441-445

Chapter 441: Three Waves of Frenzy

Average viewership reached 6.3 million, with a peak moment hitting 7 million.

The average rating was 5.7, with the highest moment reaching 6.6.

These numbers are astonishing for any late-night show on any TV station; they are even impressive for prime-time slots, easily placing the show in the top three for the entire day. Without a doubt, this show dropped a deep-sea bomb on the North American continent—

Submarines began to surface.

And all this was just the ratings for the final 40 minutes of "The Tonight Show."

It may sound absurd, but if you include the ratings from the first half featuring interviews with Natalie and Ewan, the overall average would actually drop.

Even so, this was enough for "The Tonight Show" to crush its competitors effortlessly, setting the best ratings of the first half of 2002 and further solidifying its position as the king of talk shows. But since when did the undisputed king of North American media, "Star Wars," become a liability dragging things down?

Ridiculous!

Yet, that's exactly what happened.

The ratings are the most straightforward and accurate evidence, and even the producers of "The Tonight Show" didn't expect such a stellar performance.

Of course, they anticipated good ratings, but to this extent?

Unbelievable.

Maybe Jay Leno was the only one who wasn't surprised.

No wonder Jay Leno was so confident from the start, even going to NBC's higher-ups right away, willing to make a fuss. With Jay Leno's two-decade career in Hollywood, why would he escalate to management over a minor issue?

As it turns out, just as Jay Leno himself said:

This is his show, and he knows its impact better than anyone. If the quality wasn't up to par, why would he risk his reputation to appease an independent band?

After the ratings were released, Jay Leno's actions suddenly made sense.

Even more surprising, and definitely worth noting, is that the peak moment in viewership wasn't during the opening or closing musical performances, but in the middle of the interview.

The moment Anson got up and left the studio.

To be precise, it was the moment Anson switched from being a band member to an actor, catching Jay Leno off guard—a rare occurrence.

That scene, that moment, sparked heated debates in millions of households, and you could almost picture jaws dropping all over the country.

This was the pinnacle.

In other words, the concerns Adam Scott had didn't materialize. Not only did they not occur, but quite the opposite—Anson's wit, performance, and reactions became the highlight of the show, even surpassing the band's jaw-dropping performance to become the night's peak moment.

And so, it happened.

Moreover, the ratings frenzy was just one aspect; the real climax of the show was the media frenzy led by the Los Angeles Times.

"From the streets of Manhattan to 'The Tonight Show' studio, an independent band crosses mountains in pursuit of their dream."

"Jay Leno's bold experiment: an unknown band shines on 'The Tonight Show.'"

"No name, no album, the comeback of a ragtag group."

"So, is this... an eight-handed symphony?"

"From 'Wake Me Up' to 'Hero,' an unknown band ignites North America's midnight craze."

"Spectacular, marvelous, unbelievable—a breath of fresh air, yet unreleased."

"One second to be hooked—a new band is born."

The focus, the buzz, the heated discussions.

Big and small media outlets alike immediately turned their attention to "The Tonight Show."

"The Tonight Show" has always been a media focal point, not even requiring NBC's promotion. After every episode airs, there's always a wave of media coverage, which is why major movie crews flock to the show for promotions—it comes with built-in traffic.

Moreover, this particular episode was already highly anticipated. The promotional campaign for "Star Wars: Episode II" was ready to go, with countless official press releases waiting in the wings. Numerous journalists had to watch the show to avoid missing the next day's news.

The result?

A frenzy ensued, triggering a full-blown explosion.

The first wave, of course, was the coverage of "Star Wars: Episode II." As expected, it was a tidal wave of coverage, with the reigning king of traffic once again living up to its name.

Among these reports were a few scattered pieces about the band.

However, over time, reports centered around the band began to surface, sweeping through the media landscape and taking over the spotlight.

Covering "Star Wars: Episode II" is a habit. Regardless of the show's impact, the coverage needs to keep up—no journalist would be foolish enough to miss out.

Covering the unknown band, however, was a passion. As Jay Leno mentioned, a band so full of highlights and buzz that it's not even a proper band, hasn't even recorded songs—this was a surreal and magical moment.

The band had no name.

The songs had no titles.

What kind of absurdity was this?

After the show aired, viewers who were interested in the band or the songs were at a loss. They couldn't buy an album, request a song on the radio, or even listen to it again.

This wasn't a hypothetical scenario; it was reality.

