Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Duke Cain wrote:
26 October 2025, 8:42 AM
Chase. It delights me to welcome you to our little family.
8:43 AM
I've heard you have less than stable accommodation at the moment.
Living in your car in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant you've been working at.
8:44 AM
I have arranged for you to stay in one of our guest rooms until you have found something more suiting.
You wrote:
8:59 AM
Thank you so much Mr. Cain, it would mean a lot to me
9:00 AM
I won't get in your hair, I promise
Duke Cain wrote:
Of course. I imagine you will be a perfectly well-behaved house guest.
You wrote:
9:01 AM
I will, I promise

-

Wilson Charles wrote:
26 October 2025, 10:37 AM
Hi Vinny, how did the party at Duke Cain's go?
12:26 PM
Still sleeping it off huh? Remember that you do have other commitments tomorrow.
5:10 PM
Vinny are you there?
27 October 2025, 8:16 AM
Reply to me as soon as possible, this isn't a good look for you.
28 October 2025, 9:57 AM
Vinny please contact me

-

Duke Cain wrote:
29 October 2025, 8:08 PM
Chase, I've been enjoying the opportunity to see you in full flight as an actor. I have made some concerning observations about you in the past few days regarding your sleeping habits.
8:09 PM
Would I be correct to assume you suffer from insomnia?
You wrote:
8:17 PM
Uh yes Mr. Cain
I'm sorry it's been pretty bad lately
Duke Cain wrote:
8:18 PM
Say no more. I will arrange to get you a prescription of some kind of sleep aid.
You wrote:
8:20 PM
Thank you so much Mr. Cain
Duke Cain wrote:
30 October 2025, 10:11 AM
I've arranged a prescription of Xanax for you. It will be in your bedroom by this evening.
You wrote:
10:42 AM
Thank you Mr. Cain

-

From: Wilson Charles ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
BCC: Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 28 October 2025 12:48 PM
Subject: Your location

Hi Vinny,

You haven't been answering your texts and calls go straight to voicemail, so I'm hoping you'll at least look at your email inbox. You need to get in contact with me ASAP, alright? Aside from missing the audition the other day, going incommunicado in general isn't a good look.

Call me. Or text me, or email me. Just do something.

Wilson

-

RITE AID
2783 Green Street, Los Angeles, CA 91335

Dr. Abigail Smart
Rx No: 289236 10/30/2025

Dirk Carl

Dose: 3mg 3/daily

Alprazolam Sandoz

Qty: 100
REFILLS: 2 EXP 10/30/2026

-

From: Wilson Charles ([email protected])
To: Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 30 October 2025 4:04 PM
Subject: Vinny Monroe

Has anyone heard anything from Vinny lately? I haven't had any communication with him since the 24th.

-

WALGREENS
12984 N Castle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Dr. Jaxon Brown
Rx No: 289381 10/30/2025

Dean Carr

Dose: alprazolam 2mg 3/daily

Kalma 2 Mylan

Qty: 50
REFILLS: 2 EXP 10/30/2026

-

From: Bailey Wong ([email protected])
To: Wilson Charles ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 30 October 2025 4:36 PM
Subject: Re: Vinny Monroe

Not a word. Wasn't he invited to that big Duke Cain thing?

-

CVS
283 Yasmin Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90003

Dr. Miguel Hernandez
Rx No: 289583 10/30/2025

Dave Cole

Dose: 2mg 3/daily

Xanax alprazolam Pfizer

Qty: 100 tablets
REFILLS: 2 EXP 10/30/2026

-

From: Wilson Charles ([email protected])
To: Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 30 October 2025 4:52 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Vinny Monroe

Yeah. I'm not sure whether I'm more pissed off or worried.

-

HOLLYWOOD INSIDER MAGAZINE
The silence of Hollywood's golden boy

By Lila Kyle
31 October 2025

Has some fate befallen Hollywood royalty VINNY MONROE? Sources close to the upcoming superstar have said neither hair nor hide has been heard of him for nearly a week now, with rumors abounding that he's checked into rehab following his former costar, VICTORIA CROSS.

Vinny has been linked to the newest DUKE CAIN epic, The Last Voyage. Cain is a legend in Hollywood, of course, but his reputation can be a tough one at times. With one cast member already down and out, is it possible our boy Vinny has been dealing with some tough times on set as well?

We can only hope Vinny will show his handsome face some time soon!

-

From: Wilson Charles ([email protected])
To: Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 31 October 2025 7:26 AM
Subject: That fucking Insider article

Did you see this shit?

-

From: Kleo Morris ([email protected])
To: Wilson Charles ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected])
Sent: 31 October 2025 8:18 AM
Subject: Re: That fucking Insider article

Will throw something up on his socials. I swear to god Vinny owes me a vacation somewhere nice when he shows up again.

-

From: Wilson Charles ([email protected])
To: Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 31 October 2025 8:21 AM
Subject: Re: Re: That fucking Insider article

Kleo, you're a star.

-

[instagram.com/vinnymonroeee]

vinnymonroeee Hey Vinning Team! Sorry for the old photo (it's from the Shadowglass set, fun times!), I managed to catch The Plague (flu) and look ROUGH lmao. Been taking some time out resting, plenty of fluids (hydrate or diedrate!), and releasing copious amounts of very glamorous snot. I'm getting well taken care of so I'll be back in action pretty soon! ❤️ Love y'all, stay vinning! #vinnymonroe #vinningteam #theressomuchsnot #gonethroughsmallforestofkleenex #ilooklikerudolph

[Image description: Vinny Monroe, a young white man with short black hair and brown eyes, wearing a green puffer jacket over a fantasy outfit and winking at the camera.]

186k likes
OCTOBER 31, 2025

-

HOLLYWOOD INSIDER MAGAZINE
Victoria Cross back on her feet!
By Lila Kyle
27 August 2025

A big Hollywood welcome home to VICTORIA CROSS! The young actress has been recently spotted out and about in Los Angeles following a stint at Horizon Wellness Retreat, following tales of unstable behaviour and a tragic substance abuse relapse on the set of DUKE CAIN'S latest epic. Victoria has been seen out shopping and socialising, looking healthy and happy with a stylish new shorter haircut.

We wish Ms Cross all the best in her recovery from addiction!

-

From: Zara Good ([email protected])
To: Victoria Cross ([email protected])
Sent: 2 September 2025 3:03 AM
Subject: Hey

Hey Vicky

I saw you're out of rehab now. You're looking great :) How have you been? Hope you're doing well!

Would love to catch up when you have sometime.

Zara

-

From: Victoria Cross ([email protected])
To: Zara Good ([email protected])
Sent: 4 September 2025 11:38 AM
Subject: Re: Hey

Hi, really not sure I'm ready to talk to you again. Sorry.

Vicky

-

From: Zara Good ([email protected])
To: Victoria Cross ([email protected])
Sent: 5 September 2025 1:49 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Hey

Yeah that's. That's fair. If you want to talk though I'm happy to do so. I miss you.

-

From: Lia Feldman ([email protected])
To: Victoria Cross ([email protected])
Sent: 8 September 2025 7:26 PM
Subject: Information

Dear Victoria,

I hope this email finds you well. My name is Lia Feldman, previously Lia Cain, and I am reaching out to you in hope of learning of your experiences auditioning for The Last Voyage under my ex-husband, Duke Cain.

I have been hearing stories from across Hollywood of how Duke has mistreated those around him, ranging from myself to the cast and crew of his films. I believe the time has come to bring a lawsuit against him for the damage he has done to all of us.

I have been following the coverage of your time at Horizon Wellness Retreat, how it has been denigrated as a drug relapse and your behaviour tarnished. However, I am more than familiar with how Duke has been known to spin stories, to cast those who speak out against him in the worst possible light. If you are willing to do so, I would love to be able to meet with you and discuss your experiences confidentially, with a view to potentially bringing Duke to justice for his mistreatment of you and so many others.

If you would rather let the matter rest, I will respect that entirely. But if you are ready to drag Duke's behaviour to light, I am ready to make this happen.

With respect and well-wishes,

Lia

-

From: Victoria Cross ([email protected])
To: Lia Feldman ([email protected])
Sent: 25 September 2025 2:39 PM
Subject: Re: Information

Dear Lia,

First, my apologies for not getting back in contact straight away. I've been spending a lot of time lately soul-searching about my experiences with the Last Voyage production and my dealings with Duke, trying to work out all possible ramifications of legal action and going public. My first attempt blew up in my face somewhat, and I think I've been afraid of the same thing happening again.

The short version - last year, I drafted an email to be sent to union about the mistreatment I faced during the casting and rehearsal process, CCing it to Zara Good, my best friend, as she knew of what I had been dealing with. At some point, this draft was sent to Duke, and my stay in the treatment facility for the severe anxiety I had been experiencing was spun in the media as drug addiction, with Zara cast in my place. This was enough to keep me from speaking out, and I have remained quiet ever since.

However, if you are planning on leading the charge, so to speak, against Duke, and are including others who have been similarly mistreated, then... yes, I think I am willing to try again. I don't want what happened to me to be buried. I don't want Duke to get away with how he treated me, and how he no doubt has treated others. I'm willing to do this.

I'll send you my other contact details. Thank you for reaching out to me, I think we can actually do this now.

Victoria

-

From: Lia Feldman ([email protected])
To: Victoria Cross ([email protected])
Sent: 25 September 2025 6:09 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Information

Dear Victoria,

Thank you for your trust and bravery. I've now added you to the group chat with a few others, where we will be able to plan further.

All the best,

Lia

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Jon Raines said:
November 1, 11:38 AM
Hi all, hope you had a good Halloween
If you haven't seen it, here are two interesting tidbits from yesterday
11:39 AM
First is an article from the Insider (Vicky, you were brought up again), here
[The silence of Hollywood's golden boy]
Second is a post on Vinny Monroe's Instagram account, posted an hour or two later
[Sign in to Instagram to keep in touch with vinnymonroeee and others!]
11:40 AM
Has anyone heard more about this?

Victoria Cross said:
12:04 PM
Of course they did... sigh...
Thanks for the heads up, Jon
I haven't heard anything unfortunately

Lia Feldman said:
1:27 PM
Very interesting!
I will get in touch with my contact and see if they can find anything relevant.
1:28 PM
It may not be until tonight or tomorrow morning.

Victoria Cross said:
1:36 PM
All good, Lia

Lia Feldman said:
November 2, 12:53 AM
Hi all, apologies for the late/early comment.
I've heard back from Aditya and have some interesting news to report.
First, Vinny Monroe has not been seen since the production launch party on Saturday 25th October.
12:54 AM
The Insider article came nearly a week after this.
His Instagram account was updated within hours and has no recent photograph.
It could be a hasty post to show he is still present after his apparent flu.
12:55 AM
But it could also be a post by his publicity team.
If anyone has contacts with Starstruck Personnel any info would be great.
12:56 AM
Second, and more pertinent and concerning, is that he has apparently already been recast.
Aditya has said they have been running screen tests with a new actor as Willie.
Does anyone know Chase Lowry?
12:57 AM
He has a modest presence on IMDB.
Some decent roles in the latter 00s and early 10s followed by mostly smaller roles.
The most recent being a TV appearance early last year.
Represented by Lena Farrow of Collodion Entertainment and has listings on their website.
12:58 AM
He is older (40) and still fairly unknown.
12:59 AM
Usually Duke prefers the young vulnerable ones when he picks unknowns.
But I suppose an older relative unknown would fit his modus operandi if he thought he could get something out of him.

Jon Raines said:
10:29 AM
Don't know of him. I have met Lena, though
10:30 AM
I can reach out to her and see what I can get

Lia Feldman said:
4:31 PM
Jon, that would be great.

Victoria Cross said:
5:51 PM
I might have an idea...

-

From: Victoria Cross ([email protected])
To: Zara Good ([email protected])
Sent: 2 November 2025 9:32 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Hey

Hey. I was thinking about you today, and how badly things ended, and... yeah, I do miss you. You were (and hopefully still are?) my best friend, and I don't want things to end this nastily.

So... if you want to meet up, maybe, we could catch up?

Vicky

-

From: Zara Good ([email protected])
To: Victoria Cross ([email protected])
Sent: 2 November 2025 11:01 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Hey

OMG absolutely. I miss you too <3 Can I take you out for lunch on Wednesday or Thursday? How about Cafe Cavoletti?

Zara

-

From: Victoria Cross ([email protected])
To: Zara Good ([email protected])
Sent: 3 November 2025 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Hey

Sounds fab <3 12:30 Thursday?

Vicky

-

From: Zara Good ([email protected])
To: Victoria Cross ([email protected])
Sent: 3 November 2025 11:16 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Hey

Hell yeah <3

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Victoria Cross said:
November 5, 8:54 PM
Hi all, I spoke with Zara today
She said she was introduced to Lowry about a week ago and they've been doing screen tests and rehearsals
Says he's nice, professional, very eager
8:55 PM
I got the impression she thinks he's a bit fragile?
8:56 PM
Which could fit with what you said, Lia, about Duke wanting them vulnerable
She doesn't know anything about what happened with Vinny Monroe
8:57 PM
She did see him at the party on the 25th but hasn't since

Lia Feldman said:
9:28 PM
Excellent detective work, Victoria!
9:29 PM
How are you feeling about things between you and Zara?

Victoria Cross said:
9:31 PM
It was... weird
It felt like no time had passed
9:32 PM
We definitely got photographed too so I guess that'll be in the tabloids soon!

Lia Feldman said:
9:33 PM
Always an occupational hazard, unfortunately.
Hollywood will eat you whole.
9:35 PM
I wonder what's going on with this Chase Lowry...

-

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
PATIENT CARE WORKSHEET

Incident Date: 26 Oct 2025 Incident Location: 5167 Blackwood Crest, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, CA 90068
Patient Name: Unknown
DOB: Unknown Age: Approx. 20s-30s Sex: M Weight: 168lbs
Patient Address: Unknown
Chief Complaint: GSW upper right chest, pneumothorax
Additional Observations: High levels alcohol, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, low level cocaine

Note: All staff are reminded that speculation or discussion of patient identity is strictly prohibited under HIPAA, including in Hollywood. Identifying notes are only to be added once patient identity can be confirmed independently of recognising him off a tabloid!

Chapter Text

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Wilson Charles ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 6 November 2025 11:29 AM
Subject: Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated

Short version is I didn't reply for a week and a half because I got shot. Did you miss me?

-

From: Wilson Charles ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 6 November 2025 11:33 AM
Subject: Re: Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated

Really, Vinny?

Really?

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Wilson Charles ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 6 November 2025 11:52 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated

Okay, but seriously:

There was an altercation at the Duke Cain party on the 25th. I don't want to go into it and I'm not pressing charges. I can give you the details if necessary but I'd rather not. I'm no longer part of TLV and don't want to have anything to do with Cain at all if necessary, so I'm talking total blanket ban on any production he or Lampblack are involved in.

Recovery-wise, I was shot in the chest, it missed my heart by half an inch, but it shattered a rib and punctured my lung. Needed surgery to get it out. It's been rough as hell. Got out of hospital yesterday and am back home, but still having a lot of breathing difficulties. Full recovery is 6-8 weeks but I should be able to be out in public in maybe 2 weeks.

I'm thinking we build on the flu story, maybe say I got pneumonia and had to be briefly hospitalized, which will explain any breathing difficulties for public appearances. I can put something up on Insta too.

Also, I've lost my phone. Already replaced it, new number is 323-555-2429.

Any qs?

(Can I put the 'I lived bitch' image on Insta?)

-

From: Wilson Charles ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 6 November 2025 12:21 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated

Fuck's sake Vinny.

Happy you're doing better. Deeply unhappy you managed to get SHOT. We'll need to work out what to do about TLV, since you've already been publicly linked to it. Can I ask if it was an issue with Cain himself or with someone in production?

I'll get you and Kleo in a call in about an hour and we can work out our socials strategy. Going with the pneumonia idea sounds good. We won't mention anything about Cain or TLV yet, if necessary we can say you're taking a break for your health.

(Absolutely not.)

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Wilson Charles ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 6 November 2025 12:53 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated

I'm not exactly fucking happy about it either.

And I'm still not 100% sure but the way things played out was messy. Officially Cain didn't have anything to do with it but I think he did push things. You've heard the rumors. I've had word I've already been recast anyway.

Will talk to you in 30 or so.

(Boring.)

-

[instagram.com/vinnymonroeee]

vinnymonroeee Hey Vinning Team! So turns out my flu turned into pneumonia and I had to pay a quick visit to hospital lmao. Nothing live threatening, but I was having breathing issues and needed to get some supplemental O2, and they wanted to keep an eye on me for a couple days out of precaution. I'm on the mend now but am going to have to take it easy for a while, so that interview with Morning Star will have to be delayed. Which is a pity, those games look super fun. Thanks for all the sweet comments you left on my last post! ❤️ Love y'all, stay vinning! #vinnymonroe #vinningteam #helloooonurse #coughhackwheeze

[Image description: Vinny Monroe, a young white man with short black hair and brown eyes, wearing a white button-up shirt over a black t-shirt and giving a peace sign to the camera.]

204k likes
NOVEMBER 6, 2025

-

From: Harry Dufresne ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
Sent: 1 November 2025 5:31 PM
Subject: You good?

Hi Vinny,

Just wanted to touch base with you, see how things are going? I saw on socials yesterday that you've come down with the flu. Interesting timing. A couple days back, Duke happened to mention that you've left production of Voyage, and we've since met your replacement, Chase Lowry.

Interesting guy, Chase. Very intense and focused. Fairly unknown. I've met him once or twice but don't know him well. Do you know him at all?

If there's anything you want to talk about, I'm happy to lend an ear. Hope you're doing well.

Harry

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Harry Dufresne ([email protected])
Sent: 6 November 2025 4:19 PM
Subject: Re: You good?

Hey Harry,

Sorry about the radio silence. My flu turned into pneumonia and I was in hospital briefly. Just a precaution, nothing life-threatening. I'm on the mend now. Also, I've lost my phone. Got a new one, number is 323-555-2429.

For TLV, it's complicated. Short version is that there's been some unavoidable clashes. Very sorry it couldn't work out, I think our scenes were coming out great.

Yeah I know Chase. How is he?

Vinny

-

From: Harry Dufresne ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
Sent: 6 November 2025 8:52 PM
Subject: Re: Re: You good?

Vinny,

Sorry to hear that. You're a fantastic talent. Hope we can work together again.

And he's an interesting guy. Enthusiastic about the job but very reserved with the rest of us, although I know what it's like being the new guy in the cast. If I can be frank, I do wonder if he is going to be able to handle the pressure.

Still, not my place to speculate. Hope you have a quick recovery.

Harry

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Harry Dufresne ([email protected])
Sent: 7 November 2025 12:03 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: You good?

Thanks. We should catch up once I'm doing better.

Vinny

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Victoria Cross said:
November 7, 2:31 PM
Hi everyone,
Vinny Monroe has posted to his Instagram again, saying he's had pneumonia and has been in the hospital
2:32 PM
I don't know how much truth is in that, but he's been replying to comments
So it possibly actually is him instead of his team

Lia Feldman said:
3:01 PM
Very interesting!
I know he has an agency email account, I may get in contact with him.
3:02 PM
If he isn't talking about TLV production publicly it may have been a messy split.
And he could possibly have useful information.

Victoria Cross said:
3:06 PM
He did that interview last month with People when he was pretty uh
Well
3:07 PM
Sycophantic about Duke
Do you think he would be open to joining us?

Lia Feldman said:
3:08 PM
I expect it will come down to just how messy a split it was.
It's certainly worth a try.

-

From: Lia Feldman ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
Sent: 7 November 2025 8:03 PM
Subject: Your time with TLV

Dear Vinny,

I hope this email finds you well. My name is Lia Feldman, previously Lia Cain, and I am reaching out to you in hope of learning about your experiences working on The Last Voyage under my ex-husband, Duke Cain.

I have been hearing stories from across Hollywood of how Duke has mistreated those around him, ranging from myself to the cast and crew of his films. From my sources, I've learned that you are no longer involved in The Last Voyage and your role has been recast. While I don't know the circumstances of your departure from production, if there has been some mistreatment going on on the set, whether from Duke himself or from others, enabled by him, I would like to help you find some measure of justice over it.

Please know there is no obligation to speak to me about anything that has happened. If you would rather let the matter rest, I will respect your wishes entirely. But if you do wish to share your experiences, I am ready to listen.

With respect and well-wishes,

Lia

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Lia Feldman ([email protected])
Sent: 7 November 2025 10:36 PM
Subject: Re: Your time with TLV

Dear Lia,

Yeah. Yeah, I'm ready to talk.

Vinny

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Vinny Monroe has been added to the group

Lia Feldman said:
November 8, 10:38 AM
Everyone, please welcome Vinny to the group chat. Vinny, welcome. :)

Victoria Cross said:
10:39 AM
Hi again, Vinny

Vinny Monroe said:
10:39 AM
Thanks
Hi Victoria, how have you been?

Victoria Cross said:
10:40 AM
Not on drugs, despite rumors to the contrary!

Vinny Monroe said:
10:40 AM
I mean I wouldn't care if you were?

Victoria Cross said:
10:41 AM
Yes but the point is that I'm not and never was
That was why Lia reached out to me in the first plcae
*place
I was going to go to SAU about how Duke had been mistreating me during the casting process
10:42 AM
I had cced Zara in the email I had drafted (and my agent Jon, he's here too) and she sent it to Duke
10:43 AM
And Duke weaponized the treatment I was getting for severe anxiety and claimed it was for drug addiction
And Zara slid in as Marion
I haven't worked since January thanks to him

Vinny Monroe said:
10:44 AM
Shit
I'm so sorry I had no idea

Lia Feldman said:
10:45 AM
This is part of what Duke does, Vinny.
He is a master of rewriting the narrative.
You will have to be very careful with how you proceed now.
10:46 AM
I am assuming you didn't have the flu.

Vinny Monroe said:
10:46 AM
Ha
Haha
No
I was shot

Victoria Cross said:
10:47 AM
By Duke???

Vinny Monroe said:
10:47 AM
No
Give me a tic while I work out how to say this
10:51 AM
Ok. in summary: when Lampblack first contacted me for the role they sent me a script. I shared it with someone I'm close to and encouraged him to send in his tape. I didn't realize at the time but he sent in a tape for Willie, the same role I had been approached for. He didn't get in, I did. We ended up getting kind of distant because I think he was hurt, but also Duke was encouraging me to sever ties. He was at the party on the 25th, I don't know if he was invited or just gatecrashed. Duke told me to tell him myself that they didn't want him. I did, and he pulled a gun and shot me. I've been in hospital with a punctured lung and broken ribs, and when I got out I found an email from Harry Dufresne which said that he was cast in my place

Victoria Cross said:
10:53 AM
Shit

Vinny Monroe said:
10:54 AM
Yeah

Lia Feldman said:
10:54 AM
I'm so sorry, Vinny.
This is Chase Lowry?

