As Anson turned around, he saw Marcia's face filled with worry and frustration. He placed the Chinese takeout boxes on the table and offered a few comforting words.
"Marcia, I understand what you mean. Both directors are inexperienced, and I'm also a first-time producer. This is obviously a challenge."
"That's why I need your help. I'm really grateful that you've lent a hand. I know you don't lack work, but you still agreed to help."
"It's my honor."
Marcia looked into Anson's deep blue eyes, and for a brief moment, her heart stopped.
A fleeting daze.
Then, Marcia looked up to the sky and let out a long sigh, "Jesus Christ. This is why I can never retire."
Nicholas chimed in from the side, "Unable to resist the charms of a handsome man?"
Marcia shot Nicholas a glance, "Aside from good looks, I don't mind getting my hands bloody. Want to give it a try?"
Nicholas quietly whistled, diverting his gaze.
Anson, with a smile in his eyes, brought the conversation back on track. "So, while we're having lunch, will the actors waiting outside for their auditions also be taking a break?"
Nicholas, grateful for the change in topic, nodded at Anson, "No, of course not. Auditions will continue. Otherwise, we might not finish today."
Anson glanced at the pile of takeout in front of him, a hint of hesitation in his eyes: Really?
Eating while watching auditions—was that okay?
Marcia, seeing Anson's inexperience, reassured him, "In Las Vegas, it's common to watch shows while eating, even performances by Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley. I'm sure it's fine for an audition."
Anson understood, and he wasn't trying to make a fuss about it. He casually remarked, "That's why singers and actors try to escape Las Vegas."
Of course, times were always changing.
Once upon a time, getting a long-term performance contract in Las Vegas was an honor, reserved only for top stars. Later, it became a sign of career decline, a refuge for desperate performers. But then, Las Vegas made a comeback, regaining its allure.
In the world of entertainment, it was best not to take things too seriously.
Marcia caught on to the humor in Anson's words and didn't say much more. "Had I known this, we should've gone with subs. Five minutes, and we'd be done."
In the end, auditions were paused for thirty minutes.
Not only for the staff but for the actors as well. They each took a number to confirm their spot, temporarily stepping away to grab lunch—otherwise, they wouldn't know how long the auditions would run or when they'd have time to eat.
"Eva..."
Anson called out to Eva, who was about to leave, and warmly invited her to join him for lunch. Surrounded by envious gazes, Eva accepted the invitation without hesitation.
Eva hadn't expected this turn of events, but she remained calm and composed. "If you'd just give me the role, it would save everyone's time."
Straightforward and direct, Eva laid her cards on the table—unlike many American actors, this French actress was refreshingly blunt.
Anson shook his head, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "That's far from enough."
Eva immediately stood up, confidently facing the group. Her gaze swept over the people around her before she spoke again, "So, who do I need to sleep with to get the part?"
Bold, direct, and fiery.
Finally, Eva looked at Anson, saying nothing more, just gazing at him without a trace of embarrassment.
Nicholas quietly quipped, "If it's Anson's bed, you might need to get in line."
Anson rubbed his forehead. "What do you guys think my bed is? A public restroom? Come and go as you please?"
Eva blinked, "Well, staying is an option too."
"Ah..." Anson sighed dramatically, pretending to have a sudden realization. "So, this is what it feels like to be Leonardo DiCaprio?"
"Haha."
The room erupted in laughter.
Marcia took another look at Eva—sharp, intelligent, bold, and genuine. She was striking, a far cry from her doll-like appearance. Like a rose with thorns, Eva left an unforgettable impression.
But was she right for the role of Kayla?
At first glance, it didn't seem like a fit. Kayla was broken, full of scars. But after some thought, Marcia began to see things differently.
Kayla was fragile, like a porcelain doll pieced back together, her surface unblemished but her soul fractured. Yet, she had a resilience, having left her family to build a life on her own, relying on her strength to start over. She wasn't a Cinderella waiting for a prince to save her.
In Eva, Marcia could see this complex mix of traits.
Maybe Eva was more suited for the role than expected.
However, Marcia still had her doubts:
Experience.
Eva had yet to act in any film, with even less experience than Rachel. Moreover, her English was far from fluent—it was clear that Eva was more comfortable speaking French.
Would they need to alter the script?
No, no, no—that wouldn't work. Kayla and Evan's childhood connection was crucial. Changing that would strip the movie of its essence.
The best solution was still to see Eva's audition.
After lunch, without waiting for the other actors to return, Marcia requested Eva to perform the audition scene she had prepared.
Eva was clever. She hadn't chosen any iconic scenes because she knew she couldn't outperform the originals and didn't want to expose her weaknesses. Instead, she created her own scene to perform—
This reminded Anson of himself.
He had done the same during his "Friends" audition.
It became clear that Eva, though inexperienced, relied heavily on instinct in her performance. Her portrayal was deeply personal, with the scene blending seamlessly with the aura she had displayed during lunch.
This didn't surprise Anson.
After all, Eva wasn't known for her exceptional acting skills. Despite her muse-like presence in various artistic films, she was often seen as a perfect symbol of sensuality.
"Kingdom of Heaven," "Casino Royale," "Sin City 2," "The Golden Compass," and so on.
Mysterious and unique, vivid and stunning, her image had become a symbol. Even in the future, as Anson knew, she hadn't made much of a breakthrough in acting.
But that's the point—Eva's chameleon-like quality made her consistently captivating on screen, even if she was often playing a version of herself.
Perhaps the only question was whether Eva fit the role of Kayla.
However, Marcia seemed somewhat disappointed.