After what felt like months, but was only days, I was finally back in the place I truly called home, free of any major worries pressing down on me.
Not the one owned by my father, but the one where I've always felt I belonged: water.
Thanks to Jordan, most of my financial worries had been washed away. I wasn't suddenly rich, but not having to worry about rent and utilities went a long way in helping me breathe a little easier. And what better way for a son of Poseidon to unwind than to dive in for a swim?
That's exactly what I did.
It was late in the day, and the place was empty; everyone else had gone home. Perfect. I liked training when no one was around. It let me test my limits without worrying about curious onlookers. I knew they'd eventually forget about my supernatural abilities, but I wasn't about to take any unnecessary risks.
I finished another lap lazily. At the speed I was swimming, I could've shattered a few world records without even breaking a sweat. And I hadn't even hit my stride yet.
Time to take it up a notch.
"Whoa! That was amazing!"
I froze in place at the sound of the voice. No one was supposed to be here.
If it had been a woman, I'd have assumed it was Lola, but it wasn't.
I glanced up from the edge of the pool, only to spot a man standing at the far side, staring at me with wide eyes. I recognized him immediately.
Randal Kleiser. The director of The Blue Lagoon.
A hundred questions flooded my mind. Why was he here? I had already turned down the role. Was he here to offer me something else? That didn't seem likely. I could barely act.
Then another possibility crept in, one that made me stiffen.
Paige had mentioned he was gay. Maybe this wasn't about a role at all. Maybe he had something else in mind. And judging by the look he was giving me...
If he tried anything, I wouldn't hesitate to knock a few of his teeth out. That ought to nip any stalker tendencies in the bud.
Nothing against homosexuals. Hell, in my past life, my best friend and business partner was gay. But he never stalked me like this creep was doing.
Still, I had to confront him first and give him a chance to explain himself before I made him regret it.
I swam across the pool to where he stood and climbed out, drying off instantly with a thought. Since it was just one person, I didn't bother hiding my powers.
"How—?" Randal started, his face a picture of stunned disbelief.
I cut him off. "Outsiders aren't allowed in here, Randal. This is a school."
He shook his head, like he was trying to clear his head. Probably just Poseidon's magic working overtime to make him forget about what he had seen.
"I know it's unprofessional, but you left me no choice," he said after regaining his composure. "I called the number listed on your resume, the motel, but they had no clue where you were. With no other leads, I called your home. I knew you wouldn't be there, but I tried anyway, and thank God I did. Your sister answered. She suggested I try here."
Of course she did. Daisy was too trusting of people who weren't Zach.
"Vic Ramos had my modeling manager's phone number," I added. "You could've asked him."
"Oh," Randal said, sounding awkward. "I didn't realize. Vic gave me your file, which had your two numbers. I didn't bother asking him for another."
"It's alright," I said, keeping my voice neutral. "So, how can I help you? As far as I know, I already rejected the role. I don't see any other reason for you to come here."
Randal leaned in with a grin. "Come on, Noah. Do you have to be so passive-aggressive? We're friends here, aren't we?"
He reached out to place a hand on my shoulder, but I instinctively stepped back. His hand hung awkwardly in the air for a moment before dropping to his side.
A brief silence passed between us, heavy and tense. Then Randal stepped back too, silently acknowledging the boundary I had set.
He cleared his throat and changed the topic like nothing had happened. "You guessed right, actually. There's just one reason I came here. I bet you already know what it is."
The smug grin on his face said it all. I stood there, stunned for a beat before asking, "Why?"
"Why not?" he shot back. "You fit the look I envisioned for the role perfectly. You've got the body of a Greek god."
I choked a little at that one. It hit a little too close to home.
"If I had any doubts about you," Randal continued, "you just erased them. Watching you swim." He shook his head. "Jesus, it was like seeing art in motion. I can already imagine how you'll look emerging from the water on camera."
His eyes moved up to my hair. "We'll have to cut your hair, of course. But that won't be a problem, right?"
"Randal," I said, my tone turning serious, "who have you cast as the female lead?"
His grin widened like a magician about to pull the final trick. "The same girl you and I both had in mind. Julie Anne Smith. You and Julie are the final picks for the lead roles."
A surge of emotion hit me: relief, joy, disbelief, all at once. I hadn't realized it when I first turned down the offer, but deep down, I really wanted this.
Even as a kid in my first life, I had dreamed of being an actor. Not a serious goal, but something I thought about when no one was watching. Over time, that dream faded when I never really tried it seriously. Eventually, I even forgot about it.
