After leaving the study, Joseph finally found a chance to speak. Standing with Hugo at the corner of the hallway, he stopped and said in a low, urgent voice, "Why didn't you try harder? That's not like you." The thought slipped straight out of Joseph's mouth. Without realizing it, his impression of Hugo had completely changed—"Hugo, who never gives up easily," was now the man he knew.
Hugo rubbed his brow, the smile fading from his face. Once his guard dropped, exhaustion and anger surged up, gathering between his tense brows. "What else could I do? Sydney made it clear—there's no chance! What, should I get down on my knees and beg? Or start performing right there in front of him? No! That wouldn't change a thing. He'd just see me as a clown and have that big guy at the door throw us out!"
The words poured out of Hugo in frustration. The meeting in the study had left him disheartened, restless, and furious. For the first time in a year, Hugo truly lost his temper—not because he had missed the role, but because he had been declared defeated before even getting to fight for it. That suffocating, powerless feeling was unbearable.
Thinking back on all the information he had learned today, it wasn't hard to piece things together. Ron Meyer and Tracy Jacobs had clearly played a role in the process. Add in Robert Redford's influence, and Brad Pitt's agent, Martin Baum, appearing at the party tonight—it all connected. Hugo never stood a chance. Sydney had already decided to give the role to Brad. For the past month, Hugo had been strung along like a fool—he was never truly in the running.
It was even more disappointing than the failed audition for A River Runs Through It. Not only because this came after the success of Scent of a Woman and A Few Good Men, reminding Hugo once again how ruthless Hollywood could be but because this time, he hadn't even been allowed to fight. The verdict had been handed down before the battle began. He refused to accept it. He couldn't accept it.
But that was reality. Even if Hugo didn't accept it, what could he do? As Ron had said, the world might be equal, but it was never fair. In The Firm, the advantage had been with Brad Pitt from the start; Schindler's List was the same story.
That was why, in front of Sydney, Hugo forced himself to stay calm and leave like a gentleman—because losing his composure wouldn't change anything. It was better to walk away with dignity.
Still, everything had happened in a single day. Even someone as optimistic as Hugo couldn't completely steady his emotions. Pressed by Joseph's anxious tone, he lost control.
Looking at Hugo's weary and angry expression, Joseph realized that Hugo was just as disappointed as he was—perhaps even more. And knowing Hugo as he did now, Joseph understood that Hugo would never retreat unless he had truly thought it through. That only made his frustration clearer.
Joseph sighed deeply, realizing that he had been too impatient and had crossed a line. "I'm sorry, Hugo. I didn't mean it that way."
After venting his anger, Hugo looked at Joseph and waved his hand. "It's not your fault. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you." Joseph wasn't an enemy—he was an ally. Hugo knew he had been wrong to take it out on him and lowered his head in apology.
Joseph patted Hugo on the shoulder. "Didn't you say once that no one in Hollywood is indispensable? The same goes for projects. Missing one just means there'll be another, right?" Usually, it was Hugo who encouraged Joseph. But tonight, their roles were reversed—Joseph was the one awkwardly trying to cheer Hugo up.
Seeing Joseph's earnest, slightly clumsy expression, Hugo couldn't help but chuckle. Then, remembering his own outburst, he laughed again. He realized he'd lost his balance. First, he learned about Ron and Tracy's schemes and missed Schindler's List. Then, he was played again and missed The Firm. For someone who'd had a smooth couple of months, this double blow was new—and it had shaken him. Laughing at himself, Hugo slowly began to relax.
"Yeah, you're right. If we miss this one, there'll be another. There always is." Hugo smiled faintly, mocking his own restlessness, then took a deep breath, centering himself again. His grin brightened. Hollywood was, after all, a land of endless dreams and opportunities. There was always another chance waiting. What mattered wasn't missing one but seizing the right one when it came and shining completely.
"You think Sydney was just stringing us along this past month?" Joseph finally asked, calmer now that he could think clearly about the situation. Looking back, he could see how strange everything had been.
