Bab 71: **Chapter 71: No More Games**
"Can't mess with that, nope!"
At the entrance of the apartment building on 76th Street, Third Avenue, Luca watched the speeding car drive away and shook his head speechlessly. Who would've thought that someone as serious and strict as Nina would get into street racing? It was pretty scary!
He wiped the rain off his head, took the elevator, and went back to his apartment.
Kate wasn't home, so the place was dead silent.
He turned on all the lights, the TV, and the sound system just to feel better.
"Kate, how's the weather over there in Chicago?"
After taking a shower, he lay on the couch and called her. Kate was at a book signing event in Chicago.
"Yeah, it's raining here in New York. The roads are all wet and foggy. It feels like London! I prefer Los Angeles, though — the weather there is so much nicer. Sunshine, beaches, waves, palm trees… wait, no, I mean the girls in bikinis. Haha! Maybe next year we can buy a villa on the Golden Coast in L.A.? Or, if book sales keep doing well, we could buy one this year! It's all up to you."
After some casual chit-chat, Luca asked her about the book signing event.
Kate said it was being held at the Chicago Public Library.
For three straight days, it was packed. Some people came for autographs, and others came just to see a pretty face. After all, she was a beautiful author.
Kate complained that she had to sign her name thousands of times a day. By the end of it, her wrist was swollen, and she could barely lift her arm. Luckily, her bodyguard Gina gave her some massages and applied herbal medicine.
"Gina?"
Luca was confused by the unfamiliar name. "Who's Gina?"
Kate explained that Gina was a friend of Han Li's. She had served in the military for six years and was skilled in martial arts, driving, and basic firearms.
Last year, Gina came to New York looking for work but struggled due to the language barrier.
Han Li recently found her through a hometown association, and now Gina was working as Kate's temporary bodyguard.
"Wow! Gina's amazing. Yesterday, a 6'2" guy started causing trouble in line, and she took him down with a single throw. He weighed over 200 pounds, and when he hit the floor, the whole building shook. She's fierce!"
Kate laughed over the phone. "Luca, I bet Gina could take you down in less than a second!"
Less than a second?
Luca covered his face in frustration. "Kate, am I really that weak?"
"No, no, no, honey, it's not that you're weak; it's just that Gina's too strong. She can break bricks with her bare hands and bend two-centimeter-thick steel rods. She's really impressive.
Next time I'm home, I'll introduce you two. If you don't believe me, you can even spar with her. Woo! How about that?"
Kate's excitement was palpable over the phone.
Luca was at a loss. "You just said she's super tough, and now you want me to fight her? Do you enjoy watching me get beaten up?"
"Haha, yeah, totally! Every time I pick up a pen to sign autographs, I want to pinch your ears, squish your face, and give you a big back throw. You have no idea how painful signing autographs can be!"
Kate let out a long sigh over the phone.
Luca rubbed his ear, feeling a bit guilty. This was supposed to be his responsibility, but somehow Kate had ended up with the tough job. He had accidentally set her up again.
"Kate, if it's too tiring, we can stop doing the signings."
"No way!"
Kate firmly refused. "Luca, you haven't seen it yourself, so you don't know how enthusiastic the fans are. Emily said some people were lining up before sunrise just to get a signature. Thousands of people were in line every day, stretching from the fourth floor all the way to the street. With fans that passionate, how could I let them down?"
"Alright, Kate, thanks for all your hard work."
"It's no big deal. That's what big sisters are for," Kate said cheerfully. "Oh, and Luca, about the second outline you gave me… I'm thinking of writing a novel based on your structure. What do you think?"
Luca was surprised. "Wow, Kate, that's a great idea! I totally support you!"
"Awesome! Then it's settled. I'm going to become a legit author."
Kate sounded determined.
"Yes, you can do it, Kate. I believe in you!"
Luca smiled to himself, feeling a bit proud. He had finally gotten her to take a different path.
"So, Luca, how's your acting career going?"
Kate asked softly.
"Not bad. I've landed two roles. They're both supporting roles, but it's going well overall."
As he said that, Luca suddenly realized something strange.
His original dream was to become a "kept man." But now, he was modeling and acting. Had Kate influenced him too?
He shook his head. "Yeah, the first movie is shooting in New York, in a predominantly Black neighborhood. You should visit the set when you can. And, uh, I miss you too. Come home soon. It's really quiet without you. Alright, go eat something. Signing autographs every day is exhausting, so you should have some fish and beef. Don't worry about gaining weight. You'll always be the most beautiful woman to me. Oh, and say hi to Emily and Gina for me."
After hanging up, Luca lay on the couch for a bit before calling Lima.
Due to the rumors about him and Britney, Lima's fame had also surged. Since the media couldn't get hold of Luca or Britney, they'd turned to interviewing Lima.
Last week, a tabloid reporter asked her about the "car incident."
