บท 92: Paparazzo
Stepping out of the taxi, Lucas brushed the crisp night air off his shoulders. An unexplainable prickling sensation crawled up his neck, prompting him to glance over his shoulder. Nothing out of the ordinary – just the bustling cityscape and the neon glow of distant signs. He dismissed it as fatigue from the long flight and continued towards the hotel entrance.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the urban soundscape. "Lucas Knight?"
He froze, eyebrows shooting up as he swiveled around. A man, clad in inconspicuous clothing, stood a few feet away, a digital camera aimed squarely at him. The click of the shutter momentarily blinded him before his vision adjusted. This man, with his practiced air and camera at the ready, triggered a familiar memory.
Filming "Inception" in public places had been an onslaught of camera flashes and intrusive questions. The paparazzi's relentless pursuit for Leonardo, Tom Hardy, and the others, their carefully crafted scenes disrupted by the constant barrage. Initially, Lucas found it annoying, but it quickly morphed into amusement. He, after all, remained blissfully unnoticed, able to observe Leonardo and the others being constantly annoyed by the paparazzi, Lucas secretly gloat at them at that time. Though, he wouldn't deny a flicker of annoyance when their takes were interrupted.
But to be accosted by a paparazzo now, fresh off filming? The irony wasn't lost on him. Here he was, once the quiet observer of Leonardo and the others discomfort, and even secretly gloating, now facing the lens of a paparazzo himself. A sigh escaped his lips as he turned to the photographer, extending a hand in greeting. "Is everything alright?" he inquired, his voice devoid of the nervous tremor he imagined would plague him. "Did you need something?"
His composure surprised even the photographer, Sean. He'd expected the usual flustered reaction, the attempt to dodge the spotlight, perhaps even nervousness, especially from a relatively unknown actor. Yet, Lucas stood there, calm and collected. This wasn't how other actors or even newcomers typically reacted, Sean mused.
What Sean didn't know was that Lucas's days on set, surrounded by the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, and Tom Hardy and the others, had unwittingly polished his social skills and fostered a newfound confidence. The constant exposure to the celebrity spotlight, once daunting, had become a training ground. He learned to navigate the public eye, his initial awkwardness replaced by a measured ease.
Lucas's hand met Sean's in a firm handshake. "Good afternoon, Mr. Knight," the photographer said, his voice laced with a hint of excitement. "Fancy meeting you here in LA! I'm Sean Borg, by the way."
Lucas, still processing the unexpected encounter, offered a polite smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Sean."
Sean's smile widened. "Did you know," he began, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "the box office performance of the film you just starred in?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "127 Hours? Haven't had a chance to check..."
"Well, consider this your update," Sean chuckled, rattling off numbers with enthusiasm. "97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 9.1 rating on IMDb, and the box office has already hit 820 thousand dollars in just six days. Impressive, wouldn't you say?"
Lucas blinked, absorbing the information. This wasn't what he expected from a random encounter on a Friday evening.
"That's...incredible," he managed, a mix of relief and excitement washing over him. He hadn't been actively seeking validation, but the positive response was undeniably satisfying.
Sean observed him keenly. "Seems you're surprised. Not quite aware of your career status, are we?"
Lucas laughed sheepishly. "Well, I've been busy filming lately, trying to catch my breath when I can. You kind of popped up just as I was about to..."
Sean held up a hand, silencing Lucas. "About to relax, I know. But a journalist curiosity won't quit, Mr. Knight. What new project are you working on?"
Lucas just smiled. He decided on a playful non-committal response. "Let's just say you might want to keep an eye out on upcoming releases."
Sean grinned, his paparazzi's intuition tingling. "I have a hunch," he added. "Something big, with Leonardo DiCaprio, perhaps? Directed by the well known Christopher Nolan?"
Lucas's silence held a hint of amusement. The paparazzi, it seemed, was better informed than he'd imagined. Yet, revealing details of his current project wasn't on the menu tonight.
Sean chuckled, recognizing the actor's guarded stance. Initially, he'd been staking out Warner Bros. HQ, hoping to catch a glimpse of Leonardo DiCaprio and Christopher Nolan filming their heavily-rumored new project. He wasn't alone; the buzz had drawn paparazzi like moths to a flame. But instead of the A-listers, fate had presented him with a fresh face: Lucas Knight.
Sean had recently seen "127 Hours" and was blown away by Lucas's performance. He even went down a rabbit hole, discovering Lucas's role in "Modern Family" and his surprisingly catchy music "Perfect" beside the ending song in the film "127 Hours". The young actor exuded a raw talent that, coupled with his undeniable charisma, screamed "future superstar." Stumbling upon Lucas instead of the Hollywood giants wasn't a disappointment at all.
Lucas and Sean continued their conversation for a while longer, the setting sun painting the cityscape in hues of orange and gold.
And with a polite smile, Lucas excused himself and entered the hotel's revolving doors. Sean watched him go, the click of his camera the only sound in the bustling street.
Sean didn't pursue. The chase held little allure. While Lucas's rising star status and undeniable talent were clear, he wasn't yet the A-lister Sean usually chased. There were bigger names, bigger headlines, and ultimately, bigger paydays.
But as Sean walked away, the encounter lingered in his mind. Lucas's raw talent, his quiet charisma – they sparked a different kind of intrigue.
He wouldn't forget Lucas. He'd keep his ear to the ground, wait for the right moment to strike. But for now, he let the young actor disappear into the hotel doors, a smile playing on his lips.
***
Lucas kicked off his shoes and collapsed onto his hotel bed, the city lights twinkling outside his window. The encounter with the paparazzi lingered in his mind, a strange mixture of annoyance and amusement. But what truly warmed his heart was the unexpected performance of his debut film, "127 Hours." The positive reviews and box office numbers brought a genuine smile to his face.
As he relaxed, his phone buzzed. It was Vincent, his agent. A jolt of anticipation ran through him as he answered.
His phone buzzed, breaking the silence. It was his agent, Vincent. Anticipating well wishes, Lucas picked up the call.
"Lucas," Vincent began, his voice brimming with excitement, "I just got the latest figures for '127 Hours'..."
Lucas chuckled, cutting him off. "You can save it, Vincent. The paparazzi already spoiled the surprise."
Vincent's surprise was palpable. "A paparazzi? That's… unexpected. Are you alright?"
"More than alright," Lucas assured him. "A little surprised, sure, but honestly, the encounter wasn't unpleasant. Just a reminder that things are moving fast."
Vincent paused, his initial concern giving way to a thoughtful chuckle. "Moving fast indeed. From what I hear, the paparazzi might not be the only ones noticing you. Studios are starting to take note."
Lucas's heart quickened. "Studios? As in...?"
"Meetings, auditions, offers. The kind of opportunities an up-and-coming actor dreams of," Vincent said, his voice tinged with pride.
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