Vinny Monroe said:
10:55 AM
You know him?

Victoria Cross said:
10:55 AM
I've been talking to Zara a little, she mentioned him

Vinny Monroe said:
10:57 AM
Oh

Lia Feldman said:
10:58 AM
Vinny, may I ask about something you said earlier?
You said Duke encouraged you to sever ties - is that with everyone, or with Lowry specifically?

Vinny Monroe said:
10:59 AM
Just with Chase
Give me a tic I'll write up the voicemail he sent me
11:03 AM
Ok there are a few where he mentions Chase directly
First one was back in July
I was doing a screen test and my phone rang
My fuck-up entirely I kind of panicked and said I didn't know who was calling me
Which
11:04 AM
Duh
I had his name SAVED IN MY PHONE
Of course I fucking knew who he was
But yeah I said he was basically an acquaintance and uh
11:05 AM
Said some kind of nasty things
Anyway
Duke sent me a voice message the next day
11:08 AM
"That boy who called you. Chase. I did some digging. He knows you. Very well, in fact. Actor, beyond his prime. But he wants your role, doesn't he? He's persistent, obsessed. Very hungry. Do I talk to him, Vinny? Do I carve Willie out of him? Call me."
11:09 AM
So I called him and basically
Said Chase wasn't really anyone
And he sent another that night

Victoria Cross said:
11:10 AM
Creepy

Vinny Monroe said:
11:14 AM
"I know he's your friend. But you have to understand, this industry - our world - it demands sacrifice. Like my boy. Every great performance has a body buried underneath it, Chase was never built for that. He clings, you sever. That's what makes you ready, Vinny. That's why I chose you. You're like a son to me, Vinny. Make me proud."

Lia Feldman said:
11:15 AM
He mentioned Tommy?

Vinny Monroe said:
11:15 AM
Yeah
I'm sorry Lia
The last message was the week before the party
11:18 AM
"Vinny. Or should I call you Willie. My boys are in touch with your father's in sealing the deal. You should be elated. You earned it. There is one more thing you need to do. That boy. Chase Lowry. I worry that he'll follow you like a ghost. Sapping your focus, dulling your edge. Remember what I said. True artists don't ask, they take. And you, boy - you sever. Sever him. Get rid of him and this role is yours. Oh, my boy. My little angel. You'll carry us into the future..."

Victoria Cross said:
11:18 AM
That almost sounds like he's threatening both you and Chase

Vinny Monroe said:
11:19 AM
Yeah
I'm not sure what happened
When I got tot he party he said Chase was there
11:20 AM
And he told me to tell Chase that they didn't want to see him
I don't know if he knew Chase had a gun or not

Lia Feldman said:
11:21 AM
There is another deeply disturbing element here.
'Little angel' is how we referred to Tommy after his death.
And he said you were like a son to him?

Vinny Monroe said:
11:22 AM
Yeah
I don't really know what to think tbh
If he was in contact with Chase too
11:23 AM
Like
It seems weird to me that he would tell me to sever Chase and tell him he didn't get it
And then only a few days later
After Chase SHOOTS ME
He gets my role

Victoria Cross said:
11:24 AM
Zara said he was 'fragile'

Vinny Monroe said:
11:25 AM
I'd kinda fucking hope so after all that shit
Harry said he wondered if he'd be able to handle the pressure too
11:26 AM
Fuck I don't even know
I thought I knew Chase
I didn't think he'd do something like that
I know he's ambitious and passionate but like
11:27 AM
He's not a bad person
I've been spending the last almost two weeks wondering why he'd do that
To me especially
11:28 AM
Like I don't think he'd do that to anyone
But me of all people?

Victoria Cross said:
11:28 AM
You said you were close?

Vinny Monroe said:
11:30 AM
Yeah
Close

Victoria Cross said:
11:30 AM
Oh
I'm sorry Vinny

Vinny Monroe said:
11:31 AM
Yeah
So am I
11:32 AM
I gotta do some stuff
Will be around later
Hope what I've shared helps

Lia Feldman said:
11:32 AM
It all helps, Vinny. Please take care.

Vinny Monroe said:
11:35 AM
Yeah

Chapter Text

From: Wilson Charles ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 9 November 2025 8:41 PM
Subject: Meeting

Strategy meeting, 9 AM tomorrow morning. Don't miss it, Vinny.

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Vinny Monroe said:
November 10, 11:10 AM
Soooo just had an interesting meeting with my manager

Lia Feldman said:
11:12 AM
You're with Starstruck Personnel, right? Are you with Tony Stern or Wilson Charles?

Vinny Monroe said:
11:12 AM
With Wilson

Lia Feldman said:
11:13 AM
Hm, all right. How did the meeting go?

Vinny Monroe said:
11:13 AM
He wants me to work things out with Duke again
I really really don't want to
11:14 AM
But he said Duke is too influential in the industry to brush off
And tbh I'm kind of worried about what narrative he'll push if I don't

Lia Feldman said:
11:15 AM
It's a tricky situation, it sounds like!
I have met Wilson before, he and Duke were on friendly terms.
He attended some parties and functions at our place P.D. (Pre-divorce.)

Vinny Monroe said:
11:16 AM
Wait really?
He never mentioned knowing Duke personally
Just that he had met him professionally

Lia Feldman said:
11:17 AM
Hmm.
How did the two of you meet?

Vinny Monroe said:
11:17 AM
It was JUST before I got cast in Last Bone Yard
11:18 AM
He emailed me and said he was an acquaintance of my father's
(I double-checked with him, that's true)
I hadn't had any major roles yet and he said he could change that
11:19 AM
And since I got Last Bone Yard right after I always assumed that he was good for his word

Jon Raines said:
11:19 AM
I've met him professionally, he didn't give any red flags
11:20 AM
He did mention knowing Duke, though
We spoke during the Last Voyage casting sweeps

Vinny Monroe said:
11:21 AM
Weird
He just told me he knew a Duke Cain role would be good for me

Lia Feldman said:
11:22 AM
I don't believe he was ever part of Duke's inner circle.
But admittedly I was already quite distant from Duke during that time.
This would have been around the end of 2023?

Vinny Monroe said:
11:23 AM
Yeah
I signed on in November and was cast right before Christmas
Can I
11:24 AM
Confide in something?

Lia Feldman said:
11:24 AM
Of course, Vinny.

Vinny Monroe said:
11:25 AM
I actually did meet Duke around that time too
At his Christmas party
He uh
Caught me doing a line

Lia Feldman said:
11:26 AM
Not unusual for one of Duke's parties!

Vinny Monroe said:
11:26 AM
Yeah but I was fucking terrified
Duke took me to his office and reprimanded me
11:27 AM
He said that if I was going to be in this industry I would need to learn 'discretion and discipline'
And that it'd be too easy for shit like that to get to the press
11:28 AM
I promised I could be discrete and offered to um
'Show him'
If he made sure no one saw
And I got the Last Bone Yard role the next week
11:29 AM
And I think I have a really bad suspicion

Lia Feldman said:
11:30 AM
Oh Vinny I'm so sorry.

Vinny Monroe said:
11:30 AM
Because Wilson encouraged me to go to the party
Wait what are you sorry for?

Lia Feldman said:
11:31 AM
That you were subject to Duke's abuse as well.

Vinny Monroe said:
11:32 AM
I wasn't
It wasn't abuse
I OFFERED to
Like I didnt want to but I still offered and that means I consented right?

Lia Feldman said:
11:33 AM
It does sound like Duke threatened and coerced you.
You said you were terrified.

Vinny Monroe said:
11:33 AM
It
I don't know
11:34 AM
I thought it wsa the best option to show I could keep quiet
Like I didn't WANT to but
I think I have to go

Lia Feldman said:
11:35 AM
Let me send you my number via private message.
Please call me if you want to talk, okay?

Vinny Monroe said:
11:37 AM
Yeah
Ok

-

Zara wrote:
16 November 2025, 9:23 PM
Hey Vicky ❤️ Hope you're good! We've just finished the first day of principal production!
You wrote:
9:26 PM
Oh cool 😀 How did it go?
Zara wrote:
9:27 PM
Not bad! I think I was on pretty good form
And it felt good to be doing something that uses my actual acting talents
You wrote:
9:28 PM
Huh, as opposed to? Youve always been talented
Zara wrote:
9:30 PM
As opposed to just my body
Which is
Yeah you know
You wrote:
9:31 PM
Zara hon did something happen?
Zara wrote:
9:32 PM
It's fine, they were just actung exercises
Acting*
Duke wanted me to 'practice accessing my sensual side' lol
You wrote:
9:33 PM
Are you ok?
Zara wrote:
Of course, why wouldn't I be?
It's Hollywood

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Victoria Cross said:
November 17, 6:14 PM
Lia, can I ask something about Duke?

Lia Feldman said:
6:49 PM
Of course.
(My apologies for the delay in replay, I was making dinner.)

Victoria Cross said:
6:51 PM
Oh right sorry
I was talking to Zara yesterday and she raised a red flag
6:52 PM
Did Duke ever ask actresses to 'practice accessing [her] sensual side' as an acting exercise?
Direct quote, Zara put it in quotation marks

Lia Feldman said:
6:54 PM
Well THAT is concerning.
He did make regular insinuations to me, but I was his wife.
I assumed it was... spousal.
6:55 PM
Unfortunately it would not surprise me if he used it on others.

Victoria Cross said:
6:56 PM
I don't know what to tell her

Lia Feldman said:
6:56 PM
Just be there for her as much as you can.
And if he proposes, tell her to run as fast as possible.
6:57 PM
(This is partially a joke, and partially because when we met, he was 36 and I was 22 and he was looking for a new leading lady.)

Victoria Cross said:
6:58 PM
I'll kick him in the dick myself if he touches my Zara

Lia Feldman said:
6:59 PM
You'll have to get in line behind me.

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Lia Feldman said:
November 27, 3:52 PM
Hi all, wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving. I know things are rough, but I am deeply thankful for your care and support during this time. Love to you all!

Jon Raines said:
4:36 PM
Thank you Lia, happy Thanksgiving to you too!

Victoria Cross said:
5:02 PM
Thank you Lia, I'm so thankful for your support too ❤️

Vinny Monroe said:
8:29 PM
Yayyy big happy fAMILY
Everyone loves each other!!! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Victoria Cross said:
8:34 PM
Haha, had a big day Vinny?

Vinny Monroe said:
8:35 PM
Im fucking wasted lol
Docs said I prolly shouldnt with my painkillers
but who gives a fuck
8:36 PM
I can drink if I fuckin want to
what else am I gonna do dude

Victoria Cross said:
8:37 PM
Well, remember to drink water as well

Vinny Monroe said:
8:38 PM
Drown the little fuckers
Sorrows I mean
Got lots and LOT of those
8:39 PM
happy thanksgiving I got fucking shot

Victoria Cross said:
8:40 PM
I'm sorry

Vinny Monroe said:
8:41 PM
me fucking too
I was gonna invite him this yuear

Victoria Cross said:
8:41 PM
?

Vinny Monroe said:
8:42 PM
Chase
Chase motherfucking Lowry
was gonna invite him to thanksgiving at my dads
8:43 PM
idc what dad would have thought
I wanted him there coz
8:44 PM
hes Chase
hes CHASE
and he fucking shot me like I didnt even matter to him

Victoria Cross said:
8:45 PM
Vinny I'm so sorry
Were you and Chase together?

Vinny Monroe said:
8:46 PM
idek
we never talked about it
we never called it anything
friend isn't enough
lover makes it sound like just sex
boyfriend sounds so fucking juvenile
fwb doesnt sound serious enough
partner is too
8:47 PM
fucking serious
he was just
Chase
I miss him so fucking mcuh
even though he fucking shot me
8:48 PM
why did he fucking shoot me

Victoria Cross said:
8:48 PM
I don't know. I'm so sorry
I can understand feeling betrayed though
8:49 PM
I wanted to call Zara my girlfriend too
But we both thought it would be complicated to come out
8:50 PM
And it hurts
Knowing that she prioritized Duke over me
Despite everything

Vinny Monroe said:
8:51 PM
fuck her too
maybe we should get together instead lol
dude fuck having feelings for people it just
8:52 PM
too easy to get betrayed
lets meet up and fuck
im gay but i can fake it with women im an ACTOR

Victoria Cross said:
8:53 PM
Haha. Vinny, you're very drunk

Vinny Monroe said:
8:54 PM
and high
fuck u Chase
amd now hes with the guy who abused me
and i didnt fuckin realize it was abuse bc im too dumb
8:55 PM
but now im having fuckin nightmare flashback thingsa bout it
wish shed never told me
8:56 PM
dude why do I still miss him so fucking much
its not fucking fair

Victoria Cross said:
8:56 PM
I know. I'm sorry, Vinny

Vinny Monroe said:
8:58 PM
i need a fucking lie down

Victoria Cross said:
8:58 PM
That sounds like a good idea. Take care, Vinny ❤️

Lia Feldman said:
10:57 PM
Oh dear, sounds like a big night...

Vinny Monroe said:
November 28, 11:31 AM
Uh
My apologies for last night
I was in some kinda state
11:32 AM
I'm gonna just. Go back to bed haha

Victoria Cross said:
12:57 PM
❤️

-

From: Harry Dufresne ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
Sent: 3 December 2025 10:03 AM
Subject: Hey

Hi Vinny,

Hope you're doing better. Pneumonia isn't any fun. How've you been?

Things at Planet Duke have been busy as always. Bit of disruption today, Chase hasn't shown up yet, so I'm attempting to wrangle my email inbox while we wait (and avoid Duke's wrath).

Also, your phone has finally shown up! A cleaner found it dumped in a trash bin upstairs. Don't know what took them so long. Want to meet up around lunch so you can pick it up?

Harry

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Harry Dufresne ([email protected])
Sent: 3 December 2025 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: Hey

Hey Harry,

Been doing ok! Still got some funky breathing issues but otherwise am more or less alive. And sure, 12 at Cafe Cavoletti okay?

Vinny

-

From: Harry Dufresne ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
Sent: 3 December 2025 10:51 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Hey

Sounds like a plan. See you in an hourish!

-

Chase wrote:
3 December 2025, 1:16 PM
Do you trmembet 3. Years ago when we first met? I told you I wad living in an apartment in echo park but the pkace 2ws mess so I cpuldnt takr you back thete. You took me.to your house instead and I was so fucking jealpus but didnt say a word. Took me a month to admit I was locong in my car in rhe parking lot pfnthe bar I was working in. When I sid tell you, you didn't judge me. You said it was Hollywood and I'd have my time. Well, I have my time. I'm cast as the lead in a duke Cain dilm, living ib his house, his world. And I won't even livr to enjoy it. I can't do this, Vinny. Nkt with my sins hanging over my head. Not with your ghost haunting me evety minite of the day. Not with the world dalling apart. I'm going to be gppd and go home and takr. Y medicine and hopefully when I see you it won't be jn hell. I never wanted rhis to jappen. I never wanted this life.at tbe expense of your own. Im sorry. I love yoy. I lpve you. I love you.
You wrote:
1:21 PM
I'm comnig
Don't you fucking dare leave me
Chase Im coming
[Message unread]
[Message unread]
[Message unread]

-

[Dispatch Transcript, December 3 2025 1:18 PM]

DISPATCH: 911, what's your emerg-
CALLER: Ambulance, I need an ambulance, now.
DISPATCH: Connecting you now.
DISPATCH: Hi, what's the address and nearest cross street?
CALLER: 1127 West Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank, nearest cross street is - I think it's North Shelton. It's a fast food place. I think - the parking lot, a red 2004 Mazda 6. I don't - I'm not there yet, but I got a text and -
DISPATCH: Okay, we're sending someone out. Do you know anything about the incident?
CALLER: I don't - I think it was a suicide note, I - [expletive] -
DISPATCH: Okay, sir, please try to be calm.
CALLER: How the [expletive] can I - okay, sorry, sorry, I just - [expletive]
DISPATCH: Is there anything you can tell us about the patient?
CALLER: His name is Chase - Chase Lowry, born March 8th 1985. I don't know what he'll - he's been taking Xanax for over a month, I think he took an overdose, I don't - sorry, I'm sorry. [expletive]
DISPATCH: Okay, thank you, sir. You've done well. We're on our way.
CALLER: Okay - okay - [expletive], come on, Chase... don't you [expletive] dare leave me now...

Chapter Text

You wrote:
30 October 2025, 11:41 AM
Hey sorry I haven't texted in a while! 🙂 Been pretty busy. Good news though, I might have a possible role lined up!
11:42 AM
I can't say much about it at the moment but it could be pretty big. Love you!
Mom wrote:
1:39 PM
Thats great honey im so proud of you were ALL so proud of you keep us posted! I always believed you were going to be the next big thing i cant wait to see your next role call me when you can love you mom
1:40 PM
xoxo

-

You wrote:
30 October 2025, 11:47 AM
Hey Lena, just letting you know I've got a possible role lined up. I can't say anything at the moment but it might be a big one.
Lena Farrow wrote:
1 November 2025, 9:05 PM
Hi Chase, good to hear!

-

[You successfully changed contact name "Vinny" to "My ghost"]

-

You wrote:
31 October 2025, 1:52 AM
Hey
I guess this is weird texting you since. You know. You're dead and your phone is next to me
1:53 AM
It's switched off but I guess just the process of writing a message and pressing send helps
1:54 AM
Makes it feel like someone's listening, you know?
Not that you are because of the whole you're dead and I killed you thing
Halloween today and I'm texting a ghost
Doesnt matter that he put the gun in my hand
I still pulled the trigger myself
1:57 AM
Duke knows I have your phone I think but he didnt say anything about it
Maybe he thinks it'll help motivate me idek
1:58 AM
I'm plenty motivated on my own but who knows
1:59 AM
We're going to do screen tests all this week with Sara and Harry
*Zara
2:01 AM
Not sure what he told them but I guess it's a similar thing to Victoria, Zara did give me a very strange look when he introduced me
2:02 AM
Harry just... Looked at me
I'm still frustrated about that fucking message he sent and I guess he remembered it too
2:05 AM
I don't know
I don't know what the hell I'm doing

-

You wrote:
2 November 2025, 2:01 AM
I'm on medication now, I think it should help
2:02 AM
Duke noticed I was stressed and arranged for me to get Xanax, he's even paying for it because I'm still broke
It helps a lot
2:04 AM
Less dwelling on like. Everything
2:07 AM
He's an odd one
Does a lot for me
2:08 AM
Like he's letting me stay here until I start getting paid
2:09 AM
Getting the meds for me
He's the picture of support
Strict at hell when we're working, you know what he's like
2:10 AM
And he makes comments sometimes about the whole... Thing
Makes some comments that would be sleazy as fuck if I was a young woman
But then he tells me I'm going to make magic and I forget all that shit
2:17 AM
I'm going to star in a Duke Cain film, Vinny
And all it cost was your life

-

You wrote:
3 November 2025, 5:29 AM
I dreamed about you again last night
5:31 AM
It wasn't anything major, it was more like a memory than anything else
We were curled up on your sofa together watching a movie, don't remember which one
5:32 AM
It was getting darker and darker, colder and colder
I turned to look at you and you weren't there any more
5:33 AM
Doesn't take a genius to guess what it means
5:49 AM
God
I miss you so much

-

You wrote:
6 November 2025, 12:16 AM
I keep ending up on my knees
I don't hate it
12:17 AM
We were in the rehearsal space and I was sitting on the floor against the wall goign through the script
12:18 AM
And he came over and I just
Ended up kneeling instead
12:20 AM
He touched my face and called me a good boy and it's so fucking stupid
12:21 AM
But I just felt light all over
So I sucked him off
Let him grab my hair and pull it until my eyes watered and fuck my mouth ans throat
It's Duke Cain
12:22 AM
What was I going to do, say no?
12:27 AM
I don't think I would have been able to sya no
12:29 AM
No matter how much I wanted to

-

You wrote:
8 November 2025, 3:39 AM
I think I pissed him off today
3:41 AM
He said something about how he's already changed two cast members and I said something like how he'd have Harry bumped off too at this rate
3:43 AM
He just stared at me for a long time

-

You wrote:
9 November 2025, 2:19 PM
I think something bad happened to me last night

-

You wrote:
9 November 2025, 2:42 PM
Hi Mr Cain, may I ask a question?
Duke Cain wrote:
2:46 PM
You may.
You wrote:
2:54 PM
Did something happen to me last night? Something out of the ordinary?
Duke Cain wrote:
2:55 PM
You got up to some interesting activities. Why do you ask?
You wrote:
2:57 PM
Just
I don't remember last night at all
2:58 PM
And I'm very
Um
Sore

-

You wrote:
2:58 PM
Vinny, I think I was raped
I'm sore and bruised and don't remember last night at ALL

-

Duke Cain wrote:
2:59 PM
Hm.
Duke Cain sent: MouseRoom_110925_CLowry.mp4
You wrote:
3:04 PM
What is this
Duke Cain wrote:
3:05 PM
You may find it informative.

-

You wrote:
3:18 PM
He made a video
He msde a fucking videp
I have a video called MouseRoom_110925_CLowry.mp4 on my phone now
Taht shows exactly what happened
I feel sick

-

You wrote:
3:19 PM
Why

-

You wrote:
3:22 PM
Vinny, he druggrd me and filmed me beimg fucking gang raped in rhe Mouse Room
And wgen I asked why
He just saod

-

Duke Cain wrote:
3:20 PM
There are prices to fame.

-

Zara wrote:
10 November 2025, 4:05 PM
Hey babes just as a heads up
Duke isn't thrilled with you
4:06 PM
Whatever you're doing you may need to reel it back a bit
You wrote:
4:09 PM
I know
He's mentioned it
4:10 PM
Thanks for the heads up

-

You wrote:
12 November 2025, 3:01 AM
I've started a higher dose of meds
It helps a bit

-

You wrote:
14 November 2025, 12:59 AM
Hey Vinny guess what
1:00 AM
Duke makes fucking porn
He wanted me and Zara to test 'our on-screen dynamic and chemistry'
1:01 AM
And well. He wanted 'something real'
1:02 AM
So now I've had sex with Zara Good, on camera, with a motherfucking camera crew around us
1:03 AM
Did you have to with her as well?
1:07 AM
Did you feel like you were being violated as well?