Lima had laughed and said she found it amusing.
When asked how she felt about Britney, she said Britney was a great singer and her idol.
The reporter then asked if she and Luca were going to break up.
Lima smiled and said no, their relationship was stable.
Afterward, some papers hailed her as the "best girlfriend in the fashion world," praising her for being mature and understanding, a role model for women.
Of course, many women scoffed at this, criticizing her for being foolish.
Regardless of the gossip, Lima's exposure had skyrocketed, and she recently landed a deal to be the face of GUESS handbags. Today, she was filming a commercial.
"Honey, when do you get off work?... Six? Okay, I'll have dinner ready for you at home. Of course, at the place on 76th Street. Kate's not home, so it'll be just the two of us... No games?!"
Luca choked for a moment. He realized that, to Lima, he was still less important than video games.
"Lima, are you serious?"
"Haha, of course I'm kidding, honey. Don't worry, I'll come over after work."
"Alright!"
Luca hung up the phone and checked the kitchen. There were no vegetables left.
So, he called the Korean restaurant next door and ordered a family meal set, which included bibimbap, miso soup, grilled eel, and BBQ. They even threw in a free fruit platter.
At 6:30 PM, just as he picked up the food, Lima came rushing to the door.
"What's the rush?"
Luca glanced behind her but saw no one.
"It's freezing! Hold me!"
Lima rubbed her hands together and snuggled into his arms.
She was only wearing a thin long-sleeve T-shirt and jeans. Her arms and shoulders were cold from being out in the wind for too long.
"Why didn't you wear something warmer?"
Luca rubbed her shoulders after closing the door.
"I didn't know it was going to rain. It was warm at noon, and I thought summer was here," Lima mumbled in his arms.
Luca smiled helplessly. She was lazy, careless, and obsessed with games — sometimes he really thought about breaking up with her.
"Alright, let's eat."
"Carry me over. And don't call me 'chubby girl!'"
"Haha, okay, chubby girl!"
After dinner, Lima warmed up and didn't need him to carry her anymore. She pulled out her gaming console and lay on the couch, completely absorbed in her game.
Luca, on the other hand, was lying next to her, reading the script for *Honey*.
This movie was a Universal Studios project.
It's a dance film starring Jessica Alba as Honey, a girl who loves to dance. She navigates life in a Black neighborhood, helping those around her with kindness and passion. In the end, she achieves success — a classic American Dream story.
It's a female-led film, with about 60% of the screen time focused on the heroine.
Luca was playing the second male lead, Michael Ellis, a 20-to-30-year-old white video director.
The role was introduced to him by Ms. Katie Ford, who was friends with the producer, Nicole Brown.
It wasn't a big role, and the audition went smoothly.
The crew had finished preparations, and filming would start next week in a Black neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Luca needed to study the script to figure out how to portray a director properly.
"Hey, Luca, who's the lead actress in this movie?"
Lima kicked his leg to get his attention.
"Jessica Alba, a Mexican-American girl."
Lima lifted her head and asked, "Is it that super hot chick?"
"Yeah, you know her?"
"Of course, she was ranked fifth in last year's Hollywood Sexiest Stars. What do you think of her?"
"Emmm~ she's alright, but not as sexy as you."
"Really?"
Lima leaned on his shoulder, her blue-gray eyes staring at him.
"Of course, you're supermodel Lima, the sexiest woman on Earth, no competition."
Lima had just gotten out of the shower, wearing only his oversized T-shirt, her lower half seemingly missing, lying across the couch, still smelling like body wash, looking incredibly tempting.
"Darling, it's getting late. Let's go to bed."
Luca ignored the sunset outside the window and said.
"No, I still want to play video games!"
Lima clutched her console, playing Contra.
"Ha, not up to you!" Luca took away the game console, threw her legs over his shoulder.
"Jerk, pulling this move again! Are you a pirate?"
"Haha~ Yes, beautiful! Now come aboard my ship!"
Pirate captain, heave-ho, Pink Lady, oh my oh my.
(End of chapter)
**Chapter 72: Visiting**
"Hey, Eve, good morning!"
That morning, on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, Luca drove to Ed's house.
Upon entering, he saw little Eve in Dalmatian pajamas, her dark red hair all fluffy, sitting on the couch, dozing off with her face unwashed, her eyelids drooping.
When she heard his voice, Eve blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering open like a fan. She stared at him for two seconds.
"Ahhh~!"
The little girl let out a scream, covered her face, and dashed into the bathroom.
Luca smiled slightly. So young and already knows how to be shy.
Ed shrugged and pointed to the couch, "Have a seat, breakfast will be ready soon."
"Sure!"
Luca sat down and casually looked around.
