Staying unruffled

As Paul continued to speak, he suddenly burst into laughter. "You know, I once filmed a movie with Jessica Alba in the Bahamas. We spent nearly three months there, learning scuba diving from scratch and exploring the unknown world beneath the ocean's surface. After the normal shooting day, I would go diving with the instructors, and we'd stay down there for a while." His words came to a halt at this point, leaving the story hanging in the air, his eyes deepening with the memories.

Paul scratched his head, chuckled shyly, and returned his attention. "And we also made many friends, like Tobey, Reese, Claire, Katie... We were all actors from the same group. At that time, none of us had achieved much. Occasionally, we'd have minor roles in TV shows, and in the evenings, we'd hang out along Santa Monica Boulevard, screaming with excitement when we got audition calls..."

Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, Claire Daniels, and as for Katie... Hollywood had too many Katies, and it was hard to distinguish them at times. But this group of actors was of a similar age, and apart from the early fame of Leonardo DiCaprio and the Boston gang with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, it included Ethan Hawke, Denise Richards, and others. They were all part of Gen X.

"Those were truly wonderful years. Of course, even now," Paul snapped out of his reverie, and it was clear that his purity was what had allowed him to navigate Hollywood for nearly twenty years without succumbing to any vices. "What's wrong? Why suddenly ask me this?"

Having said what needed to be said, Renly now seemed to be starting a conversation. There was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"No, I just wanted to say that everyone has their own aspirations. For some, it may be honey, but for others, it may be poison," Renly said in a casual tone, "Just like this situation. For Vin, power and fame are more important. For you, experiencing the joy of work is more crucial. As for me, wholeheartedly immersing myself in the world of acting is the most important."

"This isn't criticism or judgment; it's just that everyone pursues different things," Renly looked at Paul, who was completely puzzled, and his smile widened a bit. "What I mean is, being a part of the "Fast & Furious" series, for me, the most important thing is to experience the rush and excitement of a commercial film. Once I've experienced that, it's enough. If I can be in the sequel, I'd be happy to continue working with you. If not, I won't be devastated. After all, would we stop being friends just because we didn't work together?"

Missing out on "Horrible Bosses", Renly would regret it; but missing out on "Like Crazy", he would be heartbroken. As for missing out on "Fast & Furious", it was neither here nor there. Ultimately, it came down to personal interests and choices.

Paul pondered for a moment, carefully considering Renly's words. Between furrowed brows, he asked with hesitation, "So, you mean you don't care about Vin's little schemes?"

Renly shrugged lightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. Then he averted his gaze, looking straight ahead, and began savoring his coffee slowly. "Is this coffee from the mobile cart? Jesus Christ, they really use good coffee beans." Renly exaggerated his admiration.

Sitting beside him, Paul couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth. His gaze remained fixed on Renly's face for a couple of seconds before he burst into laughter, shaking his head gently. He felt somewhat helpless but also surprisingly at ease. It was undeniable that his mood had brightened, and all his anger and frustration had quietly dissipated.

Paul turned his head and gazed quietly ahead. "I was thinking that maybe through my agent, we could pressure Neal and Michael. If they don't meet your conditions, I could threaten to quit the "Fast & Furious" sequel..."

Renly interjected with a teasing tone, making Paul laugh again. "Are you feeling regretful now? I mean, weren't you doing "Fast & Furious" because you love racing? Since you enjoy it, why give it up? But honestly, I think you should take this opportunity to negotiate with Universal Pictures and get a better deal. Maybe next time, we can go deep-sea diving together? Professional equipment isn't cheap, you know."

As the clouds of gloom dissipated, Paul finally returned to his usual sunny demeanor. "How did you know I like racing? I don't remember mentioning it."

Renly was momentarily taken aback. Paul's love for racing was something he had seen in magazine interviews in his previous life. At that time, Paul Walker had already passed away due to a car accident, and the world was mourning his untimely departure. It was ironic and almost comical that a person who loved racing, a person famous for his roles in racing movies, had lost his life due to a friend's speeding car – like a scene out of an absurd comedy.

