Page 5 of The Love Raffle

Captain Evolution got a boost in power and sped through the debris on the island to meet his foe. A battle of colored power blasts erupted, and the camera angles became erratic.

Oscar clapped and raised his fists. “See that? See that?” He turned to Levi. “Isn’t this amazing? Doesn’t it make you want to domoremovies?”

Levi said nothing.

Oscar waited for a positive answer that never came. His shoulders dropped and he sat back in defeat. “Tell it to pause.”

Levi muttered “finally” and clapped his hands. The lights in his living room came on and he paused the movie with his remote.

It stopped on a shot of his character leveling up with dozens of special effects. He remembered the green body suits, the early starts, and the endless takes. Production had been long for that one. He could say the same for all Captain Evolution movies.

Yet, amid the whirlwind of fame and the pressures of the franchise, Levi remained grateful. Grateful for the opportunities that had come his way, for the chance to portray a character beloved by millions, and for the platform it had provided him. Despite that, he yearned for something more, a chance to explore different roles, to challenge himself creatively beyond the boundaries of the superhero genre. Levi knew he had to navigate the delicate balance between embracing the success of Captain Evolution and carving out his own path in the entertainment industry.

Oscar placed an arm on the back of the couch. “Come on, man.” He shifted his body towards Levi’s. “You’restillnot over this funk?”

“When you limit it to just some ‘funk,’ it sounds like less than it is.” Levi tied the belt of his bathrobe. The curtains of his lavish penthouse had been drawn since last week. He hadn’t seen his city in some time. He really should have gotten some fresh air. It had just been him in his penthouse for a while. Luckily, there were plenty of snacks and shows to keep him occupied.Unfortunately, I’m supposed to head back to work soon.

Oscar rubbed a hand over his bald head. He sucked his lower lip as he lightly scratched his thick mustache. “What do you want to call it? Depression?”

Levi turned up his nose. “Man, I don’t know what it is.” He sat forward, watching his face on the screen.Or more like my character’s face.Finding himself there was difficult.

“I’m pretty sure you’re just burned out from doing so many movies over the past…decade? When did you start all this?” Oscar crossed his legs and leaned back on the soft backrest. He knew the answer. Oscar had been with him since he was a kid. Rachel had hired him to for Levi’s team and since then, he’d functioned more as an older brother and caregiver than Rachel’s assistant.

“When I was thirteen.”

“Yeah. Burnout happens to the best of us.” He patted his protruding belly. It stuck out under his slick buttoned shirt. “Even movie stars, I guess,” he said on an exhale.

Levi had nothing to say to that. He ruffled his blonde hair. “So, like…are you going to tell the rest of the team that I need more time?” He lowered his voice, attempting to show his vulnerability. Maybe Oscar would cut him a break for once or at least help him to. His agent, Rachel, called all the shots. He had been taught from a young age that in showbiz, taking things slow was a no-no.Once you get your chance, grab it, and never let go.The voice of someone distant echoed in his subconscious.

Oscar’s dark eyebrows were high on his forehead. “You wantmeto tell Rachel that you want to take more time for yourself?”

Levi winced. “Well,Idon’t want to do it.”

Oscar sat straighter, a long-winded sigh blowing out of his mouth. “Look, kid, you’re not jumping right into the next installment, okay? Rachel got a crazy offer for you to appear on that game show. The one where some rando gets a date with a celebrity. You know it?”

Levi looked at him with knitted brows. “What?”

Oscar snickered. “You really do live in a bubble.”

Levi punched him playfully. “Wait, that’s my first post-vacation project? I thought we were making the next Captain Evolution movie.”

Oscar shook his head. “That’ll come later but for now, this show is a hit, and a lot of people want to see you on it. Your fan base is mostly comic book nerds and internet trolls but if you get on this game show, you might be able to broaden your demographic.” He waggled his brows.

Levi scratched his head. His hair was due for a wash. His whole body was. “But if I’m in high demand then doesn’t that mean my fans already watch it?”

Oscar waved him off. “Not necessarily.” He rubbed his hands. “This show has more public viewers than cult fandom viewers like your movies. I think it could be good for you, LM.” He slapped Levi on the shoulder.

“General public viewers…” Levi crossed both legs on the couch, propping his cheek in his hand. “I don’t know…” Right now, his bed seemed appealing. He had contemplated quitting and leaving the scene with all the millions he had made, butcontracts.

“It’s already in the works, sorry.” Oscar shrugged with indifference.

Levi dropped his hand. “What?Why did you say Rachel got an offer?” He frowned, trying his best to keep the irritation out of his voice. “That implies that it hasn’t been accepted.”

“Oh, for real? Well, I meant to say sheacceptedan offer for you to be on the show.” Oscar got up and popped his back. “Now let’s get you cleaned up. You need to start looking like Levi Marksright nowbecause this hobo thing is not cutting it.”

Levi groaned as Oscar went to his curtains and opened them, allowing light to bathe his penthouse. He squinted and hissed, curling fists at his eyes.

Oscar’s laugh irked him. “After I do some cleaning up, you’re hopping in the shower, big man.”

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