Captivated (A Saoirsax [Saoirse Ronan & Max Irons] Fan Fiction)

CHAPTER ONE

This story won’t start with my birth into this world. Let us start on the year 2007. I won’t give any specific month or date; I probably don’t remember it anyway. I’m on my 22nd year on earth when I decided to pursue a different type of career. See, I was a model back then but I wanted to challenge myself into trying different kinds of experiences. My dad, Jeremy Irons (Yeah, yeah, he is amazing.), already warned me about the pressure of the industry I am about to enter. I told him that I really am ready for this next step. I always wanted to impress my father in everything since I was a child. It’s probably another reason why I wanted to enter the film industry; another is because I’m getting kind of tired of being labeled only as, “Jeremy Irons’ son.” Yes, I know that sounded very typical but it’s the truth.

By the way, my name is Maximilian Paul Diarmuid Irons. Max Irons, for those of you who find it difficult to say my name. Sounds like a superhero name? Nope. I prefer it much more sounding as a cleaning product. I have been told.

Moving on, I went to Los Angeles to start auditioning for different types of roles that fascinates me. I even tried for roles that are out of my comfort zone. There was this one weird audition that I did for a certain film that must not be named. Well, I am a beginner in this so this might have been normal for other actors but I thought it was rather odd.

So this was what had happened. All the actors were supposed to wait in line, as usual, and they call out your name when it’s your turn. When my name was called, I was put into a room where the only people were the casting director, me, and a girl that is auditioning for another part in the same movie. We were told to read a scene and so we did. The casting director then interrupted our reading and called the next girl to audition. What was peculiar was that he did not call the next guy to audition. I was asked to stay and so I did. Then it went on and on and on until the sixth girl came in. Before we were told to read our lines, the casting director excused himself and went out. What’s the reason? I don’t know; but it took a while before he came back. So I was left alone with this little girl about the age of 13 with short blonde hair and bright, attention seeking, blue eyes, in the cold and vacant audition room. It was very awkward so I started a conversation with her.

“What’s your name?” I began to ask.

“Sersha. Sersha Ronan,” she answered.

I was shocked by her thick Irish accent. It didn’t occur to me that she might have an accent. “That’s pretty,” I said.

“Really? Thanks. A lot of people actually butcher my name though,”

“Is that so? How come?” I asked, baffled by how a name like that could be pronounced wrong.

“See, my name is Sersha, but it is spelled as S-A-O-I-R-S-E. It’s Irish for ‘free.’ Yep, I’m Irish, so everything seems to be messed up, even my name,” she answered followed by a laugh.

I laughed too. “Well my name is Maximilian Irons. Max for short.”

“Oh! You’re Jeremy Irons’ son! That’s cool!” she replied.

“Yeah, he’s great.” I said, smiling. “And, hey, don’t worry, I’m half Irish too.”

“Really? That is amazing. But you sound British though,” she said.

“Well I’m from England and my mom is Irish, so.”

“That’s really cool. So you went all the way from England to Los Angeles just to audition?” she asked.

“Yeah, that’s it. I really want to try acting,” I replied.

“So this will be your first time auditioning then?” she asked.

“No, but if I get the part, this will be the first film I’ll be able to be in. I have done a lot of auditioning lately and it would be such a disappointment if I don’t get at least one.”

“C’mon now, don’t be such a negative Nancy,” she encouraged.

And at that moment, I got to thinking, ‘This kid is really going places. She has this amazing personality that can make a dull room really light up.’ I began to chuckle. “Thanks,” I finally replied. “So what films have you been in? I find your face quite familiar.”

“We did, uhm, well… The latest film I have been in was Atonement. Have you already seen it? It’s rather new though, so it’s okay if haven’t.” she said.

“Actually, I have! And now I actually remembered you. That’s where I saw you! You were that little girl who thought she knew the real person who raped her cousin! Wow. You were brilliant in it.” I said in a rather loud manner.

“Thank you,” she said gratefully.

“You are so privileged to work with those amazing actors. Keira Knightly and James McAvoy. Wow,” I babbled. “You had a British slang going on there. That’s why I was appalled by your Irish accent.”

She answered me with her smile. “Should we practice our lines?”

“Sure, sure thing. I almost forgot about it,” I laughed.

We practiced all the lines that our characters have which is quite few actually. Saoirse is an astonishing young actress. I have all respect to her. Goodness, that girl can really act. I felt intimidated, being a lot older but obviously lacking on experience. I’ve never met anyone before, in my auditions, as wonderful as this kid. I was glad I met her.

After having practiced all the lines, the casting director finally came back in. What could possibly be the reason for his leaving? Anyways, we did the drill, read the lines and talked with him and the next people were called. I was surprised that I did not stay again. Did I do anything bad? Or maybe I got the part. Well, let me tell you this: I didn’t. Yes, definitely one of the strangest encounters ever. The day ended with me saying goodbye to a new friend. Saoirse is the only thing that made that day less weird as it is. Whilst saying goodbye, one thought came circling in my head over and over again, ‘Christ, you’re Meryl Streep in the making.’