Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Buddy, Can You Drive?
Whoosh~~~
In early February, under the bright and cloudless California sky, a silver-gray Boeing plane tilted its wings and slowly descended from the horizon over Los Angeles International Airport.
"Damn, it's hot!"
At the airport entrance, Richard took off his jacket, wearing only a T-shirt but still feeling hot all over. He wiped off some sweat and hailed a taxi.
"To Universal Studios," Richard said.
"Hey buddy, welcome to Los Angeles. Where are you from?"
The driver was a big black man, around forty years old, with a head full of dreadlocks. You had to wonder what his wife thought about that.
"New Yorker!"
"Wow, New York is a great place. I've dreamed of going there since I was a kid but never had the chance. Hey buddy, what's New York like? Is First Avenue really that bustling? How big is Central Park? Can you walk through it in a day? Have you been to the Empire State Building? Does it make you feel dizzy from the height?"
The big black guy rattled off a barrage of questions, talking about everything from First Avenue to Seventh Avenue, the Statue of Liberty, Rachel from "Friends," and even mentioned seeing her at the airport.
Richard rubbed his forehead. "Can you just drive? I'm in a hurry."
"Oh, sorry, I forgot."
Thud~
The big black guy stepped on the gas, and the car shot forward, weaving through the crowd. He even turned back with a big grin, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.
"Hey buddy, don't worry. My car's the fastest."
"Just don't go too fast. I haven't been to Los Angeles much, so I want to take in the scenery along the way."
Richard said, fastening his seatbelt.
"Haha, no problem!"
The big black guy slowed down a bit and started chatting again. "Buddy, what are you here for? You mentioned going to Universal Studios. Are you here to film? You look very handsome. Are you an actor? What movies or TV shows have you been in? Tell me, maybe I've seen them."
"I just started. I've only been in two projects, and they haven't been released yet."
"Oh, you really are an actor! I knew my eyes were sharp. I could tell at a glance. Buddy, what's your name? Can I get your autograph?"
The big black guy handed over an autograph book, about two inches thick, with half of it already filled with signatures.
"Haha, this autograph book is my treasure. I've been collecting signatures from everyone going to Hollywood for the past ten years. After ten years, many of these people have become stars. Look here..."
The big black guy turned to flip through the pages.
"Buddy, please keep your hands on the wheel. I can look myself."
Richard gestured.
"Alright, on the sixth page, there's Will Smith's signature. He's my brother. On the fifteenth page, there's Johnny Depp's signature. He's a cool guy, doesn't talk much. On the thirty-eighth page, there's Shaquille O'Neal's signature. He's also my brother, but he talks too much. On the seventy-seventh page..."
The big black guy kept rambling about various names, including actors, singers, and hosts. Richard recognized more than twenty familiar names. Collecting over twenty famous names in ten years was quite impressive.
He chuckled and signed his name on a blank page.
"Buddy, I have a feeling you'll become a big star too."
The big black guy said.
"Why?"
"I don't know, just a feeling. But my feelings are usually spot-on. My mom said my grandma's grandma was a gypsy. Maybe I have some gypsy blood in me, which is why I always want to drive around. What do you think?"
"Sounds very possible!"
Richard smiled, handing the book back.
Half an hour later, they arrived at Universal Studios.
Located in Hollywood, near the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills, Universal Studios spans over 300 hectares. It's a film production base as well as a tourist attraction. Major movies like "Jurassic Park" and "Shrek" were filmed here.
The studios are divided into Upper and Lower Lots, featuring Modern City, Magic Castle, Dark Forest, and Future World, among others.
The car drove through Universal Studios, bustling with tourists and busy film crews.
At the entrance to the Upper Lot, Richard stopped the car and gave the big black guy an extra five-dollar tip.
"Hey buddy, good luck!"
The big black guy waved.
"Thanks! Goodbye!"
Richard waved back and walked through the Upper Lot, heading towards the Magic Castle, surrounded by people in costumes.
"Mr. Brad, are you Mr. Richard Brad?" a girl in a baseball cap approached and asked.
"Yes, and you are?"
"I'm Sarah's assistant. Please follow me!"
The girl gestured.
"Thanks!"
Richard followed her.
——
In a café outside the set, Richard met Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Sarah, 21, starred as Buffy in the TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" last year. With her exquisite looks and fiery, spirited persona, she quickly became a teenage idol.
She then starred in two horror films, "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Scream 2." Both were hits, with the second grossing over 100 million worldwide, skyrocketing her fame.
This year, she took on two more films, "Simply Irresistible" and "Magic Castle." She was currently filming "Magic Castle," a modern romance movie, at Universal Studios.
With her golden hair, T-shirt, and jeans, she looked casual and beautiful, sitting with a script.
"Richard, please have a seat. I heard you went to Tennessee first. How did the talk with Reese go?"
Sarah smiled.
"Pretty well. We became friends."
Richard smiled lightly.
"Really? You took Ryan's role, and she forgave you and became your friend?"
Sarah was skeptical.
"Sarah, I need to clarify something. I didn't take Ryan's role. The producers thought I was more suitable for playing Sebastian, so they gave the role to me."
"Is there a difference? Ryan said he didn't force drinks on anyone or do drugs."
Sarah crossed her arms, staring at him with a smile.
"Do you believe Ryan? Or do you believe a guy who cheats on his girlfriend?"
Richard frowned.
Sarah was silent. Whether or not he forced drinks, Ryan was wrong for cheating, which is why the crew quickly dropped him.
"Also, Sarah, the news about Ryan denying the forced drinks is outdated. Look at this."
Richard handed over a newspaper.
It was a copy of the "New York Post," reporting that Ryan's friend admitted to forcing drinks, sharing drugs, and fighting the guy.
Whether he was covering for Ryan or not, it indicated Ryan was at fault.
"Richard, I apologize. I misunderstood you."
Sarah sighed, putting down the newspaper.
"No problem. Clearing up the misunderstanding is what matters. So, are you willing to work with me now?"
Richard smiled.
Sarah propped her chin, smiling back. "While you were in Tennessee, this news hadn't come out. How did you convince Reese? Care to share?"
"...Sure."
Richard nodded and looked up to the left. "It's like this..."
"Wait, why are you looking over there?"
Sarah pointed left.
"Uh, just a habit. Please don't interrupt."
"Haha, alright. Go on!"
Sarah covered her mouth, laughing.
"Okay, it's like this. Three days ago..."
——
(End of Chapter)
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