Ed's apartment was over a hundred square meters, with a spacious living room, bright windows, and three bedrooms, two bathrooms. The decor was stylish and refined, with warm tones for the walls, floors, and furniture, giving it a cozy feel.
The surroundings were nice too. The balcony overlooked Sunset Park, with the Atlantic Shopping Center behind it, and Brooklyn College just two streets away—a typical middle-class apartment.
"The movie is about to start shooting. Are you ready?"
Ed handed him a large apple, took another one for himself, and started munching.
"Of course!"
Luca hesitated for a second after taking the apple, silently complaining that Ed wasn't much of a host. Who gives their guest an apple to munch on without cutting or peeling it?
He took a bite—it was sweet, though a bit cold on the teeth. The juice dripped onto his hand, making it sticky. Sighing, he thought, "This will have to do."
"If you're ready, we can head over after breakfast. The crew started filming yesterday; they were shooting some dance scenes."
The *Honey Dance* crew was shooting on Hamler Street in Brooklyn, a predominantly Black neighborhood not far from Atlantic Avenue. That's part of why Luca came here so early.
"When will my scenes start?"
"If you're prepared, we can film today. If not, I'll talk to Billy and get you a few more days."
Ed, still munching on his apple, continued, mouth half-full of fruit, finishing his words just as he finished his apple.
"Let's go check things out first. It doesn't matter if I say I'm ready; it's the director who decides. If he says no, there's nothing I can do."
Luca mimicked Ed, speaking between bites of the apple. He accidentally spat some out and, under Ed's gaze, had to grab a napkin to clean up the floor. Nina was a bit of a clean freak.
"Ugh…"
He sighed. "This is the most awkward visit I've ever had. Ed, I've been struggling with something lately."
"What's that?"
Ed wiped his hands with a napkin.
Luca pointed to his face, drawing a circle around it with his finger. "Ed, don't you think I'm too handsome?"
Ed blinked and then propped his face up, sighing. "Luca, if you're fishing for compliments, just check out the fashion magazines. *Women's Health* used your photo from the CK runway, dedicating two full pages to praising your looks, body, and even Mr. Big."
"Really?!"
Luca's eyes widened in excitement.
Seeing Ed's unimpressed look, Luca coughed and said seriously, "You misunderstood me. I'm not someone who enjoys flattery.
What I mean is, I'm too handsome. My character is a director, a talented, rich guy, and I'm so good-looking and sexy—the perfect leading man template. But in the movie, the heroine rejects me and chooses a not-so-handsome Black guy. Uh, Ed, don't get me wrong. I'm not being racist. It's just that Mekhi Phifer, the lead actor, isn't exactly a looker—not as handsome as you, even."
Luca spread his hands. "I don't get it. The script says the heroine is ambitious. Why would she reject a rich, talented, handsome guy who could make her famous, and instead go for some barber? Is she dumb?"
"Emmm…"
Ed rubbed his forehead and thought for a moment. "Because of love."
"What?"
Luca raised his eyebrows.
"Yeah, love."
Ed said confidently, "Look at me and Nina. Nina is beautiful, from a middle-class family, and talented. Yet she chose me. That's love."
"Heh…"
Luca smirked. "Ed, you graduated from Columbia, have a stable job, and your dad's a seasoned lawyer. Heh, if you were a barber, do you really think Nina would pick you?"
"Of course she would!"
Ed said earnestly.
"Really? How about I ask Nina?"
"What are you asking me?"
Nina popped her head out from the dining room.
"Haha, nothing, Nina."
Ed stood up and said, "Luca and I were discussing love. Luca's got it all wrong. He thinks relationships are all about looks, money, and talent, not love. He's too practical. I'm trying to steer him straight."
"You're talking about love?"
Nina gave them both a strange look before turning back into the room. "Get ready; breakfast is almost ready!"
"Okay!"
Ed hurried into the kitchen.
"Whipped!" Luca muttered under his breath.
Suddenly, he saw Eve come out in a cute cartoon skirt with a fluffy little cat on her cream-colored outfit. Adorable!
"Oh my God, where did this little fairy come from? So pretty!"
Luca exclaimed, his eyes wide.
"Giggle~ Luca, I'm pretty, aren't I?"
Eve smiled, twirling her skirt like a little lady.
"Yes, yes, I've never seen a girl more beautiful than Eve."
Luca praised loudly.
"Giggle~"
Eve laughed with her head held high.
"Alright, stop giggling. Come in and eat!" Nina glanced at Luca, then at the giggling Eve, shaking her head helplessly.
She used to think Luca would be away for months filming in Hollywood. Now, not only had he stayed close, but he was also shooting practically at their doorstep. Was God playing a joke?
Luca smiled slightly and held out his hand. "Lovely Princess Eve, may I invite you to dine?"
"Sure!"
Little Eve smiled shyly and put her small hand in his large one.
Hand in hand, they walked to the dining room.
