When a casting audition goes way better than expected...

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CASTING CALL
Draft 2
Written by
James Ehle

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FADE IN:
INT. CASTING OFFICE WAITING ROOM - AFTERNOON
A group of actors sharing similar looks occupy the waiting
room chairs. Each of the actors are reading the script sides
with varying levels of energy.
One actor pleads, one grits his teeth, one makes animated
gestures with his hands, and another bites his nails, each
while simultaneously reading their lines.
A lone actor, the modestly handsome CASTLE ROBBINS (24),
stands awkwardly just to the side of the occupied chairs,
peeking over at the other auditioning actors as he studies
his lines.
The shy CASTING ASSISTANT gently opens the door, inviting in
the next audition.
CASTING ASSISTANT
Pete Brenner.
She waits patiently, looking around at the sea of carbon copy
characters. They all look around for Pete like hungry sharks.
No answer.
CASTING ASSISTANT (CONT’D)
Pete Brenner?
Still no response. At the end of the room an actor studying
his script notices the actor next to him, slumped in his
chair, sleeping. He looks at the papers in the actor’s lap.
His résumé and headshot both read clear as day PETE BRENNER.
The actor opens his mouth and reaches a hand out as if to tap
him, but then he decides against it, and turns away.
The casting assistant gives up and the other actors look to
her, expectantly. She looks down her list, finger stopping on-
CASTING ASSISTANT (CONT’D)
Castle Robbins, then.
Castle perks up, already on his feet, and strides to the
door.
INT. AUDITION ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Castle stands alone, several feet in front of the CASTING
DIRECTOR (44). She sorts through resumés and head shots,
taking notes.

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The DIRECTOR sits next to the casting director, arms crossed,
thick-rimmed glasses- almost Kubrickian. His eyes are
piercing. Casting assistant stands patiently next to camera.
The casting director stops sorting, smiles crisply at Castle.
CASTING DIRECTOR
Thank you for coming in today, you
may begin.
Castle nods, smiling softly. He takes a deep breath and gets
into character. A moment. He transitions into acting
surprised and panicked, waving his script madly.
CASTLE ROBBINS
She was sitting right next to you
on the plane! How could you lose
her thirty-thousand feet in the
air? I know-
The casting director holds up her hand, signaling him to
stop.
CASTING DIRECTOR
Thank you.
He stops- taken aback, a little worried. A moment.
CASTING DIRECTOR (CONT’D)
Oh. Okay.
He returns to stand in front of them, mildly confused. The
director whispers something into the casting director’s ear.
The casting director nods, agreeing.
The casting director flashes another crisp smile at Castle.
CASTING DIRECTOR (CONT’D)
You got the part.
Castle smiles softly, thinking it’s a joke. The casting
director’s smile standing firm. The director looks less
rigid. A few moments pass. Castle contemplates a moment.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Would you... like me to try it
another way, or?
The casting director shakes her head.
CASTING DIRECTOR
That won’t be necessary.
He doesn’t believe it.
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CASTLE ROBBINS
I got the part?
The casting director nods. Castle scratches his head, racking
his brain.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
So... what exactly do you mean? I
guess I’m a little confused.
The casting director shrugs.
CASTING ASSISTANT
Well, typically when you audition
you either get the part or you
don’t- and you got the part.
Castle laughs, still disbelieving. A moment.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Okay, but- can I just finish the
page? I really don’t think I read
enough to do the part justice.
The casting director smiles kindly.
CASTING ASSISTANT
I don’t see what difference that
would make, like I said you-
DIRECTOR
Eh, if he wants to read it, let him
read it.
Castle waits attentively, smiling humbly. The casting
director nods.
CASTING DIRECTOR
All right.
Castle clears his throat. He transitions back into his
animated panic.
CASTLE ROBBINS
How could you lose her thirty-
thousand feet in the air?
He scoffs.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
I mean- hell, she may be the
smartest girl in fourth grade, but
that-
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The director holds up his hand.
DIRECTOR
Wonderful, thank you.
