Help! I'm A Critically Acclaimed 90s Director Stuck In The Body Of A Gen Z Teen!

First of a Thousand Steps

"I didn't get the part?!" Keanan exclaimed. "How is that even possible?!"

"I'm not really sure. Maybe because you weren't able to memorize the script like what they instructed us to do," Joe commented.

"It's not even about the script! It's about the act! You said it yourself we were to audition on acting not script memorizing!" Keanan's voice was so loud that their neighbor's dog started barking.

The three friends were at Cory's house. It was the nearest in Brooklyn and it had bars and cafes near it. They just got news about the audition and it's not looking pretty for Keanan.

"We're students you know. We're supposed to follow rules and instructions," Cory added.

"Those fancy artsy pricks! I shed a tear for them! A TEAR! Can you shed a tear at will?" Keanan complained. "I will be able to cry and laugh and talk like I'm about to die even it's in the streets! While I'm shitting or underwater. Or shitting underwater. I can act!"

"They just showed the names that got the part. We won't be able to know for sure why they didn't pick you, Keanan." Cory explained. "But don't get me wrong, I was amazed by the tear."

"I dig your tear, bro. It was effortless and it really showed how tired you are with the life you're living," Joe encouraged Keanan. "I was low-key surprised they didn't pick you. But for the stunt you did, you already are an actor to me, real talk bro."

"I agree. Forget about it. There are dozens of auditions out there and we can go to the ones where if you get the part, you can get paid!" Cory exclaimed. "You can shed a tear in front of them if you like."

"Those are for film extras and commercials on baby products. Auditions for desperate people who can't pay rent because they think any day now, their 'rise to stardom will unveil'," Keanan continued.

"Oh god, here we go." Joe said as Keanan was about to start a speech about how he became a director.

"Before I became a director, I acted my a*s off on all kinds of auditions!" Keanan explained. "Acting is hard work. You can't act in front of people and pray to god that they like it. You have to make it worth their while. I already did my fair share of failed attempts, and I can't fail now."

"Look Keanan, we don't get all this veteran actor personality of yours. I can only imagine the amount of film documentaries you immerse in every day, but please stop this." Cory worried. "I don't get where all your bits of wisdom is coming from, but you really have to regulate it or something."

Keanan just realized how much of a setback this audition was and it staggered his will and spirit. His mind is itching to tell his friends about the reincarnation but, he doesn't have any proof of that. He will just prove them right: that he was just a heap of delusion and make-believe.

"Now I really need a drink," Keanan rushed to the door while Joe pulled him down with his shirt. "Don't make me hurt you, you imbecile! I need my drink now!"

"Oh, no you're not, my brother. I am here for you," Joe said calmly as he struggled to embrace Keanan when he was in fact pinning him down the floor. "Alcohol is not the answer, homes. Make peace with your own self!"

Cory helped Joe stop Keanan from getting out the room. Keanan kept squirming but to no avail. He kept on complaining about the audition but his friends kept on comforting him.

After a while, Keanan calmed down. In his time, people wouldn't chase him down and comfort him. He just calmed down on his own, the "John Dalton Way", which was really just drowning himself in booze.

It started to rain and that helped him. The raindrops trickling on the roof and the droplets showering on the windows made him think about his future in New York in the year 2018.

"I promise not to drink. I just want to know what happened to John Dalton. The Director of the Century," Keanan asked. "I want to know the state he is in now."

"Correction. Self-proclaimed Director of the Century" Joe responded. "You know that and you will deny it. Right, Cory?"

"Agreed. Like you always do," Cory added. "But what can we expect from someone who is a big fan, right?"

This was the first time that both of his friends said something about the real Keanan. Apparently, he was a big John Dalton fan. He thought that maybe, this was another sign that he should follow. Maybe the child that he possessed in 2018 holds the answer behind his reincarnation.

"So I'm a John Dalton fan, huh?" Keanan smirked. "I would be a fan of myself too if you ask me."

Joe and Cory looked at each other and sighed. They both agreed that soon, they have to urge Keanan to go see a doctor. But on that moment, all they can do was to answer all of Keanan's questions and comfort him every time he had an outburst.

The rain poured stronger each minute while Keanan's knowledge of the modern world became wider.

***

Back at the theatre, moments before Keanan's act, Cory was still processing what was happening with him. Aside from trying to memorize the script and keeping in mind her acting as well, she had to deal with a type of Keanan that was unfamiliar to her.

I have never seen him like this, Cory thought. Sudden chunks of wisdom and hands waving in the air? What's with the sudden change in personality, he continued asking. She thought that maybe he was trying something extreme just for the audition to somehow cover up his stage fright. He was a pretty serious guy but not this kind of serious.

While Cory was trying her best to practice her lines and internale the script, Keanan suddenly started jumping and made funny noises with his throat. He made expressions with his mouth and a series of quirky facial expressions was printed consecutively in his face, like it was some kind of a photo shoot.

"What in the hell," Cory whispered.

When one of the auditioners called out Keanan's name, Cory can't help but wonder, what he was about to pull off. Before he walked towards the middle of the stage, she saw him change his attitude, the way his eyelids seem like they were about to close.

