Chapter 5

5: Welcome to Black Entertainment 

10am, January 27th

Black Entertainment 

Cameras flashed from all corners, bright light threatening to blind the eyes of all who looked at its direction. Men and women dressed in black outfits screamed series of questions to the arriving stars, and girls who hoped to be like them one day. The front of the 30 story building housing the Famous Black Entertainment was unusually packed today, reporters and paparazzi of all kinds stood at the front of the building clicking pictures of anyone who entered, hoping to create the next big story of 'The Next Big Star'. Notable stars that were being produced or managed by Black entertainment had already arrived, some eager to meet the next big thing, others looking for a way back into the celebrity life, they knew they were loosing their popularity by the second and needed to regain their image.

Women from all over the country had arrived in New York at the head branch of Black Entertainment hoping to get the part of the leading lady. The Lobby of the building was packed with over 300 girls and more still arriving, though the space was not a problem, keeping the over hyped ladies at bay proved to be a huge task. 

As more ladies entered, Some decided to take the opportunity and answer some paparazzi questions like they were already stars. Paparazzi and reporters had already started choosing who they thought the new leading lady would be, some going as far as betting on them. 

Grace Winters and her Mother had just arrived Black Entertainment building. Grace looked towards the huge building and was marveled by it, she had always dreamt of working there and was happy to be able to go inside the magnificent building she had heard so much about. The building was quite modern and fit for a company that has been in the entertainment industry for over 13 years. She was happy but turned a bit sad when she noticed the millions of reporters that stood outside the entrance of the building as they drove inside, she couldn't help but get a bit anxious, she was never good with cameras and now she had to face a whole lot of them with their judging owners. Paparazzi were either your best friend or your worst enemy, she knew that much, they could make her an angel to the public or a devil to the world. She knew to choose wisely how she spoke or reacted to them. It made her anxious that even when her mother parked, her eyes were still watching them out of fear. 

Eliene, seeing how anxious Grace was, thought it necessary to park far away from the reporters and their cameras . They were parked at the parking lot of the company, far away from where the reporters where. Eliene held Grace's shaking hands, in a comforting grip.

 "We can always turn back Grace, I don't care about any of this just your happiness okay, if you're not comfortable today, we can always try again with another opportunity ". Eliene didn't care about any acting career or auditions if her only child was scared, she was ready to turn the car the minute Grace decided she didn't want to do it. Grace had been battling with anxiety after her father died and only stopped taking her pills two years ago, but it was a constant battle she fought with when put in difficult situations or when she doubted her self. 

"I don't want to go back Mum, I'm just a bit scared that I would not match up to the other girls beauty, and the paparazzi criticizes me as not being perfect ". Grace knew how the paparazzi always gave wrong information of people just to enrich theirselves, they were the biggest problem and blessing of the entertainment industry. Eliene frowned at her daughters lack of confidence in her self, she was always doubting her beauty and it was becoming a problem that she had to rectify .

"Look at me". She told a shy Grace who was fidgeting with her hands. "I am a woman who doesn't look down on other women, but as a mother I would tell you this, You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, you just dont know how beautiful you are, don't let people's definition of beauty define your beauty, I bet you would stun with your 5 dollar dress". They both laughed at her mother's silly comment on her cheap dress. It was a comic relief that helped Grace rid the intensity in the car .

"But seriously, don't you ever doubt yourself or what you're capable of." Grace smiles nodding her head, feeling confident already. 

"Let's go get you that role". They both head out of the parked car, hand in hand as the mother and daughter made their way over to the crowd of paparazzi. Grace braced herself for anything but to her surprise nothing happened, after some random click of pictures, she and her mother entered the luxurious building, Grace was internally grateful as she didn't know what she would have said if she was asked a question. Four Guards stood at the huge double doors, dressed in black and white suit with a black tie to match, they stood like statues with walkie talkies in their hands and earpiece inserted in their ears. One of the guards asked for her phone containing her online application for the audition which she had taken two months prior to this day, she handed him the phone, after confirming her invitation he handed her back the phone, he nodded at two of the guards closest to the door, they nodded back before opening the double doors to reveal a busy lobby. The only statement she heard from the four statue like men was a small "Good luck" which seemed like a reharsed reply. Either way Grace found it impolite to not reply, so she replied with a small "Thank You". They just nodded back as she and her mum headed into the busy lobby. 

