"Did I really win the Oscar for Best Actor?"
Standing in the center of the round stage, James Franco's eyes widened, still seemingly unable to believe it. "Did I really get the Oscar statuette?"
A round of enthusiastic applause and whistles erupted from the audience.
James Franco continued, "There are so many people I need to thank: the Academy, my wife, friends, brothers... I won't name everyone to avoid making them feel awkward, and to avoid people saying, 'Wow, you actually know that idiot James Franco!'"
Without a doubt, James Franco had a talent for humor.
Given that he had only forty-five seconds to deliver his acceptance speech, James Franco sped up. "A few years ago, when Robert Downey Jr. won the Oscar for Best Actor, he told me, 'James, you'll never touch an Oscar statuette in your life.' A guy named Jonah Hill also discouraged me, saying, 'If you win Best Actor, I'll jump off the cliffs of Malibu.' Even Seth Rogen said, 'If you win Best Actor, I'll streak.'"
James Franco raised the Oscar statuette toward the section where his friends were seated and shouted, "Did you see this? You can go ahead and do what you promised. After the awards ceremony, I'll be waiting for you outside the theater."
He added, "And Murphy Stanton tortured me to the point of a nervous breakdown and insomnia. Look, karma has come around."
Laughter echoed throughout the Dolby Theatre, turning it into a sea of joy.
Watching James Franco chat and joke on stage with the Best Actor statuette in his hand, Leonardo DiCaprio's face was smiling, but his heart was bleeding. When would he finally end his endless streak of Oscar nominations without a win?
After finishing his acceptance speech, James Franco walked backstage but didn't go directly behind the scenes. He stood at the entrance to the backstage area.
Because next, "Dark City" was still in the running for Best Director and Best Picture!
"Now, please welcome Tom Hanks to present the award for Best Director…"
Accompanied by Ellen DeGeneres' voice, an obviously heavier Tom Hanks walked onto the stage. Facing the tidal wave of applause from the audience, he waved and said, "Thank you! Thank you! Good evening, everyone!"
Perhaps the Oscar ceremony had dragged on too long, as Tom Hanks skipped the usual small talk. "It's an honor to present this award. The nominees for Best Director are…"
He turned to look at the large screen behind him.
Leonardo DiCaprio glanced at the "Dark City" team. "Dark City" was so dominant at this Oscar ceremony that there was no suspense about the Best Director award.
Brad Pitt also believed that the award would go to the "Dark City" team. The focus of "12 Years a Slave" wasn't on this award, and none of the other nominated directors had any significant advantage.
"Alfonso Cuarón for 'Gravity'; Steve McQueen for '12 Years a Slave'…" The screen displayed classic scenes from the nominated films, "Alexander Payne for 'Nebraska'; David O. Russell for 'American Hustle'; Murphy Stanton for 'Dark City'."
After the screen finished showing these scenes, Tom Hanks turned back around and, without any suspense-building, directly announced, "The Oscar for Best Director goes to Murphy Stanton for 'Dark City'."
As Tom Hanks' voice fell, applause erupted in the theater. Murphy kissed Gal Gadot and then stood up. The entire "Dark City" team stood up, followed by everyone around them, and the front row guests stood up again!
Soon, all the audience members in the Dolby Theatre stood up.
No one seemed surprised by this result, and no one thought it was undeserved. Even Leonardo DiCaprio was more angry than surprised by this outcome.
Thunderous applause! Cheers filled the air!
Watching Murphy Stanton walk onto the stage to receive the Best Director statuette, Archbishop Marquez Costello's face turned as dark as Will Smith's.
"Damn it!" He struggled to refrain from cursing out loud. "Damn it! Damn Murphy Stanton! Damn Hollywood! Damn this movie!"
Hollywood and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences were practically slapping him and the Catholic Church in the face!
This outcome was disastrous for him. Murphy Stanton had won the Best Director Oscar again and would carry the glow of the statuette to the Venice Film Festival at the end of August. How much attention would the film "Spotlight" attract? What would happen to the reputation of the Catholic Church?
More importantly, what would he do?
