Chapter 46: Everyday Acting

Scene 16: A father hearing his daughter suddenly say she’s quitting school.

Unlike the other prompts, which allowed for various interpretations, scene 16 focused on one thing.

Conflict.

How to resolve one of the countless conflicts faced in family life was the core of Papa.

The protagonist has to overcome conflict after conflict.

Yet, this protagonist never strays from being ordinary.

He endures, waits, and stays quiet.

Only by going through unnoticed struggles does he become an ordinary father.

“I’ll start scene 16,” Morgan said.

After a quiet deep breath, Morgan began his performance slowly.

“Then don’t do it, you fool!” he shouted.

He played the same character as before, a scolding father. But unlike earlier, this wasn’t a cheerful father.

“If you don’t study, what’ll you do? How’ll you live? Work at a fast-food joint like me? Or slave away in a factory every day? Live a life where everyone looks down on you?”

Was it resentment in his voice?

Morgan’s face was contorted, but his eyes weren’t.

They looked ready to spill tears at the slightest touch, revealing that his words came from personal experience.

Is private education that important in America too?

Morgan’s performance felt more like a Korean father than an American one. His acting began with scolding and ended with scolding.

“Thank you,” Morgan said, bowing politely.

“…Well done,” I replied, nodding quietly.

I glanced at Director André beside me.

“Very striking performance,” André said.

“…Thank you,” Morgan replied.

“But it’s not a compliment. It’s striking, but it’s too far from Papa’s story. Are you from the hood?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yet you swear so well,” André said with a chuckle.

“I can tell you prepared, but now I want to see your real acting. Have you read Papa?”

Morgan’s eyes wavered.

Not with relief, but as if he’d crossed a threshold.

“I’ve read it,” he said.

“Then, thinking of the protagonist, do scene 12 again. Slowly.”

“Yes, understood.”

Morgan nodded with a resolute face.

Thus began Morgan’s performance of a lifetime.

***

Everyday acting, perhaps?

Even a movie’s world mimics Earth’s daily life, and within that world, everyday moments exist.

As a result, everyday acting has become highly valued lately.

He’s really good at everyday acting… No, it’s more like he knows what true hardship is.

The difference between knowing and not knowing hardship is stark.

Take Benjamin, for example. With his handsome looks and solid acting, he’s walked a smooth path since youth, channeling the hardships of fame into his performances.

But those hardships are mental, not physical—he’s not yet adept at physical struggle.

On the other hand, Morgan…

Maybe because he’s worked so many tough jobs to make ends meet?

While he may lack in other areas, Morgan’s everyday acting was a cut above Benjamin’s.

“Director André seems really impressed. I didn’t expect him to have Morgan do 20 scenes,” I said.

“Right? I thought it’d end sooner… Sigh,” Loony replied.

I looked out the window, quietly sighing at Loony’s words.

Morgan, who caught André’s eye, had to keep performing, almost squeezed dry.

At first, Morgan acted with joy, but soon his physical limits showed.

On the flip side, that was his true acting.

People reveal their true selves when pushed to their limits.

To see Morgan’s, André kept pushing him.

It was also to test the true skill of a rookie actor.

“What about dinner, Loony?” I asked.

Surprisingly, André didn’t invite me to eat.

Instead, he left without a word, saying he needed to revise the script after seeing the actors.

The director, usually vocal about love, seemed too distracted by finding the right actor.

“I’ll grab something nearby,” Loony said.

“Come eat with us. I remember a seafood buffet around here.”

I recalled going there last time I was in LA.

Since fresh seafood is hard to come by in Saskatchewan, I wanted to eat some while in a coastal city.

“Haha, I’m good. You should spend time with your daughters, Writer-nim.”

“It’s fine…”

“No, really, I’m okay. I’m not big on seafood anyway.”

Come to think of it, when we went last time, I was the one who wanted seafood, but Loony barely ate.

“Alright,” I said.

Loony probably needed some alone time.

We were in a business relationship, and since he hadn’t had a break during this trip, he likely wanted one.

Ring ring ring ring ring!

As I stared blankly out the window, my phone rang.

It’s Benjamin.

I had a hunch why he was calling.

Rubbing my brow, I answered.

