### Chapter 124: Too Dark

"Hey, Mike!"

In the afternoon, on the campus set, the "One Kiss" crew was filming, and Anthony, dressed in a suit, walked outside the set.

"Anthony, what are you doing here?"

Mike stood up and asked.

"I came to see Jessica Alba. I often hear Richard talking about her, saying she's a beauty. I'm curious."

Anthony grinned.

"You might be disappointed. That girl has a good figure but is too dark."

"Black? When did Richard change his taste?"

Anthony was surprised.

"Not that dark. Her father is Mexican, so she has brown skin."

Mike led Anthony to the outside of a classroom.

Inside the classroom, a lesson was in progress. Richard stood at the podium, looking serious and reciting Shakespeare's work, while over twenty students listened attentively.

"The whole world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players. Does anyone know what Shakespeare meant by this?"

Richard walked around with his hands in his pockets, asking.

The classroom remained silent.

"Anyone?"

Richard walked from the front to the back. "This quote involves disguise and role-playing, which is the theme of 'As You Like It.' Can anyone point out how this theme is expressed in the text?"

"Rosalind disguises herself as a man and then escapes into the forest," a girl raised her hand and said.

"Very good. When she puts on her disguise, she dares to express her love to Orlando. So, Shakespeare's point is that we feel freer when we are in disguise; we do things we wouldn't normally dare to do."

Richard shrugged.

"Richard really looks like a teacher."

Outside, Anthony watched the performance and laughed.

"Yes, if you didn't know he was a boxing champion, you'd really think he was a teacher."

Mike laughed.

"Which one is Jessica?"

"The third row."

"She's quite good-looking, nice figure, unique smile—definitely has the makings of a star."

Anthony observed and evaluated.

"Forget it. Later, Richard asked, and she has a management company. Her manager is a friend of her mom."

"No problem. If she's willing, it won't be an issue to spend some money to get her."

"Are you planning to talk to her? I suggest finding someone else."

Mike looked at him and laughed.

"Why?"

"You look a bit sleazy, not very trustworthy."

"Nonsense!"

Anthony glared at him, put on a pair of brown-rimmed glasses, and asked, "How about now?"

"Better, looks like a hidden villain."

"Get lost, you never have a good word to say."

Anthony shook his head.

——

"Disguise changes all the rules. Let me tell you a story."

In the classroom, Richard held a hockey stick and said slowly, "When I first started playing hockey, I was terrible. Until one day, my dad bought me a new helmet with Gordie Howe's signature on it. Every time I put on the helmet, I felt invincible.

Then I would skate hard, dribble left and right. One time, I even got penalized for fighting. The point is, disguise can liberate our nature, allowing us to do things we never dared to do. For Rosalind, her male attire allowed her to find love."

Richard spread his hands and looked at Drew in the middle seat.

"Josie, please read Rosalind's speech from Act 5, Scene 2."

Drew stood up slowly with the textbook and read a passage.

"Cut!"

After shooting a scene, the crew took a short break.

"Hey, Richard, are you really a boxer? Why do you look more like a teacher?"

Drew walked over and laughed.

Richard smiled lightly, "I used to dream of being a teacher. But in high school, I found that students were quite tough, so I learned boxing to handle them, and accidentally became a champion."

"Ha ha, is that how you became a champion?"

Drew laughed.

"Yes, I would have been an excellent teacher if not for boxing."

"If you were a teacher, no student would dare to mess around in your class."

"Of course, anyone who dares will get KO'd by me."

Richard clenched his fist.

Drew smiled with dimples and said, "Richard, before I knew you, I thought you were pretty cool."

"And now?"

"Interesting, humorous, fun to talk to."

"So, not cool anymore?"

Richard shrugged.

"No, still cool. We chose you to play Sam because you are cool."

"Thanks!"

Richard smiled, "During the audition, I heard you asking many questions about Gwyneth. I thought it was because of my bad relationship with her."

"Of course not. The crew chose you because you're handsome and fit the role. Your performance in 'Murder Case' was good, your popularity is rising, and you're cost-effective. The third reason is I think you're cool, so it has nothing to do with Gwyneth."

Drew shrugged.

"Really? If I say Gwyneth and I get along well, would you consider replacing me?"

Richard laughed lightly.

"You get along well with Gwyneth?"

Drew frowned.

"Yes, we've worked together twice and are pretty good friends!"

"Have you slept together?"

"No!"

"Then it's fine."

"What if we had?"

Richard grinned.

Drew stared at him with wide eyes, then snorted and walked away.

Richard smiled lightly. Their relationship was really bad.

"Richard, coffee!"

Mike handed over a cup.

"Where's Anthony? I thought I saw him earlier."

Richard asked, drinking the coffee.

"He left. Norman came over today. Originally, Anthony was supposed to pick him up at the airport, but Anthony forgot and came here instead. Norman called to scold him."

"Why is Norman here?"

"Don't know!"

——

"Norman, why are you here? Aren't you having fun in New York?"

"It's boring. Without you guys, New York is an empty city!"

The next day, in a coffee shop in West Hollywood, Richard and Norman were chatting. The shop wasn't busy, and the piano music was soothing.

"The news said you're dating Paris's sister. Why not stay there with your girlfriend?"

Richard laughed.

"Bullshit!"

Norman touched his hair irritably, "After dating for half a month, I found out I was just one of her boyfriends. She also has a musician boyfriend, a painter boyfriend, and a model. I got played by this woman."

Richard laughed, "You have no right to be angry. Besides her, don't you also have several girlfriends?"

"That's different. I'm a man."

Norman shook his head and looked towards the booth opposite. Anthony and Old Hall were chatting with Jessica, her mother, and her manager, discussing cooperation.

