Chapter 123 - The Script

There's something in his head all the time, he thought anxiously. There was nothing worse than seeing someone you love hurt.

"Just because the production is American doesn't mean it will be good "said Dominik. "I've seen a lot of crap out there."

It wasn't just that, Andrzej was convinced of it, but he didn't feel confident enough to push. Śliwiński really did not want to play and looked for every possible excuse for it.

"Maybe you're right," he admitted. "But I will read this script anyway."

"As you wish."

"I will go to the office" Nowicki got up. "Here I won't be able to focus."

"What? Why?"

"Because you felt like watching the teleshopping channel," he ruffled Dominik's soft, fragrant hair as he passed.

"I'm looking for a gift for your boss!"

"Yeah, she'll love these high waisted slimming panties. Call them now and you will get a second pair for free."

"Get out!" Dominik tossed the magazine pulled from the table after him. Andrzej, crossing the threshold of the office, heard his grumbling.

In the past, this office was often occupied by Dominik, who liked to separate the space for work from the private space, which is why he usually prepared for the role here. On the shelves of the bookcase there were still foreign language textbooks and recordings, several legal codes and even a dummy training pistol for his last role. Since parting with Marczak, Śliwiński hardly ever entered this room in August, and now it was actually Andrzej's office. The quiet, calm interior allowed him to focus on working on the pictures and at the same time keep his finger on the pulse of the things happening in the living room. So he sat down comfortably in the soft, swivel chair by the desk and began to read the papers he had taken with him.

At the beginning the movie seemed boring and Andrzej had a hard time figuring out what was going on. It was the first time he read a movie script, which was a bit different from the theatrical one (and he read "Zemsta" while still in high school), but the farther he got into the text, the easier it was to assimilate it.

At one point, he burst out laughing. The hero's brilliant retort and the unexpected twist of the plot appealed to him. A few pages later, his reaction repeated. He imagined Dominik in that scene, which amused him even more. After a dozen or so more, Nowicki tensely leaned over the pages. He wanted to know quickly what would happen next. There was simply no way out of this situation ... So that's how they solved this case? He hadn't expected this, but it actually turned out quite well. The next scene touched him and the ending left with one conclusion - Dominik was made for this role.

He took out his phone to check the time and saw information about a new message. He was reading so much that he didn't hear it come.

"We need to talk. You know what about."

He knew.

He dialed the number. The man on the other side picked up on the second ring.

"And how?" Were the first words.

"It's a good script. He should have starred in this movie."

"I know. Did he read it?"

"Not yet, but I'll make him do it, just ..."

"You did notice?"

"You know what's going on? Is it because of Werner?"

"Mostly because of me. Dominik, he ... Besides, you know how our relationship looked like. I took seven years of his life away from him" Marek admitted.

"And what are you going to do about it?

"Nothing. I have no room for maneuver. Everything is in your hands."

Nowicki exhaled heavily. On the other end of the receiver, Marczak sounded so sad, as if he had to let go of his only true love. Who knows, maybe it was really so.

"I won't force him to do anything," said Andrzej. "I think this is a role made for him, but it will be up to Dominik to decide whether or not to play in this film."

"I don't expect anything more. Only…"

"Do not cross the line."

"You know that the photos will be shot abroad?"

Andrzej gritted his teeth. He hadn't thought about it. But the shooting in a foreign country lasting several weeks or even months meant that they would have to part ways or that Nowicki would have to quit the job he got so recently and liked.

"It won't be a problem," he said despite himself.

"Maybe for you, but for him ...?"

"I'll think about that. Thanks."

Andrzej terminated the connection. He felt something heavy lay on his heart. How is it: "It won't be a problem"? It will be a big problem. Filming abroad. Dominik, who, after years of total domination by Marczak, was slowly learning the real world, was to leave for God knows how long and how far to work with complete strangers. Everyone would have concerns about such a departure, and Śliwiński in particular. Hell, three months ago he hardly left the house without Marczak's company.

The script was good - touching, funny, interesting, and while it told a simple espionage story, the characters were lively and intriguing. Even without a lot of money and big names, this movie can be brilliant. Such offers, such opportunities, are not often found.

And yet Dominik had some good reasons to give up on her.

Perhaps they would not be important to someone else, but Śliwiński was not someone else but himself, a sensitive, shy young man who was enslaved and used in the name of misunderstood love and now had to build his life anew. The task was not easy, especially since there was always something in the way, but the boy tried his best and was successful. However, playing in the new film may have turned out to be too difficult for him at this point. Especially when you consider his health problems.

But the shooting won't start now. First, the cast has to be assembled, the actors must learn the script and prepare for the role. There are likely to be hundreds of other cases and it turns out that the film will start shooting in six months at the earliest. By then, Dominik will be back in top form and will overshadow all Hollywood stars with his talent.

Of course, as long as the stubborn one agrees to at least read the script.

Andrzej smiled mischievously.

It seemed he knew how to convince him to do so.

***

His eyes were shut from thoughtlessly staring at the TV set, but Dominik did not want to go to bed before Andrzej finished reading the script. In fact, he very much hoped he wouldn't go to bed alone. That's why he waited.

The door to the office opened, but before Śliwiński had time to turn towards them, he felt something heavy land on his lap.

"You have to read it" ordered Andrzej standing over him.

"I do not want. Maybe tomorrow," he replied, and he casually dropped the script on the couch.

"It may be tomorrow," Nowicki smiled. "It might be the day after tomorrow. You can do it when you want. Just to be honest, I won't go to bed with you until you do."

"What?!" Dominik jumped up. He felt a flush of indignation on his cheeks. "You want to blackmail me ?!"

"And it won't be the first time. I'm going to sleep. Good night."

"What? Wait!" Śliwiński jumped up from the couch. "Wait!!!"

"Do you want something? I'm tired." Andrzej stopped with a bored face.

"What are you making up again? After all, I said I don't want to play in this movie! Why are you making me do this?"

"Who's talking about playing? Or maybe… you are afraid that if you read the script you will want to star in this movie… That's why you don't even want to touch it!"

"Absolutely not! You are totally wrong!"

"You deny so vehemently that I almost let myself be persuaded. Oh, and remember that I'm going to ask you a question about the plot. … dnight," he yawned slowly and started climbing the stairs.

"What the…"

Dominik Śliwiński was seething with anger. What does this Andrzej imagine to be who? He thinks he can so easily blackmail him with the threat of no sex? If he thinks he will break his stubbornness so easily, he is seriously mistaken. If Dominik feels like it, he will read this damn script and it is not Andrzej's business when he will do it or at all. It is true that Dominik is not a monk, but he can go for a few days without sex. After all, he is also not addicted to carnal games. Actually, it is very interesting who will not be able to endure first without mutual caresses, especially if Dominik uses a few seduction tricks tested on Nowicki.

But why just the thought of Andrzej's blackmail made him start getting hard again?