Behind The Spotlight

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 211


"I know. But what I want is consideration. All I want is for you to take Jennifer seriously. The audition for the host is open to all agents, but only a few will pass the final round. What I want is for you to determine whether Jennifer is worthy of the job or not," Collin said in a firm yet composed tone, finally revealing his true intention.

After all the back and forth, all he wanted was to give Jennifer a chance, this was the best he could do. He knew he didn't have real cards to convince Salvador, no leverage that could match power or influence. What Salvador wanted was something Collin could never give and would never sacrifice.

Instead, he resorted to another method. The tension in the room thickened as Collin leaned slightly forward, his gaze unwavering.

"Salvador, let's forget about politics and talk about business. You want this show to succeed because that's the only way for you to gain influence in the company. The talk show is not just a simple show. You can use it to invite other celebrities, A-tier or B-tier, it doesn't matter. Appearing on a talk show gives them publicity, which means you can use it to gain authority. Many agents will work for you just to get their clients invited as guests."

Collin paused, letting his words sink in. His eyes remained fixed on Salvador's expression, catching the subtle flicker of interest on his face, a sign that the pitch had landed.

"However, for this plan to succeed, you need reliable people. Someone who can ensure the talk show's success. Consistency matters more than hype."

"Jennifer Randon is the person you're looking for. She's the right person to host the talk show. She will make your dream come true. All I want from you is to personally watch her audition and consider the outcome without bias. You need my client. It's not me who's desperate here, it's you." His voice dropped slightly at the end, confident in every word.

The last part of the statement made Salvador burst into laughter. He threw his head back, his laughter echoing throughout the quiet office, filled with arrogance and disbelief, as if he had just heard the biggest joke.

"Delusional! Hahaha! You're really delusional! I thought you were a reasonable person, Collin. I'm so disappointed in you. Do you really think your client is that talented? I have thousands of people on my list, and you think Jennifer is that special?" His words were meant to crush confidence.

Collin kept his calm expression. He didn't flinch. His eyes remained steady, and his lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. Yes, he was confident in Jennifer. Her potential was something only he could see.

"You wouldn't lose anything in this transaction. Arnold and I will vote for you, that's a guaranteed gain. All you need to do is watch Jennifer's audition. Simple as that. Don't tell me you're afraid?" The provocation was subtle but intentional.

"Alright, haha, I agree." Salvador's grin widened, though his tone carried a hint of mockery.

On paper, it was a favorable transaction. It was true that Salvador was looking for someone to host the talk show, but he firmly believed Jennifer wasn't the best option available. He crossed his arms, already calculating how he could twist the deal to his advantage.

ANT had plenty of talents. Salvador believed he could easily find someone better.

In fact, he wouldn't have even entertained the idea of hiring Jennifer if not for what Collin could offer. If Collin had simply agreed to transfer one of his clients, Salvador would have hired Jennifer without hesitation.

At the end of the day, it was all about benefits. Morality didn't exist in this room, only strategy, leverage, and power.

The two sides shook hands and drafted a contract in the presence of a lawyer. With Arnold joining in the signing, the agreement was finalized, marking an uneasy alliance between ambition and manipulation.

Salvador believed he had won the transaction. He gained 2% voting power, and all he had to do was watch Jennifer's audition.

A satisfied smirk crept across his face as he read the contract, unaware that Collin's calm silence concealed a far deeper plan.

.........
......
...

Jennifer was having her nails painted when she unexpectedly received a call. She was in a high-end beauty salon where a single session cost thousands of dollars.

She sat comfortably in a chair, her left hand extended as nail polish was carefully applied.

Her phone rang, and Jennifer answered it with her dominant right hand. She confirmed that it was Collin, her agent.

"Collin, how's it going?" she asked casually.

"I'm alright. How about you? Is your job going well?"

"Well, it's alright."

The novelty of The Singing Voice had long faded after season three, and the show's ratings were steadily declining. It was a normal situation, but even so, Jennifer wanted to keep her job.

She understood how the business worked. The Singing Voice might get more seasons, but it would definitely cut costs. Jennifer had two choices: agree to a lower salary or leave. For her, the choice was obvious. She needed the income, even if it was painful to see her livelihood affected.

"I have a job for you, although it's not finalized yet, and you'll need to attend auditions."

"You mean you want me to act in a movie?" Jennifer asked in surprise. She thought her career path would remain focused on hosting. Even the voice acting she did a few weeks ago wasn't as shocking as the idea of acting.

"It's not a movie. It's a new TV show, a talk show. Once ANT confirms the package deal, I'll contact you with more details. For now, I want you to study and watch a lot of talk shows, preferably morning talk shows. Practice being a host."

"A-Alright." Jennifer was deeply shocked this time. She hadn't expected such news today. She thought Collin's call was just another routine to check her situation.

This time, it seemed that Collin had finally remembered her.

"Haha, Collin, it looks like you remembered that you have five clients," she teased lightly.

"Don't say that. I always think about you."

"Some people might misunderstand what you said," Jennifer replied with a soft giggle.

---

[Thank you for reading this novel. You can read more on my Patreon.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 212


Jennifer admitted that she had an inferiority complex because she felt like she was the only client who hadn't improved much. Her heart often sank whenever she compared herself to others. All of Collin's clients had great reputations and careers except for her. Her standards for herself were quite high.

Jennifer knew that Collin's intention for her was to make her a talk show host. She didn't know why he was set on that specific career, but she trusted him. Still, she sometimes doubted herself whenever months passed without any progress. After years of no news, Jennifer felt like she was being left behind.

And now, Collin had finally found a project for her. A talk show.

This was her long-awaited chance. The moment felt surreal, her hands trembling slightly as she held the phone.

This kind of TV show was either a hit or a miss. Everything came down to entertainment. If the talk show was entertaining, people would watch it. If not, it wouldn't get a continuation after one season. Ratings were ruthless, and networks rarely offered second chances.

"Don't worry. We already talked about my career path a few years ago, and I've been studying talk shows and hosting for years. I'm confident in myself. I might not be the best talk show host in Hollywood, but I'm probably in the top ten." Her tone was full of determination.

Jennifer wasn't lying. She hadn't forgotten their real goal. Hosting a singing competition was never the final destination. It was merely an accumulation of experience for her true path.

She had been working hard and studying relentlessly. She spent late nights watching and analyzing famous talk show hosts. She was ready. Even an impromptu audition wouldn't startle her.

Collin smiled when he heard her confidence. He was proud of Jennifer.

"I'm glad to hear that. Prepare for the audition and do your best. I believe this project is ours."

"Hm." Jennifer nodded as the call ended. She put down her phone and grinned excitedly, her heart racing with anticipation. At last, an opportunity had arrived, one she refused to waste.

Talk shows were harder to find compared to other TV programs such as narrative TV shows and reality TV shows. Limited slots meant brutal competition.

Narrative TV shows followed a storyline, such as drama series and comedy sitcoms.

Reality TV shows focused on real people and unscripted situations, such as talent shows and reality competitions.

Talk shows fell under the category of informational and discussion programs. This included news programs, documentaries, and, of course, talk shows. They relied heavily on charisma, personality, and chemistry between the host and the guests. They were less popular than narrative and reality TV shows, which was why networks only aired a few talk shows daily, perhaps only one or two.

The fact that they hadn't been able to find a talk show to audition for over many years showed just how difficult it was to secure one.

For Collin to find an available talk show for Jennifer to audition for was already a great feat.

Jennifer was impressed, happy, and excited. She had worked hard and prepared for this moment. A radiant smile spread across her face as she whispered to herself, "This is it."

.........
......
...

A man was happily sunbathing on a private island. Waves gently rushed against the white sand. His skin slowly tanned under the sun. He sat up and sipped from a fresh coconut drink. Then his assistant informed him that he had a call from Velvet Harmony.

The assistant handed him the phone.

"This is Jeff. Why did you call me?" His deep voice sounded lazy yet commanding.

Jeff Stain listened to the person on the other end of the line, his expression slowly turning solemn. The smile on his lips vanished, replaced by a deep frown.

"What happened last time must not be repeated. I don't care what tricks you use, I don't want Moonrise Music to succeed." He ended the call and tossed the phone onto the chair beside him, his jaw tightening.

Jeff was a financier who owned multiple businesses and properties. Within certain elite circles, he was famous for being an island owner.

He owned an island where all kinds of depravity took place. Beneath its paradise-like scenery lay darkness that would make anyone's stomach churn. He used the island to gain influence across multiple industries by satisfying the filthy desires of the wealthy.

He also used the island to gather blackmail material to maintain his status. He was both protected and scrutinized. So far, nothing had gone wrong for him.

He was friends with Papa Daddy, a black man who loved hosting freaky parties and inviting celebrities and young people.

He was also friends with R-Helly, another despicable individual involved in sex trafficking, including young women.

They were friends for a reason. Their bond was built on secrecy and mutual dirt on one another.

Jeff Stain recalled the time he invited Niko Walkman to one of his parties, where depravity was at its peak. The lights, the laughter, the vile moments, it all resurfaced in his memory.

At the time, Jeff believed Niko was just as disgusting as the rest of them. After all, Niko had a strange obsession with coins and seemed unhinged. He moaned over coins, which made Jeff think he was a pervert.

But when Niko stepped onto the island, Jeff was met with the most disappointing gaze of his life. Niko's cold, disgusted stare pierced him like a knife. It was the look one would give to the lowest form of filth.

That gaze offended Jeff deeply. His pride was crushed that day. Niko didn't even stay long on the island, leaving quickly without bidding Jeff farewell. The disrespect was something Jeff couldn't accept.

Even governors, former presidents of the USA, kings, and princes from other countries showed Jeff respect because of what he could provide. He handled their dirty deeds so the wealthy could indulge freely.

