Ariana looked at Tyler with concern. As she was about to speak, Jayson asked, "Is there any problem?"

Tyler shook his head and replied, "No, there isn't."

With that, he retreated to the side with the paper, examining it intently.

Ariana had considered asking Jayson to add more story or context but decided against it. At this point, the outcome of the performance hinged on Tyler's interpretation.

As Jayson waited, he kept his head down, lost in thought, avoiding conversation with Ariana. She found it impossible to gauge his attitude or thoughts.

Midway through, Ariana stepped out to answer a call from Sonia. Over the past two days, Sonia called Ariana regularly, worried that she might be upset because of Theodore.

Contrary to Sonia's concern, Ariana hadn't dwelled on the issue. Perhaps work had occupied her mind, leaving her little time to remember the irritation.

Five minutes passed quickly. Ariana retumed after ending the call, finding Jayson seated on a discarded chair, ready to watch Tyler's performance.

She took a seat on another chair.

"Let's begin," Jayson announced.

Tyler nodded, set the paper aside, and stepped into an open space.

From Tyler's expression and posture, it was evident that he had immersed himself in the character. His shoulders slumped, reflecting a sense of despair and hopelessness.

He glanced at the ground before him, head bowed, took a few steps, picked up a rock, and began to dig with it.

The outside was dark and gloomy, with rain starting to fall. Inside the factory, the light was dim. Crows took flight from a nearby window, their cawing the only sound in the otherwise silent space.

Tyler, radiating an ominous presence, knelt and continued to numbly dig the hole before him.

Nothing in his surroundings appeared to affect his actions, as if he was utterly disconnected from the world.

Ariana observed Tyler's gradual crescendo in his performance. The scene Jayson had assigned him was rich with complex emotions, and the character's personality could only be conveyed through the subtle expressions in his eyes.

She had anticipated that Tyler would create additional movements or expressions to enhance this dialogue-free performance, but he didn't.

Tyler refrained from any additional actions or even lifting his gaze. He focused solely on digging, adhering strictly to the script.

Watching Tyler's pantomime-like performance, Ariana felt uneasy.