"An alternative?" I repeated, my mind racing through possibilities. I wondered if he was suggesting a replacement actor, but that would violate the core premise of the series.
"I'm listening..." I said, holding the phone tighter, my attention fully captured despite the throbbing in my back.
I heard him take a calculated breath, ready to drop the hammer.
"Mr. Hart, if you cannot perform today, we need to bring in a replacement for your scheduled scenes with Ms. Adams. We simply cannot afford to miss a day of shooting momentum."
"What!!!!" I shouted into the receiver, the noise instantly amplifying the spike of pain in my back. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Could you repeat that? I must have not heard you clearly!!!"
I could hear Holmes sighing over the phone, a sound of professional impatience.
"Say it again, motherfucker!!!" I dared him, my voice shaking with pure, cold fury.