Crashing the meal was Luca's main goal for coming here.
Today, Nina had prepared a hearty breakfast.
On his plate were fried eggs, toast, and two sizzling black pepper steaks—just his style.
There was also a big bowl of fragrant borscht made with ham, beets, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and sour cream. The soup was rich, but not greasy, with a perfect sweet and sour flavor. Delicious.
"Nina, thank you for the meal."
"No problem, just something simple."
"Haha, really? Your cooking is amazing!"
"Stop talking and eat. You've got to head to the set after."
"Uh, okay!"
Though he had much more to say, Luca had to sigh—his moment was lost.
(End of chapter)
**Chapter 73: Jessica Alba**
In the morning, in the Brooklyn district, sunlight shines down on Daimler Street.
A few young Black men lean against a graffiti-covered wall, aimlessly gazing at the street, the blue sky, and the white clouds, lazily soaking in the sun.
**Honk, honk~**
A black Ford drives up from a distance and slowly parks at the curb.
A good-looking white guy in an Adidas hoodie steps out of the car.
He looks like he's in his early twenties, with pale skin, a tall, solid build, and brown hair that sits lazily but neatly on his head. His strikingly handsome features are sharply defined in the sunlight, and his bright black eyes scan his surroundings with a mischievous curiosity.
Overall, he has the kind of face that makes you want to punch him.
**Whistle~**
Suddenly, a whistle comes from the wall, and a group of seven, eight, or nine-year-old Black kids dash out from the street, swarming toward the handsome white guy.
"Hey~, get out of here!"
Just as the kids are about to surround him, a middle-aged Black man in a hoodie and jeans steps out of the car, shouting at them.
The kids freeze in their tracks, startled.
"Whoa, whoa~! Look who it is! Isn't this Big Agent Ed?"
A Black youth from the corner waves, and the kids scatter in an instant.
"Hey~ Daniel, long time no see!"
Ed steps forward, fist-bumping the young Black man.
"Yeah, Ed, it's been a while. What brings you here?"
"Filming. You know the crew that was recruiting extras around here a few days ago."
"Yeah, I heard about that."
The young Black man glances at the white guy. "Is he one of your actors?"
"Yep, used to be a model, now an actor. His name's Luca. You heard of him?"
Ed points to Luca.
The Black youth sizes him up. "Is he famous?"
"Haha, do you know Mr. Big?"
Ed grins, flashing his white teeth.
"Mr. Big?"
The Black youth thinks for a second, then his eyes light up. "Whoa~! You mean the guy who hooked up with that hot chick Britney? Big Luca?"
"Yep, that's him, Big Luca!"
Ed laughs.
"Wow, cool, man, really cool~"
The Black youth marvels, fist-bumping Luca.
Luca smirks and returns the gesture.
"Man~! They say you're packing half a meter. That true?"
The Black youth stares at his pants, intrigued.
Half a meter?
Luca's face twitches. Since when do we use meters for that? Why not kilometers?
"No, no, not quite!"
Luca humbly replies.
"Wooo~! So cool!"
The Black youth seems awestruck.
Ed chuckles, pulling out five green bills from his pocket. "Daniel, Luca's gonna be filming in Daimler for a while. Do me a favor and tell the street bosses not to mess with him."
"Whoa~ Ed, you're living large now."
The Black youth's eyes widen, taking the money and kissing it. "Don't worry, Ed. I promise Mr. Big won't have any trouble in Daimler."
"Good!"
Ed smiles and fist-bumps him.
Luca nods and follows Ed off the street.
As they walk, more Black people greet Ed with smiles and respect.
"Ed, did you used to live here?"
Luca asks curiously.
Ed smiles faintly. "Yeah, before I was thirteen, I lived here. When I was thirteen, I cracked a guy's head open, and my dad moved us away. I've rarely been back since."
"But they all seem to respect you?"
Luca gestures toward a couple of Black men they pass, speaking softly.
"That's because my father was a defense attorney for many of them. Plus, I went to college, got a prestigious-sounding job, and married a white woman. I'm living the life they dream of. Their looks aren't respect; they're envy, jealousy, and resentment."
"Resentment?"
"Yeah."
Ed says quietly, "After I married Nina, I completely embraced the white lifestyle. I don't hang out with anyone from here, don't go to Black community events. I distanced myself, so they see me as a traitor. Naturally, they hate me."
Luca glances back. The Black people who had just greeted Ed were now huddled together, pointing at him, their eyes full of contempt. Spit hit the ground as they talked.
Ed sighs, nodding toward the street kids. "Even though I just had a word, there are too many small gangs on the street. Daniel can't control them all.
If you're walking around alone, be careful. Don't let those kids get close to you.
In recent years, I don't know where they learned it, but they often carry razor blades between their fingers. When they see a well-dressed white guy, they strike."
