As night fell, at the art square on Manhattan's Pier 92, Luca walked aimlessly with his hands in his pockets.
Although many beautiful models brushed past him, and some women threw flirtatious glances and slipped him notes, he was in no mood to care.
He was pondering the issue of survival.
This is the sinful America, the paradise of the rich, where they own everything—luxury cars, beautiful women, mansions.
The poor are like dogs with broken spines—ugh, back pain. Alright, that's an inappropriate metaphor. Anyway, in America, the poor are not only materially deprived and spiritually impotent but also powerless, living at the bottom, like stray dogs in the gutter.
Luca didn't want to be a dog with a broken back; he wanted to be a man indifferent to money, a late-stage face-blind man, someone who has transcended bourgeois pleasures.
This was not just his current wish but also a regret from his past life.
In his previous life, he was just an up-and-coming screenwriter, who struggled for over ten years, barely earning enough for a house.
He envied the lavish lifestyle of the wealthy, those men with wives at home and countless lovers outside. But what's the use of envy?
A small-time screenwriter has no say; in a film crew, even third-rate actors don't bother with you. It's better to help the director wash his hair.
*Sigh*
Luca looked up at the sky. How could he become a rich man?
He was just a screenwriter. Besides wielding a pen and writing scripts, he had no other skills.
The profession of screenwriting is not bad in his home country; in 2002, a cultured person could at least become a teacher.
But Hollywood is different.
Hollywood never lacks scripts, and it never lacks good ones.
If a movie becomes a hit, it's the credit of the director, actors, and distributors. Does it have anything to do with the screenwriter?
No screenwriter gets a share of the profits, and no one has ever become a billionaire just by writing scripts.
Can he make it big by copying scripts?
Damn, in his last life, couldn't he have done something else instead of becoming a screenwriter?
Luca sighed and habitually reached into his pocket. There was something hard in there, but unfortunately, it wasn't a pack of cigarettes—it was his phone.
"You can't smoke here. Want some gum?"
Suddenly, a hand reached out from the side, holding a pack of Trident gum.
Luca turned around in surprise and saw an African American man.
He had dark brown skin, about the same shade as Obama, tall and slim.
He had a baby face, similar to Curry's.
Though he looked around thirty, his temples were streaked with some white hair and a few forehead wrinkles, making him seem more like in his forties.
What a complex person.
Luca sighed inwardly and declined, "Thank you, sir, but I don't need any."
The man with the baby face smiled and extended his other hand. "Hi, I'm Ed. May I get to know you?"
"Luca."
Luca shook his hand. He was curious why this person approached him. The guy had noticed him wanting to smoke and came over; clearly, he had been watching for a while. Was he interested in Luca's looks?
*Sigh,* what's the use of being so handsome? So annoying!
"Luca, are you a model? You have a great physique!"
Ed, the baby-faced man, showed a bright smile, looking simple and warm.
Damn, so he's indeed interested in my looks. Maybe there was something in the gum earlier. Good thing I didn't take it. Or else...
He stayed alert and replied with a simple yet polite smile, "Sir, you've misunderstood. I'm not a model. I'm currently... unemployed."
"Haha, that's great. Oh, please don't misunderstand; I mean you have an excellent image. Are you interested in a career in the entertainment industry?"
Ed chuckled lightly.
Luca was stunned. "Are you a talent scout?"
"Yes!"
Ed handed over a business card. "I'm an agent with Ford Models."
"Ford Models?"
Luca hadn't heard of it, but his predecessor had heard Kate mention it.
Ford Models is one of the largest modeling agencies in America, founded in 1946, with a long-standing reputation. Lauren Hutton, Brooke Shields, Naomi Campbell, and Courteney Cox from *Friends* were once models under its banner.
This company isn't bad, but unfortunately...
"Ed, I think you've got the wrong person. I'm not a model."
"Luca, I've seen your walking posture. You haven't received any model training, so I'm asking if you're interested in entering the entertainment industry, not just the modeling world."
"Oh, does Ford sign non-model artists too?"
