บท 131: ## Chapter 131: I Can't Play This Game
In mid-January, the movie "Mystery Puzzle" started filming in New York. It's a thriller and suspense film set in New York City.
Police officer Amelia (played by Angelina Jolie) discovers a dismembered corpse while on patrol. The killer intentionally leaves many clues at the scene to taunt the police. Amelia makes a series of deductions, earning the praise of the famous detective Lincoln (played by Denzel Washington), who is a paraplegic detective with rich experience in solving cases. With his help, Amelia cracks the case and kills the murderer.
In the movie, Richard plays a detective named Solomon. His role is small, with fewer than twenty lines, and his scenes are scattered, mostly as a background character.
Richard held the script, listening to the explanations from the screenwriter and director, and sighed quietly.
In "Murder Case," he got to act alongside Douglas and Gwen. He was the lead in "Dangerous Game," and had significant roles in "The Genius" and "A Kiss." But here, he's just a background character. It felt like his career was regressing.
"Hey, Richard, why do you look so down? Is there something you don't understand?"
While zoning out, someone threw a paper ball at him.
Richard caught it in one hand. It was the female lead, Angelina Jolie, sitting opposite him. She bit her lower lip and blinked playfully, looking quite cheeky.
When Jolie spoke, everyone in the script discussion session paused. Director Philip Noyce, assistant director Kenneth Branagh, lead actor Denzel Washington, and other key crew members turned their attention to him.
Richard smiled awkwardly, "Yes, this story is quite complex. I need to think it through carefully, understand the plot's structure, and my character's role in it."
"Alright, Richard, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
Screenwriter Jeffrey Deaver said.
"Got it."
Richard nodded seriously. This was a script discussion session for a suspense film, so the atmosphere was a bit heavy, except for the girl opposite him. She chewed gum while reading the script, her legs swinging under the table, frequently kicking his legs.
After his little interruption, the crew resumed their discussion.
The film's major scenes centered around Denzel Washington and Jolie.
Denzel Washington's role was particularly challenging. He played a man paralyzed from the neck down, relying solely on his facial expressions and eyes to act, without any body language.
This was incredibly difficult. To portray the character well, Washington and the director visited many paralyzed patients, including the famous actor Christopher Reeve, who was paralyzed from the neck down due to a horse-riding accident and starred in the Superman series.
Listening to the director's explanation, Richard quickly took notes. If he ever encountered a challenging role, he could use this method. If he performed well, maybe he could win an Oscar, heh heh.
"Why are you smiling?"
As he wrote, Jolie moved to his side, glanced at his notes, and smirked disdainfully.
"With such a small role, is it necessary to be so serious?"
"Yes, I'm a new actor and not very familiar with the crew's workings, so I need to listen, learn, and accumulate experience."
Richard said while taking notes.
"Tch, I thought you were a cool guy because you were a boxing champion. Now I see you're just a nerd."
"Yes, I'm a well-educated boxing champion."
Richard shrugged and continued taking notes.
"Hehe~"
Jolie rolled her eyes and started writing too.
After the afternoon's internal meeting, the crew disbanded. Richard grabbed his bag and left the conference room.
"Hey, Richard, want to hit a bar?"
Jolie caught up and asked.
"Sorry, I might not have time this afternoon."
Richard declined politely.
"I've got a new movie called 'Girl, Interrupted,' and there's a big supporting role that would suit you. I could recommend you to the crew."
Richard paused. Jolie won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for "Girl, Interrupted."
"A big supporting role?"
"Yes!"
Jolie blinked.
"Miss Jolie, how about I treat you to coffee?"
Richard gave a charming smile.
"Didn't you say you had no time?"
Jolie said disdainfully.
"Um, time is like water in a sponge. If you squeeze it, you'll always find some."
"Fuck you!"
Jolie flipped him off.
---
At a French cafe by the New York Bay, the ambiance was elegant, with golden lighting, the rich aroma of coffee, and the sweet scent of French pastries.
