Episode 9
“Those who cannot stand on their own and try to prove their worth by clinging to men—”
“…No!”
“But judging by the main character’s name, it looks like your role was predetermined even before the script was finalized, right?”
Before Autumn could say anything, the woman let out a light sigh.
Autumn’s eyes flickered slightly at the veiled jab in her words.
‘I didn’t expect to be treated like this here too…’
At a loss for words, Autumn hesitated awkwardly.
But a moment later, as quickly as the cold words had fallen, Christine suddenly changed her attitude toward Autumn, as if flipping her hand.
“Well, whatever. For now, you’ve passed.”
Autumn wore a confused expression, waiting to hear what else Christine would say.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Christine Bridget. We’ll be working together on the role of Rosalyn… for now, anyway. You’re the lead, right? The main character from the first day.”
Her tone suddenly turned friendly, like she was performing on stage.
Then, without warning, she grasped both of Autumn’s hands and gave them a firm shake, then seemed to pause as if pondering something.
“Ah, you startled me.”
Christine suddenly leaned in so close that her face was just a veil’s width from Autumn’s.
Startled, Autumn stepped back.
“When did you get the script?”
“Just a few days ago…?”
Pressed by Christine’s presence, Autumn trailed off.
Christine smiled with amused curiosity, as if hearing something unexpected.
“…Well, that’s enough for now. Come with me.”
She tilted her head slightly, signaling Autumn to follow.
Leaving behind Hudson, who stood awkwardly between them, Autumn followed Christine.
“…But I have to see it for myself.”
Her voice, which had been warm a moment ago, now turned cold and calculating.
“Come. Let me see that amazing skill of yours.”
Creaaak—
Christine’s elegant but menacing heels echoed menacingly down the old hallway.
‘I didn’t know this place existed in the theater…’
Before long, they reached a path that led down to the basement—a space for trainees.
Even though it was broad daylight, the space was pitch dark.
Only some shabby spiderwebs on the ceiling welcomed her, brushing lightly against her skin.
“Everyone’s working hard.”
In each rehearsal room they passed, both men and women could be seen reading scripts and practicing lines.
‘Wow, this is what it’s like beneath the stage!’
Autumn wanted to stop and watch more, but Christine moved quickly ahead.
“Our Austin Theater was the first in the empire to allow women on stage. You know that, right?”
Autumn quickly nodded.
“That means the actresses here are highly skilled and this place carries its own bit of history…
Hmph, maybe too short to really call it history?”
Her voice, now stripped of its earlier warmth, filled the space with a slightly unsettling tone.
“Anyway, these people are not yet approved.”
“And you skipped past all of them—just because our troupe master took a liking to you.”
“They’ve practiced hundreds of times to stand here, and yet they’re just understudies for lead actors like us.”
Even as she walked swiftly, the meticulous Christine didn’t forget to give Autumn a stern reminder.
She didn’t spare a glance for the others, making her stance clear.
“Until then, you can’t stand on stage. You can’t face the audience.”
Then she leaned in close and whispered just loud enough for Autumn to hear.
Autumn’s gaze wavered slightly.
‘I know that… better than anyone.’
She clenched both fists tightly.
In truth, Autumn could empathize more than anyone with their desperate efforts and hopeful eyes.
Just a week ago, she too had dreamed not of standing on stage, but of simply being among them. That’s why she had to do well.
She wanted to prove herself—to protect her pride and the reputation Rosalyn had built.
“Ah, here we are.”
Creeeak—
The heavy black door opened. Christine looked past it and spoke in a soft voice.
“But you know… I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.”
“Huh?”
Now with her arms crossed, Christine stood halfway into the dark room.
“Dressing up and appealing to the higher-ups to get noticed—that’s fine too. Why? Because in this filthy world, grabbing attention with your looks is a skill too. I once…”
She trailed off, her eyes flickering between Autumn and the stage ahead with a distant look.
“…Ah, anyway, this is the heart of the Austin Theater.”
51%
Not the usual audience aisles, but the back of the stage—where the actors entered.
That’s where Autumn now stood.
Step, step.
As she stepped further in, she saw the main stage across from her with its many rows of audience seats.
There were fewer people than earlier, but those present were still passionately rehearsing with their worn-out scripts.
Christine walked toward the stage like it was her own space, with light, graceful steps, guiding Autumn along.
Clap clap
“Alright, stop rehearsing! We’ve got a newbie here!”
With Christine’s sharp declaration, everyone on stage and around turned to look at Autumn in her plain clothes.
“What? Christine, is she your replacement?”
“Nope. The director ‘personally’ brought her in.”
The director of the troupe was known for her picky yet highly praised eye for talent.
The gazes now fixed on Autumn sparkled with obvious curiosity.
“Well, unlucky her. Starting with Christine? She’s in for it.”
“…Don’t say useless things, Carter.”
An older male actor jokingly raised both hands in surrender.
Christine glared at him sharply, signaling him to get off the stage.
After gathering everyone’s attention, she walked to the center of the stage and spoke.
“But I’m different.”
She closed her eyes like an actor at curtain call, hands raised proudly toward the audience.
“You have to feel this stage and accept the cheers mingled with hot lights.”
Click
The stage lights came on, and under them, Christine sparkled in Autumn’s eyes.
“To some, we offer anticipation,”
It wasn’t just the lights—Christine truly looked like a free bird owning the stage.
She elegantly lifted the hem of her imaginary dress and bowed to the invisible audience.
Whoosh
“And to others, we may bring disappointment. Bearing that pressure is the actor’s burden alone.”
She blew a playful kiss toward someone who had whistled at her.
“Wow…”
Autumn took in every detail with wide eyes.
Her heart pounded—so hard it was hard to control the trembling. She brought her hand close to her chest.
Then, from the stage, Christine approached and whispered softly in her ear.
“Do you want to feel that applause too?”
Autumn slowly turned her head.
Even the sound of swallowing echoed so loudly in her ears it hurt.
‘I… can stand on the stage too.’
Before she realized it, she nodded in response to Christine’s challenging words.
Christine, staring at her intently, let out a slightly exasperated shout.
“Then earn it yourself. Alright, someone give this pretty girl a script!”
“Here!”
A thick script came flying from somewhere.
“Hey! I told you not to call me that… Whoa!”
Blinded by the veil, Autumn nearly tripped but managed to regain her balance.
“Haha! Reflexes passed!”
“Alright, let’s see what the newbie’s got.”
Everyone laughed lightly—it must’ve looked funny.
But Christine, now facing the determined Autumn with clenched fists, gave a sharp smile.
“Pick up the script.”
Her voice grew firm as she locked eyes with Autumn.
“I’ll start. You read your lines after mine—got it?”
