Daniel spoke every word with force, a brilliant light flashing between his brows: "Since Kendrick was ordered that Santiago must not be touched, then why was he transferred? Colonel?" When his words went unanswered by Colonel Jessep, Daniel pressed on: "Kendrick issued the Code Red because you ordered him to do so." Amid the prosecution's objections, Daniel's momentum only grew, relentlessly building his case: "Then you made them the scapegoats." His tone quiet, each word landed like a thousand-pound hammer, shattering Jessep's defenses: "Your orders cost a life, yet you feel no remorse; you forged transfer orders, and you falsified the flight logs." Daniel's full force stood before Jessep like a towering mountain, and the colonel felt the full weight of that pressure. Despite the judge and prosecution attempting to stop him, Daniel bulldozed on, each sentence a hammer blow that silenced the entire courtroom: "Colonel, did you order the Code Red to be enforced?"
The judge deemed Daniel in contempt and said Jessep didn't have to answer but Jessep, furious at Daniel's insolence, burst out: "I will answer! You want the answer?"
"I have the right!" Daniel snapped back, charging forward like hitting a wall.
"You want the answer?"
"I want the truth!"
They traded blows of words, relentless force against force hard confrontation with sparks flying. Voices echoed in the courtroom, everyone held their breath not unwilling, but unable. The courtroom witnessed a clash of titans, Daniel and Colonel Jessep locked in battle.
"You can't handle that truth!" Jessep unleashed his full power, glaring like a vulture eyeing carrion: "Kid, the world we live in needs people with weapons guarding the borders. Who's going to guard? You? Or you, Lieutenant Weinberg?" His righteous military tone thundered: "My responsibility is far greater than you can imagine."
Jessep pressed hard, but Daniel stood firm gritted teeth, tightened facial muscles, unwavering eyes staring down Jessep, unafraid as waves crashed around him. The glare in his eyes was nearly blinding.
"You cry for Santiago, yet torment these Marines," Jessep spat through clenched teeth. "You're lucky you don't have to know what I know! Santiago's death was tragic, but it may have saved more lives. As for how I exist—it's strange and incomprehensible to you, but it saves lives!"
Moving forward, Jessep pressed down on Daniel with iron military will, ramping up his intensity: "You don't want to face this truth because in your unspoken subconscious, you need me to defend the home front. You want me to defend the home front!" His pride radiated. "We live by dignity, discipline, loyalty values we defend with our lives. Yet you treat them like a joke."
Daniel not only failed to retreat his resolve only intensified. His amber eyes clear and focused; he could see Jessep's furious snarl and met it head-on.
"I have neither time nor interest in explaining to someone like you, who sleeps soundly under the free bed I provided, yet questions the freedom I provided!" Jessep leaned forward, spittle flying, voice echoing through the courtroom, shaking every listener. Daniel, taking all that force, felt like a small boat in a storm, near collapse: "I suggest you say thank you and get lost! Or I suggest you grab a weapon and stand guard. Otherwise don't expect me to grant your supposed rights!" Each word was a dagger of malice, aimed ruthlessly at Daniel.
But Daniel remained unshakeable. He stepped forward again and grit his teeth: "Did you order the Code Red to be enforced?"
"I bear a grave responsibility…" Jessep rasped, but was cut off by Daniel, who strode in and shouted each word like a storm: "Did you order the enforcement of the Code Red?"
"Damn it, yes, I did!" Jessep roared like an enraged lion.
Silence engulfed the courtroom. Not a sound one could even faintly hear the cameras rolling.
This was shock. Pure shock.
Watching Hugo and Jack clash was nearly breath-taking; their direct confrontation had sparks flying. They embodied aura, skill, and scene partnership.
Jack portrayed Colonel Jessep's stubbornness, arrogance, force, cruelty, and fanaticism to perfection. But young, inexperienced Hugo stunned everyone he wove trap after trap through his words and tactics, cornering his opponent step by step. His use of speech, expression, movement, and posture made Daniel vivid.
And facing Jack's ferocious performance, Hugo never lost his rhythm. He didn't mimic Jack; instead, he opposed him. His presence, immense yet understated, used smart precision to stand unbowed and forced Jack into Hugo's mode, sending the scene's climax soaring.
That nearly thirty-second head‑to‑head wall‑impact showdown let both actors bring their roles to full intensity. At that moment they ceased to be actors. Everyone was drawn into the story, awestruck. "Appreciate"—that's the perfect word. "Savor"—that's the sole feeling each crew member shared.
Not just observers the two actors themselves felt it more deeply.
Jack's reaction to Hugo's performance could only be described as amazed. If Jack had previously reserved judgment on Hugo's talent, after this scene he applauded him again.
Fast and slow, tense and relaxed, delicate and precise, perfectly controlled, accessible yet profound Hugo's interpretation of Daniel in this scene absolutely reached a pinnacle. If Hugo can keep this level of performance going, he's not just a talented actor he's a truly outstanding one. It shows just how exceptional Hugo's gift is.
Jack believed that his friend Al had completely underestimated Hugo.
At the same time, Hugo also gained immensely from this scene. He truly brought out all the "eighteen skills" currently in his arsenal, pushing his understanding of acting to a breakthrough. The so-called "interpreting a character" is actually about grasping the essence of the role through personal understanding, and then presenting that insight in one's own way expressions, gestures, dialogue, and more all serve as means to bring the role to life.
Just now, during the performance, Hugo intentionally emphasized his gaze, using the firmness in his eyes and brow to oppose Jack. The turbulent emotions within were fully channeled through his speech, and the final performance allowed Hugo to truly feel, for the first time, the magic of acting.
But beyond his own performance, the greatest gain for Hugo came from going head-to-head with Jack. During the scene, Jack's eyes seemed as if they could speak. Even without lines, a single glance from Jack was enough to convey his inner turmoil. This kind of acting didn't feel forced; it had a natural ease, as if it was simply "meant to be." In Jack's eyes, Hugo could see his own reflection but more than that, he saw a younger, more inexperienced version of himself.
In that moment of sudden realization, Hugo not only felt himself breaking through a bottleneck and truly entering a new acting state, but he also saw a door opening before him one that led to a world of exquisite acting. The brilliance of that world left him longing to enter.
Everyone on set was left speechless, dumbfounded by the combined impact of Hugo and Jack's performance. Almost no one could respond effectively. At that moment, the clearest thought in many minds was: they had been worried Hugo would collapse in front of Jack? That was a total joke. Hugo had just delivered a near-perfect performance that slapped every doubter squarely in the face.
Thinking back to not long ago, when Hugo had already impressed everyone during a rehearsal, today's performance had gone beyond just being "impressive." The lingering shock was so powerful, many people even felt their jaws aching.
"Cut!" Even director Robert was dazed for a moment. He knew Hugo was good otherwise he wouldn't have cast him but Hugo's performance just now still startled Robert. Not only was the entire scene done in one take, but it also delivered an extraordinary performance, lifting the whole scene by two levels in quality. This was… an enormous surprise.
After regaining his voice, Robert immediately stood up with his familiar smile, applauding Hugo and Jack's brilliant performance and repeatedly exclaiming, "Brilliant! Brilliant!"
...
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