Chapter 14: what is acting
After a loss, what happens? Even if you're right?
The school year ended, without much fanfare. Middle school was finally over. Graduation day, hosted by Brian the braggart, a kid who got the best grades among all the graduates, but was certainly unbearable with his arrogant attitude.
...
"School is the home that educates us and teaches us to be better kids,
the study we share with our teachers during the day
is demanding and tough, but life is often demanding and tough, thanks for everything,
to my classmates, my teachers, and everyone who allowed me to be who I am
now." From Brian Jones.
...
It must be declared that in these educational institutions, there is a more established sense of belonging than in other countries, not because it makes it better, it's almost as if Americans, from childhood, teach their children through structured study and through schools that effort brings success, and it's worthy of celebration. It reminds me of the Pink Floyd song "Another Brick in the Wall."
A small runway, filled with photos. Some gossip about the parents' meeting, where they talked about their living pride in their children and the next steps to take in high school, and the shelter of school relationships. Private schools are miles apart from public ones in terms of education, order, and implementation of different types of courses and academic approaches.
My next school, the beautiful Notre Dame High School, had good academic approaches to the art scene. My focus would only go through theater and the necessary courses to skip a year. For now, my deal with my father ended after the school assistant mentioned the difficulty and requirements needed to accomplish such a task, due to the difficulty of skipping two grades. Normally, and on extraordinary occasions, one is more than enough for precocious children, who often prefer to take some college courses on weekends and attend school during the week.
Why act, why pursue the world of arts so ardently? It's for the love of pursuing something you consider unimaginable. Cinema has a vibe that everyone feels at some point when they shed tears after finishing a movie, the hearty laughter after watching a comedy, the drama experienced in some series, and the curiosity aroused by certain performances that lead to trying something they were never able to try, life stories with pleasant morals.
We all like to lie down and dream about nicer futures, that's what an actor does, providing comfort over the daily hardships. It's ultimately a great production chain that builds from the bottom and ignites people's hearts.
-Congratulations, dear. -said Billy's grandmother, Helen Carson, with her white hair. She still clashes with my father, Thomas, after Thomas mentioned that he would force me to study business administration at least. Her attitude improved a bit.
Grandma's life is somewhat sad.
Life's courses have changed. People are not blamed. From a young age, she was always restless, but her father was a stubborn and tough man who didn't allow her to go beyond high school. At a young age, she was married off in an arranged marriage in 1929 at eighteen.
After years of a tough relationship, she had three children, one of whom was a rancher. And he's had some success in recent years, but nothing relevant. He earns enough to live a good life. Jeffrey Carson is the eldest. The middle brother died while serving in the Vietnam War, a taboo topic in the family, and Grandma still harbors resentment against the military for the death of her 21-year-old.
Lastly, there's my father, the youngest by far, Thomas Carson. He's the one who had the fortune to fulfill dreams and spread his wings. There's a family feud with his older brother over leaving the family ranching business. Grandpa stopped working ten years ago, but because of his boredom, he decided to work as a mechanic for a few hours to distract his mind. The years take their toll, just as he never imagined.
Thanks, Grandma. - Billy said.
-Why the long face? - Clarke, a fellow student from his school, asked.
-I'm just feeling down. I hate these kinds of ceremonies. - Billy replied.
-I hear you, buddy. Wearing this gown in this unbearable heat, surrounded by hypocrites, it's the worst. - Clarke sympathized.
-We just have a few more grades to go, and then we'll be free from obligations. - Clarke added.
-I'm going to Notre Dame High School next year. - Billy announced.
-Where's that? - Clarke asked. - I guess I didn't think much about high school. I figure the one closest to home will do, as long as it has a good SAT score. My folks will understand my decisions. - Clarke shrugged.
-Oh, still dreaming of venturing out into the world, huh? - Billy asked Clarke.
-Yep, a road trip across the United States, focusing only on gas, food, and getting with women. - Clarke grinned.
-You don't even know how to drive. - Billy whispered to him.
-I'll learn next summer, no big deal. - Clarke replied cheerfully.
-Where did the idea of traveling to all states come from? - Billy asked.
-From my brother, he's an NFL player for a mid-table team. During his winter break, he takes me on road trips all over California. They're the best days of my life, feeling the wind on my face, going to big cities where you don't know anyone. - Clarke explained.
-How will you make a living? - Billy inquired.
-That, I don't know either. - Clarke admitted.
Billy smiled. -I hope you figure it out. You know, travelers in Europe earn their keep by working part-time wherever they go, saving up enough to move to the next place. Some develop skills and become street performers, you know, juggling, magic tricks, or singing. - Billy told him.
-Wow, sometimes you seem to know a lot of stuff. - Clarke remarked.
-How's your dream of becoming an actor? Is that why you chose Notre Dame? - Clarke asked.
-That's one of the reasons I chose it. The other is my family. I have to be someone in life other than just an actor and artist. - Billy replied.
-That sucks. - Clarke sympathized.
In his previous life, he always had support and blamed his mother for all the obstacles he faced. He never achieved any promotions and in the end, could only hold on to avoid living on the streets. The bad job and countless sleepless nights, regretting every decision he made.
It's all about wisdom.
In his previous life, he was begged to study architecture and help in his family and friends' company. His stubbornness led him on an irreversible journey. If there's love, there are ways to enforce things; dreams are not excellent moves for anyone.
Now, he has the reluctant support of his father for art since he has generated talent, money, and business opportunities. If his development were similar to his previous life, he would be forced to follow Thomas's predetermined path. His family found it distasteful to earn money through fabricated lies like fame. His father gained recognition for his performance as a lawyer but is still punished for his relationship with his South American mother.
His father's conservative mindset is somewhat diminished, but he still thinks like a utilitarian; benefits are the mother law, and he doesn't take actions he deems useless.
Therefore, he understands that after turning 21, his decisions will have to be taken into his own hands. Under the yoke of his family's behavior, all his decisions will be suppressed.
-Congratulations, Billy, - his father said.
-Thanks, Dad. - Billy replied.
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