Page 72 of Cosplay & Consequences

Then there was the show itself. I was no longer an ensemble actor with a role on a low ranked TV show due for cancellation. This was a series with a lot of eyes on it and rabid fans. This was on a scale I hadn’t mentally prepared myself for.

My mind had drifted during lunch with Sebastian, and he noticed.

“I know that look.”

I snapped out of my mental fog and smiled apologetically at Sebastian. “What look is that?”

He gave me a sympathetic smile. “That’s the expression of a man who is wondering what he’s gotten himself into. The question I have: is it the job or the girl?”

The thought of Jess lightened my mood. I laughed and leaned back in my chair. “The girl is great. The job is… a lot more than I thought it would be.”

Sebastian drummed his fingertips on the table before leaning back in his chair. He took off his glasses and began to clean them. “Daniel, I’m going to give you some advice and some truth. I want you to listen carefully, and not just because you idolize me.”

I let out a long laugh. “I’ll do my best.”

“First, the truth. Your talent was wasted on that soap opera. I know, it was steady work, and it allowed you to be with your family. Take it from an old actor who never found that one role to propel him to the heights he desired–”

“Sebastian, that’s not–”

He cut me off with a gesture. “Hush, boy. I’m being honest with you, and it may never happen again. All I’m saying is you found your role. Your shot. Don’t let that voice in your head cast shadows in your mind. You perform from the heart. It’s a rare talent, and it comes to you naturally.”

I exhaled. The pressure that was bearing down on me since the trailer aired began to relent. “Thank you, Sebastian.”

“Oh, I’m not done. Now for the advice. You have the role, but it won’t bring you happiness. Jobs never do. It gives you challenges, highs, and lows which can be very rewarding. However, what matters isn’t the job. I was lucky enough to find the one critic whose opinion I ever cared to hear, and I put her first. A few years later, she gave me a daughter. And now I have a ten-year-old granddaughter. I’ve been lucky to have these three critics in my life. Every day I listen to them and put them first.”

He took a long sip of his coffee and gave me a smile. “I have a story. My granddaughter is now discovering all my work throughout the years on various shows. Every day I get a text from her with a clip or a photo of me. She discovers little parts of me, and I get rave reviews.”

We laughed. “Critics, huh?” I said with a nod. “And what if I don’t get rave reviews?”

“Then, listen carefully. Because those are words you need to hear and use to grow. I never had my big role like you, but I have had riches beyond mere dollars and tawdry possessions. I believe you have found three of your critics. Hold them close.”

“I will, but you're wrong Sebastian.” I leaned forward on the table. “I have four critics.”

Sebastian smiled and reached over to pat my arm. “My granddaughter texted me this morning. She sent a link to your trailer and asked if I knew you.”

“What did you say?”

“Well, the truth. That you’re a no-talent hack who once fell into an orchestra pit during a performance… and that I couldn’t be prouder of you.”

We laughed. He patted my arm again and stood up. “You’ll take care of the bill, as usual?”

“Of course,” I said with a grin. “Thank you, Sebastian.”

I struggled to breathe, unable to catch my breath. I was flat on my back, drenched in sweat and unable to move. I’d stayed in five-star hotels, but right now, at this very moment, the thick rubber mat of the gym was the most comfortable thing in the world to me. As my breathing slowed, I realized that Paige was hovering over me with a skeptical expression on her face.

“Hey, Jorge!” Paige called out. “Are you sure he’s not going to die?”

From another part of the gym, no doubt setting up a piece of exercise equipment to finish me, Jorge shouted back. “He’s fine!”

“I would like to debate that,” I groaned.

“Okay, he’s talking now.” Paige dropped a clean towel on my head.

“Your empathy is overwhelming,” I muttered as I wiped the sweat from my eyes and face.

Paige settled down next to me, her thumbs tapping away on her phone. “Hey, do you think I was too harsh with Faye?”

“What do you mean?” I grunted. “I think a life sentence isn’t that extreme.”