said with a smile hanging the phone up and leaning back into my chair placing the cigar back between my lips. 

-Wednesday Afternoon-

"Hello, I'm here to see Dr. Feld. I have an appointment." I said looking at the receptionist that sat on the opposite side of the white desk. "Sign in on the sheet and he will be with you as soon as possible." She said pointing to a form on the counter that had a pen sitting on top of it connected to a chain. "Thank you." I said grabbing the pen and writing my name on the form. I walked over and took a seat at the end of the room away from the couple people that sat at the opposite end. "Your gonna be okay." I mumbled while bouncing my leg up and down as I rubbed my knees. A fan sat on the ceiling at the rooms center blowing a cold breeze. "Trever." A voice came from my left. A brunette young lady in blue scrubs stood at a door giving me a smile. I stood up and walked over to her entering through the doorway. "Hi, how are you doing today?" I asked waiting for her to close the door. "I'm good, how are you doing?" She responded with a warm smile. "I've been better but, I'm hanging in there." I said returning the smile nervously. We walked down the thin multi color carpeted hallway until reaching a room that had the number 9 on the edge of the door. "The doctor will be in shortly to discuss your results." She said holding her arm out. "Alright, thank you." I said stepping into the room and taking a seat in a brown leather chair. I stared out a small window as a clock on the wall quietly ticked. 

   "Knock knock, Dr. Feld here. How are you feeling?" The Dr walking said through the door with an outstretched hand. "I've been better." I said meeting him halfway and shaking his hand. "So, let's get down to business." He said taking a seat in front of me while opening a file on his desk that had my name pasted at it's edge. "For the most part everything came back good but the cells we were worried about didn't get any better. They actually got worse." He said closing the folder and interlocking his fingers. "I'm sorry Trever but you have stage 4 lung cancer." He said with sorrow as he looked me in the eyes. My heart sank into my stomach making my blood run cold. "I know this is devastating news but it doesn't mean your going to die. We live in a time where we have a ton of options for treatment to try and beat this." He said gently placing his hand on my forearm. "I'm not sure, I think I just need some time to myself." I said still frozen staring at the Dr. "I'll give you some time to think about all of this, I know it's hard. Call my office and get back to me when your ready. I'll be here to help you through every step of the way. We can beat this." He said standing and opening the door. I stood and followed behind him down the hallway exiting into the lobby and out the main door leading outside. I climbed into the back of my SUV and stared down at my lap. "Where to Mr. Holthum?" My driver said from the front of the car turning to face me. "I think I'd like to stop by the cemetary." I said as I rolled the window down halfway and looked out while we pulled out of the parking lot. 

Clouds swayed in front of the sun darkening it's glow as raindrops started to patter off of the windshield. "I'll only be a minute." I said climbing out of the car and starting down the stone path through the cemetary. The wind blew through the tree's bringing leaves tumbling through the air. I sat on a wooden bench and looked down at the large headstone in front of me. "Hey baby, hi sweetie. I know I haven't been by as much as I should have I've just been busy trying to figure out what to do with my career. I just came from the Dr's office and...he said I have stage 4 lung cancer and I don't really know how to feel right now. I just wish you were both here so I didn't have to face this alone but, who knows. Maybe I'll be seeing you both soon." I said getting off the bench and crouching above the headstone. I placed my hand on the two oval photos that sat at the stone's center. "I love you Angy, I love you Trish." I said letting a tear roll down my nose and drip onto the headstone with the rain. I stood up and walked back towards the SUV. "Here you are sir." My driver said as he opened the door for me. I climbed onto the seat and buckled my seat belt. "Where to now sir?" My driver asked looking through the rear view mirror as he buckled in. "Let's go home." I said looking back at him.

-Thursday Morning-

"Mr. Abolvsky is on line 1." My assistant said through the phone speakers. "Thank you, I'll join him shortly." I responded taking a seat at my desk. I clicked the button on the phone answering his call. "Good morning Clint, how does the day find you?" I said joyously. "It's been a great morning Trever and all to you. Your reputation precedes you. The turnout for people wanting to be apart of this crew has been phenomenal! We have more people than I think we need but my company and I did our part and got everyone together. I also took the pleasure of getting forms made for people to apply for an 'All expenses paid getaway to hone their craft with Trever Holthum'. That being said I have already had my agents start to offer this 'opportunity' to the newer aspiring actors we have." Clint said with promise. "I'm beyond glad to hear. I will have my assistant get a hold of my pilot and get in touch with you later today on a time and airport to gather you all. Thank you Clint." I said warmly before hanging up the phone.

-1 Month Later-

"Welcome everyone, I am very pleased you all could make it. My name is Trever Holthum, welcome to my island."