41-45

Chapter 41: Filming Begins

"Awoo! Awoo!"

"I'm flying!"

On the coastal highway of the Western Pacific, the sun was shining brightly. The deep blue sky blended seamlessly with the ocean beneath the road. Tall palm trees, standing like soldiers with explosive afros, lined both sides of the highway.

A red convertible sped southward, cutting through the sea breeze. Suddenly, Chris Ball stood up in the passenger seat, pumped his fist, and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Sit down! This is the highway—standing up is dangerous! Get down now!"

Daniel DeVito, who was driving, yelled at him.

"Haha, Daniel, do you know how excited I am right now? So excited! This has always been my dream—to sit in a sports car, race down a California highway, watch the ocean, the sky, and the skyscrapers flying past. This is the coolest feeling ever!"

Chris flexed his biceps and shouted hysterically.

"Stop talking nonsense and sit down. Buckle up!"

"Alright, alright. But there's only one thing that’s different from how I imagined it—in my fantasy, I'd have one or two hot girls in short shorts next to me, not an oily old man like you."

Chris shot a glance at Daniel DeVito—dressed in a casual suit, with a big head, a receding hairline, and a pair of black-rimmed glasses.

"Hmph!"

Daniel scowled and stayed silent.

"Daniel, we're on vacation! Why do you always have such a sour face? Smile! Don’t kill the vibe!"

"Shut up! We're not here for a vacation—we're here to make a movie!"

"Link said we could treat this shoot like a vacation."

"Link isn’t always right. Chris, do you even realize how much this movie means to him?"

"How would I know? Look at my muscles! You can tell just by looking at me that I'm not the smartest guy around. Stop speaking in riddles and just say it."

Chris squeezed his biceps.

Daniel shook his head. "It means the difference between Link making it in Hollywood or not. Right now, he's a genius director—lots of studios and media outlets are watching him.

If this movie succeeds, he'll establish himself in Hollywood. But if it fails, he'll be laughed at by everyone, lose his 'genius director' title, and just become another ordinary filmmaker.

And if this movie flops, the company might go under. You’d be out of a job too."

"Hiss—seriously? That bad? What should we do, Daniel? You're an experienced producer—tell me how to make sure this movie doesn’t fail!"

"There’s nothing we can do. Link is too stubborn—he won’t listen to advice. That’s why I need you to talk to him whenever you get the chance. Make sure he focuses on the movie and nothing else."

"Nothing else? What do you mean?"

"What do you think?"

Daniel adjusted his black-rimmed glasses and glanced at the silver Cadillac DeVille ahead. Inside sat Link and Monica Bellucci.

From the moment he heard that Link was planning to shoot his second movie with just $20,000, Daniel had felt uneasy. Then, when he saw the script—with only two main characters, a man and a woman, spending most of their time in bed—he had a suspicion.

Maybe this whole production was just a front. Maybe the movie wasn’t even the point—maybe it was all just an excuse for Link to get close to Monica Bellucci.

If that were true, then this entire trip to San Diego was a waste. But even if he was wrong, this movie didn’t seem to have much chance of success.

Daniel wasn’t just worried about Link’s film—he was worried about his own future too.

*Riiing!*

The car phone rang.

"Link, what's up?"

Chris answered first.

"There’s a car tailing us—a black Chevrolet SUV. They've been following us from Los Angeles. Probably paparazzi."

"Yeah, I see them. Want us to pull over and block them?"

Chris turned to check. On the empty highway, about 300 meters behind them, was a black Chevy. Through the windshield, he could faintly make out two men inside—one of them holding binoculars.

"No need. Daniel, once we reach Del Mar County, let’s split up and lose them."

"Got it!"

As soon as the call ended, the Cadillac ahead sped up. Meanwhile, Daniel slowed down, driving leisurely forward.

The black Chevrolet suddenly accelerated as well, following the Cadillac.

Daniel checked the rearview mirror. Seeing no one following them, he turned off the highway into Del Mar, drove in a loop, then sped toward San Diego.

San Diego County, the southernmost city in California, was about 200 kilometers from Los Angeles and just five kilometers from the U.S.-Mexico border.

They had chosen to shoot here partly because the local architecture matched the film’s setting, and partly because it was far from Hollywood—away from paparazzi, so they could film in peace.

By around 1 p.m., under the scorching Southern California sun, Daniel drove into the affluent Mission Valley neighborhood, located east of San Diego State Historic Park.

San Diego, the second-largest city in California and the eighth-largest in the U.S., was home to major companies like Qualcomm, Pfizer, Novartis, and Amgen.

Thanks to its booming tech and biotech industries, the city had no shortage of wealthy residents—Mission Valley being one of its upscale neighborhoods.

