In New York City, within Manhattan's East Village, there existed a certain apartment. This space was meager, comprising only a small room, a bunk bed, and a desk. It was minimalistic, to say the least.
Seated on the floor was a young blonde man with striking blue eyes and reasonably attractive features, though by American standards, his looks were rather ordinary. Weariness seemed to shadow his gaze as he let out a sigh. "Damn it. I've somehow found myself inhabiting the life of a less fortunate kid."
Indeed, the young man was no longer who he appeared to be; he was now possessed by a different soul. This young man's name happened to be Lucas Knight, formerly a waiter at a local bar. However, due to a minor blunder, he had been unceremoniously let go by his boss, rendering him jobless.
For the past two weeks, Lucas Knight had been tirelessly seeking employment, yet for some baffling reason, no one had offered him a position. It all culminated in his untimely death due to stress and exhaustion on this fateful day. Simultaneously, another Lucas from Earth, a failed actor, also met his demise.
This second Lucas found himself transmigrated into the body of Lucas Knight. As he stood up and examined his surroundings, his eyes fell upon a notebook resting on the desk. Curiosity led him to pick it up and flip it open, only to discover that it belonged to Lucas Knight, serving as a diary.
Lucas began to read, and the first page revealed a poignant story. "How do I put this... I was born at the cost of my mother's life, and my father has always treated me with indifference as a result. When I was seven, my father remarried, and I soon realized he had been unfaithful, as he already had children older than me from this new marriage. When I turned 18, my stepmother's influence led my father to kick me out of the house. Now I'm 19, and I've been working as a waiter at a Ladies Bar. I've faced constant harassment, but whenever I expressed discomfort, people simply laughed..." Lucas skimmed through the pages, contemplating the story.
After several minutes, he completed the diary and muttered in amazement, "So, I'm the son of Vince Knight, the renowned WB director..." He added, "And my step-brother, two years my senior, is already making a name for himself in Hollywood."
In fact, Lucas Knight also aspired to become an actor, but he faced continuous rejections despite his striking good looks when he attended auditions.
He glanced at his wallet and discovered that he had only $50 left.
Taking the paper money and inspecting it closely, he couldn't help but smile wistfully. "How am I going to survive on this?" If not for his roommate, he might have been starving all this time. His roommate had a job and was striving for his dream of becoming a Hollywood star, living independently to pursue that dream.
Lucas glanced at the calendar, noting that it was May 9, 2009.
As he contemplated his situation, his stomach grumbled in hunger. Lucas massaged his belly and decided to step out of the apartment to buy some food.
He roamed the streets and entered a McDonald's, where he purchased a cheeseburger and fries, costing him at least $7 to ease his hunger. Upon leaving McDonald's and about to take a bite of his burger, he spotted a thin, homeless old man with a beard on the side of the street.
Lucas examined his burger and noticed the homeless man seated on a public bench, clutching a bag of plastic trash.
Lucas approached the homeless man and extended his offer of food.
The old man, taken aback by Lucas's gesture, questioned as he peered at the McDonald's bag being offered, "What's this, young man?"
Lucas beamed, presenting the McDonald's meal. "This is for you."
The old man, filled with surprise, inquired with wonder, "For me?"
Lucas nodded, handing the old man the McDonald's, burger included.
"Thank you very much, young man," the old man expressed his gratitude with tears welling up in his eyes. It had been a while since anyone had shown him such kindness.
Lucas nodded and was about to walk away when the old man blessed him, saying, "God bless you, young man!"
Lucas acknowledged the blessing as he walked away, taking a moment to assess his remaining funds. Due to his impromptu act of kindness, he had purchased another McDonald's meal, depleting his money even further. With a monthly rent of $700, luckily shared with his roommate, and no job currently, Lucas grappled with how to make ends meet when he suddenly realized something.
Wasn't he an actor? When Lucas realized this, a moment of revelation silenced him.
Though he had been a failed actor in his previous life, rarely securing major roles and mostly settling for supporting or extra roles, it had still been an invaluable experience to draw from.
After that, he returned to his apartment, and upon entering, he noticed his roommate was already there.
His roommate had dark hair and brown eyes, possessing fine features that made him a handsome young man.
From the diary Lucas had read, this dark-haired young man went by the name of Paul Sterling. He stood a bit taller than Lucas, who was 5'11", while Paul Sterling measured about 6 feet.
Upon noticing Lucas, Paul Sterling smiled and greeted him, saying, "You're here, Lucas," nodding in a friendly manner.
Lucas returned the nod and sat on the floor, offering his own greeting, "What's up." He didn't really know Paul Sterling since he hadn't inherited Lucas Knight's memories.
