In Lucas's apartment, two police officers stood in the living room, questioning him and his manager, Neil, as well as his driver about the attack that had just occurred.
Three thugs had attacked Lucas, but he had managed to fend them off. The officers, fans of the young rising star, couldn't help but express their admiration for his self-defense skills in the face of a knife-wielding attack. Once their questions were answered, the officers left, leaving behind a tense atmosphere.
Neil, Lucas's manager, turned to him, concern etched on his face. "You're really pushing your luck, you know that, Lucas? If something had happened to you..." His voice trailed off, the implications clear.
Lucas grinned, a hint of pride in his voice. "Don't worry, Neil. I managed to take care of those three goons, didn't I?"
Neil sighed, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. "I know, I know. But still, it's not something to be proud of." He took a deep breath, then continued, "Look, I think it's time we hire some security for you. Your safety is our top priority."
Lucas hesitated, his mind drifting to thoughts of top actors like Keanu Reeves, who seemed to get by just fine without security. He had always admired their carefree lifestyle, but after today's incident, he realized that he couldn't afford to be so cavalier with his safety. The memory of the knife-wielding thugs was still fresh in his mind, and he shuddered. It could have gone south very quickly.
Neil raised an eyebrow, waiting for a response. Lucas knew his manager was right. In the cutthroat world of Hollywood, offending the wrong person could have dire consequences. His thoughts turned to the people he might have offended in the industry: Harvey Weinstein, the notorious predator he openly despised, and Drake, whom he'd had a public spat with at the Grammys. The memory of Drake's salty expression after Esperanza's win still stung.
Finally, he sighed, resigning to the fact that Neil was right. "Alright, alright. I get it. I'll hire a security detail."
Neil visibly relaxed, relief washing over his features. "Good call, Lucas. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially in this industry."
Lucas nodded, feeling a bit apprehensive about the change in his lifestyle but understanding its necessity. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
Neil clapped him on the back. "Attaboy. Now, let's get started on finding you some trustworthy protection. No more heroics, alright?"
Neil scrolled through his phone, searching for a suitable bodyguard for Lucas. He knew that his client valued discretion, so he needed to find someone who could blend in without drawing too much attention. After a few minutes of searching, he found a promising candidate. "I think I've got the guy," Neil said, showing Lucas a picture of a burly yet unassuming man named Jack. "He's ex-military, has worked for some big names in the industry, and his clients swear by his discretion."
Lucas studied the photo. Jack was built like a tank, with short-cropped hair and a stern expression. But there was an air of professionalism about him that Lucas appreciated. "He'll do," he said, nodding. "Set up a meeting."
---
The next few hours, Lucas met Jack at a quiet coffee shop, as Neil had suggested. The man was exactly as his file described him: intimidatingly muscular, but dressed in a way that didn't draw attention. They shook hands, sizing each other up.
"Mr. Lucas," Jack said, his voice deep and authoritative. "I understand you're in need of some protection."
"Yeah, I guess I am," Lucas replied, feeling a pang of reluctance. "Look, I don't want this to be too intrusive, alright? I still want my privacy."
Jack nodded. "Understood. My job is to keep you safe, not to intrude on your personal life. I'll be as discreet as possible."
Lucas studied Jack's eyes, trying to gauge his sincerity. After a moment, he extended his hand, officially sealing the deal.
---
Meanwhile, on every media outcreen outlet, the recorded phone video of Lucas's confrontation with the three thugs was playing on a loop. The footage showed Lucas facing off against the knife-wielding assailants, his every move captured in vivid detail.
"We have an exclusive eyewitness account of the altercation involving rising star, Lucas Knight, earlier today. According to our source, it all started when three unidentified men began spewing hateful speech towards Mr. Knight. Our source, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims that Mr. Knight initially ignored the provocation. However, things escalated when two of his female fans stepped in to defend him."
The news cut to a shaky phone video, capturing the scene. The three assailants were seen surrounded by a growing crowd, their voices raised in anger. Two girls, faces blurred for privacy, stood in front of Lucas, their backs to the camera. One of the assailants brandished a knife, prompting gasps from the onlookers.
"That's when Mr. Knight stepped in," the eyewitness continued. "He told the girls to get back and faced the attackers head-on. It was incredibly brave, but also very dangerous."
