The news that Lupus is going to be in a movie has definitely shaken up his school friends. Especially his close friends like Fifi Alone, Boim, Aji, Gito, Gusur, Meta, Ita, and Utari. Because, you see, Lupus also wants to invite his close friends to be a part of it. How can they not be surprised?
“You’re serious, Pus?” Fifi asked excitedly.
“Yeah, I’m serious. It just so happens that the producer from Cuwek Bebek Film knows my boss at Hai. And when he needed supporting actors for his teen-themed movie, the boss offered me a role. And because they need a lot of people, I was asked to find other friends who want to join too.”
The school atmosphere became lively. Thanks to Fifi Alone, who couldn’t contain her emotions and immediately told everyone. “Ike is worried, what if the main star becomes jealous because Ike is also a supporting actor,” she blurted out.
The students from other classes became envious.
“What kind of sorcery does the producer have? How can they be so heartless to invite them to be in a movie. Aren’t they afraid of losing money?” someone mocked.
“But it’s true, they’re really going to be in a movie,” defended another.
“Ah, impossible. Maybe they’re just going to be monkey performers!”
“I saw it myself, they’ve started practicing in the school hall every day after school.”
“Well, even monkey performers need practice!”
But the news almost became true when Lupus was called by the producer for a talk the next day. Lupus originally wanted to go alone, so it wouldn’t be chaotic over there. But Gusur insisted on joining. So they went together.
“So, Pus? Are you serious about this?” the producer asked when they met. While Gusur was still waiting outside, waiting to be called.
Lupus smiled shyly. The director, who was also present, smiled along.
“Where are the other friends? Why didn’t you invite them?”
“Oh, I thought I was supposed to come alone. Sorry. But I brought a sample. It’s waiting outside. Want to see?” Lupus replied.
“Why didn’t you bring them in? What’s their name?”
“Gusur. Should I call him?” Lupus stood up and shouted loudly, “Suuur, Gusuuur, you can come in now. It’s safe!”
Gusur’s uncool face appeared from behind the door, “I’m here, Pus.”
Then he walked over to join them.
“This is one example, dude. Even though it’s a bit worn out, it’s decent enough for a role as a train door guard,” Lupus introduced.
The producer and director were busy nudging each other. Whispering, “Isn’t this wrong? Why is he bringing stuff like this?”
“Oh, he once wanted to participate in a magazine cover boy contest, dude,” Lupus replied, as if hearing the producer’s whisper. “But not with me. Because he’s afraid that if he wins and his face ends up on the cover, the magazine’s sales will plummet. It won’t sell.”
Gusur got angry.
“Alright, tomorrow you and your friends come here again. But come a bit later, so we can practice together and write down their names. Because the office employees have already gone home,” the producer said.
Lupus nodded. Gusur followed suit.
The next day, they all piled into Gito’s car to go to the PT. Cuwek Bebek Film office. Meta, Ita, and Utari didn’t want to join for various reasons (they’re the idealistic type who prefer studying over crazy stuff like that!). So, the ones joining were Lupus, Boim, Gusur, Aji, Gito, Fifi Alone, and Ruri. And of course, Mas Wedha, the artist, asked to be picked up from his office. “Just in case there’s a role for me, even though I’m already half past my prime,” he said.
Lupus was okay with it. Poor guy.
On the way, they were busy joking around, having fun, and playing guessing games. Unaware, they arrived at the rundown and cramped parking lot of the PT. Cuwek Bebek Film office.
“Why is the office so rundown?” Fifi Alone said, fixing her skirt as she got out of the car.
“Film offices are rundown everywhere, dude,” Wedha replied.
The kids then climbed the stairs to the fourth floor. They even got scolded by the guard waiting near the entrance, “Hey, hey, what are you all doing here?”
“Don’t know yet, man. We’re potential movie stars called by the producer. Want an autograph? Better get it now, ’cause once Ike becomes famous, it’ll be hard to reach him,” Fifi Alone replied nonchalantly.
The guard was just stunned.
One by one, they entered the office space. The secretary smirked as she examined their faces, one by one. She was used to the arrival of famous movie stars. But these ones? First, Lupus entered. Just average. Then Aji, same. Wedha, so-so. Boim, not cool. Ruri, same. Fifi, not cool. Not cool. Not cool.
Well, maybe the one at the back is cool, the secretary hoped, her eyes wide. And she almost fainted when the wild artist Gusur appeared at the back.
“Alright, let’s go straight to the training building,” the director greeted as the kids hadn’t even had a chance to catch their breath after climbing the high stairs.
“Couldn’t you have told us earlier? We could’ve just waited downstairs,” Lupus and the others grumbled as they went back down.