It was so absurd it was laughable. Even seasoned media members admitted:

This was something they'd never seen before.

And so.

The media, big and small, without any mobilization or coordination, spontaneously focused on the band, with discussions about them becoming unstoppable—

Genuine and enthusiastic debates began.

The frenzy gradually overtook "Star Wars: Episode II," submerging it.

Later, a funny yet true phenomenon unfolded across North America.

In 2002, with limited internet access, if someone heard a song they liked but couldn't find it, calling a radio station to request it was the easiest solution. Radio request rates were also an important chart indicator.

After this episode of "The Tonight Show" aired, a similar phenomenon occurred in different cities and regions across North America.

Listeners called in to request songs but couldn't name the song or the artist—they just hummed a tune or gave a weird guessed title, hoping the radio host could help.

Something like "Let Me Go," "Youthful Ignorance," "Knowing the Way," "Lost Myself," "Masquerade," "Walk With Me."

All kinds of odd titles.

Completely unheard-of song names, with these "misheard lyrics" giving radio hosts plenty of laughs, becoming talk show material.

But without exception, no radio host could help.

They couldn't do anything—

Even if listeners accurately mentioned "The Tonight Show Band" or hummed the melody, the radio stations couldn't help because the band hadn't released any albums.

In a laughable turn of events, "The Tonight Show Band" left behind a legend—everyone knew the band, but no one knew its name, so they called it "The Tonight Show Band" as a nickname.

Unexpectedly, it became a hit.

If this were a planned campaign, a record company meticulously crafting a mysterious band, it might have failed because too much planning could ruin the natural vibe. But now, it just happened and became a phenomenon.

And yet, this still isn't the whole story.

So far, we've only seen two waves of frenzy. The third wave is just starting.

*Chapter 442: The Curved Path to Success*

"The Tonight Show" was a guaranteed topic of conversation, and in 2002, when television was still the biggest promotional platform, Jay Leno’s show led the pack in promotional effectiveness. This time was no different, and it far exceeded expectations.

If the initial news surge from "Star Wars: Episode I" promoting on "The Tonight Show" was the first wave, and the spontaneous discussions surrounding the band were the second wave, then the entire North American continent was swept up in discussions about the show. "The Tonight Show" reached an unprecedented new height in viewership.

The third wave, however, was the true focus. Whether it was "Star Wars" or "The Tonight Show," they both became star-making machines.

The impact was overwhelming—

"Witty and humorous, Anson Wood creates a peak moment for 'The Tonight Show.'"

"When Anson Wood meets Jay Leno: The Best Talk Show of the Year."

"A breath of fresh air, a ray of sunshine, Anson brings new life to 'The Tonight Show.'"

"A musician, actor, comedian, and more... So, who exactly is Anson Wood?"

"The birth of a superstar, with 'The Tonight Show' as witness."

"A new star personally endorsed by Jay Leno, 'The Tonight Show' makes history again."

Anson. Anson. It was all about Anson.

The overwhelming flood of coverage swept across North America, and the buzz around the show was palpable.

Multiple media outlets joined the discussion:

Jay Leno, the king of talk shows, battle-hardened, shrewd, and experienced, had faced countless challenges both on and off the air. Yet, a mere newcomer—appearing on a talk show for the first time—caught him off guard, leading to a rare lapse during the recording.

Because of this, the moment when Anson left the set and reappeared as Superman became one of the classic moments of 2002.

Even by the end of the year, when major media outlets were doing their year-end summaries, this moment was still a hot topic of discussion. Numerous authoritative magazines and media outlets listed it among the classic screen moments of the year and the top entertainment events, not missing this iconic scene.

After the widespread coverage, some industry professionals raised doubts:

Was it all prearranged by the show's producers?

Led by "The Hollywood Reporter," authoritative industry media delved deeper, conducting follow-up reports, and interviewing those involved, including producers, directors, Jay Leno, and Anson himself. The whole story was pieced together like a documentary.

Jay Leno commented, "If it was all prearranged, I wish I had exaggerated my performance more to add comedic effect."

The answer was clear.

The depth and follow-up of the subsequent reports showed that the buzz wasn’t just a fleeting moment of fame.

Not only was there a third wave, but also a fourth and fifth wave.

Adam Scott: Unbelievable.

In fact, when the third wave hit, Adam had already realized his mistake.

