Cry For Me

Prompt by: @winkjiaer from X. For the #jbbficfest2025 fic fest.

♡

Bible stormed out of the building, not even glancing at the security guard who looked at him with pity. He didn't want to acknowledge that familiar look. This was, he thought, the seventh time he'd tried for a role here, and each time he'd been met with the same pitying rejection.

His footsteps echoed in the stillness of the night. The parking lot was quiet and empty except for a few cars. He went straight to his own car, frustration creeping into his very being. He kicked the wheel with a silent scream before getting inside and slamming the door shut, the jarring noise a loud punctuation in the otherwise silent place.

"Fuck!" he wheezed, letting the tears fall freely.

The cruel words of the casting director echoed in his mind: “Even if you repeat those lines 100 times, I don't think my mind will change. What can I say? Your villain style is very old-fashioned. Yes, you have the looks for it, but being a villain isn't always about looking fierce, scary, or those other boring stereotypes. I want something new—something fresh and unique.”

That hurt like a bitch. He wasn't a newbie; Bible had been in the industry for four years, and he had only played villains. He'd been told that's what he was good at repeatedly, so it was stuck in his mind that playing a villain was all he could do. Getting rejected for the one thing he was "good at" was taking a toll on him.

"Is this the end of my career then?" he whispered to himself.

He didn't even try to hide his tears, letting them fall freely, carrying his frustration, doubts, and helplessness. He sniffled, feeling his face get warmer as he wheezed inside his car.

A knock startled him out of his thoughts. He turned to look at the car window. A man was crouching down, his head tilted to the side, observing him.

The window was half-open. The man put his hand on the glass and asked, "Can you cry like that on cue?"

"Huh?" Bible was baffled.

"Can you cry like that on cue?" the man repeated, raising a brow.

Confused and frustrated, Bible didn't want to engage. He just wanted to go home to his pets, who never judged him. So, wanting to end the odd conversation, he said, "Yes."

That earned him a sleek black card with golden fonts. The name Jespipat Tilapornputt, film producer, was written on it.

"Call me," the stranger said before he walked away, leaving a baffled Bible trembling with a new sense of hope.

"Weird," Bible mumbled, staring at the man's back before turning away with a sigh. He was exhausted. All he wanted was to crawl into bed and sleep it all off.

He put the card in his pocket, a tangible reminder of the encounter, and sped out of the parking lot. He needed to get away from the cursed building that was making him doubt his acting abilities and question his entire career.

Upon reaching home, Bible immediately indulged himself by feeding his pets and then himself. Spending time with his animals was easy and effortless. He could let go of his frustration and be happy for and with them. Tonight, his cuddle session stretched longer than usual. Even Nylah, who loved cuddling, eventually barked at him to let go and went straight to her bed.

Bible pouted, huffing as he got up from the couch and told them good night. He sighed heavily as he walked to his room.

The card in his pocket felt like it was burning a hole through his clothes, a constant reminder of the encounter with the stranger.