Episode14 Angry John！
1607 Words
After five minutes of preparation, Caitlin began her performance.
Scene Background: Mary (played by Caitlin) inadvertently revealed Alice's (played by judge Susan) crucial business secret, causing the company significant financial losses.
Alice, already in the early stages of her startup, was nearly bankrupted by this setback, while Mary, due to her unintentional mistake, failed to make timely amends.
Alice (voice trembling, eyes teary): Mary, did you know? I never thought things would turn out this way. I always believed you were my best friend.
Mary (trying to explain): Alice, I know I was wrong, but it was never intentional. I never imagined things would escalate to this. Please, forgive me.
Alice (gaze firm, voice rising): Forgive you? Do you have any idea how heavy your betrayal weighs on me? Every time I think about you leaking the company secret, it's like a knife slicing my heart.
Mary (trying to approach her, pleading tone): Alice, I'm willing to compensate for your losses. I can give you all my savings, even borrow money from my family. Please, give me a chance to make up for my mistake.
Alice (interrupting her, agitated tone): Compensate? This isn’t just about money! The company has suffered a fatal blow, and rebuilding is nearly impossible. I can't even get a bank loan now. Can you compensate for that?
Mary (teary-eyed, trembling voice): Alice, please believe me. I'm truly trying to make up for my mistake. I can help you rebuild the company, reach out to investors, I can...
Alice (deliberately looking at her coldly, not wanting Mary to ruin her own life over this incident): No need. I don't need your help. Any assistance from you will only remind me of this disaster. Just stay away from me.
Mary (lowering her head in pain, voice heavy): Alice, I know I can't undo everything, but I really don't want to lose you as a friend. You're one of the most important people to me. I can't lose you.
Alice (taking a deep breath, trying to control her emotions, touched by Mary): But you've already lost my trust. No matter what you say or do, this wound won't heal. From now on, our friendship is over.
Caitlin suddenly forgot her lines and paused for a moment, making her performance seem a bit stiff.
Mary (Caitlin's nervousness from the pause made her emotional expression less natural and genuine): Uh... you... how can you do this to me? We were... best friends.
Judge Susan clearly noticed this and deliberately slowed her pace, trying to guide Caitlin with her acting.
Alice (picking up the topic, voice calm): Mary, you can pray for me. Maybe one day we can be friends again.
Caitlin struggled to keep up with Susan’s rhythm, as the original script had Alice becoming colder rather than gentler at this point. Her emotional transition appeared awkward.
Mary (eyes moist but not showing it): Alice, I’m willing to publicly admit my mistake and take full responsibility. Let everyone know it was my fault, not yours. Maybe that can restore some of the company’s reputation.
Alice (gaze slightly softened): Publicly admit?
Mary (nodding): Yes, Alice. I'll hold a press conference and explain the truth. As long as you're willing to forgive me, I'll do anything.
Alice (sighing): Mary, doing so would lead to an investigation for breaching confidentiality agreements. If convicted, do you know what that means for your career? You’d ruin it!
Mary (awkwardly changing emotion): I know, but I don’t care. If it can restore your trust and the company, I'm willing to pay any price.
Alice (softening): Forget it, Mary. I know you may genuinely want to help me, but the outcome is already a fait accompli. I won’t risk your career for this. Publicly explaining might restore the company’s reputation, but things won’t go back to how they were.
Mary (voice choking): Alice, I truly know I was wrong. I'll spend the rest of my life making amends, as long as you're willing to give me another chance.
Alice (silent for a moment, voice filled with complex emotions): You know, this has been a huge blow to me. I didn’t just lose the project, I lost you, my best friend.
Mary (tears in her eyes, trembling voice): Alice, please believe me, I really want to make up for my mistake. You are my best friend; I don’t want to lose you.
Alice (softening tone): Are you really willing to do this?
Mary (this should have been a firm response, but Caitlin used an emotional tone, which was incorrect): Yes, as long as you can forgive me!
Alice (noticing Caitlin’s mistake but filled with understanding and tolerance, continued with a gentle tone):
Alice (sighing, voice low): Alright, let’s face this difficulty together. I hope we can overcome this challenge.