It was clear that NBC and "The Tonight Show" production team were going all out, using every connection to ignite a media frenzy. Moreover, it seemed that William Morris was also utilizing its media resources, with Darren Star and David Crane quietly contributing from behind the scenes.

Power was quietly converging, triggering a full-scale explosion.

Then.

Before "The Hollywood Reporter" could dive into the behind-the-scenes of the show, another authoritative industry magazine, "Variety," jumped ahead with an in-depth report.

"Who is Anson Wood?"

According to Adam’s later investigation, after the recording of "The Tonight Show" wrapped, Edgar contacted the editor-in-chief of "Variety," mobilizing the resources of Jay Leno, Steven Spielberg, and Darren Star, and ultimately convinced "Variety" to write a feature story first.

And it wasn’t just a feature.

If it were only a feature, even for an authoritative outlet like "Variety," Edgar wouldn’t have gone to such lengths. The real key was:

A feature, a cover story, and a takeover.

Originally, the cover of that issue of "Variety" was planned to feature Tom Cruise.

Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg’s summer blockbuster "Minority Report" was set to hit theaters on June 21st, distributed by 20th Century Fox. The film’s promotional campaign had already begun, including a feature in "Variety."

But Edgar pulled some strings, even persuading Steven Spielberg to intervene.

In the end, "Variety" replaced the "Minority Report" feature at the last minute, using Anson as the cover, and the feature was entirely centered on him—

All of this happened within just one week.

Beneath the surface, the tides were shifting.

This was both a gamble and a challenge, but the key was that Edgar seized the opportunity. Even William Morris stood behind Edgar, ignoring warnings from Sony Columbia, and supported Edgar in pushing the entire project forward, successfully creating a miracle.

This issue of "Variety" became a turning point.

The magazine’s focus was solely on Anson—not "The Tonight Show" or "Spider-Man," but purely Anson himself. As the summer blockbuster season was about to kick off, this bold move carved out a new path, providing readers with fresh discussion topics beyond the usual summer fare.

The story began with Paris Fashion Week, discussing Anson’s fashion sense and his views on model runway shows; then it transitioned to the band, talking about the Manhattan street performances and the magical experience on "The Tonight Show;" finally, it landed on his acting career. With the upcoming release of "Spider-Man," Anson was set to lead his first major film, naturally leading to his thoughts on acting and being an actor.

Fashion, "The Tonight Show," "Spider-Man"—none of these were the focus. The only focus was Anson himself—his views on these topics, his experiences with these trending events, and his understanding of different things.

In the end, "Variety" concluded with this:

"Who is Anson Wood?

Just as a thousand people can have a thousand Hamlets, different people will see different Anson Woods. He is a mystery waiting to be unraveled, a book waiting to be read. No one knows exactly what it contains until they start to explore it. The journey has only just begun."

"Variety" magazine, one of the two pillars of Hollywood’s industry publications, delivered an in-depth feature with no signs of the rushed work done in just a few days. Instead, it took a unique approach to fully present a newcomer—

A newcomer worth anticipating and exploring.

And it left the answer up to the readers.

This issue of "Variety" sold 400,000 copies in just three days, easily achieving the highest sales for the magazine in 2002, second only to the issue covering Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston’s wedding since the millennium. And the magazine was still selling; it wasn’t impossible for it to eventually surpass that record.

Anson, "Variety."

"Variety," Anson.

A perfect win-win.

By the time things reached this point, Adam knew it was out of control—

"Spider-Man" had entered the public eye with a bang.

Chapter 443: The Wise Adapt to the Times

Clearly, the situation has veered off course, completely disrupting Sony Columbia's promotional plans. An unseen hand is pushing things forward with full force.

At this point, Adam Scott has no choice.

Stubbornly clinging to meaningless confidence and pride, continuing to go against the grain, would only backfire and cut off their chances of success. Not only do they need to seize the opportunity and ride the momentum, but they also need to quickly capitalize on the growing buzz to launch their promotion.

The wise adapt to the times.

Admitting fault? So what? As long as "Spider-Man" performs well at the box office, everything that's happened so far will be forgotten, and no one will care.

Who would have thought that an interview about a street-performing indie band would turn into a tidal wave of summer blockbuster promotion? Or that a talk show, which initially sparked concerns that Anson might expose his weaknesses, would instead become a turning point?

Things have completely gone off track.