The footage resumed, now showing Lucas in the center of the commotion, his back to the camera, fending off the three assailants. The newscaster's voiceover continued, "Mr. Knight managed to disarm all of the assailants and the crowd managed to subdue the assailants, despite being outnumbered and outgunned. The NYPD commends his bravery, but also reminds citizens not to engage in such situations, as it could have ended much worse."
The video ended, showcasing a composed Lucas Knight, despite the ordeal. The newscaster continued, "According to Mr. Knight's manager, Neil, his client has decided to press charges against the three assailants for their attempt to harm his fans. However, Neil added that Lucas is open to leniency if the two victims are willing to drop the charges."
In living rooms across the country, the video of Lucas Knight's heroic deed played on loop. Opinions flew as fast as the footage.
In one home, two burly men watched in awe. "I never thought he had it in him," the first man said, chips spilling from his open mouth. "He moves like a pro."
His friend nodded, beer in hand. "Yeah, who knew the pretty boy could fight?"
In another household, a group of skeptical friends gathered around the TV. "You really think this isn't some publicity stunt for his new movie?" one of them asked, eyebrow raised.
"I don't know, man," his friend countered.
I don't think even he would go that far for promotion. Besides, have you seen his Twitter? The guy's already killing it with the promos."
"Well, those thugs sucked," a third friend chimed in. "I could've taken him down in seconds."
The others laughed, but there was an undercurrent of respect in their voices.
Meanwhile, in a dorm room, two college roommates watched the clip for the hundredth time. "Dude, did you see that move? He took them down like it was nothing!"
"Crazy, right? I never thought he had it in him," her friend replied, popcorn in hand.
Across social media, the video of Lucas's heroic deed went viral. The internet exploded with praise and disbelief.
"I can't believe this," one user gasped, sharing the video on their feed. "It's like something out of a movie! If it weren't for the NYPD's confirmation, I'd think this was fake."
Another user, a self-proclaimed fangirl, couldn't contain their excitement. "OMG, he's so manly! I can't even! Imagine if he treated his girl like that? I'm done for!"
Even professional MMA fighter, Conor McGregor, weighed in. "Incredible moves, Lucas! If you ever want to switch careers, hit me up!"
---
The viral videos of Lucas's heroic deed took the country by storm, and it didn't take long for the impact to be felt at the box office. "Midnight in Paris" saw a staggering 40% increase in ticket sales, two days after the incident. Sony Pictures executives couldn't contain their glee as the numbers rolled in.
"This is exactly what we needed," one executive said, fist-bumping his colleague. "Lucas Knight is pure gold!"
Not only did "Midnight in Paris" benefit, but so did "Like Crazy", another Sony Pictures release that had been in theaters for months. The drama, which featured songs by Lucas, also experienced a surge in ticket sales, earning him additional revenue from his percentage of the profits.
By the end of the week, "Midnight in Paris" had raked in an impressive $8 million, while "Like Crazy" was closing in on $72 million, thanks in part to the viral videos and the relatable and good songs.
Lucas's team, while grateful for the success, reminded him to stay humble. "It's great that your movies are doing well, but don't let it go to your head," Neil advised.
Lucas nodded, still reeling from the attention. "Trust me, I won't. I just hope this doesn't happen again."
Lucas stared at the numbers on the screen, his eyes widening as he calculated his earnings from the "Like Crazy" box office. A cool 5.7 million dollars. With that kind of money, he could finally invest in some profitable ventures in this new decade. His thoughts drifted to the possibilities, until Neil's voice brought him back to the present.
"Two days from now, Lucas, we're going to a party in LA. It's going to be packed with high-profile people from Hollywood. You're invited, and it's a great opportunity to network for more projects."
Lucas just smiled half-heartedly. "To be honest, I don't really like these Hollywood parties, but I guess there's no harm in attending this one."
Neil nodded, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Trust me, I've got your best interests at heart. Besides, you still have a week before you start shooting for that indie project you're so excited about."
Lucas sighed, knowing Neil was right. Time flew by, and before he knew it, he found himself at the airport with Neil, Shawn, and his new security guard, Jack. They were headed to Los Angeles a day early for the party.