126-130

Chapter 126: The Hurricane Rescue

“Mr. Kelly, I’m very sorry!”

Mr. Norton shook his head, communication failed.

Cruz’s assistant emphasized that this film was crucial for him, and they couldn’t afford any mistakes, still insisting on replacing the actor.

Luca frowned. Ever since Tom Cruise’s divorce from Nicole Kidman, his film career hadn’t been great. Several films he starred in or produced, including Vanilla Sky, Narc, and The Human Stain, performed only average at the box office and critically.

He used to be an SS-tier star, but now he's dropped to S-tier, slowly being caught up by actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Will Smith.

In an effort to break through, Cruise took on the role of a hitman in Collateral, his first time playing a villain in a movie. He even dyed his hair gray, a sign of his commitment.

There were even jokes in the news that said Cruise was flirting with the Oscars, indicating how much he valued the movie. Unfortunately, it was like winking at a blind person; the Oscars once again disappointed him.

“Luca, it’s a tough situation for you. The company will surely give you an explanation.”

Ed sighed.

“An explanation?”

Luca shook his head. Tom Cruise was a big name in Hollywood, one of the greatest stars in the world. Every major film company catered to him. What kind of explanation could the agency provide?

“Mr. Cruise, can we talk?”

Just as Cruise was about to leave, Luca suddenly called out.

Cruise stopped for a moment, his handsome eyebrows furrowing slightly.

“Luca, what are you doing?”

Ed tugged at him, worried he might lose his temper and punch Cruise.

“Mr. Kelly, Mr. Cruise isn’t someone who easily compromises,” Mr. Norton said, shaking his head.

“It’s okay, I want to give it a shot.”

Collateral had a budget of 65 million dollars, making it an A-list production, much better than Honey.

Even though his role only lasted a few seconds, if he performed well, it could be very beneficial.

Luca smiled slightly and walked up.

“Mr. Cruise, mind if I walk with you?”

He pointed to the subway exit.

Tom Cruise furrowed his brows deeply, his blue eyes flickering with an indecipherable gleam. Just as his assistant was about to stop Luca, Cruise suddenly smiled.

“Why not? I like talking to young people.”

Cruise smiled, a charming grin that exuded warmth.

“Thank you, Mr. Cruise.”

Luca thanked him and walked alongside Cruise and his entourage.

“Uh~”

Ed watched their backs, stunned. What was Luca trying to do? Was he trying to convince Cruise?

“Young people have ambition, which is good, but this is a bit too much.”

Producer Norton shook his head. Tom Cruise was known for being stubborn. Rumor had it that even at forty, Cruise still had a bit of childlike stubbornness. Once he made up his mind, it was hard to change.

“Mr. Norton, what do we do now?”

The assistant director asked helplessly.

“Let’s call it a day. I’ll inform the company to find another actor that Mr. Cruise is satisfied with.”

Producer Norton sighed. Cruise was a big name. Even though he wasn’t credited as a producer, the entire movie revolved around him. With the lead actor gone, all of today's preparations were wasted. Wages, location fees, and extras' pay amounted to losses of over two hundred thousand dollars.

“Alright.”

The assistant director returned to the crew to relay the message.

The crew began packing up their equipment, ready to go home.

“Mr. Cruise is back!”

Someone suddenly shouted.

“What?!”

Everyone looked over in surprise. They saw Mr. Cruise and Mr. Kelly walking and talking as they returned to the set together.

“Back?”

Mr. Norton was stunned.

“Mr. Norton, Mr. Cruise is ready to shoot whenever you are,” Cruise’s assistant informed him.

“But we haven’t chosen the actor for the contact role yet,” Mr. Norton hesitated.

“Mr. Kelly is a good choice.”

Cruise’s assistant said expressionlessly.

Mr. Norton was speechless. Just now, she said Luca wasn’t suitable, and now she says he is. Doesn’t she feel embarrassed contradicting herself?

“Mr. Norton, is there a problem?”

“No, please have Mr. Cruise get ready. We’ll start shooting right away!”

“Alright.”

The assistant left.

Mr. Norton frowned, staring at the crowd.

Luca Kelly didn’t suddenly shrink, and Cruise didn’t grow taller. So why was he now suitable?

Ed was just as puzzled. Moments ago, he worried Luca might throw a punch. He had followed them outside, but after just a few minutes, they returned to the set, seemingly getting along. How did Luca convince a superstar like Cruise in such a short time?

