Stage experience

Hugo sank into deep contemplation. Just now, Katharine explained some of her insights about her performance, and Hugo absorbed about half of it, but couldn't digest it all at once. Katharine's speech wasn't fast, but the content was overwhelming, consisting of her finely detailed experiences during the performance. It filled Hugo's mind with a massive amount of information, leaving him defenseless and unable to respond.

Although Hugo continued to express his own opinions, he knew that his thoughts were completely led by Katharine. However, Hugo also knew that today he had benefited greatly. If he could digest everything he had learned and gradually transform it into his own, his acting skills would likely reach new heights.

Hugo thoroughly enjoyed this process, feeling as if he were sitting in a classroom studying his most interesting subject. Due to spending his youth in social endeavors, Hugo hadn't systematically absorbed knowledge in a school setting. While many people may say that "reading books is useless", Hugo still yearned for the time spent sitting in a classroom.

Another advantage of his time travel was that Hugo gradually inherited the knowledge he had acquired at Yale University that resided in Lancaster's mind. This was a valuable experience for Hugo, akin to being two people in one lifetime. Of course, no matter how rich and profound this knowledge was, it couldn't compare to personally learning and experiencing it.

Frowning, Hugo raised his eyes and said, "Katharine, you mentioned earlier that the overlap between personal experiences and character experiences during a performance is unnecessary from a certain perspective. Why is that?" In "Sleepless in Seattle", Hugo had recently experienced the fusion of emotions through his acting, but now Katharine was putting forward an even stranger idea, leaving Hugo puzzled.

"Because your experiences can never catch up to the stories written by the screenwriters," Katharine replied with a smile.

"But..." Hugo felt confused, but Katharine shook her head. "Actually, we already discussed these things just now. Maybe you will gradually understand them in your performances in the future. Of course, if you can't feel it, then so be it. Maybe you're just not a genius."

Katharine spoke decisively and directly, leaving no room for sentiment.

Hugo nodded thoughtfully. Perhaps what Katharine was talking about was the three stages of enlightenment in Zen meditation. In the beginning, when one starts practicing Zen, mountains are mountains, and waters are waters. When one gains understanding, mountains are no longer mountains, and waters are no longer waters. And when one achieves complete enlightenment, mountains are still mountains, and waters are still waters. Hugo realized that he was currently in the first stage, and Katharine's words probably referred to the understanding that comes later. He needed to constantly refine and learn in his performances. Only with enough accumulation could he turn rough jade into a valuable treasure.

As he nodded, Hugo's gaze inadvertently swept over Michael, who was sitting next to him with a gentle smile on his face. Hugo suddenly realized that he had taken over the conversation, which made him awkwardly scratch his head and apologize with a sheepish smile, "Sorry, Michael, I didn't mean to... I guess I was too eager just now..."

Surprisingly, Michael didn't respond to Hugo but smiled and looked at Katharine. She remained silent, only raising an eyebrow and pursing her lips. This left Hugo sitting beside them feeling awkward, unsure of how to react.

Actually, Michael just told Katharine that Hugo is a very focused and pure person. Regardless of how he usually behaved, he was truly dedicated to acting, which was why Katharine was willing to meet him. And their recent conversation proved this point, as Hugo was completely absorbed in it.

Not only Hugo, but Katharine herself found the conversation very enjoyable. It had been a while since she had interacted with young people, and this conversation not only reminded her of her youthful years but also made her feel like she was still an outstanding actress. In that moment, the weight of time and the burdens of her body were no longer an issue, and Katharine regained her radiance.

"Aren't you supposed to go back? You've been out for quite a while today," Katharine directly left Hugo hanging and turned to Michael to ask.

Michael nodded, "I'm fine. What about you? Are you going back on your own later?" Michael and Katharine had a relationship that was both teacher and friend. Although they didn't meet often, they were familiar with each other. It could be sensed that they admired each other, even though they were at the top of different fields.

Katharine chuckled, "Don't worry about me. Walking back home from here is part of my daily routine. Besides, no one would want to bother an old lady like me. But you, it's better to be careful when you go out. Broadway Avenue is especially crowded at this time."

The smile on Michael's lips widened, "I'm fine. I'll have this young man walk out through the main entrance and attract attention, while I've arranged a car at the back door." Michael was only nine years older than Hugo, so calling him a "young man" felt a bit awkward, but it made Katharine even happier.

