From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

"Anson - Wood."

Standing at the front desk, Edgar announced the name of the appointment. The same building, the same floor, the same location—it seemed nothing had changed.

The secretary sitting before him was still as he remembered, her high ponytail very distinctive and easily recognizable.

The high-ponytail secretary checked the appointment list on the computer screen, responding with a professional and conditioned reflex.

"Ten o'clock appointment, audition."

"The agent is waiting here, the Screen Actors Guild..."

Halfway through her sentence, the high-ponytail secretary suddenly looked up and saw the face before her, and couldn't help but pause—

It must be admitted that Anson was not a face easily forgotten.

Even if there was no special feeling when they met, just another Hollywood pretty boy, meeting again easily awakened her memory, and she now realized the deep impression he had left in her mind.

The high-ponytail secretary clearly hadn't expected to see Anson again. Last time at the audition, she thought Anson was cannon fodder, self-importantly digging his own grave.

But she didn't expect...

Just a moment of hesitation, the high-ponytail secretary immediately controlled her surprise and shock, restoring a calm expression and continuing her work.

While leading the way, she couldn't help but glance at Anson a few more times.

Last time, Anson appeared very low-key, carrying a large backpack and a skateboard, looking like a street kid, trying to hide his brilliance, making him seem somewhat thin and clumsy.

Despite this, the high-ponytail secretary still had a deep impression of him.

Today, Anson was still not ostentatious, but his overall feeling was slightly different. The aura naturally exuding from within unconsciously caught her attention, and the corner of her eye couldn't help but secretly drift over.

Then—

"If you want to look, you can stare openly."

The high-ponytail secretary was startled, and the next second she saw Anson's bright eyes, with a faint smile, looking over generously, obviously her just now self-perceived secret actions completely fell into the other's eyes.

Damn it.

The high-ponytail secretary composed herself, straightened her back, and said in a calm tone, "They all say actors are narcissistic, but there's no need to think everyone is looking at you."

"Heh." Anson chuckled, "Even if not an actor, eye contact and direct staring are basic social etiquette. Although actors are narcissists, there's no need to drag everything back to the actor's profession."

Pfft.

Edgar swore he didn't do it on purpose, but he couldn't hold back his laughter.

The high-ponytail secretary's face darkened instantly. She quickened her pace slightly, escorted them to their destination, and turned to leave in a hurry without stopping.

Edgar looked at Anson and secretly gave him a thumbs up.

Then, they pushed the door open—

Slightly different from last time, this time they went to a dedicated waiting room, which was also a dressing room. They needed to prepare for the audition here.

This was also the reason Anson didn't specifically choose an outfit today. After arriving on site, professionals would be responsible for makeup and styling.

As soon as they pushed the door open, before they had time to look around, a figure rushed over first, diving into Anson's arms like a swallow returning to its nest, and the voice exploded in his ear before he could even see the face clearly.

"Congratulations!"

"Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations!"

Just by listening, one could tell it was James Franco.

Like Anson, James had also entered today's screen audition. Unexpectedly, yet reasonably, he was the only one among the first batch of auditioning actors to enter the screen audition, considered to have broken through the siege.

During this time, James, like Hayden Christensen who auditioned for "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace" back then, stayed in New York, constantly attending parties and opening up opportunities under the leadership of his agent, determined to get the role.

In fact, James had already called to celebrate on the night Anson won the Emmy Award, but meeting today, there was still an enthusiastic carnival, shocking and scaring the entire waiting room—

Is this really okay?

Such a cheerful and lively Peter Parker?

James, this live treasure, didn't care at all, giving Anson a solid hug.

The hug was too solid, to the point that Anson had a reasonable reason to suspect that James was trying to suffocate him, eliminating a competitor silently.

Swish, swish, swish.

The eyes of the entire waiting room were all cast over—

There were a total of four male lead candidates entering today's screen audition, besides Anson and James, there were also Scott Speedman and Jay Rodan.

Anson was very surprised that Scott Speedman actually entered this round, it seemed his agent must have put in a lot of effort, he should not be underestimated.

But Anson was even more surprised by Heath Ledger's elimination. Thinking about it carefully, perhaps the rebellious temperament on Heath's body was not suitable for a superhero from the beginning.

However, from the four actors' four kinds of temperaments and four kinds of characteristics, it can be seen that the crew still hopes to make different attempts, and they still have not reached a consensus on the image of Peter Parker.

For Anson, this was a good thing.

Obviously, the four competitors had equal opportunities, but James's words seemed like there were only the two of them, completely ignoring Scott and Jay.

James also noticed the gazes around him and quickly turned his head to explain, "Don't misunderstand, I don't mean to look down on you, I just consider Anson as my opponent."

Was this explanation... really better?

Jay Rodan, couldn't see his expression.

Scott, on the other hand, looked somewhat dark-faced.

James didn't care, looking at Anson, "How is it, did you prepare in advance? Chris said you were dug up from a hangover state and flew over, you wouldn't still be half-asleep now, right, haha, then you're in trouble."

Anson smiled dumbly, "If I get the role in a half-dreaming state, your (guys') expressions must be very funny."

You/Your, this is the same word.

Anson's words silenced everyone, and then Anson looked serious, stopping James, "Wait, don't disturb me, let me brainstorm for a moment."

One second. Two seconds.

"Haha. That would indeed be very funny." Anson smiled especially happily.

James was covered in black lines.

Jay Rodan, who hadn't had a special expression all along, couldn't help but laugh out loud, and the slightly tense atmosphere just now suddenly eased.

At this time, Anson finally had time to look around, and he could see at a glance—

No tights.

It seemed Edgar's judgment was correct. Although they were choosing the actor for Spider-Man, Sam Raimi didn't need to choose actors by having them wear the battle suit.

Formal wear.

Not evening dress type formal wear, nor a three-piece suit, but a casual suit that a fledgling high school or college student would choose.

Combining it with the page of script he got in advance, Anson roughly knew what today's screen audition hoped to see.

Third update.