Luca winced. That technique sounded strangely familiar.
"If you're lucky, they'll just cut your clothes. But if you're unlucky, they might slice your thigh."
Ed shakes his head. "Recently, an Asian guy got his pants cut, but the blade hit his groin. Sadly, he didn't get medical help in time. He died shortly after arriving at the hospital, and the killer was never caught. Guys like you need to be extra cautious."
"I'll be careful."
Luca had been on alert since entering the Black community. This place was filled with thieves, drug dealers, and robbers, with a high crime rate.
Last month, a 58-year-old Chinese restaurant owner had his ear cut off, sparking a conflict between the Black and Chinese communities. It made the newspapers.
Luca had to be extra cautious—he didn't want to lose half a meter.
"Luca, the film crew is just up ahead!"
Ed pointed to a crowd gathered around a filming location.
About seventy or eighty people were gathered, mostly Black, chattering loudly as energetic music blared through the air.
*They said you wouldn't make it so far uh uh
And ever since they said it, it's been hard
But never mind the nights you had to cry*
The song playing was "I Believe," one of the movie's featured tracks.
In the middle of the set, a hot girl in a midriff-baring top was leading a group of Black dancers in some street dancing, her moves fiery and seductive.
The dance focused on 'sexy' movements, emphasizing the hips, waist, and legs, often featuring simple handstands with tempting leg shakes. This type of feminine street dance was called reggae dancehall, or *ragga*.
Jessica Alba had trained for three months before filming, and she was doing pretty well.
Many of the men in the crowd were fixated on her tiny waist and perky hips, shamelessly swallowing their saliva.
"Luca, stop staring. Let's go say hi to the director."
"Fine!"
Luca wiped his mouth and pushed through the crowd to the monitor area.
In the director's zone, seven or eight crew members were gathered: a script supervisor, director's assistants, editors, and choreographers.
At the center was the director, Billy Woodruff, a middle-aged white man in his forties. Though new to the film world, he was already a legend in the music industry.
He'd directed music videos for Britney Spears, Toni Braxton, and the Backstreet Boys, and had won multiple awards for his work.
"CUT! Take ten!"
Director Billy shouted for a break, pointing at the monitor as he gave some notes.
Choreographer Laurianne Gibson nodded and headed back to the set for more rehearsals.
"Hey~ Billy!"
Luca approached, trying to make his presence known.
He'd met Billy during his audition. Billy had directed Britney's music video, and Luca had been her rumored boyfriend at the time, so they hit it off quickly.
"Luca, you ready?"
Billy Woodruff asked, looking up.
"Yeah,"
Luca nodded, "But there's something that's been bugging me for a few days. Can I ask you?"
"Go ahead."
Billy sipped his coffee casually.
Luca pointed to his face and described his earlier dilemma: why does the female lead choose a Black barber over a rich, good-looking, and promising guy like himself?
"So, Billy, do you think I should tone down my looks a bit?"
Billy burst out laughing and beckoned him over. "Come here, let's talk quietly."
"Okay!"
Luca took a couple of steps closer, and the people around them gave them space.
"Luca, what do you think the selling point of this movie is?"
Billy leaned back in his chair with a sly smile.
Luca glanced at the hot girl on the set. "Is it her?"
"Haha, that's just part of it."
Billy raised three fingers and said, "There are three big selling points: street dance music, the hot girl, and most importantly, the Black community.
This is a film about life in the Black community, and the main audience is Black people. Your character is the only major white supporting role. Do you understand the significance of your presence?"
Billy stroked his beard, smiling as he asked.
Luca thought for a moment. "I'm not just here to get beat up, am I?"
"Haha, pretty close. Your character is basically the villain. The female lead chooses the Black male lead over you—the handsome, rich guy. That kind of choice is way more appealing. So, the more good-looking you are, the cooler the audience's experience will be."
"I got it!"
This is all about ignoring realism and just going for pure enjoyment—commonly known as 'mindless fun.'
"Great, then go get ready. We're about to shoot your scene."
"Okay, Billy, but I still have one more question."
"Another question?"
Billy was starting to get annoyed. If it weren't for the fact that they were both white, he wouldn't even bother with him.
"Go on, ask."
"Billy, we're both white. Aren't you worried about shooting a movie like this that panders to Black people? Aren't you afraid you'll get in trouble?"
"..."
Billy clenched his fist and replied coldly, "Luca, I hope your next performance pleases me. Otherwise, you'll see..."
Luca smirked slightly, "Fuck, said the wrong thing again."
**Chapter 74: Beginning Filming**
"All departments ready, 'Honey,' scene six, take one, ACTION!"
At noon on April 10th, the crew began filming the street dance scenes.
Luca plays a character named Michael Ellis, a video director and the owner of a video production company that mainly produces music videos for singers.
This character's identity is similar to director Billy's.
