### Chapter 112: The Rookie Agent's First Action

Sicily is an island in southern Italy, located at the tip of the boot-shaped peninsula.

It sits in the central Mediterranean Sea and has a typical Mediterranean climate: warm and humid in winter, dry and hot in summer, with July and August being the hottest months, where temperatures often exceed 30°C.

Particularly in the southern coastal regions, influenced by the African continent, summers are even hotter, with temperatures frequently surpassing 40°C.

The area of Syracuse, where "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is set, is located on the southeastern coast of Sicily.

At noon, Richard was driven by the crew's car from Catania Airport to the small town of Syracuse, also known as Siracusa, which is the hometown of the mathematician and physicist Archimedes.

Syracuse is an ancient city, with records dating back to over 700 years BC. Through the car window, one can see many old stone buildings adorned with carved patterns, golden statues of Apollo, the Artemis Fountain, knight statues, and statues of goddesses, making it look like an ancient architectural museum.

The town is near the sea, with many beautiful beaches, and houses built on seaside rocks with white marble walls stacked layer upon layer.

"The Talented Mr. Ripley" crew is currently based in a seaside villa, and the filming locations are mostly in the surrounding areas.

"It's so hot here!"

Mike, carrying a backpack, wiped the sweat off his forehead as he said this after getting out of the car.

"Do you miss New York?"

Richard put on his sunglasses and smiled.

"No, when I was a kid, I had a dream of traveling the world. But by the age of 26, I was still stuck in the Bronx just getting by. Now I finally have the chance to get out. Richard, I have to thank you!"

Mike shook Richard's hand.

"Don't thank me. You're my assistant now. From now on, all the dirty and hard work is yours. I hope you won't call me a slave driver."

"Got it. I'll definitely do my job well and won't let you down."

Mike saluted Richard before running back to the car to gather their luggage. They were going to stay on Sicily for a few days.

---

"My son's only talent is spending money like water."

"What?"

"Oh, I love sailing. Trust me, I love sailing. I build boats, and others sail them."

"Shut up, enough. You're giving me goosebumps."

On the set of "The Talented Mr. Ripley," the crew was filming in the courtyard of a seaside villa. There were more than seventy staff members on site, including the director and screenwriter Anthony Minghella, assistant director Steven, cinematographer John Seale, and director's assistant Maria.

In the middle of the set were the three main actors of the crew: Gwyneth, Matt Damon, and Jude Law.

Tom Ripley (played by Matt Damon) is a lower-class individual who loves music and is skilled at playing the piano.

Once, at a piano recital, he met Dickie Greenleaf's (played by Jude Law) father, a billionaire shipping tycoon, who gave him a job to go to Italy and persuade his son Dickie to return home.

Jude Law's character Dickie is a hedonistic rich second-generation, vacationing on Sicily with his girlfriend Marge (played by Gwyneth). He has no intention of returning to New York.

In the scene being filmed, Tom Ripley is persuading Dickie to return home. He is good at imitating other people's voices and mimics Dickie's father's voice in front of Dickie:

"Tom, could you consider going to Italy and bringing him back?"

Matt Damon spoke with pursed lips.

"What?"

Jude Law, dressed in a black shirt with slicked-back hair, looked every bit the aristocratic young man.

"I'll give you a reward. If you're willing to go to Italy and persuade my son to return, I'll pay you $1,000!"

"I definitely won't go back. If he's sending people from New York to drag me back, he must be out of his mind, right?"

"Cut!"

After filming this take, Director Minghella called for a break, and everyone but the actors busied themselves with their tasks.

Richard took the opportunity to walk over to the director's area and greeted Director Minghella and a few others.

"Richard, you're playing an Italian. Your black hair and black eyes are fine, but your hairstyle needs some work. Discuss the makeup design with the makeup artist. Your scenes will be shot in three days, so I hope you can prepare in advance," Director Minghella said.

"Understood!"

Richard nodded.

"Hey, Mr. Brad, welcome to the crew!"

Gwyneth walked over, extending her hand with a smile.

She had shoulder-length short hair with a hairband, wearing a white shirt and a burgundy long skirt. Compared to her previous glamorous attire and heavy makeup, this look was more comfortable and natural.

"Hello, Miss Paltrow. Please take care of me."

Richard greeted her politely.

