Chapter 79: Training Class

"Mr. Hardy, do you think my performance was okay?" Taylor gasped slightly, catching her breath.

"Your ballet was beautiful," Hardy assured her.

Taylor's eyes sparkled with a mix of hope and uncertainty. "Mom said there's a role in your movie for a girl around my age. Is it the same story you told me before?"

"Yes, I'm looking for a 13 or 14-year-old girl to play Matilda," Hardy confirmed.

"Then, I want to audition for Matilda!" Taylor said eagerly.

Hardy hesitated, shaking his head. "Do you think you resemble Matilda in any way?"

Taylor was momentarily stunned. She recalled the character's harsh background: a slum upbringing, an abusive father, and an unhappy home. Matilda's life was filled with hardship, which contrasted sharply with Taylor's own experiences.

"Taylor, do you recognize the difference between yourself and Matilda? Your demeanor seems quite different from the character's," Hardy observed. "I'm concerned you might struggle to portray Matilda convincingly."

Taylor's face fell. She felt a lump in her throat, fighting back tears. She had been given a rare chance, and now it seemed to be slipping away. "Mr. Hardy, I'm willing to work hard to change. Can you give me a chance? I'll prove I can do it."

Hardy studied her earnest expression. "Training for such a role will be difficult. Are you prepared for that?"

"Yes, I'm not afraid of hardship," Taylor said with determination, her voice steady.

Hardy nodded. "In that case, if you're truly committed, I can provide training over the next few months. The film is still in the planning stages, so we have time."

Taylor's face brightened with relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Mr. Hardy. I won't let you down."

Sara, watching from a distance, approached with gratitude. "Thank you for giving Taylor this opportunity. She will work very hard."

The next day, Hardy visited the film company and summoned the two screenwriters. He handed them a copy of the manuscript he had prepared—the outline for the story "Killer Not Too Cold," which he had adapted based on the film's plot.

The outline, detailed and vivid, included classic dialogues, such as the poignant exchange between Matilda and Leon. 

"Is life always this painful? Or is it only when I was young?" Matilda asks.

Leon's response is blunt yet tender, "Always."

Matilda's confession, "Leon, I feel like I am in love with you. This is my first love. Do you know?"

Leon's skepticism contrasts sharply with Matilda's heartfelt belief, "How do you know it's love if you haven't been in love?"

"Because I feel it," she replies, a smile in her voice. "In my stomach, it feels very warm. Before, my stomach was always knotted, but now it isn't."

After reviewing the outline, the screenwriters were impressed. 

"Assistant Hardy, this is a remarkable story. No one has ever crafted something like this before," one of them said.

"I agree. It's a compelling narrative and will surely translate well on screen," the other added.

Hardy, indifferent to their flattery, set a deadline. "I expect the script within three days. Is that feasible?"

"Absolutely. The outline is detailed, so adapting it into a full script should be straightforward," the screenwriters assured him.

Leaving the film company, Hardy drove his Packard to pick up Elizabeth Taylor at her home in Beverly Hills. Although Taylor's family lived comfortably, their villa was modest compared to the opulent residences of Hollywood's elite.

As Hardy rang the doorbell, he awaited Taylor's arrival, ready to begin her training and help her prepare for the challenging role of Matilda.