## Chapter 145: A Day in the Mental Hospital

"Cut!"

"Richard, your expression needs to be more melancholic and somber. Although Toby's character isn't clearly defined, from his language, we can tell he's also a troubled, artistic young man. Your performance is a bit too lively."

At a bar in Universal Studios Hollywood, the crew of "Girl, Interrupted" was shooting a scene where Richard meets Winona. 

After three takes, director James Mangold was still not satisfied with Richard's performance. 

This movie is about a group of women in a mental hospital, with an overall depressing and dark tone. Richard Brad is too healthy and sunny, like a shining beacon, which clashes with the movie's bleak atmosphere. 

This puzzled director James. Why did Richard appear so melancholic and brooding when he saw him in New York, like a flickering faulty bulb? But now in Los Angeles, he suddenly became so radiant? Was it because he became famous or was it just the good weather in LA?

Looking at the director's probing gaze, Richard smiled wryly. Recently, things had been going well for him. The boxing matches brought fame and fortune, making him a renowned sports star and a millionaire. His stock investments paid off, thanks to the booming internet market, earning him over a million dollars. 

Not counting fixed assets, just his cash and stock investments amounted to over $8 million. Mrs. Bündchen was also doing well, riding on his coattails, shining at New York Fashion Week, securing LV's new fashion endorsement and several top-line endorsements, and gracing the cover of Vogue's March issue, becoming a budding supermodel. 

Friends like Charlize, Reese, Anthony, and Paul were also doing well, which kept his spirits high. Upon arriving at the set, he tried to suppress his personal emotions, constantly getting into character, aiming to appear more melancholic. But it still wasn't meeting the director's expectations, making his performance challenging. 

"Director James, I understand what you mean. I wasn't ready. I need to adjust my state."

Richard asked for a break.

"Okay! We'll shoot other scenes first. You can watch from the sidelines and slowly get into character."

"Got it!"

The crew continued shooting other scenes. Richard squatted in a corner of the bar, staring at the flickering lights in the room, his eyes dimming and brightening.

Back then, he was a gloomy young prince. How did he suddenly become so sunny, even youthful and arrogant? Is this change positive or negative?

He didn't know, but this emotion wasn't suitable here. To play this role well, he had to adjust quickly.

"Hey, Richard!"

Winona Ryder, the lead actress and producer, walked over. Petite with short hair, wearing a jacket and jeans, she looked like a boy. Her skin was fair and delicate, her lips red, and her eyes large and deep, a girl with a lot of character.

"Hi, Winona!"

Richard was about to stand up, but Winona walked over and squatted next to him. In the bar's corridor connected to the dance floor. Since it was closed for filming, no one was passing by, and they wouldn't be in the way squatting there.

"Winona, sorry for delaying your work."

"It's okay, everyone goes through this."

Winona took out a pack of cigarettes, deftly pulled one out, and put it in her mouth. Her face was young, and squatting like this, she looked like a kid sneaking a smoke.

"Do you smoke?"

"Oh, no thanks!"

"Have one, smoking can relieve stress and help you get into character."

Winona lit the cigarette and offered it, her eyes encouraging. Richard, not wanting to refuse, took a small puff and immediately coughed.

"Wow~ You mean you've never smoked before?"

Winona blinked in surprise.

"No!"

Richard exhaled and handed the cigarette back to the naughty girl.

"Really? Then you must be a happy guy."

"Why do you say that?"

"Many people use smoking to relieve boredom, stress, and anxiety. If you don't need it, isn't that happiness?"

Winona smiled while smoking.

Richard shook his head. "Not really, I was too poor before to afford cigarettes. I started training at eight or nine, with my uncle and coach watching over me. I couldn't smoke. Up until now, I've never touched cigarettes or alcohol."

"As for negative emotions, of course I have them. But I don't need this. When practicing boxing, I release all my emotions. If I'm physically tired every day, my mental burden decreases a lot."

Winona rested her chin on her arms. "I understand why you seem so healthy and sunny. You manage your emotions well, without accumulating negative things inside. Even if you try to act depressed, it won't come naturally. If you force it, it won't feel authentic. Richard, are you free this afternoon?"

