Kapitel 61: **Chapter 60: Storm on the Horizon**
A rumor, like a sudden thunderbolt, sparked a storm, dragging all involved into the chaos.
Brad was quick to clarify the rumors in front of reporters:
"Completely baseless."
Brad emphasized that he never requested anyone to lose their job and did not use his connections to suppress other actors behind the scenes.
He believed someone was trying to tarnish his reputation, stating, "I'm fine, Jennifer's fine, we're all fine, everything is fine."
Objectively speaking, everyone knows about Hollywood's unspoken rules. It's not unheard of for supporting actors to be fired to accommodate big-name stars.
But the reason these rules are "unspoken" is because they're not something to boast about. Using power and status to harm others is damaging to one's reputation and image.
Clearly, Brad did not want to be caught up in such negative rumors.
Meanwhile, Jennifer, in a phone interview, slammed the rumors as absurd:
"Pure fabrication."
Jennifer stated that she had never known Anson before; they first met during the filming two weeks ago, just like everyone else.
Moreover, she and Anson were just ordinary colleagues, "I don't even have his contact information."
Confronted with the overwhelming rumors, Jennifer was baffled. But more than anger, she found the situation ridiculous, unable to comprehend what was going on.
However…
Is it really that simple?
These clarifications and explanations did not quell the rumors, because this is Hollywood, where people believe there's no smoke without fire.
Perhaps the rumors are false, and it's all just hype, but to the media, it doesn't matter. They're not interested in the truth, only in sensationalism. If it is hype, then who's behind it? Who stands to gain? Who is fanning the flames? These questions are equally compelling.
From Saturday through Sunday to early Monday morning, journalists infiltrated the "Friends" set like leeches, digging deep—
They probed into the supposed sparks between Jennifer and Anson during filming, Anson's audition that won him the role, and why Brad, who planned to visit the set, canceled at the last minute.
And so on.
There was no unified story among the rumors, but in the tangle of different versions, through the details, they tried to piece together the truth.
A crucial stance came from David Crane.
In an interview, David Crane didn't directly address the rumors. Instead, he kept emphasizing that Anson's performance was a surprising delight, which led them to develop more stories around him, continuously drawing inspiration for the character of Paul.
"Of course, we encountered some difficulties; everything was sudden and unexpected."
"But we still believe it was the right choice. We're moving in the right direction, and we'll support each other to cross the finish line."
From start to finish, David Crane refused to make a clear statement:
Did Brad Pitt request the production to halt Anson's guest appearance?
He neither confirmed nor denied it.
Such an attitude speaks volumes; some things don't need to be spelled out explicitly.
At the same time, David Crane's words left room for various interpretations.
On the surface, it could be interpreted as the production team being anxious about wrapping up the sixth season, facing enormous pressure, and needing to unite.
A more complex interpretation could suggest that Brad used his connections to exert pressure, leaving even David Crane restrained and unable to speak freely.
So, how should this be interpreted?
Everyone has responded, but like in *Rashomon*, the truth remains elusive, slipping deeper into a labyrinth of uncertainty.
Things are getting more interesting.
Then—
Anson. Anson. Anson.
Everything revolves around this newcomer.
Last Thursday, the 21st episode of *Friends* aired, and Anson's dazzling debut left a lasting impression, sparking a strong rebound in ratings. The name "Anson" was not unfamiliar to entertainment reporters.
At the very least, just being featured on the *Los Angeles Times* entertainment section's front page was enough to set Anson apart from other unknown actors.
Even those in the industry who hadn't been following *Friends* or the *Los Angeles Times* immediately had heard of this new face.
But is it really that simple?
No, in fact, "Anson Wood" is a complete mystery—a name utterly unfamiliar.
A newcomer who seemed to have sprung out of nowhere, not only landed a guest role on *Friends* but also found himself entangled in the headlines involving Brad and Jennifer.
Who exactly is Anson?
If you think about it, people know absolutely nothing about this newcomer. Aside from his name, there's no information on his height, weight, previous work, agent, or whether he's signed onto any other projects.
Does anyone truly know him? Has anyone really interacted with him?
A complete blank.
This isn't surprising, though—after all, this is Hollywood, where thousands of new actors flood in daily. A brief guest appearance on *Friends* isn't enough to catapult him into the spotlight.
At least, not until now.
The names Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston certainly make him a hot topic for discussion.
With no background information, everyone is free to speculate.
Some believe Anson is the illegitimate son of NBC's executive president; others think he's Jennifer's secret lover. Some speculate that Anson is actually Courteney's lover, with Jennifer as a stand-in. Others think he's a billionaire's grandson just playing around in Hollywood.
On and on the rumors go.
But regardless of the speculation, they all circle back to the same question:
Why Anson?
More precisely, why does Brad Pitt see Anson as a threat? Who exactly is Anson? Or rather, what is it about Anson that's so compelling?
Consider this: Brad Pitt, named *People*'s "Sexiest Man Alive" in both 1995 and 2000—the only actor to receive this honor twice, a distinction not even enjoyed by heartthrobs like Tom Cruise or George Clooney—has built a nearly untouchable image.
And yet, Brad is wary of an 18-year-old kid?
It doesn't add up.
But this irrational scenario is unfolding, naturally drawing all attention to Anson.
After the shock of Saturday and the uproar of Sunday, the busy Monday morning saw everyone converge on Burbank.
Finally!
People finally realized that a crucial piece of the puzzle had been missing all along—one voice in this triangle had been ignored:
Anson.
Of course, reporters could also interview the other five main *Friends* cast members and observe the set's atmosphere today to further grasp the situation; but the main objective was to closely observe Anson, hoping to find a window into the truth.
Think about it, this might just be the right approach. After all, a newcomer, a rookie, might get nervous at the sight of the media, knees trembling, and inadvertently reveal the truth. A little scare might be enough to send him running.
The buzzing of an engine drew closer, and everyone turned to see an Aston Martin appearing at the end of the road.
Wait, which *Friends* cast member drives an Aston Martin?
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein