It has been a while since the filming of the movie project "Hunger Games" wrapped up in Henry River Village, and now they're moving on to their next location for more shooting. The production team is headed to North Carolina, Charlotte. They will be traveling there by train, which Lionsgate has rented out for both transportation and for filming certain scenes inside the train.
However, the train will only be available in two or three days, so the production team must wait. In the meantime, the cast members are either reviewing their scripts or spending their time as they please if they're done with their lines. Meanwhile, the crew members have bonded well with each other and are gossiping about the cast of the project.
"Did you see how Lucas was treating those extras and stunt doubles? What do you think about it? Is he really that kind of a person?" one of the crew members asked, steering the conversation towards Lucas.
"I think he's genuinely a good person. Not only is he kind, but he's also an amazing actor. Did you see how he got into his character so quickly? I'd say he's a talented guy," another crew member responded.
"Well, I don't know about that. I think he's just putting on an act to hide his true self. It's not uncommon for Hollywood stars to do that, you know," the first crew member replied with a skeptical tone.
"I agree, especially considering who his father was. I've heard some pretty bad things about Vince Knight. What makes you think his son is any different?"
"Didn't Lucas's father hate him? I thought he and his wife even criticized him in the media. I'd say he's different from his dad…"
"It doesn't matter. I still think Lucas is just putting on an act—" The man's words were cut off by Elena, one of Lucas's makeup artists, who had had had enough.
"No! Lucas is a genuinely kind person! I've worked with him before!" she defended him.
"Whatever you say," the man said, sipping his drink nonchalantly.
Elena fumed but decided to focus on her iced coffee instead.
"Speaking of Lucas, don't you think he's getting a bit too close with Jennifer? Do you think they're really in a relationship?" another crew member asked, changing the subject.
"Who knows? It's not uncommon for Hollywood actors to date each other, so it wouldn't be surprising if they are…"
Meanwhile, in one of the tents prepared for Lucas.
Lucas had gotten so immersed in his role that his consciousness had transported him to the "Mind Workshop." He was lying on an outdoor bed when he finally opened his eyes, startled.
As he sat up, he saw Jennifer sitting in front of him, watching him with a smile.
"Hey, Jennifer. What's up?" he asked, taking a bottle of water and taking a drink.
"Oh, just watching you sleep," she replied with a tender smile.
"Really?" Lucas felt a bit self-conscious but managed to ask, "Aren't you supposed to be preparing for your role?"
"I'm all done," Jennifer said, before getting closer to Lucas. To his surprise, she sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"What are you doing? This isn't the time for this…" Lucas whispered in her ear, blushing.
"I'm just bored. It'll be two or three days before the rented train is available, and we can't shoot anything until then. Why don't we… you know, pass the time here?"Jennifer said, her voice laced with desire.
"I know you're bored, but I promise we'll do it after the filming wraps up, not here." Lucas playfully pinched her waist, eliciting a soft laugh from her.
"Alright, alright. Hehe." Jennifer smiled mischievously. "But we can kiss, right?"
Lucas sighed, but before he could respond, Jennifer initiated a passionate and deep kiss. Her hands roamed through his hair as their tongues collided. Her face flushed with arousal.
As they continued to kiss, Lucas heard a camera shutter sound. He broke the kiss and realized that Jennifer had used her free hand to take a picture of them together.
"Hey, you still have that fetish for taking private pictures, huh…" Lucas chuckled, looking at Jennifer. He knew about her secret, having seen the nude photos she'd taken of herself alone at home and the intimate videos they'd made together.
"What's wrong with taking private pictures? It's not like it's a big deal. I do it all the time back home, taking pictures of my boobs and butt," Jennifer said nonchalantly.
"Be careful not to lose your phone, or all your secrets will be out," Lucas said seriously. Although he didn't mind Jennifer taking private photos of herself or them being intimate together, he was concerned about the potential fallout if those pictures were leaked. "It might not affect me as much, but it could really hurt your image as a young actress."
He remembered the time she'd taken a picture of him naked with his erection on display after they'd had sex, or when she'd asked him to take a photo of her in a doggy-style position.
"Don't worry, these pictures will be safe with me…" Jennifer said reassuringly, tapping her chest.