Daniel pulled up in front of Villa N23, a mansion he had rented in advance.

The property covered about 2,200 square meters, featuring a front lawn, a backyard garden, four bedrooms, a large terrace, a basketball court, and a swimming pool. The environment was perfect.

"Daniel, this place is great—just what I needed. But there are a few details inside that need fixing. Here are the sketches—could you find someone to make the changes?"

As soon as Daniel parked, Link walked out of the villa, holding a few design drafts with modification notes.

"Got it. I’ll handle it."

Daniel took the sketches, got back in the car, and drove off.

"Link, what do you need me to do?"

Chris yawned.

"Help me set up the recording equipment and lighting. We also need to move the living room sofa and install three hidden mechanisms in the bedroom. The rest, I’ll explain during filming."

"No problem! I may not be good at other things, but I’m great at manual labor."

Chris flexed his arms again, grabbed a heavy equipment case, and marched into the villa.

"Link, how do I look in this outfit?"

Monica Bellucci stepped out of the bedroom, wearing a white artistic T-shirt, blue jeans, and brown sneakers. Her dark brown hair had been trimmed slightly, falling naturally over her shoulders.

This was Link’s request—the female lead was a 24 or 25-year-old college student, so she had to look the part, dressing like a young woman.

"Not bad. But to truly play this role, you have to embody the character—be more carefree and lively. Especially when interacting with the male lead, act casual. That’ll make the couple’s relationship feel more natural. This intimacy, set against eerie events, will help control the pacing and enhance the suspenseful effect."

"I get it. I only graduated college five years ago—playing a college student is easy."

Monica linked arms with him, rested her head on his shoulder, and hummed softly.

"What are you doing?"

"We’re playing a couple, right? Just getting some practice in. That way, when we’re on camera, it’ll feel more natural and we’ll have better chemistry. Don’t you think?"

She batted her long lashes and smiled.

"Fine."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 42: Intimate Relationships

Three days before arriving in San Diego, Link guided Chris Bauer and two interior designers in rearranging the villa’s furnishings, including the placement of the sofa, dining table, chandelier, bed, and wall decorations.

Rather than simply replicating scenes from the original film, he made adjustments based on his own understanding of the script and personal aesthetic preferences, prioritizing convenience and functionality.

During these three days, he and Monica Bellucci lived in the villa as a couple. They would wake up in the morning to exercise, cook and eat meals together, play tennis, and rehearse lines, gradually growing closer.

However, Daniel DeVito seemed increasingly uneasy whenever he saw them together, hesitating as if he wanted to say something but holding back. His expression grew more serious by the day.

Link could roughly guess his concerns—Daniel was worried that if the film failed, it could impact the company’s future.

Despite Daniel’s anxiety, Link didn’t offer any explanations. He didn’t claim the movie would be great, didn’t boast about its box office potential, and didn’t justify his interactions with Monica as being purely for the film. It wouldn’t be easy to explain anything before the movie was released anyway.

*“Darling, how does my figure look? Are my thighs a little too thick?”*

Monica Bellucci lay on the sofa, flipping through a fashion magazine. She lifted her leg and playfully nudged his with her toes.

*“Not thick at all—very sexy.”*

Link was fiddling with the recording equipment. The technology of the '90s was vastly different from what he was used to a decade later. Right now, his biggest challenge as a director wasn’t filming—it was figuring out how to operate all the bulky equipment on set.

*“You didn’t even look. How do you know?”*

*“You’re 5’9” (174 cm), weigh 132 lbs (60 kg), with measurements of 35-24-35 inches (89-61-89 cm). You have a tall, curvy figure—just from the numbers alone, it’s obvious you’re sexy.”*

*“I actually weigh 129 lbs (58.5 kg) now. Ever since I got your script, I’ve been cutting weight—I lost about three pounds.”*

*“That’s impressive.”*

Link continued adjusting the equipment.

*“Link, you definitely don’t have a girlfriend, do you?”*

*“How do you know?”*

*“Guys like you—workaholics who only have eyes for their projects and equipment—don’t give girls a chance to get close.”*

*“I used to be broke, and now I’m too busy. I really don’t have time for a girlfriend.”*

*“Want me to introduce you to someone?”*

Monica sat up, leaned over his shoulder, and blew warm breath against his ear. Her body pressed against his back, and the softness of her curves made his hand tremble slightly.

*“Sure, but I have pretty high standards for a girlfriend.”*

*“What are they? Tell me.”*

*“Beautiful. Beautiful. And… beautiful.”*

*“Pfft. Do you think I’m beautiful?”*

Monica wrapped her arms around his shoulders and tilted her face toward him, winking playfully. Her stunning features were flawless.