But the key is that the momentum Sony Columbia has been waiting for has finally arrived, and Adam has no reason to miss out.

Not only should they not miss out, but they must also seize the opportunity immediately.

So, Sony Columbia sprang into action, mobilizing all their resources with a determination to succeed. The promotional campaign was launched in full force.

Magazines? Check.

Radio? Check.

Talk shows? Check.

No stone left unturned.

However, this time, Adam and Edgar were on the same page:

Talk shows shouldn't be overdone.

Although "The Tonight Show" has generated a lot of interest in Anson, with people eager to see him on more talk shows, appearing too often could lead to overexposure and quickly turn enthusiasm into annoyance. The novelty that "The Tonight Show" has built up could be quickly exhausted.

So, while talk shows are still a good idea, they need to be selective.

"The Oprah Winfrey Show."

This became the only talk show appearance that Anson and the band members agreed to after the unexpected buzz generated by "The Tonight Show."

First, by choosing a morning talk show, they avoided repetition with late-night shows while targeting a different audience.

Second, when it came to selecting between two top morning shows—NBC's "Today" and the current ratings leader, "The Oprah Winfrey Show"—the latter won out.

Not because of the ratings, but because of the format.

"Today" wanted the band to perform live at Rockefeller Plaza in New York. The problem is, the band only has two songs, not even enough to meet the minimum standard of three songs for a small concert.

Moreover, "Today" focused on the band, wanting to delve into the band itself. But Edgar and Adam wanted the focus to be on Anson, making him the central topic.

"The Oprah Winfrey Show," on the other hand, was willing to give Anson and the band a full episode for an in-depth interview. After discussing the format and content, they settled on appearing on the queen of morning talk shows following their appearance on the king of late-night talk shows.

Precise targeting, with the right balance, and an effective strategy of creating anticipation.

Step by step, the promotion was rolled out in full force.

An all-out, overwhelming assault—

Literally.

What's unbelievable is that it seems the entire Hollywood film industry is helping out—not just Sony Columbia, not just NBC.

It's true that once the summer blockbuster season kicks off, movies will be competing fiercely against each other. But until then, everyone is focused on the bigger picture.

The overall slump in the entertainment industry.

The shadow of last year's 9/11 attacks still hangs over everything, like a dark cloud. No one knows when or how the market's vitality will be revived.

This isn't just about one movie; it's about the survival of the entire industry.

Previously, people watched "Spider-Man" with a certain detachment, even a bit of schadenfreude. If Sony Columbia stumbled, they wouldn't cheer but wouldn't mind either.

But now, a small window of opportunity has appeared, a faint glimmer of hope. The film industry isn't sure if this is the turning point, but since it has appeared, they should set aside their differences and unite to overcome this challenge. This is no longer just about one movie.

If "Spider-Man" can break the ice and revive the market, all movies will benefit.

This is what you call perspective.

The right thing at the right time—

No wonder "Minority Report" was willing to give up the "Variety" cover opportunity to Anson, and even Tom Cruise didn't complain.

No wonder the "Star Wars: Episode II" team didn't object to Anson stealing the spotlight on "The Tonight Show."

No wonder "Variety" and "The Hollywood Reporter," the two titans of the industry, are unusually united.

From top to bottom, everyone is working together.

Even if they don't help, at least they won't be an obstacle.

Like Natalie and Ewan.

Clearly, they didn't enjoy representing their film on "The Tonight Show" only to be overshadowed completely. The subtle jabs and sarcastic remarks were especially hurtful, making it tough for them to enthusiastically support Anson with a smile.

But at least they didn't stand in the way.

The "Star Wars: Episode II" team is also hopeful. If "Spider-Man" can wake up the market and heat things up, maybe this will be their chance to explode into the scene. Perhaps "Spider-Man" will pave the way for them.

After all, "Star Wars" is still the undisputed top franchise in North America.

One good turn deserves another.

That's fine.

So, Hollywood witnesses a rare moment of unity. Newspapers, magazines, radio, and television are all buzzing with discussions. Everyone is spontaneously joining the conversation in their own way, forming a loose but self-disciplined alliance of mutual support.

With all these factors, the buzz around "The Tonight Show" was pushed to a whole new level—

Anson.

Dominating screens everywhere, in every nook and cranny.

Whether or not they watched "The Tonight Show," whether or not they're interested in the band or the movie, they've at least "heard" about it once. This has become a significant turning point before the summer blockbuster season kicks off.

