The My Hollywood System
Chapter 57

"Every step you take from here, you will lose $100 thousand."

Robert froze as soon as he heard those words, and without saying anything, he quietly sat back on the chair in front of Will.

"Listen, man," He explained, "It's better not to joke. I've got a lot to deal with."

Will smiled, "None of us has the luxury of being pranked or made fun of. My offer is still on the table. Chance to audition for the lead role, and if you pass, a contract of 2 Million Dollars."

Robert looked around, trying to find something, then looked at Will.

Will was a bit confused by his actions, so he asked, "The other person in your seat will at least wait to listen to what I have to say. Why are you in such a hurry? And...what are you looking for?"

"Hidden Camera." Robert replied, "And yes, anyone must at least listen to what you have to say, especially someone like me who is at the end of his career. But you know, once bitten, twice shy. It all feels like Deja. Vu to me. One of the senior producers and big name actors offered me something like, and when I jumped up in excitement, they recorded everything and told me it was a joke."

"..."

"Will," Robert pursed his lips, "this harmless joke is what hurts the most. Anyway, I will believe and trust you in this. About what movie?"

Will shook his head, "Nothing will be revealed this soon."

"Nothing?" Robert was slightly surprised, "What are all those secrets for? Aren't you going to tell me to act in a scene?"

"I'll do it, but don't worry. It's more about testing your character than your acting."

"Aren't you going to audition for me for my acting? That's the first ..."

Will nodded, "This audition is also your first, and probably your last audition, Robert. I want you to think carefully and decide."

"Can you ... tell me the story genre?" Robert asked with a slight pause, "I don't want to work hard for auditions, only to find out that I'm going to play the lead role in some gay movie or maybe as a pimp. I mean, I'm not against either of those, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't fit into a role like that."

Will twirled the wine and sniffed before replying, "This is your call, Robert. Are you coming or not?"

Robert cleared his throat and sighed, "Again, I have nothing to lose and I have no right to act rightfully either. I'll use this opportunity to work with you, Will."

Will smiled, "That's what I like about you, Robert. You know when to take a chance."

Robert smiled back and asked, "Can you tell me who else is in the movie? Is...is June Roberts also in it?"

Will's hand suddenly stopped as he raised his head and asked, "That's an interesting question. Why are you asking?"

"Nothing, it's just, your first movie with him in the lead role. And.eh, I've heard those rumors, so I just asked, nothing else."

Will's staring. He knew what rumors Robert was talking about, and it was about his relationship with June, and now it was an open secret.

Sensing that gaze, Robert waved his hand and explained to himself, "Oh, don't get me wrong, I just asked."

"You like her?"

"Like her? No.." - No..." Robert shook his head, "I've never even met him. Well, I do feel jealous of him. I'm just worried too."

"Dad? And what are you worried about?"

"Well," Robert pursed his lips, "If you look at it, six months ago, our careers were both on the same level, but now he's getting his break, and I'm still the same."

"Well, that's one by one," Will replied, "That's the break; maybe this time it'll be yours."

Robert nodded and then hesitantly asked, "I know this is not the case for everyone, but as I said, I have nothing to lose. So I'm going to say this, I'm afraid you'll give him preferential treatment if he's part of his movie. I know it sounds pretty presumptuous, but I've seen it a lot."

Will smiled, "The only thing I give preferential treatment to is my job and money. So don't worry about these things."

Saying this, Will takes out a pen and then writes something on a napkin at the table.

Handing the napkin over to Robert, Will stood up and said, "See you later. Don't late. And enjoy your lunch; this is my treat."

Robert stared speechlessly at Will's missing back.

By the time he regained his composure, Will was long gone.

Lowering his head, he stared at the folded napkin.

Using his hand, he unfolded it and looked at it for a long time.

[11 morning. In two days. Dream Vision Studio. Would]

'Should I go or not?'

Robert continued to sit at the table for a long time, thinking about the entire meeting with Will.

…

The waiter prepares Will's car as soon as he exits the hotel.

Activating it, Will heads to his next destination - [Shoot of 17 Again.]

As he sat in the car, he first took out some paper from his pocket and put it into the deck of the car.

These letters are none other than the contract Will asked Jason to prepare for Robert.

The person in front of him was indeed as talented as Robert Downey*, but it was not the same person. While Michael is under the industry now, he has never had a rise in his career; however, in the case of the RDJ, he is someone who once controlled an entire industry and lost everything at once.

