Chapter 119
The man who introduced himself as Miles McKenney was an unknown director who had made one independent film five years ago but hadn’t produced any notable works since.
He sat next to me, lamenting his situation – though he continues to write screenplays, no one is willing to produce them, and he keeps facing rejection.
Having grown somewhat accustomed to such sudden small talk, I listened to Director McKenney’s story without much difficulty.
The director wore a shaggy hairstyle, sunglasses, a yellow t-shirt, and severely faded jeans. His sunglasses, imitating a luxury brand, had a few unnecessary letters added. It was a knockoff of the sunglasses I had bought for Mitchell.
“Let me see.”
He took the script from my hands and flipped through it. The script was so messy that I felt embarrassed to show it to others, and I cleared my throat to express my discomfort, but the director either didn’t notice or pretended not to as he quickly leafed through it.
There were parts where I had drawn lines with a pen, and notes I had added to fit various situations were scribbled here and there like doodles.
“Have you finished the script?” I asked, trying to divert his attention.
“I finished it long ago.”
Curious about the rest of the story, I looked at the director with shining eyes. The director burst into his characteristic maniacal laughter and then told me about the latter half of “Mirror Match.” He also explained the specific actions of the main characters and their underlying psychological states. These were details that only the person who had written the screenplay would know.
He truly wasn’t a scammer.
“So… you’re not making the film at all?”
“It’s not that I won’t make it, it’s that I can’t. I’m a penniless director. No one wants to produce my films.”
His laughter was so loud that passersby would turn to look. He had a peculiar air about him – boisterous yet somehow naive.
“You’re the first person I’ve seen who understands and loves ‘Mirror Match’ this much… Actually, you’re the first person I’ve seen who even found it interesting.”
The director’s laughter rang out loudly once again.
“Let’s make this film together. You’re perfect for the role of Nathan.”
“Okay, I understand.”
“……”
Director McKenney seemed a bit surprised by my lightning-fast response. He pursed his lips like a dried-out dumpling and observed me again.
“But I have no money. I’ve cast you, but I don’t know when we’ll be able to shoot.”
“That’s fine with me.”
“Hmm.”
“But why am I Nathan and not Logan? The line I just read was Logan’s, wasn’t it?”
Apart from understanding and loving the film, the brief acting I had shown in front of the director was as Logan. So I was curious why he cast me as Nathan, the investigator role.
“Your vibe fits Nathan better. You have a somewhat frustrating yet persistent and stubborn side, and that look in your eyes like you’d dig into something relentlessly once you’re fixated on it – that’s exactly Nathan.”
Hmm. Should I be rolling out a mat for this? I was secretly impressed. Come to think of it, my personality did have quite a few similarities with Nathan’s.
“Logan needs to have an arrogant yet cunning side. He also needs to be obsessive. He’s so focused on harmony that he aligns everything to his perspective and doesn’t tolerate even the slightest deviation. He’s a perfect person in his own world. But you have a certain sloppiness about you.”
I awkwardly scratched my cheek. Regardless of right or wrong, I felt that Director McKenney’s insight was not ordinary.
Moreover, as I listened to the description of Logan, for some reason Mitchell came to mind. Not out of a selfish desire for him to be my co-star, but because the image of Logan that the director described was similar to Mitchell’s usual demeanor.
So, how about this.
I’m the investigator Nathan, and Mitchell is Logan, the psychopathic helper.
That would be killer.
No matter how I think about it, if we don’t appear in this film, it would be a massive loss for the future film industry, a failure to put talent in the right place, and negligence.
It was as if heaven had ordained it – Mitchell and I fit the screenplay perfectly. The casting of “Mirror Match” was naturally taking shape in my mind.
The setting of “Mirror Match” is 1982, before DNA evidence was used in criminal cases.
At that time, they could only track criminals’ identities through evidence related to the crime, fingerprints, hair, and fiber analysis.
The protagonist, investigator Nathan, struggles to catch a recent serial killer. Unable to find any leads on the criminal, he seeks advice from Logan.
Logan was a potential serial killer.
Although he hadn’t committed any crimes, he had published a book detailing his psychopathic tendencies and describing in detail how he would consider committing murder.
The descriptions were so meticulous and specific that it felt like reading a memoir of actual crimes. As a result, the book was exceptionally banned from publication due to its use in copycat crimes. However, this controversy only increased the notoriety of both the book and Logan.
The story begins in earnest when Nathan, seeking the author of the banned book, proposes that Logan help him find the serial killer he’s chasing.
“Mirror Match” primarily has a dark and sticky atmosphere, focusing more on the psychology between characters than action. Maybe that’s why it hadn’t been produced.
Whatever the case, I wanted to shoot “Mirror Match.”
Moreover, although by different methods, I actually have experience catching a serial killer… Isn’t this an achievement to highlight when advertising the movie? Haha.
Anyway, if the movie were to be produced and I were to play Nathan, I thought it could be a topic of interest.
I stared intently at Director McKenney.
“Director. I really want to make this movie.”
Director McKenney then carefully examined me as well. His gaze seemed to be digging into my inner self.
“Are you serious? You really want to make this movie with me?”
“Of course, I’m serious. Why would I joke with you, Director? I’m a busy person.”
“You look extremely free though?”
“…I just happened to have time for a walk today. I actually have an appointment soon.”
I hurriedly rolled up my sleeve to check my watch, but as luck would have it, I wasn’t wearing one. Not wanting to perform a one-man comedy show, I quickly took out my phone and pretended to check the time.
“Oh?”
Just as I was about to start my act as a busy modern person, something even more urgent caught my eye. My phone battery was at a mere 7%. It would probably last until I met Mitchell, but I felt uneasy.
The deliberation didn’t last long. I felt I needed to go home first.
But before that.
“Director, you’ll use me, right?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Can I have your contact information? I think I need to go right now.”
“Are you pretending to be busy?”
Damn, he caught me.
“No! I really need to go home urgently. Let’s make this movie together. For real.”
“A penniless director and an aspiring actor. Ha ha. Perfect combination. Okay. Take my number.”
I should have corrected the “aspiring actor” part, but I was flustered as the director suddenly started reciting his number. I immediately saved his number in my phone and stood up.
It felt like something grand had happened in a flash and then quickly disappeared.
After exchanging goodbyes and parting with the director, I immediately hailed a taxi. I thought I could charge my phone, drop off my things, change clothes, and then leave in time.
On the way home, I kept thinking about Director McKenney and “Mirror Match.” From the chance encounter to the sudden casting. Although it was a bit haphazard to call it casting.
Anyway, I really wanted to shoot “Mirror Match.” After hearing the latter part of the story, I strongly felt that Nathan was a role made for me.
Lost in various thoughts, I was already in front of my house. After getting out of the taxi, I walked towards the house through the side door. I walked slowly with my head down, fiddling with the script in my hand.
With so much on my mind, I didn’t notice my surroundings. That’s why I discovered it late.
“…What’s this?”
I frowned with one eye and put my hand on my forehead. What came into view was Mitchell’s car parked in front of the entrance, and another car parked right next to it.
Inbeom Yoon was at the house.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
