Chapter 51: The Big break
Dustin Stephenson waited patiently in his agent’s office. Dustin was an out of work actor. He had been out of work for the best part of eight months. His agent had told him that he had some good news for him. The actor hoped it was work that paid well. His part time job, washing dishes and cleaning floors didn’t cover the rent and his savings had been almost wiped out.
Dustin did not have to wait long. He entered Sydney Erbstein’s office after his receptionist beckoned him in. Unusually, Sydney stood up from behind his desk walked forward and shook his hand. This must be good news, Dustin thought to himself. There were times when his agent wouldn’t answer his calls or would leave him hanging on the line.
“I’ve some good news for you Dustin,” the tall man behind the desk declared. “Our President is a big fan of your work. He liked the advertisements you did for Hammerson Coffee and your role in Killer Chickens 8. He suggested your name for a series of commercials, paid for by the red party.”
Dustin wasn’t a fan of President Westwood. He disliked him and abhorred his campaign against changelings. Even if they did exist, Dustin did not see any reason to fear them.
“The series of advertisements are warning people about the dangers these changelings represent and encouraging people to look out for warning signs.”
“Well,” Dustin started to say hesitantly, “I don’t know whether…”
“It pays one million dollars plus royalties,” Sydney interrupted.
Suddenly Dustin was conflicted. He had a chance to live comfortably for a decade or so, doing something and being famous for something he detested or living on welfare for the rest of his life.
“I’ll have to think about it,” Dustin responded.
“You don’t have much time to think about it. Besides, this is the President of the United States we’re talking about here. If you disagree with his policies, suspicion might fall on you and you might be next to be rounded up,” the agent said before pausing. “I don’t agree with his policies either, but I know that I don’t want to be the next one terminated over a case of my principles. My advice to you is to take the money. Westwood is too powerful. Any protest is a waste of time anyway.”
“I guess so,” the veteran actor responded timidly.
“Are you free this afternoon?” the agent asked with enthusiasm. “Westwood want’s these advertisements rolled out as soon as possible.”
In the space of an hour, Dustin Stephenson had signed contracts and been whisked away in a limousine to a studio on the other side of the city.
“My fellow American’s, our country is in a state of turmoil,” Dustin read from the autocue. “We face the greatest threat to our nation since it’s existence. This threat is greater than Hitler or the cold war. It comes from within. As you are fully aware, Changelings have infiltrated our society and it is time to weed them out. It is not too late. Be vigilant, be safe and if you see anything report it to this number as soon as possible. We are now showing you a clip of a model citizen who saw suspicious activity in her neighbourhood and did her civic duty. She was rewarded with $500.”
“Cut,” the twenty four year old Director shouted before approaching the actor. “Mr Stephenson, this is a perilous situation. I’m not getting enough gravity from you. Your life is also under threat. I need to see more depth and feeling. O.k.?”
“Yes, Mr Dopplemaier,” the actor responded with respect
Inwardly Dustin wasn’t impressed. More feeling? He should have seen me in Attack of the Schizoid Rabbits 5.
The Director retreated to his chair. After five more attempts, he was satisfied. “Would you like to see the final cut Mr Stephenson? It should be ready in thirty minutes,” the Director asked.
“Why of course,” the actor responded, concerned that if he did not show the correct amount of enthusiasm, he might fall out of favour.
In the intervening period, Dustin Stephenson sat back on a small wooden chair. Although he wasn’t a heavy man he was a little worried that it might collapse under his weight. He didn’t feel like standing. For some reason or another he felt exhausted.
He wondered if this advertisement would make him a hero to those he detested and a villain to those he loved and it was all for thirty pieces of silver.
Eventually forty minutes passed by before the Director beckoned the actor into the screening room. There, he met an actress named Jemima Duckworth, a politician named Harold Becker, a Producer and a number of studio officials.
The advertisement started with the first section of Dustin’s piece before cutting to the actress played by Jemima.
“Hello, can you help me? I’ve just seen a horrid green monster. I think it’s taken my husband,” she said before sobbing. “He didn’t seem himself lately. Now all I have is a fraud in his place. I don’t want to be around him any longer. I’m afraid. Very afraid. Can you send someone quick?”
The advertisement then reverted back to Dustin.
“You see, fellow Americans. Even if the people who have behaved suspiciously are the closest ones to you, hard as the choice may be, we’d like to hear from you. So call this number when you become suspicious.
A number was displayed across the bottom of the screen.
It was an oddly old fashioned type of advertisement that probably would be responsible for a fall in costly divorce cases in favour of doing away with their spouses to the confidential number.
Dustin was having second thoughts. He felt depressed about the whole issue. On reflection however, if he didn’t do it, he would probably be just another statistic. He valued his principles but if he didn’t have a roof over his head and food on the table, there was no point in having principles. Besides, if he didn’t take the offer there would be other actors queueing up to take his place. This could lead to bigger and better roles for him rather than someone else.