Jennifer approached Lucas as he stepped off the stage. "You were amazing up there, as always," she began, her voice warm but tinged with hesitation. "But... there was something different about you this time."
Lucas tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "Oh? What do you mean?"
Jennifer bit her lip, choosing her words carefully. "It's just... I couldn't recognize you when you were acting as George. The arrogance, the ego... it seemed so real. I was worried for a moment that you might be getting too immersed in the role, like some actors do. You know, losing yourself in the character."
Lucas let out a hearty laugh. He gently placed his hand on Jennifer's back, pulling her closer. "Don't worry. It's fine, really. I'm still me."
He paused, considering how to explain his experience. "What you saw up there... it was a breakthrough, I think. I let George take over for a bit, sure, but I was always in control. It's like... I found a way to bring him to life more authentically."
Jennifer searched his face, relief washing over her as she recognized the familiar warmth in Lucas's eyes. "So you're saying you can turn it on and off? Be George without losing yourself?"
Lucas nodded, smiling. "Exactly. It's not about losing myself in the role. It's about finding a deeper understanding of the character and bringing that to the surface. But at the end of the day, I'm still Lucas."
Jennifer relaxed, returning his smile. "Well, in that case, I'm impressed. And a little bit in awe, to be honest. Just... promise me you'll always come back to being you, okay?"
Lucas pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head. "Always, babe. You don't have to worry about that."
As they embraced, Lucas felt grateful for Jennifer's concern. It reminded him of the importance of maintaining his own identity even as he pushed the boundaries of his craft.
With her by his side, he felt confident that he could continue to explore the depths of his characters without losing sight of himself.
***
Lucas approached Michel, eager to discuss the scene they had just filmed. Michel's face lit up with enthusiasm. "Lucas, that was incredible. It felt as if George himself was on that stage. You've truly captured his essence."
Lucas smiled, gratitude evident in his expression. "Thank you, Michel. I had a bit of a breakthrough. I actually let George take over for a while there."
Guillaume, who had been listening nearby, interjected with a mixture of awe and concern in his voice. "You let George take over? That's... a bit scary, isn't it? Does the character in your head have a life and soul of its own?"
Lucas laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It's not as scary as Harvey Weinstein, that's for sure."
The group chuckled at Lucas's quip, the tension easing slightly. Michel's expression turned thoughtful. "You know, Harvey is undeniably talented in entertainment. I've spoken with him before. It's unfortunate that he, like many powerful people in this industry, takes advantage of the vulnerable."
Lucas sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. "That's just the way Hollywood is, I suppose."
Michel, drawing from his perspective as a French filmmaker, shook his head. "You know, Hollywood may be dirty, but it's not unique in that respect. The entertainment industry is similar in many countries. In fact, Hollywood is actually more restrained in some ways, though still far from clean."
Lucas nodded, considering Michel's words. "I guess you're right. It's a global issue, not just a Hollywood problem."
The conversation took a more serious turn as Michel looked at Lucas intently. "Lucas, if you don't mind me asking, have you ever been... molested by any quirky directors or producers?"
Lucas shook his head firmly. "No, I haven't experienced anything like that."
Michel and the others exchanged surprised glances. "Really?" Michel pressed, his tone incredulous. "You can be honest with us, Lucas. We understand if you don't want to reveal it, but..."
Lucas reiterated, his voice steady and genuine, "I'm being completely honest. I've never been molested."
The group exchanged glances again, clearly finding it hard to believe. Michel spoke up, "Then you are incredibly lucky, Lucas. For someone as handsome as you to go unscathed... it's rare. This kind of thing is very common, especially for newcomers in the industry."
Lucas shifted uncomfortably, a frown creasing his brow. "Is it really that common?"
Michel and the others nodded solemnly. "Unfortunately, yes," Michel explained. "We know of several directors, producers, and executives at major studios who are quite blatant about taking advantage of young, aspiring actors."
Lucas's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Are these people in jail? Have they been condemned?"
Michel shook his head sadly. "Politics is deeply intertwined with the industry. These people are practically untouchable unless someone equally powerful opposes them, or unless the victims have solid evidence. Even then, it's an uphill battle."