Paul Sterling then mentioned, "I heard you've been struggling to find a job." He had observed that Lucas Knight had been having difficulty securing employment for the past two weeks.
Lucas nodded with a sense of helplessness and admitted, "That's true. I feel quite lost, not knowing how to earn money to cover my rent..."
Paul Sterling then disclosed something that took Lucas by surprise, "I was offered an audition for a role in a TV series, but I didn't feel it suited me, so I decided not to go for it. However, if you're interested, I can give you the script and see if you'd like to audition for it." Paul Sterling concluded his statement and retrieved the script from his bag, which lay on the floor.
Lucas, in the meantime, was taken aback by this revelation and the sight of Paul Sterling handing him the script paper.
With curiosity, Lucas mused, "A TV series? I wonder what it's about..." His words caught Paul Sterling's attention.
Paul Sterling chuckled as he remarked, "The offer is $13,000 per episode, which is not too shabby and could certainly help with your financial troubles."
Lucas, upon hearing this, felt a surge of excitement. After all, $13,000 was a substantial amount in his view. As he glanced at the script paper, he read the title on the front: 'Modern Family.'
Seeing the title, Lucas's mind practically went blank with excitement. He thought to himself, "Isn't this one of the successful TV series from my previous life!?" His heart raced with anticipation.
Paul Sterling remained silent, observing Lucas's expressions.
Subsequently, Lucas opened the script and realized that the role for the audition was Dylan, the boyfriend of Haley Dunphy. "This is the character from the pilot!" Lucas thought excitedly, glancing at Paul Sterling. He asked, "Are you sure you want to offer me this opportunity?"
Paul Sterling was slightly surprised by Lucas's reaction but nodded, replying, "Of course." He paused before adding, "But don't thank me just yet; your ability to secure the role will depend on your audition performance."
Lucas nodded hurriedly and then, with some embarrassment, asked, "Um... Could you lend me some money so I can..."
Paul Sterling chuckled, interrupting Lucas, and said, "So you can get to the audition site?"
Lucas nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. He had no other choice, as he only had about $36 in his wallet.
Paul Sterling recognized Lucas's predicament and sighed, "You better pay me back later, all right?" With that, he retrieved $200 from his wallet.
Lucas nodded and reassured Paul Sterling, "Of course, I'll definitely pay you back later. You can count on it."
Lucas eagerly went to the audition location for "Modern Family" at the New Amsterdam Theatre. He was so excited that he had trouble sleeping the night before. He even asked his friend Paul Sterling a few times if it was okay to pursue this opportunity, but Paul assured him that he had landed a role in a "Law Order" TV series.
This reassurance made Lucas feel better, thinking that if Paul believed in the potential success of "Modern Family," he might later regret missing out. As Lucas arrived at the theatre, he noticed a significant crowd already gathered.
Lucas was about to take a seat when he spotted a woman who seemed familiar. In shock, he wondered, "Isn't she Claire?" Indeed, in a nearby seat was the blonde woman who portrayed Claire Dunphy, but that wasn't what shocked Lucas. He was taken aback because the actress who played Claire Dunphy had a visibly pregnant belly.
Yes, she was pregnant. Lucas scanned the room to see if any other actors or actresses from "Modern Family" were present, but all he found were unfamiliar faces.
As a result, Lucas felt a bit disappointed, but he decided to approach the blonde woman. As he neared her, she seemed slightly surprised but nodded and asked, "Can I help you with something?"
Lucas shook his head and inquired, "May I sit here?" gesturing to the unoccupied seat next to her, to which she simply nodded.
She replied, "You don't need my permission; I don't own this place."
Lucas smiled and responded, "True, but I thought it might be considerate to ask, in case it makes you uncomfortable."
She smiled back and said, "Not at all."
Lucas nodded and shifted his attention to the stage where the auditions were currently underway. He noticed a man with glasses, an older man, and another man who appeared to be in his thirties, among a few others, sitting with their elbows on a table, strategically positioned to assess the auditioning individuals.
Turning to the blonde woman, Lucas asked, "Are you here for an audition?"
She chuckled and replied, "Isn't it obvious?"
Lucas, feeling a bit embarrassed, ventured, "Let me take a guess at the role you're auditioning for..."
The woman chuckled and said, "Go ahead, give it a try." She watched as Lucas stroked his chin, seemingly deep in thought.
Lucas, with an expression of sudden realization, remarked, "You're auditioning for the lead female role, aren't you?"
The woman appeared somewhat surprised and asked, "How did you know?"
Lucas interrupted her, responding, "How did I know? Well, considering the circumstances, most of the actresses here are probably trying out for the main role, right?"
