บท 9: **Chapter 9: The City of Desire**
*Manhattan Academy of Arts.*
Luca stepped out of the parking lot, treading on the fallen yellow leaves of the sycamores and pines, with his textbooks in hand, and walked into the school.
Manhattan Academy of Arts is one of the top five art schools in New York, offering majors in music, dance, drama, painting, and more.
America's sweetheart, Jennifer Aniston, graduated from this school.
The tuition is $20,000 per year, and taking additional courses costs extra.
Kate paid the tuition. She was delighted to see Luca return to school and quickly swiped her card.
Luca felt a bit embarrassed. He had promised to be independent and strong, but here he was, once again relying on someone else.
But it felt good!
"Luca, in Act II, Scene II of *Hamlet*, Ophelia says to her father, 'My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced, no hat upon his head, his stockings fouled, ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle, pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other, and with a look so piteous in purport as if he had been loosed out of hell to speak of horrors—he comes before me.' Can you portray Hamlet's expression at that moment?"
"Sure, Mr. Rose!"
At the school, acting classes are conducted one-on-one.
Luca's teacher is an opera singer, a middle-aged white man in his forties named Rose.
He frequently performs on the Broadway stage, acting in renowned plays like *Hamlet*, *King Lear*, and *Harry Potter*.
Luca had watched him perform twice. Rose's acting skills were quite impressive, which was why Luca chose him as his teacher.
"Luca, remember, emotions are not what you imagine but rather a real experience. Melancholy people are usually very passive; they don't need much expression or movement, just a look. Yes, that's the look. Your eyes are naturally melancholic. Just add a bit of madness and chaos, and you'll do well. But remember, while acting, you have to align with the entire play. In the second act, Hamlet is merely pretending to be mad. He's trying to frighten Ophelia, not as sinister and terrifying as you portrayed."
"I understand, Mr. Rose!"
After the acting class, Luca left the school with two books on acting.
Studying here is convenient. You can arrange your time freely, choose your teachers, and only need to make an appointment a day in advance. Everything is considered for the students.
"Luca, get in the car!"
At the school entrance, Ed called out from the car.
Luca got in and exhaled deeply. Learning to act is mentally challenging and demands a lot of effort.
"How was the lesson?"
Ed handed him a cup of hot coffee.
"Not bad."
"Haha, I asked Rose. He said you have a talent for acting."
"Really?"
Luca smiled lightly. Rose probably said that to earn more class fees, though Luca indeed performed well.
"Luca, we're going to audition for *Sex and the City* in a while. Get ready."
Ed spoke while driving.
"*Sex and the City*?"
Luca was a bit surprised. This is currently the most popular TV show in the United States, now in its sixth season.
But the show is quite bold. You can tell from its name, *Sex and the City*. It's labeled as an adult drama, advising children not to watch it right from the start.
The show's topics are quite explicit, covering everything from bedroom games to bisexuality, STDs, size, and more. It touches on all sensitive subjects and is as daring as it gets, with many nude and bedroom scenes.
On Douban, some summarized that almost every attractive character appearing for more than five minutes in the show will take off their clothes, shoes, everything.
Luca raised an eyebrow. "Ed, is my role a big one?"
Ed seemed to understand what he was thinking and grinned.
"This is an open audition. The specific role will be decided after the audition. Maybe the casting director will see your good figure and give you a bold role."
"Bold it is, then. Just consider it a sacrifice for art."
"Good attitude! That's progress!"
They got out of the car and arrived at the HBO broadcasting company.
HBO is known for producing daring American dramas, often filled with elements like sex, violence, and gore.
*Sex and the City*, *American Gods*, and *Game of Thrones* are prime examples.
The casting location was in the lobby on the second floor.
The lobby was full of people waiting in line—many handsome guys and pretty girls. Lots of people wanted to make an appearance on TV, hoping this could be their breakthrough.
"Luca, follow me!"
Ed led him through the crowd, explaining, "This show is a fashion drama that has a collaboration with our company. Many models under Ford have participated in it."
"Alright."
They went straight to the audition office.
"Hi, James!"
Ed greeted the staff at the door and handed over an identity registration form.
The staff glanced at Luca. "Ed, is this your new talent?"
"His name is Luca. How does he look?"
