Kill the Lights - sidetrack 5

“Cut!”

Vick yelled while jumping out of his seat. Despite Vick’s yelling, everything was still. The staff were motionless, while the rain poured down. Ashton, who was lying in front of Haley, was also frozen stiff. The only one who moved was Haley.

“Tony …”

Haley wasn’t able to move, but instead called out to him. Tony, who was standing on the sidelines, grabbed a blanket and rushed over to Haley while calling out,

“Liz!”

At the same time, as if a magic spell had been broken, everyone started moving again. The rain stopped. Tony wrapped the blanket around Haley’s shoulders and supported Haley as he collapsed against Tony’s shoulders.

“Liz! Are you alright? Hurry, hurry, please call an ambulance!”

Tony worriedly raised a fuss, but Haley waved his hands in refusal. Ashton, who was sitting on the ground, with a red-hot face stared at Haley who was being held in Tony’s arms.

“…………”

Vick, who had ran over to review the scene that was just filmed, collapsed into his chair, dumbstruck. “Exactly what did I just film?” a quiet murmur came from his lips.

“Wow!”

Ashamed, Ashton had jumped up as if to shout at Haley, but one of the staff said in loud voice,

“Wow, I just got goosebumps!

“Just then, your passionate confrontation left me feeling as if my soul had been drained.”

“Me too, Haley, you are really awesome!”

Another staff shouted, and Haley waved his hands again. The two people who showed such a great performance earlier, were loudly cheered by the staff.

“Ashton, you can act this well, why did you do that before?

“Ah, as I thought, actors are truly on another level!”

“Now I understand why the director was always calling ‘Haley, Haley”

Everybody kept voicing their praises, but from among them Vick yelled, “Everyone, shut up!” The cheering staff all turned to look at him with round, wide eyes. That scene just now, even a foolish person that knew nothing of acting or movies would have gotten goosebumps from how amazing it was. Haley’s ruthless expression, his gestures, and Ashton’s frightened face, ‘ahh’……..There was an intense feeling of pressure as if it was really happening in front of their eyes.

No way, just because the script was messed up, that happened? Everyone was silent and looked at Vick. He was the greatest producing director in Hollywood, Vick Procter. An amazing scene filled with artistic talent & aesthetics that anyone could see, how could he not have noticed. Vick stared hard at Haley. Haley, who had been leaning weakly against Tony, straightened up and stared back at Vick.

“Haley.”

Vick, almost as if he was going to run, walked up to Haley. While feeling like the sky was turning round and round, Mason saw Vick’s serious expression, and furrowed his brow. Ashton will absolutely refuse to refilm the scene again. Even just now, Ashton was angry and had gotten up to yell, but because the staff were cheering and clapping, he was unable to do so.

“Haley”

Vick called out once more and came close with a serious expression, “Yes?” Mason answered heavily. If the scene just now doesn’t work, we won’t be able to finish filming it today. I really feel like I’m going to die, Vick… was what Mason was going to say, but Vick spoke before he could,

“Haley …… Haley …… Haley … My Muse …….”

“…….”

The formerly stiff and rigid Vick, desperately grabbed hold of Mason’s cold & wet hand, trembling, as if he had just found a lost precious treasure. Mason tried to pull his hand away, but Vick more firmly & securely grasped it while asking with passionate eyes,

“Have you decided what movie you are doing next? Won’t you film one more movie with me?”

“…….”

“Please shoot your next movie with me…… no, also the movie after that….. no, please film your movies with me forever.”

Mason attempted to remove his hand from the proposing Vick’s, but Vick would not let go. Vick knew exactly what had just happened in front of his eyes. He was a genius, a producing director that everyone sang praises about. He could tell from the beginning that the scene happening in front of him was amazing. Of course, he wasn’t able to understand everything that was said, but still. The one who had lead Ashton to show such amazing acting was Haley.

Once again, Ashton would have tried to show horrible acting and made everyone feel like their guts were turning inside out, but Haley had forgotten the boundaries between reality and acting. Vick wasn’t quite able to catch what was being whispered, but Ashton who had heard the words “I killed him.” acted according to the script, as if a reaper was dragging him into hell by the nape of his neck.

