When Lucas returned to the USA, specifically to New York, his friends were in for a shock the moment he walked into Liza's restaurant. Their expressions turned to disbelief as they saw Lucas—now noticeably slimmer and... bald?
After welcoming Lucas with open arms and a spread of delicious meals, Liza couldn't hold back her astonishment. "What in the world happened to you while you were away for months!?" she exclaimed.
Leo, sitting nearby, observed Lucas tucking into the food on the table, equally taken aback by his transformation.
Lucas chuckled before explaining, "I got involved in a film project about cancer. I might have gotten a bit too immersed in the role, and well, this is the result," he said, gesturing to his appearance.
"Cancer, you say? I'd love to hear more about that," Liza replied, her curiosity piqued by the subject of the film.
Shaking his head, Lucas responded, "I wish I could share, but the film hasn't been released yet, and I'm not allowed to reveal any details about it."
"That's a shame. I was really interested," Liza replied with a hint of disappointment. However, her spirits lifted as she added, "But when your movie does come out, I'll be sure to watch it with everyone else."
Lucas smiled, knowing full well that by "everyone else," Liza meant their circle of friends from Bellevue Hospital.
"Now, Lucas, given your newfound fame, have you found yourself mingling with any stunning beauties?" Leo asked, a playful curiosity lighting up his face.
Lucas was just about to respond when Liza cut in, "Leonard, what kind of question is that? Are you trying to make Lucas uncomfortable? Watch it, or I might just have to cut your salary in half."
Leo gave a sheepish smile, quickly backtracking, "Forget I mentioned anything, Lucas."
"No, it's fine. Honestly, contrary to what you might think, I haven't been catching the eye of any beauties..." Lucas confessed, addressing Leo's inquiry directly.
"Really? I can't believe that!" Leo laughed, shaking his head in disbelief as he bantered with Lucas.
Liza, overhearing the exchange, let out a sigh of relief at Lucas's response.
Lucas exchanged light banter with Leo and spent some time chatting with Liza before saying his goodbyes.
As Liza escorted Lucas to the exit of the restaurant, Lucas couldn't help but smile. Despite being away for months and gaining a bit of fame, the easy rapport with his friends remained intact, bringing him a sense of comfort and joy.
---
In Vincent's office at the IAA, Vincent stared at the transformed Lucas in disbelief. "Neil wasn't kidding! You really do look completely different. Are you sure you're okay?"
Lucas chuckled reassuringly, "I'll be fine. I just need a bit of rest, that's all."
"Well, you'll have plenty of time to rest up. The auditions for 'The Hunger Games' aren't going anywhere soon, since the production is set to officially start in March..."
A few months back, in July 2010, Lucas and Vincent had embarked on an entrepreneurial journey, laying the groundwork for a startup they believed could revolutionize the way people thought about transportation. Drawing from his unique insights from a previous life where this concept had transformed urban mobility, Lucas introduced the idea of "Uber" to Vincent. In this world, the innovative model of ride-sharing and the convenience of summoning a ride with just a tap on a smartphone didn't exist—yet.
Lucas had sketched out the fundamentals of the Uber business model: a platform that would connect riders with drivers through an app, offering a seamless, cashless, and efficient transportation solution. He envisioned a service that could offer more than just convenience; it would provide opportunities for drivers to earn a flexible income and for cities to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
Before his busy schedule, Lucas had entrusted Vincent with the task of nurturing and developing this nascent idea into a viable business. Together, they had worked on initial planning, securing the necessary technology infrastructure, and identifying potential investors who could see the promise in their groundbreaking concept. Lucas's departure for his acting project left Vincent at the helm of turning their shared vision into reality.
Vincent paused for a moment, reflecting on the progress of their ambitious venture before responding to Lucas. "Honestly, Lucas, balancing the responsibilities at the agency with our startup has been quite the challenge," Vincent admitted, his tone mixed with a hint of regret. "I've been swamped here, and that's slowed things down more than I'd like to admit."
He leaned back in his chair, continuing, "As for the app development, we've made some initial strides. We've got a basic prototype up and running, but it's still a long way from the polished, user-friendly platform we envisioned. Finding the right tech team has been a bit of a hurdle, too. Without someone to steer the ship on a day-to-day basis, especially someone with your vision and understanding of the Uber model, progress has been slower than expected."
Vincent let out a heavy sigh, running his fingers through his hair in a gesture of frustration mixed with determination. "I truly believe in what Uber could become and the incredible impact it might have. But it's clear to me now that for it to truly take off, we need to double down on our focus. It might be time to bring in someone with the dedication and expertise to drive Uber forward—a CEO or, at the very least, a project manager who can devote their full attention to nurturing its growth."
He looked at Lucas, his face etched with seriousness. "This concept has the power to revolutionize how we think about transportation. I just wish I had the ability to be in two places at once, to give Uber the dedication it needs while handling my responsibilities here."
Lucas listened intently, absorbing the gravity of the situation before responding, "So, it seems we're on the lookout for a strong project manager who could potentially step up as CEO?"
Vincent nodded in agreement. "Exactly. And given that we already hold significant stakes in the company, our focus isn't solely on controlling it. As long as it moves in the direction we envision and continues to grow, our investment will pay off."
Lucas nodded, understanding the strategy at play.
Vincent continued, "With investors already on board, Uber isn't just ours anymore. But that's a good thing. Our major investors will surely have a say in selecting the right person to lead, which could significantly help in positioning the company for success."
Lucas nodded once more, signaling his agreement.
Vincent's expression brightened a bit. "I've been wanting to discuss this with you, waiting for your return. And now that you're on board with the idea, I'll start reaching out to our investors. Who knows? Perhaps among them, we'll find our future CEO."