-

You wrote:
16 November 2025, 2:43 AM
I keep randomly fucking crying
I feel pathetic
2:44 AM
We've started principal photography
I look good on camera
2:45 AM
The role is incredible, I have never felt so fulfilled working in all my life
2:49 AM
This is exactly what I want to be doing
2:58 AM
Why can't I stop fucking crying

-

Zara wrote:
16 November 2025, 6:28 PM
You ok?
You wrote:
6:41 PM
I'm fine 🙂

-

You wrote:
17 November 2025, 2:16 AM
He invited me and Zara to the pool house tonight
The pool was raelly nice
Sauna was so fuckinh hot
2:17 AM
I couldny fucking breathe
Hadns all over me and Zraa
Last thinh I remebmer.wsa Duke on top of me
And I CAN'T BREATHE

-

You wrote:
19 November 2025, 1:32 AM
He wants me to do another one. He says it'll help me 'capture that desperate, sensual side'
1:33 AM
I don't think I can say no
It's called La Petite Minet Mort which is... La Petite Mort is 'the little death' aka orgasm and 'minet' basically means 'twink' so it's basically orgasm, twink death, and like, 'dead twink' all at the same time
1:36 AM
I haven't been a twink in 20 fucking years
Great
I'm being threatened in French puns
1:37 AM
Hahahahahaha

-

You wrote:
23 November 2025, 2:04 AM
So the story is thst I'm at a club
2:05 AM
He used CG and green screen to make me look younger in some scenes and add lots of attention
2:06 AM
And then present-day ones when no one was onterested
Which was a little too relatable
Next scene in an alleyway and my dice costars emerge around me
*Five
2:07 AM
Slowly grab me and wrap red fabric around my wrists and throat and eyes
Lead me away
Then they fuck me and end up strangling me to death
2:08 AM
Actually did black out for a few seconds
Fade.oit as they fuck my body
2:16 AM
My 'costars' were the same five who raped me for real tge other week
2:21 AM
It's been three days since we filmed
2:28 AM
I can't stop shaking

-

You wrote:
25 November 2025, 1:51 AM
Still have bruises on my nexk
Also now tjat first night has come back to me
My body remembers everything now
I remebmer everyujing

-

You wrote:
26 November 2025, 12:48 AM
Happened again
Wasnt drugged enoigh
12:49 AM
Was conscioud for thw ehole thing

-

You wrote:
27 November 2025, 5:42 AM
I looked for the gun today
Didn't know if I was going to use it on him or myself
Probably bpth

-

You wrote:
29 November 2025, 1:16 AM
He's been streaming it thr whole time
Everuthing
1:17 AM
The films tje sex the rapes
1:18 AM
That fyckibg live service
He's been hacimg live aidoemces watvh me be raped

-

You wrote:
1 December 2025, 3:32 AM
Took too mqny pilla
Jidt made mtself sick

-

You wrote:
6:02 AM
I should have sjot mysrlr instead of you in th4 first place

-

You wrote:
2 December 2025, 2:57 AM
I dont know wjats real any more
2:58 AM
Think I'm hallucinating
I see you everywhere out of tje cprner of my eye
2:59 AM
Bloodstains and messages in blood on the walls n floors
3:00 AM
The whple mousrmroom BLEEDS
Faces behind me in.the mirror
3:01 AM
Walls and faces melting adn twisting
3:03 AM
I don't know if what happened is actually real or just some fucked up tjing my brain made up
If hes relaly draggign me off into corners adn dark rooms or my midn just gives me fake memoeiws
3:04 AM
I don't know if I'm dtill real

-

You wrote:
5:26 AM
I love you I love to6 I lovr you I lovr you I love you I love you I loce 6pu I love you I love you
5:27 AM
Vinny I'm so fuckign sorry
I was in love with you but I killed 6ou
5:28 AM
I should have been happy just to see you succeed
I would have been so fucking happy 5o have any role at toyr side
5:29 AM
Im so fucking sorry
I love to6 so fuckijg much

-

You wrote:
11:35 PM
I can't do this any more
I cant keep going like this
11:36 PM
Filmign during the day like nothing is wrong
11:37 PM
Drugging myself into a stupor
Crying and having panic attacks in the shower
11:38 PM
Jumping at every sound at night
Not fucking sleeping
I keep remembering him putting the gun in my hand and telling me 'take your shot'
Over and over adn over
Take your shot take oyur shot take your fucking shot TAKE YOUR SHOT
The mouse room
11:39 PM
Sometimes it's others sometimes it's him
I don't figjt.it.any.more
Just do what he says
He could kill me and I know.it
He looks me ib the eye and says
Peoplw qould kill for this
I KNOW
11:40 PM
I KNOQ I KNOW I KNOW
He coudl kill me too
And I don't think I woild care
11:42 PM
Going crazy
Like actual properly crazy
11:43 PM
Texting a motherfucking ghost like yoi're the only thing keeping me togwher
11:44 PM
I canr do it

-

You wrote:
3 December 2025, 2:42 AM
If I died do you thinl I'd see yoi in hell?

-

You wrote:
3 December 2025, 6:51 AM
Fuck this
Fuck the film fuck this house fuck Duke Cain
6:52 AM
Fuck you and your ghost haunting me every motherfucking moment of the day
6:53 AM
I'm gone
I'm out

-

You wrote:
3 December 2025, 1:16 PM
Do you trmembet 3. Years ago when we first met? I told you I wad living in an apartment in echo park but the pkace 2ws mess so I cpuldnt takr you back thete. You took me.to your house instead and I was so fucking jealpus but didnt say a word. Took me a month to admit I was locong in my car in rhe parking lot pfnthe bar I was working in. When I sid tell you, you didn't judge me. You said it was Hollywood and I'd have my time. Well, I have my time. I'm cast as the lead in a duke Cain dilm, living ib his house, his world. And I won't even livr to enjoy it. I can't do this, Vinny. Nkt with my sins hanging over my head. Not with your ghost haunting me evety minite of the day. Not with the world dalling apart. I'm going to be gppd and go home and takr. Y medicine and hopefully when I see you it won't be jn hell. I never wanted rhis to jappen. I never wanted this life.at tbe expense of your own. Im sorry. I love yoy. I lpve you. I love you.
My ghost wrote:
1:21 PM
I'm comnig
Don't you fucking dare leave me
Chase Im coming
[Message unread]
[Message unread]
[Message unread]

Chapter Text

You wrote:
3 December 2025, 5:44 PM
Hi Mrs Lowry, I'm a friend of Chase's. I'm so sorry to have to tell you this but he's in hospital. It wasn't good but he's stable now. We're at Sherman Oaks Hospital
5:45 PM
You don't have to worry about fees, I'm covering all of it. If you need an urgent flight I can cover that too
Chase's mom wrote:
5:47 PM
I can get the next flight out what happened to him??
You wrote:
Ok send me your name DOB and nearest airport and I'll book you tickets
5:48 PM
I'm not sure I should say over text
Chase's mom wrote:
5:49 PM
Newark barbara lowry 7/27/58 and tony lowry 2/18/60
is he awake can I talk to him??
You wrote:
5:50 PM
He's not. Let me get those tickets for you
Will you be able to make a 7:59? Boarding starts at 7:30
Chase's mom wrote:
5:51 PM
yes
You wrote:
5:55 PM
Ok I have you booked on United 1330, leaves Newark gate C95, gets in to LAX at 11:02 PM
I got you priority boarding
Will forward you the etickets
5:56 PM
When you get to LAX let me know and I can arrange a cab
Chase's mom wrote:
5:57 PM
Thank you i dont know who u are but thank u so much for looking after my boy please let me know ANYTHING u can!!!
You wrote:
5:58 PM
It's ok
My name is Vinny
Chase is important to me
Have a good flight Barbara

-

Dear Chase,

It's Vinny. The doctor said that because based on your texts you're likely having a psychotic episode it would be good to write something down because physical things are harder to discount as hallucinations.

Writing this at about 2 in the morning on the 4th of December. You're lying in the ER with a tube down your throat to keep you breathing, and your mom and dad are alternating between sleeping in a chair beside you and holding your hand.

You woke up a bit around 10. It was just me there with you (your parents were still on the plane) and you looked at me like you were looking through me. You looked so tired. You thought I was a hallucination I think. You couldn't talk because of the tube but I don't think you even tried. I couldn't think of a single thing to say and then you closed your eyes again and went back to sleep.

Turns out a massive benzo overdose washed down with a whole bottle of whisky does a number on you.

Anyway. Hi. I'm alive. Guns are pretty loud. Someone found me in the bathroom and called an ambulance. You shot me through a lung and it still hurts to breathe deeply. We had to pretend I had the flu and it turned into pneumonia. Which, still hurts to breathe, so that's a good cover story. I've been talking with Harry and he emailed when you left yesterday morning saying he had found my phone. I guess you threw it out when you left? Which is good because...

Well it meant I got your last text when it arrived. Your suicide note. I got there in time. Had to break into your car because I beat the ambulance there and found you there unconscious and barely breathing and I don't think I've ever cried so hard in my fucking life seeing you like that.

Which is still weird because you FUCKING SHOT ME.

But I saw your texts. The ones you sent to my phone, thinking I was dead. I saw everything. All those messages. All the pain. Everything he did to you. It's so fucking hard not to go find him and kill him myself for hurting you like that. And even if you hurt me, well, he hurt you more. You hurt YOURSELF more. You've gone through so much pain already, and you're going to go through even more. I was reading about benzo withdrawal and tapering and it's going to be rough. Because it was a suicide attempt you're going to get a psychological assessment and may have to be involuntarily admitted if they think you're a risk to yourself. You might anyway because of the hallucinations. Apparently there's something called brief psychotic disorder which can be caused by stress or trauma, which I'd say you've gone through. Hopefully it's that and not skitzophrenia (don't know how to spell that) or something. Especially since antipsychotics aren't good when you're withdrawing from benzos. Even caffeine is bad.

Chase, it's going to be really bad for a while.

Like I don't think I can lie about that. It's going to be really bad. You're going to have to go through benzo withdrawal AND you're having psychosis AND you have to deal with all the shit Duke put you through.

But your mom and dad are here now. And if you want me to be, I will be too. Which, again, is weird because you SHOT ME.

But yeah. I don't know. You're still important to me. Asshole.

Anyway. It's nearly 3 so I need to go and crash. I'll give this letter to your mom to give to you and just. Yeah, whatever you want to do next is up to you. I'm taking back my old phone, but I already have a new one, my number is 323-555-2429. Just call or text or whatever when or if you want to.

Don't worry about medical bills, I've already arranged payment. Just focus on getting better. Take care of yourself, okay man?

When you're ready to talk I'll be there.

Lo

Vinny

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Vinny Monroe said:
December 4, 4:02 AM
Quick update before I pass out about Chase
He tried to kill himsrlf and is in hospital
Duke messed him up really bad
4:03 AM
He's in a bad way right now but shoukd pull through
Don't know if hell be able or willing to share more but I have stuff he wrote over the last month
If you have tech pep[le try and get them on Duke's streaming service
4:04 AM
He might have scrubbed stuff recently with Chase
But he was forcing him and Zara to ,ake porn
He was raped at least three times (once by Duke) probably more
4:05 AM
Duke was livestreanibg it all
WE NEED TO STOP HIM

Jon Raines said:
6:43 AM
We have a strong tech department, I'll get them on it immediately

Lia Feldman said:
7:18 AM
Jesus.
I have people as well, already getting them working.

Victoria Cross said:
7:58 AM
Holy shit
Did you say he was forcing Zara as well?
7:59 AM
She mdae that allusion to onset sleaze a while back
*made
It might have been that
Shit
Is Chase okay? And are you?

Jon Raines said:
8:00 AM
Vicky, we've been scraping the service as much as possible
There is some content which does appear to have Zara
8:01 AM
Did you experience anything like that, or see anything happen?

Victoria Cross said:
8:02 AM
To me? No
Nothing physical anyway
He made those comments I told you about but nothing else

Jon Raines said:
8:03 AM
Okay that is one thing at least
8:05 AM
These videos seem to specifically highlight the fact that they're
Well
Real
8:06 AM
I won't go into detail but I think Duke may be going to jail for a long long time

Lia Feldman said:
8:07 AM
Duke was obsessed with things being 'real'.

Victoria Cross said:
8:07 AM
Lia are you doing okay?

Lia Feldman said:
8:08 AM
I'm a tough old cookie. I'll manage.
I'm more concerned about his victims.
He always had a fixation on realism and authentic reactions.
8:09 AM
He greatly looked up to Kubrick.
There's a scene in Clockwork Orange where Alex's eyes are being held open.
McDowell had been given anesthesia but it had worn off, and the clamps were scratching his corneas.
He was in agony and went temporarily blind.
8:10 AM
Kubrick's greatest concern was the next shot.
There is also his infamously abusive treatment of Shelley Duvall in The Shining.
8:11 AM
Duke was very admiring of the methods he used to get reactions.
And never mind the genuine pain and trauma.
8:12 AM
He hadn't been like that early on. He valued realism but not at the expense of the actors.
I don't know when it changed.

Victoria Cross said:
8:12 AM
*hugs*

Lia Feldman said:
8:12 AM
I did see it myself.
But I thought he was a genius. I loved him and trusted him.
8:13 AM
I didn't know how far he would end up going.
Thank you Victoria.

Victoria Cross said:
8:13 AM
I'm feeling very relieved I managed to get out!
8:14 AM
God
He may have trashed my career but I survived
Poor Zara and Chase
We NEED to get her out of there

Lia Feldman said:
8:15 AM
You did. And he will never understand that.
We will do all we can.
I promise.

-

Barbara (Chase's mom) wrote:
4 December 2025, 10:24 AM
Hi vinny i want to thank u again for all you did for chase hes awake now and has the breathing tube out and weve been talking about what comes next the psychiatric doctor will be coming for an assessment this afternoon
10:27 AM
He isnt sure he wants to see u yet but he has read your letter and says to say thank u
10:31 AM
Vinny im not sure what happened between u two but i hope u can work things out for his sake if nothing else he is my only child and i want him to be happy more than anything and i will always be grateful for what u did for him but please try and talk to each other
xoxo
You wrote:
11:04 AM
Hi Barbara, glad he's doing better
I left him my number
Barbara (Chase's mom) wrote:
11:08 AM
Thank u vinny please look after yourself too
xoxo
You wrote:
11:11 AM
Thanks
I will

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Vinny Monroe said:
December 4, 11:43 AM
Hey
Any news?

Lia Feldman said:
11:51 AM
Good morning Vinny. I hope you were able to get some rest.
We've had both my tech people and Jon's able to pull things from the streaming service.
11:52 AM
Unfortunately it does look like some has been deleted.
We may be able to get someone to access the members list and see if anyone has saved the videos.
What remains is... disturbing.

Vinny Monroe said:
11:53 AM
Were there any videos of Chase?
Wait let me explain some of the context first

Lia Feldman said:
11:53 AM
There are.
Oh, go ahead.

Vinny Monroe said:
11:54 AM
Okay let me see
11:57 AM
He was at the party on October 25th. From the stuff he wrote, Duke actually gave him the gun and told him to 'take your shot' so he pulled the trigger but I think Duke was the one behind it. He didn't realize I survived and kept my phone out of guilt and was texting it like a kind of diary I guess?
12:03 PM
After that Duke invited him to stay at the house becuase he was living in his car and got him hooked on xanax. I think some of the sex was originally consenting but he did sat he didn't think Duke would have let him say no. On Nov 8 he made a co,,ent thst pissed duke off and that nihgt Duke had him druggrf and gang raped. He filmed it, video was called 'MouseRoom_110925_CLowry.mp4'
Hold on i need a moment

Lia Feldman said:
12:03 PM
Jesus.
Take as long as you need, Vinny.

Victoria Cross said:
12:04 PM
This is VILE
Duke is vile
jfc

Vinny Monroe said:
12:04 PM
Yeah

Jon Raines said:
12:05 PM
Vinny my tech guy can use the file name to find the video, even if it's been delisted
Thank you for sharing it, it might help a lot

Vinny Monroe said:
12:06 PM
Ok that's something I guess
12:12 PM
Ok. On Nov 13 he forced Chase and Zara to have sex on film to test their 'on-screen dynamic and chemistry'. On 16th Duke took him to the sauna and he blacked out and remembered Duke on top of him. Around the 19th or 20th he forced Chase to mkae a movie called 'La Petite Minet Mort' where his character is abducted raped and killed to 'capture that desperate, sensual side'. He says the actors playong the rapists were the same one who raped him irl and they choked him hard enoufg he actually did black out. 25th he was drugged and raped afain but this time he was conscious. On the 28th he found out all of it was being streamed. Troed tp OD on the 30th. I think on Dec 1 or 2 he had a psychotic episode and he left early yesterday about 7 am
12:14 PM
Later that day Harry emailed and said he founmd ,y phone. I met with him and saw all the texts. At 1.16pm he sent a suicide note I got there in time and could call an ambulance
12:16 PM
His mom says he's awake now but he might be involuntarily admitted because of the attempt and psychosis
Hes got addicted to xanax and coming off those will be really rough
12:17 PM
It might have omly been a month but this might affect him the rest of his life

Lia Feldman said:
12:18 PM
We are going to stop Duke.
We are going to have him put away.
12:19 PM
I swear it.

Jon Raines said:
12:19 PM
Just to jump in, my tech guy was able to find the video by the file name
12:20 PM
Unfortunately it does appear to genuinely be a recording of rape
The good news is we CAN use this to convict the fucker

Vinny Monroe said:
12:21 PM
Sorry about the typos my hands are shaking
Fuck
He needs to go away forever because if he doesn't I might actually kill him myself

Victoria Cross said:
12:22 PM
Also we need to get Zara out
She's still under his control
I suppose Harry too, but it feels like Duke mostly left him alone?
12:23 PM
Whereas we know Zara had to do that video
I guess that's what she meant by 'practicing accessing her sensual side'

Vinny Monroe said:
12:24 PM
Yeah
Can she just walk away under her NDA?
Technically I'm still under one too but I feel thta got voided when he arranged to have me FUCKING SHOT

Victoria Cross said:
12:25 PM
If she walks away she can get sued for breach of contract
But I don't think that's such a big issue considering he's a fucking rapist
12:26 PM
Like he tries to sue her, fine, see you in court, we'll see who wins THAT

Lia Feldman said:
12:27 PM
I'm going to get in contact with lawyers.
Victoria, if you can convince Zara to step away without arousing Duke's suspicions, that would be ideal.
12:28 PM
Vinny, if you learn anything more from Chase, anything will help the case.
And everyone, please remember to take care of yourselves.
We will get through this.
We will bring Duke to justice.

Chapter Text

12/6

I'm not sure how to begin this, so I suppose a self-aware disclaimer about being not sure how to start things it is, then. The psychiatrist has suggested I start writing things down in a journal, and it's not going to be private since she'll be able to see it too, but it'll be a way to arrange my thoughts. Which is better than nothing, I suppose.

My current situation: I'm out of the ER and have been admitted - involuntarily - to the psychiatric ward. I'm still hallucinating and the withdrawal from the xanax is going to be very unpleasant. I don't think I'm actively suicidal any more. The main thing - the guilt about Vinny - isn't really a factor any more, because he's alive.

God it feels so strange to even think that after a month and a half. Vinny is alive. He's not dead. I didn't kill him. I still shot him, and he was in hospital, and I hurt him badly and I completely understand if he hates me and if he's still angry, but I don't think he does. I keep rereading his note, over and over again. I practically have it memorized now.

"You're still important to me. Asshole."

Hahahahaha.

That's good, I think. It's a start. It's a possibility of a next scene. We're both alive, despite my best attempt to kill us both. It's a start.

What the fuck comes next?

-

Just got out of a therapy session. They're going to keep me in here for another 24 hours then do another assessment to see if I need to stay longer, but they suggested I stay voluntarily for at least a week.

Mom and Dad have got a hotel room nearby and have said they can spend all the visitor hours with me. I don't know how they're going to afford it. I keep thinking they're wasting their time on me and should get back to their own lives.

Mom says that's a good reason for them to stay around. Which I guess is true. I've missed them a lot and it's nice being able to be hugged again.

-

Real and not real (12/6)

Real

Mom and Dad
The bed
The window
The walls (light green)
The pictures (landscapes - one forest, one ocean cliffs, one meadow)
The medical staff
This notebook (blue cover) and pen (black felt tip)
The tray my dinner was on (some kind of ham and cheese quiche, apple wedges, a little piece of very tasteless cake, fruit juice)
My phone (in a locker, to be used under supervision)

Not real

Most of the blood stains, aside from the ones from that other patient who bit his arm open
The mannequins
People's faces distorting
The 'glitching'
Static/camera pops
The eyes (both real-looking and painted)
The feeling of things around my wrists and neck, aside from my hospital bracelet
Guns (not allowed here)
Duke, Duke's voice (he's real, but he's not here. He can't get me here, they said)

Not sure

Vinny (Mom says he was with me when she got here and he was the one who found me, and his letter said that one time I saw him sitting with me was actually real, but he hasn't been since, so every time I see him lying dead on the floor it's a hallucination. Anyway, he's not dead)

-

12/7

Slept badly last night. I'm still taking benzos but it's a lower dose to start tapering and I guess my body really doesn't like it. I kept waking up feeling like people were touching me and grabbing me and choking me. I don't know if they're hallucinations or just memories because they did happen. I really was raped.

God it took me five minutes to write those four words.

I just feel bad in every way. Depressed and anxious and afraid and spaced out and paranoid. I keep feeling like I'm being watched. Well I am being watched, I'm in the fucking psych ward, but I keep seeing eyes in the walls and ceilings and I think those are hallucinations. The real ones are CCTV cameras, not actual eyeballs, and there's one in the corner of the room, the doctor pointed it out to me so I knew where the real one was.

I think she meant it to try and reassure me that no one could get to me here but I keep thinking of all the cameras at The House and it doesn't help much.

Physically feel like shit. Exhausted and sore everywhere. I can't stop shaking. So dizzy I mostly stay in bed but even then it feels like the bed is moving. My senses are too strong, everything is too bright and too loud and things smell too strong. I jump at everything.

The doctors say this is a normal part of benzo withdrawal. If this is withdrawal I wish I was still on them. I could at least function on them.

Just the withdrawal would be bad enough if I was normal. I'm still crazy - excuse me, 'brief psychotic disorder'. It may go away in time, which would be ideal. Benzo withdrawal means you can't take antipsychotics and dealing with that and hallucinations is miserable.

The doctors say I might make a full recovery (aside from the withdrawal), or I may be left with a longer-lasting psychotic disorder or PTSD or both.

I don't think I can be an actor with psychosis or PTSD. If I end up with those, how the fuck am I mea

Sorry about the smudge, I cried on the paper.

If I'm sick and can't be an actor, what am I meant to do? What am I meant to be? I've wanted to be an actor since I was a child. It's everything I've been working towards for my entire life. I don't have any other skills or qualifications. I'm too old to learn to do anything else. If I can't act then maybe I should just kill myself, but acting clearly hasn't been fucking working either.

I'm just a fucking WASTE OF SPACE. WHY DO I EVEN TRY

-

Had another assessment. After my last entry they're keeping me another 48 hours, which is the maximum. Then they either have to let me go or I get another full assessment to see if I need to be locked up in the crazy bin. Or, I can choose to stay.

Dad suggested I come home with them to NJ. He found an inpatient facility in Newark with good reviews. I'd be in a crazy bin, but I'd be near them, just all the way on the other side of the country. I don't even know NJ, they moved there after I had already moved to LA.

I wouldn't mind being close to them but LA has been my home for 22 years. It's been a shitty home, sometimes. I've lived in my car more often than I've lived with a roof over my head. I've never been successful here. But it's my home.

