Chapter 507: Lucky Girl!

On the meticulously designed set, resembling the first-class cabin of an airplane, Martin, Mene, and the rest of the protagonist group were seated in a circle, as if part of a solemn ceremony. Each of them was connected to a metal box by conduits, seemingly in a state of deep slumber.

A flight attendant, in her crisp uniform, moved gracefully among them, the camera tracking her every step. Nolan, observing intently, suddenly called out, "Stop, that's a wrap!" He checked his watch and announced, "That's it for today. Let's reconvene at 2 p.m. tomorrow."

One by one, the actors began to stir from their feigned sleep. Elan Page stretched her arms, breaking the silence. Mene, sitting nearby, mumbled dreamily, "I was surrounded by beautiful women in my dream."

Martin, with a hint of humor, asked, "Were they all your muses from literature and art?"

Mene responded with a hearty laugh, and the group started to disband from the set.

As they walked, Elen Page, intrigued by the set's buzz, inquired, "Mene, I heard a rumor that your next project is with Isabelle Huppert. Is it true?"

Mene, unable to hide his excitement, confirmed, "Yes, Huppert personally invited me."

"That's an incredible opportunity," Elan Page remarked admiringly.

Together, they joined Bruce and headed to a nearby restaurant.

At the set's exit, a young woman in her early 20s, pushing a clothing cart, was busy assisting the costumer. As the costumer walked away, she eagerly approached Martin, her English slightly accented but clear. "Hello, Martin, could I have your autograph?"

Martin graciously agreed, signing her notebook as she introduced herself as Giselle. Learning that she was a local Moroccan, Martin complimented, "You're a lucky girl to have landed this job."

Giselle's face lit up with a smile, and she also gathered autographs from Mene and Elen Page.

After the group left, Giselle resumed her duties, pushing the clothing cart to its designated area before heading out for dinner.

Outside the studio, she noticed Professor Mordechai exiting the building housing the giant centrifuge. Quickening her pace, she passed by him, but suddenly stumbled on the uneven path, falling with a cry of pain.

Mordechai, ever the kind-hearted academic, rushed to her aid. "Are you okay?" he asked with concern.

Giselle, her eyes brimming with tears, replied, "I think I twisted my ankle."

Despite her protests, Mordechai insisted on calling a doctor and accompanied her to the crew's infirmary, where it was confirmed that she had only a slight sprain.

...

Meanwhile, at the restaurant, Elen, mindful of her diet, finished her meal swiftly. "I need to keep active to avoid putting on weight," she said, excusing herself from the table.

Martin nodded understandingly as she departed.

Once she was gone, Bruce, watching her leave, asked the others, "Why is she hanging out with us so much lately?"

Mene, with a knowing look, speculated, "Could it be that she's developed a crush on one of us?" The suggestion hung in the air, prompting a round of curious glances and chuckles among the group.

On the bustling film set, designed to mimic the interior of a first-class airplane cabin, the camaraderie among the protagonist group, including Martin and Mene, was palpable. They chatted in a relaxed circle, their connection evident in their comfortable banter.

Mene, with a playful tone, teased about Ellen Page's possible affection, "Could she have a crush on the boss?"

Martin, pointing towards Ellen with a half-smile, responded, "Don't make jokes about that. She's into women."

Mene shrugged, half-jokingly lamenting, "What a shame to waste two women at once." 

Bruce, the voice of reason, interjected, "Think before you speak, guys."

Martin, echoing Bruce's sentiment, added, "In Hollywood, we should steer clear of such gossip."

Mene nodded, acknowledging the advice. "I only speak so freely among friends. I'll stay quiet in other circles."

The conversation shifted as Bruce speculated about Ellen's past experiences, suggesting she might be seeking a sense of security in the new crew. Mene recalled a rumor about an uncomfortable incident Ellen had faced during the filming of 'X-Men 3', involving the director and a producer.

