Illusiveone
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203: Redoing my Life, Other Perspectives III
🕑 Added 2025-05-11 16:16:32 +0000 UTCGrant Gustin sat on the couch, slouched deep into the cushions, staring blankly at the muted television. Another audition, another pilot, another polite rejection call. He wasn’t even surprised anymore, just tired.
He ran a hand through his hair, wondering if this was it… if the industry had quietly, unceremoniously decided he was done. He’d had his moment, right? Sebastian on Glee had been a big break; people noticed. He even landed a couple of promising indie films afterward, but none of them clicked. Nothing stuck.
Now, here he was unshaven, restless, living in his friend Chris Wood’s apartment because L.A. rent waits for no fading star. It felt as though the curtain had already come down.
Chris walked in, grinning until he caught sight of Grant’s face.
“What happened?” he asked, letting his keys drop onto the counter.
Grant didn’t need to say anything; his silence was loud enough.
“Ah,” Chris sighed. “Didn’t work out?”
Grant shook his head. “Nope. They went with someone else.”
Chris offered a sympathetic shrug. “Well, on to the next one, then.”
“I’m thinking of giving up,” Grant muttered, eyes still fixed on the silent TV.
“Don’t say that.”
“I’m serious. Maybe I’ll go back to theater.”
Chris laughed softly. “You’re a good actor, Grant. You just need the right opportunity.”
“Well,” Grant said dryly, “I think I’ve run out of those.”
Chris flopped into the armchair across from him.
“What about you?” Grant asked. “Did you hear back from that USA Network show?”
Chris hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. I got it.”
There was a pause. Grant forced a smile. “That’s great, man. Vampire Diaries, huh? Not bad.”
“Thanks,” Chris said, still cautious. “You sure you’re okay?”
Grant waved him off. “Of course. We should celebrate my treat.”
“No, no. You don’t have to do that..”
“Hey,” Grant cut him off, “I may be unemployed, but I’m not broke. Not yet.”
Chris finally smiled. “All right.”
They stood, grabbed their jackets, and stepped out into the soft glow of the L.A. evening. One of them was on the way up. The other… not so sure anymore.
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Grant and Chris walked side by side beneath the faded amber glow of the L.A. streetlights, stomachs full after a satisfying dinner. The air was cool, the sidewalks quiet the world felt unusually calm until Chris decided to speak.
“You know,” he said, hands tucked into his jacket pockets, “maybe you should start leaning into the roles you’re type‑cast for.”
Grant side‑eyed him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Chris shrugged. “Just saying there’s always demand for a charming, slightly villainous guy with a baby face. You know what you’re known for. Lean into it. At least until something else breaks.”
Grant scoffed, kicking a pebble down the pavement. “The villainous twink? That’s what I’m gonna be forever, huh?”
“It worked on Glee.”
“Yeah, and that was three years ago. I’ve been trying to claw my way out of that box ever since.” His voice tightened with frustration.
“Hey,” Chris said, holding up his hands, “it was just a suggestion, man.”
Before Grant could respond, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and it was Alex, his agent.
He frowned. “It’s Alex.”
“At this hour?” Chris asked.
Grant answered. “Hey, Alex.”
“Grant, my dear, dear friend,” Alex said with such rare enthusiasm that Grant paused mid‑step.
“…Are you drunk?” Grant asked, brow furrowing.
“No, I’m euphoric,” Alex replied. “Why would I be drunk when I’m about to give you the biggest news of your career?”
Grant blinked. “You… got something for me?”
“Got something?” Alex laughed. “I’ve got the thing. I’ve got the job that’s going to change your life.”
Chris stopped walking; Grant did too.
“What is it?” Grant asked, slowly putting the call on speaker and holding the phone out between them.
“Okay,” Alex said dramatically. “I just got a call from Daniel fucking Adler’s people.”
Both Grant and Chris’s mouths dropped open.
“Wait…Daniel Adler?” Grant said, almost choking on the name.
“The same. Oscar winner, recent billionaire, Boy wonder… His team reached out. Said he personally asked for you to audition.”
“For what?” Chris asked, stepping closer.
Alex’s voice crackled with excitement. “The Flash. The lead, Grant. They want you to audition for Barry Allen. You.”