Haley’s creepy gaze, strange expression, and scary voice… even the minor role actors behind Haley, with intent gazes and gestures, moved like they were really characters in the movie. In a dark street with the rain pouring down, to the chaser & the chased, Closure & Paul, the camera had been forgotten. – at that moment, everything was reality.

“Haley, why have you only appeared now? If you had acted in my previous movie, in the previous movie before that, I would have been even more famous.”

Of course, the previous movie and the movie before that were both masterpieces, but they could have become even more amazing masterpieces! Vick sighed in regret and held tightly onto Haley’s hand, while saying with an affectionate voice,

“Haley……….”

“Um, my hand….”

With an indifferent face, Haley furrowed his brow while trying to get his hand free, but Vick shook his head and held even more firmly onto his hand.

“Why, are you trying to go somewhere, huh?”

Vick spoke like a greedy miser. Why would he release Haley’s hand? This was the very rope that God has sent down to pull him up to heaven, rather than the sound of angelic trumpets, it was God smiling kindly & reaching out his hand to pull him up.

“Director, you and I have not even decided what movie to shoot next, so what are you talking about?”

Gloria shouted at Vick, startling Chase who had appeared out of nowhere while carrying a towel. Chase stared at the monitor screen, looking as if the sky was falling down. To have missed such a scene, it was worse than if he had fallen asleep and woken up after the Super Bowl was over. He kept muttering over and over with a mournful face.

“Now that the scheduled scenes are finished, it’s okay to go and rest. The helicopter that Raycarlton sent for Haley, has just arrived.

Gloria spoke gently, Mason bowed to her and then turned to look at Vick, who was still holding his hand.

“If you don’t want me to die, then let’s talk about the movie next time.

“Haley……”

So we are going to talk about this next time, right? Right? Tony and Gloria had a hard time pulling Vick away, who was acting like he wouldn’t let go until he had a definite answer.

Haley’s body reached its limit and finally overloaded, it was a total mess. This wasn’t a joke, he could truly die. His whole body was hot and his head was throbbing.

“His whole body is feverish!”

Tony supported Liz, who seemed as if he were at death’s door, and tried to walk him all the way to the helicopter that was located near the filming location. But Ashton, who was standing with a red face, called out,

“All of it….. All of it was a lie, right?”

Mason, who was about to faint and was leaning on Tony, heard the voice from behind him and furrowed his brow.

“Is that right? Haa, you…. what do you want?

“You killed a person? The gun was real?”

Ashton raised his voice to show that he wouldn’t let the matter drop just to keep the atmosphere pleasant. Mason opened his eyes and looked at him.

“……”

“What, what is it? Even after telling such a lie, you still have nothing to say?”

Mason swept aside his cold sweat damp hair and spoke slowly, while staring at Ashton with Closure’s eyes.

“…..not all of it is a lie.”

“What…..”

Mason limped closer to Ashton, leaned onto his shoulder, and while looking into his eyes he whispered quietly,

“just one of them….”

If you say that either killing someone was a lie or that the gun was fake, then that would mean it was true that someone was killed and that the gun pointed at him was also real. Ashton pushed him away with a frightened face.

“What…. you.”

Ashton turned pale in fright and stared at Mason, Mason sighed heavily and then meaningfully glanced at his crotch.

“Also… since you’ve let it all out, shouldn’t you stop now?”

Mason smirked and laughed, with his eyes full of meaning. Ashton’s face turned blue and then red when he realised what Mason knew, a while ago when he had been quivering in front of the muzzle of the gun, he had urinated a little.

“……”

Ashton trembled quietly, unable to say a word, then turned and disappeared into the filming set. Vick turned to look at Mason,

“….you, what exactly did you do?”

Vick, who had resolutely decided ‘if Ashton, this jerk, keeps talking back I’ll beat him’ blinked his eyes in surprise with how dully the game had ended. Mason shrugged his shoulders,

“Just, you know, if he keeps being stubborn, he would be killed in that way.”

Mason spoke as if it wasn’t a big deal, and Vick looked at him with eyes that said ‘that’s it?’. Mason smiled blandly and stared at Ashton’s disappearing back.

