190 Encountering them again
While Lucas spent time with Jennifer and Felicity, he also took on the role of their guide around the city. They snapped photos at the Statue of Liberty before heading to Central Park for a picnic. As they enjoyed their time together, Lucas couldn't shake the feeling that a suspicious figure was trailing them.
Every now and then, Lucas would steal glances at the stranger, who was armed with a camera. A thought struck him suddenly: "Paparazzi!" It seemed almost too clear. The way the individual glanced around, attempting to look inconspicuous whenever Lucas's eyes met his, only added to Lucas's suspicion.
---
For Matt, it felt like fortune was on his side. He wandered through the bustling streets of New York City, hopeful that he might spot a celebrity going about their day like any other person.
New York City has always had a unique vibe. Despite its streets occasionally hosting celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio or other well-known actors and superstars, the locals often pass by without a second glance. Of course, exceptions exist, such as Michael Jackson, whose unparalleled fame made him almost impossible to ignore. Yet, since his passing, no one has quite reached the same level of universal recognition.
In essence, New York offers a sanctuary for celebrities who don't command the same global attention as Michael Jackson. It's a place where they can unwind, away from the constant glare of the spotlight, enjoying time with family and friends.
Matt, in his pursuit as a paparazzi, has crossed paths with several celebrities, though none of them held significant fame. In fact, if Matt weren't so deeply immersed in the world of celebrity spotting, he might not have recognized them at all.
Matt's luck seemed to be on an upswing when he stumbled upon three young actors, each rising in popularity and seemingly enjoying their time in New York without a care in the world. His eyes widened in recognition at the sight of two promising actresses, Jennifer Lawrence and Felicity Jones, and his excitement peaked at the sight of Lucas Knight.
Lucas Knight was particularly intriguing to Matt. With Lucas's indie film "127 Hours" on the brink of grossing $100 million and his debut album "Knight" gaining traction, his career was heating up. His role in the blockbuster "Inception" as Arthur had already earned him acclaim, and a clip of him singing "Perfect" on YouTube had gone viral, amassing 17 million views as fans confessed to replaying it incessantly.
"Jackpot," Matt thought, a thrill running through him. He quickly snapped a photo of Lucas, Jennifer, and Felicity as they posed with the Statue of Liberty in the background. Not wanting to lose this golden opportunity, Matt discreetly followed them to Central Park. There, the trio seemed to effortlessly switch gears, setting up for a picnic on the lush grass. Amidst the greenery, Lucas, Jennifer, and Felicity spread out a large, cozy blanket, unpacking a basket filled with an assortment of sandwiches, fruits, and refreshments. They laughed and chatted, fully immersed in their moment of relaxation and friendship, oblivious to the watchful eyes of Matt from a distance.
Matt chuckled to himself, thinking, "These photos are going to be worth a fortune, especially with Lucas in them," as he discreetly snapped a picture. But then, he caught Lucas's gaze drifting in his direction. In a bid to appear inconspicuous, Matt adopted the demeanor of a clueless tourist, pretending to be absorbed in capturing the essence of New York rather than singling out Lucas.
"I'm just a regular photographer exploring New York," Matt reassured himself, hoping his act would dispel any suspicions.
Noticing Lucas's attention had shifted away, Matt seized the opportunity to switch his camera to video mode, aiming to capture footage of Lucas and his companions from a distance. Unlike the more intrusive paparazzi who might directly confront their subjects with questions, Matt preferred the subtlety of photographing celebrities to sell the images to media outlets. As he began recording, however, Lucas's quick glance back in his direction made Matt worry, "Great, I've spooked them. They might bolt now."
But Lucas's reaction was unexpected. Instead of retreating, he simply smiled confidently and made some unknown gestures towards Matt. Surprised and intrigued by what Lucas might be signaling, Matt found his curiosity piqued—only for it to be dashed when Lucas unapologetically flipped him the middle finger.
Feeling outwitted, despite his initial interest in deciphering Lucas's gestures as if they were some sort of silent dialogue, Matt couldn't help but respond in kind with a middle finger of his own.
---
Lucas found himself thoroughly entertained by his little interaction with a paparazzi, catching the attention of Jennifer and Felicity, who noticed his focus had shifted elsewhere.
"What are you up to, Lucas?" Jennifer inquired, having just witnessed Lucas's rather bold gesture towards someone in the distance.
"Do you see that guy over there? The one with the NY cap and holding a camera?" Lucas pointed out the paparazzi lurking not too far from them, prompting Jennifer and Felicity to glance in the direction he indicated. They spotted the man, who seemed to be watching them intently.
"Wait, you're telling me you were flipping off that guy?" Jennifer asked, a mix of surprise and amusement in her voice.
"Yes," Lucas replied, the smile on his face undeniable.
"You're terrible," Felicity exclaimed, though her tone was more playful than scolding.
"Not at all. That guy has been sneakily taking photos or maybe even recording us, and he's been following us around. In short, he's a paparazzi," Lucas explained, still smiling.
"Paparazzi? I've had my share of encounters with them," Jennifer remarked, observing the man with the cap. She noticed him returning Lucas's gesture with a middle finger of his own, which sent Jennifer and Felicity into bursts of laughter.
"He seems a bit ticked off, doesn't he?" Felicity couldn't help but comment.
"Ha, he'll get over it," Lucas said, waving nonchalantly at the man, amused by the playful antagonism from a distance.
---
"Alright, it started with just a photo—now it's time to up the ante with some questions," Matt mumbled to himself, hitting the record button on his camera with the intention of confronting Lucas. However, a sudden thought halted his approach.
He remembered that, besides himself, there were other entry-level paparazzi scouring the city for a glimpse of celebrities. Seeing an opportunity, Matt decided to reach out to them, sharing the location of the three actors, especially Lucas, in hopes of escalating their irritation with an onslaught of unwelcome attention.
