Being a child actor has its advantages, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. On the one hand, achieving success at a young age can lead to numerous opportunities, such as auditions, film roles, and endorsement deals.

However, this success also comes with a price, as child actors are constantly in the public eye and subject to media scrutiny. Paparazzi often follow them, invading their privacy, and any misstep can lead to disaster.

Fortunately, in the United States, there are laws and organizations

in place to protect child actors from harassment. Despite this, some paparazzi still manage to find ways to intrude on their lives.

For Richard, a young actor, the good parts of his career have been moderate, but the bad parts have been minimal, thanks to these protective measures. With his busy schedule of filming, stage plays, writing books, and attending school, the new year arrived almost unnoticed.

Richard's birthday, which falls on January 2nd, was celebrated with his extended family in California. If not for this celebration, he might have forgotten his own birthday.

He especially misses his grandmother, who took care of him during his early days. Unfortunately, she passed away, and he was unable to attend her funeral.

Richard's family has a ranch in Santa Rosa, where they hold an annual New Year's gathering. He loves visiting the ranch, especially the horses, and enjoys riding them around the property.

His grandparents used to live on the ranch, but now his uncle's family resides there with his grandmother.

The family gathering was a success, with everyone having a great time, and Richard was the center of attention, regaling them with stories of his film experiences and behind-the-scenes moments.

Five months have passed since then, and the Jackson family has returned to their normal routine, with Richard balancing his acting career, school, and writing books, including his recently published book, "Spies in Disguise."

As he entered middle school, Richard found that his academic experience was made easier by his past life experiences. He was already academically inclined, and his second life has only enhanced his abilities.

Richard's ordinary life was disrupted when the doorbell rang. With a furrowed brow, he approached the door, wondering who could be interrupting his solitude on this ordinary afternoon.

To his surprise, standing on the other side of the threshold was none other than Ari Emanuel, Richard's agent. Ari, always the flamboyant character, flashed a charismatic grin that could charm the socks off anyone.

"Hello, Ari. What brings you all the way to New York?" Richard inquired, his curiosity piqued by the unexpected visit.

"Oh, come now, can't I drop by without reason?" Ari countered with a playful glint in his eye.

Richard raised an eyebrow at this response, knowing Ari well enough to discern that there was more to the visit than mere spontaneity. "No, you can't," he insisted, his tone tinged with amused exasperation.

Ari chuckled. "You're one mean kid, Richard."

"Thank you for the compliment, but now, the reason," Richard pressed, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

With a theatrical sigh, Ari wiped away imaginary sweat from his forehead before launching into the purpose of his visit. "Alright, alright. So, the reason I came is that I have a role for you in a film from MGM."

Richard's interest was immediately piqued at the mention of MGM. "A film invitation from MGM?" he repeated, a hint of skepticism in his tone.

"That's right. MGM is producing a family film called 'A Christmas Story,' and there's an important child character in it. The audition is next week," Ari explained, excitement evident in his voice.

Richard's curiosity was piqued. "Wait, I have to audition?"

Ari explained, "Well, when the film was announced, MGM wanted to offer you the role directly, but the director vetoed it. So, they decided that as long as you do well in the audition, you'll get the part."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Richard thought for a moment, trying to recall if he had heard of the film before. He couldn't remember anything about it, which made him wonder if it was a low-budget or low-potential project. Or a project forgotten with time in the competitive market of Hollywood.

"So, what do you say?" Ari urged, sensing Richard's contemplative silence.

"Huh? Oh... Sure, why not," Richard replied after a brief pause, his mind suddenly buzzing with possibilities and uncertainties.

Ari beamed with satisfaction. "Excellent," he declared, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

As Ari walked away after hanging out for a while, Richard thought to himself, 'What's the worst that could happen? The film might get canceled or flop.

But maybe, just maybe, I can make it a success. And who knows, it could be a good opportunity to break free from relying on my knowledge of the future, which only goes up to 2020 anyway.' He smiled to himself, feeling a sense of possibility.