"Yes, under special circumstances, we sign exceptionally talented individuals. Like you, I see a kind of mature and steady demeanor that doesn't match your age, along with a captivating, melancholic aura, especially in your eyes. That's the brilliance in you, making you stand out among handsome actors. I believe you have great potential."
Luca raised an eyebrow. A melancholic aura and eyes? Like Tony Leung?
He rubbed his chin in thought. It takes a long time to make it as a screenwriter. If he dabbles in acting, it gives him more options.
Could be worth considering.
At 8 PM, after the Victoria's Secret show ended, Luca drove Kate home.
"What were you doing just now?"
Kate lay lazily on the back seat, her golden hair scattered casually, and her long legs propped up on the front seat—no sign of her usual ice queen demeanor.
The night wind was a bit chilly, so Luca closed the car window. "Someone approached me, said I have the potential to be a big star, and wanted to sign me. We had a little chat."
"Wanted to take you to San Fernando Valley again? This is the third time, right? Haha~"
Kate lay in the back, laughing heartlessly.
Luca's face darkened. After coming to America, his predecessor had three encounters with talent scouts.
The first time, Luca happily followed the scout to Los Angeles and auditioned for a regular film crew. But his acting skills were lacking, and he failed the audition.
The unscrupulous agent, noticing his assets and having a bright idea, wanted to take him to the San Fernando Valley.
San Fernando Valley is the base of adult film production. Ninety percent of adult films in America are made there.
His predecessor was shameless enough to be willing to go to San Fernando Valley.
Unfortunately, before the shoot, he messed around on the set.
When they were about to start shooting, he had a back injury and ended up in debt.
The second time, someone offered to take him to Hollywood, but after some digging, Kate found out it was a scam.
The third time, someone approached him, and Kate directly drove them away.
If not for Kate, his predecessor would have either died or become a Japanese adult film star.
Even though these were his predecessor's experiences, they're now a part of him, and thinking about it makes him feel embarrassed.
He coughed lightly, "Kate, this time it's different. Do you know which agency approached me?"
"It's probably some small agency. The big ones wouldn't be interested in you."
Kate said lazily.
"You're wrong. This time, it was someone from Ford Models."
"Ford? Impossible!"
Kate exclaimed. Ford Models is a powerful agency, even stronger than IMG, where she works. It's indeed a big company.
"Kate, it's true."
Luca smiled smugly. "The agent said I have a charming aura and great potential to be a star. He's very eager to sign me."
"Haha, charming? You, charming?"
Kate tilted his head, took a glance, then disdainfully let go. "That person said you're charming. Was it a woman?"
"A man."
"Is he gay?"
"He's perfectly normal, Kate!"
Luca said through gritted teeth.
Kate laughed a few times. "Did he just notice you?"
"Yes, is there a problem?"
Luca asked, puzzled.
*Smack!*
Kate clapped her hands, her full lips curling into a smile. "I know, the light outside was too dim earlier. He definitely couldn't see clearly and thought you were charming."
"Kate!"
Luca shouted discontentedly.
"Alright, alright, I was just joking. My Luca is still very charming."
Kate chuckled lightly. "So, Luca, did you sign with them?"
"No, I plan to work with them for a while first. If it's a good fit, I'll sign later."
"Is that so?"
Kate squinted her long lashes and sighed regretfully, "Luca, you missed out. You should've signed with Ford immediately. Even if they regret it later, you'd still get a breach-of-contract fee."
"Kate, am I that bad?"
Luca was speechless. Only a sister could say such things; otherwise, their relationship would've been severed long ago.
"Alright, alright, Luca, you're excellent. You're just wasting your potential, wasting your talent. This time, I believe you'll definitely become a big star."
Kate wiggled her toes, looking very serious.
Luca curled his lips. Yeah, right, like I believe you.
"Luca, what's the name of the agent from Ford? I'll call to check."
Kate pulled out her phone.
"Ed Dominic."
"Ed Domi
... What? Ed Dominic?"
"Yeah, that's his name card. Do you know him?"
Kate took the card and laughed loudly, laughing so hard she collapsed on the seat.
"What's going on?"
Luca was dumbfounded.
"He got stuck with someone from his own side."
"What?"
(End of this chapter)