"Assistant, get me a pizza. I want to eat."

---

[Thank you for reading this novel. You can read more on my Patreon.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 213


He actually wanted to assassinate Niko, but the man also had some influence in the music industry, and silencing him would be troublesome. So the best he could do was destroy his career. Ruining his reputation was safer than risking an investigation.

Last time, they failed to steal Princess Chantal from her record label. But mistakes should not be repeated, the failure had only strengthened their determination to interfere again.

Jeff Stain and Velvet Harmony might have had strong influence in the music industry, but it all came down to profit. Princess Chantal's music was so loved by people that radio stations were bombarded with requests to play her songs, with endless listeners begging to hear them.

Even though these radio stations received orders that they must not play her music too often, they couldn't help but bend to the will of the masses.

That was the first time many radio stations had experienced such pressure. What followed was Princess Chantal's rise to stardom.

What Velvet Harmony was trying to do was prevent Moonrise Music's new artist, Pulse Static, from achieving the same status as Princess Chantal. They feared another unstoppable artist would weaken their influence.

They didn't want Moonrise Music to become more successful.

.........
......
...

"Do it."

"Why me?"

"Because you're the band leader."

"Since when did I become the band leader? I'm the newest member."

"You're indeed the newest member, so you must listen to us. Go and give him coins."

"..."

Mikael Wagner was speechless as he looked at his band members, Jericho, Rosales, and Tonio. Together, they formed the band Pulse Static.

Mikael gulped and left with no choice. He had to do it for their future. He approached Niko, the music producer who was currently sniffing coins with eagerness.

It had been a month since Pulse Static signed a contract with Moonrise Music, a record label with a good reputation. Moonrise Music was the label that made Princess Chantal a star. Since the company handled her career, expectations naturally became higher after Pulse Static joined.

Pulse Static's contract followed Princess Chantal's, showing that Moonrise Music was sincere in working with them. Even Arnold was happy when he read the contract. It was far better than other record labels. It showed that Moonrise Music had heart and confidence in their potential success.

$1 million advance payment.

20% royalty rate.

Five-album commitment from Moonrise Music.

Complete concert tour support, with Moonrise Music receiving 50% of the concert profits.

50% profit share from merchandise.

Moonrise Music decided to follow this contract because they would still earn a lot of money. However, the biggest reason Pulse Static received such a good contract was because of Collin.

If not for Collin, Pulse Static might have only received a 10% royalty rate with no concert tour support. This was the usual contract that record labels offered. Some even lowered the royalty rate to 5%, yet many artists still accepted it because young artists rarely had bargaining power.

Naturally, Arnold saw the advantage and agreed. He didn't even negotiate for more. For him, Moonrise Music was the perfect record label for his clients.

After signing the contract, the four members of Pulse Static each received $225,000. Arnold and his team naturally earned a 10% commission, which was why each member received $225,000 instead of $250,000.

Yet the fact that they easily earned $225,000 was enough to shock each member to the core. They were just ordinary people a month ago, not even sure if their dreams could become reality.

To make it clear, the $1 million they received was a loan they needed to pay back through album sales.

Mikael approached Niko, who was busy flirting with his coins and murmuring to them like treasured companions.

"Um, Niko, sir, here's a coin."

Mikael extended his hand to Niko. In his palm were old coins from a past era.

After getting briefed by Vivian, the owner of Moonrise Music, Mikael and the others realized that Niko was a talented music producer, but he had unique quirks. For Niko to work with Pulse Static, they needed to earn his approval.

Last time, Princess Chantal gave Niko a coin and the man agreed to produce her album. The story had become legend inside the label.

This time, Pulse Static had it harder.

Apparently, Niko rarely cooperated with male artists. He usually preferred working with female artists, especially those who gave him coins. Either way, it was difficult to work with him because most artists, male or female, were afraid to approach him. His behavior unsettled many professionals.

Vivian told them the trick to convince Niko. She learned the trick from the King of Pop himself. Jackson Mike had collaborated with Niko because of it.

The members of Pulse Static did their best to look for vintage coins, well-preserved coins with historical value.

Mikael nervously showed the coins, his palms sweaty. He had encountered his fair share of odd people in college, but someone who took pleasure in sniffing coins was on another level.

Suddenly, Niko stopped what he was doing. He stared at the coins and grabbed them, inspecting their condition, his eyes shining with collector enthusiasm.

"1847 Gothic Crown and 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent. The quality is good. However, I already have these coins in my collection."

"I- Is that so...?" Mikael's lips twitched. It cost them $10,000 to buy these coins from a collector.

Niko looked at Mikael and then at the three men behind him. Focus and sanity returned to his eyes.

"You guys are the new artists of Moonrise Music. Pulse Static, is that right?"

"Yes, sir."

Mikael was still skeptical about how this man created hit songs. He didn't look like someone capable of doing so, his appearance and actions contradicted his reputation.

"Vivian wants us to follow the emo punk rock style."

Emo punk rock was becoming popular in the early 2000s, and Moonrise Music wanted to ride the wave of its popularity.

"I see... You guys prepared a record tape? I want to listen to your songs."

"Um, we have cover songs."

"That will do." Niko stood up and went to the control room. The new studio had better equipment.

He played the tape and listened to their cover songs from famous rock bands. He slightly raised his brow and stared at the four men. They looked promising, particularly the vocalist.

'... Is finding talented singers really this easy?'

Niko had been a music producer for decades, and he could tell if a person was talented. When he listened to Princess Chantal's voice for the first time, he knew the woman would achieve success, and it seemed Pulse Static had the same potential.

---

[Author's Note:]

You can read more on my Patreon with:

81 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight

63 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad

Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_makii

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 214


For the second time, Niko felt that Pulse Static had the potential to achieve success. His usual hazy eyes sparkled, a sign that inspiration had awakened. This rock band seemed comparable to Princess Chantal in terms of charisma.

He thought Princess Chantal was already a miracle, a once-in-a-generation phenomenon.

Once was already a miracle, but twice was something he should take seriously. It was rare for his instincts to be wrong, and this time, his intuition told him that something big was brewing.

Because of this, Niko became interested in working with Pulse Static, his curiosity completely overriding his weirdness. His usual odd expression turned serious, and even his posture straightened slightly. He rarely had the chance to collaborate with people worthy of his creations. Most artists crumbled under the weight of his weirdness.

"You, sing this song." Niko pointed at Mikael Wagner. His tone was calm but carried authority. His gaze made Mikael stiffen unconsciously. For some reason, Niko had changed.

"Me? A- Alright." Mikael quickly sang the song. He knew the lyrics since he had already practiced them. His voice trembled slightly at first, but he soon found his rhythm, letting the melody flow naturally.

As Niko listened to his voice, he felt that something was strange. His brows furrowed as he analyzed Mikael's voice carefully. He frowned and told the whole band to play the song instead, deciding a full performance was necessary. His tone was sharper this time, filled with curiosity.

The four men went inside the recording booth and played the song with their instruments. The room was filled with the raw sound of drums, bass, and guitar blending perfectly together.

"... So his voice radiates when instruments accompany him live," Niko muttered under his breath, nodding slowly in realization. His eyes shone with interest as if he had just discovered a secret ingredient to their success.

Niko quickly understood Mikael's talent. It wasn't about vocal skill, it was chemistry, a synergy among bandmates. Mikael's voice came alive when fused with his bandmates' energy. No wonder Niko was a Golden Talent, he easily recognized Mikael's charm, his instincts honed by decades. He smirked faintly, impressed with himself... The next day, he would return to being a coin-sniffing guy.

"I see. That means I have to make albums that can make the whole band shine." His mind was already racing with ideas. Inspiration flooded him like a sudden wave. The spark of creation had begun.

He called them out of the recording booth and let them stay in the control room, wanting them nearby. Niko found a piece of paper and started writing.

Emo punk rock had a certain style to it, particularly in the lyrics. Niko, who knew many kinds of music genres, was not genre-phobic. He appreciated artistic diversity.

If there was an obvious trait of emo punk rock, it was expressive lyrics. Some people called them depressing lyrics, personal struggles and raw confessions of pain.

Niko didn't really have personal struggles. Despite many people bullying him for his behavior, Niko didn't feel bullied. He basically didn't care. As long as his coins were not stolen, anything in his surroundings didn't matter.

Still, he knew how to make a depressing song, this was not his first time.

"... Do you guys suffer hardships in your lives?" Niko turned to the four men sitting on the bench.

"Back when I was in elementary school, our family was so poor we had to look for food in garbage bins," Rosales (bassist) answered. It was a part of his life he would never forget. At that time, his father lost his job and they struggled to pay their debts. Every day felt uncertain.

Niko took that into consideration.

"How about you?" Niko said to Jericho (guitarist).

"Me? I'm not sure. I never really suffered that much in my life. Although there was a point in my elementary days when I almost got kidnapped by a white van." Jericho said, awkwardly scratching his head. He was still young at that time and couldn't remember it well. He just knew a stranger gave him candy and invited him into his van, but Jericho didn't listen and ran away.

"I see." Niko noted it down. Although this kind of topic might not be appropriate for the genre, emotions were emotions.

Niko then looked at Tonio (drummer).

"I don't have personal struggles." Tonio grinned, wearing a carefree smile. He saw his life as a blessing.

"As for me," Mikael recalled something. "Does being undermined by your parents count?"

"Explain it to me more," Niko said to Mikael, the vocalist.

"My parents were actually against my dreams. They didn't like that I pursued music and acting. They were against me attending art and film school, although I'm thankful they supported my college financially."

"That's perfect."

Niko found what he wanted to write. The theme was clear: Defiance against the authority and how depressing live could be.

