Just one day later, Jessica Felton arrived at the set.
Michael was standing near the soundstage's entrance, talking with director James Wong about the upcoming shoot, when Jessica Felton appeared. She was wearing a white T-shirt and tight pants, four-inch heels, and long hair flowing behind her, looking every bit like a glamorous star.
This stylish Latina woman made Michael feel momentarily confused. Was this the same dishevelled, sour-smelling tech geek he had met before? The Jessica Felton he saw now looked like Salma Hayek's chest was transplanted onto a peak-period Jessica Alba.
After introducing Jessica Felton to James Wong and taking her to the office to sign the contract, Michael still couldn't believe this was the same greasy-handed editor from before.
Behind every goddess, there must be an unseen, less-than-glamorous backstory.
In the temporary rehearsal area, Amanda Seyfried tied up her loose blonde hair inside the soundstage. Seeing the men around her all looking toward the entrance, she turned to see what was happening. She spotted a woman with an exaggeratedly large chest walking toward the makeshift office area with Michael.
"That big, and with such a slim waist, it doesn't seem natural," a nearby assistant muttered, gesturing with his hands.
Amanda looked down at her own ankles reflexively.
Michelle Williams noticed Amanda's gesture and laughed. "Don't worry, you haven't even started developing yet."
"Michelle, can someone that big even keep their balance?" Amanda asked curiously. "Won't they droop down and hit their feet?"
Michelle Williams couldn't help but laugh. "How could they possibly hit their feet?"
Amanda replied thoughtfully, "I heard if they're too big, they can sag. If hers sag, wouldn't they hit her feet? Even if not her feet, surely her knees."
Michelle Williams lowered her voice. "When she ages, they'll definitely sag, probably below her belly button."
Amanda thought about that image and got goosebumps. "Ugh, that's scary. I don't want to get that big."
Michelle Williams nodded gently. "Being too big has many downsides."
"Really?" Amanda asked, full of curiosity.
"Yeah, the weight can cause strain on the body, making it easier to fall. Over time, it can lead to a series of issues like backaches, sore shoulders, and leg cramps," Michelle Williams said with a straight face, misleading the young girl.
Amanda suddenly understood. "My neighbour has been having backaches and leg cramps. I thought it was pregnancy symptoms, but it must be because of this!"
"Uh..." Michelle Williams hesitated. "Maybe."
Amanda looked back toward the other side of the soundstage. "She went into the office with Michael."
Michelle Williams glanced over, then leaned closer to Amanda. "Have you seen that woman before?"
Amanda Seyfried shook her head. "No."
"Could she be an actress?" Michelle Williams, who had been in the film industry since 1994, had seen and heard many things. She wondered aloud, "Could they be adding a last-minute role?"
Amanda scratched her head. "Is that woman joining the cast?"
Michelle Williams's mind started to wander. "She's pretty and sexy. Maybe she hooked up with Michael."
Amanda quickly refuted, "That's impossible! Michael isn't like that."
"Isn't it like that?" Michelle Williams shook her head. "Amanda, you're too naive. A film producer who doesn't have affairs isn't good."
Amanda argued back, "Michelle, you're wrong! I saw Michael reject a very pretty blonde's advances without hesitation. He's a very decent person."
Michelle Williams looked at Amanda's solemn expression and asked, "Really?"
Amanda nodded vigorously. "Really! I swear on the Seyfried family name!"
"Tell me more..."
The two girls continued whispering to each other.
Jessica Felton reviewed the contract in the office and, in the presence of the set's lawyer, signed her name.
"Jessica, welcome to the 'The Purge' production team," Michael said, shaking her hand.
"Thank you for this opportunity," Jessica Felton said, her basic social skills intact despite being a tech geek.
Michael looked at her and said with some emotion, "Seeing you today, I think you chose the wrong career. You should be in front of the camera as an actress."
Jessica Felton smiled. "I often forget a lot of things when I'm working. Sorry for the poor hospitality the other day."
Michael waved it off. "Not at all. It just shows your dedication." He gestured invitingly. "Let me introduce you to the heads of the main departments."
Most editors join the crew during post-production, and Jessica Felton was no exception. Her contract was effective from July 1 to August 30, and her weekly salary was $2,000.
The other horror film was only a verbal agreement, dependent on the outcome of "The Purge."
Jessica Felton didn't stay long and soon left.
Returning to his office, Michael encountered Amanda Seyfried.
"Need something?" he asked.
Amanda handed him a small paper bag. "My mom sent coffee. This is yours."
Michael took the bag and glanced inside, nodding. "Thanks."
Amanda didn't leave immediately. She moved closer, her curious eyes blinking. "Is that Jessica really an editor?"
"Yes," Michael nodded lightly. "I specifically hired her."
Amanda frowned. "It's strange for someone so beautiful to be an editor."
Michael shrugged. "People have different interests." He waved at Amanda. "I need to get back to work. See you."
"See you."
Turning around, Michael heard Amanda mutter, "With such a big chest, I wonder if she has backaches and leg cramps."
Is a big chest related to backaches and leg cramps? Michael didn't bother with the young girl's musings and returned to his office to handle his work.
During this time, he received a text from Carmen Kass. The Estonian model had returned home and would head back to Western Europe for more shows after a short stay.
Michael replied briefly about his situation, similar to Carmen's.
Without Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, he could only rely on basic texts and calls, and sending real-time photos was difficult.
The future of the internet was indeed bright.
Over the next few days, the production's preparations went smoothly. The nearby soundstage, which had been chaotic, was now quiet. The "Roswell" crew had gone on location.
In the following week, contracts were signed with voice actors, visual effects artists, sound editors, and other post-production personnel.
Michael's workload lightened a bit, giving him more time to study and read. He made time to read the copied materials from Professor Johnson twice. Many of the failure cases were particularly sobering.
Film production was hazardous. A minor issue or a sudden change in the social environment could lead to a film's downfall.
Michael's network blog writing had also stalled, blocked by a lack of inspiration.
He decided not to force it until he found the right inspiration.
After all, the shooting of "The Purge" was about to begin.
On May 1, 1998, the filming officially began. The first film Michael started working on after arriving in Los Angeles was entering its most crucial phase.