"Oh, do you have something in mind?"

"I want to take you somewhere."

Winona stood up and pointed at his chest, "Your heart is too clean. It needs some negative stuff."

"Adding negativity? Sure, I'll follow your lead."

Richard shrugged.

Winona smiled faintly, then sighed, "You really are a sunny guy. Talking to you, even my negative emotions lessen. I can't talk to you anymore, or I won't be able to act."

"Is it that serious?"

"Yes, very serious. See you later!"

Winona waved and walked slowly back to the set. After a while, she was back in front of the camera, starting her performance.

She played Susanna, a 19-year-old with borderline personality disorder. Symptoms include promiscuity and an affair with a family friend, leading her family to follow the doctor's advice and commit her to Claymore Psychiatric Hospital.

In the hospital, she meets other similarly troubled women, forming friendships and experiencing many things together, gradually recovering.

Today's scene was a flashback after Susanna was admitted to the hospital. She met Toby, played by Richard, at a bar, and they had a one-night stand.

The scene had fewer than a hundred words in the script, but it wasn't easy to act. Emotions, actions, and lines needed to fit the movie's overall style.

Winona did well. Her eyes conveyed emotion, her demeanor was melancholic, and her acting was good. She had won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and had been nominated for both the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress Oscars.

Her scenes often took only two takes. The crew continued filming Richard's scenes. After some time, with his emotions suppressed, Richard became more somber. But director James was still not satisfied, saying it wasn't full enough or compelling.

James's suggestion was to keep adjusting. If Richard couldn't meet the requirement, for the sake of the overall effect, they would have to replace him.

"Richard, get in the car!"

After leaving the set, a red Buick sedan stopped by the roadside. Winona was in the driver's seat, still in her costume, without any makeup.

"Okay, on my way!"

Richard gave Mike some instructions and got into the small red car. The car was a second-hand model from the early '80s, small and old, creaking as he got in.

"Is this a prop car from the set?"

"No, it's my first car. Driving this makes it easier."

Winona said as she turned the steering wheel.

"Where to?"

"Pomona Psychiatric Hospital, how about doing some volunteer work there?"

"Sure, I'll follow your lead. And thanks, Winona!"

"You're welcome!"

Winona shrugged and sped up. After more than half an hour, they arrived in Pomona, east of Los Angeles, at a psychiatric hospital nestled in the woods.

The area was not well-connected by public transport, only accessible by car. The hospital had high walls and required an appointment to enter.

Winona had prepared in advance. When they arrived, a black woman was waiting at the gate, leading them into the quiet hospital. The environment was nice, but there was no one in sight.

"They're watching TV now."

Winona said.

"You've been here before?"

"Yes, I stayed here for two weeks."

Winona said.

"For research?"

"Yes."

"How was it? Did it affect you?"

"Of course, look at my expression."

Winona suddenly messed up her hair, grinning as if drunk, giggling. She suddenly jumped into Richard's arms, grabbing his neck and shaking it wildly, shouting nonsense about a doll, then bouncing into the ward.

Richard stood there, stunned. Did I just encounter a real lunatic?

"Where did Winona..."

He was about to ask the black nurse about the lunatic who just ran off, but when he turned around, there was no one in sight, just an empty yard.

"Ahhh~"

"Hehehehe~"

Suddenly, eerie laughter and screams came from the building ahead. Richard sighed, "Is this a day trip to a mental hospital? As a boxer, there's nothing to be afraid of."

He walked up the steps to the noisiest room and pushed the door open. The sound stopped abruptly.

"He doesn't fear us!"

A woman perched on a window said.

"He's a man; of course, he doesn't fear us. Men like to beat women, run!"

An elderly woman in her fifties or sixties, after glancing at him, trembled and quickly left the hall.

The other women in the room looked at him, then returned to their activities, reading newspapers, watching TV, knitting, and putting dolls to sleep. 

The hall had about twenty female patients, old and young, all a bit erratic, except for Winona. She was sitting in front of the TV, holding a small bowl of fruit pieces, feeding a white-haired old lady.

**Bang!**

After a few bites, the old lady suddenly raised her hand and knocked over the bowl. The metal bowl clattered loudly on the ground, scattering fruit pieces everywhere.

