From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

“I’m sorry, the number you dialed is incorrect. Please check and dial again.”

Again and again, the prompt from the phone's speaker remained unchanged, cold and distant, endlessly repeating the known answer.

It was frustrating.

Edgar glanced at Anson, "Do you want me to find out Hayden's phone number? Trust me, it'll only take a few minutes."

"Knowing that we're bound to run into each other, that we might bump into each other in Burbank any day now, why would he disappear in such an outrageous way?"

It was incomprehensible.

However, precisely because of this, Anson was even more curious about meeting Hayden again—

Edgar looked at Anson again, "So you're not planning to question him?"

"Haha, no, of course not. There's no need to question him, and I have no right to question him," Anson laughed. "We're just ordinary friends, not even close friends. It's not that deep. I'm just purely curious. So, I'm looking forward to a conversation."

Edgar felt conflicted.

Every time, Edgar felt that Anson didn't seem like a nineteen-year-old at all. He lacked impulsiveness and passion, and instead possessed a composure that came from weathering life's storms.

But then again, Anson still held onto a childlike innocence, genuinely believing in the goodness of humanity, seemingly untouched by the corruption of the world of fame and fortune.

This was very incongruous.

After thinking about it, Edgar still offered a word of advice, "It's best to lower your expectations."

Anson's smile remained, "What, are you worried I'll be disappointed in the end?"

Edgar was blunt, "No, I think you'll definitely be disappointed in the end."

Anson shrugged lightly, not caring, "Then it'll be like getting a free lesson."

Edgar was taken aback, "Free?"

Anson, "Of course. I don't have anything to lose; he doesn't owe me rent. Society is so cruel these days; many people need to pay for their lessons, and now I can get one for free, which is very worthwhile."

After a pause, Anson let out a soft breath.

"Perhaps the only regret is losing a friend."

"However, it's too early to judge. We should wait and see."

Edgar couldn't help but take another look at Anson.

He thought that perhaps everything wasn't contradictory or incongruous. This wasn't composure or naivety, this wasn't maturity or ignorance, but a kind of clarity.

Small wisdom often sees the ugliness of human nature.

But great wisdom can see the complexity of human nature.

Thinking of this, Edgar couldn't help but secretly pray that Hayden would have a perfect explanation, proving that they, the seasoned veterans tainted by the Hollywood rat race, were wrong.

"So, you really don't need me to help you find out where Hayden might be?"

"No. Since he left so quietly and changed all his contact information, it means that, at least for now, he doesn't want to be found."

"So, there's no need to avoid anything?"

"Haha, if there really is someone who needs to avoid something, believe me, it won't be me."

"Phew," Edgar breathed a long sigh of relief, "That puts my mind at ease a bit. Today's afternoon shoot is such an important scene. I'd go crazy if these strange things interfered with your performance."

"Like the Hulk?"

"...Anson."

"Haha, please don't call my friends strange things. They're important, as important as my work."

The back-and-forth words were teasing, joking, even kidding, but inadvertently, Anson would throw out a sentence, quietly bringing the topic back:

Although not harsh, it firmly stated his position.

See, it was these details, these moments, that inadvertently made Edgar feel a little dazed, but repeatedly proved his guess.

Edgar's heart tightened, and he immediately grasped the key point. Knowing that this matter was very important, he quickly glanced at Anson and didn't continue joking.

"Cough cough." Edgar cleared his throat, "Sorry."

Silence returned to the car.

Outside the window, palm trees receded quickly, and the golden California sunlight filled the entire field of vision. The hustle and bustle of Los Angeles was quickly fading behind them.

They were on their way to the "Catch Me If You Can" set—

Not Burbank, but Hollywood Heights, northeast of the city.

In fact, Steven wasn't a purely old-school director. If he needed to shoot in a studio, he wouldn't mind at all; but like directors who came of age in the sixties, he still believed in the texture of on-location shooting. The sunlight, the breeze, the humidity—even if they weren't visible on screen, the actors and director could feel them.

So, if possible, Steven still preferred to shoot on location.

This afternoon, "Catch Me If You Can" was about to shoot a very important scene—

The first confrontation between young Frank and FBI agent Carl.

In other words, this was Anson and Tom Hanks' first scene together.

Coming from New York to Los Angeles, the first scene was so grand and so difficult, so Edgar personally escorted Anson to the set.

Moreover, Edgar was busy with the negative report in "Entertainment Weekly," and it was precisely the time to build a good relationship with the crew. He heard that Anson had promised afternoon tea and desserts at the New York set, and immediately followed up on the plan.

This was also why Edgar needed to go to the set—

How could you do good deeds without leaving your name?

Although there was no need to publicize it, at least the name should be mentioned. Edgar needed the rumors that inadvertently leaked from the "Catch Me If You Can" crew to be positive, and without any traces of commercial mutual praise.

Edgar prepared to take care of everything, ensuring that Anson could devote himself 100% to his work, ensuring the smooth progress of the shoot.

Because this was a scene with Tom Hanks, and because this was an original scene in the movie script.

Movies are not 100% based on biographies and reality.

In the real story, young Frank did have several confrontations with the FBI agent who was chasing him, but they weren't so dramatic or so exciting, and the bond between young Frank and the FBI agent wasn't so deep.

Art comes from life, but is higher than life.

So, the script re-created the plot based on Frank Abagnale Jr.'s autobiography, eventually evolving into the first confrontation between young Frank and FBI agent Carl.

In real life, young Frank was caught and arrested twice, but he escaped from custody both times, and was finally caught in Montpellier, France.

Among them, young Frank's first arrest was very legendary.

At the time, young Frank was hiding in New York.

One day, two plainclothes detectives were eating hot dogs in a fast-food restaurant when they inadvertently glimpsed a figure outside the window that looked very similar to the young Frank they had been tracking for days, but they weren't sure.

So, one of the detectives had a flash of inspiration and shouted, "Hey, Frank."

No one would have thought that Frank Abagnale Jr., who had deceived countless people, would actually fall for such a traditional and old-fashioned trick. He actually turned his head, allowing the two detectives to confirm his identity and successfully arrest him.

The script did not recreate this scene, but re-processed and re-created it based on this scene.

Next, Anson was about to face off against Tom.