She chuckled and replied, "You might have a point there." Then, pausing thoughtfully, she added, "Let me guess your role. Are you auditioning for the main role as well?"
Lucas promptly shook his head and said, "No, I'm auditioning for a supporting role."
The woman was a bit disappointed that she had guessed incorrectly. Both she and Lucas were in the dark about the other characters in the script since the "Modern Family" producers had only provided a script for the character they were auditioning for.
Realizing they hadn't introduced themselves yet, Lucas spoke up, "I forgot to introduce myself; I'm Lucas Knight."
She nodded and introduced herself, "I forgot to introduce myself as well." Pausing for a moment, she reflected that despite appearing in several series, she was still relatively unknown. She suspected that Lucas recognized her, which might explain his approach, but she shook off these distracting thoughts and said, "My name is Julie Bowen."
Lucas glanced at her pregnant belly and inquired, "You're pregnant?"
Julie blushed slightly and confirmed, "Yes, I'm eight months pregnant." Observing the concern on Lucas's face, she continued with a slightly downcast tone, "Honestly, I'm not sure if the producers will choose me because of this..."
In a confident tone, Lucas assured her, "Don't be discouraged. I'm sure you'll get the role." In truth, he knew that she would indeed secure the role.
Julie assumed that Lucas was merely offering her words of comfort, so she gave a grateful nod and continued, "I've actually auditioned for this role a few times already..."
This revelation surprised Lucas, and he responded, "You have?" He had been unaware of this.
Julie nodded and added, "I'm really fond of this character."
Lucas acknowledged her passion and engaged in a conversation with Julie for a while. Eventually, it was Julie's turn to audition, and Lucas wished her, "Good luck."
With a nod, Julie made her way to the stage, gently cradling her pregnant belly.
In the theatre, a few people couldn't help but notice Julie's prominent pregnancy, and whispers spread through the audience.
Lucas, wearing a puzzled expression, scanned the room and then observed Julie taking the stage as she portrayed the role of 'Claire Dunphy.'
"I doubt she'll be accepted with that noticeable baby bump," a distant voice scoffed.
Lucas chose to disregard the people gossiping, fully confident that Julie Bowen would secure the role regardless of their opinions.
On the stage, Julie stood before the director, writers, and producers of "Modern Family." She greeted them with a smile, saying, "Hi, I'm Julie Bowen. I'm here again to audition for the role of Claire Dunphy."
One of the writers, a 30-year-old man named Steven Levitan, responded, "I know," with a chuckle. "You've already auditioned quite a few times."
Julie blushed and nodded, admitting, "I really like the role, after all."
Her words caught the attention of an older man, Christopher Lloyd, who spoke up, "Well, even though you've auditioned several times, I still want to see you perform the script you haven't used in your previous auditions." He placed the script on the table and said, "You can start now."
The director, Jason Winer, handed Julie the script, and she began to read. After a while, she returned the script.
Steven Levitan then suggested, "You can take a seat; there's no need to remain standing as per the script we provided," casting a glance at Julie's pregnant stomach.
Julie nodded and settled into a seat on the stage nearby.
She fell into a brief silence as she fully immersed herself in the character of Claire Dunphy. With confidence, she delivered her lines, "I am a mother. I am a wife. I am a career woman. And I am juggling it all. But I wouldn't have it any other way," all while the camera captured her performance.
Then, Julie turned to the camera and declared, "I'm Claire Dunphy, and this is my crazy life."
Lucas observed Julie's audition and expressed his approval with a nod, convinced that Julie was undeniably destined for the role of 'Claire Dunphy'.
[For those who may not be aware, I have revised Chapter 1. This is intended for readers who have already read the initial experimental chapter.]
After Julie Bowen finished her performance, "Modern Family" writers Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd exchanged glances. Despite Julie's pregnancy, they believed she perfectly embodied the character of 'Claire Dunphy.' Her tone and expressions truly captured 'Claire Dunphy' for them. Jason Winer observed the writers as Julie anxiously examined the producers' expressions, hoping they appreciated her performance.
Julie thought, "I hope they liked it..." as Steven Levitan nodded and complimented her, saying, "It's a good performance." Julie responded with gratitude, "Thank you."
However, Steven Levitan added, "Hmm... But we'll contact you if you get the role." This words disappointed Julie, but she still nodded and replied, "Thank you." She left the stage, feeling judgment from others who had come to audition due to her pregnancy.
Lucas observed Julie's exit and smiled, muttering, "She probably didn't expect to be chosen in the end..." Later, more people took the stage one by one, performing until it was finally Lucas's turn. He was identified by the number assigned to auditionees.
