As morning light filtered through the trailer windows, Lucas stirred to the aroma of cooking eggs. He found Neil preparing a meal for him, carefully following the diet plan prescribed by experts to help Lucas regain his former physique.
"Thanks, Neil," Lucas said gratefully, digging into the protein-rich breakfast. The familiar taste of real food was a welcome change after months of extreme dieting for the role.
As Lucas ate, Neil handed him his phone. "By the way, here's your phone back. A lot of your friends have been trying to reach you. You should probably check in with them."
Lucas nodded, taking the device from Neil. As he scrolled through the notifications, his eyes widened at the sheer volume of missed calls, texts, and social media alerts.
Messages from Jennifer, Liza, Samantha, and Paul dominated his inbox, their tone evolving from casual check-ins to increasing concern as time passed without response. Jennifer's messages were particularly numerous, a mix of support, worry, and updates on her own projects.
"Wow," Lucas muttered, feeling a twinge of guilt. "I didn't realize how out of touch I've been."
Neil nodded sympathetically. "You were pretty deep into character. It's understandable, but maybe give them a call when you're up to it."
Lucas agreed, making a mental note to reach out to his friends and loved ones. As he continued to eat and scroll through his phone, he felt like he was slowly reconnecting with the world outside of Joker's Gotham City.
After finishing his meal, Lucas began to notice a subtle change in his body. His Mind Workshop ability, no longer focused on maintaining Arthur Fleck's gaunt physique, was now actively aiding in his recovery. He could feel his strength returning, his body gradually filling out to its previous healthy state.
Lucas didn't dwell too much on this accelerated recovery. He was simply grateful that his unique ability would help him bounce back faster than expected. The thought of potentially attending the Oscars with his usual robust appearance brought a smile to his face.
Turning his attention back to his phone, Lucas quickly typed out responses to Liza, Paul, and his other friends, assuring them he was fine and apologizing for his prolonged silence.
When he got to Jennifer's messages, however, he paused. Her texts revealed a deep concern that made him feel a pang of guilt:
"Why didn't you tell me you'd be preparing for such an intense role?"
"You look horribly sick! I think you're going too far for this part."
"I hope you aren't risking your health just for a role. Your life is more important."
Lucas sighed, realizing he had underestimated the impact his transformation would have on those closest to him. He knew he owed Jennifer more than just a text message. Despite his body's rapid recovery, the emotional weight of his intense immersion into the Joker's psyche still lingered.
He decided to call her, knowing that hearing his voice might help alleviate some of her worries.
Lucas began to dial her number, and after a few rings, she answered: "Lucas? Or is this still Neil?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Lucas chuckled softly, "No, it's me."
Recognizing his voice, Jennifer's tone immediately shifted, "Lucas? Are you finally done with your stupid role?"
Lucas sighed, feeling a mix of pride and defensiveness, "Don't call it stupid. It was one of the greatest roles I've played."
Jennifer snorted, her frustration evident, "By making yourself look like that? It was horrible. I wouldn't go that far for a role. You should've thought more before pushing yourself to such extremes. It might affect your health later."
"I'm fine," Lucas insisted.
Jennifer's annoyance grew, "Fine? No, it's not fine. You looked like you were on death's door, Lucas. Do you have any idea how worried I've been? How worried we've all been?"
Lucas sighed deeply. He knew she was right to be concerned, and part of him felt guilty for causing her such distress. Thanks to his Mind Workshop ability, he could take on extreme physical transformations like Arthur Fleck without risking his long-term health. It was his secret advantage, his cheat code in the world of acting. But obviously, he couldn't explain that to Jennifer.
"Look, Jen," he said softly, trying to find the right words, "I understand your concern, I really do. But I promise you, I'm okay. I had medical supervision throughout the entire process, and I'm already starting to get back to my normal self."
He paused, then added, "I know it looked extreme, and maybe I should have communicated better about what I was doing. But this role... it was important to me. I needed to fully embody Arthur to do justice to the character."
Jennifer sighed, her voice still tinged with frustration and worry. "I can't help but be upset, Lucas. Do you have any idea how much this has affected me? I've been so worried about you that it's impacted my own work. I've struggled to focus on my roles because I keep wondering if you're okay."