*“Very beautiful.”*

*“Thanks! We have a few kissing scenes in the movie. Should we practice now? I don’t want to mess up because I get nervous during the real shoot.”*

Monica pursed her lips slightly, making them look fuller and even more alluring.

*“Alright, a little practice wouldn’t hurt.”*

Link set down the recording equipment and instinctively wrapped his arm around Monica’s slender waist, pulling her onto his lap as he leaned in to kiss her full lips.

Monica responded enthusiastically, wrapping her arms around his neck and deepening the kiss.

The temperature inside the San Diego villa seemed to rise along with their body heat.

Link’s hand instinctively rested on the curve of her waist.

Just as things were heating up, footsteps sounded on the stairs. Link pulled away from Monica, who was now flushed.

*“Link, the upstairs lights are installed. Come take a look.”*

Chris Bauer descended the stairs with two workers.

*“Got it.”*

Link went upstairs to inspect the lighting.

Since most of Paranormal Activity was set in the bedroom, the lighting there needed to be just right—neither too bright nor too dim, but with a cold, eerie tone, like moonlight filtering through a forest at night, creating an unsettling atmosphere.

After checking the setup, he instructed the crew to make a few adjustments until the lighting reached the ideal effect.

*“This looks good. Monica, should we start filming now?”*

*“No problem. I’m ready anytime.”* Monica crossed her arms and smiled.

*“Alright, let’s get started. Chris, you and Daniel can take a break. If I need anything, I’ll call you.”*

*“Alright, we’re off. You two enjoy your… ahem… filming. Don’t worry, no one will interrupt.”*

Chris Bauer winked at him.

Link didn’t bother explaining.

Once Chris and the crew left, Link and Monica began shooting.

*“Scene One, Take One—Action!”*

Beep, beep, beep!  

Monica Bellucci drove a red convertible up the road and pulled into the villa’s driveway. Link stood at the door, camera in hand.

*"Baby, what's wrong?"*

Link adjusted the camera's focus and pointed the lens at Monica Bellucci, who was sitting in the car.

*"What is that?"*

Monica Bellucci took off her sunglasses and looked at the camera in his hand.

*"Hello, baby."*

*"Is this what I wanted?"*

*"Yes. I didn’t know what model you wanted, but don’t worry about it—it works great."*

Link walked to the front of the sports car, filming Monica Bellucci.

*"I think this is a big camera. What did you do to that small handheld one? Can it rotate? Is it multifunctional?"*

Monica Bellucci gestured with her hands as she spoke.

*"Are you going to park the car, or are you just going to sit there and watch me?"*

*"Alright, I'll go park."*

Monica started the car and pulled into the garage.

Link filmed for a few seconds, then took the camera back to the living room.

They had rehearsed the opening scene more than ten times, so when it came to the actual shoot, the process felt smooth.

After spending the past few days living together, their relationship had become closer, making Monica more relaxed in her performance.

The first scene turned out well overall.

*"Cut! Get ready for the next scene."*

With limited time, Link planned to finish filming in seven days. All the living room scenes needed to be completed within two days, leaving the remaining time for scenes featuring strange noises in the bedroom and ghostly encounters.

*"This house is huge and looks amazing. The lighting is great too."*

Monica Bellucci walked in through the door and pulled it shut behind her.

*"Come kiss the camera."*

Link called out from behind the lens.

*"No way! How much did this camera cost? I’m not kissing it—I’d rather kiss you."*

Monica leaned in and kissed him.

Link turned the camera to capture their kiss on film—it lasted four or five seconds.

*"Do you think this camera will be useful?"*

*"Yes. With this, we can record the supernatural events happening—or about to happen."*

Link aimed the camera down the dimly lit hallway, focusing on the dark staircase leading to the second floor.

After finishing the opening sequence, Link set the camera down in the kitchen and started filming while making dinner, like a live broadcast.

At the time, no one had thought to stream their daily life like this. This filming style was innovative, increasing immersion and enhancing the horror effect—similar to why Paranormal Activity, despite its low-budget production, still attracted audiences to theaters.

*"Are we filming everything?"*

Monica stood by the sink, asking.

*"No, we just need to capture what happens to us. If someone else experiences something similar in the future, we can help them figure it out."*

Link chopped meat and vegetables on the cutting board.

*"But that means we’ll have to watch these terrifying events over and over, reinforcing them in our minds. That’s too scary."*

*"You should understand—if everything goes well, by recording these events, we can uncover what’s really happening. Once we know the cause, we can figure out a solution."*

Link waved the knife in his hand, his expression determined.

