From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Everything happened too fast. All the events were crammed into a few hours, which, in 2003, felt like ten times the speed.

Just a few hours ago, Anson proposed that before officially joining the film crew, the August 31st Band needed to enter the recording studio to complete the recording of a song. It would take as little as one afternoon, or at most three days. By the way, Reese could enter the recording studio to experience the atmosphere of the band's recording and the feeling of music creation.

On the surface, Reese readily agreed, giving Anson 100% support—

Of course, she was indeed somewhat looking forward to it.

But in reality, Reese believed that this was just an excuse Anson was using to find time for the band's recording work. Ultimately, Anson still put the band's interests ahead of the film crew.

Anson only informed the film crew a few hours in advance. This wasn't a discussion, but a notification. He had no intention of seeking the opinions of Mangold and Reese, but simply informed the crew:

The matter was settled just like that. Otherwise, with only a few hours, the film crew wouldn't have had any time to choose or object.

However, considering Anson's influence and his status as a producer, Reese didn't expose the charade and simply cooperated with the performance.

After all, social occasions are like this: you give way a step, I give way a step, and in the end, everyone is happy.

But now, Reese's thoughts subtly changed. She couldn't help but wonder:

Is Anson coming to Memphis to record really just for the band's selfish reasons?

Looking at Anson again, Reese gave a bitter smile, "I'm trying my best."

Anson returned a smile, "I'm also trying my best, so maybe we can help each other. I think watching the recording studio work should be helpful, but unfortunately, there's no chance. Otherwise, you could come and see the live performance at the bar, it should be rewarding."

"Oh, right, I met Ryan when I performed at the bar last time."

Reese's expression faltered. "When did that happen?"

Anson, "At the end of last year. I was trying to recreate Johnny Cash's life, so I performed incognito in a bar for a while. Ryan and a group of young people had just finished auditioning for a movie and then came to the bar…"

As he spoke, Anson realized that Reese's expression was completely blank.

"Ah, wait, did I say something wrong?" Anson couldn't help but grimace.

Reese laughed directly at Anson's awkwardness, "Haha, you have times like this too?"

"Are you talking about Ang Lee's work? I know he was auditioning in New York, but I didn't know he met you. He didn't mention it to me." Reese was very frank, with no hidden agenda, appearing open and aboveboard.

Anson raised his eyebrows slightly: Ang Lee's work?

This was during the low period when "Hulk" suffered a double whammy of box office and critical failure. The praise won by "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was completely thwarted, and Ang Lee fell into a disheartened trough of confidence, so the work prepared during this period…

It had almost already stood out.

Anson was slightly surprised. He didn't know that Ryan Phillippe had once been a backup actor.

But Anson didn't delve deeper, "It seems Ryan deliberately didn't mention it. It shouldn't be because I offended him, right?"

Reese waved her hand, her face full of frankness, "No, he's just jealous."

"You know, in Hollywood, there aren't many people who are more handsome and dashing than him; and coincidentally, those people are all above my level and I don't have the chance to work with them for the time being."

"Now, it's not easy to meet one."

"Haha." Anson burst out laughing, looking at Reese's expression of helplessness, "So, this should be my honor?"

Reese remained noncommittal.

Anson became curious, "What if Ryan is filming with an actress? Would you care?"

Reese shook her head as a matter of course, "No, of course not. We are actors, this is our job, right? If you can't separate work and life, in the end, you'll only make yourself miserable. I mean, this is Hollywood, we should all know what we're doing."

A smile flickered in Anson's eyes, "Dear Reese, this is the ideal state, but the cruel part of reality is that even though we all know it, when things happen, we often don't know. Only when we truly face it and experience it ourselves do we know whether we can recognize the reality of the Vanity Fair."

Reese returned a smile, "I know, you don't have to worry, I didn't misunderstand, I just…"

Letting out a long breath, Reese said, "I'm just thinking about myself. When you said the band needed to go to the recording studio to work, even though I didn't say much, I was complaining in my heart. I thought you put the band's interests ahead of the film crew. I think I'm not as open-minded as I imagined."

"Sorry." Reese looked at Anson, her face full of sincerity.

Anson didn't mind at all, "Reese, thank you for being willing to tell me the truth."

"But, I don't mind. I'm serious."

"Honestly, I guessed your thoughts. Not only you, but the director and the two Jameses should also be drawing circles behind my back and cursing me, right?"

Reese burst out laughing.

Anson shrugged lightly, "I won't quibble. The fact is the fact. We're recording first, which ultimately means that the filming schedule of the crew has to be adjusted. I did put the band's interests ahead of the crew."

"But to make up for my selfishness, I'm trying my best. Although I can't satisfy everyone, at least we're trying to do the work perfectly, how about it?"

Frank, straightforward, sincere.

Reese didn't expect that she would tell the truth and say her true thoughts; she also didn't expect Anson's response, openly and frankly communicating.

Indeed, as Anson said, the problem is still there. The film crew must postpone filming is also a fact; but at least, after they have spoken frankly, working towards the same direction, the whole feeling is different.

Vaguely, Reese herself didn't expect that she would start to look forward to it—

In the recording studio, is Anson hiding any secrets?

"Wait, shouldn't the focus of the words just now be that you performed incognito in a New York bar? I can't believe you didn't call me along. So, what was the harvest?"

"The live performance does feel different, but compared to the performance itself, what I was trying to feel was the feeling of Johnny relying on music to make a living."

The conversation unfolded again. Although they hadn't seen each other for a while, the two actors weren't estranged at all. The back-and-forth talk was endless, completely unstoppable, and the laughter in the car echoed continuously.

The vehicle first stopped at the recording studio, and then Noah was responsible for taking Anson's luggage back to the hotel. Anson and Reese went directly into the recording studio—

They needed to race against time.

Reese was full of curiosity and anticipation. If she wanted to, of course, she could enter the recording studio to experience it at any time; but the point was that in the process of preparing for the role of June Carter, she had never realized the necessity of this matter, so she had never gone to the recording studio to experience it.

Now, Reese vaguely expected what kind of medicine Anson was selling in his gourd.