"No problem!"

Gwyneth gave him a light smile and said, "Matt and Jude are over there. Would you like me to introduce you?"

"Thank you."

The two walked over to the set where Matt Damon and Jude Law were sitting under the shade of a tree, swatting at mosquitoes. Sicily's humid and hot weather was home to a particularly venomous mosquito, and a single bite could leave a swollen mark for a day. Historically, there are records of foreign armies being defeated by Italian mosquitoes.

"Hey, Matt, Jude, this is Richard. He'll be our partner for the next few days."

Gwyneth smiled.

"Hi, Mr. Damon! Mr. Law! Nice to meet you!"

"Mr. Brad, welcome!"

The three shook hands.

"Hey, Jude, in the movie, you're Richard's good friend. Matt, Richard is your best buddy. Are you sure you want to be so formal?"

Gwyneth laughed as she looked at the three of them.

The three laughed and then changed to a more casual tone.

Among them, Matt Damon was the oldest at 28, with a ten-year career. Currently a B-list actor, his notable works include "Good Will Hunting," "The Rainmaker," and "Saving Private Ryan."

Jude Law, at 26, was a British actor who initially developed his career on Broadway stages, winning numerous theater awards. He entered the film industry last year and has acted in three movies. His status was similar to Richard's, but his fame was slightly lower.

"Richard, I heard you're quite good at boxing and have a good chance of winning the championship belt?"

Jude Law, smoking a cigarette, sized up Richard. Richard was well-built and taller than both him and Matt by a head.

"Yes, in November, I'll be challenging for the championship belt."

Richard smiled.

"I read in the newspapers about your match with Roy Jones. Is it true that you'll finish in three rounds?"

Matt Damon asked.

"It's true. We're also hyping up the final, so we can get more prize money."

Richard spread his hands.

"Richard, I've heard that once you become a champion, making money is easy. One match can bring in hundreds of thousands, even millions, which is higher than the pay for A-list actors. Since you're about to win the championship, why did you decide to become an actor?"

Jude Law asked.

Richard shook his head. "The boxing market is too small, like a small pond. There are many champions, but very few can earn millions, only guys like Lewis, Tyson, and Holyfield."Sure, here's the translation of the provided text into English:

---

The movie industry is huge, with blockbuster films released every year, and many actors earning millions. Overall, being an actor seems to have more potential than being a boxer."

"But the movie industry is highly competitive and it's not easy to stand out."

Jude Law sighed.

"Precisely because it's not easy, it's worth striving for, isn't it?"

"Haha, makes sense!"

After chatting for a while, the crew resumed filming. Richard found the makeup artist and costume designer to discuss some styling issues.

In the hot and humid afternoon, the crew wrapped up early, and everyone headed to a bar for a party to welcome Richard.

---

"Hey, Richard, over here!"

In the evening, at a beachside bar, an Italian singer was on stage, singing and jumping around with a lively rhythm. Many people were joining in, creating a bustling atmosphere.

Richard squeezed through the crowd and joined the main crew members in the middle of the bar, who were drinking and chatting.

"Richard, your Sicilian hairstyle is really cool," Jude Law said with a smile.

"Thanks, it could have been cooler, but the wind by the sea messed it up."

Richard exaggeratedly smoothed his hair.

"Haha, don't worry about it. The wind-blown look belongs in Sicily."

Jude Law laughed.

"You're right!"

Richard shrugged and sat down next to them.

"Would you like some white wine? It's a specialty of Sicily," Gwyneth said as she sat down next to him.

"Thanks!"

"Richard, do you know this song?" Director Minghella asked, pointing to the stage.

"I know a couple of lines, 'Tu vuo' fa l'americano, Mericano Mmmericano!'"

"Why don't you go up and sing? When in Sicily, you have to loosen up and act like an Italian."

Director Minghella patted him on the shoulder.

"Got it!"

Tu abballe'o Rock n Roll

You sing and dance to rock 'n' roll

Tu giochi al baseball

You play baseball

Tu vou' fa l'americano

You want to be an American

Mericano, Mmmericano

American, American

Ma si nato in Italy!

But you were born in Italy!

Everyone joined in loudly, swaying their bodies with the happy rhythm.

"Thank you! Anyone else want to come up and sing?" the singer on stage asked during a break.

