Worries

Time passed, and the filming of "The Artist" continued. Michel noticed that the scenes depicting the growing attraction between George and Peppy were particularly natural and captivating. Jennifer, while not quite matching Lucas's level of acting, still delivered a very strong performance that complemented Lucas's portrayal of George beautifully.

As the story progressed to 1929, Lucas, fully embodying George, took his seat in the screening room. Still dressed in his musketeer costume from filming, he exuded an air of arrogance as he waited to see what the fuss was about.

The room filled with dozens of audience members, all eager to witness the latest cinematic innovation. As the film began, the unmistakable sound of dialogue filled the room. George's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

On screen, the actress George had previously humiliated was speaking directly into a microphone, her voice clear and crisp. The audience members visibly marveled at this technological breakthrough.

As the film ended, Zimmer turned to George, expecting a reaction. To everyone's surprise, George burst into laughter. The room fell silent, with Zimmer and the others looking visibly embarrassed and confused.

George, still chuckling, pointed at the screen and exclaimed, "You call that progress? It's just a novelty! The audiences will get bored of hearing actors talk within a month. Besides, did you hear her voice? It's like nails on a chalkboard. No wonder they kept her silent all these years!"

His words, dripping with sarcasm and dismissiveness, caused Zimmer to shrink back in his seat, further humiliated by George's reaction. The room remained uncomfortably quiet, the excitement of moments ago replaced by tension as George's laughter echoed through the screening room.

George continued laughing as he made his way towards the exit of the screening room. Before leaving, he turned to Zimmer, his face contorted in a mixture of amusement and disdain.

"Oh, Zimmer," George chuckled, leaning in close, "I always knew you were desperate to make a name for yourself, but this? This is pathetic. You're betting your career on a circus trick. Maybe next time, you should stick to what you know - which isn't much, apparently."

The actor playing Zimmer couldn't help but feel a surge of genuine anger at Lucas's words, even though he knew it was part of the scene.

As George sauntered out of the room, still laughing, Michel called "Cut!" However, to everyone's surprise, Lucas didn't stop. He continued chuckling and giggling, seemingly lost in George's mindset.

The crew and cast exchanged worried glances as Lucas, still embodying George, shook with laughter. Michel's brow furrowed with concern as he approached Lucas.

"Lucas? Are you okay?" Michel asked, his voice tinged with worry.

But Lucas seemed to ignore him, continuing to shake his head and laugh as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

Lucas stopped laughing abruptly, his eyes focusing on Michel. However, it was clear that George was still in control. Lucas's mind was filled with George's internal dilemma:

"Who is this man calling me Lucas? Doesn't he know who I am? I'm George Valentin, the greatest silent film star in Hollywood! These fools think talking pictures will replace me? Ha! They don't understand true art. My expressions, my movements - they speak louder than any words ever could. This 'talkies' nonsense is just a fad. They'll see. They'll all see. I don't need sound to be a star. I AM the movies!"

Outwardly, Lucas's face reflected George's confusion and indignation. His eyes darted around the set, not recognizing his surroundings as part of his reality. He saw cameras and crew members, but in his mind, they were all part of his world - the world of silent cinema where he reigned supreme.

Michel's concern deepened as he realized Lucas wasn't responding as himself. "Lucas?" he tried again, reaching out to touch his arm.

Meanwhile, in his Mind Workshop, Lucas observed the unfolding situation with a mix of fascination and concern. He knew he could regain control of his body at any moment, ending George's dominance, but he chose to remain in this mental space a little longer.

Lucas wasn't worried about George taking permanent control. He understood that George was ultimately a creation of his own mind, an imaginary character he had brought to life through his acting.

Moreover, Lucas was fully aware of his surroundings even as he occupied this mental space, maintaining a level of consciousness that kept him grounded in reality.

As he watched George's reactions through their shared consciousness, Lucas sighed. He could see how deeply the advent of talking pictures had affected George, despite the character's outward bravado and dismissive laughter.

"This guy really doesn't want to adapt, does he?" Lucas mused to himself. "He's been perfecting his silent film techniques for years. All that work, all that skill... he's afraid it'll become obsolete overnight because of these talkies."

Lucas felt a pang of empathy for George. The character's fear of obsolescence, his reluctance to let go of the art form he had mastered, was all too human. It was a fear that many people faced when confronted with rapid technological changes that threatened to upend their lives and livelihoods.

