Hollywood: From Shadows To The Spotlight

[Chapter 30: Seeker of Stories (II).]

Alternative Title - [Chapter 30: What is Luck?]

Last Time on Chapter 029 of [From Shadows To The Spotlight] —

He turned the page slowly, his eyes briefly scanning the words before continuing with a warm, steady cadence. The story was captivating, the kind that painted vivid images in the mind and left a lingering sense of wonder. 

It had become a favorite of Emily's, and despite knowing the story from the inside out, having heard it from him probably over a half a dozen times already. They always came back to this book, and it had become a steady companion in their bedtime stories sessions.

Now Continuing —

It had taken weeks for Daniel to track down this book, as it had been a recently published debut by an unknown British author when it had come out nearly a year ago.

He had stumbled upon it through a friend's recommendation while searching for a fantasy story to satisfy Emily's then newfound appetite for the genre—a task that had proven unsurprisingly difficult.

Most stories either felt too childish or too grim for his taste when he was choosing a story for his daughter, but this one had struck a perfect balance. It was whimsical yet grounded, lighthearted yet filled with stakes and mystery. And most importantly, it had enchanted Emily from the very first page.

Daniel glanced down at his daughter again, only to notice her eyelids fluttering closed, the stuffed owl now tucked beneath her chin. He let his voice grow softer, easing into the rhythm of the story like a lullaby.

By the time he reached the end of the page, Emily's breathing had grown steady and slow, the telltale sign of peaceful slumber.

Smiling, Daniel closed the book gently and placed it on her bedside table. He leaned down to kiss her forehead before carefully slipping off the bed and heading to the door.

Turning back, he lingered for a moment, taking in the sight of his little girl sleeping soundly, her face illuminated by the warm glow of the lamp.

"Goodnight, Emily," he whispered before switching off the light and quietly pulling the door shut behind him.

In the master bedroom, Daniel's wife, Laura, was already tucked into bed, her laptop balanced on her knees, while a rerun of Alex's interview was paused on their bedroom TV.

She was surfing the net looking for new books to buy for her husband's birthday when she heard his footsteps. She looked up with a curious smile as Daniel entered, unbuttoning the cuffs of his shirt, preparing to change into his comfy PJs.

"Did she fall asleep?" Laura asked, closing her laptop and setting it on the nightstand.

"She did," Daniel replied, sitting on the edge of their bed to remove his shoes. "That book worked like a charm again. She's really taken to it."

"I noticed," Laura said, her tone warm and amused. "She asked me earlier if she could have a wand like the boy in the story. Said she'd use it to make you stop putting broccoli on her plate."

Daniel laughed, shaking his head. "Of course she did. But honestly, I can't blame her for being so hooked. It's good. Really good."

Laura studied him for a moment, her head tilting slightly. "Are you planning to meet with the author?"

Daniel nodded, loosening his tie. "That's the plan. I've already started reaching out to the publisher. If Emily loved it this much, there's definitely something special here. She's not easy to impress, especially when it comes to fantasy."

"But this… it's the kind of story that lingers. I want to see if the author's got more ideas like this up her sleeve."

"Impressing Emily is no small feat," Laura teased, pulling the covers up. "She's got her dad's taste. Picky."

"Discerning," Daniel corrected, slipping into bed beside her.

Daniel Castillo adjusted the blanket over his wife, Laura, as they nestled together in bed, the soft glow of the television casting flickering shadows across the room. Alex Masters' face filled the screen—his piercing gaze and confident demeanor as captivating as ever.

The interviewer leaned forward, clearly enthralled by Alex's recounting of his early days in Hollywood. But Daniel wasn't just watching; he was analyzing, piecing together the layers of a story that had fascinated him for years.

Laura, sipping a cup of chamomile tea, glanced at Daniel. "You're in your zone again," she teased, nudging his shoulder. "The seeker is at work."

Daniel smiled but kept his eyes on the screen. "Can you blame me? This part of Alex's journey… it's one he's kept close to his heart, and it's incredible. But that's not what got me thinking."

Laura's brow arched with curiosity. "Then what did?"

"It's the fact that it's also a masterclass in how luck really works, at least from Alex's perspective."

"How so?"

"Let me break it down for you," Daniel began, pausing the broadcast at a shot of a much younger Alex, his hair windswept and his expression determined as he stood on the set of Jaws 2 along with the rest of the crew. "You know how Alex saved Ann Dusenberry's life, right?"