“……”

Truthfully the fact that it wasn’t a big deal, wasn’t true. Because he had believed that Vick would move the way he thought he would, Ashton really had almost died. Mason had thought that Vick would stop the scene at the beginning, because Ashton’s lines and his own lines were slightly different than what was scripted. Therefore, he had asked Tony to block Vick’s mouth so he would be unable to end the scene, but Vick had not tried to stop shooting at the part Mason thought he would.

So the moment Vick had to really shout ‘cut’ was the moment that Mason would have pulled the trigger of the gun that was pressed against Ashton’s chest, but Tony’s hand had blocked his mouth. The gun Mason was holding was the real revolver that he had stolen from Noah’s bedside. Until Vick tore Tony’s hand off of his mouth and wildly yelled ‘cut’, at that moment Mason, with the gun pressed to Ashton’s chest, had nearly pulled the trigger without realising that he had become immersed into his character.

“Earlier…… why did you just let the scene keep going?”

Mason asked, and Vick looked at him as if to say ‘what are you talking about?’ Mason asked again, “It was different, with a little ad lib.” He was curious as to why Vick acted differently than he expected.

“What are you saying? I obviously knew that it was going to be an amazing scene, why would I stop it?”

Vick spoke lightly, as if it was no big deal. Even if the gun had been real, he would have wanted to film the shooting and killing. Mason looked at him with slightly wide eyes and then laughed. He had looked down on Hollywood’s genius director, Vick, a little too much. The scene that Vick was watching, he absolutely knew what type of scene it would become. He even knew instinctively, what would come next.

“…? Why are you laughing?”

Vick asked and tilted his head, Mason wiped the cold sweat trickling from his forehead and answered,

“…. just, it was a little funny….”

Mason knew that he changed in front of the camera viewfinder. He showed the sides of himself that he didn’t want to be seen and he also moved like a different person. He did this without knowing why, as if he were possessed by something. At first it was definitely an unpleasant feeling, but it wasn’t bad when someone recognised it. In fact, it was quite interesting.

“I also wouldn’t mind shooting a movie with you, director.”

Mason smiled slightly, Vick while blinking repeatedly, made a face as if he was about to cry, and suddenly hugged him.

“…………Haley……!”

“Kek”

Mason made a noise like a frog being squeezed while being hugged, “Haley, my love. My muse. Let’s film movies together for the rest of our lives. You will get big money, even if I have to take from my own expenses.” Vick hung on like crazy. Because of the sudden and violent shaking when Vick grabbed hold, Mason, who was already feeling like the sky was turning round and round, underwent the experience of his spirit vanishing. As the sky became dark and overcast and the mind became blank, “…so I’m saying, don’t over do it and just shoot relaxedly.” at that very moment, Vick’s constant hug was thrown off.

“Aigoo!”

Vick’s speech was cut off and he tumbled to the ground. Mason tightly grabbed hold of the last threads of his consciousness and raised his head. The constant smell of water in the nose was instead replaced with the scent of flowers, someone was securely holding him.

“Noah………”

Mason swallowed his dry spit and muttered Noah’s name. Noah, with his beautiful face, wrinkled his brow as if talking to someone foolish and said,

“What exactly…… were you thinking, I can’t even imagine”

Noah spoke coldly and sarcastically. Filming the movie until his body was in this sort of state, if someone saw they would surely think that he was a newbie actor.

“M…Mr. Raycarlton!”

Mason was not the only one who was surprised by Noah’s sudden appearance. The filming staff stared with wide eyes at Noah, who had arrived without anyone knowing and suddenly embraced Haley.

“The shooting environment is quite terrible. I’m sure it’s not because that there was not enough to support the production cost, Vick.”

It was not too little. There is plenty. The amount left is overflowing. There is enough money that I could even use it as my toilet paper. Vick who was sitting in a shallow puddle of water, stared up at Noah with a panicked face, “Ah, that is….” his eyes bulged out.

“……..”

While Vick watched, Noah looked gently at Mason who was soaked and dripping sweat and clicked his tongue. While the fever was going up and the face turning red, what everyone was doing and why they had just left it alone, he had no idea.

“I was unaware that you had such a foolish personality.”

In answer to Noah’s accusation, Mason quietly agreed, “Yes, I did.” Without knowing the reason for Ashton’s infuriating actions, he had run around in the rain. When he saw that jerk’s frightened expression he had felt excited, but after everything had passed all he had left was a high body temperature and dizziness. Mason’s bitter laughter made Noah furrow his brow and then sigh.