This insight gave Lucas a deeper understanding of George's motivations and inner turmoil.

It was more than just arrogance or stubbornness; it was a profound fear of losing his identity, his purpose, and his place in the world.

As Lucas sensed that George might say something inappropriate, he swiftly reasserted control over his body with a mere thought.

He found Michel still looking at him with deep concern etched on his face. The rest of the cast and crew, while trying to appear busy with their tasks, were casting worried glances in his direction. Lucas could sense their unease, likely fueled by stories of actors losing their minds due to overly immersive acting techniques.

Recognizing the tension in the air, Lucas addressed Michel directly. "I am fine," he said, his voice steady and reassuring.

Michel let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God," he breathed. Then, glancing around, he added, "It's a good thing your girlfriend isn't here. She would have been terrified seeing you like that. What really happened to you, Lucas?"

Lucas offered a small smile. "Don't worry about me, director. It's nothing out of the ordinary."

Michel shook his head emphatically. "No, I don't think that's 'just nothing.' In all my years as a director, I've never seen an actor lose themselves in their character quite like that." He paused, his expression growing more serious. "Lucas, I truly appreciate how seriously you're taking this film, but I don't think you need to immerse yourself to the point of risking your mental health. If something were to happen to you, a rising superstar, because of my film..."

Michel trailed off, the weight of his responsibility as a director evident in his voice.

Lucas smiled warmly, patting Michel on the shoulder. "You shouldn't worry," he reassured. "Nothing is going to happen to me. I'm in control of the situation."

Michel looked at Lucas intently, studying his face for any signs of distress. Finally, he sighed and said, "Alright, Lucas. I trust you. But please, if you ever feel overwhelmed or like you're losing yourself, don't hesitate to speak up. Your well-being is more important than any film."

Lucas nodded appreciatively. "I understand, Michel. Thank you for your concern."

With that, Lucas nodded to the crew and his co-stars as he left the set, heading towards Jennifer's trailer. The slight hunger he'd felt while George was in control had grown, and he was eager for a snack.

As he entered the trailer, he found Jennifer fast asleep, clearly exhausted from her recent scenes. Moving quietly so as not to disturb her, Lucas made his way to the refrigerator. He carefully opened it, retrieving some milk and a light snack.

***

The next day, as filming progressed, Lucas found himself relaxing in a seat after completing a scene. He noticed Jennifer approaching and nodded in acknowledgment.

Jennifer sat beside him, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "I heard about what happened yesterday," she began softly. "About how you almost lost yourself while immersing in George's character."

Lucas looked at her, quickly deducing that Michel must have informed her, likely hoping Jennifer could advise him against over-immersion. "I'm fine," he said simply.

Jennifer reached out, taking his hand in hers. "We can be honest with each other, Lucas. You know that, right?"

Their eyes met, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Then Lucas spoke, his voice steady and sincere. "I am completely fine. Yesterday, I let George stay in control after filming ended to better understand his character and his world. It was a conscious choice, not a loss of control."

Jennifer let out a sigh of relief. "You're really making me worried, you know that?"

Lucas gently caressed her cheek, his touch reassuring. "Nothing's going to happen to me, Jen. I promise."

Jennifer leaned into his touch, her eyes searching his face. "I believe you," she said after a moment. "But please, be careful. This role means a lot to you, I can see that. But you mean even more to me."

Hearing Jennifer's words, Lucas felt a wave of warmth wash over him. He smiled genuinely, his eyes soft with affection. "You mean a lot to me too. More than you know."

Then, in a spontaneous gesture that caught Jennifer slightly off guard, Lucas leaned in and planted a quick, tender kiss on her lips, right there in front of the crew and cast.

Jennifer laughed softly, a blush creeping across her cheeks as she playfully swatted his arm. "Lucas! We're at work," she chided, but her eyes sparkled with delight.

Meanwhile, the crew and their co-stars watched the couple's interaction with a mixture of emotions. Some smiled at the sweet moment, while others felt a twinge of envy. Their thoughts, though unspoken, were remarkably similar:

"Do they have to be so lovey-dovey on set?"

"Must be nice to work with your partner like that."

"Ugh, get a room, you two."

"I wish I had someone looking at me the way they look at each other."

"They should really save that for when they're alone."