"Did you replicate Cora’s interpretation of the character without adjustments because it was Jay's production? It's a smart way to buy Jay's vote by playing the character to his tastes, isn't that so?" Hailey's aggressive rebuke wasn’t sparing Zoe an ounce of dignity, and Zoe actually had no idea how to defend herself.In fact, with Hailey now prejudiced against her, anything she said would only be considered excuses.However, she never thought of playing the character in a way that struck Jay’s fancy—not that she could.If anything, she wanted the audience's fancy."Your years in showbiz turns out to be a waste, Zoe," Hailey said coldly, her spite for Zoe abundantly clear on her face. Zoe was left wondering how on earth had she offended Hailey, especially when she found herself grounded.Even the host couldn’t stand it, and tried to steer the stage in another direction away from the awkwardness. "Do you have anything to say to Miss Zimmerman, Zoe?" As such, Zoe spoke with a
Zoe was simply waiting for Jay’s impending critique, since Hailey had mentioned almost everything that could be said.At this point, there was nothing she couldn’t accept.She was actually retaining her usual smile, having weathered through the world shattering beneath her feet over the years but bearing with it anyway.She would always put on her best performance in front of the cameras. She just had to do her utmost, even if no one was buying it.After all, your effort was disproportional—even inconsequential—to your success in this world.Nonetheless, Jay continued, "I'm sure anyone who was involved in a stage production would understand that a performance with zero mistakes is exceedingly difficult. It involves perfection in everything including your breathing, expressions, movements, dialog, and interaction with your fellow actors. And yet, no one has achieved that today, save for Zoe."Zoe simply kept smiling at Jay, but without gratitude in her eyes or the rejoicing of bei
Hailey scoffed. "So, I'm right. Zoe was trying to buy your vote.""I'm merely giving an actress the fairest assessment from my own personal perspective," Jay replied."Me too," Hailey said sternly. "That's why it doesn't matter what her objective was, or what dramatic events she experienced before that affected her life. I can’t bring myself to appreciate cutting corners, because the stage demands a grounded performance. Either way, she won't earn any points with me."Jay was about to argue when Zoe quickly said, "Thank you, Miss Zimmerman and Mr. Parker. I profoundly understand that I had been lacking. I’ll correct myself should I still have the opportunity to show my respect for the stage, the judges, and the audience."She nodded solemnly, afraid of having the judges argue over her and in turn getting flamed online.She yearned badly for a resurgence, but the less she was involved in any scandals, the better; she wanted a clean pedestal.Still, she was surprised Jay would help
The one not picked would be eliminated automatically.Every judge hence wrote the name of the actor they had in mind, while the host kept everyone in suspense before asking them to present it.In the end, Jay picked Zoe.Zoe bit her lip; it was at once surprising yet expected, but she had no idea if she should be pleased. As everyone filed down the stage, the eliminated actress deliberately gave Zoe a knock on the shoulder, unable to hide her dissatisfaction despite attempting to hide it. She was convinced Zoe stole her spot—why was she the one being eliminated after Hailey gave Zoe that horrific lashing?!However, Zoe didn’t hold it against the actress because she understood how the latter felt.Even she would feel discontent if she were eliminated. Moreover, she was still wondering now if she survived by going through the backdoor that Jay opened for her.How should she put it? She was really surprised!But one way or another, she managed to survive, even making it into
Quinn said, "I mean, it's not like straight is the only way these days…""Hold it right there," Zoe promptly stopped her. "I'm straight. Super straight!" Don't put it as if she wasn't!-When they arrived at the restaurant and strode into the lobby, Zoe paused for a brief moment. She felt like she had seen something she should not be seeing.Quinn followed her gaze to find a rather familiar figure. Zoe's eyes turned moist as she watched the man from the back, and murmured, "John…?"She kept herself cut off from everything after leaving North City for a very long time, without checking the news or watching TV. She was hence oblivious to a great many things. When she thought that she had calmed down enough, she found out about John's death from the news.It had been six months since the time, and she had forgotten how she felt when she saw the headline.All she knew was that her tears were gushing, and she felt the impulse to call Cordy.But… What was there to ask after so
"Fine."Quinn didn’t push them at that point—her best friend's health and career was more important than a brief moment of fun.With that, the trio shambled out of their private room. They had really drunk too much out of a moment of impulse. Cordy could barely keep her guts in, which was churning the instant she reached the walkway. "I need the ladies' room."She rushed towards the shared washroom outside without a pause, but moved so quickly she didn’t have time to see which one she ran inside."Blargh…" She was vomiting her guts out in front of the sink in no time at all, feeling sick again as soon as she paused for a moment.It really had been a while since she drank.Back when her insomnia started, Jim suggested alcohol, but it proved useless and even left her with head-splitting headaches.She didn’t drink much since then, but indulged herself this time since it was rare to hang out with Quinn and Zoe."Blargh…"She started vomiting again after a couple seconds, and
Zoe and Quinn both rushed into the men's room. They had been feeling dazed, and so never realized that they should go into the washroom with Cordy to help her out. Still, they were startled when they heard the loud thud inside, and charged inside without noticing that it was the men's room…where they were left astonished.They both wondered if they were hallucinating from all that alcohol. Why else would they see Cordy in such an embarrassing position?One must understand that she was a goddess, perfect in manners and bearing, never once losing dignity in public.And yet, right now… Both Zoe and Quinn were blinking in disbelief, staring at Cordy after she pulled down a man's pants and before falling before his feet.It was a sight that burnt itself into one's memory; both Zoe and Quinn forgot to help Cordy, their eyes drifting simultaneously from Cordy up to the man's muscular long legs, and the black boxers that were hugging his rounded posterior. They were too drunk to both
Cordy had seen 'that' alright.It really hurt her eyes to see it; she needed to wash them when she got home."So I wasn't imagining it?" Zoe's face turned paler.While Cordy and Quinn were both left perplexed, Zoe panickily tugged on Cordy's sleeve. "He must have some grudge that keeps him here to rise from the grave like that! That's why he's haunting us… Come on, we have to visit his grave right this instant!""Visit whose grave?" Cordy was perplexed, suddenly realizing that Zoe was operating on a completely different wavelength from herself. Was Zoe really that drunk?"His grave, of course!" Zoe said solemnly. "He must be getting lonely.""What… Oh?!"Cordy yelped as Zoe started dragging her away. Her body was already aching from the fall just now, and her ankles were swollen.And now, she was getting dragged unceremoniously around by Zoe!Next time…No, there wouldn’t be a next time. She was never drinking with them again, but if she had to, she wouldn’t get drunk!Res