If I move to NJ I may not ever see Vinny again, and I genuinely don't know if that's a relief or not.

I know he wants to see me again, he said as much in his letter. But I don't know if I can. Every time I think about him being here, seeing me like this, I feel such a wave of shame and guilt. Because even with all the psychosis, I still shot him. Duke put a gun in my hand and told me to take my shot and I pointed the gun at someone I love and pulled the trigger.

For a movie role. For his approval. For the hope that my entire life had a meaning. If I got the role, it meant that all the bullshit I had dealt with since I was 18 would be worth it. It meant I actually would have been working towards something, not just... dealing with all that for nothing. If I got Willie by sacrificing Vinny, then my life would have actually meant something.

And then I got Willie and my life still collapsed.

How can I look at him in the eye? How can I ever say, hey man, sorry I shot you, it only was because I wanted to be validated for my entire miserable existence? How could I value my life over his in the first place? He has so many people who love him. I have... my parents, and I had him, and now I still feel like I've lost him even if we do start talking again.

I pointed the gun at him. I pulled the trigger.

My hand is hurting. I'm going to stop writing now.

-

12/9

Another bad night. Another bad day yesterday. Got out of bed only to piss and go to my required therapy appointments then went back to sleep. Not hungry so I didn't eat. Another bad night. Now it's morning again.

If Mom and Dad think I'm a waste of space I wouldn't blame them.

-

Things that make me happy (12/9)

Sitting in a dark theatre surrounded by people with a story on the screen
The smell of old film
Getting lost in a story (film or written)
Getting lost in a character (while acting)
Talking about stories and characters
Hollywood lights at night
Soft rain, when it's almost more mist than rain
Second-hand stores
Cool vests and jackets
Nail polish (black, metallics, blues and purples)
Putting sriracha on everything
Coffee
Johnnie Walker scotch whi
Raspberries and rainier cherries
Dogs
Big dogs who don't realize they're not lap dogs
Sandalwood-scented stuff
Quiet mornings cuddling with Vinny
Feeling small and protected and safe
Being acknowledged
Being hugged
Being loved

-

12/10

Well, I'm officially just a regular inpatient admission now. Technically I can leave whenever I want, although I'm kind of terrified at the prospect of actually doing so. I'm not sure what I'd do to myself, and I'm not sure what he would do to me. I know too much now. Given that he told me to kill for a movie role, I'm sure he'd try to kill me for all the secrets I know.

It's safer here, I think. I'm still crazy, still sick, still a wreck without a future, but I'm at least sort of safe.

Dad has gone back home. They left pretty quick and he needs to take care of things, but he's said he can come back if I need. Mom is still here and I keep telling her that I'm fine now if she wants to go too, but she keeps telling me it's fine and she's not about to leave her baby (Mom, I'm 40!!) to suffer alone.

I asked about the cost and she said Vinny has been paying for her accommodation, and he also paid for their flights and he's paying for my hospital admission. I don't know how I'm ever supposed to make it up to him, but Mom says he tells her not to worry about it and he's happy to. She said he texts every single day to see how I am.

I don't even know what to think about that.

I keep reading his letter, over and over again. I keep tracing the crossed-out 'Lo' above his name. Was he going to say 'love'? He knows how I feel now, he's seen all those texts I never intended anyone to see. He couldn't feel the same way. I shot him. Why would he?

But he started writing it and crossed it out. Because it wasn't true? Because he didn't want me to know it was true? I don't know.

God I miss him so fucking much.

-

You wrote:
10 December 2025, 3:16 PM
Hey. I just want to say thank you for saving me, for getting my parents here and making sure they're supported, and for paying for my hospital bills. I don't know how Ill ever repay you
3:17 PM
Mom says you check how I'm doing every day
Vinny (new) wrote:
❤️
You wrote:
I don't know what happens next but thank you
Oh... hi
Vinny (new) wrote:
3:18 PM
Hey. Um how are you doing?
You wrote:
Alive thanks to you
Vinny I am so so fucking sorry I don't think I can ever say sorry enough
Vinny (new) wrote:
3:19 PM
Duke was fucking with both of us
He set us up to fight each other from the start
3:20 PM
What happened isn't your fault ok?
You wrote:
I shot you
Vinny (new) wrote:
Ut isn't your fault
Can I come see you?
3:22 PM
If no that's ok
Just let me know how you're doing?
3:24 PM
Whatever you're comfy with
You wrote:
3:26 PM
Ok. Visitor hours are 12-2 and 6-8
Vinny (new) wrote:
Fuck yeah I'll see you tonight
3:27 PM
I miss you a lot
You wrote:
I miss you too
See you tonight

-

12/10

Vinny just left. I don't even know if I have the words to describe how I feel. How do you describe the combination of crushing guilt, anxiety, and joy? Probably something to ask about at my first session tomorrow, I guess.

He arrived with Mom, right at 6. I was glad he did, it meant there was at least sort of a buffer between us. He stood back while Mom gave me a hug, and then she stepped back and he stepped forward and he looked so nervous and hopeful at the same time, and I just... held an arm out to him, and I swear it was like we had never been parted. Like it didn't matter that the last time I saw him, it was six weeks ago and I had shot him. Like it didn't matter that the last time we actually touched was fucking August and even that was so distant and strange because Duke had already started getting his claws in.

It was like it was that first year, before he actually made it, when we were just two struggling actors trying to work it out together. We both cried. Mom paid very close attention to her phone and we just held each other.

We didn't talk much about what had happened. They brought my dinner in (scrambled eggs, sausages, and something green that might have been spinach, some orange wedges, boring cake, and fruit juice), and Vinny grinned and pulled out a box of like 5 different mini bottles of sriracha, and then some very nice chocolates for dessert. I still don't have much appetite but I ate everything. (And now I feel a bit sick, but it was worth it.)

After dinner, we did talk - again, not about that night, but what he's been doing. He says he's been talking to Lia Feldman (formerly Lia Cain) and Victoria Cross and they're trying to arrange legal action against Duke. What happened to me would help too.

They found the streaming site and the videos. I had to shake my head so he wouldn't say too much, Mom doesn't know about a lot of what actually happened, and he went quiet but looked furious. And it was the good kind of furious, I think, I know what it looks like when he's furious at someone else instead of me. I had my phone and I forwarded him all the voice and text messages Duke had sent me. I don't know how much I can help but I guess every little bit counts.

Mom said goodbye at about 7:45 so we could have some private time together, and when she was out of the room I just broke down. I kept apologizing again and again, and Vinny was apologizing again and again, and we were hugging and crying and kissing, and I felt like a wrung-out tissue by the end. He made a suggestion near the end that sort of blindsided me too. He said that since I was already going to therapy, and he probably should too because he was realizing some stuff as well, maybe we could do relationship therapy?

And I just sort of froze because he was implying that we were in a relationship.

It's been 3 years since we met. In all that time I don't think we ever called what we were. I said kind of snarkily something like 'oh now that I'm crazy you're asking me out?' and he just looked at me and said 'yeah'.

God. I couldn't reply, and I think he realized because he didn't bring it up again. There was no big declaration of love. We're not officially boyfriends or whatever. But I guess it's something? I don't know.

But he still kissed me goodbye, and texted me as soon as he was out of the hospital, and I don't know where the fuck things are going or what happens next, but it's a start.

It's a start.

-

Vinny (new) wrote:
10 December 2025, 8:07 PM
Hey I'm really glad we got to see each other again
Would it be ok if I came again tmorrow night?
You wrote:
8:08 PM
Yeah I'd like that
I have to give my phone back to the nurses station for the night
8:09 PM
But I'll see you tomorrow night
Vinny (new) wrote:
Cool see you then :)
Night ❤️
You wrote:
8:10 PM
Night ❤️

Chapter Text

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Vinny Monroe said:
December 10, 8:46 PM
Hey I'm back now

Victoria Cross said:
8:47 PM
How did it go??

Vinny Monroe said:
8:47 PM
Good I think? We both cried a bit
He looks exhausted and sick and it's almost painful to see
But we talked and yeah it went well
8:48 PM
Also
He forwarded me the messages Duke sent him
I haven't listened to the voice ones yet
But the texts are vile
Look at this

You wrote:
9 November 2025, 2:42 PM
Hi Mr Cain, may I ask a question?
Duke Cain wrote:
2:46 PM
You may.
You wrote:
2:54 PM
Did something happen to me last night? Something out of the ordinary?
Duke Cain wrote:
2:55 PM
You got up to some interesting activities. Why do you ask?
You wrote:
2:57 PM
Just
I don't remember last night at all
2:58 PM
And I'm very
Um
Sore
Duke Cain wrote:
2:59 PM
Hm.
Duke Cain sent: MouseRoom_110925_CLowry.mp4
You wrote:
3:04 PM
What is this
Duke Cain wrote:
3:05 PM
You may find it informative.
You wrote:
3:19 PM
Why
Duke Cain wrote:
3:20 PM
There are prices to fame.

8:49 PM
There are prices to fame?????
He was DRUGGED ADN GANG RAPED. ON CAMERA. AND IT WAS FUCKIHN STREAMED
8:50 PM
PRICES TO FAME
THAT PIECE OF SHIT IM GONNA KILL HIM

Victoria Cross said:
8:50 PM
Gross gross gross gross 🙁
I'm so glad we got Zara out holy shit
I dont know how long the 'parent with medical problems' excuse will last
8:51 PM
Do we have enough now to take him to court?

Vinny Monroe said:
8:52 PM
I think so
I want to do this
We have to
He has to PAY
8:53 PM
I'll listen to the voice messages and upload them
God he makes me fucking sick
I don't think Ive ever hated someone so much in my fucking life

Victoria Cross said:
8:54 PM
We'll make him pay

Vinny Monroe said:
8:55 PM
Yeah
8:57 PM
Dude wtf
What the fucking fuck
I listened to the first one
And he's talking about how much he likes how Chase looks 'vulnerable'
8:58 PM
And 'loyal, trusting, malleable'
He's a fucking predator
9:14 PM
I've listened to them all
Im going to go break some things

Vinny Monroe uploaded Chase_Duke_voicemail_092125.wav
Vinny Monroe uploaded Chase_Duke_voicemail_100625.wav
Vinny Monroe uploaded Chase_Duke_voicemail_101025.wav
Vinny Monroe uploaded Chase_Duke_voicemail_101925.wav
Vinny Monroe uploaded Chase_Duke_voicemail_102325.wav
Vinny Monroe uploaded Chase_Duke_voicemail_102525.wav

Victoria Cross said:
9:15 PM
Oh god
9:27 PM
Yeah I think I want to break things too

-

[VICTORIA CROSS STARTED A PRIVATE CONVERSATION]

Victoria Cross said:
9:29 PM
I completely understand if you're still breaking things but I need to ask you about one of the messages
9:30 PM
The third message
Without Lia seeing
9:32 PM
Vinny I think Duke killed his son

Vinny Monroe said:
9:37 PM
Yeah
Yeah it sounds suspicious
Is Lia on?

Victoria Cross said:
9:38 PM
No she has that thing at her brother's tonight

Vinny Monroe said:
9:38 PM
Oh yeah I forgot

Victoria Cross said:
9:39 PM
Allg you were distracted with Chase

Vinny Monroe said:
9:40 PM
Yeah
But yeah I agree
What do you know about Tommy's death?

Victoria Cross said:
9:41 PM
Not much
Just that they had a son who died young
I don't know if I was even born

Vinny Monroe said:
9:41 PM
He died in 2000
9:42 PM
He was 7

Victoria Cross said:
9:42 PM
Oh I'm a 2000 baby
Did you know him?

Vinny Monroe said:
9:43 PM
We met a few times but I don't remember it
I was only 2 when he died
My dad actuallyintroduced them
9:44 PM
Duke and Lia I mean
So we were in the same sort of social circle
9:45 PM
Theres probably some old photos we're both in

Victoria Cross said:
9:45 PM
Yeah possibly
Anyway
Do you think it's possible?
9:46 PM
I mean 'he was in the way' is PRETTY CONCERNING

Vinny Monroe said:
9:46 PM
Yeah
Do you think I should remove the files for now?
idk if Lia should see that one
It might be
9:47 PM
idk confronting or triggering or something
But otoh she should be allowed to know that
I don't want to keep info from her
Especially about her OWN SON

Victoria Cross said:
9:48 PM
I think maybe just
Leave a warning

Vinny Monroe said:
9:49 PM
Yeah
9:51 PM
Vicky I want to hurt him
That fucking
9:52 PM
"I see the walls you build" thing
The vulnerability thing
If I saw him now
I think i could actually kill him

Victoria Cross said:
9:53 PM
Please don't go to jail for murder
Chase needs you

Vinny Monroe said:
9:53 PM
I know
But I dont know what else to do
I dont know how to comfort someone without being angry
9:54 PM
"Hey babe Im sorry you went through the horrors but if it helps I REALLY want to kill the guy who hurt you"????

Victoria Cross said:
9:55 PM
I mean
That'd work on me

Vinny Monroe said:
9:55 PM
Haha
But yeah
I'm gonna go I'm beat and need to unwind
Will leave that message

Victoria Cross said:
9:56 PM
k
Night Vinny

Vinny Monroe said:
9:56 PM
Night

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Vinny Monroe said:
December 10, 9:57 PM
Lia just as a heads up
The third message
It's about Tommy

-

Lia Feldman said:
December 10, 11:07 PM
Thank you for letting me know.

-

From: LF ([email protected])
To: Inv ([email protected])
Sent: 10 December 2025 11:15 PM
Subject: Inquiry (DC case)

New search keys:
Thomas Alexander Cain
'Tommy', 'little angel'
B. 04.15.93 D. 08.01.00
Any implication of guilt or involvement in TC's death by DC
Discussion of sacrifice
"He had to go", "He was in the way"

-

December 10 2025

Chase said his psych has him writing a journal to help him get his thoughts out, and it's not a bad idea so I'm going to try to do the same. There's a lot in my head right now and I don't want to share it with anyone.

I'm angry. I know I get angry really easily, but I'm so fucking ANGRY right now and I don't know what I can do about it. I'm angry at Duke for everything he's done. I'm angry at myself for letting him get under my skin and start fucking things up with Chase. Fuck, I'm still angry with Chase for what HE did, because I know he was being manipulated by Duke, but he still FUCKING SHOT ME. And I know he hates himself for it too and there's no point actually telling him that I still am angry about it but it still fucking hurts.

Like there was a point where he was willing to kill me. How the fuck do I move on from that? I thought we were important to each other.

But then, if I had acted like it, if I hadn't started cutting him off because Duke told me to, he might have never got to that point. If I had told Duke 'no fuck you' and walked away from the project then I don't think Chase would have ever got to that point, or at least I hope so.

He manipulated both of us. I grew up in Hollywood and I thought I knew how it shaped people, but I had no idea. I had NO FUCKING IDEA.

There's so much I didn't see. I forgave all the stories about Duke because he was a genius and a great filmmaker and he had gone through all that pain of losing Tommy and all those excuses. I didn't realize that he could have possibly had something to do with it, even when he was talking to me about sacrifice. It didn't even occur to me that someone I've looked up to my entire life could do awful, terrible things until he started doing them to me and the people I care about.

I was so fucking blind. A lot of my anger is still at myself.

What are we supposed to do now? I know we need to take legal action, but there are a lot of risks there. I don't want all my dirty laundry getting splashed across the media, let alone Chase's. He went through PURE SHIT at Duke's hands and I would feel mortified if anyone knew that about me. Hell, I even feel a bit guilty about sharing it with Lia and Vicky, even though I know they only want to stop Duke from hurting others.

God. I'm going to see him again tomorrow and I'm already kind of terrified. What do I say to him? How do I fix this? He shot me and I'm still angry, and I still have nightmares of him with the gun, but also I'm terrified Duke just fucking broke him. There are so many people who disappear without a trace and a lot of them are connected to Duke, and I genuinely don't know how many of them are still alive.

Fuck. He might have killed his SON. I'm trying to imagine how I'd feel if Dad had killed me because 'every great performance has a body buried underneath it' and I just can't. Dad and Duke have always been friendly. What if I had been in Tommy's place?

Okay I'm tired and this is all over the place and my hand hurts. Got to be at my best when I see Chase tomorrow night and whenever I talk to Lia next.

Shit. If I knew my ex-husband may have killed my son, how would I ever be happy again?

-

12/11

Had a bad night. Kept having nightmares, mix of memories and other stuff. It was him, mostly, one of the times near the end where he outright assaulted me instead of just leading me off somewhere and hoping I was too tired to resist. He had hit me once in the face, and I think he regretted it, because I had a split lip and a bruise on the corner of my mouth, and I couldn't film or suck his dick for two days.

That's what I remember most. The taste of my own blood in my mouth while he fucked me. It got magnified in the dream, I guess, because there was blood everywhere, a lot more than there actually had been, and it felt like I was drowning in it.

I think the worst part was how the dream changed, though. Duke fucking me, but then a hand grabbing my face and making me look up at them, and seeing Vinny there. Vinny laughing and smiling and joking with Duke, Vinny joining in at his invitation, Vinny not caring that I would have done anything he wanted anywa

Bad night. Lots of nightmares.

I'm so fucking tired.

-

You wrote:
11 December 2025, 10:07 AM
Hey 😀 Looking forward to seeing you tonite! The nurses said I can bring some dinner in, anything you've been craving?
Chase wrote:
10:32 AM
Anything spicy and I'll owe you my life
I mean I already do
You know what I mean
You wrote:
10:35 AM
Hell yeah dude I'll get something that'll scorch your tastebuds off
Weirdo ❤️
Chase wrote:
❤️

-

From: Harry Dufresne ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
Sent: 11 December 2025 9:47 AM
Subject: What's up?

Hi Vinny,

How are things? Wanted to touch base with you and see if you could solve a little mystery.

Chase Lowry hasn't been seen since he left about a week ago, and now Zara Good seems to have gone AWOL as well. Duke is pretty pissed. We've been filming some of Patrick's scenes, but things are stalling without our two main leads. You said you knew Chase, do you know what's going on? If he's not a good fit and you've recovered, will you be making a return? We both know you were always Duke's first choice.

First Victoria, then Zara. First you, then Chase. I'm starting to wonder if maybe this production just isn't meant to be.

Be grateful for any insight. I was looking forward to this production.

Harry

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Harry Dufresne ([email protected])
Sent: 11 December 2025 11:20 AM
Subject: Re: What's up?

Hey Harry,

Neither Chase nor I are returning to the production. If Zara is wise, she'll avoid returning too. You should consider cutting your losses and leaving as well.

I can't say too much at the moment, but Duke is not the man you think he is. I'm not going back.

Vinny

-

From: Harry Dufresne ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
Sent: 11 December 2025 11:43 AM
Subject: Re: Re: What's up?

I have some idea. I'll think things over.

Harry

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Vinny Monroe said:
December 11, 11:51 AM
Morning everyone
I had an email from Harry asking, basically, where we all were
I said me and Chase weren't going back and that he should leave too
11:52 AM
He made an interesting oblique comment about how he suspects stuff?

Victoria Cross said:
12:04 PM
Huh, what kind of comment?

Vinny Monroe said:
12:05 PM
I said 'Duke is not the man you think he is' and he said 'I have some idea'
And said he'll 'think things over' about staying with TLV
So I am wondering if he's had some sort of dealings
12:06 PM
I don't think he's the kind ofperson to necessarily face Duke's abuse
But he may have suspicions?
idk
12:10 PM
Lia are you around at all?

Lia Feldman said:
12:43 PM
I am.
I have been making inquiries.
Those messages are very concerning but there is little we can do without evidence.

Victoria Cross said:
12:47 PM
Are ypu ok?
*you

Lia Feldman said:
12:49 PM
I am.
Please don't worry about me.

Victoria Cross said:
12:51 PM
Ok <3

-

[VICTORIA CROSS STARTED A PRIVATE CONVERSATION]

Victoria Cross said:
December 11, 12:51 PM
I'm worried about her

Vinny Monroe said:
1:09 PM
Yeah
Me too

-

Things to look forward to (12/11)

Seeing Mom and Vinny tonight
Spicy takeaway tonight
Finishing this fucking list

-

From: Inv ([email protected])
To: LF ([email protected])
Sent: 11 December 2025 3:43 PM
Subject: Re: Inquiry (DC case)

Material found.

Attachment: dc04_report_121125.pdf

-

12/11

Mom and Vinny just left. He brought Korean - these spicy rice cakes, kimchi in pork broth with rice, and a chicken stir fry with some sort of sauce that nearly burned my tastebuds off, very satisfying. Plus some other dishes less made of fire for himself and Mom, and orange poppy cake for dessert. We had a little feast and I felt like a person for a bit.

I had a therapy session this afternoon. My homework was to try and think of things I was looking forward to and I couldn't think past tonight. I kept my eyes shut the entire time because the walls kept fucking breathing and there were eyes painted in blood that kept blinking at me and the doctor's face kept glitching and I know it was a hallucination but it was still disorienting. If I kept my eyes shut the only hallucination I got was the static, and that's a lot easier to deal with. I guess it's like tinnitus only in my brain instead of my ears.

My nails look horrible. Most of my nail polish has come off and I've been trying to pick at the last bits, but now they're all uneven. I'm not allowed scissors to cut them. They have a salon service that comes in once every two weeks so if I'm still here then I guess I can get them done then.

I don't know what else to say.

-

Vinny (new) wrote:
11 December 2025, 8:10 PM
Hey 😀 Ok if I come again tomorrow night?
You wrote:
8:11 PM
Sure
Vinny (new) wrote:
Also if you feel up to it by then
I'm going to do a small thing for xmas
Probably on the 21st or 22nd
8:12 PM
You're invited of course ❤️
8:13 PM
Thanks I'd love to 😀
Night
Vinny (new) wrote:
Night ❤️
You wrote:
8:15 PM
❤️

-

Things to look forward to (12/11)

Seeing Mom and Vinny tonight
Spicy takeaway tonight
Finishing this fucking list
Christmas at Vinny's

-

December 12 2025

I can't sleep. It's like two but my brain won't shut up, so I'm writing instead.

I keep thinking about the texts I sent Chase this evening. He looked miserable tonight and I just wanted to cheer him up so I ended up making up some Christmas thing and invited him, which means I now have, uh, 10 days to plan a small Christmas party. Which, ok, I can do that. I have people I can invite who I relatively trust. Victoria and Lia especially. But I also don't want to feel like I'm putting him under a spotlight?

"Hey this is the guy who shot me, he just got out of the mental hospital, we've been FWBs for 3 years and might be dating now." Dude what the fuck was I thinking??

Goddammit I just wanted to make him smile. I'd be just as happy getting takeaway and watching Muppet Christmas Carol cuddled up with him on the couch. I just want to feel like I did the first time I saw it, when he introduced it as his favorite Christmas movie from when he was a kid. I had only known him a few months then and it was quiet and comfortable and actually relaxed, and it still would be a year before my career blew up, and we were just people. I was just a person, not Vinny fucking Monroe, and he was my friend (with benefits), and we just existed together.