Hugo shook his head. "I don't think that was the plan at first. I believe Sydney genuinely wanted to see if I fit the role. But later, he must've changed his mind. He probably didn't want to make a quick decision, so he just kept stalling. He's been busy lately—both The Firm and Schindler's List are connected to him."
Both films were major projects, rare and competitive, which explained why agents like Ron Meyer, Martin Baum, Joseph Gibbs, and Rick Rosen had been hovering around Sydney—and why producers like Tracy Jacobs were circling too. Sydney was probably overwhelmed but also enjoying the attention.
Joseph thought for a moment, then nodded. "Makes sense. I just wonder whether Baum's influence mattered more… or Jacobs'."
"Does it really make a difference?" Hugo asked simply, making Joseph laugh.
"Do you think these two projects might be connected somehow?" Joseph suddenly said, a note of worry in his voice.
Hugo raised an eyebrow. "You mean Brad working on both films at the same time?" Joseph nodded. Hugo and Brad didn't have any personal grudge, but since Brad and Tracy were still keeping close contactand the two had often competed for the same roles—their careers seemed to rise and fall in sync. Joseph couldn't help feeling uneasy.
But Hugo shook his head. "No way. Schindler's List isn't with Sydney anymore. Didn't everyone say Steven's taking over personally? That's a completely different matter now." If things followed their proper course, Schindler's List would have nothing to do with Brad at all. "Anyway, that's none of our concern. Both projects are out of our hands now."
Hugo took a deep breath. "So now it's up to you. We haven't heard anything about Sleepless in Seattle yet—I'm counting on you to bring me some good news." His teasing tone made Joseph smile faintly. "And for the other projects too," Hugo added. "All we can do now is wait for your hard work to pay off."
Originally, both of them thought that after the chaos of the year's end, Hugo's career would finally take off like a rocket. But now, it didn't seem that simple. In Hollywood, overnight fame was common—but building a true, lasting career still required one steady step after another.
Joseph didn't say anything, only smiled quietly. After everything that had happened recently, he understood that he, too, still had a long way to go as an agent. Maybe 1993 would be a good place to start fresh.
"Come on," Joseph said with a lighter tone, "let's head back to the party. It's New Year's Eve, after all." It was one of the few nights of the year when everyone could truly relax. A heavy heart didn't belong at such a bright and joyful celebration.
Hugo walked beside him toward the staircase, then suddenly said, "Since things here are wrapped up, why don't we go to Alex's friend's party?" The only reason they had come to Sydney's house tonight was for The Firm. Now that business was done, keeping their promise to attend a friend's gathering seemed right.
Joseph shrugged. "If you don't mind walking out on a room full of Hollywood's biggest stars…" For any actor, attending such an elite event was a rare opportunity. In fact, after missing out on The Firm, Hugo might even find a new lead here if he stayed.
But Hugo shook his head firmly. "Tonight shouldn't be about work." Sometimes, work came first. Other times, love or family had to take priority. And then there were moments when friendship mattered most. Tonight was one of those moments. Even though every person in the room was a potential opportunity, glittering like a living exclamation mark, Hugo decided to walk away. Work was done. The rest of the evening belonged to his friends.
"What about Uma?" Joseph asked. He didn't object; they had agreed earlier that if things wrapped up quickly, they would head over to Alex's gathering. They were simply sticking to the plan.
Hugo stood at the top of the stairs, glancing around. "You check the back garden. I'll look around the main hall. Let's meet by the fountain outside in fifteen minutes."
Joseph nodded and headed down the stairs, moving quickly toward the garden. Hugo, however, didn't rush. He stayed on the staircase, looking down from above, scanning the crowd for Uma.
On the dance floor below, people were dancing to an upbeat disco track, laughter blending with the reflections of snowflake-shaped lights glimmering across the room. The dim atmosphere made it hard to spot anyone clearly.
He didn't find Uma—but his eyes landed on someone else entirely: Tracy.
She stood still, as if she had been waiting for him all along. When their eyes met, Tracy smiled—that familiar, alluring smile laced with disdain and mockery. Under the shifting lights, her expression flickered between shadow and glow, indistinct yet chillingly cold.
...
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