“… get some sleep, we’re going home.” he whispered softly and covered Mason’s eyes with his hands.

When the faintly spinning world turned dark, Mason who had been barely holding on, fell asleep as if hypnotised. Noah looked around at everyone as he held the unconscious Mason in his arms. Noah’s cold eyes made everyone draw in a sharp breath.

“No… that is…because…” Gloria was flustered and exclaimed incoherently, ” We did it… he said to…” she tried to make excuses, while Vick just stared at the ground and pretended to be somewhere else.

“Ah. Is that so? Yes, it must have been.” Noah, who felt Mason’s hot body temperature, laughed. Just because an actor said he could and would do something, didn’t mean that they should just leave it. The sarcasm from Noah made everyone unable to lift their heads from shame. Actually, even if it was the first take, everyone knew that filming the scene was too unreasonable.

“Without a doubt, the director was too much.” Chase, who was in front of the monitor standing out of the way, muttered. Noah glanced at him. Chase glanced at Mason, who was being held in Noah’s arms, and showed a look of regret that he could not help.

“Carrying him must be heavy, do you want me to help? Perhaps, a stretcher……”

Instead of answering, Noah slightly wrinkled his brow and stared at him. Vick furtively reached out and firmly grabbed hold of Chase, Noah turned towards Vick and said, ” Mr. Vick Procter.”

“…Yes. Mr Raycarlton.”

Vick was unable to meet his eyes and lowered his gaze. As if it wasn’t enough that he made Haley’s body come to that state, he had also hugged him and confessed to him, “My love, my muse, let’s film movies together for the rest of our lives. Haley, please!” Letting Noah hear those proposal like words, he had only himself to blame. Even though Noah wouldn’t have any strange misunderstandings, it didn’t mean that he felt good about hearing it.

“When is Haley’s next schedule?”

“…………four days……no, one week later,……no…”

While looking as if he would cry, Vick tried to sweet talk. Noah stared at him with frigid eyes and said, “Contact me once an exact schedule has been decided. I will be the one to let Haley know.”

At Noah’s order to first report to him, Vick’s lips trembled while he made a face as if he had been struck by lightning. Because of his greed, Haley might not be able to shoot for 2, maybe even 3 weeks. No one could know the correct schedule that would satisfy Noah.

“Then from now on, I’ll be carefully watching.”

After saying that, Noah turned his gaze towards Chase and then gave Gloria one last glance. Everyone shut their mouths and looked down like sheep, as if there was something valuable on the floor. Noah sighed briefly, then re-positioned Mason in his arms again.

“Excuse me, will you be taking him to the hospital?”

Tony hastily asked from behind and Noah stopped abruptly and stared at him.

“Ah, at the hospital the paparazzi will….”

“Going home.”

Noah said coldly. Tony wanted to ask again if that home he was talking about was Noah’s house or Haley’s house, but Noah’s expression was that of someone who would not answer.

“Wait.”

Tony stopped Noah and ran to a chair that was behind the cameras, with the name ‘Haley Lusk’ written on it. He brought the bag that was lying on the chair and offered it to Noah, despite the short distance he was out of breath.

“This is Haley’s bag…… he carried it around with him.”

“……”

Noah looked at the black bag that Tony had and furrowed his brow. It was because he knew what type of bag it was. It was a bag that Mason could easily carry along his valuables and take care of. This bag, he was still carrying it around… Noah glanced at Mason who was being held in his arms. Mason’s attitude of being ready to move where he stays whenever, really made Noah feel as if he had enough. He let out a small sigh and took the bag that Tony was holding out. No, he tried to take it.

“…..? What, why…..”

‘Flop’ Noah retracted the hand that was reaching out to take the bag’s strap and the bag fell to the wet floor. Startled, Tony tried to grab the bag before it got wet and immediately dropped it in surprise while yelling, “Ouch!”

“Wha… what is this?”

Tony quickly pulled his hand away and yelled at the bag’s strap that had fallen. On the inner side of the strap, which rests on the shoulder, a piece of glass was stuck on with glue.

