<🎧 Song Recommendation: Repeat It by Martin Garrix, Ed Sheeran>

...

Von wasn’t faced by the aggressive probing slightly, he even leaned back in his chair to show that.

"That’s a whole lot of questions, but I’m ready," Von chuckled lightly before answering.

"Regarding your first question, it’s not my job to tell the public who is capable or who isn’t to play a role. I don’t decide that; the casting director and Marcus do.

I never said acting is easy, either. My experience certainly wasn’t a walk in the park.

And lastly, yes, I did collapse on set. But that’s no one’s fault. Exhaustion happens; anything can happen when you are pushing yourself to the absolute limit for art.

I’m just grateful I picked myself back up and we were successful in finishing the shooting on time. I deeply appreciate the support shown to me by the crew during those hard times."

Many journalists took down notes, but Derek who asked the question had a look of slight dissatisfaction on his face.

He had fully expected Von to give an arrogant, controversial answer after seeing how open and aggressive he was with the first question about Sammy Howkins.

He wanted a soundbite of Von complaining or lashing out. But that didn’t happen. Von’s answer was mature, grounded, and humble. The reporter sat down, feeling like he had completely wasted his one opportunity.

"My name is Seawater Rose, from Canada Movies Weekly. My question is for Von..."

Another journalist was about to launch into a question, but Marcus was quick to lean into his mic and interrupt her.

"I’m sorry, but we’ve focused on Von for too long. We only have some minutes left until the premiere screening begins, so I’ll appreciate it if you ask someone else on the panel."

Marcus’s firm intervention made everyone in the room realize that they had been entirely focusing on only Von, completely ignoring the veteran director and the rest of the cast. Just like that, the interview shifted, and the session went on much more smoothly.

"In that case," Seawater Rose continued, pivoting her notepad. "My question is for you, Marcus. You’ve directed a lot of massive box office films from a variety of genres. You’re among the best in the business. And now, you’ve collided with your friend Leviathan to not only direct, but co-produce an indie movie. What was the motive behind that? Was it a way to finally gain total independence to make your own decisions and go for your first Oscar nomination?"

Of course, none of the journalists actually had high hopes that Perfect Ruins could even be in the same sentence as an Oscar nomination discussion.

They just asked this question to probe his ego and see if he was delusional about the indie film’s chances.

Marcus sighed deeply, adjusting his glasses before giving a highly technical answer about creative freedom and script integrity.

After that, the questions began firing rapidly across the panel.

"Chloe, are you afraid working with a green actor could be a downfall compared to your last critically acclaimed movie?"

"Xander, what motivates you to keep going for only dark, villainous characters? Did Perfect Ruins bring out the best in your acting?"

"Von, what was the most difficult aspect of acting that you experienced as someone who usually focused solely on music production?"

"Von, you’ve made quite a career for yourself in music. You could retire right now at just twenty years old and remain in the history books. Is this movie a sign that you’re saying goodbye to the music industry?"

The interview continued normally. Although Von got a lot of repetitive questions that made him wonder if the interviewers were just dumb or if they were trying to rage-bait him on purpose, he just answered all of them smoothly.

He showed no fear, but also no blatant disrespect.

Eventually, the press Q&A wrapped up. It was almost time for the actual premiere to start.

"Thank you for your time, and good luck at your premiere!" one of the reporters who had asked the last questions wished them as they all stood up from their seats.

Von stood up and stretched his back.

"You’re lucky you haven’t been doing these press interviews," Chloe whispered, walking next to Von as they filed off the stage and headed toward the VIP hallway.

"Unlike you, my identity wasn’t a secret, so this exhausting interrogation has been my reality since we arrived here."

She looked up at Von with a slightly tearful face, clearly drained by the relentless media circus.

"Damn... Seriously, I really hate this stuff," Von sympathized, rubbing the back of his neck. "All these reporters are just so nosy and annoying. They don’t even care about the art. It drives me crazy, but I guess I’m not new to it."

Chloe wiped her eyes and managed a small smile. "Well, I can’t wait to watch the movie on the big screen. Regardless of what they say, it’s going to be amazing."

They were eventually directed down a quiet, carpeted hallway toward the main cinema room where the screening was taking place.

As they walked into the massive, multi-tiered theater, Von looked around at the plush red seats. There were many people seated already, industry insiders, critics, and public ticket holders who had braved the early lines.

But as Von scanned the upper and lower balconies, he couldn’t help but notice the empty spaces.

If Von was to judge, the massive theater was only about seventy percent complete.

"Are there more people still coming in?" Von turned around and asked Marcus in a low voice.

Marcus looked at the crowd and slowly shook his head.

"No, that’s all of them," Marcus replied honestly. "I warned Leviathan not to waste time in securing us a big address because we wouldn’t be able to fill it up on opening night. He doesn’t understand that not all his music fans will automatically want to buy tickets to watch a two-hour drama movie, and the original book fans are still actively campaigning against us."

"Oh," Von said, unable to hide the fact that he was a little disappointed.

He had assumed that the success of One Dance would automatically translate to a sold-out theater.

It was a harsh reminder that the movie’s grim situation hadn’t instantly changed just because of a song. The film industry was a completely different beast.

But Marcus easily saw through Von’s disappointment.

"No, don’t work yourself up about it," Marcus said, placing a reassuring hand on Von’s shoulder.

"Everything is a lot better than it would have been without the music hyping us up. Let’s just wait for the reviews. They’ll be good enough to attract more people for the wider release. Trust me, you guys were absolute perfection in this movie. They just need to see it."

Marcus was still talking to Von, Xander, and Chloe as they were being directed by an usher to their reserved seats in the center row.

Suddenly, a festival security official, dressed in a suit but with visible sweat dripping down his face, rushed down the aisle toward them.

"I’m sorry," the official gasped, holding up his hands to stop Marcus. "But the premiere has been canceled."

Marcus froze. "What? What do you mean canceled?"

"There is an uncontrollable crowd of fans outside trying to break into the building to see Von Varley," the official explained rapidly, looking nervously over his shoulder toward the lobby doors.

"They broke through the street barricades. The local police have deemed the venue a safety hazard. Some critics and VIPs who were supposed to attend can’t even get their cars down the street."

The official wiped his forehead, motioning toward the emergency exit.

"I’ll have to get you guys out of here through the secure loading dock right now. The organizers of the festival said I should inform you that they’ll compensate you for this. The date is being postponed, hopefully in a much bigger venue later this week once they secure a better perimeter."

The crew of four all turned their eyes toward each other in stunned silence.

Inside Von’s mind, a completely different realization was taking place.

’The Title... It’s can’t be this overpowered.’

He had it equipped the whole time, and that was the only explanation he had for what was going on.

They were quickly led down the aisle and through the back emergency exit, while the festival staff prepared to walk on stage and make the official, highly-disappointing announcement to the confused audience sitting in the seventy-percent-full theater.