"I'll give it a try!"

Richard squeezed onto the stage, wearing a beach shirt and shorts, holding the microphone and swaying around, humming along.

The tune was simple, like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," repeating continuously. With everyone singing together, no one would notice if he was just winging it.

"Haha, Richard knows even less than I do!" Jude Law jumped onto the stage, grabbing the microphone from him.

Richard wrapped his big arm around his shoulder, and when it came to the parts he knew, he sang loudly into the microphone. Whenever the lyrics got more complicated, he handed the microphone to Jude Law.

Jude Law looked at him with a resentful expression but hummed along with everyone.

"Haha, this guy really is a rascal," Gwyneth said, clapping and laughing.

"This kind of atmosphere is great!" Director Minghella said with a smile.

"I'll go help Jude. He's about to be bullied to tears!" Matt Damon put down his drink and also jumped onto the stage.

With three stars singing together, the bar's atmosphere became even more lively.

Siente a me non ce stà niente a fa

Okay Napolitan!

Tu vuo' fa l'american,

Tu vuo' fa l'american!

---

"Richard, how's the crew's atmosphere?" Director Minghella asked after they came down from the stage.

"Not bad!"

"You and Matt have a lot of scenes together, so try to communicate more often. I hope you two will have good chemistry when filming."

"Got it!"

Richard nodded.

"Richard, you just arrived here. Would you like me to show you around? The scenery here is beautiful," Gwyneth suggested with a smile.

"Thanks!"

Richard thought for a moment and decided to follow Gwyneth.

They left the bar and walked along the winding stone paths of the town, eventually reaching the beach. The filming location was in the Colonnade area, with houses built on the hillside facing the sea. It was a picturesque setting with flowers blooming and layers of buildings.

Away from the residential area, they reached the beach. In the evening, most tourists had left, leaving behind a chaotic pattern of footprints in the sand. As the waves washed over them, the sand slowly returned to its natural state.

"How is it here?" Gwyneth asked.

"Not bad!"

Under the setting sun, the blue waves of the sea, the seagulls flying on the beach, and the fishing boats returning to the harbor in the distance created a scene rarely seen in the Bronx. The only regret was that the person beside him wasn't Gisele.

"Yes, it's beautiful here!" Gwyneth spread her arms, her golden hair, white shirt, and maroon skirt fluttering in the wind. Richard glanced at her, then looked into the distance.

"Richard, do you think I'm beautiful?" Gwyneth asked with a smile.

"Not bad."

"Thank you!"

Gwyneth brushed her hair back and looked at him, smiling. "You look like a good person at this moment."

"I am a good person."

Richard walked with his hands behind his back on the beach.

"Yes, you just raped me, how could you be a bad person?"

"."

"Richard, what do you think about dying here?" Gwyneth suddenly pulled out a gun and asked.

Richard's heart skipped a beat. Was this woman here for revenge?

"Richard, raise your hands. Do you know what's the most famous specialty of Sicily?" Gwyneth asked, waving the gun.

"I don't know!"

"The Mafia. This is their stronghold, with tens of thousands of Mafia members. If I kill you and throw your body into the sea, do you think they'll believe it was the Mafia?"

Gwyneth smiled, blinking her eyes.

"They probably would. Do you want to try?" Richard said with a smirk.

Gwyneth stared at him for a while, then suddenly smiled. "Forget it, I can't bear to. You know, even though you treated me that way and kept torturing me, strangely, I never hated you or blamed you.

More often, I find myself thinking about you. I think about you when I'm eating, when I'm showering, when I'm sleeping... When I saw you this afternoon, I almost couldn't resist hugging you. Maybe you're right. I must have fallen in love with you, fallen in love with a bastard."

"That's not love. It's a sickness. You should stay away from me and slowly forget about that incident."

Richard stopped walking.

"I can't forget. Your violation has penetrated my soul. The only person who can save me is you. Are you willing to save me?"

Gwyneth smiled.

"It's not that serious."

"Is that so?"

Gwyneth suddenly raised the gun to her forehead.

"Stop joking. Give me the gun!"

Richard frowned.

"Tell me, do you like me?"

Gwyneth asked softly.

"Give me the gun!"

Richard extended his hand coldly.

"I..."

"Give it to me!"

Richard took a step forward and directly took the gun from her.

