Two days later, *Acceptance Letter* officially began filming.
The first scene features Bartleby and his "genius sister" Lizzie, complaining about the American education system and how Bartleby had been rejected by seven colleges.
"I can't believe it! I didn't get accepted by the state university! Was I asking for too much? It's my safety school, my backup plan, just in case. And yet, even they rejected me!"
In Lizzie's room, Wayne, playing Bartleby, paces back and forth, ranting like a machine gun. His slightly hunched posture and nervous gestures instantly portray the image of a stressed-out slacker.
On the bed nearby, Kristen, playing Lizzie, calmly looks at Bartleby's rejection letter. Taking advantage of a pause in Bartleby's rant, she tilts her head and says casually, "Maybe you're just too ordinary."
"Oh, come on!"
"Too ordinary?"
"Do you realize who you're talking to, Lizzie?"
"You know, I managed to skip PE for a whole year by claiming I was allergic to sweat. And once, I even got a doctor's note saying I had a sleepwalking disorder, so I was allowed to study while I dreamed."
"Isn't that genius?"
"And you're calling me too ordinary?!"
Lizzie, apparently only now learning about her brother's "achievements" at school, looks dumbfounded, with a hint of disgust. It takes her a moment to snap out of it.
"Maybe you shouldn't have written that essay titled *I Know Nothing?*" Lizzie says thoughtfully, dismissing the idea of further mocking Bartleby.
After hearing about Bartleby's schemes, she suddenly feels a bit scared of her slacker brother.
"But it's the truth!" Bartleby shrugs and quickly explains, "The universe is so vast, and humans are so small. About how I'll spend the rest of my life, which goddess I'll marry, how many kids I'll have—I know absolutely nothing, right?"
Lizzie rolls her eyes dramatically, too drained to continue the conversation.
"Alright, my genius brother, if you don't get another college acceptance soon, Mom and Dad are going to kill you."
Bartleby, who had been putting on a brave face, stiffens at this. His defiance fades quickly.
"No... they probably won't... right?"
"Are you sure?"
"I think if I pull off another small trick, like I always do, I can convince them, right?"
Lizzie looks at him like he's an idiot, giving a meaningful chuckle.
"Cut!"
"That's a wrap for this scene!"
Two seconds later, the director's voice rings out from the sidelines.
Wayne instantly straightens up, his slouch disappearing as he switches from slacker mode to heartthrob mode and walks over to the monitor.
"That was fantastic, Wayne! Your performance was spot-on!"
"You know, I was a little worried that you wouldn't be able to pull off Bartleby's stubborn, annoying slacker vibe—because, well, you're just too handsome."
"But I was wrong. I didn't expect you to embody a slacker so perfectly, without any flaws."
Wayne's smile stiffens slightly.
He knows the director is complimenting his acting, but somehow, it feels a bit like an insult. After all, in his previous life, Wayne wasn't even qualified to be called a slacker in the entertainment industry.
Fortunately, at that moment, Kristen walks over with her mom and guardian, Jules Stewart.
"Kristen's performance was great too—very natural," the director politely adds.
Kristen thanks him, then turns eagerly to Wayne, asking, "What do you think, brother?"
Wayne pauses for a moment before smiling and saying, "You did really well."
Kristen beams at this, clearly more interested in Wayne's opinion.
It's not that she knows Wayne holds the highest status on set—she's just simply smitten by his good looks. After all, for a 10-year-old girl, looks are more important than money or power.
Especially in the West, where kids are far more obsessed with celebrities than they are in China.
"Thank you, Mr. Anderson! Thank you so much for giving Kristen this great opportunity!" Mrs. Stewart chimes in.
Kristen's family is well off, and Mrs. Stewart, who must have married and had kids early, is only in her early thirties. In fact, she looks more like the Kristen from Wayne's previous life—cool and fierce when not smiling, yet graceful and seductive when she does smile. Absolutely captivating.
As for young Kristen, you can't yet see the stunning beauty she would later become. Right now, she looks more like a tomboy.
During the audition, Wayne almost didn't recognize her.
When he learned that this was indeed Kristen, he nearly changed his mind and considered casting Emma Watson from the UK instead. But since Emma was busy playing Hermione, and the timing didn't work out, he had to abandon the idea.
And as for Jennifer Lawrence, who is around Kristen's age and would later become more famous, she wouldn't be discovered by a talent scout for another four years.
With all this in mind, Wayne stuck with his original choice of Kristen.
And it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
"Mr. Anderson, if it's convenient, could I take you out for dinner after we wrap up today? As a thank you."
"Of course, I'd love that!"
Wayne took a deep look at Mrs. Stewart, making sure he hadn't misinterpreted her offer. Maintaining a polite smile, he couldn't help but feel excited, as if his inner Casanova had been awakened.
The next scene was a family dinner, where Bartleby's parents discuss his college situation.
Kristen, though not fully grown into her looks, delivered a solid performance.
The actors playing Bartleby's parents were seasoned veterans with over 20 years in Hollywood, having appeared in dozens of films and TV shows. Even Wayne found them familiar. They nailed the scene in one take, making for a highly efficient shoot.
"If we can keep up this pace, we'll finish the entire shoot in just 10 days, not 25!" Director Posey said with a big smile.
So, after wrapping up early, Wayne and Mrs. Stewart left the set together.
(End of chapter)