Star of a Star
By Henry Cobb

Director Gotanda phoned me the next day. I took this for a good sign as I answered "Hello."
"Hey Precocious, this script of yours, it's the life of Ai Hoshino, isn't it?"
"Fictionalized so as to avoid legal issues."
"I also glanced through your preferred casting. Gutsy move casting yourself as the villain. This might typecast your entire career."
"It's a risk I'm willing to take."
"Normally I'd object to the detailed notes for the scene where you respond to her rejection by staging showing you rebuke her for leading you on just where you've lured the stalker you'd tipped off to see it, but it's tightly written. I can see a few things to change for technical reasons, but I'm very impressed."
"Thanks."
"When I read about the stalker tossing your 'Ai' in front of a truck I half expected this to turn into an Isekai."
"Nobody seriously believes in reincarnation these days."
"Yeah, a very serious drama, but I think you overdid the medical terms during her recovery as she learns to dance again."
"I read a lot of medical books. Trim or just use it as a voiceover as you like."
"Then just as her career recovers and she's about to put on the big show why does she call you and give you her new address?"
"It's necessary for the plot. You can go over the doubts that were driving her at the time if you like."
"But after she's stabbed she just stands there and gives that corny speech about how she did it all for her fans including the stalker as she recognizes him? It's a bit over the top. If I was Ai's stalker and heard that I'd kill myself too, but it seems a stretch."
"Ai's fans will love it."
"Is it okay if I shop this script around a bit?"
"Sure, just keep the casting between us. I haven't told Ruby, Kana, or Akane yet."
"No promises, but I'll keep you in the loop."
"Thanks."
As the call ended I looked down at my phone and quoted from memory my plot. "The play's the thing Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king."