Noah lifted his head and searched the area. With astonished expressions, everyone looked to see a man running from the middle, hastily escaping from the site. Small build, brown hair, the colour was similar to that of the stalker who had sent the hidden listening device. Noah clicked his tongue in regret. Because he was holding Mason, he was unable to chase after that person.

“I, really.”

Noah glanced at the wet bag on the floor and clicked his tongue quietly. Receiving a confession more passionate than a proposal, fainting due to overwork, and as if it wasn’t enough that he had been preparing to leave at any time, an intolerable stalker was hanging on to him.

What on earth were you running around doing… Noah glanced down at Mason’s cheek with a face filled with annoyance. With a peaceful face, unaware of what was going on in the world, Mason’s calmly sleeping appearance made him unable to do anything but let out a low sigh.

Someone was petting his hair. The tips of gentle fingers tickled his forehead and Mason who was feeling good, laughed. The fingers stopped and Mason, who was still lost in sleep, let out a little “Mmm.”, smacked his lips, then furrowed his brow. It would feel good to be touched again….while thinking that, the fingers started moving again. ‘Pat, pat’ he felt happy.

“……………No-.”

“Noah………” Mason called out the name of the person whose fingers were touching his forehead and hair. Once again the fingers stopped, a while later he felt a low sigh blow across his cheek.

“Mason …..”

In a pleasant sounding voice, Noah called his name. “Mason, Mason…” Hearing his name being called in a sweet voice, Mason felt as if his heart was being lightly tickled.

“………..-name, will get worn out.

Mason slowly opened his eyes while saying that, and Noah let out a low chuckle.

“Are you coming around now?”

“If it could be worn out, it would have disappeared by now.” said Noah, who was sitting near the head of the bed. Mason looked up at the not unfamiliar ceiling in contemplation.

“This place…”

Stylish floor tiles, hanging lights, and high ceilings…. it was Noah’s house where Mason had stayed for a few days.It wasn’t Haley’s house but Noah’s, it seems like he was talking about his own house when he said they were going home.

“Truthfully, considering your body’s condition, you should have gone to the hospital, but I thought you might be tired of the hospital.”

“If word about you collapsing goes around, the paparazzi will act like you are doing marijuana.” -at Noah’s words, Mason turned his gaze to the back of his hand and looked at the connected IV drip. Didn’t know how many times the IV was replaced, there were more than one or two needle marks.

“Your leg injuries were quite heavy, you may have to worry about after effects. Your temperature went up to 38 degrees, I had to inject you twice with fever reducing medicine. You were asleep for two days, I was thinking about making the decision of getting rid of that movie you were filming.

“….the filming itself, is not the problem….”

In the first place, it was a problem that he had hurt his leg while saving Noah and then with his weak body he had extreme jealous sex with him, the damage was great.

“I’m sorry.”

However, instead of saying, “Isn’t this all your fault?” Mason apologised instead. It was because both saving Noah and sleeping with Noah, were all his own choices. They were the top priority and everything about the film and Ashton were his own desires.

“………………”

At Mason’s apology, Noah shut his mouth and looked at him. Noah’s pupils trembled and he soon closed his eyes.

“….-that’s right. I also was too extreme yesterday, even though I knew you weren’t well.”

“No, well, both of us-.”

Mason looked away, feeling his face start to heat up. Noah wasn’t the only one at fault for being unable to restrain himself. When the wild disorderly sex they had in Noah’s office came to mind, the rising heat made Mason try to change the topic.

“You said I was asleep for two days…. -worrying. I really made you do a lot.

Noah shrugged his shoulders after hearing those embarrassed words.

“Worrying about you is my everyday routine, so it’s okay to not pay any mind to it.”

After hearing Noah’s nonchalant answer, Mason turned to look at his surroundings. Documents were loosely scattered on a table that had been dragged closer to the bed, even the seat top was covered. It seemed that Noah had been working, while also taking care of Mason. Noah arranged the documents that Mason was looking at and spoke.

“I wasn’t trying to wake you up, but without thinking I touched you…. I’m sorry. I think you still have a fever, get some more rest.

“…..?”

Mason stared, bewildered. Somehow, there was a strange sense of déjà vu…. by any chance, was he angry? About his health? Mason watched Noah get up from his seat with a blank face. “Ah, by the way.” He pointed to the foot of the bed.

