A Life Debt Repaid novel (John and Cordy)
Chapter 700

Chapter 700

Chapter 700

Zoe was simply waiting for Jay’s impending critique, since Hailey had mentioned almost everything thatcould be said.

At this point, there was nothing she couldn’t accept.

She was actually retaining her usual smile, having weathered through the world shattering beneath herfeet over the years but bearing with it anyway.

She would always put on her best performance in front of the cameras. She just had to do her utmost,even if no one was buying it.

After all, your effort was disproportional-even inconsequential-to your success in this world.

Nonetheless, Jay continued, ‘I’m sure anyone who was involved in a stage production wouldunderstand that a performance with zero mistakes is exceedingly difficult. It involves perfection ineverything including your breathing, expressions, movements, dialog, and interaction with your fellowthespians. And yet, no one has achieved that today, save for Zoe.”

Zoe simply kept smiling at Jay, but without gratitude in her eyes or the rejoicing of being acknowledged.

After all, this couldn’t be good.

“Moreover, every actor and actress only had a week since the last stage, and one could imagine howmuch effort they put in. I could even put it this way: Zoe is always the first to arrive at the studio, andthe last to leave — she puts in double or more time to perfect her performance, and it is her effort thatallows her to put up an impeccable showing.”

Hailey was left scowling as she sat beside Jay.

The man was dismantling her pedestal, after all!

“Of course, I cannot fully acknowledge Zoe cloning Cora Levine’s performance, because everyoneought to have their own interpretation of each character, and in turn give a different soul for saidcharacter. While playing to the crowd’s fancies will certainly lead to opinions that she hasn’t beenputting in effort, we can understand the reason behind that. Can’t we, Zoe York?”

“It’s only natural.’ Hailey could not resist speaking up right then. ‘To buy your vote.”

“Not quite. She’s trying to buy the audience’s vote, actually.*

Zoe’s perfect smile twitched ever so slightly.

However, Hailey scoffed. ‘The audience? In that case, she should be showing some sincerity instead ofpresenting some mindless imitation.”

“Actually, you need to understand the prudence of a washed-up actress onstage,” Jay told Hailey.

While Hailey frowned, he continued, “I’m sure you’ve never experienced what it’s like to feel down andout in showbiz. Miss Zimmerman. The audience doesn’t remember you, and you seemed to disappearentirely for three years. Through it all, no one asked for you to take a role, let alone film a commercial.”

Hailey pursed her lips, but admitted, “Of course not.”

“That’s why you won’t understand that Zoe is overly cautious. Yes, it can’t be denied that she’s trying tocut corners, but this production had been wildly popular, and Cora presented her exciting performancein it. That is why Zoe was worried that the audience wouldn’t accept her interpretation, and that Cora’sfans would believe that she is denying the genius in Cora’s interpretation.”

“In other words, aside from sticking to Cora Levine’s interpretation, Zoe has no other choice if shewants to stay on this stage. And since she won’t be gaining any breakthrough for her character whenshe does that, the only thing she can do is make no mistakes and use her impeccable ability as aperformer to make up for the lacking in her character’s freshness.”

“And how did you manage to read that intention from her?” Hailey asked, staring fixedly at Jay.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time here at the studio,” Jay replied. “Everyone knows I’m involved in thisvariety show to pick the best thespians. That’s why I’ve often showed up for rehearsals. And I had inturn seen an actress’s love for the stage in all the hard work Zoe put in personally.”