….
Regal wrapped up the supposed - Rising Stars Round Table.
Following it, the hosting team put forth a small dinner party expressing their wishes.
Afterward, he caught up with Andrew - one of the few people Regal befriended beyond the work. They simply spoke like old friends who had met after a long time, not because of any differences but they were simply swept away in the storm of work.
So when they met there was no fanfare - just mutual respect.
Both had grown in their own directions. Both knew it.
They wished each other well. And that was enough.
…..
Next Day.
January 11th, 2011.
Just as one of his checklists to put out the word about [Death Note] in formal interview in his own words finished with yesterday's interview - Regal immediately moved onto his next plan to promote the film.
However, this time for real and something gimmicky.
Stranger. More… Regal.
The kind of stunt that most wouldn't think of.
…and that is exactly where he was now -
Right in the middle of it.
The murmur of nervous chatter filled the air, with a mix of excitement, anxiety, and muted anticipation.
Regal tiptoed as he moved through the crowd and joined a line of people.
"Next!" A voice, clipped with swiftness and urgency, was heard near the entrance.
The line lurched forward, and immediately, one by one, participants shuffled up, presenting their slips with varying degrees of confidence.
Up close we can see Regal followed to stay in the queue without a word.
When it was his turn, he handed over the xeroxed slip. The staffer, a woman with robotic efficiency, stamped it without so much as a glance and slapped a laminated token into his hand.
C-20.
"Inside." She announces, already calling for the next in line.
Regal pocketed the token and passed through the entryway into the waiting area.
The room was functional, stripped of personality. Metal chairs lined the walls, each occupied by others who are here for the same reason as him.
People milled around everywhere, some pacing, some tapping their feet with jitteriness, some mimicking the stone face expression masking their nervousness, while others sat in quiet corners, eyes closed, murmuring to themselves, rehearsals, prayers, or both.
Overall, the atmosphere around him was quite overbearing.
Nevertheless, heads turned as Regal entered. A quick once-over, nothing more. Hoodie up, hands shoved deep, slouched posture, just another nameless face. The glances flickered away, already forgetting him.
Simultaneously, Regal exhaled softly, relieved.
This was precisely what he wanted.
He scanned the room once and found an empty chair in the corner, and not a moment later he reached for it and dropped into it.
The irony wasn't lost on him.
Nobody recognized him.
Despite his debut movie, [Following], having been a hit, he alone in particular hadn't become a celebrity. And even the few who did remember him - five months was more than enough time for people to forget a new face.
He let his eyes sweep the room once more.
No one stared or whispered over him.
Perfect.
He wasn't here to be recognized.
Anyhow, the event he had just entered, pass in hand, was - LA Got Talent Show.
One that had quickly evolved from a small-stage competition into a nationwide sensation.
What started as a modest platform for aspiring performers had, by 2009, become impossible to ignore. With skyrocketing viewership and a growing fanbase, it had secured its place as a primetime staple, drawing in millions and dominating evening television.
Likely noting the success of the show, there were reports claiming the producers of this year went all out, aiming to take the show to the next level in television history.
And the result indeed matched the reports.
Many stars from many fields were pulled in for the judge position.
Among them, the most famous was Emilia Rae.
A global sensation whose presence had been sparking a frenzy over whatever Emilia's involvement, and now also leading the show into a media spectacle.
Tickets had sold out in days; participants tripling last year had flooded the application process, stakes had become higher, and record-breaking masses had expressed their excitement and favorability to the show.
For many aspiring artists, this was more than just a chance to perform, it was a chance to be noticed by someone who could change their lives.
….
Regal leaned back against his chair, hood low over his face, observing the room.
He wasn't nervous, not really. The competition this time has drawn in 450 participants this year, a record high.
But the $100 filter fee had done its job. The usual time-wasters were gone. What remained were people with a purpose, whether driven by genuine ambition or fleeting curiosity.
The organizers were prepared for the influx but had implemented a strict process to manage the crowd.
The entire event was divided into four stages, each designed to filter out the weaker contestants and identify those with genuine talent.
The room Regal was in was just one of five audition halls running simultaneously.
Each hall had a list of 90 participants for the day, with numbers assigned randomly. His token, C-20, meant he was the 20th contestant in his hall, but whether they got through all 90 today was uncertain.
But since his number is 20 on the token, he is sure that he will complete his 'performance' today.
But if it's not today, he has to come again tomorrow.
A staff member stood near the front of the room, calling out numbers in a firm voice. "C-1, C-2, and C-3, please proceed to the audition room."
They had been in the room for an hour, and the participants were being called out only 30 minutes ago.