*"We’ll get rid of them for good."*

*"That’s right. No matter what it is, we’ll deal with it. If it turns out a neighborhood kid has been spying on you from outside your window at night, we’ll have the evidence to teach him a lesson."*

*"Impossible—unless that little boy has been following me since he was eight."*

*"That sounds creepy."*

While filming the kitchen scenes, Link worried about not getting enough footage. He kept the camera rolling for an hour, capturing everything from washing vegetables to chopping and cooking until the entire dinner was prepared.

*"Link, your cooking looks pretty good."*

Monica Bellucci eyed the dishes on the table—two servings of spaghetti with meat sauce, two bowls of vegetable and shrimp soup, and half a quiche for each of them. The meal looked delicious.

*"Try it."*

Link and Monica sat down to eat.

*"Mmm! This is amazing."*

Monica took a bite of the quiche, closed her eyes, and let out a satisfied hum.

*"Eat as much as you like."*

*"What if I gain weight?"*

*"Doesn't matter. The main character is supposed to be an ordinary college student, not a model. A little weight fluctuation won’t hurt."*

These lines weren’t part of the script, but to make the performances more natural, they would chat casually while filming, incorporating dialogue as they went. Anything unnecessary could be cut during editing.

*"Link, is this really a movie? This feels completely different from my previous film experiences—more like a home video."*

Monica twirled her pasta around her fork and glanced at the camera on the table.

*"Trust me—it’ll be a great movie."*

*"The industry and the media are really curious about what your second film is going to be. If they knew we were filming like this, they’d be shocked."*

*"Let them think whatever they want. We’ll focus on filming, and when the movie comes out, they’ll be in for a surprise."*

*"I believe in you."*

Monica propped her chin on her hand, smiling as she clinked her juice glass against his.

*(End of Chapter)*

Chapter 43: Everything Falls Into Place

After dinner, filming resumed.

In Paranormal Activity, the events span 21 days, but Link condensed the timeline into just seven days for filming. Sometimes, night scenes were shot during the day, and daytime scenes were filmed at night. Shooting could happen at any time.

On the first day, the male and female leads were casually chatting in the living room when a strange buzzing sound came from the next-door apartment. The eerie atmosphere of the film was instantly heightened.

The male lead, Micah, picked up a camera and went to investigate the source of the sound. After searching for a while, he discovered it was just the air conditioning unit. The tension eased.

That night, while they were sleeping in their bedroom, they were startled awake by the sound of scratching on the walls. They searched everywhere but found nothing.

The film’s horror atmosphere intensified.

On the second day, they sought the help of a psychic, Dr. Frederick.

Using his abilities, the psychic confirmed the presence of an evil spirit in the house—one that grew stronger by absorbing negative energy.

He also warned Micah not to use a Ouija board, as it could summon the entity and have severe consequences.

When the couple asked him to exorcize the spirit, the psychic explained that he specialized in communicating with spirits, not exorcisms. However, he offered to introduce them to Dr. Adeles, an expert in exorcisms.

After the psychic left, only the couple remained in the house.

The existence of the entity had now been confirmed.

That night, while they were sleeping, the bedroom door moved slightly on its own before returning to its original position.

The bedroom camera captured the entire scene.

The next morning, they reviewed the footage and saw the eerie movement of the door.

The horror escalated.

*"Link, I completely believe you now. This is going to be a great movie,"* Monica Bellucci said over dinner.

*"Why do you say that?"*

*"Just now, while you were cooking in the kitchen, I was alone in the living room. I felt like something was behind me. It was terrifying."*

*"You’re probably getting into character as Katie. That’s a good sign—it’ll make your performance more authentic on camera."*

*"Yeah, but once we finish filming, I think I’ll have some psychological trauma. I won’t dare to live alone."*

*"I can keep you company until you’re over it,"* Link joked.

*"You said it. After filming, you have to move into the youth apartment and stay with me."*

Monica smiled, staring at him without blinking.

*"No problem. I’ll take full responsibility."*

*"Hey! Hey, I’m still here. Can you two not flirt so openly while we’re eating? It’s ruining my appetite,"* Chris Bauer complained from the other side of the table.

He was devouring a juicy, aromatic pineapple-glazed pork chop, his mouth full of grease—hardly the image of someone losing their appetite.

*"You keep quiet. We’re still filming, and extra voices could ruin the eerie atmosphere of the house,"* Link pointed to the camera on the table.

Chris scoffed. Any sense of horror had vanished, replaced by an atmosphere thick with romance.

He was increasingly convinced that Danny DeVito had been right—Link was making this film just to woo Monica Bellucci.

For the past few days, the two had been eating, living, and even sleeping in the same space. They were no different from a real couple.

Chris took another bite of his pork chop, glancing at the stunning, blushing Monica and silently envying Link’s luck with women.

