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A voice cut through the noise from the left.
Cassius turned and spotted a white-haired man in a gray suit standing a few feet away, holding a glass of water and watching him.
James Cromwell.
The veteran actor who'd played the old man in The Last Reel of Film. His performance had helped push the short over the finish line.
Cassius walked over.
"James."
The old man shook his hand with a surprisingly firm grip.
"Wasn't sure you'd make it. Heard your La La Land schedule is brutal."
"You showed up. So did I."
Cassius meant it. Cromwell had done him a solid by guest-starring, and respect was respect.
Cromwell laughed, the lines around his eyes deepening.
"Silver tongue on you."
He jerked his chin toward the guy beside him.
"That's my grandson. USC film kid. Nominated today—Best Animation."
Cassius glanced over. Early twenties, black-rimmed glasses, a little shy. The face clicked. He'd sat in on one of Cassius's acting classes.
"Teacher Cass. Hello."
Cassius nodded back. Kid came from acting stock. Doors would open for him in this town.
Cassius drifted to a quiet corner with a sparkling water, watching the crowd filter in. Sharp suits on young guys. Clusters of familiar industry faces. Waiters weaving through with champagne.
It pulled him back to standing backstage at the real Oscars a little over a year ago.
"Cassius?"
He turned. A white guy in a navy suit, mid-fifties, salt-and-pepper hair, gold-rimmed glasses.
"Mark Jensen. Paramount production."
They shook.
"The Ancient One was strong. That twist on the story—people in the industry are still talking about it."
"Thanks."
Cassius kept it polite.
"Heard you're shooting Damien Chazelle's new one now?"
"Yeah."
Jensen nodded, eyes scanning the room before dropping his voice.
"Student Oscars have been getting real traction lately. Academy's putting more weight behind them."
He tipped his head toward a small group of older men nearby.
"Three of those guys are documentary branch judges. Two do short films. That's why I'm here tonight."
Cassius got it. Talent scouting. Looking for the next thing worth backing.
Jensen clapped his shoulder and slipped him a card.
"Call me when you have a minute. We've got a couple projects next year that could use someone like you."
Cassius pocketed it.
The ceremony kicked off at ten sharp. Lights dropped. Spotlight hit the small stage. A woman in a gray dress ran through the usual welcome speech. Cassius tuned most of it out.
Soo-yeon sat front row, spine locked, fingers digging into her skirt. James Cromwell leaned in and murmured something. She nodded, shook her head, face tight.
Awards rolled out. Animation went to a claymation guy who thanked half the room. Documentary to a girl doing environmental work—she was so choked up she could barely get the words out, but the applause was loud.
Then the host's voice cut through.
"The 46th Annual Student Academy Awards, Narrative Gold goes to—"
Soo-yeon went rigid.
"The Last Reel of Film, directed by Soo-yeon!"
Applause swelled.
She stood too fast and almost tripped on her hem. Cromwell steadied her. She made it to the stage, took the replica statuette, and stepped to the mic. The lights hit her hard. Sweat glistened on her forehead.
"I— I—"
Her voice shook. The room waited.
"I want to thank— the Academy— my parents—"
The words started tumbling out faster, like a script she'd rehearsed a hundred times suddenly breaking loose.
"Thank USC, my advisor, everyone who helped— James Cromwell— Cassius oppa—"
A few people chuckled at the slip.
Soo-yeon's face went crimson.
"S-sorry— Cassius— teacher—"
She was spiraling. Hands trembling so hard the little gold statue wobbled.
"I— I—"
Her mind went blank. All the polished thank-yous and big dreams about cinema just evaporated.
She stood there under the lights with hundreds of eyes on her. Whispers started in the crowd.
Soo-yeon's eyes burned.
"Thank you, everyone."
She bowed quick and hurried offstage. The applause was thinner than before.
Cassius watched her drop back into her seat, head down, shoulders shaking. Cromwell patted her hand.
After the ceremony the room opened up for networking. People broke into clusters, trading cards, angling toward the AMPAS members with champagne in hand.
Soo-yeon stood by the window clutching her statuette, expression frozen.
Cromwell was talking to an older producer Cassius recognized—senior AMPAS guy, serious credits.
Cassius was about to head over when a small group of reporters moved in. The lead guy was tall, early thirties, recorder out, cameraman right behind him.
"Soo-yeon, director—quick questions?"
She nodded, caught off guard.
"First, congrats on the win."
The smile didn't reach his eyes. It had that edge people use when they're talking down to someone new in town.
"I wanted to ask about the editing in The Last Reel of Film. Very unconventional—starting with the countdown to closing, then flashing back. That structure isn't common in narrative shorts."
Soo-yeon opened her mouth.
"I'm curious—did you structure it that way to appeal to what the Student Oscar judges like this year, or—"
He paused, smile sharpening.
"Or did someone give you a heads-up on their preferences?"
Her face went red.
"I— no—"
"Because from what I've heard, that memory-versus-forgetting theme plus the non-linear cut was a scoring point this cycle."
The reporter leaned in.
"And one of your leads is Cassius. Oscar winner. Built a lot of connections in Hollywood. Is it possible he offered some inside guidance on the cut?"
Soo-yeon looked like she wanted the floor to open up.
"No— Cassius— he only—"
"Only what?"
She couldn't finish the sentence. First time facing this kind of pressure and the words just died.
People around them had stopped to watch. A couple of the older AMPAS members were observing with interest, drinks in hand.
Cassius set his glass down and walked straight over.
The camera swung to him.
"Cassius!"
The reporter's eyes lit up like he'd hit the jackpot.
"You're here—perfect. What's your take on Soo-yeon's film? There's talk you helped with the re-edit. Is that accurate?"
He pushed the recorder forward.
Cassius looked at him, then at the small crowd that had gathered, including the AMPAS vets watching from the side.
The room got quieter.