Lost In A Memory (A Taylor Lautner Story)

Well, That's Embarrassing. :P

Chapter 11- Well, That's Embarrassing. :P

            "Me? A movie?" I looked at the man... then at my mother... then at Robert again. "You're joking." I said, starting to get irritated.

            Robert looked at me as though it had never occurred to him, though I knew it was a joke. "I'm not joking. I can take you to meet my son."

            "I still don't believe you. But... go for it." I'm sure this crazy man was upset at my rude behavior; I wasn't supposed to speak to adults like that.

            "The movie? Sharkboy and Lavagirl." Robert waved his hands across the room in a theatrical manner. "It's about a young boy who imagined his dream superheroes, who lead him into a world of adventure, action, and... danger." Robert said quietly... what kind of a movie was that anyway?

            "How did you find me?" I interrupted again, hoping the rudeness would make him tell me he was lying. "I mean... how would you know that I was in town?"

            "I'm the one who called you... well, I hired Harold to call you. This was the idea: to get you into LA to audition for the movie."

            "So there's no video game commercial?"

            "Oh, I'm sure there is somewhere... just not today. Today, if you give me permission, I want you to meet my son, learn the basics of acting on the big screen, and get used to the idea of playing Sharkboy." He looked at me thoughtfully.

            "Sharkboy?"

            "Sharkboy... you are going to audition, correct?"

            "I don't... know." When I'd heard about being in a movie, I'd never dreamed of the lead role, much less a shark/boy/thing. How could I manage that?

            "I will take you, right now, to start rehearsing. You'll need it. But, if you're as great as they say you are, you won't have much of a problem." Robert was still waving his hands around the room. He looked like he was having a rough time speaking to me like that.

            "Who... is 'they'? I finally asked after a lengthy silence, one in which I stared him down cynically.

            "They, are those above me, those who watched your commercial, who think you have a shot at this movie. Honestly..." Robert leaned so he was right in my face. "I don't think you've got what it takes. Most commercial actors can't work on the big screen, and after all, you're just a kid." He looked like it was his plan to taunt me, to use reverse psychology to get what he wanted.

            Robert was selfish, arrogant, and in the back of my mind I knew he was only out for money. Yet... I liked him. He had a subtle power and charm that seemed to catch everyone and grip them into his command.

            "You're selfish. What are they paying you?" I glanced behind me nervously, hoping my mom wouldn't yell. It was rude to talk back to an adult. It was even ruder to ask them how much they were paid.  Luckily, she'd left earlier.

            "That's none of you business."

            "I think it is, if you expect me to be working on this movie." I paused. "It doesn't matter. I'm in." I said.

            We pulled into the studio parking lot. I correct myself: This wasn't a studio: It was a mansion. Well, it might as well have been with all the space around. The parking lot itself had to be acres wide, and it was almost full. The building, which was nestled in the streets of Los Angeles, looked more like a giant gym; bland and boring, but structurally sound. And did I mention it was huge?