“Luca, what did you say to him?” Ed asked curiously.

Luca shrugged. “Nothing much. Remember I told you I wrote a script in France?”

“The one based on Miranda’s incident, Hurricane Rescue?”

“That’s the one!”

After seeing that video in the Bordeaux court, he immediately thought of a French film called Taken. It was about a retired American agent going to France to rescue his kidnapped daughter, with a similarly intense pace.

Inspired by that film, he wrote two scripts.

One was a faithful retelling of Kate and Miranda’s experience, titled Supermodel Strike Force. It was about Miranda’s ordeal, and supermodels Kate and Lima rescuing her in a high-speed car chase and shootout on the highway.

The other was a close adaptation of the French film Taken, which had a budget of over 20 million and grossed over 200 million, making it one of the most successful French films ever.

When he saw Cruise with his gray hair, Luca suddenly thought he’d be perfect to play the retired agent in Hurricane Rescue.

So he went over and had a quick chat, mentioning his role as a writer and highlighting the script’s selling points.

His goal was simple: Cruise was a big name. Whether it worked out or not, it was worth a shot. If he convinced him, he’d have another contact in Hollywood.

It turned out his gamble paid off.

Cruise showed some interest and wanted to see the script soon.

As they reached the subway exit, ready to part ways, Cruise glanced at him, then inexplicably turned back toward the set.

Luca couldn’t figure out what was going through his mind either but followed him back.

“Mr. Kelly, please get ready. We’ll start shooting in five minutes. Any issues?”

“No problem!”

“OK!”

Five minutes later, filming began.

The extras moved around freely as part of the crowd. Luca wore a black suit, his hair styled in a slightly messy but chic way.

Originally, he had a slicked-back hairstyle, but the director didn’t like it. Since Cruise also had a slicked-back look, two similar styles in the same shot would steal focus. So the makeup team gave him a more understated look, transforming him from a big boss to a minor thug.

Though Luca was tall, the styling toned him down.

He didn’t mind; without the slicked-back hair, he was still the most striking figure in the crowd.

Carrying a black leather suitcase, Luca walked while observing his surroundings.

Ahead of him, Cruise, wearing sunglasses and carrying a matching leather suitcase, walked steadily, each step heavy and deliberate.

Bam~

Luca bumped into Cruise from the side, and both of their suitcases fell to the ground simultaneously.

“You alright?” Cruise asked.

“I’m fine, no need to worry.”

Luca’s character, a contact, was familiar with Cruise’s hitman character, maybe even friends. So his tone was casual, with a hint of deeper meaning.

“Really alright?”

Cruise asked again.

“I’m fine!”

Luca raised his eyebrows as Cruise picked up the suitcase and walked away. “Hey, buddy, enjoy your time in L.A.!”

Cruise left with the suitcase.

“CUT!”

"Luca, you're too tense. I need you to act more relaxed. Also, when you bump into Cruise, it needs to be harder. Can you do that?" the director shouted.

"Got it, director. I'll adjust," Luca nodded.

The director gave a slight nod, "Tom, get ready. We'll go again in three minutes."

"OK!" Cruise said, carrying his black briefcase as he prepared to leave.

"Sorry, Mr. Cruise, that was my mistake," Luca took a couple of steps forward and said.

Cruise glanced at him and shook his head slightly, "Apologizing won't cut it. I need to see your performance. I hope you're more than just talk."

With that, Cruise turned and walked away.

Luca let out a small sigh. When he acted in Honey, he felt at ease, but compared to these veteran actors, the gap was clear.

"Come on!" he clenched his fist and returned to his spot.

"Scene one, take two of Collateral starts now!"

*Chapter 127: How Big Are You?*

“CUT!”

It was just after 5 PM on the set of Collateral.

Another scene had just ended, and director Michael Mann watched the footage on the monitor once more.

“OK! That’s a wrap for this scene!”

Whew.

Luca exhaled a breath of relief. They had shot the scene six times, and apart from one accident involving an extra, the other five takes were all his fault.

“Mr. Cruise, I’m really sorry,” Luca apologized.

Cruise waved it off. “You’ve bumped into me six times. Let’s hope your script makes it worth my while.”

“Mr. Cruise, I’ll get the script to you as soon as possible.”

“I’ll be waiting!”