The audition coordinator called, "Number 69, Lucas Knight." Lucas raised his hand and noticed a few people chuckling. Feeling awkward, he scratched the back of his head and made his way to the stage. The "Modern Family" director, writers, and producers looked up at Lucas, and Jason Winer asked, holding a paper, "Are you auditioning for the supporting role of 'Dylan Marshall'?"
Lucas nodded and replied, "That's correct."
Jeff Greenberg, the casting director of "Modern Family," wore a perplexed expression as he stated, "As far as I can recall, we never cast someone named Lucas Knight for the supporting role of 'Dylan Marshall.'" Responsible for the casting process, he meticulously handpicked actors and actresses for specific roles within the show.
From his recollection, while 'Dylan Marshall' wasn't as prominent as the main characters, it still held significance, potentially appearing in several episodes. Jeff Greenberg remembered that aside from Paul Sterling and Reid Ewing, whom he and his team personally selected, a few actors had submitted their headshots and resumes for consideration, but Lucas Knight wasn't among them.
The directors, writers, and producers of "Modern Family" regarded Lucas with furrowed brows. Lucas Knight, trying to address the situation, offered an awkward smile and admitted, "Umm... That's correct..." How should he explain this?
Upon hearing Lucas's response, Jeff Greenberg directed his attention to Lucas Knight and elaborated, "Auditions for 'Modern Family' are conducted discreetly, and only those specially chosen by me and my team are given the opportunity. Could it be that one of the actors we selected for the supporting role allowed you to audition on their behalf? I am certain that no one named Lucas Knight submitted a headshot and resume to me, so I can't think of any other explanation..." His conclusion was hard to dispute, and the "Modern Family" directors and writers couldn't help but arrive at the same conclusion.
In truth, actors or actresses could still audition for roles, even if they hadn't been directly selected by the casting director, as long as they were endorsed by a guild that submitted their headshots and resumes to Jeff Greenberg.
The other people auditioning were intrigued by the situation as they observed Lucas Knight on the stage.
Lucas, caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events, explained, "My friend offered me his audition opportunity for the role of 'Dylan Marshall'..."
Jeff Greenberg stroked his chin, recalling that the only people he had selected for the role of 'Dylan Marshall' were Paul Sterling and Reid Ewing. Since Reid Ewing had already auditioned, and the only one who hadn't was Paul Sterling, he surmised that Paul Sterling had provided Lucas Knight with the script and audition chance for the role. With this realization, Jeff Greenberg exclaimed, "So your friend was Paul Sterling?"
Lucas, upon hearing this, nodded with a hint of surprise.
Steven Levitan casually used his pinky finger to clean his ear as he commented, "I'm not particularly concerned about whether you're supposed to be here or not." He paused, locking eyes with Lucas Knight, and added, "However, since you are here, I assume you possess the ability to portray the role of 'Dylan Marshall' effectively, right?"
Jeff Greenberg glanced at Steven Levitan and then at Lucas Knight, nodding in agreement with Steven Levitan's words. He added, "Did you hear that, young man? Do you have the acting ability, or are you just wasting our time?"
The fellow auditionees cast various glances and expressed a range of emotions while observing Lucas Knight.
With all eyes focused on him, Lucas sensed the weight of the moment and felt doubts creeping in. However, he reminded himself, 'I've already faced death once, so why should I be concerned about failing here?' Determination welled up within him as he reflected, 'I failed as an actor in my past life due to this useless trait of doubt!'
After a few seconds of contemplation, and with everyone awaiting his response, Lucas confidently affirmed, "Of course! I can portray the role of 'Dylan Marshall' effectively!"
The directors, writers, and producers of "Modern Family" were taken aback by Lucas's transformation, witnessing his shift from awkwardness to sudden confidence.
Christopher Lloyd, an older individual, smiled and nodded to Lucas, remarking, "I appreciate your confidence, young man." He paused and elaborated, "But let me clarify the role of 'Dylan Marshall' for you. He will be the boyfriend of the main character, 'Haley Dunphy.' He's into music and likes to act cool. Can you embody that?"
All eyes turned to Lucas Knight as Christopher Lloyd posed the question, and Lucas promptly nodded, affirming, "Certainly."
Steven Levitan, wearing a smile, instructed, "Then you may begin."
Lucas nodded, recalling the script that Paul Sterling had given him earlier.
Lucas had memorized the lines, but he understood that it wasn't just about the words; his expression and overall acting would make all the difference.
He immersed himself in the character of 'Dylan Marshall.' Although he had only watched the first season of "Modern Family," he aimed to portray Dylan from his perspective. In Lucas's view, 'Dylan Marshall' wasn't a character who tried to act cool; he thought Christopher Lloyd's earlier statement was a test of his acting abilities.