I feel like a teenage girl right now. Man. I'm having fantasies about CUDDLING. With the guy who SHOT ME. Because I want him to be happy!! Because I miss him!

It's so stupid. I have the world. I have an amazing career. I have money and fame and people who look up to me. I get to make incredible movies and do incredible things.

But a part of me is so fucking jealous of that 24-year-old cuddled up with him on the couch, eating takeaway and watching kids movies.

I miss him so much. I miss myself so much. I miss being a person.

And I keep wondering if either of us will ever just get to be people again.

-

12/12

It's about 2 AM and I can't sleep again, so I'm writing instead.

I can't get Vinny out of my mind. How attentive he's been. I can't understand it, how he can even look at me, let alone touch me. I nearly killed him, I thought I did kill him. I can't stop thinking about the feeling of the gun in my hand, and then thinking about how fucking good it felt to hug him again.

I keep remembering that first year or so. It was October 2022 when we met. We had both auditioned for something, I don't even remember what, I just remember seeing him and he was goddamn magnetic. I couldn't take my eyes off him. Later, at the bar, after we had been told we wouldn't be going to the next round, he told me he couldn't stop watching me, that he thought I had been amazing. We drank together, wine and whisky. That was actually why I picked whisky that night. I wanted the last thing I thought of to be him.

He told me who he was and said he had at least been rejected fairly and I was so confused, because he had such a big advantage. He was a Monroe! Why wouldn't he make use of that, to help achieve his dreams? And he explained that it was because he wanted to be seen as himself, not as a Monroe, and I felt so fucking bad and said I would try to see him for himself.

And he just sort of froze, then smiled in this helpless sort of way, and said it was more than anyone had done in years.

And that first year and a bit - it was good. It was so fucking good, man. We never put a name to it, but we spent so much time together. We watched movies and read scripts to each other, we went to karaoke and to shitty little dive bars with amazing live music, we kissed and cuddled and showered together and had stupid giggly drunken late-night sex and slow lazy morning sex and texted and talked on the phone and sent each other memes and shitty puns and I miss him so fucking much and I don't understand why he'd ever want that again with someone who hurt him so bad.

But fuck, I'll take any scrap. Duke was right. I'm starving and empty and desperate to be fed, and all I want to be filled up with is him.

I miss him. I miss us. I miss being a person.

What the hell do we do now?

Chapter Text

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Vinny Monroe said:
December 12, 3:17 AM
So I had a thought
(Don't mind the time stamp I can't sleep)
The thing is. Duke destroys people's reputations
3:18 AM
So why hasn't he gone after me yet?
He was pretty quick with Vicky
Why not me?
And I think it's because I didn't defy him
3:19 AM
Vicky, you were going to go to the union. You were going to oppose him
You were a threat but more to the point
He thought you were out of his control
I don't think he thinks that about me
As far as he knows, I survived getting shot and made up an excuse about pneumonia
3:20 AM
He probably knows I've been in contact with Harry
But he would NOT know I've been in contact with Chase or with you guys
So maybe he doesn't know I'm a threat
3:21 AM
And maybe he doesn't know that I know that he manipulated Chase into shooting me
So what can we do with that?

Victoria Cross said:
8:42 AM
Wow you were up early (or late)
Hope you've managed to get some sleep

Vinny Monroe said:
9:51 AM
Like 5 hours allg
I have coffee
9:52 AM
Anyway my thought was
What if I can get Duke in a conversation while I'm wired?
And just
See if I can get him to confess to anything
I was thinking more about Chase bc like
I know about Chase
9:53 AM
He DOESN'T know I know about the manipulation
That he gave Chase the gun
As far as he knows Chase shot me because of the shit I said to him
So he might be willing to badmouth him?
idk I don't think he'd be willing to admit that he manipulated him in the first place
9:54 AM
But maybe some of the stuff after
9:55 AM
And also what Lia said about evidence
About Tommy
What if I could get some?

Lia Feldman said:
10:03 AM
Vinny, it could be extraordinarily dangerous.

Vinny Monroe said:
10:04 AM
I know
But what's the alternative?

Lia Feldman said:
10:04 AM
There is still the possibility of court.

Vinny Monroe said:
10:05 AM
And if it gets tossed out for lack of evidence?
Duke is too fucking dangerous to leave alone
And Chase knows so much of what he's done
10:06 AM
If Duke finds him he could kill him
And I am NOT going to let that happen

Lia Feldman said:
10:06 AM
I know. We just will have to be extremely careful.
10:07 AM
For instance, where would you meet?

Vinny Monroe said:
10:07 AM
idk yet
I don't want to go back tot he mansion though
The thought just freaks me out way too much

Victoria Cross said:
10:08 AM
You'd probably want somewhere where you have power
Going to his house means you're in his world
10:09 AM
You wan tto switch that power balance

Vinny Monroe said:
10:09 AM
Yeah I thought that
idk where though
I am NOT inviting him to my house!

Victoria Cross said:
10:10 AM
Ew no

Lia Feldman said:
10:10 AM
What about your father's offices?
Perhaps after hours, so you can claim you'll have privacy.
But we can have security standing by, say.

Vinny Monroe said:
10:12 AM
Huh
I'll talk to him and ask

Lia Feldman said:
10:13 AM
Just remember how extraordinarily dangerous this is, Vinny.
Duke is a dangerous man.
If he suspects anything it could be bad.
Potentially fatal.
For you AND Chase.

Vinny Monroe said:
10:14 AM
I know
But I'm an actor
So I'm going to fucking ACT
Because our lives fucking DEPEND on it

Victoria Cross said:
10:15 AM
Good luck Vinny

Vinny Monroe said:
10:15 AM
Thanks
On a totally different note
What are you guys doing around the 20th-22nd?

-

12/12

Been haunted the whole day. Thinking about Vinny before sleeping bad idea, kept seeing him. Sitting next to me like he had been during his visits, only slowly bleeding out. Lying dead whenever I turn a corner or look through a door. Kept hearing him screaming or lunging at me. Duke whispering in my ear, or grabbing at me, or the worst ones where he tells me I'm so good and how proud he is of me. Shut up and leave me alone!!!!

-

You wrote:
12 December 2025, 3:58 PM
Hey Im really sorry but I'm having a bad day
I don't think you should come tonight
Vinny (new) wrote:
Are you sure?
3:59 PM
You ok? ❤️
You wrote:
Idk
Dont want you seeing me like this
4:00 PM
Also
Vinny (new) wrote:
4:03 PM
??
You wrote:
4:04 PM
Some of the hallucinations are of you
4:05 PM
If Mom does a reality check its ok bc I dont hallucinate her
If real-you does it then not-real-you might start doing it too
Vinny (new) wrote:
4:06 PM
What's a reality check?
You wrote:
Confirming with someone else if something is real or not real
4:07 PM
Like I feel like Im being watched all the fucking time
But the staff showed me where the one real camera in the room is
So I know stuff like the eyes are hallucinations
4:08 PM
And Mom could confirm it and they wouldnt lie to her
Because she's not crazy lkie I am
Vinny (new) wrote:
4:09 PM
Dude you're not crazy
You're unwell
And you're recovering from it
You wrote:
4:10 PM
Still feel like I am
Point is
If I see you and someone confirms youre real this time
If YOU confirm you're real
4:11 PM
Then next time not-real-you might start saying he IS real
Vinny (new) wrote:
I'm sorry
You wrote:
Not your fault
Vinny (new) wrote:
No I know whose fault it is and it's not mine or yours
4:12 PM
Chase I'm so fucking sorry youre dealing with this shit
If you dont want me to come I wont but you have to know I'll be there so fucking fast if you do
You wrote:
4:16 PM
Let me talk to my doctor
I'll let you know asap ok
Vinny (new) wrote:
Ok ❤️

-

You wrote:
4:43 PM
Ok
Vinny (new) wrote:
4:44 PM
Ok? 😀
You wrote:
Ok 🙂 See you at 6
Vinny (new) wrote:
❤️

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Al Monroe ([email protected])
Sent: 12 December 2025 4:49 PM
Subject: Favor

Hi Dad,

Can you call me when you can? Any time except between 6-8 tonight. Got something to ask you about. It's important and confidential.

Also thanks for the heads up about the new Murray movie but I don't think I'm quite ready for another audition yet. Sorry.

Vinny

-

You wrote:
8:02 PM
Just want to say thanks again
For being patient with me
Vinny (new) wrote:
8:06 PM
Allg
If not-real-me shows up tonight tell him real-me is going to deck him next time I'm there
You wrote:
Haha
8:07 PM
But seriously thank you
Maybe one day it won't be this fucking hard
Vinny (new) wrote:
Yeah
8:08 PM
We'll get there, promise
Sleep well ❤️
You wrote:
You too ❤️

-

12/12

It ended up going okay, I think? I guess Vinny had been reading up on psychosis because he made sure to engage Mom in the conversation a lot, and I guess he was reasoning if I saw him and Mom interacting, then that would be a good indication that he wasn't a hallucination.

I guess it worked? I know he's gone home for the night, so if I do see him again before tomorrow evening, I know he's a hallucination.

He painted my nails for me (dark purple). I can look at them and know he was here for real.

He's too good to me and I don't know why. He knows so much of what happened. He's seen me at my absolute worst and most fucked up and crazy and he still comes back. WHY?

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Vinny Monroe said:
December 12, 10:42 PM
Dad gave the okay
All that's left is to lure Duke there
10:43 PM
We're going to get his evil ass

-

[instagram.com/vinnymonroeee]

vinnymonroeee Hey Vinning Team! This photo of my Dad and I is a great memory, the two Monroes on the red carpet earlier this year at the Academy Awards. We've been working together lately while I've been recovering, he's been teaching me the ins and outs of production. Don't worry, I'm still hopelessly in love with acting, not going to switch tracks any time soon! But it's been interesting as hell learning all the stuff that goes on beyond the scenes. All love and appreciation to producers! ❤️ Love y'all, stay vinning! #vinnymonroe #vinningteam #teammonroe #almonroe #producinggold

[Image description: Vinny Monroe, a young white man with short black hair and brown eyes, and Al Monroe, an older white man with black hair with grey at the temples and brown eyes, both wearing tuxedos and standing on the red carpet.]

158k likes
DECEMBER 12, 2025

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: DC ([email protected])
Sent: 12 December 2025 10:45 PM
Subject: Hi

Hi Duke,

Long time no talk. You might have seen on my socials that I had the flu that turned into pneumonia. Well, you know what really happened. I got shot. By someone I thought was a friend.

I want you to know I don't blame you. I know you told me to tell him that he was out, and I agreed that it'd be kinder from a friend. I don't think anyone expected that he would have a gun, or that he would go that far.

Anyway. The point is, I'm on the mend. If there's still a place for me, if you haven't found anyone else for Willie, I would love to be able to step back into the role, although I completely understand if you've already recast. I definitely feel like I clicked with Harry and Zara. And of course, I would be beyond honored to be a part of a film that you've sculpted so carefully and intimately. You know I would go to the ends of the earth to be a part of your vision, Duke.

I'd love to have a meeting with you about any potential future I have with TLV. I've been doing some work with my father (learning some production stuff, it's been very interesting!). Would you be happy to meet at his offices after work or something? My schedule has got pretty packed again but I could definitely make time for you.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Vinny

-

From: Wilson Charles ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 12 December 2025 11:42 PM
Subject: Your latest post?

Hi Vinny,

Fascinated to ask what the hell your latest Insta post was about. I thought we reminded you to go through us first?

Wilson

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Wilson Charles ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 12 December 2025 11:51 PM
Subject: Re: Your latest post?

Sorry, boss. Can't spill the beans on this one yet.

Vinny

-

From: DC ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
Sent: 13 December 2025 12:10 AM
Subject: Re: Hi

Vinny,

Very good to hear from you. What your former friend did to you was a travesty and I cannot apologize enough for it happening under my roof. Ambition and hunger is a great thing, but it can be sharpened into a terrible tool.

I am having a get-together at my place tonight. I would love to see you there.

Duke Cain

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: DC ([email protected])
Sent: 13 December 2025 8:31 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Hi

Hi Duke,

I'd love to but I already have plans, unfortunately. If you can make it, though, I'd love to have that chat at my father's offices beforehand. Say, 7pm? Most everyone will be gone by then, we'll have the place to ourselves.

Vinny

-

From: DC ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
Sent: 13 December 2025 8:46 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Hi

7pm is acceptable.

Duke Cain

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: DC ([email protected])
Sent: 13 December 2025 8:53 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Hi

Rad, see you there.

Vinny

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Al Monroe ([email protected])
Sent: 13 December 2025 8:56 AM
Subject: Got a time

7pm.

Thanks Dad.

-

From: Al Monroe ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
Sent: 13 December 2025 9:11 AM
Subject: Re: Got a time

👍

-

You wrote:
13 December 2025, 9:12 AM
Morning hope you slept well ❤️
Would I be able to see you for the earlier visitor hours?
12-2 I think you said
9:13 AM
I have a pretty important meeting tonight
Chase wrote:
Yeah that's fine
A new role?
You wrote:
9:14 AM
Kinda
I can't really say yet
9:15 AM
Do you want me to bring anything for lunch?
Chase wrote:
Sure
9:16 AM
Your choice
Mom will be here too
You wrote:
Cool will bring stuff for us all
See you in three hours then ❤️
Chase wrote:
9:17 AM
See you ❤️

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Vinny Monroe said:
December 13, 9:20 AM
It's happening. 7pm tonight
Going to see Chase before
9:21 AM
He's why I'm doing this
I won't let him down

Lia Feldman said:
9:46 AM
Good luck, Vinny.

-

12/13

Vinny just left. TBH I wasn't sure he was real until I saw him talking to Mom and a nurse, since it wasn't the normal time he'd come to visit. But he was real and weirdly attentive? Really affectionate. He kept his arm around my shoulders most of the time and kissed me a few times before he left.

I still don't get it. I really don't. I like it, but I don't fucking get it. Why would he even bother with someo I don't understand why he would but I appreciate it anyway.

His Christmas party thing has been locked in for the 21st. It's going to be really casual, just him and me, Victoria, Lia, and a few others we both know. We're going to watch Muppet Christmas Carol and he's ordered this big Mexican catering spread, and he said it's actually going to be dry so it doesn't fuck with my medications.

I don't understand him.

-

[RECORDING, DECEMBER 13 2025]

Duke Cain, hereafter DC: Vinny Monroe. You're looking well.

Vinny Monroe, hereafter VM: D-Duke. Sorry, I wasn't expecting you for another few minutes.

DC: You should know by now I rarely do what is expected.

VM: Right. Yeah. [PAUSE] How have you been?

DC: Perfectly well. You've recovered from your injuries, then?

VM: Yeah. Yeah, I... Yeah.

DC: Good. [PAUSE] And now you wish to return to the production of The Last Voyage. To step back into Willie's shoes.

VM: I - yeah. If it's still available. I spoke to Harry briefly and he said I had been recast, but also that the guy ended up taking off, so I guess it's still on the table?

DC: It is.

VM: Cool. Yeah, great.

DC: I didn't say it was still on the table for you.

VM: Oh. Uh - did you have someone else in mind?

DC: Your replacement, before he 'took off', was Chase Lowry.

VM: Chase...? [PAUSE] Wait, you replaced me with the guy who fucking shot me?

DC: He had desperation. Hunger. He understood Willie, until he didn't. Until he proved to be too weak.

VM: Yeah. Fucking sounds like him. He's always - he had - he's always just followed me around. I didn't fucking realize just how desperate he'd be. [PAUSE] Why did he leave? If he would literally fucking kill to get the role, why walk away from that?

DC: He was unable to cope with the... acting exercises I gave him. You know I demand everything from my actors.

VM: Exercises, huh? If I came back, would I get these same exercises?

DC: Perhaps. Perhaps not. That would depend entirely on you.

VM: On me doing what?

DC: On you being what I need you to be. For Willie. For the role.

VM: And Chase didn't have it?

DC: He was like an unpolished gem. To show the true treasure within, sometimes it may become necessary to be broken. You already possess that polish.

VM: What do you mean, 'broken'?

DC: In body. In spirit. Chase needed to be shaped and chiselled and he responded... poorly to that. You wouldn't disappoint me, would you, Vinny?

VM: No. No, sir. I just - don't know what you mean by 'broken'.

DC: Come here. Let me show you something.

VM: Jesus fucking Christ.

DC: Do you see now?

VM: You had him - raped? Was that rape?

DC: He consented to enter the room.

VM: Yeah, but - [PAUSE] Sorry, Duke, I'm just - just trying to, to understand. How the fuck - sorry, how the fuck would that help with - with the role?

DC: Willie has desperation. Hunger. Chase possessed those traits, but unrefined. He needed to find that deeper core within himself. He needed to learn.

VM: By having him raped? Duke - do you know what would happen if this got out?

DC: It will not. You're not going to tell anyone, will you, Vinny? [PAUSE] You've made sacrifices in this life. You know what is at stake.

VM: I - yeah. [PAUSE] Yeah. You said he left, though. What if he tells?

DC: I intend to correct this mistake.

VM: Oh, god. You're going to kill him?

DC: Hollywood keeps its secrets, Vinny.

VM: Yeah, I - yeah.

DC: He will not be in the Sherman Oaks Behavioral Health Services forever, no matter how often you visit.

VM: [PAUSE] Shit.

DC: Did you think I wouldn't know, Vinny?

VM: I -

Lia Feldman, hereafter LF: He sees everything, Vinny.

VM: Lia?

DC: Lia.

LF: Hello, Donny. [PAUSE] You know, I was going to wait. I was hoping to hear from your own lips what you did to Tommy, or for you to threaten Vinny directly. I've become rather protective of him, you know. A young man, only a little older than our son would have been. He would be 32 now, you know?

DC: Tommy. Our little angel.

LF: Say it, Donny. Say that his death had nothing to do with you. Please, tell me it had nothing to do with you.

DC: Our little angel... it was necessary, Lia. From that pain, look at how much good has come from it.

VM: Shit. Lia - fuck -

LF: You're fine, Vinny. Take a few steps away. Just to the side. There you go.

DC: Lia. You don't want to do this, do you? You don't have what it takes.

LF: Donny. Did you kill our son?

VM: Fuck, fuck, fuck.

DC: Yes.

LF: Do you regret it?

DC: No.

LF: Okay.

VM: Shit! Shit - fucking - shit -

LF: I'm sorry, Vinny. I know you wanted to do this the right way, but I couldn't - Deep breaths, Vinny. [PAUSE] Oh, Tommy... my sweet baby...

VM: Fuck. Is he - is he dead?

LF: Duke? Yes, I think so.

VM: Jesus. Fuck, I - okay. Okay. Fuck.

LF: It's not 8 yet. You should go see Chase. Tell him he doesn't need to be haunted by Don - by Duke any more. They'll probably want you for questioning tonight or tomorrow.

VM: You - what are you going to -

LF: I'm going to turn myself in. Give me the recorder.

VM: You - are you - are you okay?

LF: Right now? I'm better than I've been in years. [PAUSE] Go to Chase, Vinny.

VM: Yeah. Yeah.

LF: And that is the end of the tale of the Great Genius Duke Cain. [PAUSE] And cut.

Chapter Text

[Dispatch Transcript, December 13 2025 7:21 PM]

DISPATCH: 911, what's your emergency?
CALLER: I would like the police, please.
DISPATCH: Transferring now.
DISPATCH: LAPD, what's your emergency?
CALLER: Yes, hello. I'd like to report a murderer.
DISPATCH: Right, what address?
CALLER: [REDACTED]
DISPATCH: Okay. What can you tell us about it?
CALLER: The victim, if that's the right word, is Duke Cain, the Hollywood producer and owner of Lampblack Productions. He's been shot dead.
DISPATCH: Duke Cain...? Ma'am, do you know who the shooter is?
CALLER: Yes. It was me.
DISPATCH: Right, and who are you?
CALLER: Lia Feldman, previously Lia Cain. He killed our son twenty-five years ago. He was seven years old.
DISPATCH: Ma'am, where are you right now?
CALLER: I'm at [REDACTED], Al Monroe's production offices. We were introduced here, you know.
DISPATCH: Okay -
CALLER: I'll be coming peacefully.
DISPATCH: Right.

-

[LIA GROUP CHAT]

Lia Feldman said:
December 13, 7:28 PM
I thought I should let you know that Duke is dead. After all we learned, I decided he was too dangerous to be left alive.
7:29 PM
This chat will likely be requisitioned as evidence.
Vinny, I don't think I'll be making it to your Christmas party.
7:30 PM
Thank you, all of you, for your support and friendship.

Victoria Cross said:
8:39 PM
Lia??
8:46 PM
Lia???

-

Vinny (new) wrote:
8:04 PM
I know I literally just left the room but just double checking you're ok?
You wrote:
Yeah
Reeling a bit
I can't believe it's over
8:05 PM
I mean
It's NOT over
There's going to be so much court shit
Lia might go to jail for a long time
Vinny (new) wrote:
She might not we hvae recordings
You wrote:
8:06 PM
And I'm still sick and crazy
Vinny (new) wrote:
Youll get better I swear
8:08 PM
You good?
You wrote:
8:09 PM
Yeah just talking to the nurse
She said I can keep my phone until 9 if I keep the door open
Can I call u?
Vinny (new) wrote:
Yeah gimme 2 secs and I'll put you on speaker, nearly at the cat
*car
You wrote:
ok
Just want to keep hearing your voice

Vinny (new) called. Call duration: 49:52

-

12/13

I don't even know what to say.

I just got off the phone to Vinny. We spoke for nearly an hour after he left. He said it was to make up for only being in for about 20 tonight, like he wasn't here the full two hours this afternoon. It constantly fucking bewilders me that he's willing to spend the time and energy on me.

Because I shot him. Because Duke manipulated me.

Duke is dead.

This is the first time I've written the words and I just stared at them for almost a minute. I actually got teary-eyed. Duke is DEAD. DUKE IS DEAD. He can never hurt me, or Vinny, or anyone ever again.

God it sounds like it was an intense night. Vinny said he had lured Duke to his father's offices with the intention of trying to get a confession on tape. He got one. He even got shown one of the videos, which horrifies me more than I can even articulate so I'm trying not to think about it too much. But Duke threatened to kill me, so Lia showed herself - she had a gun, maybe even the same one I shot Vinny with - and she managed to get him to confess about Tommy as well.

So she shot him.

Cell Block Tango just popped into my head. I hope she doesn't go to jail. I hope they understand. He killed her SON, he may have killed others, at the very least he's a serial rapist.

Was. WAS a serial rapist. He's not going to touch me or anyone else ever again, because he's DEAD!!!

I don't know if my brain realizes it yet. I'm still hearing his comments, but they're so much easier to ignore now. I don't have to be paranoid he's somehow found me, I can just shut it out. Cognitively I've known all along I could, but there was always that little bit of doubt that what if he did find me, what if he was hiding, what if he was controlling everything in hospital, but now?