Castle stands, dumbfounded. The three look pleased. Castle
hesitates, then walks up to their table.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Look, I’m sorry, but I feel like if
you’re going to cast somebody you
might want to get more than three
lines of context.
The casting director nods slowly, not totally receptive.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
I’d actually feel better if you cut
me off two lines in and didn’t give
me the part.
The casting director looks confused.
CASTING DIRECTOR
You don’t want the part?
CASTLE ROBBINS
Well, no... but I just feel like-
The director shakes his head.
DIRECTOR
You got the part.
Castle looks pained.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Could you stop saying that, please?
The three look mildly confused. The casting assistant nods to
the camcorder.
CASTING ASSISTANT
Should I cut the tape?
CASTING DIRECTOR
Yes, I think we got it.
Castle actually looks panicked, he reaches a hand towards
her.
CASTLE ROBBINS
No!... wait.
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The casting assistant stops, timid. Castle looks a bit
embarrassed, but tries to control the situation.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
Keep it rolling. I don’t think you
got it.
Castle hurries back to his spot. He flips through the script,
and points excitedly at a page.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
Ah, here.
His expression switches into sadness, acting again.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
Madison, you could have died in
there. The luggage compartment is a
cold, dark place that’s meant for
suitcases- not little girls.
The three look concerned at him. He notices their
expressions, but disregards and continues.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
I know you feel lost, but you’re
not going to find your family in
there-
DIRECTOR
May I ask a personal question,
Mr...
CASTLE ROBBINS
Robbins.
The director leans forward, looking deep into Castle.
DIRECTOR
Do you have commitment issues?
Castle is confused.
CASTLE ROBBINS
No..
DIRECTOR
Do you find the subject matter
objectionable?
Castle shakes his head.
DIRECTOR (CONT’D)
Are you being cast in many roles?
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He looks down, embarrassed, and again shakes his head.
DIRECTOR (CONT’D)
Then, may I also ask, what the hell
is keeping you from taking the
role?
CASTLE ROBBINS
I want the role, honestly, I do.
But-
DIRECTOR
But you have the role. We gave it
to you just now. Remember?
CASTLE ROBBINS
All too well.
DIRECTOR
It seems you keep forgetting.
CASTLE ROBBINS
If it were only that easy.
DIRECTOR
See, you were standing there- and
we were sitting here, like so.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Like I said, I do remember.
DIRECTOR
And we said those magic words, ‘you
got the part’.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Yes.
The director reclines back in his chair, relieved.
DIRECTOR
Alright. I was afraid I’d have to
spell it out for you.
Castle taps his foot and looks down at the script for
something. He finds it and perks up.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Here, wouldn’t you be interested in
seeing a run through of the wing
scene?
Castle gets excited, as he remembers the scene. He runs up to
their desk and reaches over, grabbing it, white knuckles.
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CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
The one where Frederick is clinging
onto the airplane wing with one
hand- and then in the other grip
he’s trying to save Madison from
certain death?
Castle acts as if he’s being blown in the wind. His
expression is pure terror, he looks wild as he reaches out
with one hand to an imaginary actor behind him.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
Hold on, Madison! We’re so close! I
can see La Guardia from here! Don’t
let go of my hand!
Castle has captivated the group. He glances back to the
casting director, expectant.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
(clears throat)
Madison..
They don’t understand. The casting director realizes, then
fumbles through her papers.
CASTING DIRECTOR
Oh- uh-
She finds the line, and reads in slow, unforgivable monotone.
CASTING DIRECTOR (CONT’D)
Oh no, Mr. Phillips, I’m slipping.
Help me. Save me. Aaaaaaaaah.
She looks up at him with a certain pride in her delivery.
Castle stares incredulously a moment, then takes a deep
breath and reaches back to the imaginary actress behind him.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Madison!! Noooooo!! Oh, God...
Madison...
He starts to sob, still holding onto the wing. Castle loosens
his grip from the table and stands, collecting himself. He
nods to the casting assistant, she cuts the tape.
The three stare at him, both passively and in awe. Castle
allows his breathing to calm. He clears his throat.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
Well?
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CASTING DIRECTOR
Castle, you’ve exceeded our
expectations.
