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[primcdonna]

bclarkx​:

“And?” He asks, challenging him to continue. Ben didn’t give a single shit about classical training. That only mattered to people who  already were on the industry. Young newcomers like Mercutio would better be cool with nude on screen or take that classical training to the Old Globe. “How is that paying off so far?” He asks, cynic and cold. He sighs, leaning forward, as if he is now taking the conversation seriously. “Take a break kid. Go to Mexico or some place and have a couple of days off.” He shrugs. “There is nothing wrong with Scream from Saved by the Bell or whathever.” He wondered how many people used Ben Clarke as a negative example of a career.

Mercutio’s brows knit together, clear frustration on his face. He was enterprising, hungry, but he wasn’t going to drop to his knees and beg. Perhaps his determination would be the end of his career, or it’d kickstart it. Either way, he had a lot to prove to both himself, and his peers. “Fine,” He huffs, topping off his drink, then ordering another. “I suppose we’ll see what offers come down the pipe, then.” It was his way of saying he wasn’t going to stop trying, not that Ben would even care, or try to stop him. The less he said, however, the better. 

[primcdonna]

dovescry​:

  if there was one thing that could kill a night was an obsessive fan not understanding what space or respect were. “oh trust me, my grandfather would have my ass if i was caught in some tabloid scandal” he said with a small smile. although rebel was more lenient with their actors public images, winn was still the son of william lancaster. president of rebel studios. there was a higher expectation for the blonde. he represented the lancaster family and the studio itself. “i get that. i mean, it’s not fun when your security guard is so far up your ass. and babylon is supposed to be better about their security anyway”  winn sipped his drink a little. “oh it’s going. it’s a lot more exciting than my last project” winn had come to be so tired of doing the same generic action films. “what about yours?”

“well, then i think you and i will get along just fine. maybe you can help me rehearse some lines later.” mercutio was just a little buzzed, having downed a couple drinks during that whole obsessive fan thing. he didn’t show it, but that kinda thing had him incredibly nervous, always wondering if it’d get out of hand, or if it’d somehow turn into a scandal that’d get him fired. “the usual, nothing too exciting yet. but a guy can hope.” he was still waiting on that big break. he was sure it’d come but as far as when... it was entirely unclear. “what’re you working on now?” 

[primcdonna]

themattvanwinkle​:

sensationalized. he had said. and matt had to fight to cover the smirk that threatened to spread over his face. the world of hollywood was cutthroat, regardless of what part of the industry you were trying to get into.  “i only point it out as someone that’s been there before.” he finally said, his voice soft. “i married the producer for one of my movies, and the tabloids really let me have it as a result. it’s just the name of the game.” matt wasn’t one for sparing feelings. he would always tell it like it needed to be said. “don’t look so stricken, if means they know you have talent.” 

“you’re young, though, mercutio. you have many years before you have to worry about being a next breakout star. sometimes filling a niche is just a stepping stone.” he didn’t want to sound like a broken record, he was sure the other had heard the same time and time again. “i can talk to billy, see if he has any projects coming up that might fit your speed? can’t guarantee you a role, but it’s a start.”

mercutio was nothing if not enterprising, perhaps even a little vain. “i’m not like the others, mr. van winkle.” he sighs, resting his chin on his palm. “i’ve seen guys like me do cheesy romcom after cheesy romcom, they play boys next door right up until they age out, then they get tossed aside.” that prospect scared him, if he were being honest, not that he’d ever dare admit that. 

he lights up when matt mentions having a discussion on his behalf, a wide grin taking his lips. “oh please, i’d owe you forever!” he has to keep his voice down, blushing slightly at his exuberance. “i’m willing to do whatever it takes, i know i’m destined for something great.”

[primcdonna]

bclarkx​:

“Then don’t.” He said simply, shrugging, as if it was painfully obvious to him. “Stop reading the comments.” While Ben would like to be reassuring and say that this was just mindless haters comments, he struggled to see talent in the pretty boy. Not that he cared about talent anyway. “Yeah you are.” He nods, agreeing, and takes a sip from his drink. “A big and dumb risk, if you ask me.” He was here for his opinion right? Ben says it anyway: “Don’t even consider that. Drop everything and work on those abs. It’s better than being blacklisted.”

