Leaving the hustle of the Modern Family set behind, Lucas settled into his airplane seat, New York City beckoning on the horizon. His thoughts turned to the future, the hum of the engines a fitting backdrop for his ambitions. He envisioned a high-end computer, its whirring fans singing the sweet song of Bitcoin mining.
Truth be told, if a million dollars lay in his bank account, a spacious warehouse filled with gleaming rigs would be his playground. The potential profit, a future glittering with golden coins, almost drowned out the sensible voice whispering about caution. But reality, like the cramped legroom, was inescapable. His post-"127 Hours" and "Modern Family" paychecks, a respectable $185,000, wouldn't stretch that far.
Successfully mining Bitcoin hinges on three key factors: the processing power of a computer, the efficiency of a mining software, and the cost of electricity in a location.
Currently, the profitability of Bitcoin mining can be questionable. High electricity costs can quickly eat into any potential gains, particularly for less powerful rigs. Additionally, poorly optimized software can significantly reduce the hash rate, further diminishing the chances of earning rewards.
Mining Bitcoin involves electricity costs, but he wasn't overly concerned. Accumulating Bitcoin seemed advantageous to him, and he saw the potential to sell or trade them to individuals using Bitcoin casually, perhaps undervaluing its significance. Reflecting on a previous life's incident from 2010 when someone exchanged 10,000 Bitcoin for a pizza, Lucas considered purchasing Bitcoin as a sensible alternative to mining.
---
Sunlight streamed through LaGuardia's grime-coated windows as Lucas disembarked. Trolleys clattered, announcements crackled, and a tide of weary travelers surged past, pulling suitcases and dragging jet lag. Lucas wove through the chaos, hailing a taxi with a practiced flick of his wrist.
The yellow cab dropped Lucas at his apartment building. He lugged his suitcase inside and found Paul sprawled on the small new couch, a half-eaten pizza abandoned on the coffee table.
"Yo," Lucas called out, dropping the bag with a thud. "Didn't expect you back yet."
Paul, startled, looked up with a grin. "Hey, man! Flight got in early?" He gestured to the pizza. "Want a slice? Warning, it's cold and possibly haunted by the ghost of pepperoni past."
Lucas chuckled. "Nah, I'm good. Just flew back from LA, feeling a bit jet-lagged. How'd the "The Loser" shoot go with Chris Evans?"
Paul's grin widened. "Dude, it was epic! Evans is even funnier in person, and the director's got a real vision for this thing. I think it's gonna be huge."
"Nice! You must be thrilled," Lucas refrained from bursting Paul's bubble, given the movie's lackluster performance in his previous life.
"Yeah, all things considered, it wasn't bad," Paul conceded, nodding. "But enough about me, superstar. You're the one killing it! Leading role in a movie? I'm still stuck in the supporting actor purgatory." He gave Lucas a playful nudge, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Paul couldn't help but notice a change in Lucas. He seemed more confident, his eyes sparkling with a newfound energy. Maybe it was the success, or maybe something else that had simmered during his time away. Whatever it was, it was a good look on his friend.
They chatted for a while, catching up on lost time, before Lucas suggested, "You know what? I'm starving. Let's hit up a restaurant for some old-school comfort food. My treat."
As they walked into the familiar diner, Liza and Leonard erupted in cheers. "Lucas! Back in the flesh!" they boomed, engulfing him in warm hugs. They bombarded him with questions about his career, his eyes twinkling with genuine pride.
After a moment, they noticed Paul standing beside him, a bit sheepish. "Hey, everyone," he said, "This is Paul, my friend and roommate."
Liza and Leonard instantly extended their arms, welcoming him with open smiles.
Lucas regaled Liza and the gang with stories from his trip, and of course, Modern Family was a hot topic. They peppered him with questions about his return, eyes wide with excitement. Lucas grinned, "It's just a quick pop-in," Lucas chuckled, "but hey, catch me on TV this October!"
---
Lucas stepped into the glass lobby of the Innovative Artists building, sunlight slicing through the morning sky. Vincent's office held a welcoming warmth this time, a stark contrast to their last tense meeting. He chuckled as Lucas slid into the leather chair.
Vincent greeted Lucas with a genuine warmth that surprised him. "Lucas, good to see you again! Congratulations on landing the lead in '127 Hours.' I have to admit, I didn't expect it," Vincent said, a smile crinkling his eyes. "Your Modern Family appearance was impressive, but Aron Ralston in '127 Hours'? That's a whole new level."
Initially, Vincent underestimated Lucas. "Modern Family" was a nice gig, but landing the demanding role of Aron Ralston in "127 Hours"? That seemed like a stretch for the fresh-faced actor.
So when Lucas casually confirmed the news, Vincent felt a genuine jolt of surprise. Innovative Artists had been keeping a close eye on him, considering a contract, but this catapulted Lucas into a different league. Perhaps the offer couldn't wait any longer.
Vincent's eyebrows shot up when Lucas mentioned his "127 Hours" paycheck. 180 thousand dollars for a fresh-faced actor like him? A pang of regret tugged at Vincent. IAA could have secured a juicy commission if they'd already signed Lucas. But that was water under the bridge. The agency's open casting call for the role meant they wouldn't earn anything from Lucas unless he signed with them after landing the part.
Shaking his head, Vincent decided to act. Lucas' talent, coupled with his recent success, was undeniable. Even landing the lead in a challenging independent film like "127 Hours" spoke volumes. He grabbed his phone and dialed the agency's director. "Lucas has potential," he said, "and I think it's time we offered him a representation agreement."
Lucas found the "127 Hours" role through their open hub board, meant for fresh talent assessment. The agency wouldn't collect a commission, except for the standard audition fee Lucas had already paid.
Shaking his head, Vincent knew it was time to act. He contacted the agency's leadership, advocating for a representation offer to Lucas. The demanding role in an independent film like "127 Hours" was a clear indicator of Lucas' potential. They couldn't afford to miss out again.