~1~
“And that’s a wrap!” the directors voice rang out across the set, making me breathe a sigh of relief.
“Great job, Jimin! Look forward to working with you again.” he said as he walked over to me and shook my hand.
“Thank you, sir.” I replied, him smiling at me and moving on, making his way across the set, thanking others. Work together again, my ass. Over my dead body. I made my way to my small room and undressed out of wardrobe and into my own clothes. Thankfully it was a pretty normal day of shooting, so there was no heavy makeup to remove, and I was able to leave quickly. I said my goodbyes to several of the crew who were actually very helpful and competent, and made my way to my car, feeling drained of all energy. I picked up my phone and dialed my agent and friend, before pulling out of the parking lot.
“You all finished with shooting?”
“Thank you, God, yes. This one was exhausting; I can’t do another like it.” I said, sighing again as I began driving through the busy city streets.
“Well, this was only your third full length feature, Jimin. It is exhausting work, not at all what Hollywood makes it out to be.”
“I’ll say, no glamour and frills here. I didn’t mean about the actual work though, Yoongs. I meant I can’t do another movie that I already know will crash at the box office. I need something that will get me seen. If not, I would rather go back to taking a minor roll or hell, even doing commercials. At least those are seen in every TV in the nation.” I replied as I heard him sigh.
“I’m sorry, I honestly didn’t know how things were going to go when you took the part. They had promised some other big names, so I thought we had a winner here.”
“I know, it’s not your fault. I just.... I need to feel... I don’t even know anymore.” I replied, feeling defeated. I had been acting for years, since I was fresh out of school, but I had never gotten anything that I would be proud to say I was a part of, and it was beginning to wear on me. I was in my late twenties, my prime, and I knew if I was going to have a breakout in my career, it would have to be soon.
“I tell you what, now that your schedule is clear, I will give you a few days to relax and recover, and then I will see what I can find. Do you have any stipulations about what kind of role it will be? I meant at least you had a lead in this last one.”
“Needs to be another lead, and hopefully a big name will already be attached. Other than that, no, I don’t care. Just... no working with monkeys.” I said, getting a shiver.
“Monkeys, really? That’s your limit?”
“They creep me out!” I defended, hearing him chuckle on the other end of the line.
“Got it. We will find you something, Jimin, don’t you worry. Now get some rest and I will be in contact soon.”
“Thanks Yoongi, you really are the best.” I replied.
“Friend or agent?”
“Both.” I chuckled as I heard him respond in kind.
“Hey, why don’t we celebrate you wrapping up the movie? We can go out and get some drinks, my treat.”
“Sure, you just tell me when and where.” I answered, turning down a side road that I knew would get me home sooner rather than later.
“I’ll text you. Get some rest, you’ve earned it.”
“Thanks, I’ll talk to you soon.” I replied before hanging up the phone. I could almost feel my muscles beginning to relax as I pulled up to my apartment complex, knowing that my salvation was in sight. I honestly just wanted to shower, climb in bed, and sleep for a few days, but I really hadn’t hung out with anyone in quite a while. I parked my car and looked up at the five-story building, feeling discontent settle in my stomach. I had been working my ass off for years, and all I had to show for it was my small apartment in a shitty building. I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked through the front doors and to the elevator, feeling a wave of absolute exhaustion come over me. I got out at the fifth floor and made my way to my apartment, my feet feeling heavier with every step. As I walked through the front door, I dropped my bag and slipped my shoes off of my feet before stumbling forward and plopping on the couch, shoving my face in its cushions. I found myself lying there several minutes, almost dozing off a few times as I felt the ache of exhaustion take over my body.
“Must move.” I said out loud, trying to motivate myself to get off of the couch and at least get in the shower. I groaned and rolled off of the couch and to my feet, slowly walking my way to my bathroom, stripping off clothes as I walked.
As I washed up, I decided I was definitely going to sleep until I physically couldn’t anymore, but my stomach growling changed my plans.
“You know what, I’m going to have some ramyun. I haven’t had any in months so my face wouldn’t bloat for filming.” I said aloud as I felt a slightly renewed vigor, washing my body with a slight smile on my face. After I felt thoroughly clean, I dried off and dressed in a pair of baggy basketball shorts and an oversized white t-shirt before making my way to the kitchen. I hummed to myself as I began making two packs of ramyun, my stomach growling the entire time. When I had finished, I almost inhaled my food, practically burning my mouth in the process.
“Why do I deprive myself?” I mused out loud as the savory and spicy ramen rolled around in my mouth, making me hum in appreciation. Cause you don’t want to look like a fat ass while filming that’s why, my head told me, but I shook the thought away and sighed in contentment. After I had eaten my full, I felt the exhaustion take back over, my eyes immediately becoming heavy. I decided not to fight it anymore and walked back to the bedroom, collapsing on my bed, and barely covering myself with the blanket before I felt sleep take over.