The Lobby was gigantic, beautifully decorated with defined colours like white, black, and nude. The interior and furniture looked very expensive and suited the lobby very well. The lobby was almost the entire floor of the gigantic building. It was a big place and would have been said to be a stupid idea of waisting such place for just a lobby, but it proved useful as it nonchalantly housed over 300 ambitious dreamers.

The lobby didn't intimidate Grace as much as the Girls and ladies did, as soon as she stepped into the building she immediately became self conscious again, her mother had noticed it and held her hands tightly, it had helped a little but she was still very much intimidated by them. All the girls  were very pretty no doubt and could very well be mistaken for runway models. Most of them were dressed in very skimpy dresses, proudly showing off their long legs, they had the perfect slim figure and looked liked the perfect candidate for an actress position, whereas she looked too thick for her age, and was very white, which made her wonder if she was even half Latina, her mother and father were very tan, but they convinced her otherwise telling her she looked like her paternal grand mother. 

Grace tried avoiding the girls who didn't seem too interested in her anyways , they were busy making conversations or rehearsing their scripts to notice an eighteen year old insecure girl. The reception was a bit far from the entrance of the lobby and seeing as the seats were almost occupied she asked her mum to secure a place for both of them, which her mum had no problem doing, She headed over to the reception desk with ease. 

There were four people presumed to be receptionists at the reception desk, they were all dressed sophisticatedly in black and white suits combo and a Black Entertainment logo on their suit. The two women there styled their hair to a simple bun sleeked properly to the back while the two men had a clean shave and hair cut, they all had a pitch Perfect smile making them look more approachable than they were. They sat behind the huge receptionist desk made out of fine wood with a huge Black Entertainment logo on it too, typing or writing as they waited for the next person. As she walked up to them they passed her the infamous smile which she returned politely. The more tan woman spoke to her in a cool British accent. 

"Good Morning Miss, My Name is Jane and I'll be your receptionist today". She said calmly as she shuffled throw some papers in search of something, as if finding it she brings it out and hands it to Grace, which Grace accepts kindly. 

"What is Your Name Miss?". Jane's calm voice said. 

"Grace. Grace Winters". 

"Well Grace Welcome to Black Entertainment, I presume you're here from the auditions from the input I see here,". She said scanning through an iPad. "So That is a form with your number on it, fill it before i can give you a number card". Jane said to the young girl handing her a pen , which she accepted. Grace started to fill the form which asked for random things like her name, number, address, but there were some unusual things too like if she had a boyfriend but she brushed it off, thinking it was just for forms sake. While filling the form two girls walk up to the receptionist desk asking for their forms to which a man attends to them this time. 

"He's so hot, I've heard so much about him". One of the girls said smiling as they wrote on their forms, Grace wasn't one to ease drop but they were so close to her she couldn't help but over hear. The girls were beautiful and seemed to be slightly older than her, they both had blonde hair and were quite tall. 

"Kristen, You have to stop gushing about Mr Black, especially not in front of his employees". The slightly shorter one told the now Kristen who laughed looking at the unfazed Receptionists.

"They don't really care, They look soo rigid, that's not my concern though I'm really anxious to meet The Leonard Black, I heard he would be in the panel". Kristen said. 

"Me too, I hope I get to see him, he's so dreamy". 

"Lia". Kristen smacked her playfully telling her to shush, As they laughed quietly. 

"We should go back to rehearsing though, Mr Black might be dreamy but he can be really mean and he is the chief judge". Lia said Making Kristen smile at her.

He won't be needing that though". She said cockily making Grace eyes perk up in suspicion, she knew there would be cheating, there always was, but for once she hoped talent would cut it. It didn't escape Lia too who looked at her friend who had a sly smile on her face.

"What do you know Kristen?". Lia asked curious, Kristen only smiled the more, handing over her form in return for her number to the still unfazed receptionist, Before walking away leaving Lia and Grace on the edge, Lia quickly submitted hers, quickly taking her card and running after an almost faded Kristen. 

Grace was curious and suspicious too, anyone would be after hearing that. Kristen's confidence was definitely something, she knew she was a very shy girl and that most girls were probably more confident and outspoken than her, but Kristen seemed too confident like she knew she would get the part which was odd and definitely marveled the young girl. However, Grace submitted her form before taking her number and heading to her seat.