Thinking about this, Renly's emotions became somewhat chaotic.

He recalled Hazel Cross.

The difference was that fate had a stranglehold on Hazel. Unless medical treatment made significant advances in the coming years and discovered new ways to cure her, they could only watch helplessly as Hazel moved step by step toward the end of her life. But Paul's situation was different. It was an accident that could be avoided, prevented, and rectified – a man-made accident. Could he save Paul?

"Renly? Renly? Hey there?" Paul waved his hand in front of Renly's eyes, bringing him back from his reverie. "What's going on? Why did you suddenly zone out?"

Looking at Paul once more, a bitter taste lingered on Renly's tongue. Survival and death, these were the eternal questions of humanity, and no one could escape them. Even with a second chance at life, it remained the same. Was he just too dense? Faced with the subject of life and death, he could remain composed, but he could never truly learn to be indifferent.

"No, I was just thinking about the ocean and racing – these are the two most important things in your life. Oh, and Meadow," Meadow Rain, Paul's daughter, who now lived in Hawaii, was another significant part of Paul's life, and the reason why he often went to Hawaii for surfing.

Renly's playful banter elicited a light-hearted laugh from Paul, who didn't notice the fleeting concern in Renly's eyes. "I mean, let's leave the sequel negotiations to our agents. We should just focus on acting," Renly resumed his usual calm demeanor, reminding himself that it was still two years away from 2013. "Neither of us is cut out to be a producer, after all."

Paul burst into laughter at the jest. "You're absolutely right. I believe you were born to be an actor, and that's exactly what you should be!"

"I agree," Renly nodded earnestly, graciously accepting the compliment. Paul's cheerful laughter even startled some sparrows in the nearby trees, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Nathan, we still have five minutes of break," Nathan quickly approached, flashing an apologetic smile at Paul. "Do you need to go over the script?"

"Chatting always makes us lose track of time. I won't bother you," Paul knew Renly's habits and stood up, gesturing to leave some space for him.

Renly wasn't one to be overly polite either. "What about you? Are you leaving now? If you stay, we can grab a drink at Village Vanguard tonight."

"Can you?" This wasn't Paul's first visit to the set. The last time he visited the set of "50/50", Renly's condition had been so dire that he hadn't had a chance to meet him and had left directly. Even on the set of "Fast 5", after shooting wrapped for the day, Renly didn't usually indulge in nightlife. At most, he'd strum his guitar, have a beer, or read a book at his accommodation, a modest relaxation compared to the occasional revelry of Vin and the others in the city's bars.

"A beer is fine," Renly replied with a smile. The "Detachment" mode of performance was different, more akin to the style of London's West End or Broadway. After finishing their daily performance, they'd simply unwind for a bit and then prepare for the next day's scenes. That was no problem.

Paul snapped his fingers. "It's a deal, then. I'll watch from the sidelines with the rest of the crew. Break a leg!"

Paul smiled and took a couple of steps back before heading toward the production staff.

Renly called after him, "Thanks for the coffee. I'll remember to visit next time."

"Twice. You owe me two set visits," Paul raised his right hand, forming a "2" with his fingers, and proclaimed loudly.

The "Detachment" crew soon resumed shooting, with Renly's performance largely unaffected, flowing naturally. Tony, on the other hand, demanded more and more, highly satisfied with Renly's performance. He continuously captured shots from various angles, trying to piece together a more extensive visual language in his mind. The shooting process remained smooth, but the progress was never swift.

Fortunately, neither Renly nor Tony were in a hurry. They worked meticulously, fine-tuning their craft.

The day's shooting wrapped up promptly at 6 PM. Paul and Renly had a meal together, followed by a two-hour stint at Village Vanguard, engaging in an extensive conversation. They left the bar before 10 PM. After all, Renly was still in the midst of shooting. As actors, they received many rewards, but they also had to pay a price. The notion of getting something for nothing was unsustainable in any field, and Hollywood was no exception.