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“Hell, yes!” Tami called out.

Kitty gave everyone background on the film. It was set during the time right after Cuba’s revolution and before the Cuban Missile Crisis. The movie had a mix of Mafia intrigue and spy elements. The Mafia was being forced out of the casinos, and both MI6 and the CIA were trying to figure out what the Russians were doing in Cuba. My character was loosely based on the famous Sir Richard Jackson, who’d helped MI6 realize that Russia had missile personnel in Cuba during one of his summer adventures.

When the movie started, I found I could enjoy it. When they’d previewed Star Academy, it had been in front of studio execs, and they had told me in advance what was on the line. It was better to have it sprung on me. That, and being able to watch it with my friends, made it much easier to relax.

Cassidy’s cameo got a loud cheer. We hadn’t told anyone that she’d found her way into the movie. It was the first time I’d seen the footage of me flying off the mast and into the bay. All I can say is that the fear looked real. I attributed that to my superior acting skills.

I cringed when the scene of me singing came on. As I looked around, no one seemed to be laughing, so I figured I would take that. Everyone did laugh when Kimberly Fillmore, my love interest in the movie, tried to climb onto my head. They gasped when the film showed one of the Cuban crocodiles jump out of the water. I glanced over at my mom, and she about stared holes in my head because I’d forgotten to share with her the danger I’d been in. The crocs may have come up in conversation, but just in passing.

I found myself engrossed in the story when my final scene came on the screen. My character was in the open-air market at the Plaza de la Catedral. The plaza was in front of the famous church Catedral de San Cristobal de la Habana and was full of people. I was trying to lose myself in the crowd to hide from both the Russian KGB and Cuban authorities. I’d stolen documents that proved the Russians were bringing in missiles and was trying to give them to MI6 and the CIA. The tension in the room was almost palpable as the ominous music began to rise in the background.

I handed off the documents, intending to head to the port to finish my summer travels. Everyone was glued to the screen as my pursuers spotted me. I used the crowd to try to lose them. Once I thought I was safe, I made a run for it, only to find that a Russian had blocked my escape. My character, Rick, was shot. This gave the good guys their chance to leave the plaza with the stolen documents.

Even I, knowing what was coming, cringed when the shot rang out. It looked all too real. I doubt anyone expected they would kill my character. It reminded me of when Game of Thrones had killed off one of their main characters at a dinner with someone he thought was an ally. Seeing everyone’s reaction made me realize that we might have something with this movie.

They’d drawn out the scene as the crane lifted to show my body from above while blood pooled beneath me, while the dramatic music came to a crescendo.

I was sure we had a hit when the movie ended, and everyone stood and applauded. You can tell when it’s genuine or just polite. This was genuine. They liked it, and it seemed they all wanted to talk about the movie. If Coach Hope’s goal was to get them to forget about our big game tomorrow, mission accomplished.

Kitty was able to work her way through the crowd so she could talk to me.

“This was a pleasant surprise,” I said as I kissed her cheek. “I want you to meet some people.”

I introduced her to my family, Brook, and a few of my friends.

“It’s been testing well. The studio has upped their ad buys because they think it’ll be a success.”

“I’m not a huge fan of the space or magic stuff, even though David was great in those,” Mom said. “This, I would pay money to go see.”

“Nice save, Mom.”

“I said you did well in the other movies, I just wouldn’t go to one of those if I had options.”

“I don’t think teenage boys are the target demographic for this movie. We believe this will appeal to a wider audience. The problem is that teenage boys will spend money to go see a movie, while adults wait for it to come out on DVD or streaming video,” Kitty explained.

“I could see going to it,” Tim said. “Sure, I’m a guy, but it had enough action in it to keep me entertained. I still can’t believe you killed David, though.”

“News on the street is that you got a new gig. You will love working with Halle,” I said.

“Thank you for that. I hear you were instrumental in getting the movie moved and suggested me for the director. If you ever need anything …”

“I would love a cameo,” I teased.

“You and every actor in Hollywood. We’re looking for someone to play her annoying wimpy ex.”

“That’s right in David’s wheelhouse,” Mom said.