98 Drake

In the CEO office of New York's Bellevue Hospital, CEO Gary received news that piqued his curiosity. The hospital's development director excitedly informed him of a surprise donation – $200,000 earmarked specifically for the cancer ward's young patients.

"LK Charity? That name doesn't ring a bell," Gary remarked to his secretary, who confirmed she hadn't heard of them either. Intrigued, yet mindful of procedure, Gary directed the funds to the appropriate department. The money, clearly designated for young patients battling cancer, offered much-needed flexibility.

While $200,000 could potentially support 2-3 young patients battling cancer for a year, it was obviously wouldn't be enough for the entire group. However, Bellevue Hospital's charitable nature meant it regularly received donations from various organizations, allowing them to accumulate funds and comprehensively support the young cancer patients. LK Charity's contribution, while unexpected, was a welcome addition to the ongoing efforts.

Gary, as someone who have a child with cancer in the past, was deeply moved by LK Charity's generosity. He understood the immense impact such a donation could have on these families battling a difficult illness.

---

[Los Angeles]

The wheels of Lucas's plane kissed the Los Angeles tarmac, the California sun warmly welcoming him. Stepping out of the airport, he flagged a taxi, eager to reach his destination. As he settled into the backseat, a jolt of recognition ran through him.

"Shawn?" he exclaimed, surprise etching his face.

The burly driver chuckled, "Lucas! Thought you wouldn't recognize me, sir."

A warm smile spread across Lucas's face. He hadn't seen Shawn in months, yet their last encounter, where he'd generously offered Lucas his contact card, felt strangely fresh. The following drive was filled with friendly banter.

"How's life treating you, man?" Lucas asked, settling into the comfortable rhythm of the conversation.

"Not bad," Shawn replied, steering the taxi through the city's road. "Still chasing fares, same as always."

The conversation continued smoothly. As they neared Lucas's destination, Shawn's offer resurfaced.

"Lucas," he said, a touch of seriousness in his voice, "my offer still stands. You need a personal driver, you know who to call."

Lucas considered the offer, appreciating Shawn's loyalty. "I appreciate it, man. But honestly, I'm not that big a deal yet."

Shawn laughed heartily. "Big deal? You're an actor, aren't you? Don't sell yourself short!"

Lucas grinned, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Not exactly A-list yet, but maybe someday."

They exchanged a few more words before Lucas reached his destination. As he stepped out, he turned back, a smile playing on his lips. "I'll keep your offer in mind, Shawn. Thanks for the ride."

Shawn waved with a smile. "Anytime, buddy. Anytime."

The encounter left a lingering warmth in Lucas's heart as he walked towards the audition location.

***

The Los Angeles sun beat down on Lucas as he navigated the bustling streets, his destination: a quaint cafe where he was to meet Drake Doremus, the indie director.

As he entered the cafe, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries greeted him. The space buzzed with conversation and the rhythmic clatter of cups and spoons. Lucas scanned the room, his eyes searching Drake. And then, there he was, Drake Doremus, nestled in a corner booth, Lucas approached.

Before Lucas could muster a greeting, Drake's eyes met his. "Lucas Knight?" he boomed, his voice tinged with surprise.

Lucas, slightly stunned that the director recognized him despite being relatively freshed face actor, replied, "That's me."

Doremus flashed a light smile. "Nice to meet you. I'm Drake Doremus, the director of this little project."

Lucas chuckled, appreciating the lightheartedness. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Doremus."

"No formalities here," Drake waved a hand dismissively. "Call me Drake, and I'll call you Lucas."

Lucas replied, "Alright, Drake," he said, his voice gaining a touch of confidence.

A warm chuckle escaped Drake's lips, momentarily dispelling the initial tension. "Well, Lucas," he remarked, his voice genuine, "you're even more handsome in person."

Lucas let out a surprised laugh. "Really? You're the first person who's ever said that."

Drake chuckled again, feigning mock offense. "Come on, man, you're practically radiating charm," he teased.

As they continued their conversation, Drake couldn't help but steal glances at Lucas, discreetly observing him. He noted the young man's youthful features, the undeniable charisma that radiated from him. While Lucas's blonde hair and blue eyes contrasted with the dark-haired Jacob envisioned in the script, something about him resonated with Drake. Lucas's performance in "127 Hours" remained etched in his mind, a testament to the raw intensity and depth he could bring to a role.

After a while of lighthearted banter, Lucas delved into the script for "Like Crazy." "Don't take this the wrong way, Drake," he began cautiously, "but I found the script a little rough around the edges. It felt like it could benefit from some improvisation."

Drake readily nodded in agreement. "You're absolutely right," he admitted, a hint of sheepishness in his voice. "Honestly, I envision the cast having a lot of freedom to improvise within the scene framework." He chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Budget constraints, you know? Couldn't afford a whole team of writers."

Lucas's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're saying you're open to on-the-spot improvisation during filming?"

Drake smiled, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Yeah, I want the film to feel raw and authentic, and I trust my actors to bring their own unique takes to the characters."

Lucas was genuinely interested. He'd relied heavily on the Mind Workshop, a training method that had served him well in his career, particularly for "127 Hours." There, the intense focus on Aron's solitary confinement had been perfectly mirrored by the Workshop's internal simulations. But "Like Crazy" was different. It wasn't a one-man show; it demanded a nuanced portrayal of Jacob's complex emotions, something the Workshop, with its focus on individual characters, struggled to capture.

Lucas realized the crux of the issue. The Workshop excelled at creating internally consistent characters, but it lacked the fluidity of real human emotions. His training as Jacob had yielded a believable individual, but something crucial was missing - love. The Mind Workshop's Anna, while true to the script, couldn't replicate the genuine, messy, and ever-evolving love that defined Jacob's relationship.

It was clear, Lucas needed more than intricate character constructs. He needed to grasp the messy, contradictory, and ever-shifting nature of real human connection, particularly romantic love.