Two and a half months have passed.

Don plopped into bed after a hard month's work. He then glanced at his calendar, filled with notes about acting on commercials, concert schedules, vocal training, attending interviews and other activities he has done this month.  

He felt his phone vibrating and ringing in his pocket. He sat on the edge of his bed and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Mister Vasco! Have you done all your projects?" The female manager, Rita, greeted enthusiastically.

"Yes, I can finally relax and---"

"Relax?" She disapprovingly interjected, "But Mister Vasco! We have a new movie project for you this weekend!" She exclaimed.

Don scratched his head reluctantly and sighed. "That's great, Rita. But I have promised Mallory we will have a date this weekend," he explained.

"Don Vasco! How could you pass such a wonderful opportunity? The world-famous director, Steve Verlice, has offered you to be his main star, and you are simply refusing?"

"Wow, that's actually very tempting! I've heard of Verlice." 

"Even Mallory has never got this much attention! You're beyond average, don't waste your talent!" Rita eagerly persuaded.

"Don't flatter me too much, Rita. You had me at Steve Verlice," Don calmly agreed. "Say that I'm very eager to accept the role; just tell me where we could converse about it."

"Magnificent! You won't regret this, Mister Vasco! Talk to you soon!" Rita said before hanging up.

Tomorrow at the cafe...

Don explained the news to Mallory very excitedly. Mallory faked a smile, then crossed his arms as he expressed his dismay, "Look, I'm thrilled for you... But my God, Don. We hardly met after all this time, and you're telling me you're going to get busy for another month?"

"Mal, you know I love to be in a movie with a great director!"

"Who's the director?"

"Steve Verlice!"

Mallory tilted his head to think, "...Never heard of him."

"...Well, only movie buffs like me know him. But believe me, he's good," Don said surely. 

"That's nice, Don," Mallory shrugged, not really caring. "What kind of movie will you be in then?"

"A Romance movie with Psychological thriller elements," Don answered. "Verlice said it's called The Monster in Paris."

"Wasn't that the one cartoon with the big bug?"

"No, Mallory," Don briefly laughed.

Don glanced behind Mallory and abruptly stood up to call someone out, "Look, speaking of the devil! Hey Steve!"

The large fat director approached the table and shook hands with Don, bumping their table and startling Mallory.

"Vasco, nice to meet you!" Verlice greeted loudly, "Nice seeing you here! Have you read all of the script?

Don replied energetically, "Of course, yes! Very intriguing concept. I would love to act as Dominic Rivers."

"Great! But there was this problem, though. You know Rebecca, the leading actress?" Verlice mentioned.

"Oh, What's wrong with her?" Don asked with fake concern.

"I fired her. She has been cancelled over all social media, and I don't want any of that affecting my movie!"

Don paused to think about what Verlice said. That would be a nightmare to deal with. 

"So..." Verlice continued, "Do you know any good actresses?"

Mallory raised his hand and spoke, gathering the attention of the other two,"I know an actress. Her name is Rosanna Redd. I could give you her number if you like."

"...Thank you, I will give her a call to schedule her audition," Verlice responded as he waited for Mallory to write Rose's number to a receipt. 

"Uh, thank you very much," He mumbled as he took the piece of paper and resumed to ignore Mallory to shake hands with Don, "I'll be going back to my wife now, Vasco. See you in the studio!"

"See you too, Steve!" Don shouted before sitting down again with Mallory. He looked at Mallory, who decided to take a smoke. 

"Mallory, we had a deal."

"I'm decreasing day by day. It's not easy to quit, you know," Mallory complained while he lit his cigarette. "I could get hospitalized."

Don adjusted his seat then agreed, "Okay, fine. But I'm going to have to have your cigarettes so I can decrease them for you."

"What?"

"I don't want you to cheat; I'll manage the supply for you."

"Don't you trust me?" Mallory asked, pretending to be hurt.

"Oh no, I... Fine, I take back what I said," Don withdrew. "Do you trust me as well?"

"...Trust you for what?"

"About the movie. It's a romantic movie, and I am sure there is a kissing scene," Don elaborated.

Mallory's mouth formed a straight line. He took a long drag at the cigarette and nodded, "Of course, I trust you with that. We are both mature adults anyways."

"And you know I'm yours completely," Dom reassured with a charming smirk. 

Mallory reacted with a genuine chuckle before nodding. The two hung out for days before Don became busy again with the movie project. After a few days, Rose came home with a huge smile on her face.