Winona shook her head helplessly. "This is Mrs. Jenkins. She has anorexia and dementia and always thinks she's a baby. She's very picky about food."

Richard nodded, unsure of what to say.

"Winona, is he your boyfriend?" 

The speaker was a middle-aged woman, elegantly seated on a sofa reading a fashion magazine. If you only saw her left profile, she looked like a sophisticated woman.

"No, this is Richard Brad, a friend from the crew," Winona introduced.

"He seems a bit foolish. Maybe he'd make a good boyfriend," the woman said with a gentle laugh.

"Haha, he does seem a bit like that," Winona chuckled, glancing at him.

Richard felt a bit awkward. How does it feel to be called a fool by two lunatics?

"That's Gronia. She used to be a stage actress and was very popular. A jealous rival disfigured her with chemicals, and she ended up here," Winona explained softly.

Richard nodded again, still unsure of what to say.

"There he is! He wants to hit me!"

The old lady who had run off earlier returned, pulling a middle-aged female nurse with her and pointing fearfully at Richard.

"Doria, this is my friend Richard Brad. He doesn't hit people. Really, he won't hurt you," Winona reassured her with a smile.

"Impossible! He's a man, so he hits people," the old lady said fearfully.

"Doria, he's Winona's friend. Let's go to your room," the nurse said, leading the old lady away.

"That's Doria. She suffered domestic abuse for over twenty years and became mentally unstable. She eventually killed her husband and was sent here. She's very afraid of men, especially tall, strong ones like you," Winona explained.

"Alright, what can I do?" Richard asked, spreading his hands.

"Whatever you feel like doing. If there's nothing to do, just absorb the atmosphere," Winona said with a smile, continuing to feed the old lady fruit.

Looking around, Richard noticed the fruit scattered on the floor. Unable to ignore it, he grabbed a broom and dustpan and started cleaning up. After sweeping the floor, he felt the whole hall needed cleaning. Rolling up his sleeves, he grabbed a mop and cloth and started scrubbing.

"(⊙o⊙)…"

Winona blinked in surprise from the sofa. This guy really came to volunteer.

"Men who like doing housework tend to be homely and gentle. Winona, you should consider him," Gronia said with a smile.

"Gentle? Gronia, guess what his main job is," Winona laughed.

"You said he's a colleague from the crew."

"Not quite. He's a world champion boxer, a top-tier fighter who can kill with a punch."

"Really? No wonder Doria is so afraid of him. She has a good eye for people."

"Yes!"

Winona smiled slightly.

After more than two hours, Richard finished cleaning the hall and sat on the sofa with Winona, chatting with the people in the hall. With Winona's explanations, he gradually learned about their backgrounds and experiences, various cases, and different kinds of tragedies. None of them were born mentally ill.

Richard shook his head, filled with emotion.

Around five in the afternoon, as it started getting dark, Richard and Winona said goodbye to their new friends and left the mental hospital together.

"Richard, any thoughts?" Winona asked gently as the little red car wobbled its way back.

"Yes, to defeat someone, mental attacks are often more direct and effective than physical ones. You just need to find the other person's weak spot before striking," Richard said, touching his chin.

Winona blinked. "You only thought about fighting?"

"Alright, what I mean is that people are fragile. We need to learn to be stronger and face life's hardships with a more positive attitude. Otherwise, we'll end up like them, completely lost in our own world," Richard said slowly.

Winona stared at him. "Alright, you're not just physically strong; you're mentally strong too. Nothing can affect you. It seems we came here for nothing today."

"Of course not. Trust me, I can play this role well," Richard said confidently.

"Really? Alright then, it's not me who will be kicked out of the crew if you don't perform," Winona said with a slight smile as she drove back to Beverly Hills.

Beverly Hills is known as a city within a city, divided into three areas: Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, and Holmby Hills. Winona's house was in the eastern Bel-Air area, near several upscale commercial streets in Beverly Hills, a bustling place.

Arriving in Beverly Hills, Richard got out of the car early. He received a call and headed to a high-rise apartment building on Wilshire Boulevard, where Gwyneth lived.