'Diary of a hustling OAP' - Spycy Star [Episode 10]

I could feel it; I was starting to get tipsy. At that moment, I should have just asked Dayo to drop me off at home but was I going to do that? No! I was just getting started for the evening.

I just wanted to soak my memory of today in alcohol and I could only wish we get done with the day already, so a brand new and bright day starts off.

It was my first time out at night here in Lagos and it wasn’t to celebrate but to forget the day. I was at a very dark place. I was not loving this place in my life. I hate being in this place so I guess that’s why I jumped at the idea to club all night, tonight. The loud music, the drinking and of course, dancing would help me forget…well, at least, a little…

At a previous audition, some guy had said something; “Don’t feel bad when you do not make the cut at auditions. Doesn’t mean you are not good. Look on the bright side; auditions are avenues to build and grow your network which is a key factor in this industry of ours.”

A fact right there… but I noticed even that was not helping me right now. I couldn’t help but feel really sad, angry, not good enough and in a dark place. That same guy also said sometimes, he even gets other jobs which may not be the actual one he had come out to audition for, originally, hence his love for auditions.

Well, I got me some friends to party with for the night (shrugs) does that count too? He told me he’s been to lots of auditions and loves to keep attending more.

“A whole different underground world”, he said.

Seriously, though, that pep talk of his was working its magic on me earlier today when I arrived at the venue for the auditions for openings at Trace TV. I thought to myself; I have to attend as many auditions as I can if not for the gigs which the auditions are called for, then hopefully, some industry players I get to meet at these auditions.

What can I say? After all, I am new to the Lagos industry. I need as much contacts as I can get. But still Trace TV isn’t not bad (winks). I definitely worked my outfit of course with a hot pair of stilettos. You know what I always say about stilettos. Well, for me, I work with their magic that’s all (smiles) I gotta bring my a-game.

I located the venue and it was already filled with so many players. Known faces. Known voices. Had to all come out and see if they got a chance at this. Honey! This is Trace TV! No joke.

I wrote my name down on a list which was by the entrance and as I was walking in and trying to find a seat, I was taking a memory note of who and who was in the room. I would be a very bad liar if I told you I wasn’t a bit scared.

Damn! Known figures. Known players. I mean STRONG players in the industry. All the same I found a space somewhere, asked if someone was there and the guys around said I could sit. I did, smiled, said ‘hi’ and asked if the auditions had started and they replied ‘no’. I noticed one of the ladies from another audition I had attended the other day. She seemed engrossed in her chat with another lady who happened to be a known actress. I looked around and as usual, a number of people at every corner chatting away, easing the tension and killing time while we all waited.

My gaze returned to my corner of the room and gradually I eased into the topic of discussion. But, of course, the topic changes from one to another as time went by and truly the tension was being taken care of. Well, until we heard a deep and commanding voice call for our attention. The room went quiet immediately. He introduced himself, told us what the auditions were for, apologized for the delay and enlightened us on how the whole process would be carried. He begged for orderliness, too, so we could be fast enough to save everyone time.

A while later, potentials were being called in, one after another. Some came back and said they were asked to stay back. Some came back and just left. I could only think being asked to stay back means you made the cut. I hopefully, waited though, to be called in first and then see how it plays out.

Finally, I was called. I went in and got to be standing in front of some ladies with smiles on their faces ‘You are beautiful!’ one of them gushed. I was immediately thrown off, but just for a second, then, I quickly got a grip and responded ‘Hello, ladies’ with a matching smile on my face and then quickly replied: ‘Thank you’ to the one who called me beautiful.

“Stand on the marked line”, I was told then “Look into the camera and let us meet you”….

#DiaryOfAHustlingOAP will be back here next week *winks* - @Spycystar