Chapter 9: Chapter 9 – In the Flesh

 

“This Brad Pitt is taller than Eric and he also looks somewhat… old?”

After Brad Pitt went out of the door, the auditions were temporarily put on hold so James Brooks started to discuss with the other judges.

Penny Marshall said, “Yeah, I think number seven, Blake Quinn, was quite good.”

Several other judges also expressed their opinions.

Eric looked up number seven’s information: a 17-year-old thin, white youth with blond hair and a height of 5’7”. His appearance was truly consistent with Alex’s past image, but this was not what Eric wanted.

He couldn’t bear staying silent anymore and blurted out, “Penny, I think Blake Quinn appears to be too weak. Although he fits the image of a bullied high-school student, in the second part of the movie, when Alex starts dominating the basketball court, his appearance will be a problem as the audience will find it laughable. I just graduated from high-school and I can tell you, there’s no way someone with Blake Quinn’s physique would ever make it on the team.”

James Brooks thought it made sense so he nodded and asked, “You’re right, so Eric, who would you consider?”

“How about Brad Pitt?”

Penny Marshall said, “But, Brad Pitt is a little taller than you.”

Eric shrugged, “Height is not an issue, some children are taller than their parents, it’s nothing out of the ordinary, and his build will make Alex’s changes more believable.”

James asked, “How so?”

“Brad Pitt’s performing skills are up to par, and although he has never played as a lead, he has done many soap operas, and after what he showed in the audition, I believe he will definitely be able to portray the weak and dispirited boy in the movie’s first part. Afterwards, after receiving Mike’s encouragement and training, he would gain the courage to stand up for himself and pursue the girl he likes. Given his build, the audience wouldn’t find it weird, they’d instead think along the lines of: You go, Alex!”

The several surrounding people nodded in assent, Eric could feel that James Brooks was also somewhat moved, but he didn’t make an immediate decision and said, “Okay, we will discuss this issue again later. Let’s start the actresses’ auditions.”

The first one to come in was naturally Angelina Jolie. Her performance was okay but it was not outstanding. Her style was very dramatic which caused Eric a headache. If he had been in charge of the casting, then perhaps he would’ve given her one of the other small roles as that would’ve been interesting, but unfortunately, he didn’t have that power.

Several other girls followed before it was finally Drew Barrymore’s turn.

She had a childish face, she donned a knee-length white pleated skirt and small black leather boots, as well as a white vest which contrasted with the black straps of her bra that would show from time to time when she walked. Just looking at her appearance, no one would be able to link such a precocious teenager to a drug addict.

As she sat on the chair in the middle of the room and stroked her hair, Drew quickly discovered Eric sitting in the middle of the group of middle-aged men and women. The distinct edges of his face and the sharpness of his eyes made him appear exceptionally handsome. Drew’s lips curved into a mischievous smile, which caught Eric by surprise.

James and others, as if by prior agreement, all turned to look at Eric strangely. Eric looked back at them innocently as if saying, ‘Hello? Why are you staring at me, I’m innocent, you know? I’m the victim here, okay?’

James was the first to break the silence, “Alright, Drew, let’s do this seriously.”

“No problem, Mr. Brooks,” Drew sweetly smiled as she instantly turned into a well-behaved girl-next-door.

Eric wanted to shout, ‘You damn naughty fox!’

***

“Maggie, stop, I am not the one for you.”

The scene took place in one of the bedrooms in Ned’s villa where Mike kept avoiding his daughter’s pursuit.

“Yes, you are.”

“No I’m not, Maggie. I’m not the person that you think I am.”

“You’re right. You’re not. You’re nice. You’re not like the others.”

“Not like the others. I’m very, very different. So different in fact that you and I could never, ever, ever, ever be together. Just stop it, Maggie,” Mike helplessly said.

As if suddenly understanding something, the lioness in heat sat back down on the bed, looking distressed as she said, “Oh my god, what are you saying? Are you confused?”

“I’m very confused. Yes, I’m extremely confused.”

“Oh my god, I… I… I get it now. Your hair is always perfectly coiffed and you have highlights.”