"Haha, Richard, you do care about me after all."

Gwyneth laughed.

"I just don't like trouble."

Richard shook his head and continued walking.

"Wait for me!"

Gwyneth caught up and hooked her arm around his. "Richard, it's so beautiful here. How about we have some fun?"

"No way!"

"Why not? Don't you like trying new places? Last time it was the couch, the bathroom, the carpet, the floor-to-ceiling windows. You tried everything. It should be exciting here. Let's give it a try, shall we?"

"Stop fooling around. It's almost seven. We should head back."

Richard looked at his watch.

"You go ahead. I want to swim."

Gwyneth ran to a cliffside and started undressing.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"You go. Don't worry about me. I heard there are pirates here. If they come, you won't be able to leave."

Gwyneth jumped into the water, like a mermaid.

Richard sighed. "Gwyneth, you're twenty-six. Stop being so willful, okay?"

"Darling, are you sure you don't want to join me?"

Gwyneth laughed in the water.

"Get up here!"

"No, I... Ah~"

Suddenly, Gwyneth let out a scream, and bubbles started rising from the water.

"Stop playing around!"

Bubbles kept rising from the water.

Richard shook his head and had to take off his clothes and jump into the water.

I'm really too soft-hearted.

---

Over two hours later, a bonfire burned under the cliff, with two sexy figures beside it.

"It's time to go. We're out of fuel," Richard said, tossing a ball of old newspaper into the fire.

"No, I want to lie here a bit longer. I like this feeling, very satisfied and comfortable. My illness is also much better."

Gwyneth curled up on the stone slab, her fair cheeks glowing orange in the firelight.

"Alright!"

Richard shrugged. "Just as well, I have something to ask you."

"What is it?"

"How's your relationship with Drew Barrymore?"

"Her? Why are you asking about her? Do you want to sleep with her? I can help you."

Gwyneth teased.

"Be serious!"

Richard reached out and slapped her. *Slap*

"Mm~ okay, not good. Very bad. Why?"

Gwyneth, lying on his leg, asked, "Last time I landed a role in her movie."

Richard recounted the audition he had for the film "First Kiss."

"Bitch, she must have done it on purpose. She thought we didn't get along, so she gave you the role. Bitch!" Gwyneth cursed.

"By that logic, as long as I stay on bad terms with you, I'll get roles from her?" Richard chuckled.

"Are you sure you want to do that? Do you prefer that red-haired fat girl?" Gwyneth teased.

Richard stroked her hair, "I never mind the color of the hair. Another thing, do you know Harvey?"

"Who?"

Gwyneth frowned.

"Weinstein!" Richard stared at her.

"Why are you bringing him up? Are you bothered by the rumors about me and him? Most of them aren't true, darling, believe me," Gwyneth said, hugging his waist.

Richard shook his head slightly, "I have some issues with him. I auditioned for two movies, 'The Faculty' and 'The Cider House Rules,' and got significant roles, but they fell through because of his interference!"

"Do you need my help? I can introduce you to him."

"No need, I don't like relying on women to solve my problems," Richard shook his head.

"Then what do you plan to do? Don't tell me you want to beat him up?" Gwyneth stared at him.

"I've heard some unsavory rumors about him in the industry."

"Yes, very disgusting, but so what? His influence in Hollywood is greater than the presidents of the top eight film companies. Hollywood is his kingdom. What does a bad reputation matter? As long as his movies make money, many people will want to befriend him. Although you're great at fighting, not everything can be solved with fists. If you really beat him up, the consequences would be severe," Gwyneth said seriously.

"I understand, I don't plan to beat him up. I heard that a female actress accused him of sexual assault last year. Do you know about that?"

Richard held her chin and asked.

"Why are you interested in such things?"

"Curious."

"Don't be curious, such things have nothing to do with you, and knowing won't help. The tabloids reported about him long ago, but what can anyone do?"

Gwyneth held his shoulders and slowly stood up.

"Ugh, you bastard, you're such a pervert, a big pervert!" Gwyneth cursed with a red face.

"You're just too headstrong," Richard shrugged and helped her leave the beach.

First contact with the witness failed.

Reasons for failure: 1. Lack of work experience, poor conversation skills, 2. Improper relationship with the witness, 3. Rushed approach.

——

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(End of this chapter)