Within the four corners of the room where several magazines, albums, awards and manuscripts are carefully placed around lies a young man whose brows are knitted furiously as he sit down.
The man lying on his own reclining chair smiled at him as he kept his hands clicking on the table. This man was Director Grid, the man responsible for his abrupt appearance on this old room.
“Director Grid, why did you call me all of a sudden? Do you know how precious my time is? If you just want to thank me for making another movie of yours a huge success then you can just send me a personal message and ‘thanks’ from the bottom of your heart.” He lazily smiled as his orbs roam around the room still with his arms locked.
He casually glanced at some awards that he received and contributed to the agency where he works for over 10 years. As his eyes were busy scanning the room with only the interest of seeing his own achievements, he did not see how the former looked at him as if he was the most conceited and arrogant man he ever met in his entire life.
“What are you talking about, Mr. Atlas?” Grid forced himself to smile until his teeth accidentally bit his own lower lip.
“Isn’t that the reason you asked me to come here? Come on, spare me the nonsense. Just say it cause I have some business to attend to.”
By business, he meant by looking around the mall today with his girlfriend, Ae. Of course, spoiling her with some gifts and get laid. He was quite excited about it because his girlfriend was the one who initiated it and he was a bit busy with work too so he couldn’t find any chance to be with her and make love again.
“You don’t really care about your surroundings aren’t you? Seeing how you still have other important matter besides this. Haven’t you heard the news? Our movie is a flop! A huge flop! Everyone was talking about how you ruined the entire move with your ridiculous acting! No one wanted to spend a single penny because you completely destroyed the image and portrayal of their favorite character!”
“And now, you’re sitting here arrogantly without even the slightest bit of respect for me? You’re ridiculously shameless! You should be begging for my kindness now because this movie might be the last time you’ll ever act and appear on national televisions and cinemas nationwide!” Grid furiously shouted as he pointed a finger on the now stunned Atlas with all his annoyance and disappointment.
What? What did this old geezer say?
Atlas was still left confused and somewhat in daze about what he heard just now. In his stunned reaction, he couldn’t simply comprehend a little thing about it as if his brain refused to accept and process it inside his mind.
Learning about how his movie failed with him as the leading actor left a huge impact on his heart that might became a knot that would remind him forever.
“W—what?” His voice suddenly fell as he stuttered his way to say anything.
His director just smirked at him. “You heard it right. Your movie went flop and did not receive many attention. We’re now planning on removing it from the cinemas and place it among the garbage-worthy-not-gonna-appear-again-left-on-history-movies section.”
“How.....how could it be?! I did my best for this movie! Those people have eyes but failed to see how I, Atlas Valderama, delivered the lines perfectly. They....just don’t know what they missed! Don’t remove it yet.....maybe there are still people who’s eager to watch it!” He slammed his hands above the table while meeting the gaze of the director which the latter did not give a response and just simply shrug him off his table.
“Yeah? Then how would you explain these ratings? For over the course of two months, only one! Just one watch your movie! Imagine we made huge investments, place it in all tv networks and even resorted to series of advertisements yet nobody gave it a chance because they saw how poor and low the ratings were! We made this movie for them to enjoy but we only receive comments on how they felt pity on our staffs for hiring such a conceited but lame actor with no chance of improvement. Wake up, Atlas! Your time as an actor is finished!”
Grid heaved a sigh before sitting down again while looking at the fuming Atlas who’s still hang up on how his recent movie failed.
“I’m sorry but we want to earn and maintain our standing as one of the most leading agencies and so we have to sadly let you go and cancel your renewal contract with us. It was really an honor to have you but we have to survive in this competitive industry and push forward to appease the masses with improvements on our movies. I know it’s hard but you have to move on, Atlas. Why not go to the province and lay low and perhaps maybe you might gain some inspiration? Who knows, you might make a comeback and this time, people will know how great of an actor you once were.” Grid solemnly said as he walked towards Atlas and tap his shoulder lightly. Although it could be said that he was giving Atlas some time to freshen up but the truth is, Atlas knew he will never get a chance again in the future. A once flop actor will always be a flop actor.
“It seems you really wished for this to happen seeing how your face brighten up. You even let go of me without the slightest bit of hesitation. But I hope you won’t regret the choice you made today!” He was still fuming mad as he noticed the changes on Grid’s countenance. He was showing fake pity when in fact he was the most happiest one because finally he could be free from having to please him time and time. It made Atlas feel embarrassed as he felt he was treated like a trash ready to be thrown anytime.
He couldn’t help it any longer and rushed towards the door. He heard Grid shouted from his back but he didn’t bother to face him again and just slam the door and head out.
“All of you will definitely regret this.”