But now? Now, it felt like fate was giving me a second shot.
"Is this a joke?" I asked, needing confirmation. "Please tell me this isn't a joke."
"It's not," Randal said, placing a hand on my shoulder. This time, I let him. "You're perfect for this role, Noah."
"Thank you, Randal," I said, sincerely. "I won't disappoint you."
"I won't let you," he said with a laugh. "Once we convince Julie, we will begin rehearsals, and I'll make sure you're up to snuff. I know you two are going to set the screen on fire when the film comes out."
"Convince Julie?" I asked, frowning slightly. I felt like I was missing something.
Randal sighed and gestured toward the locker room behind him. "Why don't you get dressed, and I'll explain everything over dinner? My treat."
(Break)
"So you want both me and Julie to sign a three-picture deal," I said slowly. "And because Julie has some connections, she plans to override that. But if she does, she won't get the role, and you'll tell her it's because you didn't like her."
"Correct," Randal nodded. "I'm telling you this in confidence so you can help convince her. You cannot disclose any of this to anyone, not even Julie. If you do, I'll be forced to consider other actors."
"That's fucked up," I said flatly.
Randal sighed and nodded. "It is, Noah. But that's Hollywood for you. Everyone's got an angle. Backstabbing and exploiting others for personal gain is practically a tradition. Honestly, the way you stood by your principles? That's rare. I was ready to replace you, but when you doubled down, even with no place to stay, I gained a hell of a lot of respect for you."
"Thank you," I said, genuinely.
Randal gave a quick nod. "So? Are you willing to sign the three-picture deal?"
I hadn't really thought about it since I figured I'd already lost the role. I didn't know a ton about entertainment contracts, but from what I could recall from my future memories, multi-picture deals were usually for franchises like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Marvel stuff. Not for something like this, where my character dies at the end.
"Can you walk me through this deal?" I asked.
"Sure," Randal said easily. "Under your contract with Columbia, whatever salary you make from the first film gets doubled if you're brought back for a second, and tripled if there's a third. That increase depends on the film's performance, of course. It might be less, but it won't go over three times the original. Columbia will give you the actual numbers when they negotiate.
"If you're offered a film, you'll be contractually obligated to take it. If another studio offers you something, you have to inform Columbia first. You can only accept their offer if Columbia doesn't have one for you. That clause holds for seven years from the day you sign."
I nodded slowly. That told me all I needed to know. This was the studio flexing on new actors. They'd get the credit for launching me and lock in my future pay if I got too big as an actor. If the film bombed, they didn't owe me anything; the contract would just expire. Either way, a win-win for them.
"Okay," I said. "I accept the general terms, but we'll need to go over the details carefully."
"That's not my department," Randal said, holding up his hands. "Someone from Columbia will be in touch. I recommend getting a lawyer or agent before they call. They'll expect you to sign quickly."
He paused, then added, "But before that, you and I need to take a drive tomorrow morning. Are you free?"
"Tell me more about it," I said just as the waiter arrived with our food.
"Let's eat first," Randal said with a smile. "We'll talk after."
(Break)
Julie shook her head again. "I don't understand why you care whether I sign a three-picture deal with Columbia or not. You're not a producer, Randal. Just tell me, do you want me for this role or not? I'll handle my own contract negotiations."
"I have my reasons, Julie," Randal said, apologetic but firm. "We're hoping to turn this into a trilogy if the first film takes off. If you say no to the three-picture deal, I can't say yes to you."
"Trilogy?" Julie repeated, incredulous. "But my character dies at the end."
"No, she doesn't," Randal said, shaking his head. "She takes poison and is found by the captain of a ship. It's open-ended. Maybe there's a doctor onboard who saves her, we left that door open for a reason."
"Still," Julie said, clearly frustrated, "my uncle can negotiate a better deal. I'm starting college in the fall. I can't get tied into a long-term contract. I don't even know if I want to be a full-time actress."
"Noah is in the same boat," Randal pointed out. "But he's willing to do it."
"I'm not him," she snapped. "You can't lump us together."
They'd been going in circles for over half an hour. Randal had shown up unannounced at the apartment she was renting with a friend, and the conversation had gone steadily downhill.
Finally, Randal stood. "I'm sorry, Julie. I really am. I think you'd be amazing in the role, but I guess some things just aren't meant to be."
Before Julie could respond, he was already halfway to the door, and then gone.