"I'm worried that I won't be able to handle it. I don't know many people who know me," Hugo mustered up the courage to speak, although he felt a bit lost being left on the sidelines by Katharine and Michael. As expected, this sentence made both superstars break into big smiles.

"Kid, it's time for you to leave. Maybe you can strike a Casanova pose at the entrance, it will have a great effect," Katharine looked Hugo up and down, directly giving him the order to leave.

Hugo scratched his head and immediately stood up. He knew it wouldn't be good for him to stay here any longer, as Katharine and Michael probably had some private topics to discuss. "I think I should leave. I've already taken up enough of your time today," Hugo said as he moved towards the door. But after taking two steps, he stopped and turned back to Katharine. "Katharine, I have one more question."

Although Katharine deliberately made a face of impatience, she still asked, "What?"

"Why are you still willing to perform on the Broadway stage? Especially in situations like today, when the audience is not even full. Don't you feel a significant contrast?" Hugo paused for a moment, but he still felt the need to be straightforward. "I've been thinking about this question before the performance started, and now that I've seen you in person, I want to ask you myself." Despite being somewhat impolite, Hugo could sense from their brief exchange that Katharine would answer him.

Katharine looked at Hugo in front of her and smiled. For a brief moment, all the radiance on Katharine seemed to disappear, and she smiled peacefully and calmly like a true old person. She said, "Kid, do you know? My health is not good. Various illnesses have come knocking on my door. Two years ago, I underwent a major surgery. I can feel that my body is slowly deteriorating. I am not afraid of going to another world, I am not afraid of hell, and I do not expect to enter heaven."

At this moment, both Hugo and Michael quietly watched Katharine. On Katharine, they witnessed not only the ups and downs of a brilliant artistic life but also the journey that gradually approaches the end of life.

"In one's lifetime, there will always be times when one is loved by others. Of course, I enjoy that feeling, and in fact, I have always repaid that love through my actions. But to be honest, I am not a docile person. Over the years, many people may have been upset by my personality. Perhaps these people are thinking that I may not live much longer. But I think, maybe if I really died, they might still miss me."

As Katharine spoke, her eyes remained on Hugo's youthful face, gentle and nostalgic, as if she could see her own youthful radiance from Hugo. She continued, "So, as long as I have one audience member, as long as there is one audience member in the theater willing to watch my performance, I hope to continue performing."

Listening to Katharine's words, Hugo fell silent, but a surge of emotions rushed through his heart like turbulent waves. This belief was something Hugo had not felt in the past ten years, but when Katharine spoke it out, he felt it was so real and fitting. No wonder Hugo had a vague sense of knowing Katharine's answer earlier. This answer had been deeply hidden in Hugo's heart all along, and it was the fundamental reason why he persisted for ten years, pursuing glory even at the cost of death.

At this moment, Hugo felt a newfound strength within himself. Perhaps Michael was also such a powerful artist, enabling him to stand firm on the stage despite enduring numerous setbacks.

"Of course, the prerequisite is that my health is sufficient, and Broadway still keeps a place for me." Katharine suddenly made a self-deprecating remark, lightening the somewhat heavy atmosphere in the dressing room. Both Hugo and Michael couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you, thank you for answering my question. I hope I will have the opportunity to enjoy your performance next time, it will always be my honor." Hugo said with a smile. He then prepared to turn around and leave. But when he reached the doorway, Hugo stopped for the second time, turned back with a somewhat embarrassed look, and faced the gaze of Michael and Katharine. "Sorry, Katharine, can you sign an autograph for me?"

Hugo's request made both Katharine and Michael burst into laughter. Katharine sat up straight, picked up the pen on the table, and generously said, "Of course, no problem. This request is as simple as it gets. At least I still have the strength to hold a pen."

"Oh, by the way, can you write "To Joseph Gibbs"?" Hugo quickly added before Katharine started signing. Seeing Katharine's puzzled look, Hugo explained, "He is my agent and your most loyal fan. He's standing outside and couldn't get a chance to come in, so..."

Katharine didn't say much and simply lowered her head to quickly sign her name on a tissue. She then handed it to Hugo and said, "I hope you won't stop at the doorway for the third time."

Although Katharine never showed her affection openly to Hugo, her willingness to listen to Hugo's repeated requests alone was enough to show her favorable impression of him. Hugo naturally understood this, so he turned and walked to the doorway, placing his right hand on his left shoulder, bowing in a not-so-standard knight's salute, and smiling. "Farewell, Your Majesty."