He started writing lyrics on a piece of paper while the four men waited for him to finish. However, making a song could take a few minutes or a few days depending on the situation, creativity had no schedule. It was clear that Niko's creation would take some time to complete. In fact, he sniffed his coins once in a while, which made Pulse Static shudder.

Even the coins they gave to Niko were getting violated.

"The money we spent on those coins, the record label will compensate us, right?"

Rosales whispered to his bandmates. The others shook their heads, unsure if the money would be returned.

Suddenly, they heard a commotion outside. The four men looked at the door while Niko kept busy with his work, the noise outside didn't affect him.

"Strange, the control room should be soundproof. Why can we hear the commotion outside?"

"Someone probably opened the door."

The four men approached the door and confirmed that it was slightly open, enough for the sound to come in.

They decided to see what was going on. When they opened the door, they found Vivian talking to a man.

The man was begging on his knees. He was in his late 20s and had a handsome face, but his expression showed sadness and desperation.

"Lewis, no matter how much you try, it's over. I can't accept your apology."

"Please, Miss Vivian! One more chance, just give me one more chance!"

Lewis cried out, making a scene in front of the recording studio. Even the staff from the next room heard the commotion and gathered nearby.

+++

[This novel has 81 chapters on Patreon.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 215


"In the first place, how did you get inside our company?" Vivian's brows furrowed, her tone sharp as she clearly suppressed her irritation. Her heels clicked against the polished floor in annoyance.

She was just about to enter the recording studio when she saw Lewis approaching her with desperate eyes and disheveled hair.

"Please, Mrs. Vivian!" His voice trembled, echoing faintly in the hallway and drawing the attention of nearby staff.

"Lewis," Vivian sighed. Her expression hardened.n

"You and your group decided to leave Moonrise Music and sign another contract with Velvet Harmony. You paid the damages and ended the contract. Since then, our record label and your boy band have completely severed ties. There is no longer any connection between us."

"I know, but it's different this time. I'm not here as a member of a boy band but as a solo music artist. Only me, not the others." His shoulders trembled as he pleaded.

Lewis was part of Four Voices, a boy band that had once signed a contract with Moonrise Music a few years ago during the early days of the company. Back then, Moonrise Music had poured all of its resources into Four Voices, as they were the first artists of the record label and the company's biggest hope.

However, before Four Voices could even release their debut single, the boy band terminated their contract without warning. Led by their talent agent, Four Voices decided to jump to another record label that offered them a more profitable contract, a decision driven by greed.

The decision caused chaos back then. It broke the hearts of the staff, including Vivian, who had personally trained them.

The Four Voices' talent agent believed it was a good decision since they earned big money on the spot. On top of that, Velvet Harmony took care of the damages. All they had to do was sign the contract and leave everything behind.

But the boy band didn't have a successful debut when their single was released, the public reception was cold. The song was far worse than what Niko had composed. Velvet Harmony couldn't even recoup the investment and lost a lot of money.

Four Voices actually considered releasing the song composed by Niko, but that would have led to a troublesome lawsuit.

Since then, Four Voices disbanded and nothing happened. They didn't even complete the 5-album contract under Velvet Harmony. Their careers collapsed.

"Our contract with Velvet Harmony is not on an individual basis. It means I can still sign another contract with a different record label, legally speaking."

Lewis had actually contacted many record labels, but none of them took him seriously. His reputation was ruined. Simply because their boy band had a bad record. Their debut single and debut album didn't make money, and Velvet Harmony had to shoulder the loss, it became a huge financial failure.

Since Lewis was included in the boy band, no record label was brave enough to sign a deal with him. He was treated as bad luck, especially since Lewis was the frontman of the band. His failed debut clung to him like a curse.

Despite Lewis's pitiful appearance, Vivian didn't feel a thing. Her lips curled into a heartless smile. She had been betrayed by these people. Even though the damages were paid, it didn't change the fact that Moonrise Music had spent months training and nurturing these talents only to have them stolen by another record label.

To make matters worse, Four Voices didn't feel any regret for their decision. They never apologized. They agreed with their agent because they saw more money from Velvet Harmony. Vivian's eyes darkened as she recalled those days. The wasted dreams still haunted her and the company.

The staff started murmuring, some glaring at Lewis with hostility. The older staff remembered him, and they didn't have a good impression of him or his boy band. Although most of Moonrise Music's staff had resigned and only a few original workers remained, those people would never forget what Four Voices did. They would never forgive them for the damage they caused to the company.

"Uggyyyaaahh! Pweasee!"

Lewis reached the point where he had to cry just to gain sympathy. He abandoned his pride. Moonrise Music was no longer a simple record label. It had created a star, and its future was promising. Left with no choice, Lewis had to do his best to convince Vivian in tears.

As the commotion intensified, even Niko was disturbed and stepped outside, annoyed by the noise. He frowned when he saw a man begging in tears, kneeling on the ground. Niko recognized the face but didn't remember the name. He frowned again, he didn't like this guy from the boy band after the betrayal they committed.

"Sir Niko!" Lewis's eyes brightened when he saw Niko. He crawled toward him and showed a vintage coin.

"This is a gift for you!" he said, asking for forgiveness and hoping to appeal to Niko's habits.

"Please, let me sign with your record label."

However, Niko kept a cold expression. He didn't care about the coin.

"Why is this person here?" he asked Vivian.

"I'm also not sure." She shook her head.

"Lewis, just leave. You are not welcome here. You should take responsibility for what you did. Find another record label. We cannot help you."

"Oh my God, I don't want to. Please, Miss Vivian, I need this," Lewis cried out loudly, his voice shaking.

"No—"

"My mom is kinda homeless," he sobbed.

Vivian closed her eyes and pursed her lips, trying not to laugh. It was unexpected that she almost burst out laughing. She struggled to maintain composure.

"I live with my dad. I want to help her out," Lewis added, continuing his plea.

Vivian was close to laughing, her lips trembling.

"Vivian, I'm watching you. Why are you trying not to laugh? That's disrespectful as shit. What's wrong with you? Look at you smiling, you're disrespectful as shit."

Niko said this while practically mocking both Lewis and Vivian.

Vivian was the person who had chosen the boy band, handpicking them from the list of music artists they wanted to cultivate into stars. Hence, he felt that Vivian should fix this matter on her own.

Fortunately, security arrived and kicked Lewis out. He tried to struggle, but the outcome wouldn't change. He wouldn't get his second chance from Moonrise Music.

+++

[Thank you for reading this novel, you can read more on my Patreon.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 216


As Mikael and the others watched Lewis getting kicked out by security, they all made a decision.

They looked at each other and nodded, having the same idea.

"Let's not betray this record label."

Knowing that the conditions they signed were favorable, they had no reason to betray Moonrise Music.

The conditions Moonrise Music gave to Pulse Static were almost equivalent to those given to superstar music artists. Only successful stars could get that kind of treatment, yet Pulse Static got it.

.........
......
...

In the second week of February, Collin received a call from Salvador's secretary that the talk show was approved. Everything was finalized and the production was officially happening. Collin received a notification that Jennifer had two weeks to prepare before the audition happened.

Collin put down the telephone and leaned back against his chair. He looked at the ceiling, thinking about many scenarios.

'It all comes down to Jennifer.'

Collin had an idea of what Salvador was planning. He would hire only people whom he could trust, and the two most important positions in the production team were the producer and director, these positions controlled almost everything.

Salvador would naturally choose his own client, the director who had directed many game shows. Talk shows might be a different genre, but the director could handle it considering that he had a lot of experience.

As for the producer, he would probably come from Nation TV itself, perhaps a friend of Salvador, making things easier.

'This talk show is still an experimental project and Nation TV will decide if they will give it another season depending on the results.'

They needed the project to be ready as fast as possible, perhaps within a month.

If Salvador wanted this talk show to succeed, he would obviously choose the best candidate. However, it always came down to benefits and Salvador's priorities.

Fortunately, Collin knew Salvador's priorities.

'To win the election next year and become the President of Talent Management and Representation. For that, he will use the talk show as a way to gain influence.'

And there were a lot of methods to do that, either by selling the hosting position to a person who could bring him immediate benefits or by inviting celebrities who were eager for publicity and gain favors from them.

'I hope Salvador can see what's important.'

After thinking about it, Collin called Jennifer and informed her about the audition, such as the time and date.

Actually, Collin could use his own money to produce a talk show for Jennifer. However, that method had a big flaw.

In the first place, a talk show was useless if no TV network was interested in broadcasting it. As for the internet, streaming did not even exist in the year 2000, and most podcasts were all nonsense.

Collin might gamble, but he wouldn't gamble his money. He knew that his chances of winning were high considering that Jennifer had a Yellow Talent in hosting. But what about it?

Collin wouldn't gamble his own money, that was the most stupid thing to do. Let other people handle that, not Collin.

Since this matter was now in the hands of Jennifer, Salvador, and the decision-makers of the production team, it was time for Collin to let go. He did his part and even negotiated his voting power. All he had to do was trust Jennifer and wait for the results.

For now, he should attend Lawrence's comedy film.

.........
......
...

Talent agents of celebrities could go backstage at the theater and not mingle with the reporters and fans at the entrance of the red carpet. The people outside were irrelevant, and Collin had no intention of watching the noisy red carpet when Lawrence had already entered the theater.

Right when he went into the theater, he saw Lawrence shaking hands with the executives of Fair Amount Pictures, the studio that funded and produced the comedy film, Funny Ones.

Honestly, Collin had average expectations regarding this film. He read the script and found it funny, giving him a few chuckles, but it was mediocre compared to Wyatt's masterpieces. His opinion regarding comedy films was high, especially when Wyatt was on his roster of clients, bias was unavoidable.

The only reason Collin chose this project for Lawrence was that Wyatt was still on vacation. Well, the director of the movie, Funny Ones, was a Yellow Talent, so it was not that bad. Furthermore, Lawrence also had a Yellow Talent in comedy films, which made their combination good and safe.

