It was always ideal that when starting to read a script, and wanting to rehearse, every line had to be fully practiced. For now, thanks to her system, she had a deep familiarity with each scene from memory, in an almost unsettling way.
-Well, some say it’s the city of love, art, and cinema... it has to be like that, right? Imagine a city without all kinds of restaurants; it must have them. But, of course, I do prefer the capitals,- Kate commented.
-Sure... so, I suppose now, as co-stars, we should know our lines by heart,- Billy replied.
-Oh, I’ve read it through once, but I was mostly focused on my scenes. It’s a little strange that a 200-million-dollar production only has this little room. I was nervous and barely slept last night. I ended up reading a novel around 2 a.m. but still couldn’t fall asleep. I thought it would feel like a big production studio, but I didn’t picture it quite . I know the main studio is in another state, but there’s hardly anyone here,- Kate said.
-I feel a bit hurt to know I’m not impressive enough,- Billy replied, taking a seat, removing his blazer, and adjusting his cuffs. It was a bit warm, with only a fan and the frosted glass window illuminating the room.
They were close enough that their feet nearly touched. In this small, intimate setting, they were both part of the rare, precious environment where stories were built—a space that felt both loving and full of responsibility.
-I mean the assistant; they seemed completely lost. Poor thing, they must have a thousand things to do and didn’t know where to take me. Sometimes, you take a day off, and then the next day, you’re overwhelmed with tasks. You try to focus on one thing but end up failing because you’re juggling too much at once. It’s exhausting, and you feel incapable, even if you finish the work. It’s like you can’t even catch your breath,- Kate explained, with her characteristic smile, her blue eyes lively. She was a natural in her role, confident that she’d do an amazing job, but finding something even better always amused her.
-That’s the impression they gave you?- Billy asked. -Poor thing. Maybe we should give them a bonus to help them find their footing. Even on my longest days, I’ve never felt that level of despair, but I see it takes real courage to handle that feeling.-
-Oh yes, so you’ll see why I’m feeling a little down, a bit overwhelmed, by this situation. I expected everything except being in a quiet room alone to read a script.-
-I’m sorry for that, but now we have the lines. You can give me your thoughts and ideas. The main thing is to do a character deep-dive and build some chemistry,- Billy commented.
The Titanic script was truly sequential, each piece fitting into the next. For instance, the scene where Jack wins his ticket through gambling and later stands confidently in front of Rose’s fiancé elevates the dynamic between what Rose desires and what her circumstances offer. Or how they dance—two worlds, one sophisticated and the other free-spirited. Even by 1997 standards, the historical backdrop was different; the transitions after the First and Second World Wars had redefined the world’s view in a way that affected everyone.
-I particularly scene,- Kate said, pointing out the part where they get lost on the ship, looking for a place to be alone but finding no space except what’s controlled by the fiancé.
-The romance develops quickly,- Billy observed. -Do you believe in love at first sight?- he asked.
-I don’t, but I get where you’re coming from. It must be a shock, like when you meet someone and everything feels perfect. Beyond a few provocations, love reveals itself in small gestures... But I think love sparks for Rose when he saves her. He’s like her angel, a sign of someone who stands by her,- Kate replied.
-The catalyst,- Billy prompted. -So, for Rose, love blossoms when he saves her. It’s that moment that triggers her feelings, but it’s everything else that deepens her affection.-
-It’s the moments, the isolation, the sunny boy who gives her the one thing she longs for—appreciation. Everyone around her traps her, restricting her freedom, and suffocating her. She sees her fiancé as a bad man, someone who will only love her while she’s beautiful, and then trade her for his secretary,- Kate explained.
-So I’m the savior, then... the romantic guy, who wears his heart on his sleeve,- Billy remarked.
-That’s all you’re good for,- Kate teased.
Billy grinned. She had a humorous, almost shy charm.
He handed her his black sketchbook. It was filled with delicate drawings, some of which were even painted. The book took her breath away; in one image, a simple tree stood by a cliff overlooking a starry sea. In another, the same view was captured from the tree’s perspective, and yet another showed the scene from the sea, looking back at the cliff. There was also a sailor in a cloak, smoking a pipe, children dancing, and women depicted with an elegance that left her in awe.
-So, you did all this yourself?- she asked, surprised.
-I’m the best artist in the world,- Billy replied, jokingly.
-Show-off,- Kate teased, admiring each drawing. She loved how he captured people with such fine detail—the sadness in their eyes, a bird flying in the background. He was one of the best she’d seen.
-You’ll have to buy my comics and recommend them to your friends. I think I’ve created even better pieces in those. These are just for a quick 30-second scene,- Billy replied.
Kate muttered something about not reading kids’ stuff, but she knew she’d be asking about his comics soon, and that she’d end up recommending them too. That was the appeal of good, lasting work.