บท 114: ### Chapter 114: Experience

"Heh, why did it take you two so long to get back?"

In the evening, Matt Damon stood at the gate of an open courtyard by the beach, calling out.

"There are a lot of people in the crew. We were worried half a bucket of fish wouldn't be enough, so we made another trip to the seafood market. Bought a lot of bluefish, big shrimp, and crabs," Richard said, carrying a bucket.

"That's plenty. The crew prepared a lot. Jude, what are you carrying?" Matt Damon asked, looking at the bag in Jude's hand.

"Ingredients for making sauce: vinegar, ketchup, onions, raisins, pine nuts. Originally, I suggested buying ready-made sauce, but Richard said homemade sauce is fresher and tastier, so I followed his advice and bought a lot," Jude shrugged.

"Do you need help?" Matt Damon offered.

"No need!" Jude pulled his hand back.

"It's okay, I can carry it for you."

"Really, there's no need, thank you!"

Richard twitched his mouth. Previously, he didn't believe the rumors about Matt being too into his role, but now it seemed to be a serious issue. Carrying over forty pounds of seafood, he quietly quickened his pace. Without a good friend, he had to bear the burden himself.

"Hey, Richard, why are you running?" Jude caught up, seeking his masculine presence.

"I smell the aroma from the yard. Let's hurry, or they'll eat it all. I caught a ten-pound bream in the sea today. When roasted and dipped in Modena black vinegar, it tastes amazing."

"Really? I want to try it too," Jude said.

Entering the yard, they found four barbecue grills fired up. The usually behind-the-scenes crew members—props, editors, camera assistants, script supervisors—had all transformed into grill masters. The seafood sizzled, releasing a mouthwatering aroma.

"Smells great!" Richard picked up a grilled shrimp and took a bite. It was tender, crispy, and delicious, with a hint of black garlic. He gave a thumbs up to the editor, Walter.

"Thanks, Richard. Could you take this plate upstairs? Also, there's a new beauty in the crew," Walter winked.

"Who?"

"You'll see for yourself!" Walter handed him the plate.

"Hey, Richard, come up here! Where did you go?" Gwyneth called from the rooftop.

"Buying fish!"

"Really? I thought you were on a date with Jude. You two looked quite close."

"Ha ha ha!" The courtyard erupted in laughter.

Richard shook his head, carrying the barbecue to the rooftop.

Most of the crew was there: director Minghella, producer Hoberg, assistant director Steven, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Gwyneth, and a new face, Cate Blanchett.

She wore a light blue dress, tall and slender, at twenty-nine, hailing from Australia. Like Jude, she came from a theater background. She moved to the U.S. last year and had done a few films, though she wasn't very famous yet.

After introductions, the crew was finally complete.

The crew held a small meeting to discuss the upcoming schedule. After finishing the shoot in Sicily, they would move back to Rome.

The scenes in Rome were packed, and the crew planned to speed up the shooting, so everyone needed to prepare in advance. The actors needed to rehearse.

"Richard, your scenes will become more nuanced. Pay attention to the character's transformation," director Minghella advised.

"Got it!" Richard nodded slightly.

After killing Dickie, Ripley pretends to be him, living his life. Dickie's friend, Freddie (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman), visits and notices inconsistencies. Ripley kills him too.

Under police suspicion, Ripley has to move. With Peter's help, Ripley stays in Rome and evades the police.

Over time, Ripley develops a subtle feeling towards Peter, a mix of friendship and attraction. These scenes need to be portrayed delicately to capture the nuance, making them challenging to perform.

For the next period, Richard trained and rehearsed with the crew. With talents like Matt Damon, Jude Law, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Gwyneth, and Cate Blanchett, all seasoned actors, the pressure was high.

Cate Blanchett, in particular, had deep expertise in theater. During rehearsals, Richard often sought her advice, gaining valuable experience.

After a few days of shooting in Sicily, the crew moved to Rome.

By early August, the second semi-final match began, and Richard took a break to return to New York.

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"Finally back. It feels like I've been away for a century," Mike marveled at New York's skyscrapers.

"It's always like this the first time you go abroad. You'll get used to it," Richard laughed.

"Can I go next time? I heard you guys fished in the Mediterranean every day. I'm so jealous," Robert, their young neighbor, said.

Robert, 19, had graduated high school but didn't attend college. He was apprenticing at Charles' car shop and usually hung out with Anthony and Mike.

"Do you think we were on vacation? We were working. Sicily averages over thirty degrees with mosquitoes. Richard had to act in the heat, and I ran errands every day, exhausted," Mike explained.

"I'd still do it. Running errands isn't technical, anyone can do it," Robert replied.

"Fine, when Richard becomes a big star and needs more assistants, you can run errands too," Mike laughed.

"Really, Richard, when will you be a big star?" Robert asked excitedly.

"Don't know, maybe a few years," Richard said, looking at his phone.

"That's too long."

"I'll try to become a star sooner," Richard laughed.

"Great!"

Robert smiled, "Richard, where to now, Bronx or Tribeca?"

"Back to the Bronx first. Gisele is out of town. No one to cook if I go there," Richard laughed.

"Okay!" Robert turned the car towards the Bronx.

Back in New York, Richard trained at the gym for two days.

On August 6th, he had another boxing match. This time, his opponent was Otis Grant, former IBO light heavyweight champion. Comparable to Montell in strength, but not as good as Varesi.

They fought for five rounds. In the fifth round, Otis Grant fell three times, and the referee stopped the fight, declaring Richard the winner.

Richard won two semi-final matches, earning the title "Contender for the Championship" and a silver belt, shiny but of little value.

His current record was 13 wins, 13 fights, ranking eighth in his weight class, and second within the WBC. In November, he would challenge Roy Jones.

"Richard, Roy Jones is fighting Del Valle this weekend. Do you have time to watch?" Alvin pointed to the newspaper in the office.

"Sure, I have a few days," Richard said, taking the newspaper.

Two days later, at Madison Square Garden, WBC champion Roy Jones would fight WBA champion Del Valle.

Roy Jones had a record of 38 fights, 38 wins, ranking first in his weight class.

Del Valle had 27 fights, 26 wins, 1 loss, ranking sixth.

The difference in their abilities was clear. There was little suspense in the match. People were more excited about Richard's November fight with Roy Jones.

So, the report on their match also mentioned Richard's recent semi-final victory and his upcoming bout with Roy Jones, hinting at high expectations.

Richard smiled, put down the newspaper, and continued training.