"Ready? Action!" the audition coordinator called out, signaling the start of the performance. The reader assigned to assist Lucas with his lines was prepared.
Lucas composed his mind and became 'Dylan Marshall.' His expression transformed into that of a laid-back individual, and his hands fiddled with his clothes.
Director Jason Winer, Jeff Greenberg, Steven Levitan, and Christopher Lloyd were slightly taken aback by Lucas's transformation.
Lucas exuded the aura of a slacker, appearing both uncomfortable and unsure of himself.
Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd exchanged glances. Judging from Lucas's current expression and posture, it appeared that he was portraying 'Dylan Marshall' quite effectively, even though Christopher Lloyd had attempted to mislead Lucas earlier by characterizing 'Dylan Marshall' as a simple character. This characterization could be both right and wrong simultaneously. If Lucas had followed Christopher Lloyd's advice exclusively, he wouldn't have stood a chance.
However, whether Lucas could deliver his lines effectively remained to be seen, and this would ultimately determine his overall performance in their eyes.
In the New Amsterdam Theatre, Lucas stood center stage, with the directors, writers, and producers of Modern Family fixed on him, and the audience equally captivated by his flawless portrayal of 'Dylan Marshal.' The camera and the Modern Family production team supporting the attendees all focused on Lucas Knight as he took his place on the stage.
As the audition began, the female script reader, assisting Lucas Knight in his role as 'Dylan Marshal,' approached him and cordially said, "Hello, you must be Dylan."
Lucas Knight, embodying 'Dylan Marshal,' stood before her, extending his hand for a handshake, and replied, "Hey, Dylan, yeah..." His voice remained composed, but his eyes conveyed a sense of uncertainty.
The female audition reader took on the role of 'Claire' as she shook hands with Lucas Knight and delivered her lines from the script, "I'm Haley's mother."
Next, another male script reader, who would support Lucas Knight during his audition, stepped forward. He initiated the action by gently gripping Lucas Knight's forearm while assuming the role of 'Haley' and encouraged, "Hey, come on, let's go," directing his words towards Lucas Knight.
Lucas, playing 'Dylan Marshal,' nodded in agreement and followed the male reader.
Suddenly, the female reader interjected with a hint of surprise, exclaiming, "Okay, hang on, one second. Woah." She halted the male reader and Lucas, firmly gripping Lucas's forearm, causing him to look at her with uncertainty.
The female reader continued to follow the script, asking with doubt, "Dylan, you're still in high school?"
Lucas nodded and responded in a deep, relaxed voice, "Yeah, I'm a senior."
The female reader acknowledged with a nod, saying, "A senior. Okay. Cool."
Another male script reader, who was part of the audition process, approached. The female reader noticed and exclaimed, "Hey, Phil. Sweetie. Honey." She added, "He is Dylan, and he is a senior," before announcing aloud, "You need to scare him."
The male reader then delivered his lines, saying, "Let me meet this player," as he glanced at Lucas.
"Phil Dunphy, yo!" the male reader, portraying 'Phil,' exclaimed, adding with a playful tone, "Yo."
Lucas, embodying 'Dylan,' responded while looking at the male reader, saying, "Yo."
"Okay, I see you guys..." the male reader, taking on the role of 'Haley,' acknowledged as the other male reader, who portrayed 'Phil,' supported Lucas in the audition performance.
The audition continued, with the participants and the Modern Family production team watching closely. The directors and writers of Modern Family keenly observed Lucas Knight's performance, and he delivered exceptionally well.
In fact, Steven Levitan noted that Lucas Knight seemed to capture the essence of 'Dylan' even better than Reid Ewing.
Upon completing the audition, the directors and writers of Modern Family held varying opinions. Steven Levitan nodded at Lucas Knight and complimented him, saying, "You gave a very impressive performance."
Lucas Knight reciprocated with gratitude, saying, "Thank you."
After some time, Christian Lloyd also shared his thoughts, and the directors, such as James Winer and Jeff Greenberg, expressed their approval with nods.
After a while, as Lucas Knight expressed his gratitude, the writer Steven Levitan, idly playing with his pen, jotted a note and said, "Very well. We'll contact you if you're selected by the team." He paused, adding, "If you're not chosen, we'll still reach out to inform you that we regrettably didn't pick you. Expect a call in about a week when the shooting for the 'Pilot' is set to begin."
Lucas Knight anticipated this and nodded, replying, "Thank you," before stepping off the stage to make way for another auditionee.
The new individual was trying out for an extra role in the plane scene, and Lucas watched curiously, his own audition now concluded. He exited the theater and rubbed his hands together, hoping he would be selected. If not, he faced the daunting prospect of struggling to cover his rent unless he could persuade a friend or roommate to assist.
