Chapter 1
“You’re broke.”
Those were the last two words Regulus wanted to hear from the financial analyst sitting across from him. Dorcas, his agent, had set up this meeting for him. At this point, he was pretty sure that she did it because she wanted him to take a fucking job already, but Regulus refused to take on a project he wasn’t absolutely certain about.
“There’s no way,” he said back, rolling his eyes. “I have at least another hundred thousand in my account right now.”
“Yes, you do,” the analyst (Paul? Pierre? Peter? He couldn’t remember) responded, “however, Mr. Black, you have to take into account the expenses that you are going to accumulate even in the next month. Your apartment alone costs 5,000. Then, your car payment is another 2,500. And I haven’t even averaged out your shopping habits–”
“OK! Ok, I understand. So what do you suggest that I do?” Regulus was fed up with this meeting. He wanted to go home, drink some imported wine, and shop for a new sweater on his couch.
“Mr. Black, the best thing you can do for yourself right now is take on another project. Any income right now would be better than none.”
Regulus put his head in his hands and let them drag down his face. “Fine. I’ll discuss it with my agent.” With that, Regulus got up, walked out, and pulled out his phone to call his agent. She picked up on the first ring.
“Hello, Regulus.”
“Why did you set up that meeting, Dorcas? Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was for me?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Regulus. Maybe if you had just listened to me when I told you you need a job, you would have never had to have gone to the meeting.” He could hear her annoyance through the phone.
“Well maybe if you stopped suggesting shitty movies with shittier directors, I would have taken something by now!” Regulus was shouting now as he walked down the street to the parking garage so he could go the fuck home.
“Regulus! What are you even talking about? I’ve sent you offers from Tarentino, Gerwig, fucking COPPOLA. What do you want?”
“I don’t know, Dorcas! Something new, I guess. I’m over the same fucking people in different fonts. Maybe it’s just time for me to retire while I still have a little bit of money.”
“You’re twenty-three, Regulus. I don’t think we’re at the point where you need to retire.”
Regulus let out a long sigh as he got into his car. A Ferrari. His brother’s dream car when they were growing up. “I’m just over this, Dorcas. I have no motivation to do this anymore. I feel like I just get cast as the same shitty teenage boy in every movie. I want to try something new.”
Dorcas was quiet for a minute. “Ok, let me ask around, and I’ll see what I can find. How do you feel about an indie project?”
“At this point, I don’t even care. As long as I’m not playing an angsty sixteen-year-old boy for the fifth time in the past three years, I’ll probably take it. It also sounds like I need any money I can get.”
Dorcas scoffed. “Or you could stop blowing ten grand on designer clothes every week.”
“I don’t need to hear about that right now, Dorcas. That asshole Pauly just went off on me for an hour about how irresponsible I am with my money. I don’t need to hear it from you now, too.”
“Fine, fine. Look, I’ll reach out to a couple of people about upcoming indie films, OK? We’ll see what we can find.”
Regulus sighed. “Ok, Dorcas. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now go the fuck home. You’re cranky as shit.” And with that, she hung up, and Regulus started making his way back home.
About an hour later, while sitting on his couch, drinking imported wine, and shopping for a new sweater, he got a new text from Dorcas with an article: “New Film from Up and Coming Director Remus Lupin Casts James Potter.” He clicked on the link.
“Hollywood’s newest director, Remus Lupin, has been brought on to direct Marauders Film’s newest project: “The Sun and Its Star.” The movie is said to be about a man on the road to discovering his sexuality after a nasty breakup. The lead role has reportedly gone to lesser-known actor James Potter. However, the main love interest seems yet to be cast.”
The article goes on to describe James’s background and the fact that he has a girlfriend, something that has been seen as controversial by the internet. Dorcas sent another text: “What do you think?”
Regulus considered it for a minute. “Tell them I’m interested.”