Surprisingly, despite being slightly burnt, the pancakes that Clarice cooked were edible. Of course, they weren't MasterChef level and the truth is that even if the pancakes tasted like shit, John was so happy.
"Why are you staring at me so much? Do I have something on my face?" Clarice asked after noticing John spent the entire breakfast watching her.
He couldn't help it—it felt surreal to see his little sister's face again, almost as unbelievable as being back in his younger body.
The date on the calendar was June 9, 1994. Filming for Fresh had been going on for two weeks. Next week, the entire crew would head to New York for the rest of the shoot, but these early scenes involving a significant number of extras were taking place in Los Angeles.
Today was supposed to be the day John brought Clarice to the studio. Since the movie needed extras, he had thought his little sister could participate; after all, it was just one day of school.
He had never regretted anything more in his life.
"So… I was thinking…"
Clarice's voice made John raise his eyes to look at his sister.
"I could come with you to the studio today. You said they needed extras. It would be so cool! Imagine Heather's face when I tell her I was in a Hollywood movie!"
Clarice's voice was excited while she talked about how the girls at school would be jealous but all John felt was dread as he remembered the look in Clarice's eyes after leaving Harvey's office.
"No! Absolutely not! You're going to school," John stated firmly, denying his sister's request.
There was no way he would let history repeat again. This time he would never bring Clarice to that place.
"But bro, school is so boring, and you promised…" Clarice tried to sway his decision, but John stood firm.
"No. You're going to school!"
Clarice spent the rest of breakfast in a bad mood, but John's decision didn't change. He would prefer to cut his arm off than bring his sister with him to the set today. He took her to school before heading to the set himself.
The 1978 Mustang John had inherited from his father made a strange noise and clearly needed some care, but it was the only car he could afford at the time. After dropping Clarice off, he drove the car to the warehouse where the crew were filming Fresh.