Leaving the Bellevue Hospital with emotions churning, Lucas returned to his apartment. The sight of the courageous children battling illness had triggered a profound desire to help. He decided to contribute a significant portion of his earnings to the hospital.
His recent involvement in the film project, "Inception," had been a success, generating a sizable income of $570,000. Although the initial offer was $700,000, deductions for his agency, representation by Vincent, and taxes had reduced the final sum. Nevertheless, Lucas was confident in his ability to replenish these funds through upcoming projects he'd already planned to audition.
Driven by empathy, he wasted no time in contacting Vincent. He instructed his agent to allocate $200,000 from his recent earnings to the Bellevue Hospital, specifically earmarked for their pediatric cancer wing. He knew this wouldn't erase the pain, but it could offer some comfort and support to those brave young warriors.
Vincent's surprised gasp resonated through the receiver. "Lucas, are you serious? Donating $200,000?"
A beat of silence followed, Vincent likely processing the unexpected request. After all, Lucas's money was his to do with as he pleased, but this was a significant amount, especially directed towards a cause close to his heart. "Understood, Lucas," Vincent finally replied. "Your bank account details are secure with me, and I'll ensure the donation reaches the hospital swiftly."
Lucas appreciated Vincent's professionalism. "Thank you, Vincent."
Then, Vincent asked, "And under what name?"
"Let's make this our first official philanthropic endeavor," Lucas mused. "LK Charity. What do you think?"
"LK Charity," Vincent repeated, added. "Are you sure you want to go public with this?"
Lucas considered this for a moment. The spotlight wasn't something he craved, but perhaps there was power in transparency. "Maybe not now," he decided. "Let's start small. But yes, eventually, I want it to be known. This won't be the last we do, Vincent."
The conversation ended, and with a sense of purpose settled within him, Lucas set off to find Samantha at the bar where she worked.
The bar buzzed with a low hum as Lucas entered, seeking out Samantha. He scanned the dimly lit room, the scent of bourbon and laughter filling his senses. Then, he spotted her. Not behind the bar as expected, but on stage, bathed in the spotlight, her voice filling the room with a soulful melody.
He settled into a seat, drawn in by the familiar cadence of her music. It had been months since they last met, and he couldn't help but notice a subtle shift in Samantha. There was a new maturity in her eyes, a quiet confidence that seemed to emanate from the stage. Yet, her youthful charm remained.
As the last note faded, applause erupted, and Lucas smiled, catching her eye. A flicker of surprise crossed her face before recognition dawned. A blush crept up her cheeks as she excused herself from the stage, microphone passed off to a colleague.
She moved towards Lucas, her smile genuine. "Lucas! What a surprise. I wasn't expecting you to be back."
His chuckle held a hint of warmth. "And vice versa. Happy to see you, Samantha."
They exchanged greetings, a comfortable familiarity settling between them. A playful pout touched her lips. "We had a promise, remember? Recording your songs? You disappeared for months, leaving me hanging."
Lucas's laugh was apologetic. "Tight schedule, I'm afraid. But that's why I'm here. Still interested in recording?"
Her smile broadened. "Oh, definitely! In fact, I was about to ask you the same thing." Then she added, "Speaking of which, '127 Hours' had me in tears..."
A genuine smile touched Lucas's lips. They spent the next few minutes delving into the film, Samantha peppering him with questions about the behind-the-scenes process. Finally, he steered the conversation back to the original purpose of his visit.
"So, about those recordings..."
As the conversation flowed, Lucas's ears perked up at the name Samantha mentioned— "Electric Lady Studios." He knew it well: a legendary recording space steeped in history, having hosted the likes of John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix.
Lucas had initially assumed Samantha's connections were more local to the bar scene, but this hinted at something wider. Then Samantha explained, "It's not actually my connection. My aunt, Elena Rhodes, also the bar manager, have connections with the studio manager of the Electric Lady Studios."