Cruise rubbed his shoulder as he and his team left the set.

“Nice job, Luca!” Ed came over, smiling.

Luca shook his head. “Five takes—hardly ‘nice,’ wouldn’t you say?”

“No, no, that’s not it.”

Ed glanced around before speaking quietly, “Two of those were actually Cruise’s mistakes. The director just blamed you for them.”

“Really?”

Luca was surprised but still knew his acting couldn’t compare to Cruise’s level. He had to improve.

“Yeah, I overheard the director. Michael thinks your performance is solid, and you hold your own against the big stars. He also said you have a recognizable look—cool and a bit distant. Perfect for an action film.”

Luca smirked, “I’d love to do that kind of movie, but I still need the opportunity.”

“Don’t worry, it’ll come.”

After wrapping up the scene, the two of them left the set.

The sun was setting, and the streets were packed with cars and people heading home. Bars, clubs, and other entertainment venues lit up their neon signs, as if competing with the fading sunlight.

Surrounded by the bustle, Luca took off his suit and switched to a beach shirt, shedding his heavy exterior and instantly feeling more relaxed.

“Where to, Ed?” Luca asked.

“Back to the hotel.”

“Let’s go to The Walker Bar.”

Luca looked at his phone. “Britney’s in LA. She texted saying she’s at a bar near Santa Monica Pier with friends, and wants me to join.”

“Alright!”

Ed drove them quickly to Santa Monica Pier. The area was lively, packed with tourists and full of bars, nightclubs, an amusement park, and an aquarium. By night, this place was always a party.

One of the more famous spots was The Walker Bar, a members-only place with a private, tea-house vibe, much like those in Japan.

Drinks here were expensive—a simple Scotch whiskey could go for twenty dollars—but it was always packed with patrons.

Within half an hour, they were at the pier. The sunset, beach, waves, and music created a perfect ambiance, with beautiful women everywhere.

“Coming in?” Luca asked as he got out of the car.

“No, no, it’s too noisy for me. I prefer quieter places.”

“Alright, see you tomorrow!”

Luca waved, then blended into the crowd.

“How was it acting opposite Tom Cruise?” Britney asked as they sat in The Walker Bar that evening. It was around 6 PM, and the bar was almost full.

The place always played music from the '60s and '70s—slow, sultry, and stylish.

“It was fine, I guess. I just got cut four times. The pressure was intense,” Luca shrugged, feeling a little defeated. At first, the pressure was minor.

By the third or fourth cut, he saw the growing impatience on Cruise’s face. The pressure was immense, and he started doubting his own acting abilities. He almost considered quitting, but fortunately, the fifth take went smoothly.

Even so, it was embarrassing, especially since he used to think his acting wasn’t bad.

“Only four times?” Britney said, resting her chin on her hand and wagging a finger. “Last year, when I was filming Crossroads, I got cut ten times during one scene. I almost quit.”

Crossroads was Britney’s first movie. It was about three childhood friends reuniting after eight years during a country road trip, rekindling their friendship. A small-budget film of about $5 million, it grossed nearly $20 million, which wasn’t bad.

“How did you finally nail it?” Luca asked, curious.

“It was simple. I got angry, and the director passed me,” Britney said with a mischievous grin.

Luca chuckled, “That’s diva behavior!”

“Yep!” she laughed.

“Hey, Britney! So, this is where you’ve been!”

A girl dressed in an edgy, punk-rock style approached. Her hair was in big waves, and she wore smoky eye makeup and a nose ring. She looked familiar.

“Hi, Avril! You’re late!” Britney hugged the girl.

Avril?

Luca recognized her—Avril Lavigne, last year’s Grammy-winning Best Female Rock Artist and currently on a world tour. She was a huge star, dubbed the "Pop-Punk Princess."

“Is this your Mr. Big, Britney?” Avril asked, turning her attention to Luca.

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Lavigne. I’m Luca,” he said, standing to greet her.

Avril raised an eyebrow. “Britney, he doesn’t seem cool at all. He looks stiff and old-fashioned, like an old man. How could you like him?”

Luca smiled awkwardly. Did she really just say that to his face?

Britney laughed. “Luca’s only twenty-one. He’s just mature and steady. Don’t you think that kind of guy is attractive?”

Avril shook her head. “Not at all. If he wasn’t good-looking, I wouldn’t even bother.”

“Avril, that’s enough,” Britney said sternly.

