From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

“Acting.”

Anson rubbed his throbbing temples and closed his eyes again, but the topic didn't stop, and he gave the answer as a matter of course.

“Delving into the character.”

“Today there is a crucial scene, and I hope to be able to enter the state 100 percent.”

Lucas only felt absurd. He couldn't help but laugh out loud in speechless exasperation, “To enter the state, you deliberately got yourself drunk and then asked Noah to wake you up early. So, you can enter a sleep-deprived, hungover state, all just for the sake of the character?”

“Anson, I understand. Recently, you have been constantly delving into the character and adjusting your state, but don't you think this is too ridiculous?”

To play the role of Johnny Cash well, Anson had been wholeheartedly maintaining the character's state since joining the crew, even at the expense of putting aside the promotion of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." Anyone with eyes could see that Anson was serious, and missing the Oscars was no joke.

Lucas, Noah, and the others had all seen this.

But even so, the scene before him still exceeded Lucas's understanding. It was all too absurd.

Anson slightly retracted his chin, and his sunglasses slid down to the tip of his nose. He looked at Lucas from above the sunglasses.

“The early bird catches the worm, you've heard of that, right?”

“Luca, I'm not a genius actor like Daniel Day-Lewis. I need some external help. I need to enter the character 100 percent.”

“If I could, I would go even further and truly be like Johnny Cash; but…”

During the lowest and most chaotic time of Johnny Cash's life, it wasn't just alcohol, but also drugs, women, and violence, without exception, all entangled him.

However, Anson couldn't.

Because this body had died once before, OD. He couldn't risk it again.

Moreover, most importantly, having lived once more, Anson didn't want to escape reality. He didn't want to hide like a coward in the illusory world built by alcohol and drugs. No matter what happened, he wanted to face it bravely and calmly.

Of course, Anson knew this wasn't easy. The life we imagine and expect often deviates from reality, but at least he was always trying.

The problem was that, relying solely on imagination, Anson had no way to depict or simulate the drunken, dreamlike state of Johnny Cash—

He needed to embody it.

After comprehensive consideration and a compromise, Anson chose this method.

Now, without needing to act, Anson was in a severely sleep-deprived, hungover state, seamlessly transitioning into Johnny Cash's state.

His words paused slightly, and Anson didn't continue, “So I chose an acceptable way.”

Lucas didn't care, “You don't need to. Anson, in my heart, you are the best actor. In my opinion, you are Daniel Day-Lewis, you are that De Niro guy.”

Anson was stunned, and a feeling of warmth surged in his chest as he quietly looked at Lucas.

However, the corners of his lips lifted slightly, “Oh, Luca, I thought you never watched my performances. I thought you couldn't accept my image on the big screen.”

“Robert De Niro, it's called Robert De Niro. I didn't expect my position in your heart to be so high. Ho ho ho.”

Lucas looked at Anson, who was joking around seriously, even constantly nudging him with his elbow, his face full of helplessness, “I'm serious. You don't need to do this. You are already a good enough actor.”

Anson also didn't continue joking, “That's because you are my brother. In your eyes, no matter what I do, you support me 100 percent; but others don't.”

Lucas, “But you don't need to live for other people's opinions.”

Anson, “Yes, I know.”

Anson was stunned. He was caught off guard in a way he hadn't expected.

What to do?

“Ah, Luca, my head hurts.” Anson held his temples, his eyebrows furrowing.

Lucas looked at Anson expressionlessly.

Anson was speechless, “Didn't you just say that I am an excellent actor? Now I'm already exposed. Can't you cooperate with the performance?”

Lucas: …

After a pause, “I'll go get you an aspirin.”

Silently, Lucas stood up, but after only taking two steps, he stopped again, facing away from Anson. “At least next time, tell me in advance.”

Anson, “If I tell you in advance, you will stop me.”

Lucas turned to look at Anson, finally unable to hold back. The usually serious and restrained mask cracked, and anger vented from the cracks, “I don't care. You must tell me in advance. Anyway, even if I stop you, you will still continue to do this, won't you? So no matter what, you must tell me in advance.”

“This is not a negotiation, but an order.”

Rarely, Lucas was angry.

Anson shrank his neck, his face obedient, “Okay.”

Lucas thought Anson would refuse again and was preparing to continue scolding, but this time he realized that Anson had already agreed. The words braked urgently before they could come out, barely controlling himself, looking at Anson's innocent expression, “Don't look at me with that look. It doesn't work on me.”

Anson sat on the spot, still hugging the quilt and curled up into a ball. The short conversation had exhausted all his energy, and he felt dizzy, heavy-headed, and light-footed.

So this was what it felt like. Johnny Cash went on stage and crossed the line in this state.

Relying solely on imagination, relying solely on theoretical discussions, after all, could not truly experience it. So, was this why method acting and experiential acting emphasized firsthand experience and losing oneself in the role?

During the filming of "Catch Me If You Can," Anson had felt that heart-wrenching emotional pull, but that was just an accidental experience, an introductory experience. Only now had Anson truly taken a solid first step in the world of acting.

What Anson said to Lucas was the truth. He liked acting and enjoyed acting, including the process of delving into acting. Everything was full of fun.

Including the hangover and headache in front of him.

If this was for delving into the character, Anson was very willing to re-experience this process, and then little by little awaken the hidden memories in this body—

After transmigrating, Anson's memories were not complete or clear, but now it seemed that the body still remembered, remembered those crazy three years ago.

When Lucas came back, looking at Anson still curled up at the bathroom door, his face filled with pain and fatigue, he shook his head helplessly.

He still couldn't understand the behavior of these actors. One or two of them were like lunatics. If those film critics dared to criticize Anson after the movie was released, he would knock on those guys' doors in the middle of the night!