There's no such thing as a free lunch, especially in Hollywood.
Charlie had long since seen through Anson's tricks but hadn't called him out. The main reason was because the conversation was entertaining, with bursts of creativity making it all the more enjoyable.
He couldn't help but look at Anson in a new light.
And now, once again, Anson had surprised him.
Charlie didn't say a word, just looked at Anson, who remained unfazed, giving a slight shrug. "Looks like I still need to work harder. My recognition isn't high enough yet."
Seamlessly, Anson transitioned from self-praise to self-deprecation, effortlessly switching between the two.
Then.
Anson turned to meet Charlie's gaze. "So, does this mean you've also heard of my name? Even a screenwriter locked away busy with scripts has heard of me. Does this mean I'm officially in the running now?"
Confident, honest, and straightforward.
Charlie was somewhat surprised. These qualities—long since abandoned, scorned, and even attacked in Hollywood—were still found in Anson.
Given the recent buzz, it was even rarer.
Charlie cracked a playful smile. "If Anson Wood isn't in the running, then I honestly don't know who else could be."
"Jim Carrey? Nicolas Cage? Tom Cruise?" Anson began counting on his fingers.
When Anson said the last name, he and Charlie exchanged a glance and then looked over at Nicole nearby. Smiles crept onto both their faces, almost bursting into laughter.
Charlie relaxed completely—
Truth be told, his stomach had been in knots just moments ago, and he couldn't quite tell if it was from nerves, hunger, or the anxiety of stepping out from his small room into the chaotic, bustling crowd. In any case, it felt like there was a small flame burning inside his gut.
But now, he felt it ease.
The chaotic, dark thoughts drifting in his mind returned to his head. Naturally, Charlie looked at Anson with curiosity, "Are you interested in dreams too?"
"Of course," Anson nodded.
This time, Anson wasn't joking, showing a hint of sincerity.
"Or rather, I'm interested in escaping reality. Isn't that what filmmaking is? Building a world based on reality, allowing us to briefly escape, step into another character's shoes, explore the unknown, explore life. And when the movie ends, we return to reality, ending the fantasy."
"When we look at reality again, there's always some kind of change."
"I think it's interesting."
Charlie gently lifted his chin. Actors and screenwriters do view things from different angles, but what was more interesting was, "You're a 'glass half-full' kind of person."
In the "half glass of water" analogy, some see "only half left," which is pessimistic, while others see "half still there," which is optimistic.
Though it's not absolute, it does provide a glimpse into a person's outlook and attitude.
Charlie belonged to the former, a pessimist, even dark and despairing; whereas Anson seemed to belong to the latter...?
Hearing Charlie's comment, Anson chuckled softly, "I'm working on it."
In essence, Anson was actually like Charlie, a pessimist. The experiences from his past life were so profound that he dared not hope. If that hope were extinguished, he might fall into an even darker abyss. Over time, he became accustomed to walking in pessimism.
But now, in this second life, Anson was trying to change himself.
He wanted to face his past with ease, embrace it openly, not let it haunt him, and enjoy the present, seizing every moment in front of him.
Charlie pondered. A simple sentence carried so much complexity and depth, something only someone who had truly experienced darkness could appreciate.
Charlie's curiosity was piqued—
Anson Wood. The media, Hollywood rumors, and the big screen all presented many different faces of him, forming a stereotype. Yet, beneath that glamorous exterior was a soul of depth and breadth.
Like Marilyn Monroe.
Just as Charlie was about to speak, to dig deeper, the view before him suddenly opened up:
The banquet hall had arrived.
Through the wide-open doors, the noise and luxury inside were instantly visible—fine clothes, clinking glasses, the atmosphere of an awards ceremony in full swing.
A quick glance, and Charlie could see the peripheral glances of those socialites, always watching the entrances, ready to react. Seeing the combination of Charlie and Anson, many people were ready to make a move.
Charlie knew this wasn't the best place to continue the conversation.
A bit regrettably.
Charlie was gathering his thoughts, but to his surprise, this time, Anson spoke first.
With a graceful turn, Anson faced Charlie and extended his right hand. "Wood. Anson Wood."
Was this... a self-introduction?
Charlie was stunned. Didn't they already know each other?
Raising his head, Charlie looked at Anson. In those eyes, there was a light smile, but also infinite depth. Suddenly, Charlie understood.
The Anson Wood standing before him wasn't the Anson Wood everyone knew.
But what is real?
That, they would have to find out for themselves. This introduction was an invitation—an invitation to become friends.
Charlie's smile naturally widened. He liked this young man. "Charlie Kaufman."
Charlie grasped Anson's right hand. "Were you imitating James Bond just now?"
Anson shook his head. "I don't drink martinis."
"Haha." Charlie couldn't hold back, laughing out loud.
But Anson didn't linger, releasing his hand, turning, and stepping into the banquet hall first.
Charlie stood in place, needing a moment to digest—
Anson hadn't hidden his motive. He had approached Charlie purely because of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and it was strictly for work-related socializing.
But the key point was, Anson displayed openness and sincerity. That in itself set him apart. And Charlie couldn't help but reflect on their earlier conversation about dreams. Those dreams were real, the struggles were real, and the connection between Charlie and Anson was equally real.
Suddenly, everything became more interesting, didn't it?
Wait.
Charlie noticed a figure, collected his thoughts, made a sharp turn, and quietly slipped away, retreating from the crowd, blending into the shadows.
From afar, Anthony spotted Charlie slipping away and spread his hands in innocence.
Unlike Charlie, Anson stepped right into the spotlight, immediately feeling the burning, intense gazes from all directions.
It seemed that in the brief time he and Charlie had been chatting, news from the red carpet had reached the banquet hall, and the evening's first hot topic had quietly emerged.
However, something was slightly off.
Though Anson was the subject of whispered discussions and the focus of everyone's gazes, no one approached him. No one broke the ice.
So, Anson stood there like an elephant in the circus, becoming the center of attention, making him feel like he should start rolling a ball or jumping through a ring of fire.
The atmosphere was subtly awkward.
In the crowd, Anson could feel a sharp, intense gaze. Instinctively, he looked over and immediately saw Brad Pitt towering above.
It was clear that the look in Pitt's eyes wasn't very friendly.