Just like Lawrence, Collin also shook hands with important people before approaching Lawrence, who sat in his seat after greeting the management and executives of Fair Amount Pictures.

When Collin arrived, Lawrence smiled at him and relaxed his mood.

"Sit next to me, I have something to tell you."

"I assume it's about your wife." Collin sat down.

"Yeah, Emma's starting to change lately. She's still crazy, but her behavior is much better compared to last year." Lawrence had already talked to the psychiatrist and director Summerbelt about it. Lawrence was just informing Collin so that his agent knew about their relationship. Terrier Blackstone was also happy about the result.

"So what's your next plan?"

"Isn't it obvious? Once the contract is over, I'll file for a divorce. She's fun in bed, but I can't deny that she's crazy." Lawrence recalled some things that made him smile. He licked his lips.

This situation was a bit difficult to process because they earned quite a lot of benefits from Blackstone Corporation. In fact, Collin used this leverage to get his clients sponsorships from companies owned by Blackstone Corporation.

"How about the scripts I sent you? Did you find anything interesting?" Collin had faxed him four scripts: two were romantic comedies, one was a comedy, and the last was a drama romance. Collin picked scripts that fit Lawrence's talent. All of the scripts were written by Yellow Talent scriptwriters with directors who also had Yellow Talent.

When Collin said that, Lawrence couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Three of the scripts were romance with kissing scenes. Emma didn't like them."

"..." Collin didn't know what to say.

'Wait a fucking minute, Lawrence's talent flourished under romance movies. If Emma prevented him from reaching his success, then she doesn't deserve him.'

Collin's gaze turned cold.

+++

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 217


"Lawrence, I know that your decision is the most important. But I want you to listen to me carefully. I think you need to divorce Emma. She's holding you back. What we received from them is already enough. It's worth the trade, but not in the long run. If you can't even choose your own movie, then she doesn't deserve you. She doesn't support you at all," Collin said firmly, his tone calm. He stared at the blank screen of the theater but his mind was calculating.

He recognized that Emma would only make things worse. She was like a chain wrapped around Lawrence, preventing him from moving forward.

'Lawrence is my money maker, a pillar in my roster. Emma and her father can go to hell. The benefits they bring are useless if Lawrence can't maintain his status at the top.'

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Collin." Lawrence nodded lightly. He also admitted that the benefits they received from the Blackrock Corporation were quite substantial.

Collin knew that pushing his own agenda wouldn't help, so he stopped saying anything bad about Emma. Lawrence already understood the implication. Sometimes silence worked better than persuasion.

"As for the scripts you sent me... I'm thinking of auditioning for the drama-romance. It's a heavy theme, and I find it interesting." Lawrence leaned back, his brow furrowed as if weighing the decision.

Lawrence wanted to transition to other genres to grow as an actor, as he wanted to try something new. The topic of the drama-romance he read was something he wanted to work on. There was something about the story that pulled him in.

The script was about a man who fell in love with a woman who forgot him every day, the title was Walk and Remember. Perhaps it could lead him to acting awards. For once, he wanted to try another heavy theme like Passionate Island.

With that, the movie started on premiere night. The theater lights dimmed and the chatter faded. The audience watched with grins on their faces. They laughed at the jokes and punchlines, their laughter echoing through the theater. Lawrence's performance was natural, effortlessly pulling reactions from the crowd.

They realized that Lawrence was not only meant for romance movies, but he also had a talent for making people laugh. On screen, his comedic timing was sharp and precise.

February 13, 2000. The movie, Funny Ones, grossed $10 million at the North American box office in its opening numbers. This was considered a success by analysts.

February 14, 2000, Saturday. The box office increased to $29 million.

Then on Sunday, February 15, 2000, the movie grossed over $39 million, continuing the momentum.

Naturally, Fair Amount Pictures was very happy about these results. As the movie's budget was only $50 million, with Lawrence Terrence getting the biggest cut of the budget, the performance it showed was better than they expected.

On top of that, this further solidified Lawrence's status in Hollywood as the Box Office King. Many executives only saw him as the face of romance movies because most of his filmography consisted of romance films.

In this movie, Lawrence proved that he was not just about romance movies. His box office appeal also influenced other genres, making him a better actor in the eyes of many studios.

However, people didn't know the biggest factor behind these outcomes. In the first place, they couldn't understand it because they didn't have supernatural eyes that could see people's talents like Collin.

Collin had rarely given his clients mediocre scripts and mediocre directors. His selections were of high standard. He made sure that Lawrence and Axel had amazing directors and promising projects to work with.

In a way, he was one of the biggest factors in why these actors constantly achieved success. And no one appreciated him for what he did, well, he didn't need to. He preferred staying behind the spotlight and letting others take the recognition.

Together with Lawrence's Yellow Talent in comedy films plus the director's Yellow Talent, it was not surprising that the movie was successful. Collin basically understood the best formula for making successful films.

In fact, if he wanted to, he could make a simple actor with no defining talent become a star. Collin had enough influence and capability to do that. It was not an overstatement anymore, Collin could really do that.

Collin just didn't want to, because his standards had risen over time. Yellow Talent was the minimum standard, but even then, he wouldn't accept just anyone.

With that, Lawrence received another success, and headlines about him grew rampant once again. Even though Lawrence only appeared in one movie per year, he maintained his status because all of his movies were box office hits.

The audience and fans didn't grow fatigued because he only had one movie per year, which helped him a lot in maintaining demand.

.........
......
...

Jennifer Randon licked her finger and turned the page of the novel she was reading. She was in the hallway of a building, and one of the rooms was rented by a production studio as the audition room.

Unlike her usual experience with auditions, the hallway only had four women this time. The morning talk show was greenlit, but the host had to be a woman, as a gorgeous woman was pleasing to look at in the morning... Was this even real? Who cared. Probably yes.

The women present today had passed the first and second rounds, which deemed them worthy to audition personally in front of the director, producer, and other important members of the production team for the final selection.

The women eyed each other coldly, not hiding the fact that they didn't like each other. They were all gorgeous and attractive, so even their glares looked sexy.

Anyway, Jennifer kept her composure. She was not a simple person anymore. She had experience in hosting and knew what to do. For some reason, she was not nervous. Was it confidence because she had prepared for this moment for many years?

This might be the first time Jennifer attended an audition without feeling nervous.

She kept reading her novel titled Yang-Yang Dual Cultivation. She had a certain genre she loved reading.

Jennifer might be at her peak right now. Despite being in her mid-30s, she was gorgeous and well-maintained even without makeup.

One by one, the women were called. These women were not actresses. One was a newscaster, another was a weather reporter, another was a magazine writer, another was a sports reporter, while Jennifer was a host of a singing competition.

They all had experience with interviews. To be precise, they were the ones who conducted interviews, talking to and asking people questions.

Jennifer kept reading her novel, waiting for her name to be called. She was last on the list. When someone called her name, she stood up and walked inside with steady steps.

+++

[Author's Note:]

You can read more on my Patreon with:

83 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight

65 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad

Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_makii

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 218


"Looks like we have a strong contender," Joel, the producer of the show, said, and many people agreed. They looked at the résumé of Kimberly Alphonse, the sports reporter who auditioned earlier. She had a lot of experience interviewing athletes and a professional background.

So far, she was the best one today. Even Salvador agreed, he was satisfied with Kimberly's performance. He smiled in approval, calculations running through his mind.

'Her agent promised me full support in the election and front-page covers in famous magazines once she becomes the host. All under the contract.'

Kimberly's agent was actually the Head of the Sports Department and owned 3.5% of the company's shares. Furthermore, the agent had connections to many famous magazines. Salvador could use these magazines to elevate his clients even more. In fact, he could also use them to elevate his own status.

'They can interview me and make me famous.'

Honestly, those were not the best conditions promised to him, but he didn't think much of it. He considered them freebies.

'Since Kimberly is going to be the host, I'll get benefits either way.'

To be precise, any candidate could give him benefits. He had already talked and negotiated with their agents, they had prior arrangements. He had even manipulated the second round of the audition to make sure everyone who passed would be beneficial to him. It was a secret deal, but this kind of manipulation was a commonly used tactic in the industry.

'3.5% votes and front covers of magazines, not bad.'

Salvador had no reason to disagree. He slightly grinned. The smug expression on his face didn't go unnoticed by Joel, who quietly raised a brow but said nothing.

"This is our last candidate," the director, Salvador's client named Patrick, announced.

A woman entered the room. She was poised and very demure, charming in her presence. Her posture was straight, her steps light but confident.

Jennifer sat down and looked at the people on the panel. She introduced herself.

"I'm Jennifer Randon. I'm the host of The Singing Voice."

The judges nodded, as they knew who she was. The Singing Voice was a famous singing competition show, and most of them had watched at least one or two episodes. Jennifer had a good reputation. Some of the staff murmured.

"Alright, Jennifer," Patrick, the director, spoke. "We're going to do an impromptu segment. You'll start with a short intro, act as if you're opening the show. Then you'll interview our stand-in guest. Keep it natural, conversational, and engaging."

"Remember, personality is everything. Don't just ask questions, make us feel like we're part of the moment. Ready?" Joel, the producer, encouraged her.

Jennifer smiled. "I'm ready." Her confidence radiated in that brief smile, her eyes gleaming with determination.

Jennifer stepped onto the slightly elevated platform and glanced at the camera. On the platform were two comfortable chairs.

"Good morning, everyone! Welcome back to Morning Glow! I'm Jennifer Randon, and today we're talking about something we can all relate to. Joining me today is a man who turned a hobby in his garage into one of the most talked-about tech startups of the year. Please welcome, Ethan Cole!"