The latter has tasted success and is overwhelmed by it. But he recovered and transformed himself into one of the industry's most in-demand, talented and highest-paid actors.

Michael still did not feel the overwhelming fame. This is why, although Will considers it important, he also shows indifference and seriousness while working.

No matter how big of a fan Will is from Iron Man, right now, he should not fantasize about thinking that RDJ and Michael are the same. And don't forget, Will invested heavily in [Sherlock Holmes], and any mistake would cause irreparable damage to his reputation.

….

Will took about thirty minutes to reach the set. A high school in the suburbs.

Today, he came here to play his Stan role. However, it's yet to come, and the scene they're filming just before the main character, Mike, throws a party to celebrate the victory of a basketball game at his friend Ned's house while Ned is out with principal Jane.

During this party, there will be a fight between his character, Stan, and the main character, Mike, because Mike's daughter, Maggie, refuses to sleep with Stan. All this time, the latter would break up with him.

It's a cliche bully plot, but Will doesn't really care.

That was because, when directing the film was Will's dream, he also wanted to try something else, and not to forget that the system he had was the 'Hollywood' System, not just the 'Director' System'. She wants to experience different roles and not forget that acting will improve her reputation most quickly, whether from the role of a good or bad character.

As for how his bad reputation could affect his career, well, it was his least concern. With the help of the Hollywood System, he had access to many films and shows that had ever been made in the history of the earth showbiz industry. If she chooses some from her critically acclaimed fan base and exploding roles at the box office, she can easily change people's opinions about her character.

Stepping out of the car, Will leans over it and waits for everything to be ready. After a few high school scenes, the scene will come, which will be at Ned's house.

Right now, the reason he was in this place was, of course, because of June.

She has a few scenes today in high school, and once that's done, she'll take June to the next place, the mansion.

Just then, Will felt something on his cheek.

Frowning, he raised his head and looked up at the sky.

- knocking!

- knocking! knock on!

- knocking! knock on! knock on!....

the pitter-patter!

The rain is starting to fall!

"Why all of a sudden?"

Will frowned and walked into the school.

The scene was shot in an open field, and as Will walked towards the crew, he saw them rushing to pack everything up.

The rain suddenly became heavy, but Will cared more for someone.

He turns his eyes and finds Drake.

"No, not him."

He looked around more, and yes, there he was.

Of June.

He smiled lightly and walked towards her.

He was half soaked in rain as the rain suddenly increased out of nowhere, panicking everyone on set.

He rubbed and cleaned his face with a towel when Will came and stood in front of him.

"Well! Will it?" He was surprised to see the person in front of him, "What are you doing here? I thought I'd see you at the mansion?"

Will shrugged, "Someone told me it was going to rain, and you might need a ride."

"Or really?" June smiled.

Will nodded with a serious expression, which made June laugh.

At that moment, a crew member came.

"Mom, today's filming is canceled."

"What?" June was a little surprised, "Because of the rain?"

"Yes," said the young man, "It seems like the rain will continue, and we can't record the mansion scene today."

After the young man finished his words, he went to another lead actor Drake.

Will stares at them, and Drake somehow feels it.

Their two eyes met for a moment, and the latter nodded his head to give his greetings, which Will replied to.

"What's wrong with her?" He asked in June.

June shrugged, "Perhaps because she now knows that I'm with you, and she respects that fact."

"Ah, really?" Will puts on an unbelievable expression, where June nods, "Yes, really."

"It's nice to hear it," Will smiled, "Then, Madam."

He said while making a 'L' shape with his left hand.

June smiled and, while moving her hands, she crossed her hands with her elbows and immediately walked out of the school.

The people around them noticed but did not pay much attention; their relationship was not a secret. Even though it's toxic in movies, it's the opposite in real life - sweet romance.

As they walked out and stood at the main entrance, Will moved his hand and held his palm.

"Ready?"

June opened her eyes wide and turned her head towards him, "Are we really going to do this?"

Will shrugged, "It doesn't rain every day in Hollywood."

June laughed and nodded, "Alright, one count is three... Three!"

June tricks Will and pulls him out in the rain, and Will happily complies.

As the two cheerfully jumped up and ran towards the car hand in hand, and even stole a kiss on the run, across the street was a black car.

And from the half-open car window, a black circular pipe-like device appeared, which if carefully observed, was actually a camera lens.

And as it moved out, as if zooming in, on its outer glass was a shadow of Will and June kissing in the rain.

-snap!

-snap!