“Writer-nim!” Benjamin’s voice boomed.

“…What?”

“Why did I get rejected? I focused so hard! I thought it was my performance of a lifetime!”

“Yeah, it seemed like it.”

“Damn… I knew that director’s look was off…”

“You noticed?”

“How could I not? He was so obvious about disliking me.”

“Fair point.”

“Sigh… Anyway, why was I rejected? I want to know.”

“Would I tell you?”

It was a contract matter, so I couldn’t say.

Benjamin grumbled over the phone.

“You didn’t call just for that, right? What’s up?”

“It’s nothing big. It’s your last night in the U.S., right? Who knows when you’ll be back.”

“Yeah, true.”

I probably won’t come to the U.S. much anymore.

Unless something new comes up.

“So, I just wanted to treat you to a meal.”

“You treated last time. It’s my turn.”

A few days ago, Benjamin paid for dinner at the hotel.

I offered, but he insisted, saying it was thanks for Chrissy’s favor.

“No, let me treat. I owe you, hyung.”

For some reason, Benjamin saw me as a benefactor.

He thought his success was because of me.

I don’t plan to correct him, but… it’s burdensome.

Benjamin’s first starring role was in Virus.

Taking the lead for the first time, he delivered a stellar performance, making Virus a success.

That earned him recognition as a skilled actor and landed him the superhero role.

“Alright, then,” I said.

It was burdensome, but if he wanted to treat, what could I do?

He’s richer than me, so I didn’t feel too bad.

“Then, hyung, want to come to my place?”

“Your place?”

“Yeah. Chrissy’s there too. Let’s have a small party at home.”

“Food?”

“We’ll order delivery.”

“Alright, I’ll come to your place.”

“How long will it take?”

“About… two hours?”

“Got it! I’ll get ready! Oh, any food you want?”

“I’m craving seafood.”

“Seafood? Got it! Call before you arrive!”

“Okay.”

As I was about to hang up, Benjamin spoke again.

“Oh, right, Writer-nim!”

“Yeah?”

“Your kids are at my place right now.”

“?”

Why are they there?

On second thought, it’s not that strange.

The kids were sightseeing with Chrissy’s manager today, after all.

Nothing odd about it.

“Yeah, Chrissy brought them over,” Benjamin said.

“Suddenly?”

“I was surprised when I got home too. She said she hung out with them today.”

After receiving lyrics from Yongsu, Chrissy worked tirelessly to turn them into a song.

But even for a genius like her, transforming Yongsu’s inspired words into music took longer than expected.

Understanding the concept of love Yongsu crafted took especially long.

Realizing it wouldn’t be resolved in a day or two, she decided to hang out with the kids.

“Got it. I’ll change and head over.”

“Oh, your outfit today was really cool. Why not just come as is?”

“No, I need to wear it tomorrow too.”

It was also uncomfortable.

Wearing a suit all day made my body feel stiff, so I wanted to change quickly.

As the call with Benjamin ended, Loony, who was driving, spoke.

“Going to Benjamin’s?”

“Yeah, but I’ll stop by the hotel first.”

I could take a taxi from there.

Loony nodded at my words.

Benjamin’s place…

When he first bought his house, I was the first person he invited.

I remember drinking a ton.

Benjamin loves alcohol.

He doesn’t smoke, but he drinks a lot and handles it well.

We drank so much that time my head was pounding.

I’m not big on whiskey, but I can’t resist expensive liquor.

Benjamin’s place is stocked with alcohol.

From cheap bottles to ones costing over $10,000.

“By the way, Writer-nim,” Loony said.

“Yeah?”

“Are you really not interested?”

“No, I’m done thinking about it.”

Before heading to the audition, Loony had made me an offer.

But since it was right before the audition, I told him we’d discuss it later.

After the audition, I thought it over and decided to decline.

“Commercials aren’t my thing.”

“That’s a shame. The pay was decent… If it went well, it could’ve promoted your work.”

“Promote my work?”

I hadn’t even asked what the ad was for.

I just disliked the idea of people paying attention to me, so I didn’t think about it.

“Oh, yeah. The ad was for a web novel.”

“A… web novel?”

I tilted my head at Loony’s words.

A web novel?