"Of course," Laura replied. "She was drowning, and he pulled her out of the water. It's a heroic story."

"It is," Daniel agreed, "but it's more than just heroism; it is the key turning point in his life that opened doors for him. Alex's philosophy of luck—he's of the idea that luck is something you create—is all over this moment. Let me show you how."

He leaned forward, his hands gesturing animatedly. "Picture the scene. It's chaotic on set. Everyone thinks Ann's splashing is just a prank or part of the shoot. But Alex? He's observant."

"Out of all the people there, he's the one who notices something's wrong, or at least he is the first one to do so. That's step one: being aware. Luck doesn't find you if you're not paying attention."

Laura nodded slowly, drawn in. "And he's a good swimmer, right?"

"Exactly," Daniel said. "That's step two: having the right tools for when that moment arrives. Alex wasn't just a guy who saw what was happening—he had the skills and the courage to act."

"Diving into cold, murky water isn't something just anyone would do. But Alex? He didn't even hesitate, despite being just a kid. He made a split-second decision and followed through. That's how you capitalize on an opportunity."

"So having the right skills or tools and being decisive enough to grab onto the opportunity when it arrives," Laura pointed out.

Daniel grinned. "Exactly! That's where the story really gets interesting. After saving Ann, Alex's actions proved he wasn't just brave—he was moral. When she offered him money, he refused it. At first, anyway."

"He only accepted it later because he saw it as a way to help his family, and even then, he made her promise never to offer money like that again. He wasn't doing it for a reward. That integrity? It left a mark on Ann and her fiancé, Brad Fiedel."

"He was the composer, right?" Laura asked, her eyes widening.

"The very one," Daniel confirmed. "Brad was intrigued by Alex's character. He met with him the next day and asked if there was anything he could do to help. And here's where Alex's brilliance comes in."

"He didn't ask for more money even though he could, and while it might have helped in the short term, Alex always had the foresight to think of the future while making decisions."

"He could've asked for a favor that he could call upon in the future; Brad was intrigued by him now, and he was feeling grateful towards Alex for saving the life of his fiancé. No one knows what the future holds, and words are wind, so a verbal favor is only as good as the one who gave it."

"Take, for example, Alex; our exhibit A—he is a man with many odd quirks, one of them being that he never breaks a promise. If he has given you his word that he'll do something, it is as good as having it on a legal document with his signature on it. It is why so many people in the industry love working with and for him."

"Whereas on the other end of our spectrum, we got people like Harvey Weinstein, our exhibit B—He is basically the human equivalent of yesterday's trash that's stinking up the house; the people who can throw it away are either too lazy or have learned to live with it and no longer care."

"He's that bad?" She was curious, as she had heard of rumors of the predatory behavior of the people in Hollywood, but hearing it straight for her hubby was different. It was something that he had refused to talk about or acknowledge for a long time, most probably out of concern for peace of mind.

"Just the absolute worst, men like him are the reason I would never allow Emily to ever step foot in the Hollywood industry. He coerces women who are looking for a role to sleep with them "allegedly" and the bast*** doesn't even give them the role in the end. And what can these hopeful actresses do? Nothing."

The look of horror when she heard what he said, pained him; internally he regretted telling her that. But recently she had been talking about taking Emily to auditions as a child actor, as she was very clever for her age and good at pretending and faking expressions.

He told her all this just to deter her from that path, as he wanted to keep his precious Emily as far away from the cursed industry as possible.

"Sorry, we got off-topic." He apologized, though actually it was for making her uncomfortable with the "alleged" morbid facts.

"No, it's fine. It seems like it was something that was weighing down on your mind."

"It was. Anyway.. So where were we?"

"Alex didn't ask for money or a favor."

"Correct. But no, he asked for a favor. But he didn't save it for the future, and called it in at that very instance. He asked for something that would help him grow. He knew Brad was friends with Chris, the lead special effects' artist."

"Now, how did he know that? It was because Alex socialized with the crew, he was a good listener, and had a mind sharp enough to remember the details. And that my love is step three: preparation. He'd gathered the information he needed long before he'd ever need to use it."

Laura was back to smiling, the doom, and gloom from the Harvey conversation seemingly forgotten. "So, when the moment came, he was ready."

"Exactly," Daniel said, his tone reverent. "Brad put in a good word, and Chris agreed to let Alex apprentice under him. Now, think about all the so-called coincidences in this story."

