But today, Riley Perry had shown up without any makeup. The moment she put on this cheongsam, she could, no exaggeration, blow ninety-nine percent of the actresses in the entertainment industry out of the water. The remaining one percent was just to keep her from getting too proud!
"All right, all right, hurry up and look at the script. Don't go and bomb the performance on my account." 'Just cool it, will you? Stop radiating that restless charm of yours all over the place.'
Riley Perry: ... 'Bomb it? No, no, no. That role is mine!'
Rhona queued up and got a placard with the number 34. She thought they'd have a long wait, but the numbers were being called surprisingly quickly. Before long, it was their turn. Four other people were called in at the same time.
Riley Perry handed the script to Joanna and walked into the audition room with a confident expression.
The other actors auditioning also came in. Riley Perry sized them up with a glance. 'A production by Director Quinn really is in high demand,' she thought. 'Even for a minor role like the fifth female lead, two B-listers and a C-lister showed up. The other one must be a newcomer; I don't recognize her at all.'
Inside the room, five people were seated in a row behind a table. She recognized Director Quinn. The placards in front of the others read Producer, Screenwriter, and Investor. The last person was the award-winning actor, Jordan Joyce.
Seth Quinn's expression was a bit stern. Seeing them enter, he said directly, "You're all here to audition for Shannon Sutton. Let's begin."
Number 31 introduced herself as a recent graduate from Northwood Film Academy. She performed the scene where Shannon Sutton is sold to The Elysian. It was her first time at such an important audition, and her performance was a bit stiff. Midway through, she even forgot her lines, and Director Quinn cut her off immediately. "Alright, you can go home and wait for our decision."
The young woman ran out, crying.
Next up was the B-list actress Talia White. She introduced herself with natural poise, showing no signs of timidness. "Director, I've chosen the scene where Shannon Sutton risks her life to deliver a message. Could I have someone to act as my scene partner?"
A solo performance was a better showcase of an actor's skill, but Director Quinn wouldn't refuse a request for a scene partner.
"You can."
Talia White smiled at Jordan Joyce. "Mr. Joyce, I'll have to trouble you then."
Jordan Joyce smiled and nodded. "No trouble at all. You are my junior, after all."
Riley Perry glanced at the two of them. There wasn't the slightest hint of reluctance on Jordan Joyce's face. 'It seems they're not just from the same agency,' she mused, 'they must be quite close personally, too.'
Talia White was also wearing a cheongsam today. Her lips were a beautiful, bright red, and her makeup was rather heavy—a look that, one could say, was very fitting for a 1940s songstress.
The expressions on the faces of the two actresses who had yet to perform turned sour. In situations like this, it usually meant Talia White had all but locked down the role.
Jordan Joyce had already stood up and walked over to Talia White. The two began their performance.
Shannon Sutton has learned that her handler's identity has been exposed and he will soon be arrested. She risks her life to deliver the news, but Eugene Hughes has just received intelligence that must be sent out, or it will affect the war in the north. He remains calmly by the telegraph machine, sending the message.
When Shannon Sutton arrives, she urges him to leave immediately, but Eugene Hughes says, "From the moment I set foot on this path, I was prepared to die for the cause. My one life in exchange for the safety of millions of our countrymen... I will die with no regrets.
You should go back now. If something happens to me, go dark and wait patiently to be reactivated."
The sound of the telegraph machine started up again. Panic was written all over Shannon Sutton's face. She understood perfectly well which was more important—the safety of millions versus the life of one man—but she just couldn't bear the thought of Eugene Hughes dying.
Over their years of contact, she had long since fallen for her calm and resourceful superior. She wanted him to live, to be safe!
She had never shown him the slightest hint of her affection. With the nation in turmoil, in a time of great peril where their very lives hung by a thread, how could she possibly burden him with emotional attachments?
She knew he was doing the right thing. So, after a moment of panic, she composed herself amidst the incessant beeping of the telegraph and began making preparations around the room.
Her actions were proof: she would not leave. She would stay by Eugene Hughes's side.
Eugene Hughes didn't ask her to leave again. The intelligence he held was too important. If the ones coming to arrest them arrived early, having someone with him could help hold them off for a moment.
But his eyes blurred with tears...
Finally, the telegraph went silent. A moment later, a reply came back. It was just one word: "Received."
Eugene Hughes grabbed Shannon Sutton, ready to leave.
But it was too late. A truck full of Nipolan soldiers had arrived downstairs.
In a flash of inspiration, Shannon Sutton threw open the back window and urged Eugene Hughes to escape through it. "Eugene, I can't get away. Please, live on for me. You must live to see the darkness fade and the dawn of a new Cathay. See the magnificent lands of our Cathay for me, once the wolves have been driven out."
She had rushed over from The Elysian, dressed in a cheongsam and high heels. On top of that, she wasn't physically strong. If she tried to escape with Eugene Hughes, she would only be a burden.
Tears instantly streamed down Eugene Hughes's face. "No. We go together." He knew she was only saying this because she was afraid he would feel guilty, but how could he possibly leave her behind?
"You taught me yourself: we can make sacrifices, but not pointless ones. Now go, stop wasting time!"
With that, she immediately pushed Eugene Hughes away, her eyes filled with absolute resolve!
Riley Perry felt that this scene wasn't actually the best for showcasing an actor's range, but she could understand why Talia White had chosen it.
As the top headliner, Shannon Sutton was supposed to be exceptionally beautiful. Talia White's looks, however, could only be considered average. She couldn't portray the alluring charm that came with Shannon Sutton's captivating smile. It was only natural to play to one's strengths and hide one's weaknesses.
Soon, it was her turn.
She had been sitting on a chair in the corner of the room. When Number 33 finished, she rose gracefully to her feet. Lifting her left hand in the gesture of holding a wine glass, she swayed her slender waist as she walked to the center of the room. She stopped in front of an empty chair, raised an eyebrow slightly, and gave the judges at the head table an alluring smile. "General Halloway, to have earned your favor... Shannon Sutton is truly honored. Please, General, do me the honor. Let me toast you."
Although she spoke of being honored, her tone held little actual reverence. Instead, it was tinged with a casual disregard and a flirtatious charm. They were the most ordinary of lines, yet she delivered them with an enchanting, melodious cadence. Even the screenwriter, who had been scribbling away with his head down, couldn't help but look up. His gaze met Riley Perry's—a pair of eyes that seemed to hold both worldly weariness and deep passion.
Riley Perry paid no mind to the others' reactions. She continued her scene, holding out the non-existent wine glass.
Director Quinn subconsciously played along. "To be able to drink with Miss Sutton is my honor, surely."
Riley Perry brought her empty hand forward as if to clink glasses. Though she held nothing, a soft "CLINK" rang through the room, exactly like the sound of two wine glasses meeting.
After taking a "sip," she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, a casual yet seductive smile on her face. The corners of her eyes lifted slightly, like hooks ready to snatch away the very soul of the person opposite her.
The next second, as if she were truly being pulled, she stumbled and fell back into the chair. A small gasp escaped her lips, followed by a soft, delicate voice, "General~"
From the head table, Director Quinn immediately called, "Cut!"