Days had passed since Lucas had stepped into the shoes of Arthur, opposite the legendary Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb, and a talented cast. The tension in the room crackled like electricity as Marion Cotillard, embodying Mal, walked towards Cobb, a faint smile gracing her lips.
"The gun, Dom," she murmured, her voice soft yet carrying the weight of unspoken threats.
Cobb remained frozen, his gaze locked on hers. Mal's smile vanished, replaced by a steely glint in her eyes. With a flick of her wrist, she gestured towards the doorway. Two burly guards emerged, dragging a struggling Lucas, as Arthur.
Mal pressed the cold metal of the gun against Lucas's temple, her voice devoid of emotion. "Please," she whispered, her eyes locked on Cobb.
The weight of her words hung heavy in the air. Slowly, Cobb reached for his gun, his movements deliberate, his eyes never leaving Mal's. He placed it on the opposite end of the polished ebony table, then slid it along its smooth surface, the click echoing in the tense silence. It stopped halfway down, a precarious bridge between them.
Saito, observing the scene with a predatory smile, spoke up. "Now the envelope, Mr. Cobb."
Cobb's hands rose in a gesture of surrender as he reached into his waistband, withdrawing one of the coveted envelopes. He slid it across the table, his voice low and gravelly. "Did she tell you? Or have you known all along?"
Saito's smile widened, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "That you're here to steal from me? Or perhaps, that we're all dreaming?"
A flicker of annoyance crossed Arthur's face as he exchanged a silent glance with Cobb, a hint of the "I-told-you-so" attitude Lucas had perfected over the past few days in his Mind Workshop and rehearsals.
Saito's voice, a smooth blend of curiosity and menace, cut through the tense silence. "Tell me, Cobb. Who is your employer?"
His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, flickered between Cobb and Arthur. Mal, mirroring his intensity, slowly cocked the gun, its cold metal pressing against Arthur's temple.
"No point threatening him in a dream," Cobb countered, his voice betraying a hint of unease.
Mal's lips curved into a chilling smile. "That depends on what you're threatening. Killing him would just wake him up... but pain? Pain is in the mind..."
Her eyes, devoid of warmth, met Cobb's. The air crackled with unspoken warnings, a silent duel of wills playing out between them. Then, with a swift movement, Mal lowered the gun and fired.
In a swift, almost casual movement, Mal lowered the gun, aiming instead for Arthur's leg. With a sharp crack that resonated through the room, the gun "fired." Though no projectile flew, Lucas, or rather, Arthur, contorted his face in agony, a guttural scream erupting from his throat. Even amidst the filming, his performance held such conviction that it sent shivers down the spines of those observing, though some may find it funny.
"Judging by the décor," Mal said, her voice cold and calculating, "we're in your mind, aren't we, Arthur?"
Amidst the tension, a crack of amusement flickered across some actors' faces, a testament to Lucas's convincing portrayal. Yet, professionalism prevailed, and the scene continued uninterrupted.
Leonardo, fully embodying Cobb's desperation, launched himself across the polished table. His movement was a blur, a desperate lunge for his discarded gun. With a sharp crack, the weapon echoed in the opulent space, not aimed at Saito, but at Arthur. Lucas, immersed in the character, crumpled realistically, the scene ending with Cobb springs to the door, leaving behind a stunned silence, before the director's cue, "Cut!" officially ended the scene.
***
Applause echoed through the soundstage as the "dream within a dream" scene wrapped. Lucas, still buzzing from the intensity of the performance, felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Christopher Nolan, his expression unreadable.
"Lucas," Nolan said, gesturing towards a quiet corner. "Mind joining me for a quick chat?"
Intrigued, Lucas followed the director. After settling down, Nolan leaned forward, his voice low. "Remember how we discussed some scenes requiring specialized training?"
Lucas nodded, recalling the vague conversations about demanding physical sequences.
"Well," Nolan continued, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, "that time has come. After we film your next few scenes, you'll be heading to London."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, surprised. "London? For what?"
"We've built a unique set – a rotating environment inside an airship hangar," Nolan explained. "You'll be working with our stunt team to prepare for a particularly challenging scene."
Silence fell as Lucas processed the information. His surprise quickly morphed into excitement. A demanding scene demanding special training? It sounded thrilling, a testament to the trust placed in him.
"Challenging, you say?" His voice held a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
Nolan chuckled. "Let's just say it'll push your physical and mental limits, in the best way possible. Be prepared, Lucas. That rotating set is about to take you on a wild ride."
With a pat on Lucas shoulder, Nolan excused himself, leaving Lucas buzzing with curiosity and a newfound drive. The dream within a dream had been exhilarating, but a whole new challenge awaited him across the ocean.
Lucas chewed on his lip, replaying Christopher Nolan's words in his mind. The director's cryptic hint about a "challenging scene" filmed in a specially built rotating set sent shivers of excitement down his spine. If his memory served him right, he remember the scene where Arthur engaging in intense hallway combat – and not just any fight scene, but one meticulously crafted without the aid of CGI.
The thought filled Lucas with a mix of apprehension and exhilaration. He had seen glimpses of Nolan's commitment to practical effects in films like "The Dark Knight," where the iconic hospital explosion was achieved with real explosives. Now, it was his turn to step into the director's creative planning.