...Anson Wood?
That's Anson?
Just like the rumors say, simply sitting there, he captures everyone's attention without even trying. So, whose design is that forest green sweater?
Wait, no, stop! Focus! Get your thoughts back on track!
Grant could hardly believe his eyes. His brain was in a fog as he hurriedly and carefully tiptoed across the wooden floor, trying to avoid making any creaky noises as he stealthily approached his colleagues who had arrived at the set ahead of him.
Some of them he recognized, some he didn't.
But right now, Grant didn't have time for greetings. He quickly exchanged a glance with them, his eyes saying all he needed to say.
"What's going on?"
He spoke in a low voice, maintaining a smile, though his words were forced out through gritted teeth. He kept his tone flat, not daring to raise his voice for fear of disturbing the 'dinosaur' in the room.
However...
The four people next to him exchanged worried glances, just as confused as Grant. It was clear they didn't have the answers either.
One of them whispered as quietly as possible.
"I have the key. When I came to unlock the door, he was already sitting cross-legged outside the apartment. He even asked me, 'Is this the set of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?'"
"Imagine how I felt. I nearly wet my pants on the spot."
"I don't even remember how I responded. All I recall is him grinning and saying, 'Good thing I found the right place.'"
And then?
Grant pressed for more details.
The guy looked bewildered, swallowed nervously, and shook his head repeatedly.
Even now, his mind was still a jumbled mess, and he hadn't fully processed what happened.
Picture it: on the first day at a new company, the big boss shows up first, and all the new employees arrive late. What do you do?
Sure, the Eternal Sunshine crew had plenty of stars, but Anson's recent rise to fame had been meteoric. He even turned down the Oscars to work on this project. No one could ignore his presence; the entire crew was buzzing with curiosity about this breakout star.
Now that Anson was here, it was as if a giant Buddha had arrived.
So, what now?
As everyone exchanged anxious glances, Anson's voice broke the silence.
"Really, don't mind me. I'm not a Dementor."
"I was just worried I'd get lost and be late on the first day of filming, so I showed up a little early. I just didn't time my grand entrance right. I was hoping to make a big, dramatic appearance at the last minute."
"You all have your jobs to do, so go ahead and get on with them. No need to pay any attention to me."
He paused, then lifted his gaze from the script resting on his lap. The firelight reflected in his bright eyes, making them gleam.
"…Or, if I'm in the way here, I can wait outside. I don't want to disturb your work."
With that, Anson began to stand up.
Grant panicked immediately. "No, no, no! Don't!"
He shook his head vigorously, waving his hands in a frantic, full-body display of refusal.
Just imagine the scene: other crew members arrive at the apartment and find Anson sitting outside, looking like an abandoned stray cat. Half the crew would probably have a collective meltdown.
Grant wasn't the only one. The others were also shaking their heads wildly.
Anson couldn't help but smile at the scene.
He really meant it, though.
In his past life, he had worked on film sets for a long time. If an actor was in the way, it could be quite annoying, and during breaks, crew members would inevitably gather to gossip or vent.
For the crew, it was best when actors just focused on their performance and stayed in the dressing room, out of the way. That made things run smoothly.
Now, it seemed Anson had become the unwelcome distraction.
Anson realized that he hadn't fully thought this through.
Yes, he was genuinely worried about getting lost and being late—that part was true. But there was another reason. He had specifically taken the train to Long Island, declining Noah's offer to drive him directly to the set.
In the movie, Joel and Clementine commuted between Manhattan and Long Island by train, making the train an important backdrop.
This whole project had been full of surprises, and Anson hadn't had much time to prepare before diving into the production. He figured he could use today's opportunity to experience a bit of Joel's daily life.
First, he wanted to feel what it was like to commute as a regular worker.
Second, he hoped to observe the atmosphere of a daily train commute and the mood of the passengers.
But now, it seemed he had considered one side and completely overlooked the other.
Anson chuckled to himself.
Looking at the anxious faces in front of him, Anson swallowed the rest of his explanation. Whether he stayed silent and tried to blend in or left to give the crew more space, the solution was simple.
In just a little while, the director or the other actors would arrive, or more crew members would show up, and the atmosphere would naturally ease up.
But for now?
Anson motioned toward the door. "I'll just step outside for a smoke."
He didn't wait for Grant or the others to respond. Grabbing his windproof down jacket, he walked straight out of the apartment. From behind, he could clearly hear everyone letting out a collective sigh of relief as they bustled around, their tension finally breaking.
Heh.
Anson let out a small, helpless laugh.
So this was what they meant by the "superstar aura."
Once your fame and status in the industry reach a certain level, a distance begins to form. A silent, invisible atmosphere pushes others away, whether you intend it or not.
It's lonely at the top.
He had heard about this before, but he hadn't expected it to happen to him so soon.
As he pushed open the door to the first floor, a gust of cold wind, mixed with moisture, hit him in the face. The biting chill seeped into his bones, causing him to instinctively curl up. Reflexively, he glanced back, longing for the warmth of the apartment.
His steps faltered briefly, but he eventually moved forward, stepping into the light drizzle.
In the original owner's memory, this was just a typical day in New York.
New York was windy, and even on rainy days, people didn't often use umbrellas.
It wasn't that they didn't want to or were trying to look cool. The wind could easily flip an umbrella inside out, leaving you soaked anyway. Plus, carrying an umbrella could increase wind resistance, leading to unnecessary danger.
So unless it was a heavy downpour, people usually just walked straight through the rain.
At times like this, a windproof, waterproof jacket became essential.
Since arriving here, Anson had been living in Los Angeles, and he had almost forgotten what this kind of day felt like. It was nice to get back into the rhythm of things before filming began.
Smoke?
No, no. What he needed now wasn't a cigarette break, but a piping hot cup of cocoa.
He remembered seeing a few cafés when he came from the station.
Pulling his hood up and hunching his shoulders, Anson headed toward the station through the misty rain, just like Joel from Long Island.
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American TV Series: Young Sheldon mike edition