Julian Cross was patient.
He had worked with dramatic newcomers, stubborn veterans, and a pop idol who insisted his left side was allergic to direct sunlight.
But Aria Lane?
Aria was…
different.
She wasn't unprofessional—
she simply had no idea what "professionalism" meant in the entertainment industry.
So today, Julian decided to teach her.
There were witnesses.
There were casualties.
There were snacks.
The Lesson Begins
Julian found Aria sitting quietly in a folding chair, eating yogurt with the absolute serenity of a monk.
He sat beside her.
"Aria," he said warmly, "can we talk about something important?"
She blinked.
"Yes."
Daniel, hearing this from ten meters away, immediately sprinted over.
"What are you teaching her? STOP TEACHING HER THINGS!"
Julian gestured at him.
"Sit."
Daniel sat.
Julian cleared his throat.
"Aria… professionalism means behaving in a certain way on set. A way that helps the production run smoothly."
Aria nodded politely.
"I behave."
Daniel opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"…Relatively."
Julian hid a smile.
Point #1: No Running
Julian began gently.
"First rule: Don't run unless the script requires it."
Aria blinked.
"Even if someone drops something?"
"Yes."
"Even if someone falls?"
"…Yes."
"Even if a light is about to crash onto your head?"
Daniel slapped the table.
"NO—WAIT—OKAY—THAT ONE YOU CAN RUN!"
Julian thought carefully.
"…Okay. That one's an exception."
Aria nodded.
"Understood."
This was a lie and everyone knew it.
Point #2: No Stealing Food
Julian continued.
"Second rule: Don't take food from catering or other people's lunches."
Aria looked confused.
"I only take good food."
Daniel pointed at her furiously.
"WHICH IS THE PROBLEM!"
Julian tried again.
"You have to ask first."
Aria considered this.
"What if they say no?"
Daniel shrieked.
"THEN YOU DON'T TAKE IT!"
Aria blinked.
"…Why?"
Daniel collapsed into a chair.
Julian inhaled deeply and spoke slowly.
"Because it belongs to them."
Aria nodded.
"Then they should eat faster."
Julian choked on air.
Daniel screamed.
A lighting intern fainted.
Point #3: Hit Your Marks
Julian leaned closer.
"Third rule: Hit your marks. Consistently. No sudden movements."
Aria blinked.
"I move only when necessary."
Rick the cameraman, nearby, whimpered into his hands.
Julian continued anyway.
"For example, if the scene calls for you to stand behind me, don't suddenly appear behind the villain instead."
Aria tilted her head.
"He was in the wrong spot."
Julian sighed.
"That's not your job to fix."
"…But he was exposed."
Daniel groaned into a clipboard.
"I can't tell if she's talking about filming or combat."
Julian quietly replied,
"Yes."
Point #4: Don't Do Other People's Jobs
Julian clasped his hands.
"Fourth rule: Let departments do their jobs."
Aria frowned.
"But I helped."
Daniel shouted,
"YOU FIXED A DUFFEL BAG SO WELL THE PROP TEAM CRIED!"
Julian nodded sympathetically.
"And you repaired a light fixture."
Aria nodded again.
"It was loose."
Julian smiled gently.
"I know. But you have to let them handle it."
Aria considered.
"…Even if they're slow?"
Daniel shrieked.
"SHE'S HITTING THEIR PRIDE AND THEY'RE NOT EVEN HERE!"
Aria's Very Serious Question
Aria looked at Julian with complete sincerity.
"Julian… if I follow all these rules… will production be happy?"
Julian's expression softened.
"Yes. And it'll reduce stress for everyone. Including you."
Aria nodded.
"I understand."
Daniel exhaled in relief.
Julian smiled.
Then Aria asked:
"What rule says I cannot eat during scenes?"
Julian froze.
Daniel froze.
Even the air froze.
"…Aria," Julian said slowly,
"You… you're not supposed to eat during scenes."
Aria frowned, deeply troubled by this.
"No eating?"
"Correct."
"Not even small eating?"
"Correct."
"Not even if it's quiet eating?"
"Aria…"
She stared at her yogurt.
Then at Julian.
Then at her yogurt.
"…Is eating unprofessional?"
Julian's Answer (The One That Damned Him)
Julian sighed and smiled softly.
"No, Aria… eating isn't unprofessional. You just can't do it during filming."
Aria stared at him.
Then nodded.
"Okay."
Julian relaxed.
Daniel did not.
Daniel whispered to the makeup artist:
"He just told her food is acceptable. He has summoned something ancient and unstoppable."
Aria's Final Line
"Then I will eat before filming."
Julian smiled.
Daniel screamed.
Mason, overhearing from ten meters away, shouted:
"NOOOOO YOU WON'T!!"
Aria blinked.
"…I will try."
Julian laughed quietly.
Daniel walked into a wall.