Naturally, the density and intensity of "Spider-Man's" promotional schedule have also increased twofold. Sony Columbia's promotional investment is now in full swing, sparing no expense and pulling out all the stops to ensure top-tier promotion.

Opportunities belong to those who are prepared.

A full upgrade!

Without a doubt, this is the busiest and most exhausting period in Anson's career as an actor. "Spider-Man" already had a packed promotional schedule, but thanks to the viral success of "The Tonight Show," Anson's promotional activities have doubled, leaving him barely any time to rest.

Now, Anson truly feels the weight of being the leading actor.

No wonder the "20 Million Club" isn't easy to enter. Actors who command such high fees must bear the corresponding box office responsibility. If the film doesn't perform well, it proves that the actor's cost-effectiveness is too low, and future film studios may hesitate at the sight of high paychecks.

Actors don't want to see this scenario, so they must give their all during the promotion.

Now, it's Anson's turn.

Chapter 444: Full Fermentation

Everything was new and unfamiliar.

Over the past three weeks, Anson's life felt like it had been tossed into a spin dryer, with the high-speed setting turned on.

Hotel. Car.

These two places became his constant companions as he traveled across every corner of North America, constantly moving from city to city for promotions, day and night, never settling.

He was either in a hotel room or a car, or in theaters, studios, recording booths, or meet-and-greet venues. All of them were box-like, enclosed spaces. Occasionally, he could glimpse the streets speeding by outside the car window, but before he could take in the view, he'd already drifted off to sleep.

Cities?

Forget sightseeing; he didn't even have time to take a good look.

Every day was just a monotonous cycle of switching between different indoor settings. Whether he was in New Orleans or Denver, Little Rock or Mexico City, it all seemed to blend together with no noticeable difference.

Even the interviews, conversations, and audience interactions became repetitive, with the same topics, interactions, and templates being copied and pasted over and over. No matter how much enthusiasm he had, it was gradually worn down by the endless repetition.

The only saving grace was that in 2002, the concept of a "global premiere" existed but hadn't yet become widespread. So, the promotional efforts were still limited to North America, without the need to fly across oceans and continents. The long and tedious promotion seemed somewhat bearable.

In his past life, Anson had read an interview with three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis, where he said:

"Promoting a movie is more exhausting than filming it; and the award season's public relations grind is utterly draining."

At the time, Anson didn't understand this; but now, he was starting to get it. Behind the glamorous and bustling world of movies, things were clearly not as simple as they seemed.

Promotion isn't just tiring; it's an all-encompassing grind.

Day after day, repetition after repetition, it slowly erodes one's sense of time and space, like a hurricane sweeping away the soul.

At first, his mind still had some confusion:

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

Every time he arrived in a new place, he could spot differences amid the similarities, like a "spot the difference" game, stimulating his brain to think. Questions would arise, and his brain seemed to have the energy to process them.

But slowly, those questions began to lose their meaning. The order of time and space became completely disordered, and it was impossible to keep up with the pace. Endless questions filled his mind, but instead of pondering them, he preferred to close his eyes and catch five more minutes of sleep.

Eventually, the confusion and uncertainty were replaced by a numb acceptance.

Now, Anson finally understood why actors and directors often seemed so tired and robotic during movie promotions, utterly devoid of energy—

It's like a marathon, slowly wearing you down.

But what fault is it of the fans and the audience?

They just want to get close to the actors. To them, those repetitive topics are all fresh, especially in an era when the internet wasn't as developed, and the speed and reach of information were limited, making it even more so.

To avoid becoming one of those "emotionless promotional machines," Anson often took over the host's role at promotional events, casually chatting with the audience—

Sometimes about superheroes, sometimes about comics, sometimes about music or other hobbies, and sometimes playing small interactive games with the audience.

The hosts would be frazzled, sweating bullets, but Anson and the audience would be having a blast. James Franco and Kirsten Dunst, not wanting to miss out on the fun, would also join in, causing even more chaos. The three young stars ended up having a great time.

This became one of the most talked-about highlights of the "Spider-Man" promotional period.

Every time a promotional event ended, the news media eagerly reported on it, and some newspapers even took an unconventional approach by sending out teams to follow the "Spider-Man" promotional tour, spreading interesting tidbits about the events as quickly as possible.

Twenty years later, such "live updates" would be commonplace on social media platforms, but in 2002, this was groundbreaking and novel.

