What do you mean you’re in London, you were in LA when I said good night?
"Mr. Aarons?" he gulped nervously, looking at the three people, waiting, tapping pens on notepads. Somewhat impatient. Understandibly so, naturally. "I'm sure he'll be here any minute now." Any second would sound too confident. Where was he? Hotel wasn't that far and he was not the type to spend the night in a bar. He probably spent the rest of yesterdays afternoon in the pool and then emptying the sweets out of the minibar, before going to bed early... "Is it okay for you if we have a look at the others, who were here in time, in the meantime." The stressed out man flinched. "Of course, I'll... I'll ask the next one in, thank you..." he hurried out, hitting the speed dial button on his phone while telling one of the tall, fair haired, very attractive men to head into the room. From what he gathered from the script, his boy would be perfect. But then again, so might these guys be. Visually not that much different. Young starters deserved a chance. Their voices didn't match. But at least they were more reliable. No one answered the phone, he bit his lips, kept it ringing, if he had overslept, this would wake him. He was a good boy. Such an easy actor to deal with. No diva attitude whatsoever, no special requests, easy to please, happy to please. Beloved by fans and press, polite, quite the gentleman. The only problem was his lack of timing, even with Steve's help companies were already a bit wary about casting him if they had a tight schedule. And now he didn't even show up on time for the casting!? The call didn't go through. He tried again. It rang for a short moment, then stopped. No way! He rejected the call? At least that meant he was awake. Steve tried again. He picked up. "Allan did you just---" doot doot doot... he had hung up on him. He tried again. "WHAT!!?" he couldn't remember ever having heard his ward this irritated, save for in character. And he could barely hear him. Wherever he was, it was loud as hell, many people. "WHAT STEVE!?" Working together for years, it was easy to pick up some things... - He was shouting over the noise more than being angry. - The distinct change in pro-and enunciation signaling his nose being at least do a degree clogged and that he was moving, walking or running probably. - An undertone of nervosity or worry, exhaustion? He couldn't quite place it. "Where the fuck are you Allan!?" he tried to not sound too pissed, something was clearly up. "Heathrow" there was rustling and muffled voices over speakers. "Wait Heathrow- Heathrow? England Heathrow?" A grunting that could be assumed a yes. "You're supposed to be in LA!? You were in LA?! What are ---" the call disconnected. He dialled again. "Eva..." definitely clogged nose. What was with her? Why was he almost halfway around the globe? That was a ten plus hour flight. He must have left last night. "Allan what is wrong? Calm down?" "Eva 'n hospital--- no time. --- catchn Dublin flight..." Steve stared at his phone, the connection didn't break, Allan hadn't hung up, just probably stuffed it in his pocket while checking in. Checking into a connection flight from Heathrow to Dublin. He must have taken the next possible flight, no matter how shitty the stops... It was getting quieter, a muffled thud, like a grown man slumping into a plane seat... then Steve could hear people chatting in the distance... And the gut-wrenching sound of Allan trying to supress a sobbing fit and failing. "Allan?" Steve asked carefully, heard sniffling and then a tear jerked voiced. "... ai'm sorry... a didn't mean ta not tell ya... a jus..." he took a few deep breath, Steve let him. "... a dunno whas wrong wi'er. She didnn answer her skype an a called the shop and ... M'sorry..." He didn't break out crying again, but his breathing was laboured and Steve didn't want to push it. Spilled milk and such. "It's fine Allan, go check on her. Text me when you're there safe and let me know what's going on. I'm sure she'll be fine. Alright?" "...awrigh... ai'm so sorry 'bout the castin---" "Allan, it's just a role. Eva is important... please keep me up to date. Stay save big boy..." A female voice close to their call, then Allan hung up. Steve was gnawing on his beard. Alright, at least he could leave here now...
