Chapter 2: Seth Young – the actor
Seth Young took a last gulp of his water before the dark haired air stewardess came to collect cups and glasses, and reminding passengers to keep their seats upright. She leaned closer and bent a little, secretly passed a notebook and politely asked Seth for a favour. Seth took the notebook from her, scribbled down his signature and passed it back to her. Her eyes sparkled in delight. She smiled and thanked him in the tiniest voice that could be heard. Seth smiled back, crossed his legs and rested his eyes.
The whirring sound of the plane seemed never ending. Even though he was in the first class suite, flying was always an ordeal for him regardless duration. He knew he couldn’t blame entirely on the long hour flight. He had to partly blame himself for bringing the inexorable emotional quagmire with him.
Am I experiencing midlife crisis? He thought to himself, at some point.
Don’t be silly, Seth. You are not even forty.
Seth was right. He was only thirty five. And midlife crisis doesn’t occur until you are forty five-ish, according to what was said on the internet.
Seth was an actor, known for his role as Joash Shields, a fictional character in a couple of blockbuster films based on series of sci-fi thriller novel called Fighting the Sun. Being the leading man of the film for seven continuous years since the first film had definitely consolidated his popularity and status in Hollywood.
No doubt, he was one of the highest-paid Hollywood actors. He appeared in commercials, magazines, interviews, charities, parties… the lucky actor was doing pretty well assimilated in the high-powered crowd. Needles to say, he had what it takes to be on the list of ‘Hollywood most wanted bachelors’. It was undeniable that Seth appeared to be a gorgeous fellow. No woman could resist his charming blue eyes and that super buffed body that he worked hard for the role. Even he himself was aware that women furtively look at him everywhere he goes.
Commander Joash Shields was the key to his success in both fame and fortune. He was the centre of the spotlight, centre of attention whenever the casts went for movie premieres or interviews. Seth could never have imagined being a normal boy who grew up in Louisiana would become a huge star of the decade. His success was rungs ahead of many young actors of his age. He was way beyond lucky. Everything went too well for Seth ever since he had gotten that role.
Until he was told that he is too old to play the iconic hero, Commander Joash Shields.
It was a hard thing to accept, but Seth had to face the reality: that he was already pushing 35. He couldn’t be playing Commander Joash Shields his entire life. Fiction characters don’t age, but real actors do. That was why the production team decided that seventh year was a good year to bid goodbye, and thank you to those faithful actors who had been on the set. They probably had some younger actors auditioning for his place already.
Life moves on. Couple of months ago Seth accepted the offer to cast in a romantic film directed by his good friend, Giles. Giles has a few good years of producing and directing experiences, mostly in romantic comedies. From a gun-gripping action hero to a balloon-grasping lover, this film was his very first attempt playing a sentimental fool.
And his very first film flop.
Seth’s confidence plummeted from full till nearly zero. Perhaps he was too confident that his prominence would make the film a big hit. Perhaps that ego he had was a little too much. Nevertheless, everything he had hoped for turned out to be an utter disaster.
Not only the production suffered loss, the critics were harsh on Seth, shooting toxic arrows from every direction. They seemed to be enjoying in rhapsodising Seth’s ineptitude of playing another character other than Commander Joash Shields. Every word they said or wrote hurt him, to the point of blaming and doubting himself over and over again. He ended up in depression. All the effort and hard work he put in the movie exchanged nothing but failure and derision. People told him to just ignore the critics, they are never nice anyway. What they have said might not be true, but the critics were right.
It was probably the end of his career.
Nobody wants that iconic face of Joash Shields to appear in other movies - the repercussion would ruin the story. It would be like Commander Joash Shields had come from the future to visit the present world. Like it or not, he couldn’t disentangle himself from Commander Joash Shields. People find it difficult to accept him apart from being Commander Shields. He had reached the pinnacle of his career, and it is time to come down from the apex.
The decision that prompted his feet to London was because of Joe Churchard, his best friend. Joe texted him and asked if he would like to take a break from the quandary after reading so much persona damaging articles from the news. Seth texted back saying he just needed to be alone for the mean time, not a holiday kind of break. Joe insisted and offered a nice place, said the place would do perfectly well for his privacy, and also, he really wanted to see Seth.
Seth immediately accepted it. He just wanted to be away from the big city for some time, taking it as a retreat. Most important is not being followed. This place Joe has offered could be a haven for him. So his current itinerary was completely personal and private, not even his agent knows where he was going. Not even his mom. It would be nice to be back at Louisiana, to be with his mom, and three sisters, and ten adorable nephews and nieces. But sometimes, quietude is important for inner healings.
Immigration check, done. Luggage, collected. Seth lowered his cap as he proceeded to the crowded concourse. He spotted Joe with an instant, wearing a white windbreaker over a yellow T-shirt and a pair of faded jeans. Joe had put on some weight over the years, looking exactly like a stout middle-aged man. That rotund figure, carrying a warm smile moved closer. The smile that so sincere he had never seen in years. It reminded him of the uncomplicated university life he had been missing very much. They hugged each other.
“Glad to see you again, Seth. It has been quite some years, ei?” Joe spoke in his typical English accent.
“Glad to see you too, bro,” Seth said. He felt his face muscles turned weighty, performing only a cursory smile for Joe.
“Haven’t slept much in the plane I supposed? Is that all you have?” Joe had a glance at Seth’s only rolling luggage.
“Yes, just some clothes. Nothing else. I’m just going to be here for about a week or two.”
Joe looked doubtful. “I have a feeling that you would stay longer than that.”
“What makes you say that?”
Joe tilted his head and shrugged. “Just a feeling. By the way, welcome to England.”
The sky was grey, as if to match up with the colours of autumn. Seth knew the weather in London would be awful from his past experience. He had been to London couple of times for movie premieres, he just had to complain. The Fighting the Sun casts never get the chance to do outdoor activities because of the drizzle. Seth was more than happy to see no drizzle and mizzle today, just chilling wind that could parch delicate lips. Seth had had his lunch on plane, so Joe suggested heading home as soon as they got into the car.
“You drove two hours to Heathrow Airport just to pick me up?” Seth asked.
“No, no, don’t feel bad for me. I’m used to driving long hours. Besides, I’ve got some things to do, and some people I need to visit in London, so I came here a day earlier actually. I spent a night at my sister’s,” Joe explained.
“So this new place is where you are staying right now? If I’m not mistaken, I remember you said you are from Southampton. Am I right?” Seth asked.
“I am from Southampton, originally. We moved two years ago after I quit my job in London. It is a small place, quiet and peaceful. Don’t be surprised, it’s really nothing like where you from,” Joe clarified while driving.
Joe was Seth’s best buddy during his four years of studying bachelor degree in film and television production. After graduated, Joe went back to London and worked as scriptwriter for some years before he quit his job to become a full time pastor, ministering a local church of about two hundred people. Joe came from a wealthy family. His father was into property investment, and now they own lots of properties. How many exactly? A lot, according to Joe.
“So shall I call you Pastor? Pastor Joe, now?” Seth teased.
Joe chuckled. “I’d much prefer Joe,” he said. “So how is everything? I’m here if you want a good listener.”
“Are you sure you want to hear me whine about it?”
“Well you have…” Joe glanced at the car board for the time. “…an hour and forty-five minutes to whine about it. And I’m not going to judge. Perhaps a little advice based on my pastoral perspective.”
“Sounds professional. Let me think where to start. Hah…” Seth sank into the seat, and begin to ramble on about the catastrophe of his acting career.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone