Nina Hartley, a young studio executive, impeccably dressed but betraying her nerves with a tapping pen, glances anxiously at the lion sprawled across a custom leather mat.
Gus Moreno, the lion’s chief handler, stands with arms folded and an air of calm authority, his eyes never leaving the lion’s face.
"I still don’t see why the lion needs to be here for the contract review," Nina says, voice thin but trying for steady.
"Lion stays, or we walk. Those are his terms," Gus interrupts, his tone unyielding as he gives a subtle nod to the lion.
A heavy silence fills the room. Nina swallows, realizing she’s at a disadvantage; the lion’s reputation precedes him—graceful, photogenic, and astonishingly well-behaved.
She recalls rumors of the lion posing on command, his performances raising the bar for animal actors everywhere. With a resigned sigh, she adjusts her posture and scans the document for anomalies.
"About this clause—special meals? Is that necessary?" Nina ventures, voice softer, gaze alternating between Gus and the lion.
"You’ll have to check with the studio’s CEO on that. It’s above my pay grade," Gus replies smoothly.
The lion gives a minute nod, almost imperceptible, as if granting silent approval to Gus’s answer.
Nina, sensing the gravity of the moment, presses her lips together and signs the contract with a flourish. The lion’s tail swishes once, a gesture that passes between him and Gus like a secret handshake.
For a brief instant, Nina thinks she sees a flicker of amusement in the lion’s golden eyes—an intellect only hinted at in whispers among the crew.
Production is officially greenlit. Crew members outside the glass doors peek in, eager for a glimpse of the legendary star.
The lion strides out, head held high, while Nina exhales in relief, already imagining the headlines and box office returns.
The director claps his hands, and the handlers move aside. The lion settles, gazing serenely at the lens, his presence commanding utter silence.
For a moment, everyone is spellbound; the lion’s performance is effortless, his enigmatic intellect shining through as he poses on cue, ready to steal the spotlight once again.