“Alright, alright.” Avril flicked her hair back and sat down. Then she seemed to remember something.

“Wait a minute!”

“What is it?” Luca frowned as Avril’s eyes drifted downward, her gaze turning mischievous.

“Hey, Avril, keep your eyes up!” Britney waved a hand in front of her face.

“Ha! Britney, is it true that your Mr. Big is three feet long?” Avril asked, biting her lower lip with a playful smirk.

“Cut it out!”

Britney pushed her friend away.

“Come on, Britney, you should know!” Avril teased, wrapping her arms around Britney as they playfully scuffled.

Luca shook his head. No matter how big of a star they were, offstage, they weren’t much different from ordinary girls.

“Hey, Ryan! Over here!” Luca suddenly spotted Ryan Gosling approaching.

Ryan had trained at the Mickey Mouse Club alongside Britney, Justin, and Christina. But while they stayed in music, he had ventured into acting, doing quite well.

Luca had first met Ryan at a bar called the Rose Sacrament, where things hadn’t gone well.

The second time was in LA, when Luca auditioned for The Notebook and landed a supporting role, with Ryan cast as the lead.

They’d had a few chats since then and were now on friendly terms.

“Ryan, what’s with the beard?” Luca asked, noticing his scruffy new look. When they first met, Ryan had been clean-shaven, a pretty boy.

Ryan stroked his thick beard and grinned. “My character in The Notebook has a beard. Can’t shave it off until we finish filming.”

“How much more do you have to shoot?”

Luca invited Ryan to sit and poured him a drink.

“Just a few more scenes. There’s been heavy rain in Charleston, and one of our outdoor locations got flooded. So I’m taking a break for a few days,” Ryan explained, pausing. “When do you start shooting, Luca? Have you been notified?”

“Next Monday.”

“Great! We’ll see you on set. I’ll take you fishing at Charleston Lake. The grilled fish there is amazing.”

“Sounds like a plan!” Luca chuckled and clinked his glass against Ryan’s.

“Enough about filming, you two. Let’s dance!” Britney suggested.

“Alright!”

The four of them headed to the dance floor as the music cranked up again.

*Chapter 128: Luca is a Big Liar*

"Luca, the audition is about to start, where are you?"

In front of Paramount Studios that morning, Ed shouted into his phone.

The audition for Mean Girls was set for 10 AM, but it was already 9:40, and there was no sign of Luca, making Ed a bit anxious.

"Ed, I'm almost there, just got caught in some traffic. Five minutes, tops."

"Alright, just hurry!"

Ed shook his head and hung up the phone, standing at the street corner, scanning the road ahead.

A moment later, a Porsche SUV slowly pulled up to the curb.

Luca finally showed up. He was wearing a white baseball cap, a yellow T-shirt, jeans, and white sneakers, looking very stylish. With his handsome looks and bright smile, he resembled a cheerful, carefree guy.

"Sorry, Ed, we had a party at Britney's last night and stayed up pretty late," Luca apologized.

"It's fine, we still have ten minutes, let's go upstairs."

"Alright!"

The audition for Mean Girls was being held on the second floor of Paramount's division building.

Since the movie had many female roles, the room was filled with a large group of young women, mostly in their twenties, all dressed up, looking gorgeous and sexy.

They gathered in groups, chatting excitedly, filling the air with youthful energy and a pleasant fragrance.

Among the women were a few men, their eyes blazing, talking loudly. It seemed like they weren’t there for the audition but rather to pick up girls.

Looking at this crowd, Luca felt like he was back in school.

"Whoa, look, a hot guy just walked in!"

As soon as Luca entered the hall, a girl's voice rang out, followed by curious, heated glances directed at him.

"Wow, he’s got such a sexy body."

"His butt is so perky! I want to smack it!"

"And he's really handsome. Too bad he's wearing a hat, you can only see half his face."

"Who wears a hat indoors? He’s either a celebrity or bald. I bet he's totally bald!"

"No way, he’s definitely a hottie!"

Hearing the chatter from the crowd, Luca adjusted his cap and walked toward the men's waiting area. As a married man, he always remembered one rule: stay faithful and keep your distance.

But the attention from the girls was overwhelming. Initially, everyone was scattered around chatting, but as Luca walked, more and more girls moved toward the edges, making the space around him feel tighter and tighter.

"Oops!"

