Chapter 357: A Good Mind Needs Books

Since Gal Gadot and Margot Robbie wanted to try authentic British cuisine, Murphy specifically chose a traditional British restaurant near the hotel for dinner. Although they were in Northern Ireland and not England, they could still find most of the traditional British dishes.

They were there to taste, so Murphy ordered a variety of dishes: fish and chips, jacket potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and Coronation chicken, among others.

All the dishes had one thing in common—they were high in calories.

Therefore, the trio was tasting more than eating.

"I think it's quite alright," Margot Robbie was the first to put down her cutlery. "British food isn't as bad as the rumors say."

Gal Gadot nodded in agreement, "It's not up to the standard of French or Italian cuisine, but it has its own charm."

She didn't eat much, just sampled a little of everything. Wiping her mouth with a napkin, she added, "The biggest downside is the calories. They're a woman's worst enemy."

Having been in the area for a while, Murphy had also enjoyed British cuisine with some locals from the crew and listened to their simple explanations. Now, he was ready to share this with the two women.

"British cuisine can be described in one word—simple. There are generally only two ways of preparing the dishes: roasting in the oven or boiling in a pot, without any seasonings during cooking," Murphy explained, pointing to a collection of condiments in small dishes on the table. "You add salt, pepper, mustard, or soy sauce according to personal taste when eating."

Margot Robbie and Gal Gadot looked at the array of sauces on the table, but their appetites were not stirred.

"Eating British food is like being in love," Murphy continued. "The flavor, like love, is a personal choice. It's not judged by the tongue but by the heart. British food culture is rich; the body's nutritional needs can be met with these various foods. Just the standard English breakfast includes bacon, black pudding, fried eggs, bread, tomatoes, and tea."

"You seem to know a lot," Margot Robbie's eyes twinkled as she spoke. "Where did you read all this?"

"No," Murphy shook his head, "I didn't read it—I was told by Sean Bean when he treated us the other day."

Gal Gadot laughed, "Dear, you're selling knowledge you just bought."

Murphy shrugged, concluding, "British cuisine indeed can't compare with French or Italian, but it has a long history and its own unique characteristics."

Rumors of British cuisine being unpalatable are widespread around the world. From his own experience, Murphy felt that although British food was not very diverse, it wasn't as bad as some might say.

Of course, everything is relative, and without comparison, there is no disappointment.

Murphy had once seen a joke on the internet on the other side of the Pacific: the greatest misery in life is to earn a Chinese wage, marry an American wife, eat British food, and live in a Japanese house…

"Actually, for me, all food is pretty much the same…" Gal Gadot took a sip of her tea, "I'm a vegetarian and have to watch my diet, so I don't really taste much difference."

"Dear," Murphy gently persuaded, "sometimes the nutrients in animal protein can't be replaced by plant protein."

Margot Robbie wholeheartedly agreed with Murphy, quickly chiming in, "Yeah, yeah, yeah… Not eating meat would be horrifying, I'd rather die."

Gal Gadot just shook her head at Murphy and said nothing more.

Murphy sighed and did not continue to press the issue. They had been together for many years; if vegetarianism was her choice, then so be it.

After dinner, Murphy and Gal Gadot politely declined Margot Robbie's invitation to sit in her room, and instead, they headed directly back to their suite on the top floor.

Although Gal Gadot was in Belfast, the couple didn't have much time to spend alone except for their nightly intimacy. Murphy was aiming to complete all the shooting within a hundred days, so time was precious.

Gal Gadot was unlike most women her age; she wasn't the type to be clingy or demanding. Mature and composed, she spent most of her time on set watching Murphy work, and when Margot Robbie was free, the two women would explore Belfast together.

"Cut!"

Back in the newly set-up studio, Murphy called a halt to a scene. He gestured for Peter Dinklage to come over, "You were too serious just now. I don't need a grave Little Demon. Think about it, what kind of expression and attitude should Tyrion Lannister have when speaking to Jon Snow in this situation?"