*"Link, are you filming right now? Can I come in?"*

Danny DeVito’s voice came from the doorway.

*"We’re just eating. Come on in."*

Danny walked in, and Link poured him a glass of water.

Danny had brought a few photos of actresses for Link to review for a supporting role.

The women in the photos were newcomers with some acting experience but no significant works to their names.

Link looked through them and picked one who bore a resemblance to a future Oscar winner—Renée Zellweger. She had an above-average appearance and a good figure.

Danny handed him the actress’s file.

Sure enough, it was Renée Zellweger. She was 23 years old and had just graduated from the University of Texas. While in college, she had taken drama courses and performed in stage plays, giving her some solid acting experience.

The supporting role was Katie’s friend, who appeared twice in the film. Her role was to warn Micah against using the Ouija board, fearing it would invite the entity, and to urge Katie to move out.

It wasn’t a major role and wouldn’t be difficult to play. Renée Zellweger would be a good fit.

*"Let’s go with her,"* Link decided.

*"Link, the media somehow caught wind that you’re filming here. There’s already news circulating that you’re not working but on vacation—with a sexy woman."*

Danny adjusted his glasses, glancing briefly at Monica Bellucci.

*"Ignore the rumors. Let’s try to keep this shoot as private as possible. If the media gets involved, it’ll be a huge inconvenience."*

*"Got it. Also, about those scripts you submitted to different studios—three companies have responded. They’re interested in purchasing the adaptation rights and want to know when you’re available to discuss it."*

*"I don’t have time right now. Tell them to wait until I finish filming."*

*"Understood,"* Danny nodded.

*"Link, all three of your scripts got picked up by studios?"* Monica asked in surprise.

*"My scripts are pretty good. If they recognize that, then they have good taste."*

*"You’re amazing. I think I’m falling for you,"* Monica said, biting her lower lip, her gaze burning into him.

COUGH!  

Chris Bauer choked on his soup and quickly carried his plate outside to eat.

After dinner, Link and Monica continued filming in the villa, while Chris played the role of the entity, creating strange noises and disturbances throughout the house.

Since Chris wasn’t the sharpest, Link had to patiently guide him before every take, explaining what to do and how far to take it.

*"Day 5, Scene 3—action!"*

On the fifth night, the couple was asleep in bed when Katie suddenly woke up from a nightmare.

A strange noise echoed through the room.

Then, a loud thud came from downstairs—like something heavy had crashed onto the floor.

*BANG!*

The two of them took the camera downstairs and walked around, but they didn’t find anything.

During the day, the male protagonist analyzed the audio recorded by the equipment on his computer and discovered some strange noises—static, crackling, almost like an evil spirit whispering.

*"What’s that sound?"*

*"I’ve listened to it at least 50 times. It doesn’t sound like speech, not a language we can understand. It doesn’t sound like a dog barking or street noise, and there’s no sign of electronic interference either."*

*"Oh, God! I think that thing might be in the bedroom."*

*"That’s why I suspect it’s trying to communicate with us. I think we should go out and buy a Ouija board."*

*"Oh, absolutely not!"*

Monica and the supporting actress, Renée Zellweger, objected in unison.

*"I don’t want to know what it’s saying. I just want to stay as far away from it as possible,"* Monica said.

*"Trust me, this is a bad idea. Once you invite it in with a Ouija board, it won’t leave,"* Renée Zellweger added.

*"Can you just let me do what I want?"*

Link rubbed his forehead in frustration.

*"Your job is to film. As for the Ouija board—don’t even think about it. Mika, promise me. Mika, swear to me!"* Monica said firmly.

*"Alright, I promise I won’t buy a Ouija board, okay?"*

*"Thank you! Hey, Mika, give me a smile."*

Monica held up the camera, pointing the lens at Link.

Link put on his headset and forced a smile.

*"Cut!"*

Link replayed the footage they had just shot and realized the argument wasn’t intense enough, making the scene feel less engaging.

He guided Monica and Renée Zellweger on their delivery and tone, having them rehearse their lines again.

The second take was much better.

---

That night, on the 13th day, Link pointed the camera toward the pitch-black hallway and called out.

*"Hey, it’s been a while since we’ve had some fun. Are you scared? What else can you do?"*

*"Stop filming. It’s time for bed."*

Monica, with her long hair draped over her shoulders, wearing a t-shirt and shorts, stood in the bedroom and gestured for him to come over.

*"Come on, show me what else you’ve got,"* Link continued, aiming the camera down the dark staircase.

*"Hey, don’t provoke it. Mika, stop messing around and get back here,"* Monica warned.

*"You useless spirit! You’re pathetic. You’ve got nothing!"*

*"Enough, turn it off!"*

Monica pulled Link back into the bedroom.