The following week finally arrived. Richard traveled to MGM Studios for his audition. Upon arrival, he found a crowded hallway filled with children, all eagerly awaiting their turn. A constant stream of kids entered and exited a specific room, many with disappointed or frustrated expressions.

After a period of waiting, Richard's name was called. "Richard Jackson!" shouted the person stationed beside the door. While not his first audition ever, in this life it is a fresh start, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of nervousness. Taking a deep breath, he entered the room, and as he did, his nerves subsided, replaced by a confident smile that he projected toward the judges.

Bob Clark, weary from reviewing a succession of stiff, young faces, awaited the next hopeful. Only a few had managed to capture his attention, particularly a young boy named Peter Billingsley. Unless someone could surpass Billingsley's impressive performance, including the promising Richard, recommended by MGM, the role would likely be his.

Bob sat lost in thought, a sudden burst of sound broke the silence.

He turned to see a young man with black hair, a sunny smile, and striking blue eyes confidently introducing himself. "Hello, my name is Richard Jackson," he said, his voice booming through the room.

Without hesitation, Richard continued, "I've only appeared in one film, which was released this year, but I've had the opportunity to act in numerous plays on Broadway. In my free time, I enjoy writing stories."

The room fell silent, with no one speaking up until Bob finally broke the silence. "Well, nice to meet you, Richard. I'm Bob Clark, the director of this film. I had the chance to see your performance in E.T., which was impressive. I've even heard that Mr. Spielberg had positive things to say about your acting skills."

Richard responded humbly, "Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Clark, but I owe a lot of credit to Mr. Spielberg. He was a great guide and mentor to me."

Seemingly pleased with the response, Bob got straight to the point. "While your acting skills are impressive, this film leans more towards the indie genre with a comedic angle, which is quite different from your previous experiences."

Richard, a seasoned actor with a charming demeanor, maintained a calm composure as he listened intently. His hazel eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and a faint smile lingering on his lips betrayed his confidence. "I've performed in a few humor and comedy-based stage plays. With my Broadway background, that experience might come in handy," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation.

Sitting next to Bob, a middle-aged man with a keen expression leaned forward, curious to learn more about Richard's background. "Oh, you've been on Broadway?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in genuine interest.

Richard's face lit up with pride, and he nodded eagerly. "Yes, indeed. It's been a rewarding journey," he answered, his voice resonating with a touch of nostalgia.

The room buzzed with a light chatter, filled with a mix of anticipation and intrigue. A few chuckles escaped from those gathered around, drawn in by Richard's charismatic aura.

The man continued his line of inquiry, his interest piqued by Richard's aura of confidence. "So, you're confident you'll land the role?" he inquired, his tone casual yet inquisitive.

With unwavering confidence, Richard met the man's gaze. "As long as everyone likes my audition," he responded, exuding a sense of determination that resonated throughout the room.

Bob, the director of the indie film project, sensed the energy in the room and decided it was time to move forward. "Alright, let's get started then," he announced, his voice carrying a note of anticipation.

The team handed Richard a script and instructed him to perform a specific scene. With a nod of acknowledgment, Richard took a moment to immerse himself in the character, allowing the words to weave seamlessly within his being. As the room fell into a respectful hush, Richard began to embody the essence of the character, each line delivered with precision and emotional depth.

Throughout the performance, reactions varied among the spectators. Some nodded in appreciation, recognizing Richard's talent, while others couldn't help but smile at the sincerity he brought to the scene. A few furrowed brows hinted at a deeper contemplation, adding an air of mystery to the atmosphere.

Finally, as Richard concluded the scene, a moment of silence enveloped the room, each person lost in their thoughts. Bob and another individual exchanged a knowing glance, a silent communication passing between them as they weighed their impressions of Richard's audition.

"Well, Richard," Bob began, his gaze focused yet unreadable.