Chapter 4: Kicked out Rival

All attention turned towards the authoritative voice. At the door of the audition room as a small plump woman stood.

To others she might have been unfamiliar to the others, I immediately identified her as someone important in the movie industry in the future. Director Agatha Ellis, she's one of the front runners of the most successful directors of the century. Pale Eyes was not her first work but it was what placed her on the shortlist of most wanted directors that actors and actresses to work with.

Heather lets go of the girl’s hair and took the opportunity to play the victim and started to complain, "This girl wasn't looking where she was going and spilled her coffee on me, then this nobody started insulting me."

Crocodile tears starting to form in her eyes.

I cut her off, "It's not a good time to practice your acting skills."

She glared at me, but I continued.

"I mean there's- what, 15 girls in here that wants a part in this movie and will be willing to testify on what happened here, don't forget it's easier to get rid of competition than beat them."

"Whatever!" She screeched, "It's not like I wanted to audition for this movie! With a no-name director do you honestly think this will give you a chance to be on the same level as me?!"

'She just dug her own grave,' I thought silently.

"It doesn't matter, it's not like I want to be on the same level as you. I don't want to be where the trash is." I retorted. "Your blatant disrespect to not only the staff but also to others it's a wonder why no one caught on how shit your personality is. I guess being a child actress hones the skills at an early age."

In obvious anger, Heather was posed to slap my face when someone grabbed her and pushed her away. Unknowingly, Director Agatha had already made her way towards us.

"Get out," she said threateningly.

"Who gave you authority to kick me out!?" Heather demanded.

Agatha, despite her small structure, intimidated Heather who was a head taller than her. "Me? I'm the no-name director of this movie and because of that I have the authority to tell you to get the hell out!"

Heather's face flushed red due to anger or maybe it was an embarrassment. But it seemed this girl wants to have the last say. "Fine! I know when I’m not wanted. This is a shit show anyway.”

“Better keep this in mind, don’t show your face near me, because I’ll never ask you to be in my movies even if you lick the floor beneath my feet,” the small director retorted.

The former child actress harrumphed then turns to leave. Everyone held their breath as the door closes behind her.

Someone tugged my arm to catch my attention. I looked behind me and saw the harassed staff.

"Thank you for helping me," She said.

I smiled at her comfortingly, "No problem, are you feeling alright? She pulled pretty hard."

"It's okay, she might have picked some strands but overall it's not that painful," She replied.

Patting her shoulder to reassure her and said, "That's good."

"What are you all standing around for?" The woman who introduced herself as the director called out to everyone, snapping them out from their stunned state, "You are free to go if you have the same opinion as that girl."

Everyone just looked at each other, the other girls didn't want to lose the opportunity even if the movie didn't become a blockbuster movie. So they went back waiting to be called in. 

Agatha turned to her attention to her staff, "Did you get injured?"

"No ma'am!" The girl exclaimed.

"Are you sure? If you want to sue that brat we can do it."

The girl shook her head and replied, "Perfectly fine ma'am, lost a few strands of hair but that's the only damage."

"If you say so," The director said, then she turned to me. "How 'bout you?"

"Oh, Don't worry about me, I'm made of tougher stuff. She wouldn't be able to hurt me without my retaliation," I answered jokingly.

Her face softened with slight humor. "I like you girl, what are you here for?"

"Oh, I'm here for the audition," I replied honestly.

"I see, I wish you the best of luck," she said, then motioned for the staff to follow her.

Some would be offended by her reaction, however, I knew that's the correct reaction for my response and something that would not put me at a disadvantage. If she had praised me in any way it can be treated as her being biased towards me.

When they had gone out of sight, I returned back to where I was seated before and relaxed so I could concentrate on the audition, completely aware that I was the center of attention.

'Don't mind them,' I thought to myself, 'Your skills are your greatest asset, not your connection.'