Shit. I don't even know what to say. There's a huge knot of emotion in my chest right now. Relief, mostly, but I guess a bit of guilt, because it's objectively not very cool to be relieved that someone is dead, and also worry for Lia, because she looked so cut up in that video I saw and I can't imagine what's going through her head right now. She learned her son was murdered by her husband, his father, and she killed her husband, and now she might go to jail...

I hope she'll be okay.

I think I'm going to go talk to one of the night staff. Lots of thoughts in there, might be good to start getting them out in words instead of just on paper.

(Duke is dead!!!)

-

Los Angeles Chronicle

Hollywood heavyweight Duke Cain dead at 70
By Sasha Marquis
Originally published December 13 2025, updated December 14 2025

The Los Angeles film community is today mourning the loss of a giant, with executive producer and owner of Lampblack Productions, Duke Cain, shot dead on the evening of December 13, 2025.

The LAPD had been called to the offices of fellow producer Al Monroe a little after seven in the evening, with bystanders hearing gunshots. This was followed by a phone call to 911 by Ms Lia Feldman, previously Mrs Lia Cain, married to Mr Cain from 1991 and divorced as of 2023. Ms Feldman, police sources say, confessed to the shooting, did not resist arrest, and has now been taken into custody.

See our extended coverage on page 13.

-

[VICTORIA CROSS STARTED A PRIVATE CONVERSATION]

Victoria Cross said:
December 13, 8:21 PM
HEY WHAT THE FUCK
8:37 PM
Vinny are you on
8:55 PM
Vinnnnyyyy

Vinny Monroe said:
9:14 PM
Sorry just got home
Was on the phone to Chase

Victoria Cross said:
9:15 PM
Ok all good may I ask what the FUCK happened???

Vinny Monroe said:
9:15 PM
Yeah give me a moment
9:19 PM
Okay short version: I went to see Duke, pretended I hated Chase for shooting me. He said sutff about how Chase didn't have what it took couldn't deal with his acting exercises etc. I asked what he meant and he said a lot of creepy shit about how he was an unpolished gem that needed to be broken. He showed me one og the fucking videos. When I said he could get in serious trouble he implied he was going to kill Chase and said that he knew where he was and that he knew I had been seeing him. Lia walked in with a gun (think it was the same one I was shoy with) and basically askwd him to confirm that he killed Tommy and he basically did. Then she shot him and said whe was going to turn herse;f in and I should leave and go see Chase
9:20 PM
So interesting night!!!

Victoria Cross said:
9:20 PM
jfc
Are you ok?
And Chase?

Vinny Monroe said:
9:21 PM
Yeah
I freaked a bit when I saw the gun but that's ok
Probably after Christmas I'm gonna start seeing a therapist about it
And Chase is ok too I think??
9:22 PM
He's mostly shocked
Like Duke fucked with both of us but he got the worst of it by FAR
9:23 PM
How are you doing?
He was pretty fuckin abusive towards you too

Victoria Cross said:
9:23 PM
Oh I'm fine lol
I've been in therapy since January remember
Mostly just stunned it's over I think
Damn
9:24 PM
He's really dead

Vinny Monroe said:
9:24 PM
Yeah
Saw his body myself
Goddamn

Victoria Cross said:
9:25 PM
So what happens next?

Vinny Monroe said:
9:25 PM
They may wanna question us both
I guess just answer everything honestly and best we can
Don't know about anonymity
9:26 PM
Going to ask if both me and Chase can stay anon
Especially Chase
The shit he's dealt with shouldn't be splashed all over the fuckin tabloids

Victoria Cross said:
9:26 PM
Oof yeah
9:28 PM
I don't think Id mind going public
He's already tried to mangle my reputation
9:29 PM
This way I might actually may get to salvage the whole situation

Vinny Monroe said:
9:29 PM
Yeah
Actually get to say

Victoria Cross said:
9:29 PM
And what he did to me wasn't as bad

Vinny Monroe said:
9:29 PM
'Hey this is what actually happened'
Vicky he tormented you so bad you ended up inpatient

Victoria Cross said:
9:30 PM
I know
But I wasn't raped or sexually abused
I wasn't deliberately hooked on drugs
9:31 PM
I wasn't shot and I didn't get death threats
I came off pretty well tbh

Vinny Monroe said:
9:32 PM
Still should have never happened

Victoria Cross said:
9:32 PM
No it shouldn't have
But it did
And I'm alive and fine and healing
And I'm going to make sure others are never hurt again

-

December 13 2025

Goddamn. So. What next?

Duke is dead. I saw him die with my own two eyes. I think my brain shorted out a little when I saw the gun, but it's still crystal fucking clear - Lia looking like stone, the excuses he gave about how "it was necessary". The way he knew I was seeing Chase. The way he said Hollywood protected its secrets. The way he threatened Chase and, I guess, me if I didn't do exactly what the fuck he said.

If Lia hadn't shown up, I think he might have actually killed me too, because I might have been willing to cut Chase off but I was never going to fucking stand by while Duke hurt him.

I'm still fucking shaking.

If Lia hadn't followed me he would have killed Chase and possibly me too. If Lia hadn't followed me I might have DIED. Fuck, he already intended for me to die when he got Chase to shoot me. This is twice now he's wanted me dead and twice now I haven't. The first time was just... luck or fate or something. The second time it was entirely because of Lia. Fuck, I owe her my life and now she might go to jail.

Going to call Dad again (I called him on the way to the hospital, just to say, uh, jsyk there's a dead guy in your offices). See if we can have a strategy meeting.

Okay it's later. We've talked and we're going to lawyer up. There's enough evidence that Duke was a threat to both Chase and me that Lia shooting him might be seen as self-defence. I guess it's going to come down to a supportive jury, but given that he KILLED HIS OWN KID I don't think they'll be supporting him much, you know? And even if she does serve time we might be able to make sure it's like, a really nice place.

Look using power and influence might be shitty but like - we have the opportunity. It's justice. It's bullshit that not everyone gets it, but here, we might be able to.

I guess that just leaves the question of where that leaves me and Chase. I think we do need to do therapy together. Even if we don't have a RELATIONSHIP relationship, he's still too important to me to not want to make it work. I love him too much to not want to make it work.

Yeah. That felt right to write.

I love him. I want what we have to work. I want us to be happy. I want us to be able to heal. I love him.

Fuck.

My hand hurts. Gonna write more in the morning after my interview. I need to clear my head.

-

[POLICE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTION]
Vincent Monroe 14 Dec 2025 9:23 AM

Interviewer: Hi Vinny, have a seat.

Subject: Hi. Nice place you have here.

Interviewer: Uh, thanks. We just have a few questions for you. There's no pressure to answer them, you're not being charged with anything, but any refusal by you or your lawyer will be noted in the record. Alright?

Subject: Yeah, that's fine.

Lawyer: Alright.

Interviewer: Okay, let's begin. How did you first meet Lia Feldman, previously Lia Cain?

Subject: She emailed me a bit over a month ago. I had been in the hospital and had posted to socials that I was out, and she wanted to talk to me about my experiences working with her ex-husband on a movie called The Last Voyage. She said she and a few others were getting together a lawsuit against him and wanted to hear if I had any grievances.

Interviewer: And your response?

Subject: I was pretty angry, so I said yes.

Interviewer: What was the nature of your interactions with Duke Cain?

Subject: I, uh. Just a moment. Okay. He approached me in late 2024 via my management about a possible movie project and sent me a script, so I sent in a tape for him, went to auditions, and eventually got the lead role. I was really fu- sorry, I was really excited about it, because I had looked up to him for years, y'know? He was this absolute giant in film, and getting the lead role in a Duke Cain film was... wow.

Interviewer: Go on.

Subject: Okay. Okay, so I - I'm in a relationship with this guy Chase, Chase Lowry. He's an actor as well, but he hasn't really, um, worked much recently. We read the script together and he sent in a tape as well, I didn't actually realize until later he had sent it in for the same role. His tape got kind of ignored for a while, but in July he called me when I was on the set and Duke noticed. And I think he got kind of suspicious, because after that he started contacting Chase too. At the same time, he was talking about sacrifice and stuff, how every performance has a body buried beneath it, and he was like... encouraging me to end my relationship with Chase.

Interviewer: Did you?

Subject: I - sort of. I just didn't talk to him as much. I'd make excuses, say I was busy. I was acting deeply shitty towards him, I know that now. And Duke was just... talking to Chase as well, but I found out later he was really getting into his head and sort of grooming him for taking my role, and Chase was in a pretty bad situation, he was sleeping in his car again, he wasn't doing great, and he just got really... sucked in by it.

Interviewer: You were in a relationship with someone who was sleeping in his car?

Subject: I didn't know. I swear. At this point we were barely talking.

Interviewer: Okay. Go on.

Subject: And like... there was this party. In October, it was on the 25th of October. I was one of the guests of honor because it was a launch party for the movie. But Duke had invited Chase as well, and had basically told him he was worthless and a failure and everything, but he was still intrigued, so he offered him the chance to - his words - 'take your shot'. And he gave Chase a gun. Then, he told me separately to tell Chase to his face that they didn't want to see him, that he didn't get the role, and he sort of implied I should cut things off with him personally. And I did, and he shot me.

Interviewer: Duke Cain shot you or Chase Lowry shot you?

Subject: Chase. Chase did.

Interviewer: Go on.

Subject: I didn't die - I mean, obviously - but Chase didn't realize that. Later we found out he was pretty deep in a psychotic episode and when Duke led him out, he just sort of spiralled, while I got taken to hospital. Then when I got out, Lia got in contact with me and I joined this group chat of hers, and I could tell them this stuff. Or, like, the stuff I knew, I didn't know that Duke had been talking to Chase or that he was having a psychotic episode until later.

Interviewer: How did you learn about that?

Subject: Through Harry, Harry Dufresne. He's also in Last Voyage. Uh, on the 3rd - the 3rd of December, a week and a half ago - he emailed me and said that Chase had left, and also that he had found my phone, which I had lost at the party. I went to pick it up, and I when I turned it on I found all these texts from Chase. He had had my phone the whole time and had been like... texting it as a kind of diary, I guess? I mean, he thought I was dead. It was just - horrific shit.

Interviewer: What kind of things had he texted?

Subject: What Duke had been doing to him. He had got him addicted to Xanax, a really high dose, and - he was just fucking with his head and - give me a moment.

Interviewer: Go on when you can.

Subject: Okay. Okay. Duke was - he was sexually coercing and abusing him. Like, Duke was doing it himself, but after Chase said - hey. Hey, what the fuck was that?

Interviewer: Nothing. Continue.

Subject: Did you fu- did you just scoff at the idea that a man could be sexually abused? Fucking seriously? In 2025?

Interviewer: Is Mr. Lowry a homosexual? You said earlier that he was in a relationship with you, yes?

Subject: What the fuck does that have to do with it? Are you - if a straight woman was raped by a man, would you say she want - oh my god, you fucking would, wouldn't you, you homophobic, victim-blaming piece of fu-

Lawyer: Vinny.

Interviewer: Calm down, Mr. Monroe.

Lawyer: Vinny.

Subject: No, I - come on, that's not fuck- that's not right. Come on.

Interviewer: Please continue, Mr. Monroe, this time without the aggression.

Subject: Fine. I - fine. Okay. So, um - so Chase said something that kind of pissed Duke off, so Duke had him drugged and - and gang raped. And he filmed it and streamed it on that fucking streaming service of his. And he kept doing it. Forced him to sleep with others for basically porn films, or just had him raped, or did it himself, and he fucking filmed all of it. Chase ended up hallucinating really badly and the day he ended up leaving, he basically wrote a - a suicide note before ODing. Except he didn't know I had my phone back at that point, so when he sent it, I actually got it, and I was able to get to him in time and call an ambulance. He's - he's still in hospital. In the psych ward. Um, on Wednesday he texted me - I left my number with his Mom - he texted me and we've started seeing each other again. So that's something, I guess.

Interviewer: Alright. How does this connect to Lia Feldman?

Subject: The group chat. We didn't know what happened with Chase at first, and I was - I was so fucking angry with him, dude, I just - I felt so betrayed. But when I picked up my phone and everything, I realized it was Duke behind it, and - yeah, I was sharing what was happening with them, like I was assuming it would be more evidence for a lawsuit. And like - we had tech people hack into the streaming service and find the videos, and I know that's probably kind of illegal but it should be even more fucking illegal to drug and rape and abuse someone for over a fucking month - sorry. Sorry.

Interviewer: Calm down, Mr. Monroe.

Subject: Sorry. I just - it's fucking - it's so unfair. It's so unfair what happened to him. What Duke did to him.

Interviewer: When you can proceed without shouting, go on.

Subject: Okay. Okay, I'm - fine. Okay. Anyway. I went to see Chase on Wednesday -

Lawyer: For the record, that was Wednesday, December 10th, 2025; it's currently Sunday, December 14th.

Subject: Oh, uh, right. I went to see him on Wednesday and told him about the group chat, and he sent me a bunch of voicemails that Duke had sent him over the past couple months to share. Some were just really sleazy and manipulative, like the very first one had him talking about how much he liked how 'vulnerable' Chase seemed, but one of them sort of - implied that - that Duke killed his own son. He talked to me about sacrifice, yeah, but he told Chase outright 'he had to go' and 'he was in the way'. 'He' being his son, I mean. And I guess - that was when Lia decided.

Interviewer: It was Ms. Feldman's decision to confront Duke?

Subject: No, it was mine. But I didn't go with the intention of killing him, I swear. I wore a wire and I was pretending I was still really pissed at Chase and didn't know what he had gone through, because I was thinking Duke didn't know we were - all our stuff going on. And I went with the intention of getting a confession out of him on tape, to admit that he had had Chase raped.

Interviewer: Was the intention for Ms. Feldman to simply listen?

Subject: No, I didn't even know she had followed me. I mean, I told the chat what I was doing, when and where. They helped me plan it. But I didn't know she had come in as well.

Interviewer: And what happened when you did confront Mr. Cain?

Subject: He admitted to it. He even showed - showed me one of the videos. Of Chase. Of him being raped. I was so fucking angry. I just wanted to leave so I could share the recording and we could maybe get Duke arrested, but then he implied that he was going to kill Chase because he knew too much, and that he knew what hospital he was in, what fucking department, and that I had been seeing him. Then Lia stepped into the room with the - the gun. Hang on. Give me a moment.

Interviewer: When you can, Mr. Monroe.

Subject: Okay. Okay. Lia stepped into the room. She asked him - Duke, I mean - she asked him straight out if he had killed Tommy. He said yes, so she shot him three times. I sort of panicked because I don't - I don't fucking like guns, dude, and she had just shot him, and she said he was dead and I should go tell Chase, and that she was going to turn herself in. So - so I just left.

Interviewer: It didn't occur to you that she might have lied?

Subject: No. I don't - I trusted her. And I wanted Chase. And I was so freaked out at that point that - I didn't think, man. I just wanted to run. I gave her the recorder and ran.

Interviewer: What if I was to tell you that Ms. Feldman didn't turn herself in? You would be held as an accessory to murder. You might have even done it yourself and used her as a scapegoat.

Subject: What? Yeah she did. The Chronicle updated last night and said she did, and it's in a bunch of papers today.

Lawyer: Officer [REDACTED], please refrain from deliberately misleading statements to my statement.

Interviewer: Consider it a test. Ms. Feldman did turn herself in and is now in custody.

Subject: Okay. Okay, yeah, she said she was going to and I trust her. Just - look, I know what she did was a crime -

Lawyer: Mr. Monroe.

Subject: Oh - yeah. Okay. Okay.

Lawyer: Do you have any more questions for my client, Officer [REDACTED]?

Interviewer: No further questions. You're free to go, Mr. Monroe. You may be called upon as a witness for Ms. Feldman's court case, in which case we will send you a summons. You are legally required to attend court on the outlined dates.

Subject: Gotcha.

Interviewer: Have a good day, Mr. Monroe.

Subject: Yeah.

Chapter Text

December 14 2025

Just finished talking to the police. Want to punch things (more than usual). There was a bit there where I think he was trying to bait me into saying something and implied that maybe I did it myself? And the fucker actually scoffed when I said Duke had abused Chase. God fuck the LAPD fuck you fuck you FUCK YOU.

Still got like two hours before visiting hours so I'm going to have a fucking nap.

-

Vicky wrote:
14 December 2025, 10:20 AM
Hey! How did it go?
You wrote:
11:38 AM
Hey sorry was having a nap and now Im heading out to the hospital
Will catch you up later?
Vicky wrote:
11:39 AM
Sure thing take care
Say hi to Chase for me
You wrote:
Sure 🙂

-

December 14 2025

When I was like six, there was this boy I knew. He was the kid of an actor Dad was working with in his latest film, and because we were the same age (he was like a year older), we would play together in the backlot all the time. And we were Hollywood brats, so we were playing 'romance movies' and held hands and kissed each other on the cheek a lot (I think we got each other's lips once, by accident? That would have been my first kiss!). And one of the crew spotted us and mentioned it offhandedly to Dad like in a 'haha how cute' kind of way.

I don't remember what Dad said to her that afternoon. When he took me home, though, he said that if I wanted to be an actor I couldn't go around kissing other boys. He said that Hollywood might have been better than the rest of the world in most ways, but the rest of the world, and especially the middle parts of America (this was in the middle of the Bush years), wouldn't like actors who did things like kissing boys. They wouldn't like ME if I kissed boys.

He wasn't doing it to be cruel is the thing. I think he genuinely did want me to be successful in the future and he saw it as a kind of gentle paternal warning about how I'd have to act in the future. But I never fucking forgot it.

When I grew up and realized I really was gay I was terrified. It was the time of prop 8 and all. Dad would set up dates for me with girls in the industry, daughters of other actors and directors and producers, young actresses, stuff like that. As I got older I even started sleeping with them, just to seem like a normal straight young man, and if I ever hooked up with guys it'd be anonymous hookups in dark clubs. To this day Body Talks by the Struts (featuring Keshaaa she's cool as hell) makes me think of kissing guys.

Chase changed things. I was 24 when we met three years ago. He was 37 and had seen this entirely different world and perspective to me. Not just with queer stuff, but in growing up normal, not in Hollywood. He had girlfriends AND boyfriends from his late teens/early 20s and when we met he might have been a bit stagnant career-wise but he had never ever had to hide being queer to himself. I asked him once if he had ever wished he had been born straight so it'd be easier and he just hugged me and hugged me.

It's funny. He was jealous when my career got moving, but I had been so fucking jealous of him knowing who he was from the start.

Now what? I don't know if I can just go back to my career. I don't even know if I want to stay in LA. It feels kind of tainted now. And I was thinking, and I thought, what if I would just be able to hold his hand in public? Casually refer to my partner with he/him pronouns? What if we could just BE?

Anyway. I asked him if he wanted to move in with me when he got out of hospital and he said yes.

-

12/14

So uh. I have a home address now. It's no longer just marked 'Not applicable' on my form (I guess mental hospitals get enough homeless people it's necessary?). There's an actual address of an actual house there, not the address of a fast food place. When I get out, I'll be moving in with Vinny.

He had kept my car keys when he found me and had given them to Mom, and I gave them back to him so he could get a cab to where I was parked and drive it back to his place (and, um, also to apologize to my old boss for not showing up since late October). He said he'll move my stuff into his house and get everything ready, and all that'll be left is for me to get well enough to leave.

He didn't say the last bit but it was just kind of there. I'm a lot better than I was, don't get me wrong. But I'm still fucked up. Still hallucinating. Still going through withdrawal. Still having nightmares. The hallucinations are much less and I'm getting better at determining what's real or not real so it does look like it's the brief psychotic disorder thing and not schizophrenia or something. But the acute withdrawal could be a couple more weeks and extended withdrawal and tapering could take up to two years, and in the mean time I could start getting bad insomnia again. The nightmares could be the rest of my life, probably. If I'm still fucked up about everything by early Jan, I get a diagnosis of PTSD (right now it's 'acute stress disorder' which kind of doesn't sound like it's enough? I mean it's not stress), and my psych thinks I already have (and have had for a long time) depression.

It hasn't been easy, for a long time. Depression is about right.

And Vinny knows that. And he still wants me to live with him. He knows I'm depressed and traumatized and going to be in withdrawal for possibly years and could still get recurring psychosis. He knows I won't be able to contribute to household costs or anything because I can't even do the other stuff to pay the bills right now. And he still asked.

I don't get it and I said that much. I might have said a few negative things about myself, and both he and Mom looked, um, pretty upset about it. But he doesn't know. He sees me a few hours a day but he doesn't know how fucked up I am the rest of the time. Even when I leave inpatient I'll still be coming here for therapy for months at least. I'm going to be a burden on him, financially, emotionally, maybe even physically. I don't know how hard it'll be just for me, let alone for him as well.

He said he wants to try. That he knows it's going to be rough. That he knows we're going to have to face a lot of shit. But he's willing to face it with me.

I said yes.

Mom seems relieved. She likes Vinny a lot, and I think she was worried about me going back to living in my car, which she didn't know about before. I mean, it's not like I would have told her. I don't think she would have forced me to go to NJ with her but she said I had an open invitation, and I think she was hoping I'd take her up on it if I didn't have anywhere else. But she knows I love LA. She knows I want to stay. Vinny offering would be a weight off her mind, and if nothing else, I should probably accept just for her sake, right?

But yeah, I'm selfish. I accepted because I want to live with him. I want to have coffee in the living room in my PJ pants with the sun streaming in and to have hot showers where I can put my toiletries on a shelf and keep them there and be able to lie full length on a bed and maybe have some potted plants. And I want to do that with him. I want to be able to sling my legs over his on the couch, and get annoyed because he used my favorite shampoo, and to cuddle with him at night, and to walk around the garden center with him and go, oh, that plant looks nice, how about on the coffee table? Stupid little domestic things with my boyfriend. My partner.

Is he that? I don't know. We've sort of danced around it. What the fuck are we?

He's coming back in a few hours for dinner. I think I'm going to ask then.

-

[VINNY MONROE STARTED A PRIVATE CONVERSATION]

Vinny Monroe said:
December 14, 2:46 PM
So like
Hypothetical question
2:48 PM
How do you ask someone you've been basically been FWB with for three years and then he shot you but it wasn't REALLY his fault and you've just invited to live with you after he gets out of hospital if he wants to be your boyfriend?

Victoria Cross said:
2:52 PM
Please hold, currently squeeing at high volume 😍

Vinny Monroe said:
2:52 PM
Squeeing???

Victoria Cross said:
2:53 PM
Did you never watch anime?
Victoria Cross uploaded squeeee.gif

Vinny Monroe said:
2:54 PM
????????
Vicky pls

Victoria Cross said:
2:54 PM
No I'm good
Really
Anyway
2:55 PM
Maybe something like
2:56 PM
'Since you're moving in, we should probably talk about what we are to each other. Are you comfortable with being called my boyfriend or partner?'