Link placed the camera on a tripod, aiming it at the bed, then climbed in to lie down.

Monica moved closer, resting her head on his shoulder, her hand caressing his chest before slowly sliding downward.

Link chuckled softly and leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss.

Monica wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers running through his hair.

The blanket over them began to shift and ripple.

(End of Chapter)  

Chapter 44: Dedication to Art

After finishing their business, Link and Monica resumed filming.

 *Thud… Thud… Thud… Thud… Thud…*

On the 13th night, the female protagonist was startled awake by a noise from downstairs. She sat up in bed.

*"What’s wrong?"*

*"I think I heard something."*

*"What? What did you hear?"*

*"A loud thud."*

*"A thud? Where did it come from?"*

*"It sounded like it came from downstairs."*

Both of them sat up in bed, straining their ears to listen for any further sounds.

The room remained silent for five or six seconds.

*"ROAR!"*

Suddenly, a demonic growl echoed from the living room downstairs, followed by a heavy *BANG* that made the entire house tremble.

The male and female protagonists screamed in fright.

During filming, to enhance the horror effect, post-production would amplify the growl and the impact sound, making the roar more terrifying and the thud even more shocking.

*"Cut! Let’s do it again. Our reaction wasn’t quite scary enough."*

*"Alright!"*

*"Chris, let’s go for another take."*

Link picked up the walkie-talkie and gave the command.

The second take turned out better.

*"Link, I think this part of the script is the scariest. Sleeping at night with the bedroom door open? Even if there were no ghosts, I wouldn’t be able to sleep."*

Monica pointed at the open bedroom door.

*"The protagonist needs to see what’s happening outside the room, so they can’t close the door. Also, with the camera aimed at the dark hallway outside, the audience will instinctively stare at the doorway, watching for any changes. That keeps them on edge the whole time. This design really draws the audience in and builds tension."*

*"I get it. I just wanted to say that your setup is brilliant. This movie is going to be amazing."*

Monica wrapped her arms around his and kissed him on the cheek.

Link and Monica got out of bed, grabbed the camera, and headed downstairs to shoot the next scene.

As strange noises echoed from below, the protagonists cautiously descended. In the dim light, the chandelier in the living room swayed back and forth.

*"Chris, reduce the swing a little, and don’t let it make any noise. Also, close the curtains—we don’t want sunlight coming in from outside."*

*"Got it!"*

After Chris made the necessary adjustments, Link and Monica went downstairs to film again.

---

 *Meanwhile, at the Venomous Snake Bar in Hollywood…*

*"Shit! Those paparazzi are useless. They still haven’t found out where Link is filming."*

Robert Downey Jr. took a drag from his joint and exhaled in frustration.

*"That’s not surprising. When Link shot Buried, I heard he filmed it right in his own apartment. His new movie is also a low-budget production, probably with just a few actors, and likely being filmed at home again. It’s not easy for paparazzi to track that down."*

Kiefer Sutherland leaned back on the sofa, an exotic dancer in revealing attire curled up in his arms.

At 27 years old, Kiefer Sutherland was the son of legendary Hollywood actor Donald Sutherland and his second wife.

Donald Sutherland had been in the industry since the 1960s, starring in over a hundred films. His most famous roles included Doctor Bethune, JFK, and Big Shot’s Funeral, where he played the lead in the funeral scene.

Kiefer had entered the industry as a teenager, leveraging his parents’ Hollywood connections to land leading and significant supporting roles in more than 30 films.

His resume included Spielberg’s TV series Amazing Stories, the crime drama At Close Range with Sean Penn and Christopher Walken, the adventure film Stand by Me alongside River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton, and the war drama 1969 with Robert Downey Jr. and Winona Ryder.

This year, he starred as the third lead in the legal drama A Few Good Men, alongside Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.

Although he wasn’t as famous as Robert Downey Jr., he was still one of Hollywood’s top ten young actors. His girlfriend was none other than Julia Roberts, who skyrocketed to fame two years ago with Pretty Woman.

The two were considered one of Hollywood’s hottest celebrity couples, constantly making tabloid headlines.

Kiefer and Robert had known each other for a long time.

They co-starred in 1969 back in 1988. Interestingly, Kiefer’s daughter from a previous marriage was named Sarah Judy—"Sarah" being inspired by Robert Downey Jr.’s ex-girlfriend, Sarah Jessica Parker.

They had always been on good terms.

*"Damn it, I just don’t get it. That loser was nothing more than an extra. How the hell is he directing movies? And how did Buried even make tens of millions at the box office? Audiences these days have no taste."*

Robert Downey Jr. grumbled irritably.