Castle guffaws, and shakes his head incredulously. He looks
curious, then rushes to the door, opening it and peeking his
head out.
INT. WAITING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Castle checks to see the flyer posted next to the door. It’s
the same casting call flyer. He looks at it irritably. The
other actors look at him curiously. He slams the door.
INT. AUDITION ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Castle walks back toward them, analyzing them. The three seem
slightly entertained.
CASTLE ROBBINS
This is the feature film... Jet
Lag..?
They all nod. Castle stops a few feet in front of them, hands
on his hips, perplexed. He looks down at the script again,
then back at them, a smile jumps across his face.
He starts to laugh quietly, then louder, until he’s almost in
hysterics. The three don’t know what to do, they avert eye-
contact. Castle sighs.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
This is some kind of prank, right?
The casting director shakes her head. He still seems to think
it’s funny.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
Oh, come on, it’s got to be. You
don’t just win a part like that.
He snaps for emphasis. They all look at his hand, then at
him. He looks to them, hopeful, for a moment. Nothing. He
shakes his head, in denial.
CASTLE ROBBINS (CONT’D)
I’m not trying to waste your time,
but I’ve spent every waking moment
this past week studying for this
audition.
The casting director nods.
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CASTING DIRECTOR
I believe you, it showed.
CASTLE ROBBINS
It- it showed?? How did it show?
CASTING DIRECTOR
Through your delivery.
He blinks, flabbergasted.
CASTLE ROBBINS
See, I got up bright and early this
morning to practice, took a cab
from all the way downtown, and I- I
come in here and read off a
microscopic amount of dialogue only
to find out....
He trails off in frustration. The director finishes his
sentence.
DIRECTOR
...You got the part?
Castle throws his hands in the air.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Here we go again! I mean for crying
out loud, there’s got to be a dozen
more people lined up to try out for
this same part out there. Giving me
the part’s like teaching a baby to
fly without teaching it to walk
first...
The three look entirely lost. The casting director is
genuinely curious.
CASTING DIRECTOR
If the baby can already fly, why
would you bother teaching it to
walk?
CASTLE ROBBINS
That’s not the point! What if one
of those actors comes in to
audition, and you like their
performance more than mine? You’re
just going to tell me I ‘got the
part’ and then rip it away from me?
CASTING DIRECTOR
Of course not.
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Castle raises an eyebrow.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Well in that case-
He spins around and marches toward the door, opening it with
an air about him.
INT. CASTING OFFICE WAITING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
All of the waiting actors look up at him. He points to one.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Come on in, you’re up to bat.
They look confused. The actor he pointed to is unsure if he
stands or not. One seated a few seats away pipes up.
ACTOR 1
Hey, I’m supposed to be next...
Castle grins. The actor he pointed to makes his way toward
the door timidly.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Don’t worry, we won’t be long.
Castle ushers him into the room.
INT. AUDITION ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
MONTAGE: The slew of actors audition for the part, as Castle
looks on smugly. He looks to the director and his casting
team every so often as they watch passively.
ACTOR 1
She was sitting right next to you
on the plane! How could you lose
her thirty-thousand feet in the
air?
Castle puts a hand up, halting them, then wheels them out.
CASTLE ROBBINS
That was fantastic, thank you.
CUT TO:
Another actor gestures very dramatically while reading.
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ACTOR 2
She was sitting there next to you
on the plane! How do you lose her
thirty-thousand feet in the-
CASTLE ROBBINS
Thank you!
QUICK CUTS:
A number of other actors audition for the part.
ACTOR 3
She was sitting right next to you
on the plane!
ACTOR 4
How do you lose her-
ACTOR 5
Thirty-thousand feet in the air?
CUT TO:
The casting director smiles that crisp smile.
CASTING DIRECTOR
You go the part.
CUT TO:
Castle stands in front of them, his smug smile drops. He
stands angrily a moment.
CASTLE ROBBINS
Fine!
He storms out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The
three behind the casting desk look at each other in
astonishment.
DIRECTOR
What a diva.
The casting director straightens her papers.
FADE TO BLACK.
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