Lucas flagged down a taxi, returned to his apartment, and pondered the events that had unfolded since he arrived in this unfamiliar world.
He had the opportunity to meet Julie Bowen, a celebrity he had only watched on screens before. Surprisingly, she was pregnant, a fact he hadn't known in his previous life. Lucas couldn't help but smile, reflecting on Julie portraying 'Claire Dunphy' in the pilot with her bulging stomach. It baffled him that he hadn't noticed this detail while watching the 'Pilot' in his past life.
As for his current situation, whether Lucas would be selected for the role of 'Dylan Marshal' remained uncertain. After all, Reid Ewing had originally played the part in his previous life. Lucas was unsure if he'd be chosen or if Reid Ewing would once again secure the role.
With no guarantees, Lucas couldn't solely rely on the possibility of being chosen. He needed to secure some form of employment. With this in mind, he picked up his diary and recorded the events of the New Amsterdam Theatre auditions before setting out to search for job opportunities.
Lucas vowed that if he wasn't selected for the role of 'Dylan Marshal,' he would explore other possibilities. Perhaps he would even consider auditioning for 'America's Got Talent' the following year, although this was his final option if he couldn't secure any opportunities in the entertainment industry.
To pave his way into the entertainment industry as a newcomer, he knew that joining the 'Screen Actors Guild' was crucial, but doing so required fees. He contemplated either borrowing money once more from his roommate or embarking on an intensive job search to cover the expenses.
Lucas diligently scoured the area for job opportunities when he noticed a restaurant with a sign that read 'Wanted: Waiter.' In an instant, Lucas smoothed down his blonde hair and straightened his sleeves.
It seemed that the restaurant had just put up the 'Wanted' sign, as Lucas hadn't noticed it earlier when he passed by on his way to a fast food restaurant.
Upon entering the restaurant and expressing his interest in applying at the counter, he was greeted by the restaurant's manager, who was also the employer.
The young and beautiful female manager didn't inquire about Lucas's educational background; she simply asked about his work experience and assessed his communication skills, which were satisfactory. She also inquired about his record, and after a background check, the female manager named Liza examined Lucas's face and physique before nodding in approval. She said, "Alright, you look pretty good," pausing before adding, "You're hired. Your hourly wage here will be $12. Is that acceptable to you?"
Lucas quickly nodded and replied, "That's perfectly fine!" After expressing his gratitude and discussing the details for a while, he exited the restaurant.
Liza smiled as she watched Lucas depart. To be honest, she was quite intrigued because a man employed by Myla, a woman, had offered her a thousand dollars not to hire an individual by the name of 'Lucas Knight.' Similar offers had been made by other men, who worked for Myla, to Liza's friends, all of whom owned businesses in New York. However, Liza was not particularly swayed by the promise of a thousand dollars and opted to hire Lucas regardless, partly due to her finding him exceptionally charming and handsome.
Lucas went to his apartment and saw that his roommate still hadn't returned, so he ate instant ramen and slept in the lower bunk bed.
As he lay on the bed, his mind constantly pondered whether he would be cast as 'Dylan Marshall' in the Modern Family casting.
The casting could significantly benefit Lucas in the entertainment industry and might lead to recommendations for other projects.
While thinking about this, his mind became hazy as he drifted into slumber.
--
In the morning, sunlight streamed across Lucas's face through the apartment window.
"Hng..." Lucas stretched his arms, yawning as he awoke. Then, he stood up lazily and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth.
Afterward, he had breakfast before heading to the restaurant where he had applied.
Upon reaching the restaurant, the female manager, Liza, instructed him to change into the waiter attire. "You shouldn't be wearing casual clothes now, should you?"
Feeling awkward, Lucas responded, "Er..."
Liza smiled and said, "Go to the changing room. There's already a waiter attire waiting for you."
Lucas immediately nodded and headed to the changing room. Upon arrival, he noticed another guy already changing.
"Oh, you must be the new guy." The man, with red hair and a shining earring, was still shirtless, wearing only the formal black waiter pants.
Lucas nodded, searching for his attire. The guy remarked, "If you're looking for your working uniform, you don't have one."
Confused, Lucas furrowed his brows, "But the manager said I have one here..."
The guy chuckled, "Maybe she just wanted you to borrow a uniform from me."
Lucas considered this possibility, "I see..." Awkwardly, he asked, "Can I borrow one?"
The guy chuckled, "Hehe, you're quite an interesting fellow." Opening his locker, he tossed an arranged waiter uniform to Lucas.
