She shook her head. “Not at this level. Plus, I’m rusty.” She gestured behind her. “These people are…pros. I couldn’t even land a toilet paper commercial on my own, and trust me, I tried. Too many times.”

He waved her off. “We both know the industry is tricky. It’s not about how good you are in the beginning. It’s about who you know, and being in the right place at the right time. Then suddenly your talent matters.”

He had a point. She nodded. “I guess that’s what yesterday was.”

“I’d say so.”

Wilks leaned forward with a kind smile. He seemed more personable, like the everyday Wilks she was used to. “Here’s the thing. I know you, Lauren, and you’re nothing if not a professional yourself. Are you willing to step in? This is quite the opportunity.” He held out both hands. “These kinds of things don’t happen that often in the business.”

Again, he was right. You heard about Cinderella stories like these, but never in a million years did Lauren think it could happen to her, especially after she’d carefully tucked those hopes away. She never dared imagine. After years of schlepping from one audition to the next, she’d just been offered a major role, the kind she used to lie in bed dreaming about. And she’d done so via her stage management career? It really was about being in the right room. How strangely the world worked.

She clenched her fists several times, to discreetly burn off some of the nervous energy coursing through her limbs, and stared Wilks right in the eye. “I’ll do it,” she said quietly, feeling something long forgotten in her click into place. “I’ve never been more scared of anything in my life, but how can I not?”

“I thought you’d eventually get there,” he said with a wink. He picked up a folder from his desk. “I have a contract all drawn up, and since you’re already an Equity member, there’s less red tape to fuss with.”

“What about Evelyn?” Lauren tried not to wince at that particular side effect. She imagined her being sat down and let go officially, followed by the to-be-expected ire Evelyn was known for.

“She’ll be fine. She works fairly steadily and will move on to the next project in no time. Part of the business.”

Lauren nodded. This would be a setback for Nia, as well. Though she was never guaranteed replacement status, she would likely wonder why she was passed over. But she still had her original standby gig. Nothing had changed on that front, and she’d still have a job.