Actor in Hollywood

The screen test was finally over.

James Franco raised his chin deliberately, exuding an arrogant expression as he looked at Anson, gently shaking his head. "Looks like you don't stand a chance. What now? I was so outstanding today that even I almost fell in love with myself."

After speaking, James got lost in his own thoughts, sighing repeatedly.

Anson stood calmly beside him, "Even you only *almost* fell in love with yourself. I think others might be a bit further off."

James: ...

Seeing James' frozen expression, as if his brain couldn't quite process the logic in Anson's words, Alisa couldn't hold back and burst out laughing. But she quickly stifled her laughter, controlled herself, and lowered her gaze to avoid attracting attention.

Alisa stole a quick glance at Anson, her cheeks blushing slightly. She hesitated, wondering how she should express her gratitude for Anson's encouragement, which had helped her calm down.

But before she could decide, her thoughts were interrupted by a confident and bright voice from beside her, "How about grabbing a drink at the bar tonight? What do you think?"

It was Kate.

Even among a group of actors, Kate's confidence radiated irresistibly. It was the kind of poise cultivated from a young age, making it clear that this young lady must have been raised in a pampered environment, accustomed to everyone orbiting around her, with no one daring to say no.

Even in Hollywood, it was the same.

Kate slightly raised her chin, looking down at Anson, naturally exuding a sense of superiority that seemed to say, "You should feel honored."

"I believe we could take the roles together and perform as a pair. Why not start building some rapport now? Consider this a date."

Despite her superiority, Kate's gaze toward Anson was different—somewhat appreciative, slightly ambiguous, and a bit probing. There was a hint of curiosity amidst her affection, as her beautiful eyes remained fixed on Anson.

In her gaze, there was no one else at all—

From the scene to real life, the fourth wall was broken, yet she still hadn't stepped out of it.

Or more accurately, Kate had never been in character from the beginning; she had always been playing herself, blurring the lines between truth and illusion.

Real and fake, fake and real, it was hard to tell them apart.

In Kate's eyes, she saw both Peter Parker and Anson Wood, but she couldn't tell if she was Mary Jane or Kate herself.

Anson: ?

Looking around, "Are you talking to me?"

Kate: ...

Kate's expression visibly stiffened, almost on the verge of storming off, but she managed to control herself. "Is there anyone else here?"

**Actually, what Kate meant to say was, 'I'm looking at you, aren't I?'**

However, the words didn't come out quite right.

Anson looked completely baffled, blinking his eyes as he slowly turned his head to look at the others around him. Hesitantly, he asked, "Can't you see them? Or is it just me who can see so many people?"

So... ghosts?

Everyone froze for a moment, not immediately understanding what Anson meant.

James quietly leaned over and whispered, "You can see the dead."

This was a twist on the classic line from *The Sixth Sense*, "I see dead people," paired with the look of horror and panic on Anson's face. It felt like a scene straight out of *Saturday Night Live*.

Ha ha!

The others couldn't hold back any longer.

Even Alisa, who had been lost in her thoughts, burst out laughing.

Ha ha ha!

The atmosphere was lively and noisy.

Kate's cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment. "You!" She could hardly believe the treatment she was receiving. A string of harsh and dirty words almost escaped her lips, but noticing the others present, she clung to the last shred of composure, stomping her foot in frustration before turning and quickly walking away.

After taking a few steps, she still wasn't satisfied. She turned back and shouted at Anson, "I don't like you." Then she took a couple more steps before repeating, "Not one bit."

Her figure faded into the distance.

James leaned in closer, "Looks like someone has a crush on someone."

Anson didn't see it that way. It was obvious that Kate was just not used to being rejected. She had always been the center of attention, and suddenly encountering someone uninterested in her naturally triggered her competitive spirit.

It was like *Meteor Garden*.

But he wasn't Shan Cai, and Kate wasn't Dao Ming Si.

"What? Jealous?" Anson didn't argue and instead teased him back.

James, always the clown, made a dramatic gesture like a distressed beauty, "Oh, jealous. Jealous to the point of heartbreak. Anson, dear Anson, save me."

Watching James perform his solo act, Anson didn't pay him any mind. By chance, he noticed Alisa. Her eyes narrowed as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. Anson looked at her openly, silently asking her what was on her mind.

Gathering her courage, Alisa spoke up, "Thank you. Just now, you gave me confidence in there, though I felt my performance was just average. I was still too nervous…"

As she spoke, her voice gradually trailed off, revealing a hint of sadness.

Perhaps she had been too eager to seize the opportunity, only to miss it due to her own anxiety. The disappointment and sorrow she felt were beyond words.

Anson understood.

Alisa was very beautiful, with a delicate yet sexy allure. But her acting career had never really taken off. Her most well-known role later was probably in the series *Dollhouse*, with few opportunities on the big screen.

Now that he was meeting her up close, Anson thought that maybe Alisa was still lacking a bit of confidence—

It was hard to imagine that someone as beautiful as Alisa could be lacking in confidence. But on second thought, in Hollywood, it wasn't so surprising.

"I'll tell you a secret. I was nervous too," Anson said with a smile.

Alisa was stunned, completely disbelieving.

Anson nodded to reassure her, "I just hide it better. I think Hollywood is like a beauty contest to see who can conceal their true emotions the best. It's terrifying, but also not that terrifying."

Pfft.

Alisa was amused by Anson's playful words, her face breaking into a smile.

Alisa thought that maybe they could go for a drink at the bar, and she could ask him for some audition tips. But remembering Kate's earlier outburst, her words hesitated on the tip of her tongue.

In that brief moment, James's voice came through.

"The audition's finally over. How about a drink tonight?"

"Of course. From the sound of it, you've already found a good bar?"

"Heh heh, I've been waiting for this. I haven't had a drink all week, just for today."

"A whole week without drinking? I don't believe you."

"Ha, ha ha, drinking at home doesn't count. I haven't been to a bar all week."

Their banter continued as they laughed and joked.

Alisa could only swallow her words and carefully conceal her disappointment.

Back in the lounge, the actors met up with their agents for a brief exchange before dispersing. Anson and James headed to the underground parking lot.

But as soon as James's rented car in New York had driven just three blocks, it broke down, seeming like the engine had stalled.

James helplessly called for a tow truck, and they discussed taking a cab to the bar when a dark blue Mini Cooper pulled up beside them.

"Hey, gentlemen, need some help?"

End of the first update.