Simon smiled, listening to Peter Butler finish, and said, "Peter, this should be enough for you to write your next press release about me, right?"
Peter Butler naturally understood Simon's subtext, nodded, but then said, "Of course, but this has only increased my curiosity about you".
"Hmm?"
"First, your surname," Peter Butler began to get to the point, saying, "Simon, was my judgment in that article correct? Is it an original word?"
Simon admitted, "That's right".
"I've checked a lot of material, and even called some professors at my alma mater for consultation, but none of them gave me an answer," Peter Butler said. "So, does the word 'Westeros' have any special meaning?"
Simon honestly shook his head and said, "Sorry, I can't say".
Peter Butler didn't expect Simon to refuse what should have been the simplest question, and subconsciously asked, "Why?"
"No why, I just can't say," Simon said. "Besides, I don't want to casually make up a reason to appease you".
Peter Butler paused for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, then, the second question, Simon, where are you from? This also puzzles me greatly. I called your agent, but he was unwilling to disclose it. I also couldn't find this information through other channels."
This time, Simon didn't intend to hide anything, but first asked, "Peter, I need to confirm again, the article about me, about 'Run Lola Run,' will definitely be released after next year's Sundance Film Festival, right?"
Peter Butler nodded and said, "Of course."
Simon began to spill everything: "Well, it's simple. I'm from San Francisco, an orphan who grew up in a children's welfare home in San Jose. Last year, I entered Stanford to study computer science. Two months later, I was sent to a mental hospital, where I received treatment for nine months. After being discharged, I came to Los Angeles. The rest, you already know".
Although he had specially gone to Watsonville to retrieve his medical records, Simon was not so secretive about his past.
After all, if he remained obscure, it wouldn't matter even if these things became known.
Conversely, if he were to become a public figure in the future, rather than having the media dig up his past and catch people off guard, it would be better to confide in a media reporter he knew, which would also allow for some control over the whole matter.
Peter Butler was momentarily stunned again when he heard Simon say this.
Although Simon's narration was very concise, there was no doubt that the amount of information was quite substantial.
After a brief moment of daze, Peter Butler quickly grasped a small key point: "Simon, if I understand correctly, you should be 19 years old this year?"
"To be precise, 18 years old".
At 18, he secured a screenwriting contract with Fox Pictures worth up to $200,000!
Peter Butler felt that his brain cells were completely overwhelmed today. He struggled to turn his thoughts before asking, "So, does Fox know your age?"
Simon shook his head: "No".
Americans do not have identity cards. This is not because of the national system or differences in state laws that prevent unified identification; the main reason is to protect privacy. When Roosevelt promoted the social security number system back then, it was only barely passed after he guaranteed Congress that social security numbers would not involve personal privacy at all.
Simon signed a contract with Fox, and although he provided information such as his social security number and credit card, that was to ensure he received his contractual remuneration. As for his private information, he was not an actor, so he didn't need to inform the other party.
In fact, even actors in Hollywood often conceal their age.
Peter Butler once again composed himself.
Eighteen years old.
When I was 18, I had just started college.
This guy in front of me, at 18, is already directing his first film.
Peter Butler had observed carefully all afternoon yesterday. The filming of 'Run Lola Run' showed no signs of being a casual endeavour, and Simon's coordination and control over the entire crew didn't resemble that of an 18-year-old at all.
Right., he was also personally serving as the cinematographer.
This should not be a job an 18-year-old can handle, yet, everyone in the crew had no objection, which indicates that he has been recognized in this area.
Oh my God.
What kind of monster have I met?
The waiter brought their lunch at this moment, and Peter Butler simply paused for a moment.
After the waiter left and the two had eaten a few bites, Peter Butler spoke again, but did not continue the topic of Simon's past. If necessary, he preferred to verify these things himself.
"Simon, let's talk about the movie. Regarding 'The Butterfly Effect,' it's indeed a very interesting title. I even made some guesses about the plot. How many did I get right?"
"One," Simon said with a smile. "It's indeed a script very suitable for director De Palma. Also, your other guesses in that article are completely incorrect. Furthermore, I cannot disclose any more to you; it's stipulated by the confidentiality clause in the contract".