"By the way, I'm Leonard Martin, nice to meet you," the red-haired guy introduced himself.
Lucas nodded, greeting, "Nice to meet you, Leonard. I'm Lucas Knight."
Leonard, upon hearing Lucas's last name, smiled, "Oh, so you're a Knight..."
Lucas, while getting dressed, furrowed his brows, "Is there something wrong?"
Leonard shook his head, adjusting his uniform, "Nothing..."
After putting on the waiter attire, Lucas and Leonard went out to work, serving customers and receiving tips.
Initially surprised by the tips, Lucas soon realized he was in the USA, unlike his home country.
So, he actually earned more with the tips from customers and the hourly wages.
The job finally concluded as the restaurant closed for the day. Liza smiled charmingly, looking at Lucas as she handed him his salary.
With a charming smile, Liza said to Lucas, "You did great. Maybe it's your newcomer's luck, but the restaurant received more customers than average. Good job."
Lucas responded with a smile, saying, "Thank you, Manager."
Liza pouted at Lucas's response, correcting him, "Don't call me 'Manager,' Lucas. Just call me Liza."
Though reluctant, Lucas smiled when he heard that. Liza saw his hesitation and encouraged, "Come on, I'm fine with it."
Lucas nodded, smiling, and said, "Alright, Li-Liza..."
Liza smiled upon hearing it, patting Lucas on the shoulder, "That's right. No need to be uncomfortable with me, Lucas. I am not stuttering while saying your name... well, you'll probably get used to it..."
While Lucas and Liza were interacting with smiles, Leonard, still waiting for his salary, kept observing with a frown.
"What is this, manager? Are you playing favorites right now?" Leonard couldn't help but exclaim.
When Liza heard this from Leonard, she looked over at him and snorted.
"I saw you glued to your Nokia phone all the time while you're working. You're not as serious as Mr. Lucas..." She said with furrowed brows. Then she added, "Maybe you'll become my favorite as well if I confiscate your phone during your shift..."
Upon hearing this, Leonard surrendered, raising his hand and saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please don't confiscate my phone, cousin."
"Hmph, get your things together. You will get your money a week later."
"Eh? How could that be? Lucas will receive his today, but I'll receive my money in a week? That's unfair, you bitc—"
"I change my mind. You'll receive your money in two weeks."
"No! Please! I beg you! I need that money for my date!"
"Seems like no date for you then... At least about two weeks before you get your money from me..."
"I'll sue you!"
"If you can!"
Lucas smiled as he observed their banter. Honestly, he didn't expect the red-haired man to be a relative of his boss.
After that, Lucas returned to his apartment, lying in the lower bunk bed, and looked at his flip phone screen. He awaited a call from the 'Modern Family' production, whether he was cast for the role or not.
Lucas truly desired to be cast; it was a significant opportunity for him. He closed his flip phone and went back to sleep.
Eight hours later.*
Lucas groggily woke up, rubbing his eyes to see the surroundings clearly. He stood up, went to pour himself some water.
The morning sun's rays pierced through the window, gracing Lucas's face.
Lucas drank and gulped the water, saying, "Ah, I guess it's time for breakfast and then off to work."
Before he could take any actions, his phone rang, and the Nokia ringtone sounded.
Taken aback at first, Lucas took his phone, wondering who could be calling him right now. Looking at the phone, it was an unfamiliar number, so Lucas answered.
"Hello, who is this?" Lucas asked.
"This is Mr. Knight?"
A female voice sounded on his phone.
Lucas answered, "Yeah, I am Lucas Knight..."
Confused about who could be calling him so early in the morning, he suddenly remembered that he was supposed to be contacted by the "Modern Family" production, right?
As he thought about it, Lucas became visibly excited.
"Mr. Knight, I am from the 'Modern Family' production..."
After a few days since the "Modern Family" production, called Lucas.
Lucas still went to the restaurant as usual, and after working for quite a while, he told Liza that he would only be able to work for a few hours before asking for a leave.
Liza was a bit surprised, but when she inquired about the reason why, Lucas just informed her that it was about the fact that he would go to act in a TV series.
"What!? You're telling me that you'll participate in a TV series!?" Liza exclaimed when she heard that Lucas would go act in a TV series.
"You can't be serious, right, mate?" Leonard was also a bit surprised and asked in astonishment.
Lucas chuckled when he saw their reaction, smiled, and said, "It was only a supporting role... Not like I was a main cast or something..." And then he added shyly, "Besides, it was just the pilot episode. I don't know for sure if I'll appear in frequent episodes after that, right?"
