Read Online Imposter by Antony John - Free Book Online Page B

cup of coffee, Ryder wraps things up.
    â€œIs Sabrina all right?” I ask.
    â€œSure,” he says. “We just felt there was no need for her to be here today. There’s only so much she can do until things change.”
    Annaleigh and I glance at each other. I don’t know what Sabrina thinks needs to
change,
and I’m not sure I want to.
    Ryder drops us at the hotel at one p.m. Five minutes later, he texts me instructions to pair the white shirt with the gray sports coat, and the blue jeans with the white Converse sneakers.
    This afternoon’s theme is preppy.
    He arrives at my room at two fifteen p.m., a full forty-five minutes before the press junket is due to start. Casting a critical eye over my appearance, he awards me two thumbs-up. Since he toldme exactly what to wear, I don’t know whether to be flattered or relieved.
    â€œAnd you’ll change into black for the party later,” he says.
    I point to the suit already hanging beside the closet.
    â€œGreat. It’s going be at the headquarters of Machinus Media Enterprises. Curt’s a big deal there, so this is our chance to draw some attention to the movie. Get people noticing you, and talking about you. Kind of like this press junket.” He furrows his brow. “You okay?”
    â€œJust nervous.”
    â€œYeah. Look, I need you to remember something, Seth: Every actor, actress, director, producer, composer, cinematographer . . . hell, every single crew member had to start somewhere, right? Literally, there was a project where they went from being new to being professional. I bet a lot of them had doubts the whole time they were filming, but the ones who make it are the ones who keep going, no matter what.”
    He joins me on the sofa and leans forward, elbows on knees. “Everyone at this junket believes you were cast for a reason. Your job is to show them,
Hell yeah, there’s a reason I was cast
. So for the next couple hours, I want you to put your true self aside and create an alter ego—good-looking, talented actor who’s about to take the world by storm. Okay?”
    â€œOkay,” I tell him, because that’s what he wants to hear. Behind his pep talk is a message, though: He needs me to create an alter ego because real Seth isn’t cutting it. “Actually, Sabrina said something like that—about dividing yourself into different people.”
    â€œWell, if anyone would know, it’s her.” He makes eye contact, but breaks it quickly. “When did she tell you that?”
    â€œYesterday. We went for a drive.”
    â€œInteresting.”
    â€œWhat is?”
    He produces a closed-mouth smile. “We never wanted Sabrina to pull out of the movie. I asked her to come to Curt’s house so I could sell her on rejoining. But after our conversation she was still totally on the fence. Then she meets you. Next morning, she’s ready to sign on the dotted line.” He pats me on the shoulder. “So tell me, is that a coincidence? Or does Sabrina Layton see the same promise in you that I do?”
    The press junket is in the aptly named Champagne Room. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling and crystal sconces adorn the walls. Annaleigh’s eyes are as wide as mine. I wonder if she’s thinking of that movie
Pretty Woman
again. I can totally empathize with a rags-to-riches story right about now.
    Ryder leads us to a narrow table on a stage. Annaleigh sits to my right, Sabrina to my left. Mine is the only seat without a microphone.
    In an ideal world, I’d create an alter ego who savors the improbability of being sandwiched between two hot girls. But as Ryder introduces the movie and us with a prepared statement, real Seth just feels freaked out. It doesn’t help that Brian is standing sentry at the back of the room, looking like a disgruntled bouncer.
    There must be fifty people here. Most of them are reporters, I guess, but some are