Suddenly, a girl sat down on the floor right in front of him.

"Amanda, are you okay?" her three friends immediately asked with concern.

"He… he touched my butt!" The girl blushed, her face filled with embarrassment and anger, pointing straight at him.

Nice acting, Luca thought, smirking. He glanced at the girl, who looked familiar. Blonde, blue-eyed, with a doll-like face and fair skin—she resembled Amanda Seyfried, who was up for a role in the movie, a girl who looked a bit like Miranda.

"Hey, tall guy, Amanda says you touched her butt. Is that true?"

"Bold move to grope someone in front of so many people!"

"Give us your phone number right now, or we’re calling the cops!"

The three girls quickly surrounded him, making a scene, their eyes fixed on his face. The more they stared, the wider their eyes got, and their faces turned redder.

The other girls in the room glanced at him with increasing disdain.

Luca smirked and flashed a charming smile. "Miss Amanda Seyfried, are you sure I touched your butt just now?"

"Uh..." Amanda on the ground was momentarily stunned, blinking. "How do you know my name?"

"Amanda, have you forgotten? We were in elementary school together! My name’s Ryan, the chubby kid from the class next door. I used to have a round face, freckles, and I could eat three burgers at once. Remember?"

Luca spoke with excitement, gesturing as he talked.

"Ryan?" Amanda blinked rapidly, thinking hard. There was a chubby kid in the class next door in elementary school, but was his name Ryan or Tom?

The three ‘accomplices’ looked at Amanda, then at Luca, completely unsure of what to do next. Their original plan was to get the handsome guy’s number or MSN contact this way, but if he was Amanda’s elementary school friend, this tactic wasn’t needed.

"Amanda, the floor’s a bit dirty. Let me help you up." Luca extended a friendly hand.

"Oh, thank you!" Amanda took his hand, her cheeks turning even redder when she touched him.

"You’re welcome!"

Luca gently led the girl forward. "Amanda, are you here to audition too?"

"Yeah, I want to go for the role of Regina, the second lead. What do you think?"

"Second lead, huh?"

Regina was a proud, arrogant, and domineering queen bee. The role required not only acting skills but also a strong presence. Amanda, being only 18, less than five feet three, and lacking experience, probably couldn't pull it off.

"Amanda, the role of Karen, the third lead, is also a great part. Maybe you should consider auditioning for that."

He subtly suggested.

Amanda frowned, "Anna also said I’d be better for the third lead, but I still want to try for Regina."

"Give it a shot. You’re really pretty and photogenic. No matter which role you audition for, I’m sure the casting director will give you an important part."

"Thanks, Ryan!" Amanda smiled happily, then looked up at him. "Ryan, you used to be short and chubby, but now you're tall and cool, like a big star!"

Luca smiled slightly. "Haven’t you heard? Every fat kid is a hidden gem."

"Hidden gem?"

Amanda burst into laughter.

"Ugh, bitch."

"They're totally gonna hook up tonight."

Jealous whispers came from the crowd around them.

Neither of them paid any attention, continuing their conversation like long-lost friends.

"Quiet down!"

A bald man with a staff badge stood in the middle of the crowd, shouting, "The audition is about to begin. Male actors on the left, female actors on the right. We’ll call your name, so line up quickly!"

Boom! The room came alive as the auditioning actors got moving.

"Amanda, go get in line. We’ll talk later."

Luca patted her on the shoulder.

"Okay, Ryan, see you later!"

"See you!"

Luca smiled as he headed into the men's line.

"Amanda, stop daydreaming. He’s not Ryan!"

After Luca walked off, Amanda's friends came up to her.

"What?" Amanda looked puzzled.

"Look at this." One girl held up a magazine and pointed to a picture. "His name is Luca Kelly, Britney Spears’ rumored boyfriend. The magazine says he’s Mr. Big."

"I thought he looked familiar. I compared him to the magazine, and it’s exactly the same."

Amanda looked at the magazine. It was an article about Luca and Britney’s rumored relationship, with three pictures of Luca on the runway. Tall, handsome, with long legs, a great butt, sharp features, and perfect lips—it was an exact match.

"That liar!!"

Amanda angrily threw the magazine to the ground and stormed off.

"Amanda, calm down!"

"Amanda, the audition is about to start, and it’s almost your turn."

Her three friends quickly grabbed her.

"No! Let me go! I’m going to give him a piece of my mind."

