3. The Mysterious Figure
Pain-Leach, he is the third lead actor playing Alonzo, the third leader of the cat tribe in the musical "Cats." Like Gu Lobei, he was a talent scouted by Travis-Naan from Off-Broadway.
Pain-Leach and Gu Lobei were both from Brooklyn, started together from Off-Off-Broadway, moved to Off-Broadway, and then were both discovered by Travis-Naan, entering the Broadway circle. Their competition also began in Off-Off-Broadway and continued all the way to Broadway, but Pain-Leach never won. Even in the role of Alonzo, Gu Lobei was the second lead actor, and Pain-Leach was the third.
Now, Gu Lobei has appeared on the Broadway stage three times—first as a substitute playing Alonzo, and the next two times as Grizabella—while Pain-Leach is still struggling as the third lead actor for Alonzo. If it weren't for such a classic musical like "Cats," Travis-Naan believed that Gu Lobei could easily take on leading roles in other companies. This was the greatest recognition of Gu Lobei's ability, and the biggest disaster for Pain-Leach.
Pain-Leach had long held many grievances against Gu Lobei. He never thought he was inferior to Gu Lobei and felt that he was a talented person unrecognized, simply not appreciated by Travis-Naan!
But today, when Pain-Leach heard that Gu Lobei actually refused Travis-Naan's invitation, his jealous face turned pale. “Hmph, live like a summer flower! Just enjoy your aimless life, while I will stay and become the brightest star on Broadway!” Pain-Leach's thoughts, Gu Lobei neither knew nor wanted to know, as that was not his life. After seeing Gu Lobei bid farewell to Travis-Naan and walk alone toward the stage, Pain-Leach followed him.
Watching that figure stretched long under the lights, Pain-Leach's jealousy was about to drive him insane. Why could someone younger and less skilled than him appear on the Broadway stage? Why could a complete idiot like that gain Travis-Naan's favor and even get ahead? “This world is unfair, unfair! People like Belle, who don't know how to cherish things, should just vanish!”Pain-Leitch felt like his brain was about to give out, especially with the figure in front of him that looked 'faux-lonely,' which made him want to vomit!
"Evan Bell, don't be ungrateful!" Pain-Leitch finally lost his temper, stepping out from the side of the stage and shouting loudly, his voice echoing throughout the theater.
Gu Luobei turned his head and saw Pain-Leitch's figure, smirking with eyes full of disdain. Seeing the contempt in Gu Luobei's gaze, the anger Pain-Leitch had been struggling to control only intensified, adding fuel to the fire. It was always like this; every single time, this little brat seven years his junior would look at him with that expression, making him feel completely insignificant. Contempt, sheer contempt! "What is that look! Don't think just because you've been on stage a few times, you're a big shot. Mr. Nan cares so much about you, and you actually dare to refuse him. Who do you think you are..."
Pain-Leitch seemed to have much more to say, but Gu Luobei turned back and interrupted him, "Eavesdropping on others isn't a good habit." With that, he pointed out the fact that Pain-Leitch had been listening in, instantly making Pain-Leitch's face flush deep red. In fact, Gu Luobei didn't even know Pain-Leitch was nearby. He had only talked about refusing Travei-Nan just a few minutes ago at the corner of the stairs, and it hadn't been made public, so the only way Pain-Leitch could know was by eavesdropping. Gu Luobei just said it casually, not expecting to hit Pain-Leitch's nerve so directly.
"Besides, I've never cared whether I'm a big shot or not. I stepped onto this stage through my own hard work. As for whether I leave or stay, it's none of your business, right?" After saying this, Gu Luobei walked a few steps forward. When passing Pain-Leitch, he added quietly, "And shouldn't you be happy about my leaving? At least, your chances with the role of Alonso will increase."
Actually, Gu Luobei, combining both his past lives, had lived almost fifty years and really had no need to argue with a twenty-five-year-old 'kid.' But Pain-Leitch was simply too much. Ever since Off-Broadway, he had deliberately targeted Gu Luobei and even once tried to overturn the prop staircase to hurt him. Fortunately, Gu Luobei had been alert at the time and avoided a disaster. Still, the malice in Pain-Leitch's eyes left a deep impression in Gu Luobei's mind.Originally, he was indifferent to arguing, but in the end, he was seen as someone who didn't dare to fight back, making people think he was easy to bully. Gu Luobei of course had no need to endure it. If a tiger doesn't show its power, people will think it's a sick cat. That's why he never showed a good face to Payne-Leitch afterwards, and today he spoke so harshly.
