The My Hollywood System
Chapter 96

“Are you going to direct [500 Summer days] yourself?”

Jeffrey asked Will. Previously, Jeffrey believed that Will would direct most of his films, but that impression changed when Will asked him to find another director for the film [1917]. So Jeffrey wasn't sure whether Will would direct the film himself or ask another director to direct it.

“Well, my previous plan was to direct it myself. But looking at how I am at the moment, I don't feel like directing it. I will ask Alexia to send some invitations to some of the directors that I think can direct the film. I hope the movie comes out well, because the storyline is something I really like.”

Of course, there's no such thing as a moody Will about directing a movie or not. It was solely due to the system's sudden search to make the original film itself. He needed time to think about the plot and write it down as a script. Then there was also the issue of composing the original soundtrack himself and such, which was an extra effort that Will had to put in.

With such a task showing his claws to Will, he could not focus on directing another film. He's going to be a producer, and this isn't a film that wouldn't work without his direction. The world is not short of good directors, so Will is just thinking of focusing on something else rather than these films.

"It's okay, I guess."

Jeffrey said because he had promised himself never to question Will's decision.

After a while, Jeffrey leaves the office, and Will calls Alexia.

“This is a list of directors that I think are good to direct [500 Summer days]. Please contact them and send them an official invitation.”

Will says while handing over the tablet device to Alexia. Alexia looked at it, scrolled it, and then asked.

"Is there anything else?"

"Actually yes. Contact Spencer Miller's secretary and have her arrange a meeting with Spencer for me.”

“Alright, I'll do it. As a reminder, today is the day you plan to go and meet Marcus Brown.”

Alexia reminded, and Will just smiled. He didn't need a reminder because he already remembered that he had to meet with Marcus today.

***

Will and June drive to a rehabilitation center located east of LA. That's where Marcus was taken after he was caught taking drugs.

Caught while taking drugs, Marcus' career as an actor is arguably over. Especially when he was only a young seedling and not someone already established in the industry. He had no support whatsoever, nor did he have a godfather guarding him.

Thinking of this, Will frowned inwardly. Will recalled the innocent face of the man who was so excited about getting the lead role and immediately asked first to inform his family and sign his contract later. He was a cheerful and humble man, unlike Zach, who had an arrogant and playboy attitude.

*results*

“Hey, look here.”

June, who looked at Will deeply, asked him to look at him.

“It wasn't your fault, okay? Just like it wasn't your fault when I was self-deprecating. You can't control everything in the world the way you want. And remember, we're gonna get Marcus out of this. So don't blame yourself. Promise me you won't do it.”

They've arrived in front of the rehab center, and Will stops his car. Looking at June, who was trying to comfort him, he only smiled weakly.

“Yes, I know it's not my fault. But I can't help but feel bad about it, as you say. We'll get Marcus out of here, even if it's just for selfish reasons like erasing my guilt.”

June smiles at him as they get out of the car after Will parks her.

***

"Hello, how can I help you today?"

A receptionist in formal attire asked as soon as Will and June entered the Rehabilitation center.

“Eh, we are here to visit one of the patients here. His name is Marcus Brown.”

“A-Will Evans??? I mean, welcome Mr. Evans. Are you looking for Marcus Brown? I'll take you to his neighborhood.”

The receptionist continues to stutter in front of Will. Will is the man of his dreams; although he is younger, he has made a name for himself based solely on his own abilities. Not to mention he's very handsome.

“No need for you to bother. We had previous appointments with Mr Evans and Marcus. Sorry to keep you waiting; please follow me."

A senior doctor who came out asked formally and led the way for Will and June towards the ward where Marcus was being treated.

Soon, they reached a room where the doctor stood outside and said.

“You can meet him there. Please let us know if you need anything. ”

"thank you. Let's go, June.”

Will thanks the doctor and enters the room with June. The only person in the room was Marcus, who looked as if life had been sucked out of him. The man with a healthy body and a handsome face was nowhere to be seen as a man without a lot of muscles supporting his bones, that was all that was left of Marcus Brown.

“...Marcus?”

June involuntarily said, her eyes in a state of disbelief. After all, Marcus was someone he had worked with, and he himself knew how good and enthusiastic Marcus was. Seeing her become like this made her feel unsettled, and her heart ached.

Marcus, who was sitting on the bed looking down with his lifeless eyes, slowly raised his head when he heard his name. And as soon as he saw two people standing in front of him, his eyes first widened in shock, and then they showed all kinds of emotions as they gradually dimmed and teardrops formed, it immediately fell right on his face.

Will moved forward and hugged her a little, making her cry even more. After a while, Will and June sat in a chair while waiting for Marcus to calm down.

"I never thought that you would come to see me."

After finally calming down a little, Marcus said in a low voice. What he said is true. To him, Will and he had the same starting point, but Will drove so high on the wave of success that Marcus thought he would never look back at the people he worked with when he meant nothing.

“Why do you think so?”

Will asks her, and Marcus looks at her, his eyes red from crying.

“You get everything you can expect in Hollywood. Why do you look back at people like me? Or at least that's what I've been thinking until now. ”

Marcus laughed bitterly at the end of his sentence.

“Why are you in this condition? Why?"

June asks this time, with a voice that brings sympathy and anger towards Marcus for not taking care of himself.

“Eh. I'm not as smart as Zach, and he's fast enough to sign up with ICM and manage to secure his future for a period of time. On the other hand, I wanted to make some indie films to hone my skills. Then, the director and producer kept shouting at me and harassing me for no reason. I am getting stressed from day to day.”

At this point, Will somewhat guesses the whole story. Still, he waited for Marcus to continue.

“One day, one of my coworkers, who was acting in the same movie as me, gave me a pill. He said it was a stress-relieving drug. And my mind was clouded, I kind of suspected back then that it was drugs, but I still took them. One time led to another, and then without realizing it, I was in a drug cycle that I could not avoid even if I wanted to. At some point, even my family gave up and reported my drug habit to the narcotics department.”

Marcus slapped his forehead with his hand as he looked down and regretted his life decision.

*results*

Will and June sighed together. Will can say that he should have taken better care of them, but life didn't go that way. All he could do was provide a map for others and make their path easier; he could not guide them step by step into each alley and corner himself. After all, he had his own life to live, with his own goals and worries to attend to.

“How now? your situation.”

Will asked in simple words. After all, Marcus' career ended when he used drugs a second time. Because once someone picks it up, they won't even notice it until they lose everything. But Marcus is young. Although life is difficult, it gives a second chance to many people. And according to Will, Marcus deserves a second chance. In any case, Will cannot forget the moment when Marcus said he would tell his family first and then sign the contract. Such a person would never go wrong, only circumstances could bring him to such an enemy.