Every five minutes, three more participants were called. If the schedule held, they would get through about 54 contestants by the end of the day.
The tension in the room shifted with each batch of participants.
Some returned looking crushed, avoiding eye contact as they shuffled back to their seats. Others came back with shy smiles, quietly tucking their tokens into their pockets as a sign of success.
Every time the staff called out another set of numbers, the room seemed to hold its breath.
"C-16, C-17, C-18." - three more stood, their footsteps echoing as they left.
Only two more batches before him.
Regal straightened up, rolling his shoulders.
His mind was clear, no overthinking, no second-guessing.
This wasn't about winning hearts or making fans.
He had chosen this location to introduce his next movie, and he was determined to make it nothing short of grand.
The staff finally called out.
"C-19, C-20, C-21."
Fuuuu… Regal exhaled slowly and stood. It was time. He adjusted his hoodie one last time as he joined two others, C-19 and C-21, making their way to the side door.
He, along with two others, was led to the audition room, a small but professional setup. A camera stood in the corner, recording each performance for documentation, and a single microphone was placed at the center of the room.
Three judges sat behind a long desk, their expressions unreadable.
There is no Emilia Rae there.
It was only obvious.
There would be three judges, and they, not the main one, so no Emilia Rae in the first round, practically, it is not feasible for the main judges to participate in the filter process, they would be only involved in the later part of the show.
They watched silently as participants performed. If they liked what they have seen or heard, they are taking some notes, likely scoring the performance.
The results would only be announced once all participants had performed. By the end of the two days, the judges planned to narrow the field down to around 100.
With different judges assigned to each group, almost everyone got their turn on stage. Despite the overwhelming number of contestants, the process ran smoothly, efficiently, and well-organized.
"Step forward when your number is called, perform, and then exit through the door to your left." Said a staff member standing at the side. "You have thirty seconds. Make them count."
The bluntness of the instructions only added to the pressure.
C-19 was called first, a young woman with unsteady hands.
A singer, it seemed.
She stepped up to the mic and inhaled sharply. Her voice wavered at first but steadied as she pushed forward, gaining confidence with each note.
Regal kept his eyes on the judges.
The three of them exchanged brief glances. After the performance was completed, the women C-19 smiled in relief and hurried out.
"C-20."
His turn.
Regal stepped forward, retrieved his tools, and then did his thing, showcasing his talent in one of the fields he is confident in, and exited through the designated door.
….
Day three of the show.
The results were announced yesterday.
Regal had made it through the first round.
Now, it was the Intermediate Round.
Even here, the main judges weren't involved.
This stage gave contestants two minutes to perform, more time, more pressure. The judges offered feedback, but eventually, their votes decided everything.
By the end of the day, only 50 would remain.
….
Day four - the Quarter-Finals.
This was where the real competition began. The audience was brought in, and for the first time, the main judges took their seats.
Including Emilia Rae.
The Quarter-Finals introduced a live performance in front of a small crowd. Each contestant had five minutes, not just to perform but to share a piece of their story.
The audience's reaction carried weight, influencing the judges' final call.
By the end of this stage, only 25 would remain.
For Regal, this round required caution. He had to stay under the radar, avoiding drawing too much attention to himself. But, to his relief, nothing of the sort happened.
….
It was finally time for the Semifinals on Day 5.
One step away from the finals.
This stage was on a whole different level. A full production crew, cameras everywhere, lights, soundchecks, everything screamed high stakes.
For the first time, the audience had real power, voting live to influence the rankings alongside the judges' scores.
But Regal wasn't convinced he would make it past this round.
Not because he lacked confidence, but because the chances of being recognized were too high.
Honestly, it was a miracle he had gotten this far unnoticed. A reminder of how small he still was in the grand scheme of things, how much there was left to achieve. A much-needed reality check.
But today would be different as he does not intend to hold back.
The show had already started airing two days ago, and tomorrow's episode would cover the Quarter-Finals. If anyone paid close attention, they might connect the dots.
That's why, whenever someone asked for his name, he only said 'Regal'. His full name was too distinct, too easy to recognize.
But deep down, he hoped… If he was going to be found out, it wouldn't be in some quiet, uneventful way.
Regal wanted to get caught with a bang.
Somewhere along the way, he forgot why he was even here in the first place. For the first time in a long time, the child in him took over.
...and, of course, he had a plan for if things went south. But if life followed a script, it wouldn't be called life.
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
Author Note:
Visit Patreon to instantly access +1 chapter for free, available to Free Members as well.
For additional content, please do support me and gain access to +10 more chapters.
–> p@treon.com/OrgoWriters