Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm

Right as Chris Pratt and Daniel Kaluuya were debating who was hotter—Nebula or Gamora.

Chris Pratt's phone buzzed.

"Who'd be calling at this hour?"

Chris Pratt glanced at the wall clock: 8:22 AM.

He picked up the phone—it was his manager.

Chris Pratt's manager was also signed with CAA; his agent was a small-time broker under Jeff Raymond's wing, with limited resources, mostly scraping by on scraps that slipped through Jeff Raymond's fingers.

Answering the call, his manager's excited voice burst through: "Ahhh, dude, damn it, you're gonna blow up—for real, you're gonna blow up! Ah, damn, you're really gonna blow up—your big break's here..."

"Hold up, hold up—what are you talking about? How am I blowing up? What break?" Chris Pratt cut off his manager's rambling, a surge of anticipation bubbling up inside him.

Daniel Kaluuya, who was toasting bread, leaned in curiously to listen.

"Okay, okay, let me calm down... Alright, I'm calm. Listen up."

"I'm listening—spit it out."

"You know about Marvel Studios' new project?"

"Yeah, Guardians of the Galaxy. It's all over the papers—they're casting right now. Wait, you mean I got an audition for something? No way?!"

"You will, of course you will—that's why I said your luck's turned."

"What role? Drax the Destroyer? Yondu? Not the raccoon, right?"

"None of those, dude—it's Star-Lord. You get to audition for Star-Lord, and you're skipping straight to round two. Huge chance. You know who? It's Martin—Martin recommended you to Marvel Studios. Martin's got serious pull there. As long as you don't totally bomb the audition, the role's yours. Ah, damn, you hit the jackpot."

"What?!"

Hanging up.

Chris Pratt and Daniel Kaluuya stared at each other.

Chris Pratt: "I'm auditioning for Star-Lord?"

Daniel Kaluuya: "You're auditioning for Star-Lord!"

Chris Pratt: "I've got a real shot?"

Daniel Kaluuya: "You've got a real shot!"

Chris Pratt: "Martin recommended me?"

Daniel Kaluuya: "Martin recommended me!"

"Hahahaha~" Chris Pratt suddenly burst into manic laughter, startling Daniel Kaluuya.

"Thank you, Martin—thank you, God. No, Martin's God—he's my Goat. I'm gonna play Star-Lord. I've gotta nail this role—ah, I love this character the most..."

With that, Chris Pratt shoved his plate aside, stood up, and skipped breakfast.

"Where you going?" Daniel Kaluuya asked curiously.

"To buy comics, duh—I've gotta study up on my favorite character, Star-Lord."

"Fuck, your favorite's Rocket Raccoon—Star-Lord's the one you hate. You just said so."

"Did I? You must've heard wrong."

Chris Pratt grabbed his jacket and bolted out the door.

Daniel Kaluuya watched his back enviously, thinking: Chris's big break is here. When's mine gonna come? Martin hasn't forgotten me, right?

Over the next few days, Chris Pratt went into hardcore weight-loss mode.

In just two weeks, he transformed from a slightly pudgy guy into a handsome stud.

See? With a clear goal, shedding pounds isn't that hard.

One day, Daniel Kaluuya skipped his acting class and stayed home waiting for Chris Pratt.

Maybe he was waiting for a glimmer of hope—his own hope.

After all, if Martin could help Chris Pratt, then when the right opportunity came, he'd surely recommend him the same way, right?!

Chris Pratt had left early for the audition and didn't return until late afternoon, his face beaming with excitement.

"Hey, dude—how'd the interview go? You get it? I made dinner—let's eat and chat."

"Hahaha, sure—over dinner. But not here—at a restaurant. Come on, let's go. Beef curry tonight—my treat."

"Sounds like good news?"

Daniel Kaluuya's mood was mixed—happy for his friend, but a twinge of jealousy.

"Yep, good news—amazing news. Worth celebrating."

"You nailed the audition?"

"Yes—I nailed it! Producer Kevin Feige told me right there—the role's mine. Haha, tomorrow—tomorrow my manager's signing the contract."

"Whoa, that's awesome—definitely worth celebrating."

"Come on, let's go—beef curry, on me."

The next day, even bigger news hit.

Chris Pratt's contract was negotiated: 1.5 million dollars.

His manager called: "Dude, you gotta thank Mr. Meyers—he put in a word, or you'd never get that much. And me? I'll go thank Mr. Raymond."

Chris Pratt jumped: "Ah, damn—1.5 mil? I never dreamed—I know, of course I'll thank Martin. I knew he wouldn't shortchange me."

After thanking Martin, Chris Pratt dragged Daniel Kaluuya out to celebrate for three straight days.

Until Daniel Kaluuya talked him down: "Dude, you got the role—now's the time to prep seriously. If you screw it up and embarrass Martin, you might never get another shot like this."

Chris Pratt was stunned, then said to Daniel Kaluuya: "Dude, you're right—I've been floating lately. I'm buckling down to study the character, hit the gym, build some muscle. I've gotta nail it—can't let Martin down. Thanks for the wake-up—you're a rare true friend."

"No biggie—I'm counting on you to pull me up when you're famous." Daniel Kaluuya laughed.

Chris Pratt clapped his shoulder. "I got you."

Then grinned: "Who knows—maybe you won't have to wait for me to blow up. Martin might hook you up with a great role first."

"Haha, here's hoping." Daniel Kaluuya said, full of anticipation.

Daniel Kaluuya's "hope" came fast.

Just seven days into Chris Pratt's gym routine, he got a call from his manager too.