[Chapter 171: Hitch]
Early the next morning.
Daniel asked Anne Hathaway, "Do you know about the project Hitch?"
Anne paused to think. "I think it was officially announced that Will Smith is the male lead."
Daniel nodded. "Correct. They haven't decided on the female lead yet. Have your agent, Molly, contact the production crew immediately and get you an audition for the female role."
Anne frowned slightly. "I've been following this project. They require the female lead to be an actress over twenty-five. I'm not old enough."
Daniel smiled confidently. "That's not a problem. You just need to get an audition opportunity. Leave the rest to me."
Hearing Daniel speak with such certainty sparked a flicker of hope within Anne.
She asked, "Are you really optimistic about this project?"
Daniel replied, "Will Smith is currently on the rise, and his box office draw is excellent. The chances of this movie succeeding are very high."
Anne bit her lip. "It's just that so many people are competing... I'm afraid..."
Daniel cut in gently, "You just need to get the audition."
Anne nodded and said no more.
She then called Molly to ask where she was, and asked her to come.
...
Molly had been here several times before to pick Anne up. Each time, she'd express some new amazement, because Anne Hathaway seemed to become more beautiful every day.
But today, when she saw Anne again, Molly was completely stunned.
Anne's beauty had undergone another massive transformation. She looked radiant, almost glowing, as if she had grown a few inches taller overnight.
"You look like a star born to shine," Molly whispered, covering her mouth in awe.
Anne smiled. "Molly, we'll talk about that later. Right now, help me get the female lead audition."
The words "female lead" made Molly's heart skip a beat. Landing a leading role wasn't easy. But when she heard it was just an audition, confidence surged inside her.
"Which movie?" Molly asked.
Anne said, "Hitch."
Molly's eyes lit up as she recognized the project. "The Will Smith movie?"
"Correct," Anne confirmed.
Molly hesitated, then said, "Too many eyes are on this project. It might be tough. But if it's just an audition slot you need, that should be doable."
"I'm counting on you," Anne said.
"Wait for my news."
Without another word, Molly stepped aside and began making calls.
Anne gave Daniel a look.
He understood immediately. This was why she hadn't fired Molly yet. Her personality might be difficult, but her professional connections were invaluable.
...
After over half an hour, Molly returned with a joyful expression.
"Anne, it's done. Hitch happens to be holding auditions for actresses today. I pulled every string and finally squeezed you in. You're the last one scheduled."
She hesitated. "But are you sure you want to go? Your chances..." Her voice grew serious. "The age requirement alone is a massive hurdle. Honestly, your odds are almost nonexistent."
Anne smiled firmly. "I'm sure I want to go."
Then she looked at Daniel. "Daniel, it's up to you."
Daniel had handled situations like this before.
He went to get a glass of water, then with a flick of his hand, a luck seal appeared.
By consecrated seal, misfortune is dispersed and balance restored.
What was burdened is lightened; what was hindered is cleared.
Blessing is aligned by lawful authority.
Judgment sealed.
Boom! The seal ignited spontaneously.
Daniel placed the burning prayer seal into the cup.
He waited as it charred to ash, which scattered over the water's surface. He stirred the cup, blending ash and water until it turned a murky gray.
Handing it to Anne, he said, "Drink this."
Anne's eyes widened.
She looked at Daniel, then the seal water, her throat moving nervously. But in the end, she chose to trust him.
"Anne, don't--" Molly tried to stop her.
Ignoring her, Anne took the cup and drank it in one gulp. To her surprise, the water tasted normal, no strange flavors. Only mentally did she feel a slight unease.
Anne set the empty cup down. "What now?"
Daniel said, "Nothing else. Go to your audition."
Anne pulled out a tissue to wipe her mouth and headed out with a still-dazed Molly.
"How could you really drink that..." Molly muttered in disbelief inside the car.
Anne cut her off. "Stop talking about it. Let's focus on the audition."
...
More than half an hour later, the car pulled into Columbia Pictures.
After some searching, Anne and Molly found the audition room for Hitch.
Molly went to sign in while Anne looked around.
She spotted four other actresses waiting to audition for the female lead, five total including her. All four looked around twenty-five, fitting the age requirement better.
On her way here, Anne had carefully applied makeup to appear more mature, less youthful.
The other actresses sized her up. Some smiled politely; others turned their backs with thinly veiled disdain. But no one saw her as a strong contender.
The age factor alone made her seem out of place.
At that moment, a young female assistant pushed a small cart toward them.
"Ladies, Mr. Smith was worried you might be nervous, so he specially prepared lavender honey milk to help you relax and give your best performance."
"Please thank Mr. Smith," she added.
The women smiled and took a bottle each.
Will Smith wasn't just the male lead; he was also one of the producers, invested fully in the project. That was why he sent the drinks himself.
Lavender honey milk was known for calming nerves and steadying emotions.
Everything seemed perfectly arranged.
They all opened their bottles and took sips.
Anne tasted hers and found it delicious, drinking a few more mouthfuls.
She glanced at the others -- they were drinking plenty as well.
"The auditions are starting. First up, Ms. Keys," called a staff member, holding the list.
A tall, slender woman rose and followed the staff member inside.
The audition lasted over ten minutes.
When she came out, Alicia's face was tight with pain.
Without hesitation, she rushed through the crowd and vanished.
Anne and the others were left startled, wondering what had just happened.
*****
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