The name "Elena Rhodes" sparked a memory for Lucas. He vaguely recalled a woman in her late 30s, the bar manager, who had approached him after a short performance at the bar several months ago. He'd almost forgotten the brief encounter, and the contact card must be still in the pockets of his pants he used that day.
Following Samantha's lead, they approached Elena, who stood by the bar, overseeing the evening's flow. Recognition dawned on her face as Lucas came closer. This was the young man with the captivating voice, the one whose song had lingered in her mind ever since.
"Young man!" After a moment, she exclaimed, a warm smile spreading across her features. "It's so good to see you again. I still remember that beautiful song you sang."
Lucas chuckled, a little flattered. "Thanks, I appreciate that. Actually, Samantha was just telling me about the possibility of recording at Electric Lady..."
As Lucas, Samantha, and Elena delved into the recording details, a slight hitch arose. "Alright," Elena announced, "I'll do my best to reach out to Studio Manager Lee and get you scheduled."
Lucas's face fell slightly. "So, no chance of recording tomorrow?"
Samantha echoed his disappointment.
Elena chuckled, understanding their eagerness. "The Electric Lady is a bustling place, with artists booked days in advance. Even with connections, the best I can do is schedule you in."
Lucas understood. "Of course," he nodded. "It's completely reasonable. The issue is, besides tomorrow, my schedule gets swamped. I might have an upcoming film project that might keep me busy for weeks, maybe even months in filming, depending on the audition results if I'm chosen to film in the project, and even if I'm not chosen, there are other projects I'm actively pursuing."
"Your auditioning? projects?" Elena was a bit confused.
Seeing her aunt's bewilderment, Samantha stepped in. "Lucas is an actor, Aunt Elena."
Elena's eyes widened in realization. "An actor, huh? Interesting..." She paused, contemplating. "Regardless, I'll still put in a good word with the studio manager. Just keep me updated on your availability by contacting me, my contact details is still the same as the contact card I gave you, and then we'll find a window that works for everyone."
Lucas hesitated, feeling sheepish. "Uh, actually, I... lost the contact card you gave me months ago."
A shared chuckle filled the air. Elena playfully rolled her eyes and handed him another card. "Here's another one. This time, try not to misplace it."
Lucas accepted the card with a slightly embarrassed smile.
[New York]
The early morning sun painted the bustling streets of New York City with a warm glow as Lucas hurried towards Vincent's office. His mind was alive with anticipation. Today, he would be discussing his pursuit of the independent film "Like Crazy," directed by the independent filmmaker, Drake Doremus.
With other projects still in the pipeline, "Like Crazy" offered a unique advantage: flexibility. The small-budget production offered an enticing immediacy. A cast, a camera, and a dedicated crew – that's all it could take to officially start the project.
However, the intricate plot of this romantic drama demanded deep immersion from the actors. Rehearsals would likely consume a significant portion of their time.
This wouldn't be a challenge for Lucas, not with the extraordinary cheat at his disposal – the Mind Workshop. This unique ability allowed him to step into the shoes of his character, Jacob, through immersion, Lucas can enter into the deep recesses of his consciousness.
Within the Mind Workshop, the story and its characters came alive. Backdrops materialized, figures interacted, and improvised scenes unfolded, all tailored to Jacob's perspective. It became a training ground, a space where Lucas could explore the nuances of his role, refining his every gesture and emotion.
[Los Angeles]
While the independent film "Like Crazy" was underway under Drake Doremus' vision, casting remained a crucial missing piece. Doremus, drawing inspiration from his own life experiences, initially leaned towards Anton Yelchin, a rising star known for his role in "Star Trek."
However, his friend John, a key member of the dedicated crew, had accidentally changed his decision.
John urged Doremus to watch an independent film gaining popularity in independent film circle, not just for its controversial headlines regarding the fainting in the audience, but also for the exceptional performance of a young actor named Lucas Knight.