Acknowledging the difficulties of the industry, Martin and Mene shared their own struggles, emphasizing the challenges actors face in Hollywood.

Later that afternoon, the crew transitioned to a different studio for more indoor scenes, while Giselle, the young local assistant, made her way to the studio housing the centrifuges. She had a small bag with her and approached the security guard, inquiring about Professor Mordechai.

Upon Mordechai's arrival, Giselle thanked him warmly for his earlier assistance, showcasing her now-healed foot with a few deliberate steps. Mordechai, slightly flustered by her attention, accepted a bag of local specialties she offered as a token of gratitude.

When Giselle requested his phone number, citing a willingness to assist him in the future, Mordechai hesitated but eventually relented, charmed by her youthful beauty and genuine gratitude.

As Giselle departed, bidding the professor goodbye, Ellen Page, stepping out for a smoke break, witnessed this interaction from a distance. Lighting her cigarette, she observed the scene thoughtfully, just as Mene emerged from the studio, engrossed in a phone call. The dynamics on set were as complex as they were intriguing, reflective of the intertwining personal and professional lives that defined their Hollywood experience.

On the bustling film set, reminiscent of an airplane cabin, Ellen Page stood outside, her gaze lingering on a distant figure. She overheard the name Emma Thomas in a phone conversation, which piqued her interest. As she extinguished her cigarette, Mene approached her.

"Hey, Ellen, what's caught your eye?" Mene asked, noticing her focus.

Ellen, flicking her cigarette away, nodded towards Giselle, the young woman from earlier. "That's the girl who was collecting clothes at noon. She just gave something to Professor Mordechai."

Mene, seemingly uninterested, inquired casually, "Got a spare cigarette?"

Ellen obliged, handing him one and lighting it for him. "You don't smoke often?"

Mene took a deep drag, reflecting on his decision to quit smoking. "I used to smoke, but I quit for my career. I was concerned the smoke would affect my vocal skills. I only smoke occasionally now, under stress."

Ellen, slightly envious of Mene's apparent ease on set, asked, "Why start again?"

Mene exhaled, the smoke curling into the air. "I'm under a lot of pressure with this role. It's demanding, and I don't want to let Martin down after his recommendation."

Ellen observed, "You seem quite comfortable on set, though."

Mene pondered this, acknowledging his smooth career trajectory. He attributed his success partly to either being in crews led by Martin or ingratiating himself with influential women in the industry.

Their conversation was interrupted as Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy exited the studio. The two actors gave a cursory glance at Mene and Ellen before moving away, underlining the subtle divisions within the cast.

Mene, who had aligned himself with Martin, shared little rapport with the British actors. He joked to Ellen about Bruce's earlier claim of having an 'in' with the British actors, particularly Tom Hardy.

Ellen, returning to the studio, left Mene to his thoughts. Shortly after, Martin and Bruce emerged, wrapping up their day's filming.

Mene, pointing out the British actors in the distance, teased Bruce, "Didn't you say you had a connection with the Brits? Why not sort out Tom Hardy for us?"

Bruce, with a hint of sarcasm, retorted, "Sure, just get me a mortar and some shells."

Mene, half-jokingly, speculated about the ease of acquiring weapons in Morocco, given the ongoing border conflicts. Martin, unfamiliar with the region, could only shrug.

Bruce, contemplating the situation, surmised that obtaining weapons might not be too difficult, given the geopolitical tensions.

Changing the subject, Mene brought up Giselle and her interaction with Professor Mordechai. "She gave him a gift earlier. Pity, she seems to share my taste in hobbies."

Martin, walking towards the trailer, casually remarked, "Maybe she's just interested in knowledge and technology."

The trio continued their conversation, with Bruce playfully accusing Martin of being the usual source of trouble on set. Despite the light-hearted banter, there was an undercurrent of camaraderie and mutual respect among them as they navigated the complexities of their Hollywood lives.