Mary (grateful gaze at Alice, awkward emotional transition): Thank you, Alice. I won’t let you down.
Alice (smiling): Then let’s start anew from now on.
...
After the performance, Judge Susan smiled as she returned to her seat.
Jack, the righteous judge, was the first to speak: “Susan, as one of the participants, you're the most qualified to evaluate this performance. What do you think?”
Susan shrugged. “Hmm... Caitlin did well, completing the scene.”
John, with an exaggerated smile, took over: “Caitlin’s performance was undoubtedly excellent! Both in emotion and in the scene, it showed the qualities of a professional actor!”
Jack nodded. “Although there were many flaws, I think Caitlin’s performance was indeed good, especially with such a short preparation time.”
John, pleased, continued: “Jack, this time you’re making sense. I hope you maintain this attitude when voting later.”
At this point, hypocritical Lucy chimed in, agreeing: “Caitlin successfully conveyed the complex emotions of the character. We should encourage such actors and give them more opportunities.”
“Caitlin, I look forward to working with you!”
“Lucy’s right, that’s a professional judge!” John glanced at Lucy with satisfaction.
“What do you think, Peter?”
“I completely agree with the other judges. Let’s finalize the role!”
“Well said, Peter. You’ve got a good eye! I also think there’s no need to see the next performance!” John was delighted.
Jack, however, wasn’t happy. “Avril hasn’t performed yet. How can we decide now?”
“Didn’t you see everyone agrees?!” John angrily retorted.
“I don’t agree. I haven’t seen Avril’s performance!”
“Jack, you bastard, you’re just deliberately opposing us!”
“I’m not opposing anyone. My responsibility is to judge fairly and ensure the best person advances. Caitlin, although she completed the performance, had obvious shortcomings. Her emotions weren’t smooth, and forgetting her lines disrupted the flow.”
John grew increasingly agitated, angrily slamming the table. “You’re nitpicking! There were only five minutes of preparation time. What do you expect? An Oscar-worthy performance in five minutes?!”
“That’s not what I meant. I just want to see Avril’s performance before making a final judgment.” Jack stood firm.
Peter, who enjoyed the chaos, sat with flickering eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. He tapped the table lightly, seemingly cheering for John, even letting out a few ambiguous chuckles, deliberately stirring the atmosphere. Peter had once again achieved his goal, successfully igniting the dispute.
Caitlin, though looking innocent, had a hint of smugness at the corner of her eye. She pretended to nervously twiddle with her clothes, actually observing everyone’s reactions in the dark.
Lucy, no longer pretending, always wanted to flatter John. She sided with him: “Jack, maybe you lack patience with newcomers, but I believe she’s capable of playing the role. We should give her a chance, not deprive her of it due to your bias.”
Jack responded resolutely: “This is not bias, but fact. We can’t let a candidate pass due to personal preferences. It’s unfair to the other contestants, the role, and the entire film.”
Lucy, taunting: “Jack, John’s right about you. I will stand by my opinion. My vote will go to Caitlin, no matter what.”
Jack remained firm: “I am here to choose the most suitable person for the company, not to watch a show. I won’t decide without seeing all performances, and I hope you fulfill your duties as judges.”
“You stupid screenwriter, I’ll fire you now as the film’s producer. You’re no longer with the company!” John shouted in rage.
“Sorry, you can’t fire me. I’m a third-party hired by the company, not by you.”
John stood up furiously, threateningly, “To ensure the film presents its best state to the audience, I have the right to fire you. I’ll explain to the company, and they’ll support my wise decision!”
Jack stared back, voice steady: “John, you don’t deserve to be a producer. You’re giving special treatment rather than selecting the best. If you think you can threaten me, you’re wrong. I’ll report you.”
John’s eyes glinted with malice, his tone filled with gunpowder: “Threaten? Do you think I’m joking? If you continue being stupid, I’ll show you what a real threat is!”
Jack stood his ground, voice firm: “I won’t change my position. If you dare threaten me, I’ll report you.”
By now, John had lost all reason, his fury blinding him. He suddenly rushed toward Jack, fists clenched, ready to strike.
Everyone held their breath, not expecting this turn of events.
Just at the crucial moment, the door burst open with a bang！
- Writer
