Infinity || Dan Smith

One.

— First table read

   There's a large building in the middle of London. Although it seems completely uninhabited to local residents within the area...it actually isn't.

The building itself is used for a secret movie studio. As well as a studio, it is also used for international meetings amongst other things. In one of those rooms within the building sits upcoming actors and actresses. While majority of them sit in complete silence - slowly taking in the fact that they've scored a role in one of the biggest movie franchises - the producers of the film are in a full blown conversation with other crew members. This is just another normal day in the 'office' to them.

   Other than the producers and other crew members, the scriptwriter stands at the back of the room discussing potential script errors with the director. Their conversation is regarding about one scene in the upcoming movie. Although they quickly dismiss the error.

   The lead actor of the movie, Dan Smith, anxiously keeps his head down. He feels his stomach tying in an uncomfortable knot. Just like the rest of the actors and actresses who sit around him, he sits in silence. He knows now would be the time to bond with the cast...but his nerves prevent him. He hasn't felt this way since he was 19 and performing in front of strangers for the first time. Of course he then had the choice to have drink, embarrassingly enough Dan and his red face breezed through it, but now he would be redeemed as unprofessional if he did that. Dan has learnt the hard way that the acting industry should be taken very seriously as it's not all fun and games.

   So instead of talking he shyly looks down at his freshly printed white script, of which sits neatly in front of him on the round wooden table. The other things sitting in front of him is a pen, a notepad, a glass of water and a plate of biscuits. The plate of biscuits was a introductory present from the director, everyone gets a small plate with a few different options. Dan, however, feels too sick to eat them. So he simply pushes his plate away. It's not like the biscuits are imported or whatever - Dan silently thinks to himself while looking towards the bourbons and digestives. He quickly turns his head away when he feels the acid slowly climb up his throat.

   To ease his mind, he glances down at the front of the hefty script. He reads the large writing going diagonally across the page. The bold but slightly transparent font and all caps clearly states that it's 'private'. There's also a small warning wrote underneath stating that they could face several penalties if they leak the contents of it. That makes Dan feel even more nervous. The guy isn't the best at keeping secrets. His face is like an open book, you can tell when he is lying or when he is telling the truth...any fan of his would know.

   "Thank you all so much for joining us today" - the scriptwriter joyfully says as he walks more into the middle of the room - "I know the weather isn't pleasant, but it's great to see you all." The scriptwriter then smiles towards those who are paying full attention - like Dan - while majority of the crew somewhat rudely keep talking amongst themselves.

   "Has everyone been introduced?" Dan has realised one thing whilst sitting in the black desk chair - fame doesn't matter in table reads.

   No one here gives a shit whether your a Grammy nominated artist - like Dan - or whether you've starred in soap operas. Everyone in the room is dismissed of their positions. Dan likes that fact...although he does wish his friends are allowed in the table read. He isn't particularly fond of being on his own. The unfamiliar faces aren't helping his case either.

   The reason why Dan is acting fairly strange is because he is new to the world of acting.

   It's safe to say that he regrets every single audition and call-back he has taken for this film. The more he hears what is in store for him, being the lead actor, the more he feels uncomfortable. He has suffered tremendously with anxiety all through his life...and there's no sign of it ever disappearing. To say the least Dan's never sat through a table read before, and he nerves are starting to affect him even more.

   I really shouldn't be here - he silently admits in his mind.

   What Dan really wants is to pull the director to one side - just so he can state that he is no longer interested in the role - or acting for that matter. He feels like he isn't experienced or worthy enough for such a big role.

   Just when he unsurely stands up, the director of the film shuffles over. She just had a small conversation with the co-writer, not about Marvel or the film itself, but her small daughters birthday party.

   "I must ask everyone to please turn off any mobile devices. Any recordings - other than those with permits for featurette's - will not be tolerated. This is the final warning." That makes Dan feel something other than nerves. He wants to laugh at how bored and robotic her voice then seemed. She's done this protocol over a dozen times for all sorts of different films and Netflix shows.

   This is the most boring part of filmmaking after all.

   "Are we ready to proceed?" Everyone nods their head at the exact same time. Even Dan finds himself quickly nodding - despite not wanting to be here anymore.

   While everyone sits around the circular table, one of the heavy duty doors opens up slightly. The room falls quiet as one of the personal assistants quickly walks over to the girl who stands in the door frame. Seconds later - and with the flash of the girls identification - she's warmly welcomed into the room.

   "I'm so sorry!" The girl then squeals. Her accent is a mixture of posh and common, she's obviously from a well to do area of a poorer one. Dan smiles as he has the same kind of accent. It's nice for him to hear someone British in a mainly American room.

   "Don't be late again, Charlie." The director sternly hisses while she narrows her similar narrow eyes. Charlie nods her head timidly before sitting down in the seat on the opposite side of the table from Dan, although she doesn't acknowledge him.

From Dan's perspective Charlie is probably the youngest person in the room...as well as the most prettiest. But he knows better to keep his feelings to himself, especially since that was the main reason why he left Bastille.

   Once Charlie stops fidgeting with her white designer bag, and pulls off her pastel pink faux fur coat, the scriptwriter then calmly tells everybody to open their scripts and turn to the first page.