However, for Anson, without the seamless connectivity of smartphones, he had no way of gauging the promotional momentum or the level of public discussion. Constantly moving from one city to another, he couldn’t feel the buzz—

It all felt unreal.

Even though Edgar and the "Spider-Man" promotional team kept telling them that everything was on track and that the promotional impact was far exceeding expectations, Anson and the others had no way to verify this. They couldn’t see or touch the results.

Rumors circulated about "full fermentation, full explosion," and how "all of North America was in a frenzy," but they were just rumors. Anson and his team were still lost in a chaotic journey through time and space, as if they had been thrown into a black hole.

Anson was utterly exhausted.

It was a kind of burnout.

Sleeping two to three hours a night became the norm, and Anson developed the skill of sleeping in the backseat of a car. James and Kirsten were in the same boat; they didn’t seem like movie stars at all but rather like gypsies, constantly wandering and on the move.

Even though they had mastered the art of falling asleep anywhere, anytime, they were still sleep-deprived. At any moment, in any brief pause, they might drift into a semi-conscious state, losing all sense of where they were or what they were doing—

Buzz.

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

His phone was vibrating. The sound, faint at first, quickly caught his attention, and instinctively he mumbled, "I'm up, I'm awake."

But in reality, his eyes remained tightly shut. Every extra second of sleep was precious.

Finally, the buzzing stopped.

Anson became more alert, his first reflex being that the car had stopped, which meant he had to get out and move. He sat up straight with a start.

Squinting, he looked around, trying to figure out where he was. Before he could fully process his surroundings, his phone buzzed again, instantly grabbing his attention.

This time, Anson finally realized what was going on. He reached for his phone on the bedside table, curled up, and buried himself back under the covers.

"Hello, this is Anson."

His voice was hoarse and heavy, laden with sleep, as he lazily greeted the caller.

On the other end of the line, there was a flurry of activity.

"… A ticket to Los Angeles, the sooner, the better. Yes, right away, immediately!" The person seemed to be talking to someone else, only realizing the call had connected a moment later. They urgently asked, "Anson? Anson! Jesus Christ, are you okay? Anson?"

Anson: Buzz, buzz, buzz.

A buzzing echoed in his head, like a persistent drone.

"I'm fine. I'll be out soon, just give me a moment to… wash up… just a bit…"

Nonsensical.

Anson didn’t even know what he was saying. He sat up groggily but then just sat there, legs crossed, with his hair a mess, staring blankly.

On the other end of the line, the person held their breath, "Anson, are you sure you’re okay? Are you really alright?"

*Chapter 445: Making a Fuss*

"Anson, are you alright? Are you sure you're okay?"

"Jesus Christ."

"Where are you right now? What happened? Are you still doing okay?"

One question after another, like a machine gun, they came rapid-fire, barely leaving time for Anson to respond before more questions were thrown his way, nearly overwhelming him.

Finally, Anson regained his composure slightly. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

He took the phone away from his ear and glanced at the caller ID—

Only then did it dawn on him that there was no caller ID, just a phone number. His muddled brain couldn't recall whose number it was.

"Uh, sorry, but who is this?"

One second. Two seconds.

The phone: ...

A wave of speechlessness hit him. It was both ridiculous and funny. He had a curse ready to slip out, but he swallowed it back down, rubbing his temples and letting out a long sigh.

"I'm your brother."

Anson lifted his chin slightly. "Oh, Luca, what's up? Something wrong?"

It would have been better if he hadn't asked; the moment he did, Lucas was immediately infuriated. "Something wrong? Anson Wood, are you seriously asking me what's wrong?"

"Since last night, how many times has Mom called you? You didn't answer any of them, didn't return her messages, and only just now did she call me because she was worried about you."

"And then, when I called, you didn't answer either. God, I almost..."

Lucas trailed off, feeling a wave of fear—

Almost. He nearly blurted it out.

Barely managing to stop himself in time, Lucas bit down hard on his tongue, the taste of blood spreading in his mouth as he struggled to control himself. Afraid of giving himself away, he hastily changed the subject.

"Your agent said you were resting at home, but we couldn't reach you at all. Neither your cell phone nor your landline was being answered. Mom thought you might have passed out at home from drinking too much."

Lucas said it casually, but Anson caught onto it—

Suddenly, Anson remembered how he had time-traveled: the white powder on the toilet lid.

