Model to Holywood

Noon, Manhattan, New York.

"How has Tony been doing recently?"

In the coffee room at Ford Models, Ed placed down two cups of coffee and asked.

Luca shrugged. "He's better suited to be a makeup artist."

"Should we pick someone new?" Ed suggested.

"No need. I don't have much work right now. Having an assistant who can do makeup isn't bad," Luca said with a slight, melancholic smile.

Ed studied his face for a moment. "You've changed a lot since coming back."

"Have I?"

Luca glanced at the cigarette in his hand, biting his lip before sighing. "Maybe. Acting isn't as fun as I thought it would be. At first, I just wanted to play around, not caring about skill, box office, or fame. But somehow, I got serious and ended up on a real acting path. Now, I'm like this."

Ed frowned. "I have a friend who's a therapist. Should I set up an appointment?"

"No need. I just pushed too hard while acting—big highs and lows. Stopping suddenly feels strange. I'm adjusting. I'll be fine in a couple of days."

He smiled mischievously. "Besides, don't you think I'm more attractive like this?"

Ed scoffed. "Not really. I just think you're being dramatic."

"Cough~" Luca choked on his cigarette and laughed. "You don't have to say it out loud! How am I supposed to maintain my brooding mystique? Look at those girls over there—they've been sneaking glances at me, eyes full of stars. They're clearly captivated by my melancholic aura, totally falling for me. I bet if I crooked my finger, I could take them out."

"Sure. And I bet Lima's got her baseball bat ready. Want to test that?"

"You!" Luca pointed at him. "How am I supposed to enjoy working with you?"

Ed shrugged, opening a folder. "Speaking of work, let's talk about upcoming gigs. Durex wants you as their brand ambassador."

Luca blinked. "You're taking on ads like that? You short on cash?"

Ed blinked back. "Didn't you once say, 'Money is everything. If the price is right, anything goes'?"

Smack.

Luca sighed. "I was young and naive back then. Thinking it over, I'm a former Brazilian national footballer, the brother of a famous author, and a future superstar. I should be more serious about my reputation."

"Yes, it's time to start caring," Ed said with a big grin, flipping a page. "In that case, I assume you won't accept the invitation to those rich women's parties."

"What kind of rich women are we talking about?"

"Fees range from 50k to 100k, with trips to Hawaii for three days, or the Maldives for seven."

"Forget it! My back's still not healed. I can't handle rich ladies."

Ed smiled again, flipping another page. "Fashion season's coming up. There will be a lot of fashion parties. Interested?"

"Do they pay?"

"Nope."

Ed shook his head. "Fashion parties are about networking—meeting designers and execs to land new endorsements. They don't pay; in fact, you need a PR agent to even get an invite."

"Then forget it. My goal now is to become a movie star," Luca said firmly.

"Got it!" Ed flipped another page. "Leonardo's new film *The Aviator* is looking for a sixth male lead. The company can get you a second audition. Interested?"

Luca thought for a moment, then smiled. "Leonardo's the investor, lead actor, and producer. With our relationship, can I skip to the third audition?"

"Alright, I'll leave it at that."

Ed closed the folder. "You can take a few days off. I'll contact you when there's more work."

"OK!" Luca nodded. "Ed, focus future work more on films. Also, keep an eye on the indie film scene—I'm really into art films these days."

"Got it."

Leaving the office, Luca wandered aimlessly through the streets of Manhattan, taking in the sights. 

It was a bright, sunny noon. Summer in Manhattan offered beautiful scenery everywhere—not to mention the lush trees and flowers in Madison Park, or the koi fish in Bryant Park. But it was the girls on the streets that caught his attention, all with long, bare legs—black, white, black-and-white, white-and-black, and some with a hint of wicked allure.

"This is outrageous," Luca muttered, casting a critical eye as he walked.

When he reached the street in front of the public library, his car was stopped. A sign was posted: "Film crew ahead, road closed for three days from 10 AM to 6 PM."

"Filming?" Luca stopped his car and, curious, walked toward the crowd, seeing people lining up.

"Hey! No cutting. Get in line!" someone grumbled at him.

Luca adjusted his glasses. "Are they filming here?"

"No, they're casting extras. Can't you read the sign?" A burly man said irritably.

Luca finally noticed the notice: The film crew for *The Day After Tomorrow* was filming and needed extras over the next few days.

"Are you signing up?" a staff member asked.

"How much does it pay?" Luca asked with interest.

"Fifty dollars a day for regular extras, 100-200 for featured extras depending on the role. After the audition, we'll decide on payment. Want to join?"

Luca thought about it. He had nothing better to do, and earning some pocket money didn't sound bad.

"I'll do it."

"Are you a celebrity?" the staffer hesitated after looking him over.

Luca smiled. "Who do I look like?"

The staffer studied him but didn't recognize him, handing him a number and an information card before walking away.

Luca shrugged. Not long ago, he thought he was pretty famous, known by everyone in America. But after spending time in L.A. and Charleston, he realized the name "Luca" barely registered with anyone. He wasn't even as well-known as assassin Irene.