"Alex just happened to save Brad's fiancé. Brad just happened to be friends with Chris. But those coincidences only mattered because Alex was prepared to act. He was at the right place, at the right time, with the right tools, and he decisively grasped the opportunity with both hands."

"That's what Alex means when he says luck isn't random. It's earned."

Laura leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "It's almost like a domino effect. One deliberate action leading to another, creating this incredible opportunity."

Daniel nodded. "Exactly. And it's why Alex is who he is today. He didn't just wait for luck to come to him. He made it happen, one choice at a time."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the darkness that infested the Hollywood industry and the lesson of the story settling over them. On the screen, Alex's interview resumed, his voice calm but firm as he spoke about the values that guided him.

Laura reached for Daniel's hand. "You're right. It's not just luck. It's vision, preparation, and courage. But still, it makes me wonder… would most people even recognize those opportunities if they came?"

Daniel squeezed her hand, his smile softening. "That's the thing about Alex. He doesn't just see the opportunity. He creates it."

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~Back in the Past~

As the final echoes of cheers and clanking equipment faded into the evening air, Alex found a quiet corner on the boat's lower deck. With the day's work done, he felt the exhaustion settle into his muscles, but his mind buzzed with a fierce, determined energy.

He thought back over the past few days—the grind of hard labor, the thrill of seeing the shark in action, the way he had jumped in to help Ann, and the newfound respect he'd earned among the crew.

Early the next morning, before heading to the set, Alex made a quick trip to the local post office onshore. He pulled out a crumpled envelope from his jacket, one he'd picked up the night before, already addressed to his stepmom and sister back home.

Inside, he'd tucked a portion of the $800 Ann had given him—a gesture of gratitude for all the sacrifices his family had made for him. As he slipped the envelope through the mail slot, he hoped it would be enough to make a difference.

He knew the money couldn't erase the struggles they faced, but he was doing what he could, and that alone brought him a small comfort.

Back on the boat, as the crew prepared for another day of shooting, the sound of footsteps approaching made Alex glance over his shoulder. It was Chris, holding a mug of coffee in one hand, looking out over the water with a rare, calm expression.

"Getting used to the life out here?" Chris asked, taking a sip.

Alex nodded, running a hand through his hair. "It's tough, but… yeah, I think I could do this forever."

Chris gave a low chuckle. "Forever's a long time, kid. Hollywood doesn't get easier—it just gets more complicated." He paused, giving Alex a thoughtful look. "But you got something; I'll give you that. Most kids would've run for the hills by now."

Alex shrugged, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Guess I like a challenge."

Chris looked at him for a moment, then leaned in. "You know, they say the other special effects guy on this crew is one of the best. Knows the shark inside and out. Real wizard with mechanics."

Hearing that, Alex's pulse quickened. "Do you think there's any way I could work with him? Even if it's just a few minutes, I'd love to learn from someone like that."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "You got guts; I'll give you that. Who knows, maybe you'll get your chance."

As they stood side by side, staring out into the sunset, Alex felt the weight of his journey settle on him—a mixture of uncertainty and determination. He didn't know exactly where this job would lead him, but he knew, deep down, that he was on the right path.

With one last glance at the calm horizon, he made his way back onto the boat. Tomorrow would be another day on set, another chance to learn and prove himself.

And as the crew prepared to call it a night, Alex couldn't help but look forward to what came next.

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~Back to the Present~

Laura rolled her eyes, a teasing smile on her lips. "Sure, I understand why, he would go with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg as his top two picks out of the top three directors in Hollywood."

"Though, I would argue he could've gone for a more nuanced answer, though—like Stanley Kubrick or Alfred Hitchcock. That would've made him seem more intellectual to the audiences at home. But he gave an honest answer, and I respect that about him."

She then further added with a frustrated grimace. "Still, can you tell me why the guy whose only claim to fame is Terminator and its sequel is right up there with those two legends? That's some bull****." huff huff

Daniel chuckled softly as Laura leaned into her rant. "It almost feels like a PR stunt," she continued, "something to hype up audiences for this Titanic movie the media won't shut up about."

— To be Continued...

{2.6k words}

{TRL: This is the new Hollywood story that has been bouncing around in my head. I really need to get this out, so here's another chapter.

Please comment your thoughts on how the auditions went, and also which MCU characters do you want to see auditions for.

If anyone of guessed Marvel then you would be correct. I would really appreciate any feedback you have for me in the comments.

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Yes, free. If you're interested you'll find the link in the Author's thoughts section or just google TheRamenLord and Patreon.

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