She smiled brightly, her expression effortlessly switching into camera-ready warmth. She was used to this kind of switch up as she had hosted The Singing Voice for years.

She actually didn't know the guest's name or the show's name, she just improvised. Her instincts as a seasoned host kicked in and carried the impromptu performance.

The "guest," a newbie actor, stepped in and sat down. Jennifer greeted him warmly with a handshake. As for the topics, Jennifer created them on the spot. She had done this many times in her job as a host and could construct questions without a problem.

She carried a perfect balance of enthusiasm and calm professionalism.

"Ethan, I have to start by asking, I read you built your first prototype out of kitchen scraps. Is that true, or is it just a made-up story?"

"No, it's true! I had no funding at the time, so I literally built it using spare parts I could find." "Ethan" laughed awkwardly.

This was also an audition for him, an impromptu acting test. If "Ethan" performance was great, he would be introduced to an agent in ANT and get a contract.

His nervous laughter gradually turned into a relaxed chuckle as Jennifer nodded encouragingly.

Today, both "Ethan" and Jennifer held opportunities to change their lives.

As for what they were talking about... they were simply playing along.

"That's incredible. I think that's what people love about stories like yours, the persistence. Tell me, though, was there ever a night you thought, "This isn't going to work"?"

"Oh, so many nights."

"And what kept you going?"

The guest paused, likely thinking of an answer. Jennifer didn't interrupt, keeping her expression attentive. She didn't overact, she simply waited and listened. For some reason, her presence made everything feel natural.

Once in a while, Jennifer inserted humorous jokes that made the panelists laugh. For an actress who had starred in two major comedy films, she knew how to deliver funny lines. Her timing was impeccable, and her jokes landed well.

As the interview went on, "Ethan" slowly calmed down and opened up more. Their conversation flowed smoothly and was perfectly entertaining. Even the camera operator forgot to blink, drawn into the rhythm of their exchange.

Suddenly, an alarm clock rang sharply, echoing through the studio and making everyone realize they were actually in an audition, not a real talk show.

Even "Ethan" lost his flow and looked at the panelists. His face went blank for a second, as if waking from a dream.

"Sir, it's time for lunch." The assistant apologized to the panelists for breaking the atmosphere.

"... When did the audition start?" The producer gulped hard, his throat suddenly dry, as he had forgotten about their job.

"It has been an hour and thirty minutes since the interview started."

"..."

Everyone was speechless. The room fell completely silent.

'You mean to tell me we were caught in a performance for a whole hour and thirty minutes? That long?'

The fact that they had forgotten what they were doing was terrifying yet exciting. Suddenly, everyone looked at Jennifer with awe. Jennifer kept her smile, captivating them.

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 219


Jennifer exited the room. Her feet moved weakly across the floor, each step slower than the last. All of her confidence, poise, and enthusiasm were gone. She was like a deflated balloon that had lost all its air after burning every ounce of energy.

She exhaled and walked away. The audition was exhausting, far more exhausting than any rehearsal she had experienced. She kept her composure the whole time, but that didn't mean she wasn't nervous. Her heart had been beating fast beneath that calm smile. She had been on edge the entire time!

Heck, her back was actually sweating. Thankfully, she was wearing black sleeves so the sweat wasn't visible, saving her from embarrassment.

"I finished the audition... I did great, right?" she asked herself. Her voice came out smaller.

She was confident in her performance, especially when she left the panelists speechless. She did her best. Every second of practice and every sleepless night led to this moment. All the accumulated experience and hard work were for this audition.

The hallway was silent as Jennifer walked away. No footsteps except her own echoed back. Even the air felt heavy. She would receive the results within a week. She was a bit disappointed they didn't sign her on the spot, but she believed in herself. She forced a smile, whispering, "I did my best."

.........
......
...

"We have a tape of Jennifer hosting The Tonight Show, right?" Patrick, the director, asked the team with interest.

"Yes, sir. It's here." Someone quickly passed the videotape to the panelists. The VHS system was also prepared. Obviously, Patrick wanted to watch Jennifer's performance on The Tonight Show.

The videotape showed Jennifer's interview with Princess Chantal. On the TV screen, the host was poised yet playful, talking to Princess Chantal with humor and making the atmosphere entertaining and lively, the audience's laughter filling the recording.

Patrick and Joel watched the episode seriously. Their eyes never left the screen. In their minds, they already knew Jennifer was the strongest contender.

"It's not a fluke," Patrick murmured.

Once the videotape ended, Patrick confirmed that Jennifer had talent in hosting. She made her guests feel at ease, and the way she conversed with them was engaging. She was natural.

Joel agreed. He then turned to Salvador. He knew Salvador had negotiated with people about today's audition. Joel wasn't surprised. In this business, nothing ever came clean. In fact, one of the women had also offered benefits to Joel.

Joel studied Salvador's reaction. Unexpectedly, Salvador showed none. His expression was normal, too normal. No sadness, no happiness, just a mask of neutrality.

Just like Salvador had said earlier, it didn't matter which woman was chosen, he would receive benefits no matter what. He had already secured his interests, although he didn't expect Jennifer to perform that well. Even Salvador had been caught under her spell.

'Collin's offer is the least beneficial one, but that doesn't mean it's bad,' Salvador thought.

Patrick began reading the information they gathered about Jennifer.

"It says here that The Tonight Show reached its highest viewership of nine million when Jennifer hosted it. All five of her episodes had a steady viewership of six million," Patrick said, impressed. The numbers alone showed her success.

"T-That's amazing," Joel said, surprised. He knew how ratings worked, and talk shows were not the best type of TV shows in terms of viewership, so the fact that The Tonight Show reached an average of six million viewers was impressive.

In fact, there was more to the information. When Ray Reno heard about the nine million viewership, he felt threatened. He watched each episode hosted by Jennifer and knew his position was in danger. He told the production team and director that Jennifer should never step into their studio again, no matter what. Whether as a host or a guest, Jennifer Randon was not allowed on the show.

"I need to know more about Jennifer. Give me everything we have on her. Once I compile everything, we will make a decision," Patrick announced, and Joel agreed without hesitation. Both already knew the answer.

Even though the decision was not finalized, it was obvious who would get the position.

Salvador excused himself and left early. The moment he stepped out, the air felt less suffocating. His part was done.

Once he reached his car, he slammed his fist against the steering wheel so hard that the horn cried.

"Fuck! Fucking shit!!"

Salvador roared, his voice echoing inside the car. He was frustrated and had kept it to himself earlier because he didn't want to make a scene. He couldn't believe he had been outplayed like that.

"Collin, you fucking shit! No wonder you're confident, haha, so this is the hidden ace of ANT. The talent agent who recognizes his client's strongest weapons!" His laugh cracked mid-sentence.

Salvador had thought the rumors were nothing but exaggerations. But now that he had experienced it himself, he realized Collin was more than that, he was far more dangerous.

He wasn't mad that Jennifer was chosen. Deep down, he even admired her. He wasn't disappointed with the benefits he received either, 2% voting power was worth it.

What he hated was the fact that Collin had played him like a toy. He couldn't believe Collin treated him like a pawn, as if Salvador had already been sitting in the palm of his hand. That was humiliating, a younger agent had completely outsmarted him.

'And I thought everything was under control. How naive of me.'

He recalled the sensation of being hypnotized by Jennifer earlier. Her presence had pulled him in. He wanted to watch her interview more, he was even disappointed when the alarm clock rang. He hated himself for that. It was disgusting.

"Collin, you fucking bastard."

Salvador laughed out loud. It sounded manic. Fortunately, the windows were up and no one heard his hysterical laughter.

'Collin, make sure to keep your ambition to yourself so that I won't treat you as my enemy. Stay where you are and don't threaten me.' Salvador recognized that Collin was dangerous. He had thought Collin was just lucky for signing talented clients, but now he knew better.

'Jennifer was once an actress, but Collin convinced her to change her career. Truly amazing, Collin. I admit you're better than me at discovering talent.'

Salvador recalled what they talked about last time, and he felt even more humiliated. Each word replayed in his mind, taunting him.

"Thank you, Collin. I'll use your client well." He spat the words like poison.

[Thank you guys for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 220


Two days later, not even a week, Jennifer received a call telling her she was cast as the host of a new morning show.

Her heart skipped, and for a moment she forgot to breathe. After fully understanding the call, she jumped in excitement and squealed happily. Tears welled in her eyes before she even realized it.

Immediately, she called Collin. She wanted to share the good news with him. He was the first person she thought of.

"Collin! Collin! I got the job!" Jennifer was so happy that her voice cracked.

"I know," Collin answered calmly on the phone, though he was smiling.

"Really!?"

"Yeah, I received the news from someone." Collin smiled and raised his voice to be heard. He leaned back in his chair, relieved that their plan worked. He was also happy. At last, after many years, they had found a starting point. It had been very tough for Collin to find this opportunity.

'I guess I have to thank Chairman Noah Nash for his help. Without his info, I'll never know about this. That connection was crucial.'

"Don't worry, Jennifer. I'll make sure the negotiation will be quick. We don't want this opportunity to disappear."

"I'm not looking for something grand, just make sure I won't get hungry," Jennifer said with a small laugh, wiping her tears.

"I'll keep that in mind."

It was a gamble that paid off well.

Collin ended the call.

"Who was that?"

"None of your fucking business."

"Come on, man. I thought we agreed that today is a rest day and no job."

"Rest day my ass. You invited me to a concert bar to watch Pulse Static's performance." Collin coldly stared at Arnold.

Today was supposed to be a rest day for Collin, but Arnold had invited him to a bar. He thought it was a wine bar where they could peacefully drink, but it turned out to be a concert bar instead, where rock bands and music artists played their songs in front of thousands of people.

"This is the biggest concert bar in Los Angeles, and it's very famous. A great place to gain fans," Arnold answered.