Doremus, initially skeptical of the hype surrounding an unknown actor, decided to give the film a chance. As the film unfolded, he found himself deeply moved. Despite the unconventional one-man-show format, Lucas's portrayal of Aron Ralston affected him.
Intrigued, Doremus dug deeper into Lucas's filmography. He discovered Lucas's youthful charm on display in "Modern Family" and saw glimpses of raw talent in a recent YouTube clip that's gaining attention, showcasing Lucas singing "Perfect," as Dylan in one of the episode in Modern Family already viewed by hundreds of thousands.
A shift began to occur within Doremus. The initial appeal of Yelchin's established star power began to fade compared to the potential he saw in Lucas. The young actor's ability to convey complex emotions with minimal dialogue, his screen presence, and his musical talent – these were the qualities Doremus needed for Jacob.
With a newfound conviction, Doremus made a decision. He shifted his focus from Yelchin to Lucas Knight, believing he had found the right actor to embody of Jacob.
Although undeniably talented, was still a relatively unknown face compared to the established Anton Yelchin. Yet, Drake Doremus felt an unshakeable conviction about his choice. Independent films, after all, thrived on taking chances, and if Lucas could deliver in the audition, it would only solidify Doremus's instinct.
Moreover, Lucas was already gaining momentum. The box office success of "127 Hours" served as a testament to his potential, and his performance resonated with audiences. His star was steadily rising, and Doremus recognized that.
Meanwhile, the casting process was ongoing. Several actors, both established and newcomers, had approached Doremus, eager to be a part of the film, as they're really interested in the film's premise. Among them, two actresses stood out: Felicity Jones and Jennifer Lawrence.
Doremus had personally sought them out, drawn to their talent and potential. He'd sent scripts to their agents, and thus far, their audition performances had left him impressed. Felicity, with her emotional intensity, and Jennifer, with her captivating screen presence.
With the script delivered to Lucas's agency a week ago, anticipation gnawed at Drake Doremus. Would the young actor even consider his independent film, "Like Crazy"? While Doremus was confident in his choice, he had some doubts.
Doremus wasn't naive. He knew Lucas was on the radar of several studios. His performance in "127 Hours" had garnered critical acclaim, and even his small but charming role in "Modern Family" and viral singing clip of "Perfect" had propelled him into the public eye, had further cemented his potential.
Lucas, in the eyes of industry insiders, wasn't just a fresh face; he was a rising star. He hadn't yet reached the heights of some other young actors, but his raw talent, coupled with his inherent musicality, made him an attractive proposition. And then there was the undeniable factor of cost – Lucas was still relatively affordable compared to his established peers. This very aspect made him even more appealing to studios looking to maximize their returns.
A wave of anxiety washed over Drake Doremus as days ticked by without news from Lucas Knight's agency. Had his script reached the young actor? Was Lucas even interested in the role of Jacob in "Like Crazy"? Doremus knew other studios were circling Lucas, drawn to his rising star power.
Just as doubt began to creep in, his phone buzzed. The caller ID displayed "IAA Vincent Smith," and a spark of hope ignited in Doremus's chest. Vincent was Lucas's agent.
After a cordial exchange of greetings, Vincent's words brought immediate relief. "Drake," he announced, "Lucas is excited about the script and interested in auditioning for Jacob. He's clearing his schedule and aiming to be in Los Angeles tomorrow, and probably grace the audition location tomorrow or within the next few days."
Doremus's excitement bubbled over. "Fantastic! We have a dedicated space set up in downtown LA. Let me know where I can send the details."
"He's already booked a flight," Vincent chuckled. "Just pass on the location. Lucas will be there."
Doremus hung up, a wave of relief washing over him. The wait had been agonizing, but Lucas's proactive approach filled him with optimism. He knew the competition was fierce, but seeing Lucas's interest to a smaller, independent film like "Like Crazy" despite the other bigger projects probably offered to the young actor warmed his heart.