In the coldest season in New York, sitting in this little cafe made you feel warm and comfortable.
"The coffee here is so-so, but the pastries and desserts are highly recommended. Would you like to try some?"
Richard put down his coffee cup and pointed to two desserts.
Angelina Jolie stared at him silently, picked up a piece of bread, tore off a small piece, and placed it on her lips.
"Did you really just bring me here for coffee?"
"What else? I said I was inviting you for coffee, I can't go back on my word. What do you think of this place?"
Richard stirred his coffee and smiled.
"Haha, Richard, is this how you flirt? It's really not very original."
"What?"
"Don't pretend. You deliberately chose this comfortable and quiet environment, with sweet pastries, to slowly lower a girl's guard.
Then you recite some Shakespeare or Jane Austen, or tell a joke to showcase your refinement, knowledge, or sense of humor. Once the girl is completely charmed, you can take her home.
If this is your plan, I suggest you give up. I'm not interested in this routine."
Angelina Jolie said disdainfully.
Richard chuckled lightly and then restrained his smile. "Jolie, do you think I need to do that? If I wanted to sleep with you, I could have made a move in the car. Whether by seduction or force, I'm confident I could conquer you. I have that confidence."
"Haha, want to try?"
Angelina held the coffee cup tightly and spoke coldly.
"No need."
"Afraid?"
"Not interested."
Richard smirked, "From your eyes, I see desire, naked desire. This means your impulse towards me exceeds mine towards you. If I were to sleep with you, I'd be falling into your trap. As a man who has earned a championship belt, my pants are not that loose."
Angelina curled her lips, "Has anyone ever told you that you're shameless, Richard?"
"No, I'm a very shy person."
Richard said seriously.
Angelina blinked, suddenly smiled, "Richard, you truly are a difficult man to handle. Proud, arrogant, shameless, self-righteous. It's hard to win this game with you, but I'm determined to win."
"Game?"
Richard frowned.
"You don't need to know. Just tell me how to get you. Is it by having coffee together, slowly building feelings, or a quid pro quo, or some other way? Tell me, and I'll try to meet your demands."
Angelina bit her lip and said.
Richard frowned, feeling deeply offended.
"Come on, tell me. How do I get you?"
Angelina picked up a small piece of bread and tossed it over.
Richard shook his head, took out his wallet, and placed a coin on the table.
"Planning to pay the bill and leave? Disappointing. I thought you were a more impressive man."
Angelina sneered.
"No, it's for you. Is this enough to sleep with you?"
Richard pushed the coin forward.
Swish~
Angelina stood up, looked around, and picked up the coffee cup, angrily saying,
"What did you say?!"
"Not enough? Or you don't want money. Then tell me, how can I sleep with you?"
Richard smiled faintly.
Angelina glared at him coldly, then suddenly smiled, "Richard, you're more shameless than I thought. How about we call it a draw this round?"
"A draw? A game of mutual harm?"
"You started it by saying you could easily sleep with me. That was an insult."
"But before that... Forget it. Meaningless arguments are unnecessary."
Richard shook his head, took out a bill,
"Goodbye, Angelina. Inviting you for coffee was a mistake."
"Haha~ Failed to flirt and now running away in disgrace. Richard Brad, you're not much."
Angelina held her cup disdainfully.
"Whatever. You and I grew up differently. You can be proud, indulgent, and capricious, even play with life, because someone will always make excuses for you, clean up your mess, and give you a chance to correct your mistakes. But I don't have that.
From childhood, every step had to be cautious. I couldn't be capricious or rebellious, couldn't slack off or give up the third job when hungry, nor quit a match when exhausted because I had no margin for error and no chance to make things right.
So, Ms. Jolie, whatever game or contest you're playing, find someone else. I can't afford it."
Richard put on his hat and left the coffee shop.
Angelina stared at the empty seat opposite her, eyes unblinking. After a while, she kicked the chair,
"Bastard!"
Ding-ding-ding~ Her phone rang.
"Angela, from your speed in answering the phone, I guess you failed."
