Excitement

The hushed quiet of the London hotel room was only broken by the rustle of turning pages. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, immersed in the script, traced the words with his fingertips, their worn grooves like a familiar melody on his skin.

The promise of embodying this complex character resonated deep within him, a thrill tinged with the delicious anxiety of competition.

He couldn't ignore the shadow of his formidable rival, Lucas Knight. A young talent he'd had the privilege of witnessing firsthand, Lucas possessed a raw, electric energy that impressed the casting team.

While he'd only glimpsed a few scenes of Lucas's performance in audition, Joseph couldn't deny the young actor's raw talent. It wasn't a deterrent, though. It ignited a fire in Joseph's competitive spirit, a silent vow to delve deeper into Arthur, to make the character his own.

Then, the phone buzzed. Joseph, lost in the script, thought it nothing urgent. But the name on the screen, John Papsidera, the casting director, sent a jolt through him. He answered, his voice a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

The news was blunt. John's voice, kind but firm, confirmed Joseph's fears. He wasn't chosen to be Arthur. Disappointment settled in his gut, a heavy weight despite the practiced smile he offered.

Lucas, he thought, must have truly dazzled them. A young talent, chosen for a role that had shimmered like a distant star in Joseph's own eyes. He sighed, a deep, weary exhalation that echoed in the quiet hotel room.

He pocketed the phone, a sigh escaping his lips. "Lucas must have really wowed them," he muttered.

---

The warm buzz of the café enveloped Lucas as he settled into a booth across from Christopher Nolan and John Papsidera. Relief tinged his smile; earlier, they'd confirmed his selection for the role of Arthur. Beating out Joseph Gordon-Levitt had been daunting, but the victory resonated sweetly.

The conversation flowed easily, punctuated by coffee clinking against saucers. Lucas delved into his interpretations of Arthur, his voice animated as he dissected the character's complexities. Nolan listened intently, nodding occasionally, his keen eyes seeming to pierce through Lucas's enthusiasm, searching for something deeper.

"February for filming," John Papsidera interjected, breaking the spell of the discussion. "We'll have plenty of time to refine everything before then."

Lucas, still buoyant with his newfound success, beamed his thanks and excused himself. He stepped out into the bustling London street, the city lights painting a golden halo around his head.

Nolan watched him go, a wisp of doubt flitting across his face. He murmured, more to himself than anyone else, "Let's hope you can hold onto that spark, Lucas. Arthur needs it."

---

The London café buzzed with the after-glow of his triumph. Lucas, still riding the wave of excitement from landing the role of Arthur, knew his celebration wouldn't last long. A short stint filming his "Modern Family" role awaited him in Los Angeles, but given his limited screen time, Lucas wasn't feeling the immediate pressure to fly back.

Just as he was about to hail a cab, his phone buzzed with an unexpected call. "Congrats, kid! Didn't think you'd outshine Joseph Gordon-Levitt for Arthur," boomed Vincent's voice, his agent's usual gruffness softened by genuine surprise.

Lucas chuckled, a touch of surprise still lingering. "Yeah, the audition was… intense."

"Intense enough to impress Christopher Nolan," Vincent chuckled in turn, pride evident in his voice. "You keep surprising me, kid. And the surprises aren't over yet."

Lucas's brow furrowed in curiosity. "What do you mean?"

"Remember that film you took on, 127 Hours? The one with the climber trapped in a canyon?" Vincent paused, savoring the anticipation. "Well, it's been selected for Sundance! You're heading there with the cast and director."

Lucas's eyes widened. "Sundance? Really?"

"Indeed," Vincent confirmed. "You're scheduled to attend with the cast and director. Prepare for the red carpet."

Vincent's call echoed in Lucas's ear long after they'd hung up. Sundance. The prestigious film festival, the chance to celebrate "127 Hours," and a glimpse into the world of Aron – it was a heady mix. The film, finished only in late September, had somehow snagged a coveted slot. While how Fox Searchlight managed it remained a mystery, for Lucas, the thrill of sharing his work with filmgoers trumped the logistical details.

December stretched before him, an agonizing waiting game until January and Sundance. He pictured the festival's electric atmosphere, the crisp mountain air, and the shared breath of anticipation in darkened theaters.

From his past life, he recalled the buzz surrounding "Winter's Bone," Debra Granik's film starring Jennifer Lawrence, and other Sundance darlings. But anticipation, not anxiety, fueled his energy. He yearned to witness the film's impact, the murmurs and applause, the collective gasp at a pivotal scene.

---

The echoes of John Papsidera's final instructions for Arthur still lingered in Lucas's ears as he settled into his airplane seat. London receded below, a patchwork of concrete and greenspace shrinking into the distance. With each soaring foot, a wave of relaxation washed over him. The pressure of the Arthur audition, the anxious energy of London, all dissolving into the soft hum of the engines.

He glanced out the window, the cloudscapes morphing into abstract sculptures against the azure canvas.

The brief "Modern Family" cameo awaited, a mere blip on his radar.

Dylan's scene, tucked into the episode like a hidden Easter egg, wouldn't require Lucas's physical presence on set. It was a laptop-driven cameo, a convenient narrative trick to keep him in the loop. But the real draw, the siren song whispering in his ear, was Sundance. The thought of his performance gracing that prestigious stage sent a jolt of anticipation through him, a delicious mix of excitement and healthy trepidation.

The return to Los Angeles was a pitstop, a necessary detour before the main event. Lucas knew the festival landscape was a fickle beast, but for now, he indulged in the simple pleasure of anticipation. The journey to Sundance, with its promise of shared stories and darkened theaters, was a victory in itself.