Hell's Actor-Chapter 113: Golden Lotus

If one were to ask, "Who is the lady from the Lady Ethereal?"

Then, Director Groux would answer, "I don’t know."

And that’s how Averie felt while reading both the script and the synopsis.

After gleaning these papers seven times, Averie thought, ’This may as well not exist.’

The script for Ethereal Lady was not only lacking, but it was also less than exciting.

’Why did he even bother with a script?’ Averie thought. ’Why not just write down choreography?’

Then, there was the lack of dialogue.

It was pretty much nonexistent if not for a word here and a whisper there.

"May as well replace that with gestures and nods. Just make it a silent film."

Of course, no production house would want to create a silent film while competing for an artistic festival.

A gimmick like that wasn’t worth the effort. After all, a big film festival would not honor a meritless trick.

"At least, I don’t have to remember dialogue."

But that also was an issue.

A lack of dialogue meant everything else—actions, movements, expressions, habits, gait—drew more attention.

These things had to be beyond exceptional. Even a single mistake could be interpreted as something else.

Sorrow could be mistaken for anger. Lust could be mistaken for love.

"And he wants me to play two roles?"

That too was a headache.

Focusing on two roles at once was challenging enough, but when it involved the same work, issues arose.

First, one had to put in effort not to mix up the circumstances of the characters and their stories.

Second, they could not be too similar. Otherwise, the traits and habits would create a lack of distinction in a film without dialogue. free𝑤ebnovel.com

Third, the roles could not be too distinct. Otherwise, it would make the difference seem pronounced, as if the characters were aware of their similarities.

Someone like Averie would not portray a character without going into great detail. And if he were going to take on the role, he would have to keep in mind all these things.

"How am I supposed to play a lady, anyway? Couldn’t he find someone to play the brooding man, at least? Disappointments do not stop with this work. Never should have trusted a bald man."

It wasn’t just a matter of donning ladies’ clothing and moving a bit. To act like the other gender in a serious work was nothing less than a challenge from Hell.

Averie looked at himself in the mirror and slightly turned to the side.

’I don’t have an ass.’

His eyes turned to Min-Ha and Hyerin’s bottoms.

’They must think I am an assless whore, huh? Must be nice being born with it all. Some ladies have to work hard, damn it!’

He traced his jawline with a sharp finger and observed his face.

’It’s made to play rock in Hell.’ He curled up in a ball and sighed. ’Everything about me contrasts with the lady of this work. What did that man even see in me?’

"No wonder big actors don’t want to play these roles," he murmured. "No one would want to invest time, effort, and money into this. Only a fool would do this."

’Why did I have to be a fool?’

Although he couldn’t completely see the vision the director was going for, it had caught his interest.

He dialled the good director’s number. He had saved it as ’Monsieur Baldy.’ It didn’t take long before he picked it up.

"When can we hold a meeting?" Averie asked.

"Have you decided to—"

"Not yet." Averie chuckled. "I need to understand what you want to achieve. We should discuss this in person."

"When would be alright?" came the reply a second later.

"Whenever, really. I’m free all day, every day."

"Please, wait a moment."

The director put the call on hold and rummaged through his diary.

"My schedule is busy," he said. "I will inform you about a date in due time."

"Oh, before you go, there is one more question I have."

"Please, go ahead."

"Why do you want me to take up the lead role?"

"I will explain in detail once we meet." Hesitantly, he continued, "If I had to be curt, I would say we had no other choice left."

The call ended, and Averie dropped the script on Hyerin’s lap.

’Did he just choose me because no one else wanted it?’

His eyes were burning with a will to burn the bald man.

"Is everything alright?" Hyerin asked.

She was sitting on the floor with Min-Ha, stuffing her face with pizza.

"I might take up this project," he answered.

"Really?" Hyerin’s ears perked up. "That would be nice. It has been a while since BSPH ended. I want to see you act again."

Aveire’s chest swelled with pride. "I will make you the sole beneficiary of my will, Rin."

"Don’t talk about death, idiot."

She offered him a slice, but he declined.

"Is that bald director trustworthy, though?" Hyerin continued. "I did some research, and his films don’t do that well."

"Well, he is an artist..."

On the TV, the award ceremony was underway. The hall looked grand and was arranged with white tables.

’Golden Lotus Award.’ Averie rubbed his face. ’It bestows awards on excellent dramas and TV shows in the country each year.’

As the camera panned, for a brief moment, he saw a table with familiar faces. The cast of BSPH was there, including the director and the writer.

But a single chair was vacant.

"You could have sat there," Hyerin said with sad eyes.

"Don’t keep any expectations," he warned Hyerin, who was praying with her hands joined. "I will beat you if you start crying."

At that moment, a woman walked in from the backstage, opened the small envelope handed to her, and read it with a practiced smile.

"The Golden Lotus, given to the best drama of the year, goes to—" She stared at the audience for a second too long "—Binsfeld’s Seven Princes of Hell!"

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