Peter Dinklage, significantly shorter than the seated Murphy, thought for a moment and responded, "A lazy, somewhat cynical expression."

A smart director

 never tells an actor exactly how to perform; they guide, as Murphy did just now. He didn't respond directly to Peter Dinklage, but instead said, "Let's shoot it again, try that, and see the effect."

He picked up the megaphone and announced loudly, "Everyone reset, we'll start shooting again in five minutes."

Peter Dinklage returned to the set and briefly discussed the scene with Harington Jote, who played Jon Snow, as they both prepared for the reshoot.

As soon as it was time, the crew began filming on Murphy's command.

It was a short part of a composite shot, not very dialogue-heavy, focusing on Tyrion Lannister.

Peter Dinklage, holding a book and leaning against a column, casually flipped through it. Harington Jote, as Jon Snow, approached from the other side and curiously asked, "Why do you read so much?"

Looking up from his book, Peter Dinklage glanced at Harington Jote and casually replied in a lazy tone, "My brother has his sword, and I have my mind. A good mind needs books, just like a sword needs a whetstone. That's why I read continuously, Jon Snow."

"Stop!" Murphy was pleased with Peter Dinklage's performance. "That's a wrap!"

He then shouted to the entire crew, "Now, let's move to Location One."

Peter Dinklage's filming in Northern Ireland was done for now. After removing his makeup, he would head to Belfast International Airport to fly to Malta to join Paul Wilson and Seth Rogen.

Harington Jote, after a quick makeup touch-up and the scene change, stood under a prop tree with other actors playing Night's Watch members. The area around the prop tree was surrounded by camera tracks, not only capturing Harington Jote's main shots but also recording the entire scene with a tracking shot.

This scene was an oath-taking ceremony for new recruits to the Night's Watch.

"Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and all the nights to come..."

This solemn ceremony was shot by Murphy in one take before moving on again.

In Location Two, a temporary "wall" had been erected, and Dave Franco, playing Joffrey, and Margot Robbie, playing Sansa Stark, were ready, just waiting for Murphy and the crew to arrive for shooting.

The scene was somewhat gruesome; Gal Gadot, standing on an elevated platform on the periphery, could see several spiked heads on the wall. Though she knew these were just props, the realistic designs were chilling.

However, she did not look away but watched Margot Robbie from afar. Recently, as Murphy had been busy with filming, it was the Australian girl who had kept her company on excursions around Belfast.

Gal Gadot, not one to hold grudges, had seen their relationship improve significantly after clearing up initial misunderstandings, even trending towards friendship.

In her eyes, Margot Robbie was not like the arrogant, vain, and clueless girls often encountered in Los Angeles. Margot said and did whatever came to her mind, carrying a wildness and rare simplicity, qualities that became endearing over time.

Knowing that this Australian girl's brother was an important and trusted assistant and partner to Murphy, Gal Gadot saw no harm in becoming closer to her.

Margot Robbie accompanied her shopping, and she returned the favor by accompanying her on set, especially since Murphy was there, making long waits less tedious.

Although Gal Gadot had many privileges on set, she never used them. Whenever the crew was working, she stood far away, watching without ever disturbing Murphy and his work.

This time was no exception. When shooting began, she just watched intently, silent even when it seemed there were some issues on set.

Gal Gadot had skimmed through the script and soon recognized that this was a scene where the capricious and somewhat mad Joffrey punished Sansa Stark. He not only forced Sansa to look at her father's severed head but also had a guard slap her.

This scene was stopped by Murphy several times, and when it finally passed, for some reason, Gal Gadot felt that the other actor's slap had genuinely landed on Margot Robbie's face.

The distance was too great, and she couldn't see very clearly.

So, as soon as the shooting ended, Gal Gadot went to the makeup trailer to find Margot Robbie.

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