Hearing the pain in her voice, Lucas felt a wave of guilt wash over him. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Maybe... maybe we should take a break from our relationship. That way, when I dive into another intense role, you won't have to worry as much and can focus on your own career."
There was a long pause on the other end of the line before Jennifer spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, "Are you... are you breaking up with me?"
Lucas quickly backtracked, realizing how his words must have sounded. "No, no, it's nothing like that. I just... I don't want to burden your career anymore. I don't want you to feel held back because of me."
Jennifer's tone turned bitter, "Maybe you're right. Maybe it would be better if we separate for now. For our careers."
Before Lucas could respond, the line went dead. He stared at his phone in disbelief, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. He had only been thinking of her wellbeing, wanting her to pursue her career without the constant worry about their relationship weighing her down. But somehow, his words had backfired spectacularly.
Lucas, realizing the gravity of the misunderstanding, quickly typed out a message to Jennifer:
"Jen, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out that way. I don't want to break up. I just thought taking a break from actively worrying about our relationship might help you focus on your career without the added stress. We're still together, just... giving each other some space to grow individually. I love you and I don't want to lose you."
He waited anxiously, expecting Jennifer to ignore him given how upset she had been. To his surprise, she replied:
"I understand what you're trying to say, Lucas. I'm sorry too for hanging up like that. It was just a lot to process."
***
Meanwhile, Jennifer stared at her phone, her emotions in turmoil. The truth was, she had grown so attached to Lucas that the mere thought of breaking up was unbearable. Despite her worries about their careers and his intense method acting, she couldn't imagine not being with him.
She realized she had reacted strongly to his suggestion, even though deep down she knew he wasn't actually requesting a breakup. It was her own fears and insecurities that had caused her to lash out.
Another message from Lucas popped up:
"Maybe we could see each other after you're done with your current role, or at the Oscars. For now, focus on your career. Don't worry too much about other things. Think of it as taking a break, not breaking up."
Jennifer read the message several times, her heart conflicted. She appreciated Lucas's concern for her career, but the idea of "taking a break" still scared her. What if this break led to them drifting apart?
Yet, she also understood the wisdom in his words. Their relationship had been intense, and maybe some time to focus on themselves individually could be beneficial. It wasn't about ending things, but about growing stronger both as individuals and as a couple.
With a deep breath, she began to type her response, trying to find the right balance between expressing her love and agreeing to this temporary space.
***
Weeks passed and March quickly arrived, bringing with it the much-anticipated Oscar ceremony. Media outlets and news channels buzzed with speculation about Lucas's appearance. Would he show up? If he did, would he still look as gaunt and sickly as in the leaked photos?
Fans were particularly concerned, given the circulation of false reports about Lucas's alleged death due to an accident or illness.
At the red carpet, a group of Lucas's devoted fans gathered, hoping to catch a glimpse of their idol. He was nominated for Best Actor for his role in "Gravity," but his recent absence from the public eye left many wondering if he'd attend.
"Do you think he'll really show up?" one fan asked nervously.
"If he does, I wonder if he'll still look as unhealthy as in those photos," another mused.
A third fan chimed in, "I don't care what he looks like. I just wish he'd appear. Those fake death rumors are really getting to me."
This comment elicited a nervous laugh from the group.
As popular actors graced the red carpet, Lucas's fans grew increasingly disappointed with each arrival that wasn't him. Just as they were starting to lose hope, a sleek limousine pulled up.
When the door opened, there was a moment of stunned silence. Out stepped Lucas Knight, looking not just healthy, but more handsome than ever.
He wore a stylish ensemble that turned heads - a perfectly tailored suit in a deep, rich color, paired with a crisp white shirt. His hair was artfully styled, and he sported subtle, elegant accessories that complemented his outfit perfectly.
The overall look was fresh, modern, and undeniably cool.
The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps of surprise. Lucas's transformation from the gaunt figure in the leaked photos to this picture of health and style was nothing short of remarkable.
As he made his way down the red carpet, flashes from cameras lit up the night, capturing every angle of Lucas's triumphant return to the public eye.