The Character Loft

Jason hates industry parties. Actually, that's not true. He loves getting to see the people he works with relaxing in a festive environment, and he knows that his network puts on one of the best holiday parties around. It also gives him the chance to mingle with stars from the other shows in a setting that doesn't involve press interviews or being shills for their corporate bosses. What he hates are people who aren't actors being at these parties and wanting to make everything about their next deal. He's in the middle of trying to figure out the best way to escape an agent (clearly someone's plus one) intent on luring him over to a different agency when he sees something that makes him wonder exactly was the powers that be are up to.

Next to the bar, there's a large stand up display touting the network's shows and thanking everyone who works on them. It's going to be signed by all the cast and crew present and then auctioned off for charity. At least, it was. Jason wonders two things as he excuses himself from the conversation and walks over to the stand up: 1) Why did someone just put a door in the middle of the damn thing? 2) Who'll want to bid on something that's blocking most of the beautiful faces of the people he works with? He can't figure out the network's angle since he knows for a fact there aren't any new shows about mysterious doors on the fall schedule. He stops one of his co-stars and asks about the door.

"What door?" is the puzzled reply.

"The only door. Right there in the middle. Right there." Jason points at it.

"Um, nothing there but your brooding face," his friend says, then laughs. "You're wasted, man." He claps Jason on the back and moves on.

Jason looks at the display again and frowns because he can see the damn door as clear as day. How many freaking Manhattans has he had?

"What's going on?" he whispers to himself, reaching to touch the door handle. Real. He turns it. Still real. Taking a deep breath, he opens it to see a long hallway. It's got to be a picture, he thinks, but when he puts out his hand to touch it, his hand goes inside a space that shouldn't be there.

"What the hell?" He looks around at the party but no one seems to be paying attention to him. Maybe this is just for him. A little scared and a lot excited, he bites his lip and steps inside.

***
Jason Connors
Original Character