They were in the upper part of the bar, a private spot meant for VIPs. From there, they could see the whole stage and the audience on the ground floor.

"I can't believe I fell for your tricks."

"Well, congratulations."

"Tch."

"You're at the top of the game, you must help me too," Arnold added.

"You're also at the top. You're a fucking executive of ANT. You don't need my help at all."

Just like Collin, Arnold used the information he received from Chairman Noah Nash to get into this concert bar. The bar was actually not simple, a couple of rock bands found their initial success in this place, and it had a strong reputation. The venue could accommodate thousands of people, which made it easier to gain fans and massive exposure.

In a way, Arnold was setting up a plan for his clients. He successfully secured a performance slot every Sunday for Pulse Static, and the contract would last for a month, a valuable opportunity. It was enough for Pulse Static to gain a reputation if they performed well.

"Still, I agree that you're better than me. You're doing things behind the spotlight, and you're doing it well. Help me find more clients."

"Your tricks won't work." Collin didn't even budge, not falling for the flattery.

"Are you Collin East because you're behind the spotlight, or are you behind the spotlight because you're Collin East?"

"Arnold, what the fuck are you talking about?"

"Let me rephrase it. Are you Collin East because you're the hidden ace, or are you the hidden ace because you're Collin East?" Arnold doubled down.

"I'm starting to think that you're retarded. Are you sure this is the man you married and spent your life with?" Collin then turned to the woman who was gracefully sipping her cocktail, asking her to explain her husband's existence.

Jolyne Robs glanced at Collin and Arnold. Her gaze toward Arnold was endearing, warmth filling her eyes. No matter what Arnold did, she found him attractive, even when he was being painfully stupid.

"That's the reason I love him. He's not normal, and he never pretends to be."

"..." Collin was speechless. His mouth opened, then closed, unable to respond.

"Hehe." Arnold chuckled, slightly blushing. He raised his chest, proud of what he achieved. He was happy that his wife praised him. However, Collin looked at him with disgust.

The biggest reason he hated tonight's event was that he was the third wheel. He fucking hated the fact that Arnold and Jolyne were having lovey-dovey moments while he was just there in the background, existing, an unwanted extra in someone else's romance movie.

'I'm not supposed to be here. This is awkward. If they want to spend their time together, they shouldn't have invited me. Arnold, that bastard, is bragging about the fact that he's happily married right in my face.'

There were times when Collin thought about marrying a woman and living a fulfilling life, simple things he once believed he deserved. However, that innocent dream was shattered when he realized his fiancée was pregnant with another man's child. That charade even lasted for months before the truth came out.

Back then, Collin was so happy that he worked hard as a model to make sure his fiancée and the child would have a better life. He gave everything. Then, two months before the wedding day, Collin found out the kid was not his. That betrayal crushed him.

Since then, his view of romance had been badly affected.

He tried to start again. He courted Dee Ceitful, a woman he fell in love with at first sight. However, that feeling didn't last long as he was rejected by Dee because he was poor. She looked down on him.

Then, when Collin became successful, Dee showed up and tried to rekindle their relationship, but Collin was done at that point. He was not a fool, especially after he awakened his powers at that time. He could see through Dee Ceitful's intentions.

'Fortunately, Dee stopped harassing me after that. I haven't seen her anymore, which is a good thing. I just want to live my life without a hassle.'

At this point, Collin accepted the fact that he would never find love. Or perhaps he was traumatized by what he experienced and unable to trust again. He was too broken to risk opening himself up again. He just focused on his career and provided the best for his family and friends, pouring all of his love into them.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 221


He looked at Arnold and Jolyne, who were clearly in love with each other. The couple leaned unconsciously toward one another, smiling as if they had their own private world. Collin was happy that Arnold had found his true love. Arnold had won in life, he had a loving wife and a cute daughter.

'I'm happy for him, so please don't let me be part of this suffocating moment. I didn't sign up to be a third wheel today. This is torture.'

The concert bar continued, and another band showed up. The bar always had a different lineup every night. The musicians stepped onto the stage, tuning their guitars.

As they waited for the performance, Jolyne saw someone she recognized.

"Hey, looks like a friend of mine also showed up. Gabriella, here!"

Jolyne called out to a beautiful woman wearing a stylish outfit. The woman looked at Jolyne and waved excitedly.

"Jolyne, I miss you!"

"I miss you too."

Jolyne and Gabriella hugged each other.

"So this is the concert bar you're talking about. It's a nice place," Gabriella said to Jolyne as she looked around.

Collin couldn't believe it. Gabriella Wallmart was here.

"By the way, this is Collin, Arnold's friend. Collin, this is Gabriella."

Gabriella already knew Arnold, so Jolyne only introduced her to Collin instead.

Gabriella was smiling, but she showed a surprised expression when she noticed Collin was present.

"Collin?"

"Gabriella."

Collin nodded slightly.

'This woman... I can't believe she manipulated Jolyne to meet me. Is she really serious about convincing me to change Princess Chantal's record label? Did she really go this far just to talk business?'

Considering that Princess Chantal brought in hundreds of millions last year, yes, she was very profitable.

However, Collin quickly caught something strange. Her Golden Talent was not showing up or shining. In fact, Gabriella was genuinely surprised and thrown off guard. It was not a calculated situation.

'Her talent is not showing up... Does that mean she didn't orchestrate this situation? So this wasn't a trap? Then what the hell is happening?'

"Collin, I can't believe you're here!"

Indeed, Gabriella was surprised. During their last meeting in France, she had felt that pursuing Collin and convincing him to jump ship would be a tough mission, and seeing him again brought back those bad memories.

"Wait a minute, you guys know each other?" Jolyne didn't expect that. She smiled, excited.

"Yeah, I'm friends with Princess Chantal," Gabriella confirmed, then glanced at Collin.

"Oh, that explains it," Jolyne replied and nudged Arnold to take the cue, her elbow hitting his ribs.

Arnold understood that the plan was halfway there and played along. He remembered his role.

"Well then, Jolyne says she wants to go down and watch the concert closer. You guys stay here and talk." Arnold maintained his expression. The couple quickly walked away and left the two alone at their table.

"..."

Suddenly, Collin and Gabriella realized what had happened. Their eyes met.

"... Did they set up a blind date for us?" Collin muttered. This was unexpected.

"Yeah, I think so too," Gabriella answered, unconsciously tucking her hair behind her ear.

They looked at each other, not knowing what to say. It was awkward, very awkward.

"First, I would like to apologize. I didn't know what Arnold was thinking. He just drags me into things without warning."

"No, no, you don't have to do that. It's my fault. Jolyne asked me if I was single and I said yes, but I didn't think she would do this. I didn't think she'd throw me into… this situation."

The two smiled at each other, finding the situation awkward yet funny.

However, they fell silent after that. After all, their last meeting had gone badly.

Suddenly, the next musician stepped onto the stage, and fans cheered loudly, catching their attention.

Both Gabriella and Collin looked at the stage and saw a white man in his mid-20s holding an acoustic guitar.

"Isn't that Renee Denver?" Collin muttered, recognizing the singer.

"Renee Denver? You mean the first winner of The Singing Voice?" Gabriella added.

"Yes, that's him." Collin pointed at the man on stage.

Gabriella looked at the stage and confirmed it was indeed Renee Denver.

"Wow, I thought he had disappeared from the music industry altogether. I've never heard of him after he won The Singing Voice," Gabriella said, surprised.

The Singing Voice was a famous singing competition show, and its first season had high ratings. For Renee Denver to win at the grand finals meant he had talent and was loved by the public.

Yet Renee Denver had simply disappeared after that.

On stage, Renee Denver smiled at his fans and performed a song written personally by him. It was accompanied only by an acoustic guitar. It was simple, but Renee sang beautifully.

Even Gabriella was impressed.

Collin also watched the performance. He was surprised when he saw that Renee Denver had two Yellow Talents. And his second talent was shining strongly, as if it were at the peak of Yellow Talent.

'I've only seen one incident like this. It's just like what happened to Axel. He had a White Talent, but it evolved into a Yellow Talent. If I'm right, Renee is close to achieving Golden Talent. He just needs a catalyst to trigger it.' Collin thoughtfully looked at Renee as the singer captivated the audience with his voice.

Renee Denver

-- Dynamic Range Control (Yellow)

-- Song Writer (Yellow to Gold)

Renee had two talents, but his "Song Writer" was the one shining strongly, almost blinding.

Gabriella was captivated by Renee's song. To be precise, the lyrics were sad and sentimental, full of emotion that Gabriella could feel. Even the fans were getting teary-eyed as they listened to his performance.

Renee performed five songs, all written by him. He played the acoustic guitar, making the atmosphere peaceful in the concert bar.

When his performance ended, Gabriella was speechless. She then turned to Collin and realized he was simply looking at Renee, as if he could see through everything.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 222


'It's clear that Renee is talented. The audience loved his performance and he sang it well. I didn't know the song at first, but by the second chorus, I could sing along. It has a catchy melody. Yet, for Collin, all he saw was nothing. He had no reaction.'

Gabriella stared hard at Collin, studying him. She knew that Collin was handsome, he had been a model for a few years. Even now, he was still attractive. No, he was more attractive. Collin had grown up and matured. His movements, his vision, and his mindset had transformed. He was so charismatic that even Gabriella was impressed.

Gabriella swallowed nervously. Perhaps...

"Is there something on my face?"

"Hm?"

"You kept looking at me. Is there something on my face?"

"N- No, you're fine. You're really fine." Gabriella showed her practiced smile, hiding her fluster. Collin was indeed a fine man.

"I noticed that you're not impressed by Renee Denver's performance. Is there a reason why? He's clearly talented and his songs are amazing. I want to hear his songs again."

"Well, let's just say that I've seen better," Collin answered matter-of-factly.