Amanda, her face flushed, shouted about fighting, but being too small, she was no match for her friends and was dragged into the crowd like a giant rag doll.

"Luca, you big liar!"

Staring at the tall, handsome figure in the crowd, Amanda shouted loudly.

The handsome guy in the crowd raised his hand and flashed an "OK" gesture before heading into the audition room with the staff.

"Hmph, big liar, just wait. I'll see you on set!"

Amanda clenched her fists. To get back at him, she was determined to land an important role.

"Amanda, you can do it!"

*Chapter 129: The Role Seems in Jeopardy*

"Has Luca Kelly arrived?"

At the audition site, after about half an hour, a staff member shouted in the corridor.

"Yes, I’m here!"

In the crowd, Luca raised his hand.

"Mr. Kelly, please follow me."

Luca took off his hat, tidied his hair, and followed the audition guide out of the hall into the next room.

The room wasn’t large, with bright windows letting in the radiant morning light.

Behind an oval table sat two men and a woman, the casting team. They faced the sunlight, their expressions somewhat serious.

Sitting in the middle was a middle-aged man, the casting director, Daniel Flynn.

To his left was a 30-something brunette woman, still very charming—Tina Fey, the screenwriter of Mean Girls, who also played the role of the teacher in the film. It was a significant role.

On the right was a man in a gray suit, blending into the background—Wayne Hicks, one of the producers of the film from Paramount Pictures. Though he remained silent, he held the most influence among the three.

Besides them, there were two assistants, a man and a woman, helping with the audition.

Luca politely greeted the three.

"Luca, your profile says you’ve acted alongside Mr. Tom Cruise?"

The casting director began.

"Yes, in Mr. Cruise’s new movie Collateral, I had a two-minute scene with him, with three lines in total."

Luca looked a bit regretful.

“Haha, you’re a new actor. To have lines with Mr. Cruise is already quite an accomplishment.”

"It really is. I learned a lot from Mr. Cruise."

"For example?"

Tina Fey suddenly chimed in.

"For example, when working with a nervous rookie actor, one must show enough patience."

Tina Fey curled her lips slightly.

It was an interesting answer. He used self-deprecation to acknowledge his nervousness working with Tom Cruise while complimenting Cruise’s patience with new actors.

High emotional intelligence, and quite clever.

"Alright, both of you, our time is limited, let’s move on!"

Producer Wayne Hicks tapped the table as a reminder.

The casting director shrugged. "He’s recommended by Director Worcester. I have no objections. Tina, what about you?"

Tina Fey stroked her chin and looked him over a few times. "Mr. Kelly, tell us your thoughts on the character Aaron."

"Aaron is a handsome and charming guy, the target of two school queens vying for his attention. Although his role in the film isn’t extensive, he’s the focal point of the conflict between the two queens. In the end, he becomes Cady’s boyfriend, but it also shows that he’s merely a trophy, a symbol of victory."

In male-centric movies, winning the girl is a symbol of triumph. In female-centric movies, winning the handsome guy is the same.

"You have a very deep understanding of the script."

Tina Fey was a bit surprised. The script had only been out for three days, yet he could articulate such profound insights.

"Thank you."

"I have no objections anymore."

Tina Fey looked at the other two.

"Let’s move on to the audition scene."

The assistant handed over a printed sheet with a few lines for Aaron.

"Hey, Aaron, I didn’t understand this question. Can you help me?"

"Sure, this is factorial. Each one multiplies by an N."

"So, does the total stay the same?"

"Yes, it stays the same."

"Thanks, I get it now!"

This scene takes place between Aaron and the main character Cady in a classroom, with them sitting in front of and behind each other.

Cady, who is trying to flirt with Aaron, uses a math question as an excuse to chat him up. In the movie, Cady’s character is a math genius, better than even the teacher, while Aaron is just a pretty face.

"Are you ready?"

"I’m ready."

Luca folded up the script and began acting out the scene with the assistant.

Since he understood the context, the performance came easily to him. With just a few simple actions, he perfectly captured Aaron’s handsome profile, melancholy gaze, and clueless demeanor.

"That’ll do."

The casting director smiled slightly.

"Thank you for your performance, Mr. Kelly. We’ll inform you of the results as soon as possible."

"Thank you!"

Luca put his hat back on and left the audition room.

"What do you all think of Luca?"

The casting director asked.