The entire Vatican didn't want to see this situation. Pope Benedict XVI would surely face criticism for this major event, and someone had to take the blame. That person would likely be…
Archbishop Marquez Costello slumped in his office chair, seemingly seeing his bleak future.
Watching Murphy Stanton on TV walk up the stage, receive the Best Director statuette, and stand there with infinite glory, Archbishop Marquez Costello knew his career as an archbishop was probably over.
"Thank you to the Academy, thank you to every judge, thank you for awarding me the Best Director again."
Standing in the center of the round stage, Murphy did not hide his excitement. After all the effort, there was finally a result. He continued, "Making movies is like experiencing life changes. Thanks to 'Dark City' for giving me the most unique experience. This film took a long time to shoot, but it was worth it. I hope to share this award with all the main creators of the 'Dark City' team!"
He raised the Oscar statuette towards the "Dark City" team and continued, "Thank you to my family. It was Gal who took care of all my worries."
Once again, a tidal wave of applause erupted in the theater.
Unlike James Franco's humorous speech, Murphy's words were more standard and even a bit routine.
Amidst the applause, Murphy walked towards the backstage but, like James Franco, stopped at the entrance to the backstage.
"How does it feel to be Best Actor?" Murphy asked in a low voice on purpose.
James Franco shrugged, "The same as when you first won Best Director."
The next award to be presented was Best Picture, and of course, Murphy and James Franco wanted to see the result of the last award.
"I think…" James Franco lowered his voice and said to Murphy, "We're in a bit of a tight spot."
Murphy was puzzled, "Why do you say that?"
"Dark City" had already won three of the four most important awards. Best Picture was practically in the bag.
"Look who's presenting the award." James Franco signaled with his eyes. Murphy turned to look and frowned, "It's him!"
In the Dolby Theatre, everyone awaited the reveal of the final award. The "Dark City" team was all smiles, even Gal Gadot and Margot Robbie, who had just returned, were beaming, as if Best Picture was a sure thing.
"Rejoicing now…" Brad Pitt sneered, "is a bit premature."
Angelina Jolie looked at Brad Pitt, confused about his confidence.
Brad Pitt said, "I have reliable information that the presenter for Best Picture is very favorable to us!"
Just as Martin Scorsese received the Best Director Oscar from Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Francis Ford Coppola, some important award presenters who were not previous winners often indicated the Academy's choice.
Backstage, Murphy turned around and glanced again at the Best Picture presenter waiting to go on stage.
The presenter had small eyes, a wide forehead, and prominent ears, naturally exuding a sense of humor, and was definitely one of the most handsome black men around!
Yes! The presenter was black!
Having watched many Oscar ceremonies, Murphy knew some of the subtleties in choosing presenters.
Could the Academy really be handing the Best Picture statuette to "12 Years a Slave"?
It wasn't impossible. "Dark City" had already won Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director, fully reflecting Hollywood's attitude and stance. "12 Years a Slave" had only won Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay, which weren't many or significant enough for a highly praised film about black slavery.
"Please welcome Will Smith…"
As Ellen DeGeneres' voice came through, Will Smith, holding an envelope, walked past Murphy and James Franco and onto the stage.
Will Smith didn't feel anything special about this. Although his wife was a notorious troublemaker in Hollywood, he himself was an actor who strongly favored the white community. Besides, whoever won the award wouldn't benefit him in any way.
"The nominees for Best Picture are…"
Behind Will Smith, the big screen began introducing the nominees for Best Picture. Brad Pitt wasn't listening. Seeing Will Smith, a victorious smile appeared on his lips.
The Best Picture winner was now obvious.
Will Smith opened the envelope. Brad Pitt knew which name he would read out, adjusted his suit, and said to Angelina Jolie, "Honey, I'm going to get the award…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Will Smith announced on stage, "The Best Picture winner is 'Dark City,' Gal Gadot and Murphy Stanton!"
"Uh…" Brad Pitt froze in his seat.
"Wow!"
A cheer erupted beside him. Under Gal Gadot's call, everyone from the "Dark City" team swarmed onto the Oscar stage, joining Murphy and James Franco, who had just walked from backstage, and raised the Best Picture statuette!
Thirteen nominations, thirteen Oscar statuettes, "Dark City" became the big winner of the night!
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