Luca originally wanted to ask Billy if this villain character was based on him.
But, fearing a punch, he wisely chose to keep his mouth shut.
In this movie, 'Michael' has a total of eighteen scenes.
The character's storyline is quite simple.
Michael discovers a girl who dances really well in a nightclub—she's the protagonist, 'Honey.'
He reaches out to her to film a music video and asks her to be the choreographer for it.
Honey is ambitious and has great dance talent. With Michael's help, she starts to make a name for herself in the music industry.
Later, Michael tries to take advantage of Honey, but she rejects him and even slaps him.
Enraged, Michael tries to blacklist her in the industry.
However, by then, Honey is already famous, and her dancing is recognized by many Black singers in the music world.
The Black artists insist that Honey choreograph their videos when working with Michael, or they won't cooperate.
Michael is forced to lower his pride and ask Honey for help, but she refuses.
Michael is humiliated, and the protagonist, Honey, with the support of the Black community and her Black boyfriend, lives happily ever after.
Overall, Michael is an unlikable and tragic character.
The filming began.
The crew first shot the dance scenes.
This particular scene shows Michael directing while Honey choreographs, during the period when they are working closely together.
Michael sits in front of the monitor, chewing gum constantly while watching the performance on screen.
In front of the camera, Jessica, playing Honey, is dressed provocatively and holds a megaphone, loudly shouting out the beats.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight!"
Under her direction, several pairs of Black men and women dance Hip-Hop on a makeshift stage.
Michael watches for a while, frowns slightly, and signals to the person beside him.
"CUT!"
Honey made a cutting gesture across her neck, stopping the performance, and looked at him.
Michael gestured for her to come over and took a couple of steps toward her.
"How was it?"
Honey asked, a little nervously.
Michael scratched his head, "Hmm~ something's missing in the dance."
"What's missing?"
Honey asked, puzzled.
Michael tilted his head in thought, "I don't know, just something feels off."
As he spoke, his right hand grabbed at the air a couple of times, as if trying to catch something that kept slipping away.
"Mm-hmm, not bad!"
Behind another monitor, the real director, Billy, stroked his beard and smiled slightly.
He didn't have high expectations for Luca at first, since Luca was a newcomer and had gotten the role through connections—how much real talent could he have?
But after watching Luca's performance, Billy was pleasantly surprised.
Before shooting, Billy didn't give any direction; he just asked Luca to act based on his understanding of the script.
To his surprise, Luca's performance was very close to what Billy had envisioned. This kind of rapport was rare, giving Billy a feeling like he'd found a kindred spirit.
"CUT!"
Billy called the shot off with a megaphone.
"What do you think, Billy?"
Luca asked after stepping out of the scene.
Billy frowned at him. With such a good performance, how could he criticize him? But if he didn't criticize him, he wouldn't feel satisfied.
"Emm~ Luca, don't you think you're making too many little movements? One moment you're scratching your head, the next you're grabbing the air. Are your hands stealing the scene?"
"Hahaha~"
Many people on set started laughing.
Luca shrugged and walked over to the monitor.
"Billy, you're right. My hands are a bit unnecessary. I thought about crossing my arms or putting them in my pockets, but it didn't feel natural. I just feel like my hands are missing something."
"Missing something?"
Billy rewatched the scene.
Luca had two main actions.
One was sitting in front of the monitor, focusing on the performance, and gesturing in front of the screen.
The other was standing up to talk to Jessica about the dance.
Everything looked normal, like a dedicated MV director at work.
"I didn't notice anything wrong."
Billy looked over at his assistant, who also shook their head.
"Luca, do you have any suggestions?"
Billy used to be a music video director, so this was his first time directing a film. He wasn't too full of himself.
Luca thought about the original version of the movie, where the character always held a handheld game console. He didn't know why this version didn't have it, but he tried to subtly remind them.
"Billy, let's not talk about the performance yet. Let's discuss the character. This guy is supposed to be a privileged white guy."
"Luca, watch your language!"
Billy touched his white face, a little displeased.
"Okay, Billy, forget I said that. What I mean is that this guy shouldn't be taking his work so seriously."
"Shouldn't he?"
"Exactly!"
Luca pulled up a chair and sat down, speaking slowly, "Michael is young and already owns a production company. He's clearly from a well-off family, a white guy who doesn't have to work hard to get what he has. Someone like him would easily annoy the Black community. If he doesn't work hard and still has everything, it makes him even more unlikeable."
Billy stroked his beard, pondering, then looked over at the executive writer. "Alonzo, what do you think?"
The writer, Alonzo, a middle-aged man with dark skin, smiled lightly. "Not bad. Luca has a deep understanding of the character.
Right now, many in the Black community often complain about the unfair distribution of resources. Kids from white families don't have to work hard to get everything, while kids from Black families struggle but still get no opportunities.
