Starlight Chronicles: Rise to Hollywood

"Hey system,"

"…"

"What do you think the interview today will be about?"

[Questionnaire. And you may be under the illusion that I can predict the future. That would be Error120000001. It would be probably not limited to something short and one way or the other narrows back to the protagonist.]

"Basically I'm getting a questionnaire about the lead characters and not my character?"

[Well it is their story.]

"Whatever."

[You should probably begin to get dressed, Dima Studio isn't close to the area.]

Ah yes, Dima Studio was where the questionnaire would be done. Ah yes, the system was right, wait! The system was right!

"Shit!" He got up from his bed.

Ethan scrambled around the room, grabbing clothes haphazardly from his limited wardrobe. He shoved on a wrinkled button-up shirt and a pair of jeans that had seen better days. Not exactly the kind of outfit that screamed "professional actor," but it would have to do.

The system chimed again.

[You look… adequate. Barely.]

"Thanks for the confidence boost," Ethan muttered as he tugged on his sneakers. He grabbed his bag and bolted out the door, his mind already racing.

Dima Studio wasn't just another studio. It was a place known for its sleek, modern aesthetic and its reputation for producing hard-hitting dramas. Ethan had been shocked when he heard they wanted him to participate in the promotional interview, especially since he was barely a blip on the cast list.

The bus ride was long and uneventful, giving Ethan plenty of time to stress over what was waiting for him. What kind of questions would they ask? Would they focus on the leads and barely acknowledge him? Would Derek Cain's sneering face somehow make an appearance to remind him he didn't belong here?

[Relax. You're not important enough for Cain to waste his time on today.]

"Wow, you're just a ray of sunshine, huh?" Ethan muttered under his breath, earning a confused glance from the elderly woman sitting across from him.

When he finally arrived at Dima Studio, Ethan paused to take in the building. Sleek glass walls gleamed under the sunlight, and the buzzing atmosphere inside was palpable even from the entrance. It felt intimidating, but there was also a spark of excitement buried under the nerves.

"Name?" the receptionist asked as he approached the front desk.

"Ethan Cole," he said, adjusting the strap of his bag nervously.

Her fingers clicked across the keyboard before she looked up. "You're with the A Love Remembered team, right? Room 204, down the hall and to your left."

"Thanks," he said, heading in the direction she pointed.

As he walked down the hall, the sound of voices grew louder. When he stepped into Room 204, he was greeted by the sight of camera equipment, a small stage setup with two chairs, and a crew bustling around. The director's assistant was there, clipboard in hand, giving instructions to the team.

Ethan scanned the room for familiar faces and spotted Sarah and Dominic sitting together off to the side, deep in conversation. They didn't even glance his way.

"Ethan! Over here!" a cheerful voice called out.

He turned to see a man in a sharp suit waving him over. "We're almost ready to get started. You'll be in the second round of interviews after the leads, so just hang tight for now."

Ethan nodded, finding an empty chair in the corner to wait. His hands fidgeted with the hem of his shirt as he watched Sarah and Dominic head to the stage for their interview.

[Relax. It's just a questionnaire. You don't have to solve world hunger.]

Ethan took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. This was his chance, no matter how small. If the spotlight landed on him for even a second, he'd make sure it was worth it.

Ethan watched as Sarah and Derek took their seats under the bright lights. The interviewer greeted them warmly, and the small crowd of crew members settled into a quiet hum of activity. Ethan strained to hear their conversation, but most of it was lost to the low murmur of the room.

He couldn't help but notice how effortlessly the two leads commanded attention. Sarah, with her flawless posture and an air of quiet confidence, looked every bit the seasoned star. Derek, leaning slightly back in his chair with a practiced grin, seemed completely at ease. Ethan felt like an intruder just watching them.

[Stop staring. You'll get your turn soon enough.]

"Yeah, sure. Easy for you to say," Ethan muttered under his breath.

The system didn't reply this time, and Ethan sighed, leaning back in his seat. He was about to close his eyes and center himself when a production assistant appeared beside him.