If looks could kill, Ben would have a hole in his head. “I have more to offer than looks, Mr. Clarke. I’m classically trained, for your information.” He had an impressive resume, if nothing else, but breaking free from molds wasn’t exactly easy in this town. “I can’t work these gigs forever, if I don’t start getting taken seriously then my career’s over by 35. And I will not end up like Screech from Saved by the Bell.” He takes a furious sip of his cocktail, clearly frazzled. “I just need to prove to them I have what it takes.”

[primcdonna]

dovescry​:

   this part of the club was supposed to be reserved for celebrities and the elite of the city but every now and then, a fan was able to sneak in and harass their idols. it’d happened to winn a couple times - his first time was after the rebels series finale aired and the second time was after his second action film. since then, he’d been more assertive in demanding privacy and space in places like babylon. 

   so when he spotted the infamous mercutio carrington being harassed, he knew exactly what was going on. once the guy was gone, he returned his focus to the redhead standing across from him. “i hope bad boys aren’t your thing, then” he flirted with the redhead - none of the actors really cared about the rivalry between rebels and alliance. winn was the grandson of rebels studios president but even he thought it was a bit trivial. “thanks” he took the whiskey and coke, sipping on it.

mercutio laughs easily at the man’s joke, relieved when the drunkard harassing him was escorted out. “well, if those bad boys don’t get me a spot on a tabloid cover, i’m open to it.” he muses, taking a sip of his drink as its handed over. he cards a hand through deep auburn locks, giving the other male a once over. “i normally have security detail, i just-... wanted to have a relaxing night for once.” he’d been so stressed lately, it was starting to wear on him. “how’s work been for you? can’t imagine it’s been easy these days, pilot season was a nightmare.” 

[primcdonna]

bclarkx​:

While his movies were hardly considered for Oscars and major awards, he knew people. That was the main reason Mercutio was coming to talk to him, right? He could help the boy out, put his name out there, offer some auditions. “What’s wrong with what you do now?” Ben didn’t had the decency to google the boy before the meeting; as usual, he was winging it. But something he said was just… concerning. “You what?” He shook his head, let out a deep and short laugh. “That’s not good, kid, you know that.” Alliance wasn’t… very light on betrayals like that.

“Mr. Clarke, you can’t tell anyone about this. They’d just never take me seriously otherwise.” This business could be cut-throat, and Mercutio was taking a big risk. Either they’d see his worth and start taking him seriously, or they’d try to replace him. He wasn’t sure how he’d feel if it was the latter. “I know what they say about me, I read the comments. That I’m just a pretty face, that they only cast me because I look good. I’m more than that.” He sighs, carding a hand through deep red locks. “I’m taking a big risk here.”

[kjapaland]

[primcdonna]

rebelleigh​:

In this line of work, every part, project, anything was leaked out or told before anyone got ahead of it. That’s what made this place such a cut throat business. It also didn’t help that it had been rumored of Leighton’s jump to a new genre. That meant more and more people would be gunning towards him and the part. There was one thing people should have known about Leigh. He wasn’t just the pretty face that Rebel studios marketed him as. He was a bit vicious.

With a cocked eyebrow, he locked the iPad and sat it down looking at the young man. “Mercutio, it is such a pleasure to see you here.” He smirked as he leaned back in his chair. “Maybe they have.” He just stared at the young man amused. “Maybe, why are you so interested in a horror series? Aren’t you Alliance’s big RomCom guy?” He blurted out with a small tilt of his head.

“hey, keep it down.” mercutio whispers with a soft laugh. “can’t a guy enjoy an iced coffee incognito?” he was sure he’d be spotted eventually, he had a distinct look, but he’d enjoy the anonymity while he still could. he takes a sip from his straw, eyeing the other redhead with a raised brow. “maybe i’m trying to be more than someone’s teen heartthrob, leighton. there’s only so many times i can play a boy next door.” he wanted something more, something substantial.

“besides, i think i’d make a great scream queen.” he grins, nodding toward the man’s ipad. “so tell me about the role, is it really scary?” of course, it might’ve come across like he was spying on rebel’s productions, but he didn’t care. he left the beef for the higher ups, he just wanted the best for himself. 