Lucas decided to tease her, "You know, since your phone's an iPhone, Apple might be able to see it. And besides, your phone can be hacked, you know…" He gave her a mischievous grin, waiting for her reaction.
Jennifer's eyes widened in panic, but she quickly shook it off. "No, iPhones are safe! They have good security, and Apple wouldn't leak our photos. They don't care about 'regular' people's private pictures."
"Haha, do you really believe that? And besides, you're not just 'regular' anymore. You're a rising star now," Lucas laughed, enjoying her panicked expression.
"Don't scare me!" Jennifer lightly slapped Lucas on the chest. "A big company like Apple wouldn't ruin their reputation over a little-known actress like me."
"I'm just kidding with you, haha!" Lucas laughed, but Jennifer playfully grabbed his hair and gave it a rough tug.
"Ouch, okay, I get it! Jokes aside, you should still be careful. If you care about your career, don't forget to keep an eye on your phone. You don't want to lose it, or you'll be in trouble…" Lucas said, and this time, Jennifer nodded more seriously.
---
Two days later, the production team was informed that the rented train was ready, so they headed to the train station.
As they arrived with their expensive equipment—cameras, microphones, and a star-studded cast—the curious onlookers couldn't help but stare and take photos or videos.
At the train station, the shooting began with news reporters and cameramen swarming around Peeta and Katniss, as they just board the train. The actors playing reporters bombarded them with questions, creating a realistic scene.
Besides Lucas and Jennifer, other cast members involved in the train scenes were Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Elizabeth Banks as Effie.
An actor playing a guard led Katniss and Peeta to their respective rooms.
The filming continued, and in one scene, Katniss was lost in thought, staring at her Mockingjay pin, when Effie Trinket (played by Elizabeth Banks) entered the room.
"Dear, it's time for supper," Effie said.
Startled, Katniss responded, "What? Oh, alright."
Katniss followed Effie out of the room and they walked to the dining car, where they saw Peeta (played by Lucas) waiting for them.
"Where's Haymitch?" Effie asked, referring to their absent mentor.
Peeta shrugged, "Last time I saw him, he said he was going to take a nap and rest up."
"Well, it has been an exhausting day…" Effie sighed.
Katniss and Peeta exchanged glances before she sat down to eat.
"At least you two have table manners. The pair last year ate everything with their hands like a couple of savages. It upset my digestion…" Effie said, watching them both intently.
Once the dining car scene wrapped up, they moved on to the next one, which took place in a room with a TV.
The production team wanted to finish filming in the train as soon as possible, given their limited time.
Inside the room, Katniss and Peeta were filmed sitting together, their expressions hard as they watched their competitors on the screen, analyzing them.
Effie entered the room and said, "Your mentor could use some lessons in presentation and televised behavior."
Peeta, to everyone's surprise, burst out laughing. Even Katniss was taken aback by his unexpected outburst.
"He was drunk. He's drunk every year," Peeta said with a chuckle. "I think he's allergic to sobering up during the Games," he added, ad-libbing a joke about his character's mentor.
Hearing his joke, Elisabeth and Jennifer couldn't help but laugh softly, before quickly suppressing their laughter. They thought they had ruined the scene and the director would cut the filming, but since they didn't hear anything, they assumed the director didn't think they had ruined the take. So, the filming continued with Katniss saying, "That guy drinks more like every day."
Then Effie hissed, despite having laughed softly earlier, "Yes. How odd you two find it amusing. You know your mentor is your lifeline to the world in these games. The one who advises you, lines up your sponsors, and dictates the presentation of any gifts. Haymitch can be the difference between your life and death!"
Katniss and Peeta's amused expressions were replaced by frowns, and then their mentor, Haymitch, entered the room, staggering and clutching his liquor…
Haymitch turned to them and slurred, "I missed supper, did I?"
Moments later, he vomited all over the carpet and fell face first into his own mess.
"Go ahead, laugh now," Effie spat, "We'll see who's laughing when you're the ones dying!" With that, she huffed and hopped out of the room, avoiding Haymitch's mess.
Katniss and Peeta exchanged glances, deciding to help Haymitch. However, it was clear that he was too intoxicated to communicate.
The filming continued with Peeta helping Haymitch while assuring Katniss. The shooting took a few hours before they finally wrapped up the train scene.