“Evan, hurry up.” A voice called out again, but upon seeing Payne-Leitch, it stopped talking and just shouted, “We're waiting for you.” Clearly, the whole troupe didn't get along well with Payne-Leitch.
Gu Luobei didn't bother with the gnashing Payne-Leitch, replied with “Coming,” and turned away from the stage, not even sparing a glance at him. The farewell ceremony at the Broadway theater had been interrupted, truly disappointing, so Gu Luobei decided to have a proper celebration that night.
Payne-Leitch, left standing there, eyes filled with a cold glare, fists tightly clenched: he had been ignored, despised, and scorned! Anger could already burn him to ashes. If Gu Luobei were still there, he would definitely duel him to the death. “Evan Bell!” He squeezed the name out through his clenched teeth, echoing lowly in the dark theater.
Gu Luobei and his friends from the troupe set off for a bar, while Travy-Nan remained backstage, feeling a bit regretful for not being able to keep the genius Gu Luobei. It did put him in a bit of a low mood. Although Gu Luobei had only performed three times so far, more often he trained backstage as Alonso's understudy, Travy-Nan knew that this was because the 'cat's' current main actors were already capable, and the standby actor wouldn't be used unless the lead got injured. If Gu Luobei joined another troupe, Travy-Nan firmly believed that he could definitely make a name for himself in the theater world.
“Knock knock, is anyone there?” The knock at the door interrupted Travy-Nan's thoughts.
“Please come in.” Travy-Nan looked up and replied. By this time, the troupe members had all gone to the bar. Who else could be in the theater?Pushing the door open was a stranger, a typically American-looking person, with neatly combed brown curly hair, wearing a brown suit that highlighted his solid build, yet he looked very young. Travinaen's sharp seasoned eyes estimated that the newcomer was definitely no older than twenty-seven. "Who are you looking for?"
"Sorry to bother you. I wanted to ask, the actor playing the character Greyze Bella today, Evan Bell, is he really a boy?" The young man held a promotional brochure, his face full of eager curiosity.
Travinaen's first reaction was that he was a fan; the second was to wonder why security had let this person in. Not just anyone could enter the backstage area. So he stood up, began pushing the person out, and said, "Yes, yes. However, sir, this is not a place you're allowed to come. If you have questions, you can call our theater group's contact number."
The young man was pushed to the door, but he quickly spoke, rattling off a bunch of information: "No, no, I'm not an ordinary audience member. I'm a director. I want Mr. Bell to attend an audition for my film."
Unfortunately, Travinaen had already closed the door, which left the young man somewhat disappointed. He had spent a lot of effort just to get backstage, so he hadn't been able to meet the actor directly. As he hesitated about whether he should continue knocking persistently or wait by the theater entrance, the door opened again. "You're a director? I'd say you're at most twenty-seven—what kind of director?" Travinaen's voice came through again.
Travinaen had been directing the play "Cats" for nearly twenty years and had seen many top directors. Though he hadn't met this young man, he didn't want his own prejudgment to ruin a potential opportunity. So he opened the door again, giving the young man a chance to explain and giving himself time to observe further and make a judgment based on his experience.
"I'm twenty-five years old, a film student at the University of Southern California, and I'm preparing my first film. This is the script I wrote." The young man spoke rapidly, and the script appeared ready at any moment; it was clear he had already honed this skill.It is imaginable that a twenty-five-year-old young man, who hasn't even graduated from college, coming out to say he wants to make a film, would probably face obstacles everywhere.
Travis-Nahn hesitated for a moment. In his view, the young man in front of him was just a college student, which he didn't hide, and he also mentioned that this was his first film, even bringing out the script. After thinking it over and looking into the young man's sincere eyes, he said, “Bell has gone to the Eagle Rock Music Festival. You could try your luck there.” Still, Travis-Nahn didn't give out Gu Luobei's specific contact information. After a pause, he added, “He is also registered with the American Actors' Guild. You can contact him through the guild.” Having the guild as a bridge would make Travis-Nahn feel more at ease.
Having obtained the information he wanted, the young man in front of him immediately became overjoyed. “Thank you, I really appreciate it.” Seeing the young man walk away, Travis-Nahn couldn't help but smile, thinking, “I wonder what kind of film this guy wants to make. Maybe after leaving Broadway, even Evan could have another broad horizon.”
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