"Ethan Cole? You're up next," she said, gesturing for him to follow.

Ethan's stomach churned as he stood and followed her to the stage. The assistant led him to the side of the set, where the interviewer was wrapping up with Sarah and Derek.

"So, Sarah," the interviewer was saying, "what do you hope the audience takes away from A Love Remembered?"

"I hope they see it as more than a love story," Sarah said smoothly. "It's about choices and consequences, about how even the smallest actions can ripple through our lives. Love just happens to be the lens we're looking through."

Ethan rolled his eyes. Of course she'd say something like that.

[Note: That's called professionalism.]

The system's dry tone made him scowl, but before he could respond, the assistant waved him forward.

"Thanks so much, Sarah and Derek," the interviewer said, shaking their hands. "And now we're bringing in one of our supporting cast members, Ethan Cole!"

Ethan forced a smile as he walked onto the set, aware of every step. The bright lights hit him, making the room feel both too hot and too cold at the same time. He shook the interviewer's hand, then settled into the seat across from him.

"Welcome, Ethan! Thanks for joining us today."

Cole," the interviewer called out.

Ethan sat down, trying to keep his posture relaxed. He gave a polite nod and a faint smile.

"Alright, let's start with some general questions. Can you tell us a bit about your experience on set so far? What's it been like working on A Love Remembered?"

Ethan swallowed hard but managed to keep his voice steady. "It's been… a learning experience, for sure. Everyone here is so talented, and I feel lucky to be part of something like this."

"Great answer," the interviewer said, jotting down a quick note. "Now, let's dig a little deeper. What do you think makes A Love Remembered stand out as a story? Why should audiences care about it?"

Ethan hesitated, his mind racing for the right words. "I think it's because it's not just about love. It's about loss, regret, and finding hope again. It's real. It's raw. And it's something that anyone can relate to on some level."

The interviewer smiled. "Nicely said. Now, one more personal question before we shift gears—what was your favorite scene to film?"

Ethan blinked. Favorite? He didn't even have many lines. "Uh, I'd say… probably the scene where the leads have their big argument. Watching Sarah and Derek work was like a masterclass."

"That's a great moment in the film," the interviewer said, leaning forward slightly. "Now, Ethan, I have a request. We'd like to see you get into character as your role. Let's pretend you're this ordinary office man—just a simple, hardworking guy with a routine life. Can you answer the next few questions as if you are him?"

Before Ethan could reply, a notification from the system flashed in his mind.

[System Alert: Card Assimilation Initiated. Ordinary Office Man – F-tier Card.]

A strange sensation rippled through him—like his very thoughts were rearranging themselves. The world seemed to shift ever so slightly, colors dulling, sounds becoming sharper. Suddenly, his shoulders sagged, and he adjusted his posture into something rigid yet resigned.

The interviewer raised an eyebrow. "Ready?"

Ethan nodded curtly, his voice suddenly quieter, flatter. "Yes, sir. I'm ready."

"Perfect. What's your morning routine like?"

Ethan's answer came naturally, but it wasn't him. "I wake up at six, make my coffee, and catch the news before heading to work. There's not much time for anything else."

"And your weekends?"

"I spend them organizing my files or catching up on chores. Sometimes I'll visit my parents. They like it when I bring flowers for the garden."

The interviewer glanced at the crew, impressed. "That's fantastic. You're really getting into character. One more question—what's your biggest dream?"

Ethan paused, his expression tightening into something almost wistful. "My dream? To have a little house by the lake. Quiet. No deadlines, no noise. Just peace…. I suppose, isn't that what everyone wants?"

The interviewer shifted in his sit, clearly spooked at the way Ethan's eyes turned to him, dead, lifeless, unbelieving.

It was a little creepy to say the list.

As he spoke, Ethan felt like a stranger in his own body. The words weren't his, but they felt real, more real than anything he'd ever said. He wasn't Ethan Cole anymore; he was the man he was pretending to be, and for a brief moment, the world made sense in a way it never had before.

The interviewer leaned back, clearly impressed. "Thank you, Ethan. That was incredible."