I awoke sometime later to my phone buzzing, making me wrinkle my forehead and look around with sleepy eyes. Where did I put the damn thing? What day was it? How long had I been sleeping? I felt around for my phone, finding it still buzzing on the bedside table as I grabbed it and cleared my throat.
“Hello?” I asked, trying to sound more awake than I felt.
“Hey, I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“No Yoongs, I am just tired.” I replied, trying to stifle a yawn.
“You’re a terrible liar. I was just calling to see if you wanted to grab a few drinks, but you must need your sleep.”
“No, it’s fine, uhhh, what time is it?” I asked, still feeling disoriented.
“It’s almost eight.”
“Little early for drinks, don’t you think?” I asked, wiping the sleep from my eyes.
“Eight at night, Jimin. Have you been sleeping since yesterday?”
“Oh shit, yeah I guess I have.” I replied, sitting up slightly, my body aching in protest.
“Damn, maybe you should stay home and just rest.”
“No, I have been sleeping long enough. Let me just shower and get dressed. Where did you want to meet?” I asked, throwing the covers off of my legs and twisting to rest my feet on the floor.
“How about Amygdala?”
“Sure, I like that place. I’ll text you when I’m about to leave.” I said, standing and stretching the sleep off of my body.
“Sounds good, see you soon.”
I dropped my phone onto the bed and made my way back to the shower, taking a quick one, before getting out and dressing in some black jeans, a black t-shirt and my bright red leather jacket. I slipped on a few accessories before pulling on my black boots and grabbing my wallet and keys. I texted Yoongi that I was on my way as I climbed into my car, checking the visor mirror to make sure I actually looked like a decent human being. I was actually looking forward to going out tonight, it had been far too long, and Amygdala was a good place to ease back in. It was a nice little bar with private and quiet areas to sit, low music playing in the background, a decent liquor selection and low mood lighting, making for a relaxing place to knock a few back with friends, maybe even a date. As I pulled into the small parking lot next to the worn brick building, the dark blue neon above the door illuminated Yoongi standing outside, making me smile.
“Feels like I haven’t seen you in forever.” I said as I put my keys in my pocket and walked over to him, arms outstretched.
“It’s because you haven’t. Good to see you, Jimin.” he replied, giving me a quick hug and patting my back before releasing me and heading to the door. Yoongi wasn’t exactly a hugger for as long as I had known him, but he usually indulged me, as I had always been more affectionate with friends.
“Glad you chose this place; I don’t think I have the energy for one of our usual haunts.” I said as he opened the door for us.
“Yeah, I figured Dynamite might be a bit much for you your first night back out.” he said as the softer music surrounded us. We headed to the bar, and both grabbed a drink before making our way to one of the small booths against the wall, sitting in its worn leather seats.
“Congratulations on finishing out this project.” he said, raising his glass as we clinked them together.
“Thank you, I’m just glad it’s over. On to the next one.” I replied before taking a sip and savoring the warm burn that began spreading through my chest.
“Speaking of...I just got word down the pipe about an audition on the East side in three days. It will be a big movie, full of intrigue, controversy, and big names.” he replied, taking a sip of his own drink, licking the remaining liquor off of his lips as he stared at me.
“Really? Big names you say?” I asked, immediately interested at the thought of starring opposite an already established actor or actress.
“Yeah...the role is being cast opposite of a big name.” he replied as I took another sip.
“Well shit, who is it?” I asked as he smirked slightly.
“Kim Taehyung.” he said, his smirk increasing as he took a sip. I felt my eyes go wide, almost choking on my drink as I finished a sip, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Kim Taehyung...as in household name, heartthrob, won awards Kim Taehyung...” I said in disbelief as Yoongi’s gaze turned a little more serious.
“Yeah, but Jimin, I really don’t know if you will want this part. I know it’s a big movie with a big name already attached to it, but this role...” he trailed off, chewing his lip a bit.
“Yoongs, I don’t care if I have to play a half goat man that visits him at night, I want it.” I said as Yoongi snorted.
“A half-goat man that visits him at night.... Jimin what kind of shit have you been watching?” he asked through a laugh, making me chuckle.
“Too many late night straight to TV movies.” I said as I took another swallow.
“In all seriousness, you may want to look over the role before you decide...it’s...it’s not necessarily in your comfort zone.” he replied, his look a little serious again.
“Are there monkeys involved?” I asked as he rolled his eyes.
“No monkeys...but Jimin-” he started but I put my hand up, stopping him from going on a tangent about how I may not be right for the part, etc.
“Get me an audition if you can. I am a very versatile actor; I can do it.” I replied as he sighed.
“Alright, just...don’t say I didn’t try to warn you.” he replied as we clinked our glasses and downed the rest of our drinks.
“Deal. So, anything new going on with you?” I asked as he smiled and placed his glass on the table.
“I signed a new actress who has potential...” he trailed off as I nodded. We had a few more rounds of drinks and chatted a few more hours before we decided to call it a night, my mind humming the entire time about the possibility that was now coming my way. The possibility to make my dreams come true.
