"Sorry, the number you dialed is unavailable. Please check the number and try again."
Again and again, the voice message coming through the phone remained unchanged, cold and distant, repeating the same known answer.
Edgar glanced up at Anson. "Do you want me to find out Hayden's number? Believe me, it'll only take a few minutes."
Anson chuckled. "Of course, I believe you."
"Hollywood is just a small circle. We'll run into each other eventually, I'm not worried about finding Hayden. We could bump into each other in Burbank any day."
"But that's what puzzles me the most."
"He knows we'll cross paths again soon, so why disappear in such a bizarre way?"
It was hard to understand.
But because of this, Anson became even more curious about meeting Hayden again—
Edgar glanced at Anson again. "So, you're not planning to question him?"
"Haha, no, of course not. There's no need to question him, and I have no right to." Anson smiled. "We're just casual friends, not close enough for that. I'm just a little curious, that's all. So, I'm looking forward to a conversation."
Edgar felt conflicted.
At moments like these, Edgar thought Anson didn't seem like a nineteen-year-old at all—no impulsiveness, no recklessness. Instead, he had a calmness that seemed to come from years of experience.
Yet, at the same time, Anson still carried a heart full of innocence, truly believing in the goodness of people, untouched by the corrupting influence of fame.
It was oddly contradictory.
After some thought, Edgar couldn't help but advise, "You should lower your expectations."
Anson's smile didn't fade. "Why, are you worried I'll be disappointed?"
Edgar was blunt. "No, I'm sure you will be disappointed."
Anson shrugged lightly, unfazed. "Then it'll be like getting a lesson for free."
Edgar was taken aback. "Free?"
Anson nodded. "Of course, I haven't lost anything. He didn't owe me any rent. In today's harsh world, many people have to pay to learn a lesson, and if I can get one for free, it's worth it."
After a pause, Anson exhaled softly.
"Maybe the only regret is losing a friend."
"But it's too early to make any judgments. We should wait and see."
Edgar couldn't help but take another look at Anson.
He thought, maybe everything isn't contradictory or out of place. It's not about being mature or naive, not about being experienced or ignorant, but about clarity.
Those small bits of wisdom often reveal the ugliness of human nature.
But true wisdom sees the complexity of humanity.
With this in mind, Edgar silently prayed that Hayden had a perfect explanation, proving that they, the old hands tainted by Hollywood's corruption, were wrong.
"So, you really don't need me to find out where Hayden might show up?"
"No need. Since he left quietly and changed all his contact information, it means he doesn't want to be found right now."
"So, no need to avoid him either?"
"Haha, if anyone should be avoiding someone, trust me, it won't be me."
"Phew," Edgar let out a long breath. "That reassures me a bit. If today's important scene gets disrupted by all these strange issues, I might go crazy."
"Haha, please don't refer to my friends as strange issues. They're just as important as my work." Get full chapters from novel⦿fire.net
Their conversation was full of teasing and jokes, but inadvertently, Anson would throw out a line that gently steered the topic back:
Not harshly, but firmly stating his position.
See, it's moments , these little details, that always left Edgar slightly dazed, but again and again, they confirmed his suspicions.
Edgar's heart tightened as he caught the key point, realizing the significance of the matter. He quickly glanced at Anson and stopped joking.
"Uh-hum." Edgar cleared his throat. "Sorry."
The car returned to silence.
Outside the window, palm trees swiftly retreated, and California's golden sunlight filled the view as the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles quickly faded into the background.
They were on their way to the "Catch Me If You Can" set—
Not in Burbank, but in the Hollywood Hills, northeast of the city.
In fact, Steven wasn't exactly an old-school director who insisted on filming on location; if a soundstage was needed, he had no problem with it. But like directors born in the '60s, he still believed in the authenticity of shooting on location. The sunlight, the breeze, the humidity—actors and directors could feel these elements, even if they didn't show on camera.
So, if possible, Steven preferred shooting on location.
This afternoon, they were filming a very important scene—
Frank Jr.'s first showdown with FBI agent Carl.
In other words, this was Anson's first scene with Tom Hanks.
Coming from New York to Los Angeles, the first scene was such a big, challenging one, so Edgar had personally come along to escort Anson to the set.
Moreover, Edgar was busy dealing with that negative report from *Entertainment Weekly*. It was the perfect time to build a good relationship with the crew, and when he heard that Anson had promised afternoon tea treats on the New York set, he immediately followed up with the plan.
This was also why Edgar needed to be on set—
Good deeds shouldn't go unnoticed, after all.
While there was no need for excessive publicity, it was important to leave a mark. Edgar needed the rumors circulating from the "Catch Me If You Can" set to be positive and natural, without any trace of forced commercial flattery.
Edgar planned to take care of everything, ensuring Anson could fully focus on his work and that filming would go smoothly.
Because this was a scene with Tom Hanks, and because it was an original scene in the movie script.
The film wasn't entirely based on the biography and real events.
In the true story, Frank Jr. did indeed have several encounters with the FBI agent who was pursuing him, but they weren't as dramatic or intense, and the bond between Frank Jr. and the FBI agent wasn't as deep.
Artistic creation draws from life and elevates it.
Thus, the script was reworked based on the events in Frank Abagnale Jr.'s autobiography, eventually evolving into the first showdown between Frank Jr. and FBI agent Carl.
In real life, Frank Jr. was arrested twice but managed to escape from custody both times, only to be finally captured in Montpellier, France.
Frank Jr.'s first arrest was particularly legendary.
At that time, Frank Jr. was hiding in New York.
One day, two plainclothes detectives were eating hot dogs in a fast-food joint when they happened to spot someone outside who closely resembled the Frank Jr. they had been tracking for days, but they weren't certain.
So, one of the detectives cleverly called out, "Hey, Frank."
No one expected that Frank Abagnale Jr., who had fooled so many, would fall for such a traditional, old-fashioned trick. He actually turned around, allowing the detectives to confirm his identity and successfully arrest him.
The script didn't recreate this scene exactly but used it as inspiration for a new, reimagined version.
Next up, Anson is about to face off against Tom Hanks.