As the silence settled in, regret crept in quickly. She'd wanted to act for as long as she could remember. So much so that she'd gone behind her parents' backs and reached out to her uncle Victor, who was close to the head of Columbia Studios.
When she first learned about how bold the role was, she had hesitated. But Uncle Victor had assured her, "That's Hollywood, sweetheart. These kinds of scenes are normal if you want to make it big." Reluctantly, she'd agreed.
"Whenever they offer you a contract," he had said, "come to me. I'll make sure you don't get tied up in some long-term mess that makes you their puppet."
That had been her plan. But the way Randal had walked out, like a door slamming shut, made her wonder if she'd just made a huge mistake.
She wandered over to the balcony, thinking maybe she could catch him, maybe change his mind. Down on the street, Randal was in a heated exchange with another man.
Julie squinted.
The man had long blond hair tied into a bun. His build, his posture, even the way he moved—it was uncanny.
He looked just like Noah.
She'd never admitted it to anyone, but she had been hoping she'd run into Noah once she made it to Boston. He was so handsome. Thoughtful, too. And after seeing him in that loincloth… well, she'd spent more than a few hours wondering what he was hiding underneath it.
Her thoughts scattered when she heard shouting from below.
"Seriously!?" the blond man yelled, just as Randal climbed into his car and drove off, leaving him behind.
"Motherfucker!" the man shouted after the car. Then turned and looked up right into her eyes.
Julie gasped slightly when their eyes met.
Noah grinned up at her and waved.
She waved back, a little hesitant at first.
He cupped his hands around his mouth. "Can I come up?"
Julie grinned, shaking her head. "Use the stairs, Romeo!"
Noah laughed aloud before heading for the stairs. In less than a minute, he had bounded up all three flights without breaking a sweat. Julie couldn't help but admire the way he moved, effortless and athletic. She still hadn't forgotten the sight of his chiseled body from their last encounter.
Catching her gaze lingering, Noah grinned. To make matters worse, he dramatically recited, "It is my lady. Oh, it is my love. Your Romeo is here."
Julie burst out laughing. "That was terrible," she teased.
"I try," he said with a wink.
She stepped aside and motioned for him to come in. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."
"I wasn't expecting to be here either," Noah replied, settling onto the couch opposite her. "Randal came to talk to me about the role. Then he said we were going for a drive, and the next thing I knew, we were here. He told me to wait in the car until he talked with you. Whatever you two discussed… it clearly didn't go well."
Julie sighed and gave him a quick rundown of the conversation, carefully leaving out the part about her uncle's role in her career.
Noah listened silently, then looked her straight in the eye. "Do you even want this role, Julie?"
"What kind of question is that? Of course, I do!" she snapped.
"Then what's the issue with the three-picture deal?" he asked. "If I were producing a film with two unknown leads, I'd want some assurance too. If the movie flops, I'd want the chance to make my money back with other projects, that too at a manageable cost."
Julie didn't have a good response to that.
Noah leaned in, his tone more intense now. "If you reject this, I lose the role too. And I really want this."
That caught her off guard.
"In fact," he added, "you're being offered this role because I told Randal I'd only work with you. As you know, the other actresses they were considering were under 18, so I said no to them."
Julie's heart sank. That wasn't the kind of news she wanted to hear. She suddenly felt like she hadn't earned the role on merit.
"Then I don't want it," she said flatly. "I'll wait a few years, hone my skills further in college, and try again later. I'm sorry you'll lose out because of me, but I don't want to be tied to Columbia for years, especially while I'm still in school."
Noah reached out and gently took her hand in his. Julie's breath caught in her throat.
"Don't be so quick to throw it away," he said softly. "If you really want to be an actress, nothing beats real experience on a set. If you walk away from it right now, and this film becomes a hit, you'll regret that for the rest of your life. You have a chance to do what you want right now, what if you don't get the same in the future?"
She looked away, trying to shake the effect he had on her. But his words, so calm and sincere, were already unraveling her resolve.
"I have an idea," Noah said, his voice lifting. "One that might actually work for both of us."
Julie glanced back at him, wary. "I'm listening."
He grinned, clearly pleased she'd taken the bait. "We sign the three-picture deal, but we negotiate together. Same pay, same bonuses, same contract terms. That way, they can't play us against each other. And we add a clause in both our contracts that any future filming happens only during summer breaks, until we finish college."
Julie blinked. That… was surprisingly reasonable. Maybe even smart.
"That would work for me," she admitted. "But the big question is… will they agree?"
Noah shrugged. "What's the harm in trying?"
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Link: www(dot)fablefic(dot)com