Turns out, New York was no different. This made him recognize a truth: there's a vast difference between media-hyped stars and those truly recognized by audiences.

To become a big star like Britney Spears, Tom Cruise, or Jennifer Aniston was no easy task. Luca couldn't help but admire them. Their success wasn't just luck or timing; it involved countless struggles, challenges, and setbacks.

Just like the emotional ups and downs he experienced after filming, those stars likely faced similar difficulties. But they overcame them.

Nobody succeeds by accident.

"It's your turn!"

The line moved quickly, and soon it was Luca's turn for the audition.

The staff member handed him his information card. "Why didn't you fill this out? Hurry up."

"Thanks!"

Luca took a pen and looked at the card. "Do I need to fill this out honestly?"

"Yes, sir," the staffer said flatly.

Luca hesitated but eventually filled it out—name, SSN, occupation, acting experience, and whether he was a registered union actor, along with his registration number.

"OK!"

After handing in the card, he was brought into the audition room two minutes later. Five desks lined up in a row, with two people behind each desk. Five people auditioned at a time, and almost everyone was chosen. They were just selecting featured extras.

"You're a union actor?" One of the interviewers frowned, looking at his card.

"Yes. Is that a problem?"

Union actors' wages are 30% higher than non-union, and many film crews avoid hiring them, especially for extras.

"Sorry, we don't have any roles suitable for you."

The interviewer said with regret.

Luca smirked, not surprised.

"Wait!"

As he was about to take back his card, someone next to him adjusted their glasses. "Are you Mr. Luca Kelly?"

"Yes." Luca raised his eyebrow.

The man took his card and smiled. "Mr. Kelly, why are you interested in being an extra here?"

"I heard *The Day After Tomorrow* is a great movie. If I could get a part, even as an extra, it would be fun."

"Haha, Mr. Kelly, you're quite the character," the man chuckled, stamping his card.

"Mr. Kelly, you're in."

"Thanks. When do we start filming?"

"Right away!"

The man stood up. "Follow me, please!"

"Thanks."

That afternoon, the film set was bustling with activity. Hundreds of cars were scattered across the street, with hundreds of people standing around, listening to instructions. Some were on car roofs, others inside cars, and still others perched on buildings.

It was chaotic, like a disaster scene.

Luca glanced around and quickly figured out the plot. The main character's son ran from school to seek shelter in the New York Public Library. Floodwaters engulfed New York, trapping countless people in the streets.

"Hello, Mr. Kelly. I'm assistant director Claude Brevig. Welcome to the set."

Once on set, a man with a megaphone approached and shook his hand.

"Thanks. So, Mr. Brevig, what should I do?"

"Emm..."

Brevig hesitated. In terms of fame, Mr. Kelly wasn't any less known than the two leads.

"Please wait a moment!"

Mr. Brevig found two people to discuss something, then came back with someone holding a script.

"Mr. Kelly, you're playing a husband coming home from work. When you see the flood, you're first terrified, then calm, and you kiss your wedding ring as you die. Is that okay?"

"No problem!"

Over an hour later, filming began.

Luca sat in a white BMW, wearing a gray twill suit, a tie, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and a small ring on his hand. His face had some light makeup, slightly concealing his handsome features. Overall, he looked like a man around thirty.

"Annie, what are you saying? I can't hear you, oh~ damn it, why is there no signal?"

Luca cursed loudly into his phone, clearly agitated.

"Mine's the same, fuck~ what's going on?"

The driver next to him also yelled.

"No, I have to go back. Today's Annie's birthday."

Luca forcefully honked the horn.

"Haha, buddy, it's useless. Even if you had a tank... Oh no, look over there!"

An extra beside him pointed and shouted between two tall buildings.

In the special effects, that's where the flood was rushing in.

"What?"

Luca looked up, his expression turning to pure terror. His handsome face was full of disbelief, and his dark eyes lost focus in an instant.

He nervously shook his head, mumbling to himself.

"No, no, it shouldn't be like this. I still need to celebrate Annie's birthday."

After a moment, he regained his composure, made the sign of the cross on his chest, kissed the ring on his ring finger, and closed his eyes. His body jerked backward as if being knocked over by the flood, his face and hair distorting.

"That was amazing!"

The assistant director couldn't help but praise him and turned to the stage manager, "Where did you find this extra? His acting is incredible! Just a few actions, and it's so moving."

The stage manager grinned slightly, "Steve, don't you think he looks familiar?"

"Familiar?"

"Luca Kelly, Britney's rumored boyfriend. Do you know him?"

"Him?"

The assistant director was surprised, "What's he doing here as an extra?"

The stage manager shook his head and laughed, "He said he liked this movie and wanted to play a role, no matter how big or small."

"Haha, what an interesting guy."

The assistant director glanced at the footage, "He did a good job, but the other extras' performances need some tweaking, like this one, this one, and that one."

"Got it!"

The stage manager grabbed a megaphone, "Attention, Group H actors! Extra #108, you need to look more terrified. #122, if you sneak glances at Luca again, I'm kicking you out. And #68..."

"Scene 45, Take 16, third time. Action!"