From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Heh.

Hope, raised high and then dropped heavily, filled the entire screening room with bewilderment, anxiety, and disappointment, a free fall from the heights.

What about the promised happy ending? What about the standard Hollywood movie ending?

They thought they had seen through Steven Spielberg's tricks, anticipating the story's direction early on, but they never expected the story to defy their expectations, repeatedly plunging them into a pit of disappointment, their hearts almost bursting, staring at the screen in disbelief, completely losing their ability to think.

The camera focuses on Carl's face.

Carl paused slightly, gazing ahead, trying his best to hide the disappointment in his eyes—

He wasn't as confident as he had claimed.

Although he tried to trust Frank Jr., it wasn't that easy. At this moment, Carl couldn't help but wonder if his judgment was wrong?

Lowering his eyelids, Carl concealed the surge of emotions, but ultimately couldn't shake them off, even his voice dropping.

"There's a forged check on Agent Ryatt's desk. Let's go take a look."

Carl's disappointment affected the mood in the screening room. No one expected that, just as they were heading towards a happy ending, there would be a sudden twist.

Crowded and bustling, layer upon layer, all the FBI agents were gathered around Ryatt's desk.

Carl returned to his professional demeanor, carefully examining the check with a magnifying glass.

"Each line has been emphasized. It seems the original amount was sixty dollars."

Without warning, a hand appeared, taking the magnifying glass from Carl's hand, "Do you mind if I take a look?"

Carl looked up, stunned—

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

Melvin's heart soared, lodging in his throat, almost causing him to cry out in surprise, barely managing to control himself.

The next second.

Frank Jr. appeared on the big screen.

Roar.

The screening room erupted in noise and excitement. Some could even be seen waving their fists. The joy and happiness felt after the ups and downs, peaks and valleys, instantly ignited their hearts. An uncontrollable commotion quietly spread, breaking the fourth wall, reality and illusion intertwining.

Frank Jr. had appeared, ultimately living up to expectations and trust.

No grand entrance, no suspense, just a simple appearance, catching the audience off guard and completely igniting their emotions.

The entire screening room was immersed in a rustling commotion, but Frank Jr., in his navy blue suit, appeared calm and handsome, his brow free of anxiety, fatigue, or distress, quietly unfolding, a hint of elegance revealed in his composure, instantly capturing attention.

Carl, "Cashed in Flagstaff a week ago."

A small city located in northern Arizona.

Frank Jr. nodded slightly and began to study the check with a magnifying glass.

The camera focused on Carl again.

Although Carl remained calm, not making a fuss, he couldn't hide the relief in his eyes as he looked at Frank Jr.

"The bank lost sixteen thousand dollars." The corners of his mouth relaxed, even slightly upturning.

Frank Jr. tilted his head, "This is a real check."

Carl, "Yes. It's been washed."

Seeing this, all the other agents surrounding the desk dispersed, including the owner of the desk, instantly opening up the view.

"Only the signature remains of the original."

Frank Jr., "But it's perfect. Carl, really, I mean, it wasn't acid or bleach."

"No." Carl said, the smile on his lips finally unable to be concealed, fully blooming, "It's something new. Maybe a nail polish remover or acetone or something to wash away the handwritten ink."

Frank Jr. didn't answer, completely focused on the check.

Carl hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist, "How did you do it, Frank? How did you cheat to pass the Louisiana bar exam?"

"I studied for two weeks. Then I passed the exam."

The smile on Carl's lips faltered slightly, "Is that true, Frank?"

Frank Jr. smiled without speaking.

"Is that true?"

Frank Jr. didn't dodge, meeting Carl's gaze openly, picking up the check, "I bet this guy steals checks from mailboxes, washes off their names and puts his own."

Carl didn't continue to pursue the matter, "You mean he's a local?"

The camera focused on Frank Jr., pausing slightly, freezing on that handsome face.

Then.

Switching to a medium shot, focusing on the side of the desk where Frank Jr. and Carl were sitting face to face, zooming out, further and further, the story finally freezing on the two of them.

Zooming out, further and further into a full shot, a long shot, the sound of the two people discussing the case gradually disappearing into the background music, the subtitles beginning to cover the screen.

"Frank Abagnale Jr. has been married for twenty-six years, has three sons, and lives a peaceful life in the Midwest.

Since leaving prison in 1974, Frank has helped the FBI catch some of the world's most deeply hidden check forgers, and is considered one of the world's most famous anti-bank fraud and scam experts.

Frank also designs security checks used daily by banks and Fortune 500 companies.

These companies pay Frank Abagnale Jr. millions of dollars a year for his services.

Frank and Carl are still good friends to this day."

The movie ends.

The crew credits slowly scrolled upwards, the continuously brewing music heading towards a climax in the darkness, causing emotions to surge.

Quietly, Melvin just sat there quietly.

Although he knew this was a movie, a light-hearted and humorous entertainment movie; he also knew this was a true story, but it had been re-created through artistic means, with some embellishments and modifications. Real life might not be exactly like the movie. What they saw was just the tip of the iceberg.

But!

He still couldn't control the surging emotions.

A legendary life, even after the end of his criminal career, was still legendary. Those short subtitles were not enough to cover the magnificent period from 1974 to 2002. Sure enough, real life is always more legendary than movies and novels, easily breaking through imagination.

However, more importantly, in the movie, Frank Jr. and Carl, after going around in circles, chasing each other, Frank Jr. finally found a "family." Maybe he couldn't save the Abagnale family, or even see his father's last moments, but he still found his own harbor and finally stopped his wandering steps and settled down.

That boy with a smile like Apollo, that boy who used all his strength to escape the cruel reality of life, that boy who armed himself with lies but fell into the endless loneliness of the world of lies, even to the point of losing himself and retreating into darkness, finally found a warm haven.

This, is the main point.

In the darkness, Melvin was filled with excitement, and finally couldn't hold back any longer, suddenly standing up.