"He looks the part, his lines and acting are solid, and those melancholic eyes really suit the character."

Tina Fey agreed.

"Yes, Director Worcester also thinks he’s a good fit."

The casting director added.

In Hollywood, directors don’t usually participate in the audition process, but they do have significant input. Before auditions begin, the director will communicate with the casting director and outline some requirements. The casting director then works to meet the director's vision, ensuring a smooth production.

If the director is unhappy with the casting, they can ask the producer to recast the role.

"What do you think, Mr. Hicks?"

The casting director looked at Wayne Hicks, who had remained silent.

"There’s no rush. The auditions aren’t over yet, are they?"

Wayne Hicks smiled faintly, putting down the information card.

The casting director furrowed his brow slightly. Was he dissatisfied with Luca?

"Next, please!"

In the emergency stairwell, Luca had his hands in his pockets, walking downstairs.

He had planned to take the elevator, but two girls were waiting by the elevator, and he didn’t want any trouble, so he chose the stairwell.

This corridor was seldom used, dimly lit, and smelled faintly of disinfectant.

Clap, clap.

Suddenly, the sound of someone slapping another echoed in the empty stairwell.

"Joe, go on. The role of Aaron is yours."

A raspy female voice called out from afar.

"Thank you, darling. See you tonight!"

A man’s voice responded joyfully.

Thud, thud, thud.

Then, the sound of excited footsteps echoed from below.

On the stairs, Luca felt a bit awkward. Should he quietly leave, or stay and see who this competitor was?

"Luca Kelly?"

But before he could make a move, the person below came up, calling his name.

Luca raised his eyebrows, looking at the person—a tall, slim, and handsome young man, almost like the original lead, though he couldn’t recall his name.

"And you are?"

The man didn’t answer, instead smiling as he stopped in his tracks. "You’re here for the audition too?"

"Yes."

"For the role of Aaron?"

"Yes."

"What a coincidence. So am I. Want to see who gets the role?"

The man said smugly.

Luca shook his head slightly. "I don’t stand a chance against you."

"Haha, glad you realize it."

The man chuckled proudly and headed upstairs.

Watching him leave, Luca frowned. It seemed like the role was slipping away.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 130: Still a Chance?*

"Luca, how did the audition go?"

"Not bad. The director said I really fit the lead character’s look, and the screenwriter thought I had a deep understanding of the role. They were impressed. I think I might just land the part."

At the Governor Hotel in Santa Monica, the sunlight flooded the balcony as Luca lounged on a deck chair, shirtless, talking on the phone. The sun was so intense that he had to shield his eyes with his arm.

"Congratulations, darling! You’ll be a big star soon. Don’t forget it was my idea," Kate laughed over the phone.

Luca shook his head. "Honestly, I’d rather be your assistant, spending every day with you, traveling the world together."

"Sure, why not? We have plenty of time, don’t we? In our future plans, we can add world travel alongside the big estate," Kate teased.

"Great idea!" Luca raised his eyebrows, feeling a little excited at the thought of backpacking with Kate.

"When are you coming back to New York?" Luca asked.

"I just arrived in Berlin. Next stop is Stockholm. I’ll probably be back in New York next week. Don’t miss me too much."

"But I already miss you," Luca replied.

After chatting for half an hour, they ended the call. Luca stared out at the beach, lost in thought, before calling Lima.

"I'm in class, what’s up?" Lima whispered on the other end.

"Still in class? I’ll call you later tonight."

"No need. I just snuck out the back door," Lima laughed softly.

Luca smirked. She was never much of a good student.

"How’s it feel being back in school?"

"Not great. The design courses are tough, and I’m way behind. I don’t understand most of the classes, and all I want to do is sleep. When the teacher asks questions, everyone raises their hand, except me. It’s so awkward. One time I tried to raise my hand just a little, but the teacher saw me and called on me. I didn’t know the answer. It was super embarrassing."

"Haha~"

"You jerk! How can you laugh? This is all your fault, saying that the NYU game design program would be fun, where I could play games and learn at the same time. Bullshit! I’ve been in class for three days and haven’t had a single gaming course. It’s boring, way worse than practicing runway walks."

Luca chuckled, catching his breath. "Babe, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to force yourself."

"Eh, it’s fine. I don’t have much going on right now. Learning something while I’m free is still good."

"Alright then."

