realjackparker-blog

[realjackparker-blog]

Regardless of all the affirmative statements EJ had whispered in her ear, Delilah James still felt as though she was in over her head. That suspicion only festered as she looked at the other girls who waited in the holding room, stretching, warming up their voices, rehearsing their monologues, and silently praying they would get the opportunity to audition for the Jackson Parker. They were all beautiful in the conventional way — boasting flawless complexions, long and dark hair, and curvy, womanly figures. Everyone in the room had a shot at becoming the next big starlet; everyone but her, of course.

“I don’t know that I can do this.” The tall, slender blonde whispered to her shorter counterpart. Her fair cheeks flushed in embarrassment as she caught a glimpse of herself in a nearby mirror, which was hung above the one, crowded couch in the entire room. “I don’t fit the character description and there is no way you didn’t know that. Why would you bring me all the way here if you knew that?” Delilah hissed, her ocean-blue eyes flickering around the room as she shook her head. She had to leave; she couldn’t humiliate herself in this way — not at her first Hollywood audition.

Before she could even step out of her place, EJ placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “I brought you here because you can blow all these broads out of the water. You have the talent. You have the looks. Now you just have to have the confidence —”

“Delilah James? Mr. Parker would like to see you.”

The meek assistant’s carefully spoken words cut through the room, effectively silencing EJ mid-sentence, and causing the rest of the room to concentrate their iciest gazes on the girl who stuck out from the rest.

Clearing her throat, Delilah James straightened up, holding her head high as she crossed the room to greet the other woman. Her warm smile and unwavering poise concealed the fact that her nerves were fried. And that demeanor remained intact, even as she entered the Jackson Parker’s personal office and heard the door click behind her.

His gaze was critical, skeptical. He was tired of meeting opportunistic, yet entirely mediocre actresses who were willing to do whatever it took to see their name in lights. It showed. But she didn’t let herself crack under the pressure he created.

“Delilah James. Pleasure.” She introduced herself confidently, giving him a firm handshake. “I will be reading for the title role.”

“Delilah James, you will not be reading for the title role.” He cut her off, wanting to test the limits as he had already decided she would be starring in the title role. She had the look he didn’t even know he wanted and that handshake alone gave him confidence in his decision. “I want you to read the male part.” He handed her a script blocked out with a monologue for the love interest in the movie. “Read it how you’d want to hear it.” 

Jackson took a step back, realizing her had moved far too close to the blonde; he sat on the top of his desk, crossing his arms and waiting for the girl to begin. “Read it through quickly. I’ve got a bunch of broads out there that would kill to be in your position.” He said, hoping she wouldn’t be afraid to return the challenge. Jackson, in all honesty, wanted this girl to show him strength and confidence. It wasn’t about the read through at all. He knew his title character had to be confident regardless of the material and Delilah James had that look in her eyes which made him believe he’d actually found the girl. 

[realjackparker-blog]

“Next!” Jackson Parker shouted from his plush seat behind an old wooden desk, beside two fellow producers that were set to work on Jackson’s new movie. It was a privilege to sit beside Mr. Parker and it was even more-so a privilege for the brunette, scruffed up man to actually listen to your opinion, but that rarely happened. 

A perky brunette hopped into set, her skirt a little short and her top a little low--’a waste of time, but a good show’ as Jackson would always say. He reclined in his seat a bit and motioned for the girl to stop blabbering on about how excited she was to be auditioning before the Jackson Parker. She began her horrendous audition for the title role before Parker shut it down and put the entire day on hold. 

“I need a stronger drink if I’m going to see anymore of these brats today.” He pushed his chair from the desk and stormed off towards his office, passing by several dozen girls who were anxiously awaiting their turn to audition. Jackson didn’t pay much attention to the variety of girls as he slammed the door shut behind him and began pouring himself a drink. 

There was a knock at the door. “Uh, Mr. Parker.” A mousy voice squeaked the door open, “May I come in?” His assistant, Madison offered a few photographs of the next girls in line. “I thought if you could eliminate them by looks then it would save you time.” She smiled and took a few steps back from his desk. 

Jackson started going through the head shots, tossing photos left and right as Madison sprung into action, collecting the images of girls who didn’t have a shot in Hollywood. Suddenly the images stopped flying and Madison assumed he had finished the stack and she would have to go and break the bad news to all the waiting girls. 

“This one. I want to see her. Just bring her in here.” Madison stood up from the kneeling position she was in and nearly dropped the head shots, “Her?” She dared to question his judgement. “Yes. I want her and I want her now.” Madison  nodded, checking the name on the back of the headshot before quickly exiting the room. 

“Delilah James? Mr. Parker would like to see you.”