Michael, being in his twenties and already controlling opportunities, naturally wouldn't be liked."
Billy nodded knowingly. "So, Luca, what's your idea?"
Luca smiled slightly, took out his phone, and started playing Tetris. He actually wanted to play *Star Wars*, but his reflexes had slowed, and it was frustrating to play.
"Hey, Luca, we're waiting for your suggestion."
Billy said, annoyed.
Luca ignored him, casually glancing at the monitor while playing his game and chewing gum, appearing indifferent.
"Luca~"
The assistant director frowned and reminded him.
"Hold on!"
Billy raised his hand and watched Luca's behavior closely, his frown slowly disappearing. "Haha, interesting!"
The Black screenwriter nodded as well, smiling. "Not bad, a white guy who has everything but doesn't appreciate it. While everyone is rehearsing hard, he's playing games. When something goes wrong, he doesn't know how to fix it and hands the problem over to the protagonist. This detail adds depth to the character. Very nice!"
Luca put away his phone, smiling modestly. "It was Director Billy who inspired me. He said Michael's purpose is to be overshadowed, so I figured making him more unlikeable would help."
"Haha~ not bad. Blake, go find a handheld game console!"
Billy shouted orders.
Luca shrugged. He should've brought Lima's game console.
"Billy, I'll go get ready."
"Go ahead, and rehearse with Jessica. Your performance lacked eye contact. Specifically, you two seem too unfamiliar with each other."
"Emmm~ okay, I'll work on that!"
Thanks to the reader *20180324104843271* for the donation!
(End of the chapter)
**Chapter 75: No Spark**
On the chilly spring street, Jessica sat wrapped in a blue Winnie the Pooh blanket under a sunlit corner, leaning against a folding chair while reading a script. A cup of Starbucks coffee sat on a stack of bricks beside her, steaming in the sunlight.
Luca stepped out from the shadows into the sunlight, shivering slightly. So warm!
"Hey, Jessica!"
He greeted her softly.
Not far away, Jessica's bodyguard sat on a large concrete pipe, absentmindedly stabbing at an anthill with a knife. When he saw someone approaching, he looked up cautiously, his gaze shifting to Jessica.
Jessica's eyelashes fluttered slightly. Her deep brown eyes moved from the script to Luca's face. Seeing it was him, she tilted her chin up just a bit, the corners of her lips lifting into a sweet yet polite smile.
"Hey, Luca!"
After the brief greeting, she lowered her lashes and lips again, her gaze returning to the script, as if the pages in her hands were more captivating than the handsome guy standing in front of her.
Luca felt a moment of awkwardness. "Jessica, are you reading your script?"
"Mhm," she replied without looking up.
Luca felt a little down. Since becoming such a good-looking guy, this was the first time someone had completely ignored him.
Glancing toward the director's area in the distance, he braced himself and asked,
"Jessica, do you need help running lines?"
"No, thanks!" Jessica responded lazily.
"Alright!" Luca shrugged and turned to leave.
Jessica was 22 this year. Two years ago, she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role in *Post-Apocalyptic Black Angel*. Last year, she starred in *The Lover's Dictionary*, a film with some risqué scenes, but it didn't perform well at the box office.
In terms of fame, she was roughly A-list, but realistically only a B-list actress, not much higher than Luca, a supermodel.
There was no need to keep flattering someone who's not interested.
"Hey, Mr. Big, can you breakdance?"
Not far from Jessica, a group of backup dancers was messing around on an empty patch of ground. Seeing Luca pass by, they all stopped and gave him challenging looks, their body language full of provocation.
Luca was used to it.
In this crew, over 80% of the people were people of color, and he was the only white guy among the main characters. Facing discrimination and provocation was a regular thing.
"Sorry, I can't." He waved them off and continued walking.
"Haha, how can you pick up Britney if you don't know how to breakdance?"
One of the dancers, Benny, surrounded Luca with six other black guys. Benny was the crew's breakdance coach and one of the backup dancers. He was famous in the local black community.
"Come on, let's battle!" Benny waved, and the guys immediately started busting out moves like floor spins, Thomas flares, air freezes, and windmills.
These moves were from a style called Breaking, also known as breakdancing.
The moves were fast, intense, and looked incredibly cool.
Benny and the others circled Luca, spinning and jumping with all sorts of daring moves. The crowd cheered, and even Jessica looked up from her script and gave a light round of applause.
"How about it, Mr. Big? Can you do that?" Benny asked provocatively.
Luca shook his head and pointed to his temple. "I rely on IQ and EQ to pick up girls, not spinning on the floor. Got it?"
"EQ?"
The group of black dancers paused for a moment.
Luca smirked, pushing past two of them and walking away.
"F***, white trash!"
"Arrogant white boy."
"Can't even breakdance. What a loser."
The six black dancers spat curses at his back.