Vinny Monroe said:
2:56 PM
Ohh that sounds good
2:57 PM
I like the choice of boyfriend or partner too
Bc 'boyfriend' sounds a bit more casual but 'partner' sounds more serious?
And it might be good to like
See where he's at

Victoria Cross said:
2:58 PM
Which one would YOU prefer?

Vinny Monroe said:
2:58 PM
idek
I just want him near me

Victoria Cross said:
2:59 PM
Haha aww
Just don't get all possessive because that shit is not cool

Vinny Monroe said:
2:59 PM
Oh yeah definitely not
3:00 PM
Um I suggested on Friday we do relationship therapy
And I think it surprised him but like
He didn't reject it or anything
3:01 PM
So I giess we just see where we go
*guess

Victoria Cross said:
3:01 PM
Good luck and keep me posted! ❤️
I have to go get ready for my interview
Wish me luck??

Vinny Monroe said:
3:02 PM
Good luck, bring your lawyer, don't say anything you wouldn't want the fucking cops to know
If they try to imply you knew what Lia was doing, just stick to the truth that you had no idea
3:03 PM
Don't lose your temper. The fucker I spoke to made this fucking scoffing noise and gross comment when I said Chase had been abused and I nearly lost it at him
3:04 PM
LAPD are fucking pigs and always have been but you have to be as calm and as nice as possible
Or it'll be bad for Lia and maybe for all of us if it gets dragged into court
Good luck <3

Victoria Cross said:
3:04 PM
jfc
Thanks will keep that in mind
Later ❤️

-

December 14 2025

TO DO LIST

Legal briefing with Dad and lawyer 4pm
Tactics meeting for media (tomorrow 11am)
Move Chase's stuff in from car
Get car cleaned (tomorrow)
Get keys cut (tomorrow), bring spare tonight
Pick up dinner
Ask Chase to be my boyfriend NO BIG DEAL

-

You wrote:
14 December 2025, 5:26 PM
Hey 😀 What's your fave cake?
Chase wrote:
5:28 PM
Ooh definitely chocolate
With raspberry or cherries
But they're not in season rn
5:29 PM
What's the occasion?
You wrote:
Cake is the occasion 😜
Want to try Nepali for dinner?
Chase wrote:
Sounds interesting sure
You wrote:
5:30 PM
Cool see you in 30 ❤️
Chase wrote:
See you ❤️

-

12/14

So, uh. Let me try to unpack everything.

Earlier today, Vinny asked me if I wanted to move in with him when I got out. I don't know why I agreed, but I did. Gave him my car keys so he could move my car. He gave it back to me and his spare key was on the ring as well. Well, I guess it's not really a spare key now, it's my key. (He also added a fidget thing too, this little pea pod where a pea pops out if you squeeze it. It's cute.) He says he's moved all my things inside, but he won't put everything away yet (aside from things like clothes in the bedroom, toiletries in the bathroom etc) because he says he wants me to be able to start decorating my space the way I want it.

I'll have to unpack that bit later, I think. I've gone from car to shitty rental to car and back for so long that I almost can't think about even having a more permanent space, and I still feel like the rug is going to get yanked out from under me and he'll kick me out when he realizes what a goddamn fuckup I am, but...

That was the other thing. We had dinner (these dumplings called momo with sauces, including a stupidly spicy one for me) and dessert (this incredibly rich chocolate cake with a filling made of freeze-dried raspberries), and then Vinny asked Mom if she minded stepping out for a bit while we had a private conversation. She agreed and popped out for a coffee (decaf, it's night). I got pretty nervous, especially since he looked nervous, and he just took my hand and stared at them together for a long time.

I think... I want to write this down from memory as best I can. Because damn.

He said something like, "You know we've known each other for over three years?" and I said yeah, and he said, "We never actually called it anything, though. Friends, yeah, but that's not..." He just sort of trailed off and waved his free hand around and looked really embarrassed about it, and he just muttered, "Enough. It's not enough."

I couldn't really speak so I just nodded. He looked at me in the face now and it was so goddamn intense. I've seen him intense before, but this was like it was the most important thing in the world to him. I could barely hear anything else. I don't think I was even hallucinating.

Then he let out this sigh and just sort of deflated, pressed his face against my shoulder like he was hiding, and practically mumbled, "I was going to be really smooth about it, but I can't remember the words, so do you wanna be my boyfriend or partner or something?"

I said yes before he had got the word 'something' out. We stared at each other for a moment and then both just started laughing, almost giggling, leaning against each other, all these emotions finally bubbling out. The last three and a bit years, the last few months, the last few days. All these unsaid things. We clung to each other, and then kissed and kissed and kissed, and decided that 'partner' probably was the best fit because, fuck, man, it might be a serious title but we've been together in some way for over three years. It is a serious relationship, attempted murder and all.

We were sitting side by side on the bed, leg pressed against leg, side against side, shoulder against shoulder, holding each other's hand. My head was on his shoulder, which does take some doing given that I'm a couple inches taller. Very quietly, he said 'I love you'.

Genius that I am, I just said, 'What?' and he repeated it. Without hesitation. Without delay. He just said it, again, that he loves me.

Goddamn.

He loves me.

December 14 2025

Tonight I went to visit my partner Chase.

I don't think I've been this goddamn happy and terrified all at once since I first stepped in front of a camera.

Chapter Text

[instagram.com/vinnymonroeee]

vinnymonroeee Hey everyone. So this is a serious one today. You've heard about Duke Cain's death by now, you've probably also heard some of the stories coming out, and you've probably also realized that I've dropped out of production of the Last Voyage. This is due to a lot of things, but one major thing has been dealing with the knowledge that what Duke did to me was sexual abuse, too. I don't want to go into the details, but I was young, I was terrified, and I didn't have any say in the situation. He had power over me and he used it. Guys are not exempt from sexual abuse either, and we need to end that shame and stigma. Believe survivors, give them - us - space to tell our stories, be the ear or shoulder or hand people need. Love you all. #vinnymonroe #dukecain

[Image description: Vinny Monroe, a young white man with short black hair and brown eyes, wearing a white t-shirt and looking seriously at the camera. He has his hand held up with the word 'believe survivors' written on his palm in marker.]

443k likes
DECEMBER 16, 2025

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Wilson Charles ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 16 December 2025 9:28 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Insta post

It's up. Kleo, I know I didn't use your copy but I didn't feel right not using my own words for this.

-

From: Kleo Morris ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected]), Wilson Charles ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Bailey Wong ([email protected])
Sent: 16 December 2025 9:46 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Insta post

It's fine, Vinny. You wrote very well, let us know if there's anything we can do. And to answer your earlier question, no, Wilson isn't in this morning either.

-

The Hollywood Herald

Shattered legacy: Cain led 'empire of power, shame' over actors
By Rosalinda Perez
December 18 2025

This article discusses sexual abuse and assault, drug use, and suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

Shock new details are emerging over Hollywood producer Duke Cain, shot dead December 13 2025. Following the heavyweight's death, multiple verified reports have emerged of the horrific treatment many actors have faced at his hands, ranging from blacklisting and defamatory statements to sexual abuse, assault, and secret recordings streamed online.

Among those speaking out are actors Victoria Cross and Zara Good, who have spoken to this publication about their experiences working on Cain's last production, The Last Voyage. Cross says, "I was among the first cast members, for Marion, the romantic lead. The pressure was immense - Duke would alternate between flattery that verged into outright sexual harassment, and insults, and seemed to take pleasure in hurling abuse at me during the rehearsals. He claimed it was for my own good, to help build the character; all it did was send me into a spiral of anxiety."

This anxiety led to Cross drafting a letter to the Screen Actors Union, outlining the pressures, abuse, and intimidation to remain quiet she had undergone under Cain, including her intention to pursue legal action. Cross says, "Duke had intimidated so many people into staying quiet. So many people's stories had been buried. I was determined not to become one of them. I - we - deserved better."

Good winces as she relays her own part in this narrative. Cast in a minor role in The Last Voyage and a close friend to Cross, she had witnessed much of the abuse Cross had undergone, and had been CCed into the initial draft email sent to Cross's management. Instead, afraid of retaliation and hoping to get a bigger role in the film, Good had passed the email on to Cain.

The effect had been instantaneous. Cross was fired, trapped within an iron-clad NDA and threatened with intense legal action should she attempt to break it. Her stay at a mental health treatment facility for her frayed health was framed as treatment for drug addiction, her reputation left in tatters. She has not been able to work since being dismissed from the role. Still, she says, she was one of the lucky ones.

"I got out," she says quietly. "I managed to escape without too much harm. Others weren't as lucky."

This, says Good, includes herself. "For my sins, I was immediately cast in Vicky's place as Marion. It hadn't been my intention - I had assumed Duke would reprimand her, keep control of the situation, but let her keep her role while I possibly got a bigger one out of gratitude. Instead, she had her reputation trashed, I was set in her place, and my 'reward' was to get the full brunt of his abuse, knowing that I would never speak out for fear of my role being revealed. He had built an empire of power around himself, and no one could break out from it."

"On set, I was treated with kid gloves as Marion. Off set, I was routinely sexually harassed, verbally and emotionally abused, and forced into sex with Duke, with other actors, and with strangers that Duke favored. Much of it was filmed and streamed online on his invitation-only streaming platform. Others, I knew, were dealing with the same, but there was such a culture of silence and intimidation that I knew sharing my experiences would mean being blacklisted, having my career and livelihood destroyed, and possibly even disappearing. It was only after another actor's attempted suicide earlier this month that I was able to leave, feigning a family member's health crisis."

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, this actor has corroborated Good's words, confirming they were also repeatedly sexually abused, assaulted, and raped, forced to perform sex acts on film, frequently drugged as well as coerced into use of benzodiazepines (a highly addictive sedative), verbally degraded, subjected to controlling and obsessive behavior from Cain, and, throughout it all, the threat and insinuation that speaking out would mean the loss of everything they had ever worked towards.

"I had wanted to be an actor since I was a kid," this anonymous source confides, "And I had managed a little success, but when Duke got his claws into me, I had had nothing for months. He would tell me I was the only one who could see his vision through. He loved my vulnerability and malleability, he said. He convinced me that the only way I would ever be successful, the only way everything I had struggled for would be worth it, would be to give in to whatever he wanted to do to me, until I just couldn't handle it any more. If I couldn't be what he wanted me to be, then I was convinced I had no reason to be alive."

Things are now looking up, they say. "I'm getting proper care now. I've been diagnosed with depression and will likely get another for PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), and I'll be dealing with that and with withdrawal from the drugs he gave me for a long time. But I have the support of my partner and my parents, and I'm starting to see a possible future that doesn't involve Hollywood and doesn't involve being shaped into what Duke Cain wanted me to be - a toy for him to play with."

It's not just less established actors who were targeted by Cain either. In a deeply personal Instagram post yesterday, rising star Vinny Monroe opened up about his own sexual abuse at Cain's hands, saying, "He had power over me and he used it."

"I'd rather not go into the details," Monroe tells this publication quietly, "Since it's pretty personal, and honestly, I'm still coming to terms with the fact that it was abuse. The thing is, growing up in Hollywood, I was exposed to a lot of stuff that I considered to be normal. Sex, drugs, stuff like that. At the same time, I was acutely aware of my image and how much power reputation had. I knew I had to do anything to preserve my image, and Duke knew that too, and he used that to have leverage over me. It all came down to a f---ing power play with him - my abuse was a couple years ago, but he still held it over my head. And I was ashamed."

Shame and guilt, says Good, was a big part of Cain's modus operandi. "I was ashamed at what I had done to Vicky, someone I cared about. I knew that I had had a pretty major part of what happened to her. And we've since reconciled, thank god, but that shame and guilt let him do some awful things to me."

Our anonymous source concurs. "Under Duke's manipulations, I had become someone I barely recognized in the mirror any more. I had done terrible things, and saw the terrible things he did to me as a suitable punishment. I would have never spoken out if it meant my deeds being exposed. I could barely live with it myself, until I almost didn't."

As for his alleged killer, ex-wife Lia Feldman, Monroe is reflective. "I can't actually say much about it, since I do know Lia - she and Duke were actually introduced by my father" (famed Hollywood producer Al Monroe, a frequent collaborator with Cain) "in the first place - and I'm probably going be called as a witness for her trial. But I will say she had pretty good reason to hate him. She survived a lot of pain as well that also went silenced."

These actors are now beginning to heal. For some, it will be a long, painful ordeal, Duke Cain's scars remaining long after the man himself has gone. But it's a start, and a relief, says Cross, knowing their tormentor's threats are no longer hanging over their heads. "The healing process can begin."

-

You wrote:
18 December 2025, 10:31 AM
Hey just saw the Herald article, looks good! You spoke vrey well
Vicky wrote:
Thanks 🙂 You did too
10:32 AM
How's the response on socials been since your post?
You wrote:
Yeah good
A few bullshit victim blaming shitty ones but the majority are supportive
Kleo's mostly handling replies since there are a LOT of them
But she draws my attention to any she thinks I should reply to personally
10:33 AM
A few people have even mentioned shit he did to them too
I've encouraged them to report
Vicky wrote:
Couldn't hurt!
I know it won't do anything to change what he did
And he can't exactly be charged now
10:34 AM
But it all might be able to help Lia, right?
You wrote:
Yeah
I hope she's doing okay
Although apparently the place she's in is pretty nice at least?
Vicky wrote:
10:35 AM
Yeah tht's one thing
You going to see Chase?
Vinny wrote:
Yeah at 12
Last lunch at the hospital!!
Vicky wrote:
Eee exciting!
10:36 AM
Can't wait to see you on Sunday!
And to get to actually meet Chase!
10:37 AM
I feel so bad that I know so much of his trauma
And not the man himself
Vinny wrote:
You'll love him ❤️
(Just hopefully not too much that's my job 😉)
Vicky wrote:
10:38 AM
Haha aww
Well warn him I'm going to give him a hug!
You wrote:
Will do 😀

-

12/19 /20

So this journal is no longer for the sake of my doctors, unless I want to bring it to an appointment. Now it's just for me, and it lives in my (my!) bedside table drawer along with my other things. Vinny says that if I want, I can get a lock box, because he wants me to be able to feel I have somewhere secure with lock and key, but either way he promised to keep it private, and I said I was okay leaving it unlocked for now and that I trusted him.

Anyway. It's just gone midnight so I'm going to change the date real quick.

Today - yesterday now, I guess - was my last day in hospital. Both Mom and Vinny were there at 9 to help me get my discharge, although I had to wait for another two hours in the discharge lounge to get my meds. Tapering xanax means it has to be compounded and putting it together is fiddly as hell, but I don't know why they couldn't have done it the day before? And I've started zoloft, which is an antidepressant, which seems to be going ok so far. That one I can take long-term - unlike benzos, you don't develop resistances to SSRIs, although you still shouldn't stop them cold turkey. Once I know it's the right antidepressant, I'll just stay on this dose.

And that's ok. I'm ok with it, I think. So many people take regular meds for all sorts of reasons, and if this one stops my brain from trying to attack me, that's got to be a good thing. Does have some side effects, but given that the side effect of not being on it is 'wanting to die', yeah, better on than off!

Anyway. More or less settled in now. Mom helped out while I unpacked my stuff and put everything away, and she's going to stay for the Christmas party then will finally fly home. She's been here nearly three weeks and I can't thank her enough because sometimes, goddamn, you just need a hug from your Mom. That first week in the hospital, before I even spoke to Vinny - I think I would have just given up without her and Dad. I'm really fucking lucky.

I'm also exhausted, so I'm going to go to our bedroom and lie down on our bed and go to sleep in Vinny's arms. I haven't been able to do this for months. I intend to enjoy it!

-

10am-ish

Vinny is in the shower while I write this. I'm tired - still didn't sleep well, still had bad dreams. The sounds were completely different to the hospital (regular check-ins, lots of ambient noise), Duke's (soundless aside from the hvac and what I later realized were cameras), or my car (street noises), and I've been in this room, in this bed before, but I guess I just forgot what it was like.

It wasn't bad, though. I could just go back to sleep without having to worry about the nurses or other patients, and Vinny was right there next to me, and I didn't have cameras watching me or the threat of cops tapping on my window or anything. I could just... exist, like I hadn't been able to for a while. Just be Chase for a bit.

It was nice, waking up. We weren't in each other's arms, we've always both kind of slept hot, but I could hear him breathing next to me and feel his warmth. When he was just starting to wake up, he reached for me and we just drew together, cuddling, kissing, still in the dark. Just us, like we hadn't able to be in months.

Leading on to sex was natural. Normal, for us. I've lost track of how many times a night at his place had led to sleepy morning sex, the best sort of wake-up. But I guess 'normal' goes out the window when you spend nearly a month being raped. I pulled him on top of me and then I just... froze, feeling other hands and other bodies on me, and his expression was goddamn heartbroken.

All he did was hold me while I cried, stroking my back, kissing my forehead. He must have been frustrated, angry, but he didn't show it. I think he was crying a little too.

I hate this. I hate that it just took a few weeks for Duke to break me and now it might hang over me for the rest of my life. I want to be normal again. I want to be able to have a healthy sex life with the partner I've been with for over three years. I want pleasure. I want him to fuck the pain and fear and anger out of me until there's nothing left but him and me and us.

It's not fucking fair.

The shower's just turned off. I'm going to finish here.

-

December 20 2025

Rough morning. Rough night too actually. Neither of us slept great, even though it was just really nice being able to sleep next to him, knowing he's safe. But we tried to take things further this morning and even though I was being so fucking careful, there was one point where he just froze up and I could see he was really close to panic and we just both broke down and it was just a fucking mess.

I hate this. I hate what Duke did to him, that he hurt someone I love like that, and that I can't even punish him for it. I know Dad's legal team has been trying to ID the ones who took part as well but even then they could probably argue that Duke coerced them as well and it's just... so fucking unfair. I want to fight someone for it. I want to fucking kill Duke for it. But Lia got in first, and yeah, okay, she had the right, but fuck I wish I had been able to at least punch him in the smug face.

Ugh, I don't know. When Chase went to shower I punched the mattress a few times and pretended it was Duke and it helped a bit. Maybe I should take up boxing or something on top of the anger management classes. Get a punching bag with Duke's face on it. Chase could, too. I think it'd make him feel better to deck the motherfucker who hurt him like that. It's going to take a lot of healing I think.

I just want things to be better. He's dealt with so much bullshit already. It's not fucking fair.

On to other topics! The party is tomorrow. It's not a huge party, we're going to watch cheesy movies (Muppet Christmas Carol and Home Alone), I've ordered Mexican (this place has a Christmas-themed set including things like Christmas Poppers (which are jalapenos stuffed with guacamole), roast turkey and cranberry tamales, which Chase says sounds like an abomination but was laughing while he said it, and red and green conchas), and I'm going to have a mocktail setup. It'll be good being able to properly talk to Vicky face to face, although I wish Lia would be able to be here. We're going to record a message for her.

I'm still a bit nervous about Dad coming by. He said he won't stay long, but he said he at least wants to see me since I'm not going to his party. It's just going to be bizarre seeing him after like everything. We talked on the phone for like an hour after my Insta post, and he apologized for not realizing sooner what a scumbag Duke was, and he knows I have a partner now (fuck, I still love saying that) who's a guy, who he'll be meeting. I didn't actually tell him I'm gay, so that'll be interesting. I think he assumed I'm bi, which I guess is fair enough because I have dated women, but like not for real? I don't know.

But yeah, he doesn't know about Chase's whole history. I did say we met at an audition a few years ago, which is true, but he doesn't know all the shit he's gone through. It's not my place to tell him that. If Chase wants to, then he can and I'll back him up, but yeah, otherwise it'll be a clean slate.

Just, it's nerve-racking (wracking? That doesn't look right) having your dad meet your partner at the best of times, you know? Let alone when he's meeting your MALE partner, who's also 13 years older than you, who's also got a lot of trauma directly due to one of his former business associates.

I wonder if he even remembers the thing from when I was 6. Maybe if he gets on me about it I'll tell him he knew I was into older guys from the beginning, haha (the other kid was like 7).

I think Chase is out of the shower now. I'm going to start making some breakfast.

-

Vicky wrote:
21 December 2025, 4:51 PM
Hiii just double-checking, 6pm at 2347 Sunset Blvd?
You wrote:
4:57 PM
Yup access is via Coronado
Vicky wrote:
Great! Zara is bringing alcohol-free eggnog
I think it tastes nasty but
4:58 PM
I think regular eggnog tastes nasty too lmao
You wrote:
Valid as FUCK
See you in an hourish 😀
Vicky wrote:
4:59 PM
Gonna be a good night, I think
See you!! ❤️

Chapter Text

12/21

The party is finished now. It went okay, I think, aside from the very end when my brain decided to rebel a bit and get very overstimulated and overwhelmed. I said goodbye to everyone and went to lie down, and I was embarrassed as hell but everyone was just... nice about it. I guess Vinny wouldn't have invited people who were going to get on me for still being crazy.

Okay yeah I shouldn't keep calling myself that. I know. But today I ate jalapeno poppers filled with guacamole while watching Muppet Christmas Carol cuddled up to my partner while eyes painted in blood blinked at me from the walls and people's faces glitched, so I'll still call myself crazy if I want.

Hallucinations and overstimulation aside, it was good. It went well. Zara seems well, less tired around the eyes than when I last saw her, when we were last caught in his web. Victoria is very sweet, although I couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious about how much she already knows about me before we even actually got to meet. Still, there's a lot to admire about her. I found a printout of the email she had written and so far she's one of the few people I've seen to actually try to defy Duke. She's also just a generally kind person, which is rare as hell in this industry. I think she'll be a friend, Zara too.

And I met Al Monroe. I'm not sure if I was more nervous about meeting him as one of the biggest producers in Hollywood, or as my partner's father - oh who am I kidding, it was definitely meeting him as my partner's father. I've met them before, that shouldn't have been the issue. I had a girlfriend in my mid-20s I was pretty serious about (turns out she wasn't), and a boyfriend when I was 30 whose mom wanted to adopt me, I think, and a few others, but... things are different with Vinny. With over three years of history. With everything that happened. With how I nearly killed him and how he repaid me by saving my life.

He seemed formal but polite. Vinny looked a little shell-shocked by the time he left, and Mom gave him a quick hug. She's warmed to him a ton (I think it was, again, the 'saved my life' part), and I can actually hear them chatting away in the living room and kitchen as they clean up. It's on the late side, past eleven already, so I wonder if she'll stay the night before going back to the hotel.

She leaves LA on Tuesday. December 23 is always a stupidly busy travel day, but I told her she should at least spend Christmas with Dad. I'm still so fucking grateful she's spent the last three weeks here.

But it's time for her to go home. I'm doing okay, genuinely. I still have all sorts of symptoms, but they're manageable. I'm having regular appointments with my psychiatrists. I'm with Vinny, I've got some friends, and this fucked-up, hellish year is nearly fucking over.

So... what now?

