Casting Kill

Welcome back to the smoke, but next time come to my place.

Cameras are everywhere, Thursday, 10:00 PM.

Always a pleasure.

Well, this place is somewhat modest

but kind of cozy, wouldn't you say?

Anyhow, with $44 million investment in redevelopment

at Scottsfell, I guess I can put up

with a little discomfort.

Amazing, and when I saw the casting call,

I was, like, so totally recognizing.

And I felt like it was really me and where I needed to be.

To be honest, I was, like, so totally, "Wow."

Yes, "Wow."

And with my position as CEO of casting,

I'm looking to nurture the very best emerging personalities.

And one thing I am very good at is spotting fresh talent.

Well, of course.

You see, it's all about forging relationships,

looking ahead, and identifying a clear talent map.

And I see myself cultivating new voices

and the next generation of movie greats in acting.

Exactly.

I'll do just about anything to

Yes, very well.

So, let's see what you're about, shall we?

Yes.

I'm going to ask you to perform your lines,

and I want you to think

about the motivation of the character.

Okay.

Something funny?

No, I...

Well, no, you're doing it again,

aren't you?

Why is what I'm saying so damn funny?

Don't you laugh at me.

No, don't try backpedaling.

I know what's going on in that vindictive mind of yours.

Quit it, now.

This isn't a fucking joke.

I'll make it so you never laugh again.

Eddie, don't go out in the streets with that gun.

You know the cops are after you.

And your brother is one of them, for God's sake.

Leave your things on the table.

- Eddie. - No personal possessions

Don't go out in the streets... within reach.

- With that gun. - No scripts, please.

You know the cops are after you.

Well, this place is basic by my standards,

but with $44 million investment in redevelopment

at Scottsfell, I'll make do for now.

You found it okay then?

Well, it was a bit confusing with the, um

Good, with my position as CEO of casting for the studio,

I'm looking to nurture the very best emerging talent.

And one thing I am very good

at is discovering new personalities

with whom our studio transforms into stars.

I prefer not to think of myself as a gatekeeper,

more a dream maker.

Ready?

Mm-hmm.

Action.

You're gonna have to put the gun down

and come to the station, Eddie.

This is not you.

All the narcotics, the pimps, this place,

you're washed up and wasted.

Yeah, I'm a cop, but I'm your brother.

Don't make me take you down.

And again.

Uh, can you do an American accent?

Mm.

Eyes straight ahead.

Go again.

Ad-lib if you have to.

You're gonna have

to put the gun down

And come to the station, Eddie.

This is not you.

All the narcotics, the pimps, this place,

You're washed up and wasted.

Yeah, I'm a cop, but you are my brother.

Don't make me take you down.

Good effort.

You're done.

We'll call.

All the narcotics, the pimps, this place,

you're washed up and wasted.

Yeah, I'm a cop, but you're my brother.

Don't make me take you down.

Never, even for fun, point a gun at anyone.

We'll call.

Eddie, don't go out on the streets with that gun.

You know the cops are after you,

and your brother is one of them, for God's sake.

I like your style, Victoria,

something about you, a presence.

Many actors lack that.

And for a girl so young, I'm impressed.

Woman.

Excuse me?

I'm 25 years old.

I'm a woman, not a girl.

Yes, of course, silly me, woman.

I feel you could be a bit more relaxed in your delivery.

Let's try something.

Pull up a chair.

Close your eyes.

Now, deep breath in and out.

Good.

Now keep your eyes closed.

Don't open them until I say.

Now, deliver your lines.

Eddie, don't go out in the streets with that gun.

You know the cops are after you,

and your brother is one of them, for God's sake.

Again.

Eddie, don't go out in the streets with that gun.

You know the cops are after you,

and your brother is one of them, for God's sake.

That's it.

We'll call.

Tell me, why do you wanna be an actor?

Okay, let's cut to the chase.

What genre of film gives you a hard-on?

You do know what a hard-on is, don't you?

Uh, well, something important,

a story that needs to be told.

Interesting.

So, I'm looking for either an athletic man

with piercing eyes and charisma

or a seductress with manipulative charms.

Tell me, was there some confusion with your application?

I like your bracelet.

Brigitte Devereaux-Jones.

Yes, and thank you for pronouncing my name so beautifully.

French?

Oui.

Belle.

Merci.

Ah, you speak French?

You are fluent. I am sure.

I am very impressed.

Well, let's just see how much you impress me, shall we?

When you're ready.

Eddie, don't go out on the streets with that gun.

You know the cops are after you,

and your brother is one of them, for God's sake.

Belle.

I've never known such a miserable climate.

Swear I'm coming down with pneumonia.

I can't get it fixed, squire.

Typical.

You know they found a young lass butchered

down here around the time of the Ripper.

Did not know that.

I reckon that's why no one's ever done anything with it.

It's like the walls have absorbed the horror

of what went down, and folks are repelled by it.

Don't think it was the Ripper, mind.

They thought it was a copycat.

Anyway, still a good place to stash a body.

Mm.

Is that all then?

Yes, but, uh, don't forget to lock the door

before you leave.

I don't want any stray actors wandering

through here before the next casting.

Now, listen, have you seen a jeweled pen about the place?

It's vintage and belonged to my mother.

It's worth over $100.

I haven't seen nothing, squire.

Well, keep an eye out for it.

I want it back.

Course.

I'm curious.

You people find joy in your work?

I mean, there you are looking

like you've just crawled out of a sewer.

What drives you?

It's a job.

Rather work than not.

But at the studio, we have big deals going through,

sets to build, A-list stars to meet.

It's invigorating, glamorous, but you, this.

Love working with my hands.

Oh, don't tell me.

You're happy.

Well, I suppose I am.

Yeah, whatever.

You're gonna have to put the gun down

and come to the station.

Eddie, this is not you.

All the narcotics, the pimps, this place,

you're washed up and wasted.

Yeah, I'm a cop, but you're my brother.

Don't make me take you down.

Jesus H. Christ.