You have been in LA for nearly three years working as an extra in television. You've been trying to land a significant role in a project for sometime, but [nothing has worked out]<cl1|.
(click: ?cl1)[Per your suggestion and constant pushing, your good friend Emily has decided to make the plunge and move to the entertainment capital to pursue her own dream of being an [actress]<cl2|.]
(click: ?cl2)[In an effort to save money, you agree to find an apartment together in [Studio City]<cl3|.]
(click: ?cl3)[This has ultimately made life more enjoyable. Not only are you living with one of your closest friends, but you're saving some cash on rent and able to scale down your hours at [the coffee shop]<cl4|.]
(click: ?cl4)[In support of Emily, you invite her along to an audition for a role in a long running TV drama. It's an audition you've been prepping for non-stop since the week before. Nonetheless you still feel moved to include Emily so she too can get some [audition experience]<cl5|.]
(click: ?cl5)[You’re pleased with your performance, but it’s always hard to predict how casting directors will respond. The week following the audition crawls by. All you can do is [wait...]<cl6|]
(click: ?cl6)[and [wait...]<cl7|]
(click: ?cl7)[There are only so many times you can check your phone in between breaks at [the coffee shop]<cl8|.]
(click: ?cl8)[Today has felt like a particularly long day. You pick up a pint of cookie dough ice cream on your way home after your shift. It helps to know that Emily will be home when you get there, and that you can at least take comfort in being in the same boat as your [friend]<cl9|.]
(click: ?cl9)[“[Hey]<cl10|,” you sigh as you walk in the door to your place, dropping your bag on the floor.]
(click: ?cl10)[Emily is in the kitchen pouring herself a glass of wine. When she turns around to face you, she’s beaming. “Oh good, you’re back! [I have the most amazing news!]<cl11|”]
(click: ?cl11)[“[Yeah?]<cl12|”]
(click: ?cl12)[Emily seems to forget about her drink, leaving it on the counter as she rushes towards you. She’s nearly skipping. “[I got a callback!]<cl13| They want me to read for the attorney role again! I literally just got off the phone.”]
(click: ?cl13)[Your jaw [drops]<cl14|.]
(click: ?cl14)[“[I //know//!]<cl15|” Emily covers her mouth, unsuccessfully stifling a jumble of excited noises.]
(click: ?cl15)[For a moment, you can’t think of anything to say. But the [shock soon wears off]<cl16|.]
(click: ?cl16)[- [[//You can’t ignore the nauseous feeling deep in your stomach.//|Destructive path]]
- [[//You decide to focus on being happy for Emily.//|Constructive path]]]"It happened really fast, but [the woman said congratulations and asked if I’d be available next week]<cl1|. They’re going to email me soon with a specific time!”
(click: ?cl1)["[That's so exciting!]<cl2| See, you took a risk and it's paying off."]
(click: ?cl2)["Well, I know I'm still a ways from actually getting the part. Oh god, and now I'm [more nervous than ever]<cl3|."]
(click: ?cl3)["Don't worry! They obviously liked you. [You'll do great]<cl4|."]
(click: ?cl4)["Maybe! [I hope so]<cl5|."]
(click: ?cl5)[ - [["Definitely. And whatever happens, you should be proud."|Good Ending]]]"Oh--yeah, that makes sense," Emily says. "I know I may not get the part in the end. It's just cool to get some [good feedback]<cl1|, you know?"
(click: ?cl1)["Well sure, I’m just saying that most of the people who get callbacks have a lot of experience already. And [the times I've been called back have been pretty intense]<cl2|, way more than the first round."]
(click: ?cl2)["[Really]<cl3|?"]
(click: ?cl3)["Once you've been around for a while you start to know what to expect,” you explain. “It's likely going to be a much longer audition with more of the [higher-ups]<cl4|."]
(click: ?cl4)[Emily laughs nervously. "Right, so [no pressure at all]<cl5|."]
(click: ?cl5)[You realize it’s not what Emily wants to hear, but [you feel you have a responsibility]<cl6| to prepare your friend for the realities of the industry.]
(click: ?cl6)[ - [["It's just how this business goes," you say.|Bad Ending]]]"[Oh--sorry, that sucks]<cl1|," Emily says.