*"He got lucky and hit the right market trend. Just like Deep Throat, Jaws, and Rocky—sometimes, the right film at the right time can blow up. But once the trend fades, he’ll go back to being a nobody."*

*"I hope you’re right."*

*"Trust me, no one stays lucky forever. His new movie is a small production with no big-name stars. There’s no way it’ll do well at the box office. We just have to wait and watch it flop."*

Kiefer patted his friend on the shoulder.

Ever since Buried became a box office hit, Robert Downey Jr. had been in a foul mood.

His own movie, Chaplin, had received critical acclaim but performed poorly at the box office. Meanwhile, Buried had just surpassed $60 million worldwide, whereas Chaplin had only grossed $14.02 million—still not enough to recover its budget.

This frustrated him to no end.

Kiefer Sutherland was equally displeased.

When Chaplin was released, he and many other stars from CAA (Creative Artists Agency) had publicly endorsed it, praising it in the media. They had expected their collective influence to easily crush Buried, a low-budget indie film made for just $20,000.

But the reality was humiliating.

Buried outperformed Chaplin in both domestic and international box offices.

This contrast made them look like fools.

What stung even more was that if they had lost to top-tier stars like Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, or Arnold Schwarzenegger, it would have been understandable.

But this time, they had been defeated by an unknown American director.

Losing to someone new in film industry—was an absolute disgrace.

Just then, Robert Downey Jr.’s phone rang.

After answering, he listened for a moment, then hung up with a strange expression on his face.

*"What’s up?"*

*"Latest news—Link is casting for a lead actor in his new movie."*

*"Hasn’t he already started filming? Why is he just now looking for a lead actor?"*

*"Hah, he’s just some rookie from the slums. His whole crew is probably amateurish. It’s not surprising that they’re figuring things out as they go."*

*"Haha, you’re right. He’s a total mess. I’d bet anything this movie will be garbage."*

*"No need to bet—there’s no way a director like him could make a good film."*

A few minutes later, the two of them, high on their special rolled cigarettes, burst into laughter at their own jokes, tears streaming down their faces.

(End of chapter)

Chapter 45: The Evil Spirit in Action

"Cut!"

"Monica, it's not quite there yet. Relax your expression a little more. You need to imagine how Katie would feel seeing herself sleepwalking. Try to immerse yourself in the role."

"Alright, I understand."

"Scene 15, shot 6, take 3, action!"

On the fifteenth night, the female lead suddenly sat up in bed around 1 a.m., stood silently by the bed for over an hour, and then walked out of the bedroom as if sleepwalking.

The male lead woke up in the middle of the night to find the bed empty. Grabbing a camcorder, he went downstairs to search for her and found the dazed female lead sitting on a hanging chair outside the villa.

The male lead tried to persuade her to go back inside to sleep, but she, appearing possessed, refused, acting very strangely.

The male lead went back into the villa to get a blanket.

Bang! Suddenly, a loud stomping sound came from the direction of the second-floor bedroom, echoing eerily through the night.

As he ascended the stairs, he found that the bedroom TV had been turned on, displaying static on the screen, with a crackling noise coming from the speakers.

Holding the camcorder, the male lead returned to the bedroom to search for the evil spirit. As the camera panned, he suddenly saw the female lead standing behind him, causing him to scream in fright.

The female lead snapped out of her trance, completely unaware of her sleepwalking.

"I don’t remember anything. I only remember standing at the door while you pointed the camera at me, and you were really angry with me. I don’t even know why I was standing there."

Monica Bellucci, wearing a black camisole, stood in front of the computer monitor, watching the footage from the previous night's recording. Her unmade-up face showed an expression of fear and helplessness.

"You walked downstairs and sat on the rocking chair. You were acting really strange and refused to come inside, so I went back to get a blanket," Link said from behind the camcorder.

"Wait, I spoke to you?"

"I wouldn’t call it a normal conversation. But when I came upstairs, I saw footprints on the floor, and the TV had been turned on."

"Oh, God!" Monica groaned, covering her forehead in distress.

"Cut!"

"That was a good take. Keep it!"

"Let’s do one more."

After wrapping up Scene 15, Link continued filming the next parts.

The male lead, frustrated by his inability to capture the evil spirit, broke his promise and secretly bought a Ouija board to try communicating with it.

The female lead was furious when she found out and stormed out of the room.

The male lead chased after her.

After they left, the Ouija board on the table slowly began to move on its own. Then, in front of the camera, it started to burn.

That afternoon, the couple returned from a shopping trip. The male lead noticed that strange marks had appeared on the Ouija board.

To achieve the effect of the planchette moving on its own during filming, Link, Danny DeVito, and Chris Bauer discussed several options before deciding on a remote control mechanism. They spent an additional $300 to create two electronic remote controllers.

