"Now, turn to page seven. We'll act out the part when
Nick first asks Bethany to dance. Yolanda, take it from the top."
"So, Nicolas, you wanted to ask me something?"
That was my cue. I pretended to be nervous,
scared out of my wits. Which wasn't a huge stretch from my own true feelings.
After all, today Mr. Steven Steinberg, the famous movie director, would decide
who would play the part of Nick in his latest film, "Nick in Love". I hoped
that I would receive the role with every fiber of my being. I wanted desperately
to be an actor.
"I-I wanted to say...say... say... s-s-say..."
"Nick, spit it out already. You're turning as
red as a sunburned Grarrl in a rage."
"Willyoudancewithme?" The words came out in
a jumbled rush. Then, I turned even redder.
There were several agonising moments of silence.
I felt the tension in the room. Then,
"Of course! Is that all you wanted to ask?"
Then, Yolanda and I danced. I couldn't help
but gaze into her fiery red eyes, her gleaming white smile, and her ruby red
scales. She was gorgeous.
Yolanda had already received the role of Bethany.
It fit her like a glove! Both Scorchios were caring, modest, comical, clever,
and beautiful. Oh so beautiful.
I wouldn't mind if there were more scenes like
this in the movie.
"So, I noticed you around Neoschool," Yolanda
said. "You sit behind me in science class, right?"
"Yes. We dissected the same Morthog once. Remember?"
"You were so afraid it was going to come back
from the dead! You thought it was going to hop away!"
I laughed, turning bright red. It's funny how
embarrassed I can become recalling memories that aren't even mine. I could control
my emotions. Mr. Steinberg said that that's a good quality in an actor.
"And cut! Well done, Yolanda. And Emerald, you
were fabulous! I have to see other young Scorchios now. But well done, well
done indeed!" Mr. Steinberg was obviously impressed with my acting. Maybe after
Nicky was done, he'd let me star in other films. I could picture the headlines
now. "Tyrannia Park 4 starring EmeraldFlame555."
I returned to my family in the waiting room.
"Mr. Steinberg was impressed. I think I have a good chance of landing the part."
Ruby just grunted in response. I could understand
why she was mad. I sort of... stepped on a few heads in order to climb to the
top of the Show Business Ladder.
"Ruby, are you still upset about the Uni jokes?"
"What do you think?" my sister snapped.
"Could we talk for a minute?"
"Why would I want to talk with a prejudiced
loser like you?"
That remark hit home. It stung in places I never
thought any comment could sting. I fought to control tears of rage and sadness
that welled in my eyes. I turned back to the script, turning away from Ruby.
But try as I might, I couldn't focus on memorising my lines. In my head, I fought
losing battles against feelings of sorrow and regret.
But the question is: If I had a time machine,
would I trade superstardom for my sister?
The answer is: Probably not.
But was there another way to become a movie
star?
It didn't matter. I had no time machine. I had
no choices.
I only had my anger and my stubborn sister.
Neither one would comfort me.
"And the role of Nicky in 'Nicky in Love' goes
to... EmeraldFlame555!"
The crowd roared as I walked towards Steven
Steinberg. I felt like I was floating in midair. I felt like this was all a
dream. I felt like... I felt like this wasn't really happening to me.
But it was real. It was very real. I felt the
cold, reassuring weight of my script in my claws. I pinched myself and I felt
pain.
It was real!
I, EmeraldFlame555 the green Scorchio was going
to be a movie star!
The bulbs of cameras flashed! Reporters from
the "Neopian Times" stuck microphones in my face! I even thought I saw Adam
and Donna watching somewhere in the crowd.
Ridergirl333, my wonderfully loyal owner escorted
me into the filming room, protecting me from noisy fans. Dressed in humble denim
coveralls and an Eyrie sweater, I raced towards a life of glory, fame and riches.
In my mind, I imagined stars like Justin Timberlupe, Lenny Kravitz, and Kyrii
Diaz hanging out with me casually, relaxing in the huge swimming pool, sipping
Neocola and talking about our family lives.
Freeze and rewind. Where does my family fit
in that picture?
Mentally, I added Ridergirl in the hot tub,
Sapphire and Amethyst on the tennis court, and Ruby serving Neocolas. She doesn't
get to have fun until after she's done my bidding. After all, the Uni hasn't
been nice to me at all lately. All I've been getting from her is the Cold Shoulder
treatment.
What kind of sister does that to her own brother?
Back to my glorious moment. I stood there, smiling
and waving at the crowd. Then, I entered the studio and into my new life.
My first impression of it was that it looked
a bit shabby for a famous studio. White paint was chipping off the walls and
the room looked... empty. Not a single camera was in sight. There were no props,
no lights, and no scenery. Just a vast empty void.
"Please excuse our appearance, Emerald my dear
boy," Mr. Steinberg said with a laid-back air. "We're remodeling. The props
delivery pets were caught in an accident. The Turmaculus knocked over their
van. They were unhurt, but the props were destroyed. I haven't hired pets to
paint scenery yet, and the lights and cameras and junk are in the storage closet
while we re-paint this old shack and restore her to her former beauty. And speaking
of beauty, here comes my fabulous princess Yolanda! How are you doing, dear?"
"Very well, thank you sir. Congratulations Emerald!
You got the part. I'm so thrilled! I knew you were special from the moment we
first met."
Yolanda quietly slipped her scarlet claws inside
my hand. I grinned.
In the corner, Ridergirl coughed as if to make
a point. Quickly, I pulled my hand away from Yolanda. "When will the cameras
and stuff be ready?" I asked.
"Not for a while, Emerald. I wish I could say
that I knew the exact date."
Then, something else struck me as odd. Why weren't
there any pets here?
I asked Mr. Steinberg this puzzling question.
"There are NeoPets in the old studio, moving everything into a van," he
responded.
His excuse checked out by me, but in the corner
of my eye, I saw Ridergirl glaring angrily at Mr. Steinberg. She smelled a rat.
But I wanted to believe Mr. Steinberg badly.
I fell straight into his trap.
To be continued... | 