(click: ?cl1)["Yeah, Tom skipped out on his closing shift yesterday, so everything was still a mess this morning. My manager was in the worst mood about it. But [it’s not like it’s //my// fault]<cl2|!"]
(click: ?cl2)[“[Right]<cl3|,” Emily chimes in.]
(click: ?cl3)[“It’s just [unfair]<cl4|, you know? Like I’m already working that much harder to clean up, //and// I’ve got to deal with Jeanette’s temper?”]
(click: ?cl4)[Emily frowns; you suppose she is [trying]<cl5| to be sympathetic.]
(click: ?cl5)[“[Sorry]<cl6|,” you sigh.]
(click: ?cl6)[ - [[“It’s no big deal,” Emily reassures you.|Bad Ending]]]Of course, you haven't missed any calls. By instinct, you open your email app and check for [new mail]<cl1|.
(click: ?cl1)["I, um," Emily starts. In your periphery you can see her fidgeting, pulling at the ends of her hair. "I mean I know it's just a first step. [I probably won't even get it in the end]<cl2|."]
(click: ?cl2)["[Well, you never know]<cl3|," you say.]
(click: ?cl3)["[Yeah, I guess so]<cl4|."]
(click: ?cl4)[ - [[Now your Facebook feed is loading.|Bad Ending]]]"You know," Emily says, "it's really thanks to you. I wouldn't have known where to look for auditions without your help. I'm not sure I would have even moved here if you hadn't convinced me. So, [thank you]<cl1|."
(click: ?cl1)["Of course, I’m [so glad that you’re here]<cl2|."]
(click: ?cl2)["I know this is kind of weird that we went out for the same part. You didn't hear anything, [did you]<cl3|?"]
(click: ?cl3)["[No]<cl4|," you admit.]
(click: ?cl4)["Well, I know you'll get something soon. [You deserve it]<cl5|."]
(click: ?cl5)["[Thanks, Em]<cl6|." You take a deep breath. Emily reaches out for a hug. It's warm and sincere.]
(click: ?cl6)[You pull away after a moment and remember the [ice cream]<cl7|, thawing in its plastic bag, still in your purse.]
(click: ?cl7)["So, we're celebrating right? I'm not sure how red wine pairs with cookie dough, but I feel like we should [try it anyway]<cl8|."]
(click: ?cl8)["Oh, we //definitely// have to try it."]Emily goes back into the kitchen to retrieve her glass, then walks towards her bedroom. "I should take care of a few things before it gets [too late]<cl1|."
(click: ?cl1)["Okay, have a [good night]<cl2|."]
(click: ?cl2)[..."[Night]<cl3|."]
(click: ?cl3)[Her door shuts. You remember the [ice cream]<cl4| you bought, thawing in a plastic shopping bag that's still in your purse. You grab a spoon from the kitchen and tell yourself you'll only have a few scoops. The first bite gives you a cool feeling of relief.]
(click: ?cl4)[As you eat from the carton and check your email one more time, you hear Emily's voice from behind the door as she talks on the phone: "Hey! You will not believe what happened today."]“[Good for you, Em!]<cl1|” you say.
(click: ?cl1)["Thanks! I can barely believe it. [It doesn’t feel real]<cl2|.”]
(click: ?cl2)[ - [[//You check your phone. Maybe they left you a message while you were driving.//|Passive Constructive]]
- [[//“You have to tell me everything they said!”//|Active Constructive]]]Emily must have seen it in your expression. When she takes her hands away from her face, her smile has [faded]<cl1|.
(click: ?cl1)["[I hope this isn't too weird for us]<cl2|," she says.]
(click: ?cl2)["No! No, [not weird]<cl3|." You try to pull yourself together.]
(click: ?cl3)["[Oh, good]<cl4|."]
(click: ?cl4)[ - [[//"I should warn you though, the stakes go way up on a callback. They can be cutthroat," you say.//|Active Destructive]]
- [[//"It's just that I had a stressful day at work," you say.//|Passive Destructive]]]//The Callback//
by Sydney Rubin and Ryan Anderson
[[Start]]