"Looks good, but a bit shy, like a little girl. Hahaha~"
Luca twitched his mouth. He was just not used to cutting in line and felt a bit uncomfortable about it, but he didn't expect to be seen as a shy girl.
"Haha, Luca, don't be nervous. It's just a minor role."
"Ed, I understand."
Luca smiled, temporarily letting go of his unease. He boldly cut in line. This was America, not back home. Some principles weren't necessary here.
The previous auditionee quickly came out. Luca took the identity form and entered the office.
There were only two people conducting the interview—a man and a woman.
The man was the casting director, a white guy in his thirties.
The woman, in her forties, was the assistant producer.
There was also a staff member on the side.
Luca handed over his personal information form and briefly introduced himself.
The man looked him up and down. "Please turn around."
Luca turned around relaxedly.
Then the man said, "Please read a line."
The staff member handed him a newspaper.
Luca took it and saw that it was that day's *New York Times*.
He had taken two lessons on lines. The teacher had mentioned that if you receive a line during an audition, it indicates a chance to land a speaking role.
This is the moment to seize. Read it in a relaxed tone without showing off.
He followed his teacher's advice and quickly read a passage.
"That's enough."
Suddenly, the woman spoke up. "Can you take off your coat? We need to see your physique."
Luca hesitated for a moment. Ed had guessed right.
He took off his coat and did a few bodybuilding poses to show off his muscle lines.
His body's foundation was good, and after more than ten days of training, his muscles had become solid. His biceps and chest muscles had taken shape, and his eight-pack abs were well-defined, with two V-lines—very sexy.
The woman looked him over with interest. "Alright, Mr. Luca, thank you for coming to audition. We will notify you of the specific results later."
"Thank you!"
Luca put on his jacket and left the audition room.
"How did it go? How many rounds did you go through?"
Ed had been acting calm earlier but was now somewhat expectant.
Luca smiled slightly. "I took off my clothes."
Ed laughed heartily, patting him on the shoulder. "Looks like there's hope for an important supporting role."
Leaving the building, it was already 4 PM. Luca picked up his car from school and returned to the apartment on 76th Street, Third Avenue.
"Kate, I'm back!"
"You're back!"
Kate greeted him from the wine-tasting bar. She was wearing a silk chiffon dress, with light makeup and a ponytail—simple, casual, and beautifully lazy.
She was accompanied by a guest, fellow countrywoman Adriana Lima, a honey-colored beauty with a perfect chest.
"Hi, Lima!"
Luca changed his shoes and greeted her.
"How was school?"
Lima swirled her wine glass, with a smile and dimples on her cheeks.
Luca smiled, "Not bad."
Lima blinked her fox-like eyes, teasingly. "Pretty good, huh? Lots of beauties at the art academy make it easier for you to pick up girls, right?"
Luca spread his hands. "I'm facing you and Kate, top-tier beauties, every day. How could I think of other women?"
"Luca, your words are getting sweeter."
Kate tilted her head back and laughed.
"Kate, you shouldn't have let him go to school. A little bad boy becomes a big bad boy after studying."
Lima fluttered her long lashes and gave Luca a picky glance.
"Haha, Lima, Luca isn't like he used to be. Recently, he comes back every day—no women, no drinking, no drugs. He even lost contact with his old friends. It's like he's become a monk."
"Really?"
Lima didn't quite believe it. She stretched lazily, revealing a piece of her honey-colored waist—slender and tight.
She wore a champagne-colored mini skirt that barely covered her hips, with long legs crossed—a very provocative posture.
"Luca, come have a drink with your sister~"
She called out in an alluring voice.
Luca felt his bones soften. What a deadly enchant
ress. He was tempted but knew such women were out of his league right now.
"Sorry, Lima, I've quit drinking."
He smiled slightly and left the wine-tasting room.
Lima watched his back, her expression turning a bit sour.
"Haha~"
Kate winked and smiled. "Lima, do you believe it now?"
"Nope. He hides in his room as soon as he gets home, probably secretly doing drugs or watching adult movies. Hmm, Kate, how about we go upstairs and check?"
Lima squinted her fox-like eyes, mischievously suggesting.
"No, Lima, that's not a good idea."
"Kate, didn't you say he's trying to change his bad habits? It's crucial to keep a close eye on him during this transformation."
Lima squinted her fox-like eyes, playfully naughty.
*(End of Chapter)*
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