The director just grinned.
They headed towards the training building across the street. They even climbed the stairs to the second floor.
“If they make us go back down once we reach the top, well – let’s just give them a united salute!” Lupus threatened, whispering to Wedha who chuckled.
After the director gave a brief briefing, they started their training. And don’t be surprised if it’s Boim who’s training them now. Turns out, despite his uncool appearance, Boim has a lot of experience in theater in his hometown. He usually performs traditional comedic plays for Independence Day celebrations.
But when it comes to Lupus and the gang, even with the director present, they still can’t train seriously. They just joke around. Thanks to the failed poet Gusur, who brought special patched training pants from the start. They were already full of holes, eaten by rats. The kids couldn’t help but laugh. But Gusur, nonchalantly, just kept moving his body, showing off his armpits to everyone. The only thing left for the kids was to race to sneeze.
“Take a slow breath, and scream as loud as you can, HEAA!” Boim commanded. The kids started screaming, shocking the director.
In the following days, they continued to train.
Boim is the most serious one. Because secretly, he’s holding onto a million hopes. It’s really touching. Once he gets paid for the movie, Boim wants to trade in his old beat-up motorcycle for a new one. He also promised to treat everyone to a whole roasted goat if his plan to win over Svida – the cool girl he’s been crushing on forever – works out.
“Well, at least when the movie comes out, everyone will know who I am. And only a crazy person would reject the love of a movie star,” Boim whispered. Full of hope.
Gusur also shared a heartwarming story. He said his grandpa made a special donation at the local mosque to celebrate Gusur’s upcoming movie. His grandpa said that raising Gusur, with his insatiable appetite, was worth it even if it caused a budget deficit for the country, because he’s going to be a movie star.
“And I have a modest goal. At least to win the Citra Award for Best Supporting Actor at the upcoming Film Festival,” Gusur casually said.
Fifi is also the happiest creature with all of this happening. You know, she’s always dreamed of being a movie star since she was little. And this feels like a dream come true for her. She even reported her movie plans to all the organizations, including the neighbors who used to be indifferent. Fifi’s mom and dad immediately shared the good news with their hometown, where Fifi’s grandparents live. The latest news that Fifi’s mom received was that her grandpa immediately prepared a feast… oh, I mean, prepared six roasted ducks as a sign of celebration.
Meanwhile, Gito plans to fix his car that always breaks down once he receives his payment. Aji is the least complicated one. He wants to treat his girlfriend to a visit to the mini theme park. Ruri, on the other hand, plans to have plastic surgery so she can look like Stephanie.
Lupus himself secretly wants to surprise his mom. He wants to buy her a new pair of glasses so she won’t make mistakes when threading a needle.
A few weeks later, the director organized a joint rehearsal. Lupus and the gang were combined with the main cast. Wow, the atmosphere became chaotic and almost uncontrollable when Boim and Gusur were busy running around, asking for autographs from everyone.
Meanwhile, the actors were acting all cool and nonchalant. Their style was totally rad. Especially their costumes, which were like night and day compared to Gusur’s. Not girly, not masculine, they just laughed hysterically, posed in front of the mirror, and smoked freely. It was such a contrast to Lupus and the gang, who just sat in the corner, waiting for their turn. Honestly, during the rehearsal, they all got nervous, facing the professional actors. It was so easy for them to hold hands, hug, and rock Madonna-style makeup.
And when they started testing the video shots, Lupus and the gang looked so nervous. They couldn’t loosen up like they usually did. Plus, there were so many people watching.
The practice had to be postponed. They had to wait for another call.
One week, two weeks, still no call.
Until a month passed,
“When are we going to practice shooting? We’ve been waiting forever and our hair is all curled up,” Ruri exclaimed. The others had similar questions.
Lupus just shrugged.
The next day, Lupus accidentally bumped into the producer at the Hai office. With a regretful face, the producer delivered the sad news that they wouldn’t be using Lupus and the gang for the supporting roles because, according to the director, “You guys are still too inexperienced. Hard to direct. Your rehearsals were always full of jokes. And we have to register you all as new actors with Parfi, which is very expensive. We don’t want to take that risk. So…”
Lupus stopped listening to what the producer was saying. He was just stunned. How could he break this heartbreaking news to his friends?
The next day was a day of anguish for Lupus. He was really confused about how to deliver this sad news to his friends. Especially Fifi. Ever since she heard about being in the movie, her zest for life had doubled. She even started treating her friends like royalty while cracking jokes left and right. Lupus couldn’t bear to see Boim’s face. From his expression, Lupus could tell that the boy had a million hopes. Not to mention Gusur, Aji, or Gito, who had simple dreams, “Just let us be supporting actors, as long as we’re in the spotlight!”