Hearing all the racial slurs, Luca felt nothing. But after walking a few steps, he realized there were a lot of people around, and not responding might make him look weak.
"You guys are using racist language to insult me. I could take this to the Human Rights Court."
"Take us to court?"
The group paused, then burst out laughing, and the crowd joined in.
Luca glanced at them, realizing they all looked like they'd just gotten out of prison. Clearly, they didn't care about the law.
He glanced at the ground and suddenly used his foot to flick up an empty drink bottle. The bottle flew into the air, and he quickly dropped to the ground, doing an inverted scissor kick. His foot lightly tapped the bottle, sending it soaring into a trash can six meters away.
"Can any of you do that?" he asked casually, dusting off his hands.
The black dancers stood there, stunned, looking back and forth between him and the trash can.
"Idiots," Luca sneered, turning to leave.
"Did he just insult us?"
"I didn't catch it!"
"He probably made up some new word. What a sneaky white boy."
The dancers grumbled, frustrated but helpless.
Not far away, Jessica smirked, then lowered her head to continue reading her script.
"All departments, get ready. Three minutes until we resume filming."
Billy shouted through a megaphone. The crew sprang into action, actors got into position, and the lighting and sound teams took their places.
Luca sat down behind the monitor. They were only shooting a dialogue scene between two people this time, so there wasn't much to do.
"Scene 6, Take 1, Second Shot. Action!"
Filming started. Michael, holding a Nintendo console, played his game while glancing at the monitor. He chewed gum absentmindedly, looking totally distracted.
When the camera panned to him, he glanced at the monitor, stared for three seconds, then motioned to the crew to pause.
Haney grabbed the megaphone and called for a stop, walking over to ask,
"What's up?"
Michael frowned, still playing his game, and said casually, "Hmm, your dance is missing something."
"Missing what?" Haney asked, confused.
Michael looked at the stage, frowning as he thought for a moment. "I don't know. It's just missing something."
He turned back to his game, walking away. After taking two steps, he turned back and commanded,
"Fix it!"
"Got it!"
Billy stared at the monitor for a while, nodded in satisfaction, and replaced his previous body language with the game console, which better suited his style.
However, on camera, Luca and Jessica didn't exchange a single glance.
Whenever Jessica looked at Luca, he was either looking at his game console or the stage. And when Luca looked at Jessica, his expression was completely flat.
The performance was passable but stiff.
"CUT!"
Billy called for a pause, waved, and had the two actors come over.
"Is there a problem, Billy?" Luca asked as he approached.
Jessica also cast a puzzled glance his way.
"Take a look for yourselves," Billy said, pointing at the monitor.
Luca and Jessica rewatched the footage.
"Notice anything wrong?" Billy asked, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.
Luca shook his head. "Nothing seems off."
Jessica shook her head slightly as well, unable to see the issue.
Billy stroked his chin, studying the two of them.
One was strong and handsome, the other hot and sexy.
Luca was supermodel Mr. Big, a presence that could rock Britney Spears' luxury tour bus.
Jessica was one of the most beautiful and sexy actresses in Hollywood.
They were easily two of the top faces in the global entertainment industry.
When he first saw this fiery duo, he was worried they might stir up some drama on set, possibly putting the Black male lead in an awkward position.
But unexpectedly, there was zero chemistry between them while filming.
Billy couldn't figure it out. How could two people like them not have any sparks?
Scratching his messy hair, Billy said, "The problem is your performance feels stiff. Especially you, Luca. Your character is not only greedy for Honey's dance talent, but for her as a person too. Your gaze should be more intense, to show your desire. It highlights both your greed and Honey's allure. If your eyes remain cold and distant, the audience won't see your greed, and they won't feel a sense of danger for Honey. Do you get it?"
Luca rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Billy, are you suggesting that Michael is really into Honey, but Honey doesn't like him and instead prefers a Black guy who cuts hair? The more Michael likes her, the more he can't have her, while the Black barber gets her easily, which would make Black viewers feel pretty satisfied?"
Billy was stunned. Did I really think that? It sounded kind of logical, but wouldn't that be pandering to the Black audience too much? Could that get him in trouble?
After pondering for a moment, Billy decisively chose box office success over the risk of backlash.
"Yes, Luca, you've got it. Michael is the villain. He loses something valuable that the protagonist gains, and that's the payoff. Emmm, it's just the villain's rightful comeuppance—it has nothing to do with race. Luca, let's not bring up race on set, okay?"
"OK!" Luca glanced at him. *You're a sneaky dog. I'm sure you're gonna get in trouble for this.*
Billy blushed, waved his hand, and said, "Get ready to shoot again!"
"Alright!" Luca glanced at Jessica, who smirked, and the two returned to their positions.
"Honey, Scene 6, Take 3, ACTION!"
(End of this chapter)
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