A wave of guilt washed over him. He didn't notice the slight uptick in Lucas' tone when he changed the subject; instead, he was worried about inadvertently revealing something again and quickly tried to steer the conversation away.

"Sorry, I was asleep."

At that moment, Anson glanced back at his phone screen and noticed the seven missed call notifications. The voicemail box was probably full too.

He scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Uh, I was completely out. Sorry."

His nonchalant tone made Lucas choke on his words. All the anger he had built up got stuck in his throat and eventually turned into helplessness and absurdity. Lucas felt his temples throb with frustration.

"You should really get an assistant."

"Huh?" Anson still hadn't fully woken up. His brain wasn't functioning, and he couldn't keep up with the conversation. He had no idea where Lucas was getting this idea from.

Lucas clarified, "I said, you need an assistant."

"You have work, and your rest time is scheduled too. Your agent and publicist can't be with you all the time—they're not your babysitters. You're not good at handling all the little things yourself. You're the kind of guy who could take three hours to get back from buying eggs at the convenience store. You need an assistant to help with the small stuff."

"At the very least, someone to answer your calls, drive you around, organize your wardrobe, and stock your fridge. You can't do all that by yourself."

"Besides, after 'Spider-Man' comes out, you're going to need an assistant to fend off crazed fans and paparazzi. You can't keep wandering around on your own."

Blah, blah, blah.

Anson drooped his head, feeling like his eardrums might start bleeding. He decided it was easier to just agree. "Alright."

But clearly, Lucas wasn't listening. He raised his voice slightly. "Anson, I'm serious. You need an assistant. If you can't afford it, I'll hire one for you."

"Yeah, that's a great idea. I'll handle the interviews and help you pick an assistant. You're not allowed to argue, and don't try to sneak off."

Anson: ... "Okay."

"Anson Wood!"

"Luke, I said okay. I'm sleep-deprived, and my head feels like it's going to split open. Could you slow down a bit?"

Lucas: ... "Sorry."

He quickly admitted his mistake without a second's hesitation.

Pride? What's that? Is it edible?

Lucas softened his tone. "You need to get some proper rest."

"That's why I slept for twelve hours."

"......"

"Haha, sorry, Luke, I didn't mean to blame you. So, why did Mom call me?"

"Are you seriously asking? You asked her two weeks ago about going to Columbus for some inspiration, and you wanted her to check if her friend's studio would be available for you to use. She was calling you back to let you know."

The Columbus he's referring to is a city in Ohio.

For many people, this city isn't well-known and doesn't seem to have much to offer. But in fact, it's quite special and modern, home to fifteen Fortune 1000 companies, all of which are focused on future technology.

So, the city's architectural style is also unique:

Clean, sharp lines and the widespread use of artificial intelligence are key elements, blending a retro and futuristic feel to create a distinct charm.

After finishing filming "Catch Me If You Can," and before diving into the full-on summer promotion for "Spider-Man," Anson originally had about ten days free. He planned to leave Los Angeles and head to Columbus for some peace and quiet, perhaps even finding inspiration for his art among the city's buildings—

Painting helps him calm down.

So, Anson had asked Nora about it.

But even Anson hadn't anticipated how everything would come at him like a tornado, completely derailing his plans. He had entirely forgotten about Columbus.

However...

The overwhelming buzz across North America didn't seem to affect Nora and Lucas much, proving once again that:

The impact of the film industry isn't that far-reaching—not everyone watches movies.

At least, the other members of the Wood family don't. They had no idea how popular Anson had become.

Anson rubbed his temples gently. "Sorry, I totally forgot about that. There's no way I can go now. Even if I did, it would have to be at the end of May."

"Ah, sorry, sorry, Luke. I'll call Mom myself and explain."

Lucas realized Anson's raspy voice was a clear sign he wasn't fully awake. "You should drink some water and then go back to sleep. Since you've already slept for twelve hours, maybe you should get something to eat first?"

Right on cue, Anson's stomach growled.

Lucas actually heard it. "Your stomach is already protesting." He couldn't help but smile as he spoke.

Anson was about to retort when the doorbell rang downstairs. "Luke, did you send Edgar to check up on me? Otherwise, who would be here now?"

Grumbling as he went downstairs, Anson opened the front door to find two middle-aged men in suits and gold-rimmed glasses standing before him.

Anson blinked. "Sorry, I'm a Buddhist."