Take Four by Karen Kingsbury Page A

endorsing the faith views of the author or Jeremiah Productions. He was only taking the part because it stretched him as an actor and because he believed in the book.”
    Keith remembered back to a feeling he had during the summer when Brandon came out to discuss taking the role. He’d had his doubts about Brandon back then, but he hadn’t spoken up. Every time the issue arose, he told himself he was being too critical of the kid. And, while the movie would certainly benefit from a name like Brandon Paul’s, certainly Brandon Paul would also benefit from the movie. Brandon could change his ways. If a miracle happened, the young star could even find a genuine faith in God, being surrounded by people with such strong faith. But there was a line between believing they could help Brandon and the very real possibility that his participation could hurt the film’s message. With the latest tabloid stories, they were headed to a place where Brandon would make it impossible for Keith—with a clear conscience—to cast him. The way it stood now, people would have to wonder if the Christian producers at Jeremiah Productions had sold out by giving the lead to Brandon.
    Keith and Dayne talked about what had gone wrong, how the star’s image had changed. They both agreed, today Brandon was perceived far differently from the way people saw him just a year ago—when his role as a teen star for NTM Studios had made him the guy with the fresh face and the squeaky clean image. NTM had made him into a mega-star, no question. He was the heartthrob for every young teenage girl in America, and now he wanted to take on more serious roles. Keith looked at the magazines again. “What did his agent say about all this? The partying and girls?”
    “He said it’s under control.” Dayne looked baffled. “Seriously. He told me his star client could party once in a while, otherwise he wouldn’t be seen as a competitive adult actor.”
    “Mission accomplished.” Keith’s heart felt like it had settled around his waist. “We need to get word to him that we’re hesitating, that we’ll cast someone else if the craziness doesn’t stop.”
    “You wanna have that talk with him, or you want me to do it?”
    “He’ll hear it better from you.”
    Dayne agreed. He still had Brandon’s cell number. He pulled his phone from his back jeans pocket and tapped a few times. In seconds he held the phone to his ear and waited. “Hey, Brandon. Yeah, man, it’s Dayne Matthews. Wondered if you had a minute?”
    Keith could only hear Dayne’s side of the conversation, but his new co-producer seemed very adept at getting to the point. They talked about the film and the schedule, and the idea that Brandon needed to make time for a screen test in Bloomington. Then Dayne lowered the boom. “By the way, Keith and I have a dozen magazines spread across the table. Gotta be honest, buddy. We don’t like what we’re seeing.”
    Brandon’s answers didn’t take long, and from the sounds of Dayne’s responses, the young star was contrite. “Okay, so it’s pretty serious. You understand, right?” Dayne was wrapping up the call. “Good. We still have a few weeks. If the tabs keep making you their star player, we might need a different Holden Harris.”
    Dayne paused, pacing the floor a few feet from Keith.
    “Good.” He went on, “This is very serious. Absolutely. This kinda’ film we need you on your game, buddy. Really.”
    After another few minutes the call ended, and Dayne slipped his phone back in his pocket. “He’s worried. I could hear it in his voice.”
    “Should we call his agent, let him know his role’s in jeopardy?”
    “I think so. I’ll let you handle that one.”
    Keith was more than happy to make the call. They answeredto God for their actions as producers. If that meant cutting a star as big as Brandon Paul, they would do it and let God show them who was supposed to play the part instead. Keith immediately called Brandon’s agent