Chapter 6 An Informal Audition

• As a well-known talent manager, Clara had a formidable network of connections. As soon as the twins announced their plans to debut, she immediately got hold of some connections. At noon one day, she brought Kenneth and Angela to a restaurant, where they went into a private room with three men in suits.
• Clara smiled and addressed the middle-aged man in the middle, saying, “Director Hopkins, the kids are here. Take a look!”
• Director Hopkins immediately focused on the two, and his eyes lit up with excitement.
• “Gosh! My darlings, are you even real?”
• Clara had to keep a straight face despite her elation. “Why, of course they are! They can’t be some elves, can they?”
• Director Hopkins squatted to the kids’ eye level and admired them. “Good Lord, I have filmed with many child actors before, but this is my first time seeing such a pretty pair of twins! They’re perfect!”
• Kenneth frowned and held Angela’s hand. “Sir, when can Angie and I become superstars?”
• Quickly, Clara interjected with embarrassment. “Hey! Um, these children don’t know better. They said that without thinking.”
• Dear Ken, why don’t you know how to go about it indirectly? Even if you’re anxious to become a star, you can’t blurt that out in front of the director!
• Still, Director Hopkins was all smiles with a look of admiration. “That’s okay! Those who never shoot for the stars will never get them! I love children who have clear goals and a bit of ambition! If so, let’s have them perform something.”
• Angela blinked her eyes that were as round as grapes. “Mister director, I want stars. Stars are beautiful, and they glow in the dark.”
• “Pfft!”
• The young man behind Director Hopkins laughed out loud at her childish words. “That’s right! But you know what? A superstar glows brighter than a star!”
• “What are we waiting for? I want to be a superstar!” Her lips twitched eagerly. “When I become a superstar, I can have my own private cook!”
• Clara was speechless. Angie, when could you stop talking about food?
• The director guffawed at their antics. “Sure! Little princess, why don’t you perform for me? Do you know how to cry?”
• She pouted and dismissed the question. “Of course! Mommy said I cried for a long time the day I was born.”
• “Okay. Can you cry for me here? You’ll need to make the tears fall, got it?” He gestured at his assistant. “Get a DV and record this.”
• Wasting no time, Clara went over and whispered something to Angela before giving her a word of encouragement, saying, “Angie, good luck!”
• Angela gestured an ‘okay’ to her and winked playfully. “Okay!”
• Then, she turned to look at the DV recorder.
• Director Hopkins reached out for the recorder. “Princess, after I say ‘start’, you need to make your tears drop in twenty seconds. Okay?”
• She nodded seriously. “Got it.”
• “And… Start!”
• Her bright and lovely face immediately darkened, and her pouted lips started to tremble.
• Just now, Miss Monet told her to imagine herself as a poor girl without a dad and to imagine how difficult her Mommy’s life was. Apparently, that would help with the crying scene.
• But… But I don’t feel sad thinking about it! Even without Daddy, I still have Mommy and Ken to love me!
• Mommy works so hard because she’s an adult! When I’m an adult, I will also work hard to give Mommy money!
• Ah, Miss Monet is dumb. Angela thought that she only needed to imagine herself going hungry without food. This is such a horrible feeling! Or she could imagine that Kenneth was hogging all the delicious snacks from her. All the tasty snacks are suddenly not my friends anymore…
• Angela started sobbing, and tears flowed down her cheeks.
• Within ten seconds, her eyes were filled with tears, looking extremely pitiable.
• Director Hopkins’s eyes turned round in surprise. “My Lord! You’re a born talent! Even the A-list child actors don’t have such talent!”
• Clara was the most surprised. She pulled out some tissues for the girl. “That should be enough, Angie.”
• But Angela could not stop crying at all. She rubbed her tears clumsily with her stubby hands. “I’m so sad now…”
• The men in the private room looked sorry for her. “Wow, she's so into character! This girl is born to act.”
• Director Hopkins quickly comforted her. “Sweetie, can you tell me what is in your mind that makes you cry so bad?”
• She moved her hands away from her face and stole a quick look at Kenneth with moist eyes. She sobbed as she explained, “Ken and I only have Mommy. Our Daddy doesn't want us anymore. Mommy is working very hard for me and Ken. She doesn’t even buy meat for herself to save money…”
• Her childish sobs touched the three grown men until tears welled up in their eyes.
• They thought, She’s not only talented and immersed in acting, but she’s also mature for her age… What a gem!