[primcdonna]

rebelleigh​:

The tablet was gripped in one hand, and his coffee in the other as he read through the PDF for his next project. It was coming up on pilot season, and Leigh had to take a chance to grab a new project to focus on other than the next movie the company had him under contract for at the moment. This was a bit of a departure from his normal type of things. It was leaning more into the horror, mystery area. It was something he had been interested in for a long time, but he had made a killing off of the Superhero genre.

As he sat at the coffee shop in downtown, he smiled reading the first page of the script. His eyes fluttered up as he saw someone just staring at him. “Hi, is there something I can help you with?” He smiled sweetly as he pushed his sunglasses on top of his head.

in show business, very little went on without people finding out. even rival studios had their secrets leaked all the time, so when mercutio found out one of rebel’s boys was making a genre jump, he had to find out all of the messy details. thankfully, his target was easy to spot among the coffee shop, going incognito in a cap and sunglasses to maintain his cover. 

“hello, is this seat taken?” he doesn’t wait for an answer, slipping across from the other male. “rumor has it rebel just casted for a pretty sick horror series.” he keeps his tone cool, interested even. “just in time for pilot season.” mercutio mainly dealt in the film industry, but fundamentally, things were mostly the same. “hear anything about it?”

[primcdonna]

bclarkx​:

Ben laughed, leaning back on his chair, fully relaxed. The outside area of the fancy restaurant was probably his favorite place in town; the staff knew him by name now. He took another swig of his drink, clasped his fingers and tilted his head to the side.  “So, should we talk business?”  He was in full pre-production mode now. “I mean, that’s why we are here, right?”

“straight to the point, mr. clarke.” mercutio teases with a wide grin, showing no malice or impatience. he’d rubbed shoulders with plenty of directors, the higher ups liked to parade their “it boys” around the circuit all the time, but ben clarke was one he didn’t know too much about, outside of his imdb page. “i actually-... needed your help with something, it’s more of a personal favor.” he chews his bottom lip, nerves a bit heightened now. “i need you to pull some strings for me, i’ve been trying to get a serious acting gig, you know? i’m talking straight to the oscars.” the board wouldn’t go for it, he was certain, and he knew ben was likely to stay in line like the rest. “they keep type-casting me so-... i might have been going on some auditions without my alliance agent.” 

[primcdonna]

dovescry​:

   it was a friday night in the midst of pride and the clubs were packed in west hollywood. babylon, of course, was overfilled with people trying to get a taste of the nightlife. winn had been dragged by a few of his friends to stop by after they finished another night of filming but the second they got there, his friends vanished in the crowd leaving winn alone. finding the rsvp section on the third floor of the building, he had a margarita in his hand while he sat back and watched people dancing away.

   not even twenty minutes into his night, he saw a couple fighting nearby and one of the guys looked like he was about to be physical. “hey, man,” the brit strolled over and blocked him. “i think you might be in the wrong area. this is reserved for celebrities and important people only. you might wanna fuck off before things get ugly.” being a knight in shining armor wasn’t really his style but he didn’t want to see anyone get abused. once the guy was gone, he turned to face them. “you alright?”

mercutio had a very... distinct look. needless to say, he was easy to spot in a crowd. being famous only exacerbated being spotted out in public, which could make it difficult to sneak a moment alone. when it came to turning men down, it was second nature for him, but sometimes, very rarely, was his suitor too belligerent, drunk, or both, to take the hint. 

“i said i’m not interested.” he reiterates as his personal space is once again invaded, leaving him to wonder why he showed up to these PR events in the first place. thankfully, someone stepped in on his behalf, warding off the creep before security had to get involved. 

he lets out a gentle sigh of relief, flashing a small smile when he recognized the other male. “huh, guess rebel boys aren’t as bad as i thought.” he’s only teasing, of course, caring little for the rivalry outside of what gigs he got. “i’m fine, he just couldn’t take a hint.” mercutio flags the bartender down, laying on the charm. “get my friend here whatever he wants,” a glance toward winn’s direction. “my treat.” 

