Model to Holywood

"Last week, South Carolina was hit by an Atlantic cyclone, experiencing heavy rains. The Charleston Port was affected, and many buildings were damaged. However, according to the latest report from the weather bureau, South Carolina will enjoy clear skies for the next month."

"Recently, the film *Monster*, directed by famous Hollywood director Patty Jenkins and starring renowned actress Charlize Theron, has been filming in South Carolina. The film is based on the story of Aileen Wuornos, America's first female serial killer."

Around two in the afternoon, Luca ordered an iced coffee at a café outside Charleston Airport, quietly reading the local newspaper.

Half an hour earlier, he and Tony had arrived at the airport, but the crew's greeter hadn't arrived yet, so they had to wait.

"Luca, the crew is here!"

About ten minutes later, Tony walked in with someone. The man was in his twenties, short, with darker skin and a hint of Latin American heritage.

"Hello, Mr. Kelly, I'm Hall, the crew's greeter. Sorry for being late," the young man named Hall said, stepping forward.

"No problem."

Luca shook his hand and asked, "Can we leave now?"

"Yes, your luggage is already in the car."

"Thanks!"

The three of them left the café together.

The sun outside was blindingly bright. Under the fierce sun, the sky held only a few wisps of cloud, like strips of tissue paper. Squinting into the distance, the air seemed to shimmer as if something was burning, with faint waves, almost like water ripples, but on closer inspection, it felt like an illusion. Still, there was a constant smell of something burnt, making the atmosphere somewhat unsettling.

"Luca, do you want to sit in the front or the back?" Tony asked as he opened the door of a Chevrolet pickup truck, which had two rows of seats but wasn't very spacious.

"I'll sit in the back."

Luca got into the back seat.

"Alright!"

Tony and Hall sat in the front, and the car slowly started. The burnt smell in the air grew stronger.

The car left the airport avenue, heading south quickly.

The crew of *The Notebook* was staying in a small town called Ashley.

This film is based on Nicholas Sparks' novel *The Notebook*, which topped *The New York Times* best-seller list.

In the original novel, the story takes place in a town called Creek in North Carolina, but Ashley was chosen for the filming due to its more scenic beauty.

In the backseat, Luca leaned back lazily, sending updates to Kate and Lima while also listening to the conversation in the front.

"Hall, are the actors staying in town or in the city?" Tony asked.

"In town. There's a four-star hotel there."

"A four-star hotel in town?"

"Yes, Charleston is one of the most famous vacation spots in the south. Every spring and summer, countless rich people and celebrities come here to vacation.

"See those vacation villas? Each one costs at least $500,000, and those are the cheaper ones. The ones near the Charleston Port cost at least $1 million.

"And Ashley, where we're filming, is a famous vacation town. It has many tourists every year, with seven or eight star-rated hotels."

"Really?"

Tony stuck his head out to look and asked, "Do the assistants get separate rooms?"

"Yes, it's all arranged."

"Haha, that's good to hear!"

Tony breathed a sigh of relief.

Luca shook his head and continued messaging Kate. Suddenly, Tony exclaimed.

"Wow! It's beautiful!"

Curious, Luca looked up and realized the car had already left the city and arrived by a lakeside.

The lake was vast, stretching far into the distance.

Under the blazing sun, two white boats floated slowly on the water, and near the shore, there was a flock of ducks, white waterfowl, and even some beavers visible.

Surrounding the lake was a large forest.

In the summer, the trees were lush, providing a cool shade, hiding luxurious villas, tall churches, and sanatoriums.

As Luca took in the view, he couldn't help but imagine a movie scene — the sun setting, the male lead rowing a boat on the lake, the red sunset coloring the water. The boat seemed to glide through wine, while the reeds on the shore gently swayed with the breeze, and white seagulls occasionally flew overhead, creating a perfect picture.

"We're almost there!"

The driver, Hall, called out, snapping them back to reality. The car entered a bustling vacation town — Ashley, where the crew's set was located.

The small town spanned dozens of kilometers, with wide streets, uniquely styled buildings, a retro amusement park, and a busy lakeside dock.

"Filming here is like being on vacation," Tony said, rubbing his chin, grinning.

"Yeah, see those bars with the six-colored flags?"

Hall winked playfully.

"Yeah, what about them?" Tony asked, confused.

"Don't you know?"

Hall glanced at Tony's bright outfit. "Those places are gay havens. Charleston is a gay paradise, with lots of people finding true love here."

"Stop!!"

Suddenly, Tony shouted, his face turning red. "I'm not gay, and I'm not interested in gay havens."

"Uh... you're not?"

Hall looked a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, Tony. I didn't know. Forgive me for the slip-up."

"Hmph!"

Tony turned away, annoyed.

Luca couldn't help but laugh. Tony did look flamboyant today.

Red short hair, a low-cut T-shirt, tight white pants, with eyeshadow and lip gloss, smelling of perfume. His look was misleading, so it wasn't surprising people misunderstood.

"We're here!"

The car stopped at the center of town, in front of a garden hotel. The eight-story hotel had an elegant, lavish design with a 1930s vibe, a bit retro but matching the town's artistic charm.

As Luca got out of the car and was about to grab his luggage, a voice called out from afar.

"Hey, Luca!"

A tall, thin man with a beard stood at the fountain in front of the hotel, waving. He wore a dirty, old white shirt, popular in the 1940s and 50s.

"Ryan, what are you doing here?"

Luca put down his suitcase and walked over to hug him. His clothes were soaking wet — he must have been playing in the fountain.

Ryan Gosling laughed. "Luca, I knew you'd be here around this time, so I waited for you. Am I a good friend or what?"

"Yes, thanks!"

"Ryan, get in the car! We have to go!" 

A small bus pulled out of the parking lot, and a familiar-looking woman leaned out of the window, shouting.

"Uh..."

Ryan hesitated for a second, then smiled. "Luca, I have to head to the set. I'll buy you a drink tonight."

Luca smiled, glancing at the bus. "Mind if I come along?"

"Oh, of course!" Ryan waved. "Come on, I'll introduce you to the crew."

"Thanks!"

Luca climbed aboard the crew's bus.