Liza and Leonard exchanged glances, and then Leonard walked in front of Lucas, patted his shoulder heavily, and said, "Hey, don't underestimate yourself! Besides, even if you are just a supporting role, you'll still appear on the screen! Many people will be able to see you on television! That's fantastic! You know what? My dream as a child was to become famous and appear on television! And you are already achieving—"
Before Leonard could finish his speech, Liza pushed him aside and interrupted him. She then said to Lucas, "Young man, oh, young man! I didn't expect this at all! To become an actor? I really didn't expect this from you!"
Lucas felt a bit awkward, and thoughts wandered, 'What could you have expected from me?'
"At first, I thought you were just some pretty face I picked up from the street, but it looks like you're not just a pretty face; you're actually an actor..." Liza smiled as she recounted with a thoughtful expression, patting Lucas on the shoulder.
"Uh..." Lucas felt a bit embarrassed and intended to move slightly away. But then, he heard Liza saying, "Lucas, if you become famous, make sure to promote my restaurant, alright?" Liza said with a smile, hooking her shoulder against Lucas, not allowing him to create some distance at all.
Lucas felt a bit awkward as his face blushed from the close distance with the manager, a beauty with a finely shaped body. Being so close to him, Lucas could even feel Liza's breath brushing his cheeks and the fragrance reaching his nose.
"I'll promote your restaurant if I become famous, don't worry..." Lucas said with a smile, looking directly into Liza's eyes, breaking free from her grasp, and creating some distance.
When Liza noticed this, she smiled and thought, 'Oh, he's a shy boy, I see...'
Liza smiled upon seeing the inexperienced lamb distancing himself from her. She began to develop some ideas.
Leonard, who was just pushed by Liza, looked at her with narrowed eyes and said to Lucas, who had just distanced himself, "Lucas, don't mind my cousin. She's just like that, a bit—"
Before Leonard could continue, Liza interrupted him.
"Looks like you want your salary to be cut in half, then."
When Leonard heard that, he continued his speech, but the words were not really what he intentionally wanted to say. He altered it by saying, "A beautiful maiden. Yeah, my cousin is just like that, Lucas." After that, Leonard approached Lucas, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "I can understand why you are very shy right now. With such a beautiful maiden like my cousin being so close to you, I can understand your feelings..."
After saying all of that, Leonard glanced at Liza with eyes that were different from the praise he was preaching; his eyes were pleading when looking at Liza.
When Liza saw that, she sighed and said, "Alright, maybe you can get your full salary. Just better watch your words next time."
Leonard was about to snort, but then he saw Liza's frowning expression, so he just smiled at Lucas while patting his shoulder, "Good luck with your role."
Lucas, who was able to see what just happened, noted the shift in expression and words of Leonard, like the changing of pages in a book.
"Thank you..." Lucas nodded and said.
"By the way, Lucas, what is the name of the TV series you're about to participate in?" Liza asked as she looked at Lucas.
Leonard also looked at Lucas with a curious expression.
Lucas smiled and said, "The TV series is named 'Modern Family.' Make sure to watch it if it airs."
"We'll certainly watch it! Don't worry, Lucas." Leonard smiled as he said.
"Yeah, although I am your boss and you are asking for an early leave, I'll allow it since the TV series must be your first project and opportunity. Good luck to you, kid..." Liza nodded and also encouraged Lucas.
Lucas nodded as he looked at the two people. To be honest, these people are just the ones he has met recently, yet so far, Lucas felt more attached to them compared to his roommate.
While Lucas was confused about why Liza kept talking as if he were a junior when he could clearly see that she seemed not older than him, he also slowly and gradually saw her as an older sister...
"Thank you." Lucas smiled and said gratefully before adding, "I'll be off now."
Liza and Leonard nodded, both offering words of encouragement.
"Do your best, kid!" Liza nodded with a smile.
After Lucas spoke with Liza and borrowed some money, he left.
Leonard walked Lucas out of the restaurant.
When Liza was left in the office, she smiled and thought, 'It looks like it was a good choice to accept the kid, although there is someone out there who seems to have a beef with him...'
--
Lucas hailed a taxi and headed to the airport to reach the filming locations of the "Modern Family" pilot.
The location was in Los Angeles, Cheviot Hills, and to get there as fast as possible, Lucas needed to take a flight. He had already booked a flight a few days ago.
Lucas managed to borrow some money from his supportive boss, Liza. She willingly gave him $2,000, even though Lucas only needed a few hundred dollars. He tried to refuse the large amount, but she insisted, so Lucas could only promise to pay it back as soon as he received his earnings from acting as "Marshall Dylan." Liza just smiled at that time.
Lucas smiled as he remembered it. He felt fortunate to have such a boss in this life. He swore that if he became famous and rich, he would invite her to dinner.