In the Night

1 • An Infinite Record

E M E R S O N

.

Flash.

"Emerson!"

"Emerson, over here!"

"Emerson Ford!"

Flash.

Flash.

"Emerson, what's it like being the most well known name on the planet?"

"It's surreal, quite scary, actually."

Flash.

"How do you cope with the hate?"

"I never take anything to heart. I like to see it as constructive criticism, not hate."

Flash

"Emerson! Who inspires you to stay true to yourself?"

"Um, my family helps me to stay grounded a lot."

Flash.

Flash.

"What can you tell us about your rumoured relationship with supermodel Treenie Carlow?"

Flash.

"That's it. It's just a rumour."

Flash.

"You were spotted out with her last night at an Italian restaurant known as 'Richie's'. Any comments on the matter?"

"None at all."

Flash.

"Are you sure?"

Flash.

"Yes."

Flash.

"Well, that's it for tonight. I'll catch up with you at the Golden Globes. Thank you for your time, Emerson, I hope you enjoy your night."

Handshake. Turn around. Walk away.

Straight towards the next interviewer.

That was my life. Interviews and premieres and parties. The cycle was never ending. As if it was an infinite record, the same song being played over and over and over again.

I wanted a life. An adventurous, unexplainable, terrifying life. Not one where people told you what to do, what to say and how to behave. Everything's planned ahead of time, everything running to a tight schedule, with no exceptions.

I was bored.

I'd been acting since the age of four, my mother shoving me into auditions ever since I could speak properly. I didn't know any other life. This was all I knew. Acting and fake smiling and having the attention on you at all ungodly hours of the day. Sure, I shouldn't really be complaining, I'm a lot better off than most, but it just didn't feel right.

I had never experienced what most twenty one year olds have. I never graduated high school, never had a serious girlfriend, hell, I'd never even been down the street without three bodyguards.