Lucas fell silent, processing this disturbing information.
Guillaume, sensing the heaviness that had settled over the group, wisely decided to shift the conversation. "Let's not dwell on the industry's darkest secrets," he suggested, his tone light but firm. "We should focus on our project, on creating something beautiful and meaningful."
Michel nodded in agreement, visibly relieved at the change of subject. "You're right, Guillaume. We have important work to do here."
Lucas echoed their sentiments, but as they returned to discussing the film, his mind remained preoccupied. Despite his efforts to help Harvey Weinstein's victims come forward, he realized the depth of the industry's problems went far beyond a single man.
As he moved through the rest of the day's tasks, Lucas found himself grappling with conflicting thoughts. The industry he loved, that had given him so much, seemed to be worshipping at the altar of evil. Even if Harvey ended up in jail, Lucas knew there were others – some perhaps even more influential, some perhaps operating on a smaller scale – who would continue the cycle of abuse.
Lucas sighed deeply, feeling a weight of disappointment settle on his shoulders. He had to admit to himself that his vision of change had been idealistic. He had hoped that bringing down someone as powerful as Harvey would serve as a deterrent, leading to fewer victims and a cleaner industry.
But now, faced with the reality shared by his colleagues, Lucas realized the path to meaningful change would be longer and more challenging than he had initially thought. The industry's problems were deeply rooted, intertwined with power structures that extended far beyond Hollywood.
As he refocused on the scene they were preparing to shoot, Lucas made a silent promise to himself. He would continue to use his influence for good, to speak up against injustice, and to support those who had been victimized. He might not be able to change the entire industry overnight, but he could make a difference in his own sphere of influence.
***
Lucas stepped onto the stage once more, ready for the upcoming scene. He took a deep breath, relaxing his body and clearing his mind. Suddenly, he felt a shift in his consciousness, as if another presence was taking control. It wasn't Lucas anymore; George Valentin had taken over.
As the director called "Action!", George began his performance. He waved graciously at the audience, basking in their adoration as he made his way towards the wings. The moment he stepped backstage, he was confronted by his furious co-star and the hapless producer trying to mediate the situation.
The actors began to improvise, with George's co-star lightly hitting him on the chest in frustration. George, true to his arrogant character, looked down at her with disdain.
"Lady," he said, his voice dripping with condescension, "you're not what people came to see. It was me and... my dog."
He continued, "Face it, Missi, you're replaceable. I'm the star here. You're just a pretty prop that any chorus girl could replace. The audience probably wouldn't even notice."
George's lips curled into a cruel smirk as he added, "Maybe you should consider a career change. I hear they're always looking for coat check girls."
The moment those words left his mouth, the atmosphere on set changed dramatically. Missi Pyle, playing George's co-star, completely broke character. Her eyes widened in shock, her mouth falling open as she instinctively covered it with her hand. The look of genuine offense on her face was unmistakable.
Even the actor playing the producer, who had been portraying a character clearly biased towards George, couldn't hide his shock. He stared at Lucas, or rather George, with a mixture of disbelief and unease.
The two actors stood there, speechless, caught completely off guard by the savage remark.
George, satisfied with his verbal assault, turned on his heel with a content smile. He strode back onto the stage, his dog trotting at his heels. The spotlight swung to follow him, illuminating his triumphant return. The audience, caught off guard by his unexpected reappearance, erupted into enthusiastic applause.
Meanwhile, backstage, the scene had taken an unscripted turn. Missi Pyle, no longer acting but genuinely upset, turned to the actor playing the producer. Her voice trembled with real anger and hurt as she vented her frustration.
"Did you hear what he said to me? How dare he! This isn't just acting anymore. He's gone too far!" Missi exclaimed, her face flushed with emotion.
The actor playing the producer, still unsure if this was part of an improvised performance, attempted to stay in character. He raised his hands in a placating gesture, speaking in an exaggerated, silent-film style. "Now, now, my dear. Let's not be hasty. I'm sure it was all in good fun."
But Missi was beyond playing along. With a final frustrated groan, she stormed off the set, leaving the bewildered actor in her wake.