After Fashion Week ended, models entered a slow period. Some went home, others traveled, and some headed to Hollywood for side gigs.

Lima would usually go back to Brazil during this time of year, but this time, she stayed in New York with Luca.

At his suggestion, Lima enrolled in NYU's art school, studying fashion design, jewelry appreciation, and—somehow—game design.

"Luca, guess who I saw at school?"

"Who?"

Luca was a little confused.

"Your little girlfriend," Lima teased with a playful hum.

Luca raised his eyebrow. "You’re my only girlfriend. Are you talking about Fanny from art school?"

"Yeah, she’s this super creative, talented girl. We’ve talked a few times and get along well."

"That’s good. It’s always nice to make more friends."

Suddenly, a tune played over the phone. "Babe, school’s out. I’m heading home. I have to hit the gym later. I wish you were here to work out with me. When are you coming back?"

"Tomorrow or the day after."

"Alright, come back soon. I miss you."

"I miss you too."

After hanging up, Luca stretched and headed back inside.

The audition was a bust, and it was time to go back to New York. But before he left, he needed to hand over the script for Taken to Tom Cruise.

The first draft of the script was already finished and had been registered with the Writers Guild of America. But the draft was still rough.

Cruise was a megastar who was never short of scripts and notoriously picky about his choices. Impressing him would be tough.

Although Taken had the potential to be a box office hit, nothing mattered until the numbers proved it.

Luca didn’t want to come across as all talk, so he poured his efforts into the script itself.

He wasn’t just writing a script; he had also created a storyboard with rough sketches, including shot numbers, camera movements, visuals, content, sound, and dialogue.

The storyboard followed the sequence of the movie’s shots, and if filmed this way, it could easily be turned into a full film.

Luca didn’t know if Cruise would be pleased, but he was determined to give it his all.

At his desk, Luca pulled out a thick notebook, about 60 or 70 pages long. This was the new script for Taken, prepared especially for the superstar.

Scene 56:

Setting: Interrogation scene.

Location: Abandoned power plant.

Characters: The protagonist and the head of a small French gang.

Camera shot: Moving shot, close-up, facial detail.

Lighting: From the left window.

Luca continued working on the storyboard. After detailing the shot types and filming methods, he sketched each frame.

In this scene, the protagonist, agent Bryan, captures a gang leader and brings him to an abandoned power plant, tying him to a chair.

"Hey, wake up!"

Bryan jabs two electrified metal rods into the gang leader’s thigh.

"Ahhh!!"

The gang leader screams in pain.

"Tell me, where is she?" Bryan demands, showing him a picture of his daughter.

"Pfft!" The gang leader spits and refuses to talk.

"Fine!" Bryan flips the switch.

"Ahhhh!!!"

The gang leader screams in agony, his face contorted.

Knock, knock, knock.

After some time, Ed knocked on the door, looking grim.

"What’s wrong, Ed?" Luca put down his pen and rubbed his temples.

"Bad news!" Ed shook his head. "The Mean Girls crew called. The audition didn’t go well."

"It didn’t work out, huh?"

Even though Luca hadn’t expected much, hearing the news still stung a bit.

Ding. A text message popped up from Mean Girls director Mark Waters.

Mark explained that the crew had initially agreed to cast Luca as Aaron, but the production company suddenly insisted on casting Jonathan Bennett instead.

Faced with pressure from the producers, the crew had no choice but to comply. Waters apologized for the situation.

"Thank you, Director Waters. I hope we get to work together in the future," Luca texted back.

"It’s a shame our company doesn’t have strong connections in Hollywood yet. We couldn’t even reach Paramount’s higher-ups," Ed sighed. He’d been trying to pull strings since the audition but to no avail.

"It’s fine. We’ll get there eventually," Luca wasn’t too bothered. He had only been in Hollywood for six months and had already landed two major supporting roles, even acting alongside Cruise. His career was moving faster than most.

There were plenty of opportunities ahead. No need to stress over a minor role.

"Ed, book the tickets. After I hand over the script to Tom Cruise tomorrow, we’ll head back to New York."

"Got it!"

After Ed left, Luca continued writing and sketching. As the sky darkened, the thick notebook turned another few pages.

"Scene 83: Normandy Street, France. A chaotic street. The air is misty. Bryan, in a leather jacket, holding an M13 pistol, efficiently takes out a few thugs and enters the gang’s hideout."

(End of chapter)