"Richard, is that Jessica you like?"

"Yes!"

"She's really good-looking, great figure and looks. You have a good eye."

Norman eyed Jessica up and down, looking sleazy.

"What do you want to do? I warn you, our company has a strict rule against harassing female artists. Otherwise, you'll be kicked out and beaten by me."

Richard warned, clenching his fist.

"Why are you nervous? Do you like her too?"

Norman grinned.

"You're my friend, and so is she. If she joins the company, I hope you'll treat her as a friend, not a target."

"Okay, but what if she falls for me?"

"Love is free, even God can't interfere."

"Great, with my charm, girls like her will come to me without me even trying."

Norman laughed confidently.

Richard smiled, saying nothing.

From their interactions, Jessica seemed very smart. It wouldn't be easy for Norman to win her over. But smart people have smart ideas. If given the chance to marry into a wealthy family, most wouldn't pass it up.

After chatting for a while, the initial meeting ended, and Jessica and her manager left the coffee shop.

"How did it go?"

"Not bad!"

Anthony shrugged, "Twenty thousand for termination, Jessica and her manager come over, 3+3 years, 20% commission, starting next year, at least one C-level production lead per year, then adjust based on development."

In the entertainment industry, the commission rates vary depending on the actor's level. The top three Hollywood agencies, CAA, WMA, and ICM, charge less than 10% for established stars. For promising newcomers, the commission is higher. Twenty percent is standard for C-level artists.

Also, one C-level production per year means a film with at least two C-level actors and an investment of over $20 million.

"No problem. Twenty thousand for termination is nothing, and a C-level production is fine. Signed?"

Norman said generously.

"What's the rush? These things usually take a few more meetings to finalize, or it could leave hidden issues, not good for long-term cooperation."

Anthony said.

"Then hurry up and talk. Don't worry about getting roles for her. Jessica's roles are on me."

Norman patted his chest.

"Helping her get roles is fine, but no conditions. Otherwise, it would be unfair to other artists and could lead to unhealthy competition within the company. Anthony, keep an eye on him."

Richard said.

"Got it, no problem!"

——

In the afternoon, Richard continued filming with the crew.

Because filming was going smoothly, with three to four scenes shot daily, half of his scenes were finished in four days. It might not take two weeks to wrap up.

"Hey, Richard!"

During a break, Jessica walked over with two bottles of juice. "A drink for you!"

"Thanks!"

Richard put down the script and took one.

Jessica smiled, "Richard, should I start calling you boss?"

"Are you joining BAA?"

"Yes, your company looks good, 

"Ha ha, thank you, boss!"

Jessica shook his hand.

"Don't call me boss, I'm also an actor at the company. From now on, we're colleagues. If you encounter any problems, no matter what, you can come to me. I hope you have a great time at BAA."

"I hope so too."

Jessica smiled.

With Jessica Alba, a future top star, the BAA company has something to look forward to. But one is too few; if there were ten potential stars, in five years, BAA could rank among the top ten in the industry.

Richard looked around the crowd, and his gaze fell on a blond, curly-haired guy. This person was also an actor in the crew, with a small role. He'd seen him a few times and felt he looked familiar.

"Jessica, what's the name of that handsome guy playing Jason?"

Richard asked.

Jessica looked and smiled, "James Franco, have you got your eye on him?"

"James Franco?"

Richard thought seriously. This guy is indeed a star, nicknamed Franco, a future Golden Globe winner.

"He has a great appearance and good acting skills. He's a very promising newcomer."

"Shall we call him over for a chat?"

Jessica laughed.

"Forget it, leave it to Anthony. My job is to act, I'm too lazy to manage other things."

Richard continued flipping through the script.

"Then why did you invite me?"

Jessica leaned in and asked.

"Your appearance is outstanding, and besides, aren't we friends?"

"Yes!"

Jessica smiled sweetly, "Do you need help with your lines?"

"Thanks!"

Richard handed her the script, and the two began to rehearse their lines.

The next scene mainly involved Sam, played by Richard, chatting with the female lead. The lines were over thirty, and previously Mike had helped with the lines. Now, with a beautiful girl, it felt like an upgrade in treatment.

"Richard, we're ready for the scene."

"Okay!"

After practicing for over twenty minutes, the crew started filming. Richard walked onto the set and began his performance.

This scene depicted Mr. Sam, who appreciated the female lead, Josie, and wanted to recommend her for college. But Josie, an undercover reporter, refused.

As the plot developed, the two began to have feelings for each other. They needed to create an ambiguous atmosphere during the performance.

It was Richard's first time acting in such a scene, and it took four takes to get it right.

After five in the afternoon, the crew wrapped up for the day. Richard walked off the set.

"Richard, a call from Ms. Theron!"

Mike said, holding the phone.

"What time did she call?"

"Around four."

"Alright."

Richard put on his coat and called back. Before coming to Los Angeles, they had agreed that he could go to Ms. Theron's house for dinner.

But Ms. Theron had been busy with the promotion of "Celebrity Life" and "Mighty Joe Young," so she didn't have time to cook, and Richard didn't want to impose.

"Hey, Richard, are you free this afternoon? If so, come over for dinner."

Ms. Theron said on the phone.

"Ha ha ha, you finally have time to cook. I've been waiting ten years for this, do you know that?"

Richard said, feeling wronged.

"Stop acting, just come over."

"OK! On my way!"

Richard hung up the phone.

"Richard, see you tomorrow!"

Jessica said, carrying her bag.

"Jessica, did you drive here? Do you need a ride?"

Richard pointed to the car pulling up.

"Is this also a company perk?"

Jessica laughed.

"You could think of it that way."

"Thank you then!"

Jessica got into the car.

(End of chapter)