THE MOMENT
Brent's nerves came to life as he entered the dim room empty-handed. It was a boardroom-sized space with white floors and walls, and a long table seating a panel of three on one side. They were all obscured in shadow, with a large old-style CRT sitting on a golden cart before them, but facing Brent and the door. He hadn't quite expected this level of theatrics for an audition, and it made him second-guess himself. He was there, mostly on a lark, and they were all taking the job seriously. He hoped he didn't offend any of them, and as he came to a stop, a golden, faceless mannequin in a crimson suit appeared on the CRT.
"Welcome, Mr. Woodrow," the character said with a smooth, deep voice worthy of a gameshow host. "My name is Helios... and you're empty-handed," he said. "You're auditioning for our new Spectral Hunters, show, aren't you? You didn't bring along any home-made ghost detecting equipment? By this point, I was already assuming all applicants did," he added.
"Security..," Brent shrugged. He realized he had absolutely no chance, and now all he had to do was just get through the audition and leave. It was kind of overboard for just a 'lark' and he was starting to realize that there was a part of him that wanted to be an actor. It was apparent when Helios' question stung his pride. He knew he wasn't taking the process seriously, but now he was wishing he had. "... they said I couldn't bring my rifle, not even empty," he added.
"A Rifle?" Helios asked. He was animated on the television, but he still looked to the side as if checking on the panel, and they all chuckled at Brent. "I'm gonna need that explained. Why were you bringing a rifle?"
"I've never hunted a ghost before," Brent shook his head. "But, my dad did teach me how to hunt deer, and I figure it's pretty much the same thing," he said. He'd meant to come up with something more creative, but that was before he realized he actually wanted the job. Now, as horrible as it was, he decided the best thing for future auditions was to practice being honest. The polite chuckles they enjoyed at his expense moments ago were nothing compared to the sudden, obnoxious laughter. Helios was doubled over, spasming and holding his stomach as he roared with laughter while the trio of panelists also failed to keep it in.
"It's NOT!" Helios said. "You're a moron if you think they're even remotely related!"
"Thank you for your time," Brent replied through gritted teeth, and turned to leave. Except, as he reached for the door, the handle disintegrated out of his grip, and the door vanished, leaving only solid white walls; and it was quiet now. He whirled around to see the table and trio of figures gone, but the TV was still there with Helios still on the screen.
"Whoa, slow down there, Mr. Sensitive," Helios chuckled. "I didn't say YOU were a moron, I said..," as he spoke, a still frame appeared next to him, and began playing the moment from seconds ago.
"You're a moron if..," it said. The bigger Helios waved it away with a dismissive gesture, then fixed his red bow tie.
"The details aren't important," he said. "You've got a fresh idea, I'm digging it. Picture this," he held his hands out in front of him, on the screen, and red text materialized in the room with Brent. "Big Game Ghost Hunter!" There was a creative 'crosshair' design on the 'o' centered with a spectral buck in the sights. "I think we can work together," Helios said.
Brent may not have been the smartest man in the room, but he had a general sense when things were too easy. And, he knew the Hollywood types had a reputation for overpromising.
"What about Spectral Hunters...?" he asked. Was it a new show entirely? Was he reworking the concept?
"It was a working title," Helios nodded. "I hadn't even decided on the format, they're all so similar, I didn't think it mattered. But your idea... that's genius!" he nodded.
"You called me a moron," Brent reminded him.
"We're making a TV show," Helios chuckled. "Who do you think our audience is?"