Luna for years has dreamed of being on the other side of the screen. So when she gets the opportunity to move to California, she doesn't hesitate to leave everything behind in hopes of becoming an actress. With all the ambition in the world, she is...
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I tap my heel against the floor as I wait impatiently for the elevator to reach level 17.
After such a crazy morning, I somehow managed to get ready, research everything about Tessa Dawson, AND draw a perfect winged eyeliner in the cab ride over, all within four minutes left to spare.
I'm pretty sure that has to be a record time.
Maybe had it not been for Mark, I would've gotten here sooner. The memory of earlier today runs an involuntary chill up my spine.
His words still echo in my head as I try to shake the image of him out. Because if it's one thing I know, it's that Mark Tuan glowed the fuck up since the last time I saw him.
Like...damn.
The elevator door finally slides open, interrupting my train of thought, revealing a modern office with a waiting area, set with beautiful black leather seats and a large glass window for a wall that looks over the entire city of Los Angeles. I walk to the reception desk, where a young lady seems to be entirely consumed with answering phone calls and completing paperwork. The wall behind her is covered in framed pictures of actors and their success stories.
"Do you have an appointment?" She says without looking up.
"I'm here for an interview." Saying that out loud suddenly made me feel nervous.
"Name?"
"Luna Park." I smile at her, despite her disconnect.
"You can take a seat, and Tessa will be with you shortly."
I thank her before walking over and sitting down to the closest chair near the window.
The amazing view of LA from this height is simply astonishing. Having just arrived yesterday, I'm excited to finally be able to call this city my own, and to discover what it has in store for me. I know that there are great things coming my way, and I am willing to give it my everything in order to make those dreams a reality.
"You must be Luna?"
A female voice calls for me and I turn to see a woman who appears to be no older than her mid thirties, with a genuine smile and curious eyes. She wears a charcoal colored blazer with a white buttoned down underneath, paired with dark jeans and black open-toe heels.
I stand up and shake the hand that she offers me. "Yes. It's great to meet you."
"Let's talk in my office." She says, and I follow her as we walk through a set of double doors.
She gestures for me to sit down as she takes a seat behind her desk.
"I'd really like to thankyou for taking the time to see me today." I tell her, and she smiles again.
"You should thank your manager for that. She was very persistent." Tessa lightly chuckles, "But there is something that I admire about perseverance."
Wait, what? "My manager...?"
"Yes, I believe her name was Ms. Silva?"
My eyes narrow down when I realize she's taking about Claire.
"Yup...that's her." I can't believe she actually pulled that off. But in all honesty, I'm not surprised either.
"She sent me some videos of your past theatrical work. And I must say, I was very impressed with your portrayal of Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I'll have you know, that's one of my favorite plays."
Back in high school, I was involved in the theater department a lot. I was always auditioning for shows and participating in events. That's were I found my love for acting; I fell in love with the entire process, from the first table read to the last bow. It's also where Claire and I first met. She was what we called a techie; someone who worked backstage either with the lights or in the sound booth.
I can still remember the first time we ever talked. It was my first lead in a show, and it was five minutes until curtain call. But instead of being ready to go like everybody else in the cast, I was in the bathroom crying my eyes out. If it wasn't for Claire walking in by coincidence, I don't think I would of ever made it on stage.
She told me how much she admired me, and that I had nothing to fear. 'Your presence alone can fill up a room, and a theater is not any different' she had said to me, and since then we became the closest of friends. Best friends.
"Thankyou. It's one of my favorites as well." I respond, thinking back to my high school days.
"She also told me you recently just moved?" Tessa questioned.
"Yes, I've lived in Brazil for most of my life."
Tessa perked up, "Really? I would have never guessed that you were Brazilian."
"I'm actually half Hispanic and half Korean." I correct her, "My mom is Puerto Rican but she was raised in the U.S., and then moved to Brazil when she was around my age. She's an English teacher there."
"How interesting." She studied me intently, allowing for me to continue.
"I moved here because I want to further my career as an actress. And I know that I have the ambition and passion to do so." I thought about something that Tessa had said for an interview that I read online on my way here and decided to quote her, "Successful actors are the one's who understand that 'show business' is two words, not one." I paused, "And I am very aware of that, which is what makes me stand out from the rest."
I waited for my words to sink in, and felt immensely satisfied when Tessa appeared to be impressed.
"I see you did your research." She said, referring to the quote. I simply smiled in return.
She glanced down deep in thought, before making eye contact with me again.
"I'd like to put you on a trial period." Tessa announced, and began to explain. "Since you're relatively new to the industry, I'd like to see where you stand among the rest. What this means is that for a period of three months, I'll be sending you out on different castings and auditions to get a feel for your work ethic and how marketable you are. If you prove to me that you have what it takes, then I will be more than happy to welcome you as our newest member of the Beverly Talent Group family."
My heart skipped a beat once I realize that this was an opportunity of a lifetime. To think that one of the best agencies here in California is willing to give me a chance is beyond something I could have ever imagined.
I was beaming, feeling completely grateful not only to Tessa, but to my best friend Claire for making this all possible.
For those of you who have commented, voted, and messaged me, thankyou all for your love and support! :) I will work hard to make this story the best that it can be. xx