Making the Ouija board catch fire was relatively simple. A small amount of white phosphorus mixed with a bit of alcohol was used. The friction generated as the planchette moved provided enough heat to ignite the phosphorus, which in turn set the alcohol on fire.

The first test used too much phosphorus and nearly set the table ablaze.

The second test had too little alcohol, making the flames too weak.

The fourth attempt was finally successful.

The female lead, realizing that the male lead had ignored her warnings and used the Ouija board to communicate with the evil spirit, exploded in anger, leading to a heated argument between them.

The male lead tried to decipher the markings left by the spirit on the board but failed.

The atmosphere in the villa grew even eerier.

On the seventeenth night, before going to bed, the male lead sprinkled laundry detergent across the bedroom doorway and the second-floor hallway, hoping to track the evil spirit’s movements.

In the middle of the night, he woke up to strange noises. Looking down, he saw bizarre footprints on the floor near the bed. The powder at the doorway and in the hallway had been disturbed, revealing even more ghostly footprints.

Following the tracks with his camcorder, he was led to a small storage room next door. The attic hatch in the storage room had been pushed open.

Climbing a ladder, he reached the attic and discovered an old photograph of the female lead as a child. The picture had burn marks.

However, this villa belonged to the male lead’s family. The appearance of the female lead’s lost childhood photo in this house was anything but normal.

On the eighteenth day, the female lead called Dr. Adelaus, an exorcist, for help. But he was out of town and wouldn’t be available anytime soon.

Left with no choice, she contacted Dr. Frederick and scheduled an appointment for the next day.

On the eighteenth night, at around 3 a.m., the male lead was awakened by a strange noise. Just as he opened his eyes, the bedroom door suddenly slammed shut with great force.

The couple got up and stepped out to investigate. The moment they left the room, the door slammed shut again, followed by heavy stomping noises coming from inside.

The female lead screamed in terror.

"Link, can we shoot these scenes during the daytime? Filming at night is really creepy. Even with clothes on, I feel a chill down my spine," Monica said after the scene wrapped up, rubbing her arms.

It was summer, and the indoor temperature in San Diego hovered around 79°F. The weather wasn’t cold, yet Monica, wearing a tank top and shorts, hugged herself as if she were freezing.

"There are no ghosts in this world. What are you afraid of?" Link said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and gently rubbing her smooth skin.

"How can you be so sure? Do you know how many psychics work in the entertainment industry? Sylvester Stallone’s mother was a famous astrologer and medium. When Stallone was just a gym teacher, she told him to write screenplays and pursue acting, predicting he’d become a superstar. He followed her advice, and now look—he’s a huge star. Also, Billy Bob Thornton’s mother was a renowned medium who supposedly communicated with spirits. We should be careful."

"Alright, you have a point."

Link didn’t argue about whether ghosts existed. But from Monica’s words, he realized that many people in the Western world truly believed in the supernatural, which explained why horror films had such a strong market there.

Every year, several horror movies achieved impressive box office numbers.

In the future, when promoting films, he could use the media to highlight paranormal events, flooding American news outlets with eerie stories. If done well, these stories could even make the news.

If audiences truly believed in ghosts, it would only enhance the film’s horror appeal.

Checking the time, Link saw that it was nearly midnight.

"Chris, you can sleep now. We're done for today."

"Finally! Pretending to be a ghost every day is exhausting," Chris Bauer yawned as he headed downstairs to his bedroom.

Link turned off several lights, placed the camcorder on a tripod, and aimed it at the bed.

After washing up, Monica climbed into bed wearing a tank top and shorts. She leaned on one arm, resting her hand on her curvy hips, striking a pose like the goddess Venus. Her hourglass figure was mesmerizing.

"Wow, so sexy! Even Venus herself would be jealous of you."

"Thanks! It’s my safe period today."

"That’s the best news I’ve heard all day."

As Link tossed aside his towel and got into bed, Monica leaned against his chest, her fingers tracing his skin, her eyes sparkling.

Understanding her unspoken invitation, Link kissed her deeply, his hand sliding slowly down her body to a familiar, comfortable place.

Thud!

A sudden noise came from downstairs.

Monica jumped, clutching his waist tightly.

"Hey, Chris, sleep properly and stop messing around!" Link shouted toward the door.

"It wasn’t me. Just an accident. Fine, I was going to tell you to keep it down. It’s been four nights in a row. If you keep making so much noise, the neighbors might complain."

"Don’t exaggerate. Get some sleep."

Link turned back to Monica, kissing her as they got lost in each other.

The temperature in the bedroom rose steadily.

A faint creaking noise came from under the bed.

The evil spirit was in action.

(End of Chapter)