Would Lupus have the heart to disappoint them all?
Lupus sat anxiously in the corner, scribbling in his book with a chaotic mind. He regretted putting such high hopes on his friends. Being a hope-giver was tough, especially when you couldn’t fulfill those hopes for the people you gave them to.
“What’s wrong, Pus? Are you sick?” Meta approached.
Meta… oh, how lucky it was to be someone like Meta. Someone with attitude. Someone who wasn’t easily swayed by beautiful dreams. Someone who chose to live in the real world. If only all his friends had Meta’s mindset!
“Lupus, what’s going on?”
“Uh… oh, nothing. I’m just feeling a bit dizzy.”
“Do you want some medicine?”
“Nah, it’s okay. I’ll feel better soon enough.”
Meta shrugged.
During recess, when the kids were chatting in the canteen, Lupus didn’t join in. He actually wanted to break the sad news to them right then and there. But Lupus changed his mind. He couldn’t bear to ruin his friends’ happiness.
The same thing happened during the second recess.
But the longer he postponed it, the heavier the burden became. Lupus had to talk to them soon. Not wait until tomorrow. It had to be today. After school. And the kids didn’t sense anything different from Lupus’s behavior.
So when the bell rang, his friends all came up to Lupus together.
“What’s up, Pus? You look different today. Don’t deny it, we all know. Usually, you’re always goofing around in the canteen, cracking jokes in class, but today? Wow, what’s going on, buddy? We’re ready to help. Did those kids from the other class threaten you? Is that it?” Aji said.
Lupus forced a bitter smile.
“Well, speak up! Let it out! Speak it out loud! Shout it out loud!” Boim pretended to know it all. “Don’t worry, we’re here ready to help as your true friends. Come on, speak your mind! But if it hurts, don’t do it!”
Lupus took a deep breath.
Were they ready to hear it?
“You’re right, guys. This is really painful. But I have to talk to all of you. Even though it’s hard, I have to!”
Fifi, Gito, Aji, Gusur, and Boim became tense.
“What’s wrong, Pus?”
Lupus started telling them everything. About his meeting with the producer. About the cancellation of their roles…
“So?” Gusur almost cried, asking.
“Yeah, it got canceled.”
“We’re not gonna be movie stars?” Gito blurted out.
“That’s the gist of it.”
The kids fell silent. Especially Fifi, she was in complete shock.
“They said, during the joint rehearsals, our acting was still stiff. Our journey is still far if we want to become movie stars,” Lupus continued.
Everyone remained silent. Their dreams shattered into pieces.
“Are you disappointed?” Lupus asked softly.
“Of course!” Ruri snapped.
“We’re embarrassed, Pus!” Boim’s voice trembled.
“You don’t need to be disappointed,” Lupus said.
“We’ve been lied to,” Aji chimed in.
“You’re disappointed too, Pus. Don’t pretend,” Boim revealed.
“We’re all disappointed. But we can’t drown in sadness. Our journey is still long. This tragedy reminds us that our destiny isn’t to be movie stars. Everyone already has their own place. They’ve been assigned by God. Like Boim being a playboy, Fifi being a fake artist, me being a cool guy… well, it’s all been divided. Maybe our place isn’t there. We’re meant to be here. As students. As kids who have to sit nicely in the classroom, while listening to lessons. And occasionally throw chalk at the teacher when they’re not paying attention. Meta, Ita, and Utari realized it earlier than us. That’s why they rejected our offer.”
“You’re not preaching anymore, are you, Pus?” Boim suddenly chimed in. “Whether we preach or not, that’s not the point. What’s important is that we shouldn’t be sad. All problems come like dreams, so why get all worked up when they disappear like dreams too?”
“But we’ll be mocked by the other kids,” Aji said.
“Mock them back. At least they’ve never experienced the joy of being aspiring movie stars like us. Right?”
The kids shouted in agreement. In return, Lupus treated them all to meatball soup with his newly earned writing fee. They cheered happily, especially Gusur, who could forget his sorrow after seeing a steaming bowl of meatballs in front of him.
“Long live Lupus! Tomorrow, when the dawn breaks, we start our real lives again. As sweet students of Merah Putih High School!” Gusur shouted.
Lupus smiled. Deep down in his heart, he still carried the pain. Would his friends truly accept this reality as sincerely as they seemed? Or were they still as devastated as Fifi appeared to be?
Even if there is sorrow, it’s because you didn’t buy new glasses for your mother, Pus! Believe me!
And Lupus lowered his head sadly, remembering his mother who struggled to thread a needle when mending his frequently torn shirt…