Grant stood frozen. Chris looked as if he’d just witnessed a proposal.
“No way,” Grant finally said. “Why… me?”
Alex chuckled. “Apparently Adler saw you in something, and boom he wants you to audition. But listen to me, Grant if you land this? You’re set. Set for life, kid. These superhero movies are big and getting even bigger.”
Grant’s head spun. He looked at Chris, who could only mouth, Holy shit.
“I need to go to a comic‑book store,” Grant muttered, dazed.
Chris grinned. “Let’s go now.”
And just like that, the night flipped on its head from washed‑up to maybe‑part of the ‑next‑big‑thing in a single phone call.
.
.
.
Grant walked out of the audition room and stopped just past the door, letting out a shaky breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. His heart pounded against his ribs as if it were trying to break free. Resting a hand on the wall beside him, he let his eyes drift down the corridor while the adrenaline settled. He’d spent the last few days doing nothing but preparing for this studying, training, rehearsing lines until they blurred into dreams.
After getting the call, he dove headfirst into The Flash binging comics, catching up on everything. Reading comics had been a hobby of his until life got too busy. Chris had helped, too, staying up late to run scenes, give feedback, and push him whenever his confidence threatened to cave in. The past couple of years had been tough; one disappointment after another had hollowed out his self‑belief more than he liked to admit.
Still, the audition felt good… better than good. The casting team had been smiling. Grant allowed himself a flicker of hope.
He was so deep in thought that he didn’t hear the voice behind him. Only when a hand landed gently on his shoulder did he turn, startled.
Standing there in a suit was Daniel Adler.
Grant nearly forgot how to speak. “Oh…uh… hi,” he managed, forcing an awkward smile. “Mr. Adler.”
Daniel smiled and extended a hand. “Good to meet you, Mr. Gustin.”
They shook. Daniel’s grip was firm, confident friendly. “I caught your audition,” he said. “You did great.”
“Thank you,” Grant replied, still trying to compute what was happening.
Daniel nodded toward the hallway. “Walk with me?”
“Yeah. Of course,” Grant said, falling into step beside him. Crew and staff passed by as they walked. Daniel seemed relaxed almost disarmingly so.
“I’ll be honest,” he said, glancing over. “You’re not perfect. You need to work on some things. But…”
Grant tensed, careful not to show it.
“…you’ve got the look, and the energy.”
Grant’s mouth went dry. “I really appreciate that. Just give me the chance, and I’ll show you. I’ll make it work.”
Daniel grinned, clapping a hand on his shoulder again. “That’s what I like to hear. Because you’re one of my choices.”
“Oh wow,” Grant breathed. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything yet. Nothing’s set in stone,” Daniel cautioned. “But you’re in the top five.”
Grant’s heart leapt. Top five. He forced himself to stay steady… barely.
“Just make sure you bring it next time,” Daniel added. “Really show us what you’ve got.”
“Yes, Mr. Adler. I will,” Grant said, standing a little straighter, practically vibrating.
Daniel raised an eyebrow. “I hope so. I’ve got a bet to win.”
Grant blinked. “Wait what?”
Before Daniel could elaborate, a man in a sharp suit approached from the opposite direction, grinning broadly.
“Oi, Danny boy,” the man said, his Australian accent thick. “Heard you were down under. Hope you loved it.”
Daniel froze for a second. A flicker of something horror, maybe some PTSD passed through his eyes. Grant caught it: the brief twitch of a man remembering something he wished he hadn’t.
“Yeah… yeah, it was great,” Daniel said, clearing his throat and forcing a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
The Aussie clapped Daniel on the back and kept walking. Daniel turned quickly back to Grant, brushing the moment off.
“Anyway,” he said briskly, “we’ll be in touch. Oh and maybe start hitting the gym. Just a bit of buffing up.”
Grant chuckled, still dazed. “Whatever you want.”
Daniel winked and strode off, disappearing into the maze of corridors.
Grant stood alone in the hallway, still breathing hard, then let out a short laugh. It was happening. It could happen.
It felt like maybe the universe was finally listening.
Comments
Jarod lane
He’s really the only person I accept in my era as the Flash. He fit so well in the show and sure it went downhill pretty quick but season 1 was fantastic.
Tyler Karp
Thank you for the chapter