Keanan's composure was showing off that he was somewhat tired, like a man who just got home from work and that his last energy was just enough to go take a shower. It was so clear and pristine that Cory thought it was another personality change. Was he acting or pretending? She did not want to be amazed just yet.

"When you're ready," One of the auditioners prompted Keanan.

The silence at first was long and awkward. Keanan might have blacked out or something, Cory thought. But when he started walking slowly, shook his head, and clenched his jaw, the silence became heavy. There was tension even when there was just one person on stage using the subtlest actions.

A tear emerged from Keanan's right eye. Then, a monologue about life escaped Keanan's lips.

Backstage, Cory's and Joe's minds were at awe. There was no premise, no prior action whatsoever, only Keanan's facial expression; a tear ran down his cheeks. Not only it caught everyone's attention, it also posed the question, 'why', Cory thought.

Cory kept recalling all of this in her head. Many youtube channels say that great actors are able to present and act extreme emotions at will. Emotions like hysteria that of a madman in an asylum, rage in a form of calm breathing, and crying without anguish.

Witnessing such greatness was not expected from Keanan, Cory thought. They have been friends for a long time. It made her question their friendship. He was a shut in and the number of times they hung out in person was not that many. Maybe this was the real Keanan, she thought.

Back in Cory's house, Joe was the one who kept on babbling about the history of John Dalton. Keanan asked a lot about his wife and how he died. That was the time when he got reincarnated afterwards. Maybe there were things that happened before that somehow triggered it, Keanan thought.

"So I did jump to my death and succeeded," Keanan clarified. He was barely human with all the alcohol and drugs circulating his body before it happened. "What date was that again?"

"August 4 1993," Joe replied while he kept tapping on his tablet. "Possible d**g overuse blab la bla too much alcohol was found in his bloodstream, multiple broken bones, and two ribs punctured his lungs. That should do it."

"Wow. Does the internet have all of the answers?" Keanan asked eagerly while observing the wonders of the thin metal sheet that had a screen on it. "This is so amazing. I only knew about Yahoo! Back in the 90s. Is it still operational?"

"You know what Keanan, I think I'm getting a hang of this new version of you." Joe said nonchalantly. "I mean, you do like reincarnation stories a lot! Maybe a bit too much."

"What did you say?" Keanan stood up abruptly then stared at Joe intently. "What did you just say?"

Cory and Joe were taken aback by Keanan's reaction.

"Uhm, reincarnation stories? You love those. It's like, you wouldn't shut up about it, kind of love." Joe explained. "That's why I kinda like the new you. At least you talk about it less now."

"Can you show me an example? From the google website? An anime reincarnation story?" Keanan sat beside Joe looking at the screen eagerly.

"You're acting weird again, bro. But whatever," Joe replied while tapping his fingers. "Here, that's your favorite. The anime adaptation is about to air in October this year. You were always excited about it."

"That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime? What a horrendously long title! Is that also the premise?" Keanan asked.

"You really have to stop, bro. Stop the act already. You love this s**t. Why are you telling me like you don't know it?"

Keanan wanted to jump the g*n and tell the two kids about his reincarnation. If this kind of story was already popular in the modern world, maybe it would be easier for him to explain to them his situation.

But Keanan wanted to wait. A revelation without foreshadowing would be inorganic. Unripe revelations will only complicate his narrative. Reincarnation stories being popular today would be the first sign of foreshadowing. He has to watch out for more signs, he thought.

"I don't understand. Does this title sound good in Japanese?" Keanan asked, trying to gain more information about his situation instead.

"You can use your phone you know. And I also bet you know the Japanese translation of the title," Joe responded. "I really think it's time to get you to a shrink or something."

"Really? This is a phone?" Keanan asked surprisingly, pointing at the thin metal sheet he just pulled out of his bag. "Does this have the same features as your metal tablet?"

"Sure bro. They're the same thing, whatever."

"Maybe you're right, Joe." Cory butted in. "Maybe someone does need a trip to the shrink."

While Cory has been observing the two boys conversing, her suspicion of Keanan grew stronger. His personality changes, the weird accent, even the words and sentences that he uses.

Keanan's sudden enthusiasm to acting and directing, were all unusual to Cory and Joe, especially with the performance that he just pulled off. Even though they were both amazed by it, doesn't mean that their concern for their friend should be overshadowed by it.

"This is no cause for panic Keanan. I think it's best if you get to see your doctor soon. I'll let your mother know," Cory said.

"Wait. Don't do that yet," Keanan said.

"No, Keanan. Now is the best time to tell them. Maybe you're episodes are becoming more frequent than before," Joe explained.

Keanan was silent for a moment. The word "episode" doesn't always mean an episode in TV.

"What do you mean episodes?" Keanan was frightened. "You mean like seizures?"

"Yeah. Cory told me that you just had one earlier tonight, before the auditions. That might be the reason why your brain is still in shocked state, or whatever," Cory said. "You just usually sleep for hours every after episode in the past. This is different."

"Don't worry, bro. We are here for you no matter what," Joe said in full confidence.

Keanan used to hear those words of encouragement every time he went to see his wife in the hospital. It's happening again.

Does the boy he was possessing in the future has the same case with his wife in the past? Will there be a connection between these two coincidences thirty years after his death? Instead of answers, more questions arose from Keanan's mind.