Because Collin could see through Renee's talent, he was not surprised that he performed well.

"Indeed, his songs are great, but Princess Chantal is better than him." Gabriella nodded. She compared the two artists, and Princess Chantal had a star factor in her performance. Fans couldn't help but fall in love with her music and stage presence.

"What do you think? Does Renee have an agency? Will he agree if someone invites him to sign a contract?" Gabriella became interested in Renee. Even though the first winner of The Singing Voice was incomparable to Princess Chantal, he was still a promising client.

"You didn't know his story?" Collin asked.

"Well, I'm not completely sure. I just heard that Renee and his record label had a fallout."

"He offended an influential figure, and the record label sabotaged his career," Collin answered. He was also not certain. The information he had came from others, and he didn't know the specifics.

Renee's issue was complicated. He had been invited to a strange party hosted by Papa Daddy. The party had drugs and questionable activities, yet many celebrities attended it.

It was a terrible day for Renee because he was targeted by Papa Daddy.

When Renee entered the room his manager told him to visit, he found the black rapper oiled up and naked. The bed had a box of baby oil bottles for an obvious purpose.

'I want that booty,'

Those were the exact words Papa Daddy said to Renee.

Naturally, Renee refused and left the party in fear. He was traumatized and never attended celebrity parties again.

Because he refused, his record label retaliated and stopped promoting him. Papa Daddy was a major shareholder of the label.

He had a five-album contract and had released two albums so far. However, his catalog remained unnoticed because the record label never supported him, making it seem like his decision not to get butt-fucked had ruined his career.

If Gabriella was determined, she could sign Renee and move him to another label. However, she would have to pay damages for breach of contract, and the penalties alone could bleed her agency or record label dry.

Gabriella had both an agency and a record label, but money was not meant to be spent carelessly.

In Collin's opinion, it was not worth it, not with the baggage Renee carried.

"If you want to sign him, you must be prepared to handle his issues. As an agent, I see him as a liability. His potential is not enough for me to take the risk," Collin said calmly. It would be a different story if Renee's talent were gold. Until then, his initial fame would fade into nothingness.

"Wow, so that's how you see people... You base it on potential," Gabriella teasingly gasped.

"Aren't we the same?" Collin looked at her. His gaze was quite cold, which made Gabriella shudder.

Gabriella shut her mouth and bit her lip.

'I knew it, he could see through me. He knows my intention. No wonder he's not opening up to me.'

Gabriella was slightly right.

She looked at the stage. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed, and a new rock band stepped onto it.

It was Pulse Static.

Gabriella knew about this band, although she didn't know their potential. She had only heard from Princess Chantal and Jolyne that Arnold and Moonrise Music had signed an emo punk rock band.

Collin stood up to show support, and Gabriella followed suit.

For tonight, Pulse Static performed a song written by Niko. It was the only song they had fully mastered so far. The album was still incomplete and needed polishing before a public release.

The song was titled "I don't wanna live."

Yes, it was a depressing title, fitting their demographic of teen angst. Sad teenagers might find it relatable.

They had practiced the song and were confident performing it on stage.

The whole band wore black attire and heavy black eyeliner.

They started with a bang, and Gabriella was stunned. The first chord struck her heart, followed by Mikael Wagner's heartfelt screamo.

"W- What is this!?"

Her voice cracked, half shock and half excitement.

She was not a fan of rock, but for the first time she found herself headbanging and joining the fun. She jumped whenever the rhythm progressed, caught in the beat.

The first song, the second, until the last, Gabriella was completely swept up by the rhythm. Her heartbeat raced, syncing with the drums.

When Pulse Static finished their performance, Gabriella was breathing hard, panting as if she had run a marathon, having spent all her energy during the show.

She thought Renee Denver was already impressive, but it seemed Pulse Static surpassed him with ease. It wasn't even a fair comparison. Pulse Static shook her to the core.

"Looks like you're having fun," Collin said, his expression composed and calm.

Gabriella was surprised to see Collin calm throughout the performance. His hands were in his pockets, and he hadn't even jumped once.

"You... What is wrong with you?" Her cheeks were flushed and her hair messy. She sounded more bewildered than judgmental.

"There's nothing wrong with me. I'm simply watching."

Most of the time, Gabriella controlled the pace of the conversation. But Collin was doing it now. Perhaps she was affected by the songs. She had also come unprepared today, which affected her mentality. She was vulnerable.

"You didn't find their performance fun?"

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 223


"It's great. When I first saw them perform, I was also caught by the rhythm. But once you get used to it, you'll be fine," he shrugged casually.

"..."

'Collin, you're not a simple talent agent.'

Suddenly, Gabriella became determined. At first, she had been hesitant because Collin clearly expressed avoidance and disapproval of her.

"Collin, I need you." She was serious, but her voice was seductive. She leaned closer to him, to the point that Collin could hear her breath.

"What are you saying?"

His fingers tightened around his drink.

Collin kept his cool, but deep inside, he was shaken. Gabriella's words carried many meanings, and he didn't know how to respond.

A few years ago, if Gabriella had tried this on him, Collin would probably have folded in a second.

Who could say no to such an irresistible beauty?

But Collin was different now. He could see the golden words floating above Gabriella's head, her talent was active. She was using it to manipulate him into temptation.

'I don't know what will happen if I don't have this power.' He was almost seduced.

In fact, something in his lower body reacted, fighting his sanity.

Seeing Collin's calm expression, Gabriella knew her tricks didn't work. She giggled and stepped back, giving him space to breathe.

"I thought my beauty could convince you. I guess a talent agent like you, who sees gorgeous actresses every day, has gone numb to seduction," she teased.

'No, I'm hard right now. If you invited me to a hotel, I might agree. But I know the consequences. If I fall for your tricks, I'll be in a dilemma,' Collin thought.

Collin was not calm, he was tense and alert the whole time. The reason he couldn't enjoy Pulse Static's performance was because of Gabriella. This manipulative woman was too dangerous for him to show weakness.

"You're attractive, and I feel like you can make my night interesting. However, you can see through my intentions, which makes it difficult for me. Maybe it's about sex or not." Gabriella's playful smirk faded.

The playful gaze was gone. Gabriella stared at Collin seriously.

"Collin, I want you to work in my company. My brother and I have an agency, and we need someone like you."

"You're not interested in Princess Chantal?"

'Huh? I thought this was all about Princess Chantal. Since when did you become interested in me? I'm confused.'

"No, Princess Chantal is also included in my calculations. But you're my biggest target. Name your price and I'll make it happen." She was confident she could satisfy Collin by any means, financially or physically.

"... What's the name of your agency?"

He knew he was stepping into dangerous territory, but he might as well gather information to determine the level of risk.

"It's One Entertainment Agency."

'One Entertainment Agency... I feel like I've heard that before. If I recall correctly, isn't that a B-tier agency?'

"I know what you're thinking. One Entertainment Agency is indeed a start-up agency that was founded only five years ago. But it has strong growth potential. You know Prison Breaking? The two lead actors in that show are under our management. Aside from that, our agency debuted a rapper named Lil Toddler, and his career became mainstream after signing a deal with One Entertainment Records."

"Yes, One Entertainment Agency and One Entertainment Records are sister companies. That means you don't have to worry about looking for another record label because we have you covered," Gabriella explained confidently. She admitted their agency was nothing compared to ANT, which had a strong foundation, but she believed One Entertainment Agency's potential was massive.

'The missing piece is you, Collin East.'

Gabriella strongly believed Collin could make the company the best in the industry.

Furthermore, she believed Collin would agree. He was an executive in ANT, but compared to the veterans, his influence was minimal. His movements and decisions in the company were restricted, and many were watching and waiting for his downfall.

If he moved to One Entertainment Agency, he would have more freedom and authority.

"I'll give you the position of President of Talent Management and Representation. That way, no agent can interfere with you. On top of that, I'll give you 10% shares of One Entertainment Agency and One Entertainment Records each. And there's more, every year, you'll receive 1% shares from each company. I will also double your current salary."

Gabriella recalled that Collin's annual salary was $200,000. Such a small amount, she could triple it if she wanted.

Only a foolish person would deny these benefits. Even ANT couldn't provide Collin with such a generous offer. This was an opportunity.

"..."

Collin was surprised. He didn't expect Gabriella to go all out.

One Entertainment Agency might be small, but he wouldn't be constrained. Furthermore, he would lead Talent Management and Representation. He would essentially be the king of agents.

'I've heard of Prison Breaking but never watched it. They said season one was good, although I have no idea about seasons two and three. As for Lil Toddler, I have no idea who that is. My rap knowledge isn't that good, to be honest.'

Collin started thinking about it.

Gabriella wanted to say more, but she waited for his decision.

"I think I have to pass." Collin gave a bitter smile. At last, he showed a genuine reaction. Although he felt bad, he knew he wouldn't regret his decision. He understood his priorities well.

"Should I quadruple your salary?"

"It's not about the salary," Collin replied quickly, but he didn't explain further.

"I see." Gabriella didn't seem disappointed. Because she noticed his hesitation, there was still a chance later. She only needed to seize the moment.

Gabriella handed him a business card.

"In case you change your mind, remember to call me. All the benefits I mentioned will not change. Also, I won't stop recruiting Princess Chantal."

"I'll keep that in mind, Gabriella."

The woman walked away, but her gaze turned cold. It didn't feel good to be rejected, especially after she had revealed most of her cards.

'Not only Princess Chantal.' Gabriella glanced at the stage where Pulse Static had just performed.

She realized Pulse Static also had star factor. If she acquired them, their agency and record label would gain a stronger foundation.

She began calculating her next moves.

[Author's Note:]

You can read more on my Patreon with:

85 advance chapters of Behind The Spotlight

67 advance chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and Dad

Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_makii

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 224


Once Gabriella was gone, Collin sighed in relief as his shoulders relaxed.