“Tony gave me your bag.”

At Noah’s words, Mason’s eyes blinked and he slowly sat up to see the bag. Don’t know where it must have rolled, there was a lot of dirt staining it. “Oh….” Mason muttered quietly.

“Since your stalker glued on pieces of glass, even if you want to pack in a hurry, it would be good if you didn’t recklessly pick it up.”

After seeing Noah’s expression and words, Mason answered back, “Yes?” It was because the look in Noah’s eyes was strange. There was irritation in his gaze but he also seemed to be half resigned, however his eyes and mouth were smiling like usual.

“Also, while you were sleeping, your stalker sent a lot of this and that. There were a lot of interesting things.”

Noah spoke as if he had looked only once out of boredom and then glanced at the items that were piled next to the bag.

“Rest, I’m leaving.”

‘Bang’ Mason stared at the door Noah had walked out of and blinked his eyes…

“………….”

Without a doubt, something was oddly different than usual, but it was a little too subtle to be considered anger.

256p. ~ 257p. omission……… the scene where Mason thinks while looking at the notes from his stalker.

[Mmm. Nevertheless, I truly didn’t know that I would not be allowed to visit.]

Vick spoke in an extremely sullen voice. “Haha.” Mason laughed vaguely. It was because Mason himself was unaware of the fact that Vick and Chase had been rejected visits. Who rejected their visit? Even without thinking long, you would be able to know.

[Is it that bad?…. -no, truthfully, even though your body is your own body (not Noah’s), it seemed like Mr. Raycarlton was very angry that day.]

“Is that so?”

As expected, he was angry? Mason rubbed his lips, wondering. Mason had not taken care of his health and he had gotten upset over something unreasonable, Noah saying “Take good care of your health.” and getting angry would have been normal. Instead, Noah was very subtle. Nevertheless, he had only acted that way on that day, the next day as if nothing had happened, he had looked calm.

[Ah, that day. After you fainted, he glared so coldly at me. I really thought my head would be split apart.]

The sound of Vick’s shaking voice came from far away through the phone.

“Haha.”

“Why to that degree.” Mason laughed.

[I’m not joking, really.] Vick said seriously.

[See, at night I even dreamed that the production fees were withdrawn and that I was sued.]

“Naturally, why would he do that sort of thing to such an extent?”

Of course, it was true that Noah said that he had thought of getting rid of the film, however it wasn’t that much different from a joke.

[I’m saying this because I sincerely treasure you. Haley. -it would be better if you knew a bit more about what type of person your lover is. Of course, you’re not the only one who doesn’t know about that man.]

Vick spoke as if he were aware of something frightening. Instead of answering, “I knew that man, since he was a seven year old with a dripping nose.” Mason moderately cut his words.

“…………….”

Also, somehow the question, “How did you and Noah meet, and what is your relationship?” became jumbled and all over the place. Actually, he had been planning to ask Noah after the filming had finished, but with him fainting and recovering, it was a bit hectic.

[Anyways, say something good to me. That way I can quickly go out to the filming site and show my brilliant inspiration…. hm? By any chance, are you outside?]

Vick, probably having heard the surrounding noises, suddenly asked. Mason answered blandly, “What are you thinking, outside with this leg? It’s because the TV is on.

[True, it did seem as if Raycarlton wouldn’t let you move a muscle. For the time being…]

[Tying you to the bed, until you’re all better… No. If said this way, it seems rather erotic, though that isn’t the meaning. Of course, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t that way either. That is….] -all of a sudden Vick started talking, dragging on and on for a long time. Mason took the phone away from his ear and looked at his surroundings.

[-I mean, what I’m trying to say, Noah, I have to film the next movie together-. Are you listening, Haley?]

“I’m sorry. The cell transmission isn’t good…’

[Is that right? It seems as if you just weren’t listening?]

Vick pointedly said, Mason easily nodded his head.

“Actually, that’s right. I’m tired, so I’ll be hanging up now. Film the movie well. Vick.”

[Huh, what? Haley! Hal.]

Mason coldly hung up the phone on Vick who was longingly calling his name, then turned off his phone. If the phone rang again, it would entirely ruin his shadowing.

Mason raised his head to confirm the location of the man walking ahead of him.

Mason was tracking the stalker.