Chapter 85: Jessica, You’re Exposed

"Billy, being a director is actually pretty exhausting," Luca said as he returned from the set to the director's area, taking a sip from his coffee cup. The coffee had almost gone cold, and he let out a small sigh.

Billy, putting down his megaphone, laughed, "Luca, you're a natural at directing. Ever thought about switching careers?"

"Nope!"

"Why not?" Billy asked, curious.

Luca sat down in a nearby chair. "Billy, how does my directing talent compare to James Cameron, Spielberg, or Woody Allen?"

Billy glanced at him. This guy was bold, immediately comparing himself to world-class directors.

"You're a bit off, aren't you?" Luca asked proactively.

"A bit? You're way off!" Billy replied, not holding back.

Luca shrugged, "Really?" He combed his hair back and asked, "Okay then, how does my appearance compare to Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, or Brad Pitt?"

Billy pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on. "Am I on the same level as them?" Luca eagerly inquired.

Billy waved dismissively, "You're nowhere near their level!"

"No way. I look in the mirror every day. There's no way I'm that far off," Luca said confidently. "The only difference between me and them are a few wrinkles. A handsome guy like me not being an actor would be such a waste."

Billy stared at him, speechless. "Alright, alright. I hope you become a global superstar one day."

"Thanks!" Luca chuckled and clinked his coffee cup with Billy's.

"Billy, everything's ready up front!" Billy's assistant, Blake, came over with the megaphone.

"Okay, scene 12, take 5, action!" 

At the director's command, the camera crane slowly descended from above to street level. The scene showed a busy Daimler Street, filled with people.

On the sidewalk, a burly Black man was chatting with a fiery, brown-skinned woman. They were the lead actors, Mekhi Phifer and Jessica Alba. The two were having a conversation by the street. In the previous scene, Honey had a fallout with Michael, who blacklisted her. Now, she couldn't find a job, and the male lead was comforting her.

"Don't worry, baby. You'll find work soon. You're too talented not to. Got it?"

Chaz, the male lead, wrapped his arm around Honey's shoulders, offering her some motivational support. Honey shrugged and replied, "I just don't have time to wait for people to notice my talents. By the end of this month, I'm going to lose my dance studio if I don't make money, borrow some, or... steal it."

At this moment, Honey's eyes shifted as if she had an idea. "Woo~ Maybe I could fundraise."

"Hmm~" Luca, watching from behind the monitor, furrowed his brow. Many film critics had later said there was a problem with this scene.

"Luca, what's wrong?" Billy asked, noticing.

Luca rubbed his chin. "Billy, don't you think this part of the story transition feels a bit abrupt? Honey had been thinking for so long and couldn't come up with anything. Now, with just a quick glance, she suddenly gets a brilliant idea. Was it love that gave her inspiration?"

Billy pondered for a moment. "Yeah, it's a bit forced. But that's how it was written in the script. Got any ideas?"

Luca thought for a bit. "There are a lot of ways we could fix this. How about, instead of her coming up with the idea out of nowhere, she sees a flyer for a church fundraiser while they're walking down the street? There are so many billboards, lamp posts, and phone booths around. If she notices a flyer, she gets inspired."

"A flyer?" Billy shook his head. "It's too late to add that now. We can't afford to delay a whole day for a flyer."

"Alright," Luca shrugged. If this had been shot back home, they could have just had a small extra actor holding a donation box on the street. The lead character would see it, get inspired, and think of hosting a benefit event. It's a good idea, but you don't see things like that on American streets, so Luca didn't push the issue further.

"Hmm, Luca, you're right. We could always reshoot that scene later," Billy said.

"That could work."

"Hey, Luca!" Just as they were talking, a woman wearing a hat suddenly burst onto the set like a whirlwind.

"Cut!" Billy shouted angrily. "Mark, damn it! How could you just let someone walk onto the set? Don't you see we're filming?"

The assistant pointed to the woman, looking a bit helpless. "She couldn't be stopped."

"Couldn't be stopped?"

Billy frowned, looking over at the woman. She had golden, wavy hair, a pink jacket, and tight jeans. Standing on her toes, a sliver of her fair, toned waist was visible. Her figure was just as stunning as Jessica's. And on closer inspection, she looked familiar.

"Heh, Billy, long time no see. You've gotten grumpier," the woman teased, raising her delicate chin.

Billy blinked, then burst into laughter. "Well, well! I wondered who it was. Britney Spears, back from LA?"

"Yep. I got back this morning and came straight to the set to see you. Aren't I sweet?"

Britney waved her hand, and her assistants dropped off a big box of Starbucks coffee and five pizzas.

"Haha, Britney, if you came to see me, why didn't you run into my arms?" Billy joked.

"You're too old for me. I'm only interested in Luca now," Britney said, turning to pat Luca's chest.

Luca gave an awkward smile and subtly brushed her hand off. With so many people around, the moment was a bit embarrassing.

"Look, it's Britney Spears!" someone suddenly exclaimed.

"Wow, it really is Britney!"

"Britney's here on Daimler Street!"

"Britney! Britney!" The actors, extras, and onlookers finally realized what was happening and began rushing over to get a glimpse of the pop icon.

"Britney, you'd better leave now," Billy said, seeing the crowd closing in. His blood pressure was about to spike. He thought she was just visiting, but instead, she turned the set into a circus.

"Haha, Billy, I'm taking Luca with me!" Britney laughed.

"Go, go!" Billy waved, telling the staff to escort them out.

Luca was pulled away before he realized what was happening. He usually joked around with Britney and never saw her as a superstar. But now, seeing the chaos she caused, he was starting to understand her influence.

The crew and the crowd followed closely behind, while even more people joined from the street ahead. Soon, there were at least five or six hundred people surrounding them.

After being shoved and jostled by security guards, covered in sweat, they finally managed to get Britney into her Maserati sports car.

"Luca, get in!" Britney, sitting in the driver's seat, revved the engine with a mischievous grin. She looked incredibly cool.

Luca shrugged and hopped into the passenger seat.

With the roar of the engine, the white Maserati shot through the crowd, speeding down Daimler Street.

"Wow, Britney's so cool!" Joey Bryant, a Black woman, whistled loudly.

Beside her, Jessica furrowed her brows in confusion. "Doesn't Britney suspect that Luca's using her?"

"Haha, maybe Britney's doing it willingly. After all, Luca is Mr. Big, rumored to be over a meter long."

"Wasn't it half a meter?"

"Wow, Jessica, how do you know?"

"No, no! I don't know anything!" Jessica quickly replied.

"Haha, Jessica, you're blushing!"

(End of Chapter)