Leaving ANT? Of course, Collin had thought about that so many times. He was even confident that he could do better once he left the company. He had a golden vision that could see through people's talents.

'But not now... Not now. I still have something to do.'

He had clients he wanted to help reach greater heights. He couldn't leave them just like that when their careers were built by him, brick by brick. That would be a betrayal to them and to himself.

Collin knew the outcomes if he left.

1.) If Collin left the company, he could convince his clients to jump ship with him. However, they would have to pay damages for breach of contract. Collin could leave, albeit with non-disclosure and some restrictions, but his clients would have to wait for their contracts to expire to avoid paying damages.

2.) If Collin resigned, his clients might transfer their contracts to other agents. But Collin was afraid that other agents wouldn't handle his clients well. His clients might fall from grace and decline if he left.

If he had to leave, he had to make sure his clients wouldn't suffer.

Overall, the biggest reason he didn't accept Gabriella's offer was because of his clients. He couldn't leave them.

He was actually surprised that Gabriella had offered him a better job, but after thinking about it, it wasn't a worthy deal.

'I really thought she wanted Princess Chantal, but I didn't think she wanted me too. Quite unexpected.'

Aside from his clients, Collin didn't agree because he already had a record label he supported. Sure, he invested money to become a shareholder, unlike Gabriella, who offered him shares for free, but Moonrise Music was something Collin didn't want to let go of.

So even though the benefits she offered were good, Collin was not tempted to take them. Aside from the position of President of Talent Management and Representation, he found nothing interesting in her offer. If she had increased the shares to 30%, Collin might have agreed. But that would be too much for Gabriella to handle. Collin believed he was worth that much.

'Besides, I can't really trust Gabriella. Her Master Manipulator talent was shining the whole time we were talking. I don't feel comfortable with that kind of person around me.'

Collin suffered a painful betrayal once, he had been manipulated and treated like a joke. That was the same vibe he got from Gabriella. He didn't like her at all, although he admitted she was hot and attractive.

Even if Gabriella invited him just for sex, Collin would not agree. He was not a fan of one-night stands. He knew that having sex with a stranger made him feel vulnerable. Sex was something you do with someone you love, as sex meant sharing your soul.

It was a tough decision, but Collin knew his priorities. If he wanted to have sex, it would be with someone he genuinely cared about.

He looked down to the ground floor and couldn't find Arnold and Jolyne, so he decided to text them instead. He texted Arnold that he would leave first.

Since Pulse Static had finished performing, Collin had no reason to stay.

'Although it's disappointing that I couldn't enjoy their show.'

Collin left the concert bar.

.........
......
...

When he returned to his apartment, there was no one there. The maids and personal chef only showed up whenever he needed someone to clean or cook for him.

Tonight, he cooked a simple dish. Eggs with toast, plus a nice glass of wine.

He turned on the television and caught a replay episode of The Unnatural, starring his ex-client Madison Morgan and an actor whose name Collin had forgotten. The show was directed by Arnold's client, Director Tom.

Since he had nothing to do, he might as well watch the show, not to be entertained, but to see Madison's improvement.

Collin nodded as he observed Madison's performance. She was getting better in her role. The show had just started its second season, and the ratings were quite high per episode.

Suddenly, his phone rang. He opened it and saw that it was Arnold.

He answered calmly.

"Yow, did you return to your apartment?"

"Yeah, how about you and Jolyne?"

"We just arrived at our house too."

"Good."

There was silence.

"Sorry about what happened earlier. I only found out today. Jolyne said she has a friend she wants to introduce to you."

"No wonder you kept pestering me to attend the concert." Even on the phone, Collin could hear that Arnold felt uncomfortable and guilty.

"It's alright. I know she has good intentions. Just tell her it didn't work out between Gabriella and me."

"Yeah, Jolyne also received a call from Gabriella. She said you're a cool guy, but you two won't work in a romantic relationship."

Collin was happy to hear that.

"So why did Jolyne want to help me get a girlfriend?"

"It's my fault. She asked me about you, so I told her a short summary of your life. She got mad because I hadn't told her everything, so I had no choice but to share everything I knew."

When Jolyne learned about Collin's devastating love life, she decided to help him.

"I thought so. Only someone like Jolyne can break your silence. I'm not mad, just give me a Gunpla of Gundam 00."

"You want me to go to Japan?"

"You can do international shipping."

"Alright, I will buy two. One for me and one for you."

"That's what I like to hear. Also, before I forget, beware of Gabriella. She owns a talent agency and a record label. She is dangerous."

"I know. I already talked to Jolyne about that. But I don't know why she kept saying Gabriella is a good person and has no bad intentions. Jolyne said she's just a friend."

"..."

For some reason, that was almost the same thing Princess Chantal had said to Collin when he warned her about Gabriella.

Collin had chills. Indeed, Gabriella was not that simple.

'If not for my powers, I might have fallen for her too.'


[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Behind The Spotlight Chapter 225


Gabriella's Master Manipulator was so strong that even Collin's danger alert wasn't working, it was completely suppressed. Truly a terrifying woman.

For someone in their industry, Gabriella was the worst kind of enemy because she could present herself as a good person while being a snake behind the scenes. If Gabriella wanted to, she could gather plenty of blackmail material on her target because she was easily trusted.

'I have to remind Princess Chantal and Isabella to be careful around Gabriella.'

After that short call, Collin went to sleep. However, he couldn't help but remember Gabriella's seductive gaze, and something stood up...

.........
......
...

Cross, Brody, Axel, and Wyatt were at a strip club... Ahem.

To be clear, the entire production crew of Week On An Island was at the strip club. It was work-related.

After discussing it and hearing everyone's thoughts, it was obvious that the title of the second movie had to be changed, as its essence was long gone.

In the first movie, the three stupid friends were stranded on a cruise ship for a week with many people. Hence, the title was Week On A Cruise Ship.

But in the sequel, the three stupid friends would be trapped on a resort island, turning the title into Week On An Island. Director Wyatt also intended to parody some scenes from Passionate Island, such as Jacky and Rosie's run on the beach and the cuddle they shared under the coconut trees. Wyatt planned to parody those scenes and make them comedic.

Anyway, the reason the entire production crew was at the strip club was simple. They wanted to observe seductive dancing, for filming purposes...

To be precise, they were filming at the strip club. There was a scene in the movie where the three friends visited a strip club on the island to have some fun.

Instead of building a strip club set inside a studio, only to demolish it once production was done, it was cheaper to film in a real strip club.

It would cost them about $70,000 to $90,000 just to build a strip club set, but renting one cost around $10,000 for the whole day. The answer was obvious.

They only needed the location for a few scenes. It wasn't worth spending tens of thousands of dollars just to build one.

The camera was rolling as the three actors watched the performer in front of them dance seductively. The performer removed clothing piece by piece in a slow tease.

Teto Pear, Miku Beam, and Skibidi Toilet whistled at the performer... Yes, the three characters had ridiculous names, so what?

The atmosphere in the club grew more intense as the three waited for the climax. Then the performer removed the final piece of clothing, revealing an unexpected surprise. A huge cock flopped off, dangling in the scene.

It was a trap! The performer was not a woman.

The three men were stunned, then screamed as if they were in a horror movie.

This whole situation was inspired by Wyatt's experience in Thailand... Don't ask him what happened, he was still traumatized.

Wyatt decided to add his personal experience to the movie because it had comedic potential.

Of course, the movie wouldn't show explicit nudity. They would only show a silhouette of the cock to avoid receiving an NC-17 rating.

Still, the shock factor and comedic gag would definitely make the audience burst into laughter.

Imagine the three lead characters visiting a strip club on the island, only to realize the performer wasn't what they expected. They scream in terror. Surely the audience would find it hilarious.

The camera was still rolling, which meant the show had to go on.

Suddenly, the performer stopped dancing and his ding-a-ling wobbled. In a deep, manly voice, he menacingly said, "Which one of you should I fuck?"

That was when the three lead characters screamed in terror and scrambled away.

"Cut!"

Wyatt announced, standing up and clapping in appreciation. He was even teary-eyed. The performance was perfect, and the three actors had done their best. Their reactions were exactly what Wyatt was looking for.

'I was also terrified when I found out the woman I took to my hotel had triple the size of what I pack down there.'

Because Wyatt was giving a standing ovation and clapping enthusiastically, the other crew members joined in and praised the three actors.

Inside a strip club, with a naked performer still on stage, the entire crew was clapping and praising the actors... Imagine how absurd that moment was.

Wyatt announced a break and approached Axel, his longtime friend. Axel was one of the first actors in the industry that Wyatt befriended, as they shared the same talent agent.

"Your movie is being released next month. Are you going to take leave? We'll adjust the schedule for you."

"Thank you, Wyatt. That helps me a lot. Although I'll only be on leave for two weeks at most. I'm not the lead actor of Whiflash, so I don't have to attend all the promotions."

Axel's role in Whiflash was that of a music mentor to a band. He was a supporting character, although that role earned him $700,000. Not huge, as he got the role before the release of The Born Identity, so his salary at that time wasn't high.

Wyatt nodded, satisfied with Axel. In fact, out of all the cast members, Axel was the most disciplined and reliable. He always showed up on set at the expected time, he was punctual.

His punctuality was greatly appreciated, as time was an important factor in filmmaking.

Wyatt glanced at Cross and Brody. Those two actors often showed up late, which delayed the filming schedule.

'These three actors have the lead roles, and they are in most scenes. We can't film properly if the lead characters aren't present.'

Wyatt had experienced arrogant actors before, he was used to their behaviors. But he also appreciated someone like Axel. That was the reason he had no problem with Axel taking a week or two off to promote Whiflash.