Peter Butler expressed understanding and then said, "What about 'Run Lola Run'?"
Simon thought for a moment and said, "'Run Lola Run' is an unconventional, anti-genre film, an exploration of the countless possibilities in life. Additionally, I made this film to provide a commentary on the term 'butterfly effect.' From the beginning, many people kept telling me that the term 'butterfly effect' was too obscure, and Fox even considered changing the film's title. However, if audiences watch 'Run Lola Run' in the future, they will certainly fully understand the meaning of 'butterfly effect'".
Peter Butler said, "It sounds like an art film."
"It depends on your definition of an art film," Simon said. "If you consider all films other than commercial films to be art films, then it certainly is. However, 'Run Lola Run' will be a very interesting film".
Peter Butler tentatively asked, "Could you reveal a few more details?"
Simon smiled and said, "You must have taken photos of the female lead yesterday, right? I think that's enough. As for the content, if you're interested, I can reserve a movie ticket for you at Sundance".
Peter Butler, hearing Simon refuse to reveal details about the film, stopped asking. Keeping the plot secret before a film's release is something every filmmaker does, and he hadn't held much hope anyway. He simply nodded and said, "Then it's settled".
The two then chatted about a few more things, had lunch, and after seeing Peter Butler off, Simon returned to the Fox studio to continue editing.
Thanks to thorough and detailed advance planning, the subsequent two weeks of filming also went smoothly.
This continued until November 14th.
Friday.
Outside Roger Griffin's supermarket on 25th Street in Santa Monica, it was four o'clock in the afternoon.
After the third take of the final shot, with the crew holding their breath in anticipation, Simon turned off the camera and gave everyone an OK gesture.
A month and a half of hard work finally came to an end.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and with low cheers, applause soon began to ripple through the surroundings.
Simon handed the camera to the assistant director beside him and embraced everyone one by one to express his gratitude.
Janette, who knows where she got a camera from, gestured for everyone to gather at the supermarket entrance. She handed the camera to the chubby supermarket owner, Roger Griffin, and then squeezed in next to Simon.
Roger Griffin chuckled, found an angle, and deftly pressed the shutter.
The street was still closed at the time, and the crew couldn't celebrate for too long. After the group photo, they quickly started clearing the set.
More than half an hour later, the street was open to traffic again.
A wrap party was planned for the evening at Simon's house. Everyone would go back, quickly tidy themselves up, and then head to his place.
As usual, Simon stayed until the end. After most people had left, he walked into the supermarket, which had quickly resumed business, and handed a check to Roger Griffin, who was moonlighting as a cashier behind the counter.
Roger didn't drag it out, quickly pocketing the check. Looking at Simon, the older man was somewhat wistful, saying, "Unbelievable. A few months ago, when I heard you were making a movie, I thought you were just dreaming".
"Sometimes people have to dream a little," Simon said with a smile. "I'm having a party at my place tonight, Roger, are you coming?"
"I don't have time," Roger shook his head regretfully, looking like a busy man, and said, "I still have to watch the store".
The two chatted by the cash register for a while. Simon was about to leave when he unexpectedly saw Courteney Cox walk out from inside the store. The girl still habitually carried a pile of things in her arms.
Seeing Simon, Courteney's eyes flickered, but she still smiled and nodded at him, walking directly to the cash register and greeting him, "Hi, Simon".
Simon also smiled back: "Still don't like using a shopping cart?"
"It feels troublesome," Courteney's tone livened up a bit when Simon brought it up. "I saw you filming here. How's the progress?"
Simon said, "We just wrapped".
Courteney pulled out cash from her wallet and handed it to Roger, whose eyes were darting between the two of them, and said with a smile, "Oh, congratulations".
"What about you?" Simon asked. "I heard you're in, um, a Canon Films movie?"
"Masters of the Universe," Courteney said, putting all her purchases into a convenience bag and holding it in her arms. "It should be pretty good, but it won't be released until next summer".
Seeing Courteney about to leave, Simon called out to Roger and then walked out of the supermarket with the girl.
After saying goodbye to Courteney on the street, Simon walked towards the parking lot nearby. Janette and Kathryn were already at his house preparing for the evening party, and Simon still had to personally go to the rental company to confirm that all props had been returned to storage.