-

[VINNY GROUP CHAT]

Vinny Monroe said:
December 22, 4:21 PM
Okay I think this is all working!
4:22 PM
Everyone in ok?

Victoria Cross said:
4:22 PM
Looks good here!

Zara Good said:
4:22 PM
Yup 🙂

Chase Lowry said:
4:23 PM
All working here
Which Vinny knows because he's looking at my screen 😛

Victoria Cross said:
4:23 PM
lmao filthy screen watcher

Vinny Monroe said:
4:23 PM
???

Victoria Cross said:
4:24 PM
It's a gaming reference dw

Vinny Monroe said:
4:24 PM
Oh ok was never big on gaming haha
Anyway the videos for Lia looks good
4:25 PM
Does anyone know where we send it to?

Victoria Cross said:
4:25 PM
I have the address but we need her cdc number
I can email and ask

Vinny Monroe said:
4:26 PM
Sure. I dont know if they close over Christmas/NY
4:27 PM
I hope she likes it

Zara Good said:
4:27 PM
And you don't think it'd be weird having me and Chase in it?
We never actually met her

Victoria Cross said:
4:28 PM
Yeah I think it's fine honestly
You're like. Family now

Zara Good said:
4:28 PM
❤️

Vinny Monroe said:
4:28 PM
Yeah she already knows you through us I think

Chase Lowry said:
4:29 PM
Not intimidating at all haha
But when she gets out I'm definitely getting her a gift basket

Zara Good said:
4:29 PM
COSIGNED

-

December 25 2025

Merry Christmas! We've never really done anything big for it and we already did the party a few days ago, so we're just having a normal day. Which is kind of a novelty in itself since our lives haven't really been NORMAL for a long time, you know? We're doing a Lord of the Rings marathon (which kind of works, they came out in December) and have made and eaten a lot of popcorn and Chase tried making lasagne. It burnt a bit on top but was pretty good.

Come to think of it I'm not sure a 12-hour movie marathon is normal, but you know. What's normal, anyway? I grew up in Hollywood, you think I know this shit?

Anyway. Point is, we're having a day for ourselves. No police/legal shit, no interviews, no press, no therapy appointments, no medical emergencies. We're going to hang out on the couch and watch Return of the King and eat popcorn and drink kombucha and decaf coffee. I found dark chocolate ice cream with glace cherries in it for dessert. We're not doing gifts because... well I know he can't afford it and I don't care if I don't get something and I want to be able to spoil him but he got extremely self-conscious about it, so I guess that's something he wants to work on next year.

Chase is back, time for the next movie!

-

Okay wow. Two things just happened and we definitely haven't got to Return of the King and instead have had A Talk About Our Future and... wow, yeah, haha.

First, Chase came back with a few sheets of paper and was really nervous. He said he had been thinking a lot about what he wanted to do, and since he had been writing those journals, he had found he really enjoyed writing. And he loves stories. That was why he became fascinated by movies. Because of the stories. So, he wrote one for me.

It's really good. I'm not sure I'm the best judge of fiction writing, I mostly read scripts, but it's just... really good. The words themselves are beautiful, I could hear all the dialog in my head, I could see the scene happening. I asked if it was something he wanted to start doing properly and he admitted yeah, but knew he wouldn't exactly make a good living from it.

The other thing was that we both got an email from Frank Gardeu. I don't know Frank very well, but I know he and Duke HATED each other, apparently one of the big studio people wanted him to be the director for TLV but Duke absolutely refused. Anyway. He said he hoped we were all well after everything that had happened (he had CCed Vicky and Zara too), and that he was working on a new movie, and he wanted us in it.

All four of us. Me, and Chase, and Vicky, and Zara. He said we deserved something better, a production that would treat us like people instead of pawns and make use of our actual acting talents.

Honestly didn't know what to think. Like normally I'd jump at the chance at being in a Gardeu film, you know? He's weird but he's kind of awesome. But the idea of getting straight back into it - rehearsals, filming, publicity, all of that - it sort of made me feel a bit sick to think about it. I don't know, what I dealt with wasn't nearly as bad as what Chase went through, or Zara, or Vicky. But TLV wasn't a great experience, even before it all got even more fucked up.

Chase was real quiet too. He asked if we could raincheck on the movie because he wanted to get some thoughts down and I agreed, so now we've got some music on and are hanging out on the sofa together while we both write. Still got popcorn and kombucha, haven't got the ice cream out yet.

I don't know. Why am I hesitating over the idea of another production? It's not like Duke hurt me nearly as much (uhh aside from what happened in 2023 and manipulating Chase into shooting me and also threatening me when I went to talk to him, but still). But the whole idea sort of feels a bit tainted.

But if I don't get back into it, does that mean Duke won? What else am I even supposed to be, if not an actor? I guess I could try production, like I said on that Insta post, but that doesn't really feel right either. I don't have any other skills. I was literally raised in Hollywood for fuck's sake. Who is Vinny Monroe, if not an actor?

-

12/25

What would you do if you were given a chance at achieving your dreams, only to find that it may not have been your dream any more?

A few minutes ago, Vinny and I got emails from Frank Gardeu. Frank is an incredible director - experimental, innovative, eccentric in the best way. I've never heard any complaints about him mistreating actors, aside from a few who claimed his films were just too bizarre for the mass market. He wouldn't be like Duke, and even with Duke, the parts where I was actually getting to act were the few shining moments in the whole disaster that was November.

I still love film. Earlier, watching Fellowship and Two Towers with Vinny, we were discussing acting techniques and craft, direction, cinematography, costuming, practical effects... I love film. I love watching them. I love discussing them. I love the way they tell stories in such an immediate and visual way. And I love, or loved, being in them. Except now the idea makes me feel sick, the idea of stepping back on set, of being in front of cameras again. I worry that I'd look up at the lens and see Duke looking back at me.

And I'm still craz unwell. The hallucinations are much more minor now, but they're still not gone entirely. I'm still going through a pretty brutal withdrawal. Would I even be capable of being in a movie again?

The shitty little story I wrote for Vinny - he said he really liked it. And I really enjoyed writing it, actually. Getting into the mind of a character, working out their story, their hopes and dreams, their fears and stressors - it's something I already know how to do. It's something I've been doing all my life as an actor. Maybe, maybe I could scratch that itch as a writer instead? Short stories, or novels - or maybe, keep with film, and start to write screenplays.

I just know I don't want to be in front of a camera again. Not now. Maybe in time, maybe not - and in the mean time, I can still write stories.

I'm going to write back to Frank. I'm going to say thank you, but no thank you (but if he's looking for a screenwriter, I'd be open to that). I'm going to deliberately turn down something I've been dreaming of since I was a child, because I'm not sure that dream is something I'm even capable of, or willing to do any more.

All I have to do is work out who I would be if I just said 'no'.

-

From: Bailey Wong ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 27 December 2025 3:16 PM
Subject: Meeting summary

Hi Vinny,

Summary of today's legal/strategy meeting:

Vinny to attend court as witness for Lia Feldman
Overturn NDA on basis of writer being dead, previous crimes committed against Vinny
Wilson removed from all accounts, possible legal action if he can be found
DC streaming site taken down but videos may still be circulating on dark web
Vinny to apply to college for fall 2026

All sound good?

-

From: Vinny Monroe ([email protected])
To: Bailey Wong ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 27 December 2025 4:52 PM
Subject: Re: Meeting summary

Thanks all. You've been a great management team and I'll miss you! New email address is [email protected], I hope we can keep in touch! (Just not with Wilson.)

Vinny

-

From: Bailey Wong ([email protected])
To: Vinny Monroe ([email protected]), Jasper Goldberg ([email protected]), Kleo Morris ([email protected])
Sent: 27 December 2025 5:24 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Meeting summary

You too, Vinny. Take care and best of luck with applications!

-

Los Angeles Writing Collective
Los Angeles' first school of writing, from memoirs to screenplay!

December 27 2025

Hi Chase,

Thanks for your inquiry about our Breaking Through To Writing course! This is a course ideal for those who have little to no formal training in writing, teaching both theory and practice, fiction and non-fiction, for those simply interested in improving their skills to those looking to make a career out of writing. By the end of the course, you will have produced two collections of writing, a major work and a portfolio of shorter pieces, written both as in-class activities and independently.

Each course runs for 12 sessions with an additional assessment week, with regular check-ins and assessments, with a weekly 1-hour lecture held over Zoom.

Assessment:
Four online discussions based around a single question (held over text-based forums or via scheduled Zoom), 2.5% each for total of 10% of final mark (held weeks 2, 5, 8, 11)
Major work outline, 20% (due week 6)
Major work, 40% (due week 12)
Portfolio, 30% (due week 13)

Our next session begins Monday February 2 2026, with the major work due by 5pm on Friday April 24 2026 and the portfolio due by 5pm on Friday May 2 2026; enrolments close by Monday February 16 2026. Session fees are $1,200; students will be required to be able to access Zoom, word processing software, and email.

We hope you'll join us in the first steps of your writing adventure!

Sincerely,

Dr Caitlyn Mack
MFA Columbia University PhD Stanford University

-

[VINNY GROUP CHAT]

Vinny Monroe said:
December 30, 11:57 PM
24 hours left of this absolute clusterfuck of a year!!!

Zara Good said:
December 31, 12:00 AM
May 2026 be less full of The Horrors
Like it hasn't been all bad!

Vinny Monroe said:
12:00 AM
Oh yeah

Zara Good said:
12:01 AM
But I would love a higher proportion of Good Stuff to The Horrors tyvm

Chase Lowry said:
12:01 AM
Do you have anything planned yet?

Zara Good said:
12:01 AM
For NYE or for 2026?

Chase Lowry said:
12:02 AM
idk both?

Zara Good said:
12:02 AM
For NYE we're going to a party
Not industry it's at my sister's place

Chase Lowry said:
12:02 AM
Oh cool have fun

Vinny Monroe said:
12:02 AM
Enjoy! 😀

Zara Good said:
12:02 AM
Will do 🙂
And for 2026 I think I will take Frank Gardeu's offer
I miss acting dammit
12:03 AM
What about you two?

Victoria Cross said:
12:03 AM
Vinny you said you were undecided right?

Vinny Monroe said:
12:03 AM
Yeah
But I've decided now Im not going to
It doesn't feel right

Chase Lowry said:
12:03 AM
I've decided against it too yeah

Vinny Monroe said:
12:04 AM
Like Im not saying I'll never get back to acting
But I think I need a break
And work out other stuff I might actually want to do

Chase Lowry said:
12:04 AM
I'm looking into doing a writing course 🙂

Victoria Cross said:
12:04 AM
Oh cool!!
What kind of writing?

Chase Lowry said:
12:04 AM
Fiction
I still really love characters
Getting into their heads, working out what makes them tick
But I don't want to be in front of a camera any more
12:05 AM
I'm also thinking about film journalism but that feels more
Risky
I guess
I don't want my name attached to either
But there's more risk of scrutiny with the latter

Victoria Cross said:
12:05 AM
Yeah I can understand that
Vinny go give Chase a hug for me

Chase Lowry said:
12:06 AM
asdfz
He nearly spilled my drink!!

Vinny Monroe said:
12:06 AM
😘

Victoria Cross said:
12:06 AM
LOL SORRY

-

2026 resolutions (12/31)

Start the writing course
Keep going to therapy
Survive withdrawal
Learn restful techniques (meditation or yoga?)
Visit Mom and Dad in NJ
Keep supporting Vinny in everything
Find a way to be happy

-

2026 goals

Apply to college for fall 2026 semester
Sign up for individual (anger + trauma) and relationship therapy
Go on an actual vacation
Don't join the 27 Club (2.5 months left!)
Keep supporting Chase in everything
Be happy

-

12/31

There's about an hour left of 2025.

It's been... a year. It started out slowly, cold and quiet and frayed. October... yeah. It wasn't great. November was Hell. There's no other way to say it - it was Hell on Earth, starting bad and ending worse.

But then, December. From the lowest point of my entire fucking existence, to now. 31 days to go from the worst place I've ever found myself in, to this.

I'm not fully recovered. I still have some psychotic symptoms (we have the TV on for the NYE concert but I keep hearing static and seeing the glitches). I still show all the signs of having developed PTSD. I'm still going through withdrawal, and I'll be going through withdrawal for a long time. I'm a traumatized, psychotic, depressed, drug-addicted mess of insecurities and fuck-ups and bad mistakes and quite possibly always will be at least a few of those. The streaming site is gone, but Vinny's media team think at least some of the videos are still circulating on the dark web, which means there's every chance I could just one day accidentally cross paths with someone who's seen videos of me being raped on the internet, which is a thought I really don't love. The ones who assaulted me are still out there - I know they were being blackmailed as well, but they could have walked away, and they didn't. We'll likely have to go into court to defend Lia Feldman, and that means I may well be cross-examined on everything I did and everything I experienced.

But...

I'm settled on the sofa of Vinny's - of our - living room in pajama pants and a hoodie with a very silly print of cats and dogs, with my nails properly done (black and metallic gold). We have ice cream, corn chips, and coffee (decaf), and we had takeaway Korean for dinner. There's a tab open on my laptop to apply for a service dog for PTSD (and I have a laptop! It's cheap but finally I don't have to just do stuff on my phone!). My car is parked in a two-car garage and not packed with all my earthly belongings. It's reasonably quiet and calm tonight, but I can hear fireworks and celebrations from the city. I can see the city lights in the distance.

I'm not too cold or too hot because the house has functioning air conditioning and heating, I'm not hungry (although I am enjoying the ice cream and chips), I'm safe.

Vinny is with me. Vinny is on the sofa beside me, and our legs are loosely touching. He's breathing easily while he watches the concert on TV. Earlier, when he went to refill our cups, he kissed me on the cheek without even a second thought.

He's alive, thanks to timely medical care. I'm alive, thanks to him. We're both forever out of Duke's grasp, and the scars remain but we're healing.

We made it. We're making it. We'll make it.

2025 is nearly over and we are alive.

Chapter Text

[instagram.com/vickyxcrossx]

vickyxcrossx Release day! Following our beautiful premier last Saturday, Quantum Entanglement is out nationwide TODAY! Huge thanks again to our wonderful writer and director Frank Gardeu, working with you made me feel so safe, fulfilled, and in love with acting all over again. And, as always, Zara, my costar, my best friend, and my other half, thank you for everything ❤️ #quantumentanglementfilm #victoriacrossactor #frankgardeu #zaragood #goodcross

95k likes
JUNE 15, 2027

-

Los Angeles Chronicle

Lia Feldman released, vows to help victims of ex-husband
By Willow McDonald
August 4 2027

Lia Feldman, former spouse and convicted killer of disgraced Hollywood producer Duke Cain, was released from the California Institute for Women today.

The former actor, who shot her ex-husband after learning of her young son's death at his hands in August 2000 and of the routine sexual abuse, assault, and intimidation inflicted upon actors under his control, has said that she is determined to ensure that no others will face the horrors that many have already had to endure.

"What Duke did to so many was a travesty. The pain they've experienced, that they're still experiencing, is something I will do all I can to help ease. With my portion of the settlement from Duke's estate, I will be establishing a charity to protect and advocate for young and vulnerable actors from predatory producers, offering mentorships, legal advice, and access to counselling."

Ms Feldman was met by family and friends, including actors Victoria Cross and Zara Good and former actor Vinny Monroe, all of whom have spoken out about surviving abuse at Duke Cain's hands, with Cross and Good both pledging to take part as mentors in Ms Feldman's charity. Ms Feldman will be subject to strict bail conditions, but has received widespread public support, with her shooting of Duke Cain seen by many as an act of justice.

The Los Angeles Police Department has issued a warning that extrajudicial vigilante justice is still strictly illegal and will be subject to the full force of the law.

-

UCLA LETTERS
17 October 2027

Why I study: students speak

Content warning: This edition of 'Why I study' involves discussion of sexual assault and homophobia.

Vinny Monroe, sociology, sophomore: Vinny Monroe is not an unfamiliar face to many on UCLA's campuses. In his former life, he was one of Hollywood's rising stars, a leading man who spent several years on the silver screen. Now, he's more likely to be found in the Powell Library than on Hollywood Boulevard, in his second year studying sociology with an eye to eventually get into law.

"I went through some pretty awful experiences a few years back," Vinny says reflectively, his books and study materials spread out on a table outside the library (Vinny is open about his abuse at the hands of disgraced film producer Duke Cain). "Both my partner and I have experienced sexual assault and abuse in our pasts, and both of us were treated pretty dismissively by the police - when we reported the abuse and assault my partner survived, the LAPD actually openly scoffed at him and insinuated that because he's bi, his victimization was somehow less traumatic. I'm sorry, but what the fuck?"

Queer men, Vinny explains, face a triad of obstacles in the fight for justice. The first is the dismissiveness that many survivors of sexual assault and abuse find, common to survivors of all genders and orientations. The second is the perception that men cannot be assaulted, that men are deemed to be aggressive or tough enough to avoid assault or abuse; therefore, a male survivor is frequently feminized in the eyes of others, his masculinity eroded, with the perception that 'real men' are able to protect themselves. The third is that queer men who are victimized by other men specifically are frequently branded as 'asking for it', whether it be the perception that they've flaunted their sexuality or that they are sufficiently sexually insatiable enough that any advance is wanted. "There's an element of homophobia to it, definitely," Vinny says. "The idea that I would welcome my abuse at the hands of a man who had significant power over me just because I'm gay is something that needs to stop, like, yesterday."

"The treatment my partner and I both went through - it made me so fucking angry. And that was the impetus for me to get out of acting, aside from the trauma of my experience, and what my partner went through. I wanted to help guys like us, guys who survived humiliation and degradation and violation, only to find that our stories were dismissed. I wanted to turn my anger at our situation into something where some good could come out of it. Lia Feldman, who's a friend and mentor of mine, is starting a new charity to protect and advocate for vulnerable actors against abuse. I want to get the knowledge and the qualifications to be a part of that, hopefully. I want to make sure no one ever has to get hurt like I did, ever again."

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LA Los Angeles Review of Books RB

Crossing Those Grounds

Luisa Alvarez interviews Chase Vincent about his debut book Across the Hallowed Ground, acting, surviving trauma, and best dogs

By Luisa Alvarez, December 16 2027

Content warning: This interview contains discussion of trauma, mental illness, and sexual abuse and assault.

LUISA ALVAREZ: Chase, Across the Hallowed Ground is your debut novel after only starting to publish short stories a year ago. How does such a rapid rise in the writing world feel?

CHASE VINCENT: Honestly, it doesn't feel that rapid at all. In my previous life, I was an actor, and not a very successful one. I've spent so much time struggling through auditions, rejections, and the like, that when I sent my first short story out and immediately got it rejected, it felt like, "Ah shit, here we go again."

Did acting prepare you for writing, then? They can be pretty different media.

Definitely, yeah. One of the reasons I wanted to become an actor in the first place was because I loved stories, and I loved characters. When acting became no longer viable for me, when I had to start thinking about what I still loved and how I could still engage with it, writing jumped out at me. I had always loved working out characters - their fears and misconceptions, their convictions and beliefs. What drove them forward. What their arcs were. Their lowest lows and highest highs. And I realized I could translate that into words instead of physically embodying them, getting all that internal craft work out for the readers to see.

It sounds like a natural continuation, then.

Yeah. I started writing journals as part of my healing from some pretty severe trauma a few years back, and found that it was pretty liberating being able to get the mess in my brain out on paper. And over time, I just started finessing it more, working out, how could I go from the story in my brain to something others would be able to see and share in? Getting back in front of a camera was just not an option any more, so writing felt like a necessary outlet.

Had that desire to share always been there, then, as an aspiring actor?

It was. I wasn't a natural extrovert as a kid and teen - actually, a lot of actors are surprisingly introverted, using acting, performing, as a method of communication. I had always loved going to the movies, seeing plays, all of that, and getting lost in those worlds. And I had wanted to be a part of them, so I could find the truth of the characters I was playing and show them to everyone. I think part of it was a defence mechanism, shielding myself with the characters I played, but there was always the truth of myself in there too. It was the only way I could see to share who I was, through how I related to those characters. Their truths combined with mine.

When did that change, and you opted to look into writing instead?

Right - a couple of years ago, I went through some pretty intense traumatic experiences. I was at my absolute lowest point. I actually ended up hospitalized after going into a psychotic episode and attempting suicide, and only survived due to my partner finding me in time. And while I was recovering, I just came to the conclusion that I absolutely could not stay in that world. So, what could I do, instead? I didn't want to just sit around staring at the walls. My partner said he would support me if I wanted just to have the time to recover, and after my abuser died I did receive a settlement that made me financially independent, but just sitting around staring at the walls has never been my way. I need to do something to get all the shit in my head out. So I looked up a writing course with the Los Angeles Writing Collective, a fantastic school that helps so many people find the skills to start writing, and just went on from there.

There is some pretty dark content in Hallowed Ground. Was that informed by your trauma?

Some of it, yeah. Not all of it - obviously, I've never been literally haunted and possessed - but some of those elements came from the psychosis. I'm almost entirely recovered now, so it looks like what I had was something called Brief Psychotic Disorder, which is psychosis as a result of intense stress or trauma. But yeah, some of Mica's experiences in Hallowed Ground - the sensory aspects of their possession, their doubting of reality, the sexual abuse they survived - that was informed by my own experiences. And honestly, I think it was healing being able to do it that way.

By getting those traumatic experiences out on paper? It sounds like it was -

Cathartic. Incredibly.

Cathartic, yeah.

My therapist fucking loved it, that I was writing. She became my first-ever reader. Honestly, I'd recommend more survivors use writing as an outlet. Also, getting a dog. Getting a dog is great.

Oh, tell us about your dog?

She's my baby, but I think I'm also hers as well? She sort of treats me like her puppy. She's a labrador retriever named Rain, after Rainier cherries (my favorite fruit!). Keeps me calm, keeps me moving, keeps me functioning. Between her and my partner, I'm more or less a fully functioning human being. She's my best girl. Best dog in the universe.

It sounds like things are going a lot better for you now.

Yeah, thank god. Two years ago, I was only just starting to drag myself out of the depths I was drowning in. Now I'm, like, resting on the shore. I have a picnic lunch, my partner, and my dog. I still have scars and probably always will. Some of those wounds are still healing up. I have a lot of bad days, still. Nightmares, hypervigilance, times when something will trigger me and just make me spiral and then, wow, the rest of the day is a total write-off. The court cases for the ones who assaulted me sent me back into a depression/PTSD slump for months and it took a while to claw my way back out of it. But I'm surviving. What happened to me shouldn't have ever happened to anyone, but...

Survivors find a way to survive. We keep moving. We keep loving. We keep living. And we don't stop.

You're happy, then? With where you are?

Yeah. Yeah, I'm happy.

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Chase Vincent is a Los Angeles-based writer, with stories published in the Los Angeles Review of Books, 3:AM Magazine, Electric Literature, Reactor, and Uncanny Magazine. Across the Hallowed Ground is his first full-length novel.