[primcdonna]

screamkiiing​:

“Don’t get me wrong I’ll always love being recognized for There’s A Werewolf in My Closet, don’t get me wrong. But would it be too much to ask for people to recognize my other work? It’s honestly frustrating.” Dudley complained to anybody that listened. Unfortunately it was whoever was behind him while he was waiting patiently to order his iced coffee. 

“good luck, let me know how it shakes out.” mercutio could be cordial with members of their rival studio, friendly even, but when it came down to it, their company heads wouldn’t approve of it very much. the redhead sighs, rubbing his temples gently. “sorry, i didn’t meant to come off so... flippant. i’m just in the same boat, it’s terrible.” 

[primcdonna]

themattvanwinkle​:

it wasn’t often matt got to connect on a personal level with the actors of the generation after his. but he always appreciated getting to hear their perspective and stories, and give his input where he could. “i noticed your last tabloid spread, you know?” he began, taking a sip of his latte and watching for the other’s reaction before sitting it back down. “you should be more careful, media will use anything against you, you know?”

the two worked their way into a candor. “that’s just part of the game.” he said, almost bluntly, but in a more understanding tone. “you have to fight for what you want or you’ll be typecast until you happen to age out of it.” that was a fight that matt was fighting now, but it seemed to be going in his favor. “so, what do you want to do? what’s the end goal?”

mercutio’s expression softens a little, like he’d been dealt a small blow. he seems slightly solemn, but only for a moment, averting his gaze to the fruity cocktail placed before him. “i don’t read those things anyhow, they’re sensationalized.” he did, but he wouldn’t admit that out loud, especially since most times, it left him with a bad taste in his mouth. he’s quickly perking up, brushing off the thought for the time being. 

“well, i’ve been playing nothing but romantic love interests and ‘generic hot unattainable guy’ for years. i think it’s safe to say my niche is filled.” he huffs, clearly a bit perturbed about it. “i want to be taken seriously, i want to do something artsy, y’know?”

[primcdonna]

themattvanwinkle​:

open starter location a local cafe

“i appreciate you meeting me on such short notice.” matt said with a smile, tucking the little menu back in between the sugar cannister and napkin holder. it felt as though matt’s life had been a nonstop joyride since he had signed up to his latest project, it was nice to get away from set for a while to connect with someone on a real level. “i needed to get away from set for a while, and i figured coffee was my best bet on doing that.” he gave a half-smile, nodding his thanks to the waitress as she brought the latte to their table.

leaning back in the chair, he regarded the other kindly. “please, get whatever you want. it’s on me.” matt insisted. of course, it would technically be on his husband, as he had somehow ended up with billy’s black card instead of his own card, but that was neither here nor there. “how have you been, started any good projects lately?” matt was always looking for a good tip off on his next project, and word of mouth seemed to be the best method of doing so.

between auditions and meetings, photo ops and charity events, it seemed like the world never stopped spinning for mercutio. he was hungry for success, and he had to take advantage of being a media darling, milking it for everything it was worth, less he end up losing his momentum. still, it was nice to just... sit, and relax, enjoy himself for a little while. “i couldn’t say no to a pretty face, i had to squeeze you in.”

his laugh comes easy, looking over the menu, wondering how much he could get away with while maintaining a strict diet. “they’ve had me on the audition circuit for like, ever. all romcoms and teen dramas.” he sighs, carding a hand through vivid red locks. “i’m still waiting on a call from one of those big-shot academy award directors, i know it’s coming.” 

[primcdonna]

“Ugh, I hate the theme this year.” Mercutio frowns as he looks in the mirror, adjusting the blazer they’d chosen for him this time. It fit like a dream, but he wasn’t content with how he looked in it. He glances over his shoulder at Mauricio, who had been gracious enough to join him on this trip. It was a PR stunt, ultimately, being seen all buddy-buddy with your Alliance co-stars, but he genuinely liked the dude, even if they’d been “encouraged” to arrange this trip. “Do you think this is too... gaudy?” It was a floral print, not entirely his style, but not something he’d normally shy away from either. “I’d hate to think what Joan Rivers would say if she was still alive.”

@realmauricioalejo​

[rob-pattinson]

KJ APA Mr Porter / 2020 › ph. Bruno Staub