Someone said on the phone.
"It's not failure; I gave up. Richard turned out to be not as cool as I thought. I suddenly lost interest in him."
Angelina leaned back and said.
"Really? I'm curious about what he said or did to make you decide that. But here's a reminder: don't believe Richard when he acts pitiful, don't trust him when he gets emotional, and don't fall for his tenderness. He's good at deceiving and disguising himself, like a gentle beast that will rip you apart when you least expect it."
"You know him so well, why haven't you succeeded?"
Angelina blinked.
"Germophobia. He has a mental cleanliness compulsion in that regard."
The person on the phone said angrily.
"An interesting flaw!"
Angelina smiled, "For some reason, I suddenly feel guilty, like I'm trying to violate a pure maiden."
The person on the phone laughed.
"If you feel guilty, it means you've been fooled."
"Really?"
Angelina suddenly saw the coin on the table and her face turned ugly,
"Yes, that bastard is definitely not a good person!"
——
Beep beep~
On a street in DC, a black Ford was slowly moving through traffic. In the afternoon, there were more vehicles on the road.
Richard wanted to speed but couldn't, so he slowly inched forward. He checked the route and turned towards a Walmart on the next street.
With the main chef coming back home, he could prepare some ingredients in advance and wait for her to cook a feast.
Ding-ding-ding~
His phone rang when he reached the parking lot.
"Hey, Gwen!"
He greeted.
"Richard, how did your chat with Jolie go?"
The person on the phone chuckled.
Richard raised an eyebrow, "So you were the one who bet with her?"
"Yes, it wasn't really a bet. She asked if we ever did that, and I said you had germophobia and were hard to get. She said she could get you. I didn't tell you before, are you mad?"
"No, just found it boring."
"It is a bit. But Jolie is quite sexy, don't you want to sleep with her?"
The person on the phone laughed.
"No. She has tattoos all over and scandals. Getting close to her would surely result in rumors. If Gisele saw it, I couldn't explain it."
"True love. She's lucky to be pampered by you."
"Don't envy. You can find someone to love and pamper you too, become a happy woman."
"Can I? If I can, I want to be her."
The person on the phone said.
"Congratulations on winning the Golden Globe and the Oscar nomination."
"Thanks!"
"You're welcome!"
Hanging up the phone, Richard walked into the supermarket. Since it was the weekend, the supermarket had a sale promotion, so he could buy more vegetables and fruits.
——
The next day, the crew officially started shooting. The first location was an abandoned underground train station in Jersey City, New York, filming the scene where the heroine Amelia discovers the dismembered body on the tracks and intercepts the train.
Richard appeared twice in this scene, with no lines. The filming wasn't difficult, just that the outdoor weather in January was cold, and even wearing three or four layers couldn't resist the chill underground.
"I suddenly envy Denzel. He gets to lie in bed all the time."
Angelina stomped her feet and said.
Richard smiled. Denzel Washington's character is paralyzed from the neck down and never stands up throughout the movie, so filming must be comfortable.
"Don't want to talk to me?"
Angelina glanced at him, "You really don't seem like a man. I was just joking with you, and you ignore me for a whole day. Do you think I would like a man like you?"
Richard shrugged, "See those extras? They're envying you for standing in front of the camera."
"Haha, does that include you?"
Angelina laughed.
"No, because some envy me too."
"Oh, what do they envy? A small role like yours?"
"No, they envy me for chatting with Angelina Jolie."
"Wow, you do know how to joke?"
Angelina looked surprised.
"Occasionally!"
Richard said coolly.
"The train is moving, actors get ready!"
The staff shouted through a loudspeaker.
Angelina collected herself and turned serious.
Click-clack~ Click-clack~
The train approached, and Angelina rushed onto the tracks, waving a flashlight. She wore a blue police uniform with a large cap, performing with great intensity, completely different from her off-screen self.
Richard stood outside watching. After more than two hours, it was his turn to appear. He wore a beige trench coat and walked onto the set.
"Scene 7, take 1, action!"
——
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