“What are you talking about ?” Mike asked, puzzled.

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“I mean… dude, your jeans are really tight.”

Mike looked at his legs before helplessly saying, “I’m not gay. I’m in love, Maggie. I’m in love. I’ve been in love with the same girl since I was 17, Maggie.”

Feeling relieved, Maggie stood up, and quickly asked, “Does she go to our school, do I know her, tell me her name, I just want to know her name?”

“No, Maggie, no.”

“Okay, well,” Maggie drew closer to Mike and pinched his cheeks as she said, “You tell your girlfriend to keep a close eye on you.”

***

Everyone in the room was enthralled watching the two youngsters perform. If they hadn’t known better, they’d have thought two weren’t acting at all.

Some of the judges couldn’t help but sigh at God’s unfairness. They had filmmakers for many years and had seen all kinds of actors who always performed diligently, but the two in front of them were on another level, as if they had acting in their bones.

What they didn’t know was that only Drew’s talent was genuine, the other guy only replayed the scenes in his memories and shamelessly mirrored them.

When their performance was over, Drew looked curiously at Eric and said, “Eric, you’re really good, I heard that you were also the one who wrote the script, that’s seriously awesome.”

Eric replied, “Thank you, but you’re more outstanding than I, Miss Drew.”

“Thank you for the praise,” Drew casually extended her hand towards him.

Eric also extended his hand to shake hers. When he felt two of her fingers caressing his palm, he faintly smiled. Eric was no fool, he understood that this young girl was trying to gain his favor. Perhaps, she thought that he had a say regarding the casting.

After Drew Barrymore left, the judges fell silent. They knew about her coming to the audition, and had originally thought they would just eliminate her. But as of now, she was the best amongst all the candidates so far.

During the following auditions, everyone was somewhat absent-minded, Eric included.

Nearly one hour later, towards noon, Eric saw the last name on the audition list: .

In that instant, Eric couldn’t help but exclaim in his heart: America’s sweetheart, in the flesh!

***

James Brooks opened his mouth and said, “Miss Aniston, would you please introduce yourself first?”

Jennifer Aniston keenly felt the only young man in the room looking at her with a slightly feverish gaze, which made her proud but also added to her nervousness. She introduced herself and the director had her act out a few scenes with the young man before the end of the audition.

She could tell from their behavior that they already had a candidate in mind for the role. Jennifer was slightly disappointed, her parents were also in this circle, so she knew how things worked. However, she still gave it her best.

Once Jennifer Aniston left the audition room, Eric reluctantly looked back. Just like in the pictures he had seen in his past, she was somewhat plump right now, but with her 5’5” height, she looked really graceful in her high-heel shoes.

Although she wasn’t fat, she would definitely appear to be so in front of the cameras as they tend to magnify everything.

“What’s wrong, Eric? You like this girl? I have to say, she does have a nice smile.”

When Penny Marshall teased him, the others also took note of Eric’s embarrassment and smiled. Eric scratched the back of his head as he awkwardly replied, “Penny, don’t make fun of me, I just, I was only…”

James Brooks reorganized the materials in his hands as he said with a smile, “How is this making fun of you, Eric, if you like this girl, just go take her out to lunch, the auditions are already over. Well, you can accompany us old timers to lunch if you wish.”

“Nevermind… Forget it.”

Eric felt really out of it; he didn’t even know her, what if she took him for a creep?

“Come on, Eric, don’t be a wimp,” James Brooks encouraged him, “The world is so big. If you miss out on a girl, you might never get another chance. She was a little plump but her beautiful smile could more than make up for it. Go after her, I’ll give her a small role as one of Maggie’s three friends if you do, that way you’ll have the opportunity to keep in touch with her.”

“Really? I… Thank you, James, thank you. Then, I’ll get going,” Eric had wanted to request James Brooks to give Jennifer an opportunity, but he hadn’t even had the chance to ask before the former had taken matters into his own hands.

Eric grabbed his backpack and rushed out of the door amongst everyone’s encouraging laughters.

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