"How is it?"
Rob looked at Cassius's expression nervously.
Cassius closed the script, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
"This version is much more interesting!"
He liked this setting.
It retained the cultural characteristics of the Asian character while shedding low-level stereotypes and adding unique memorable points.
This kind of mysterious Eastern handsome guy was truly rare in American TV shows.
"Yes!"
Rob punched the air excitedly.
"I knew you'd like it!"
"They were very sincere this time. They listened to your opinion and specially hired a consultant to enrich this character. Now this Han Lee is no longer a joke, but a participant or even a creator of the punchlines!"
Kristen also flipped through a few pages and nodded.
"Hmm, this character is much easier on the eyes. At least it won't make me want to smash the TV while watching!"
"Next step is audition?" Cassius asked.
"Right! I've already set a time with director Michael Patrick King and the producers for the day after tomorrow."
"Although the script was changed according to your request, the necessary process must still be followed, and there are other candidates!"
"But don't worry, you are their first choice now. As long as your audition performance is normal, this role is definitely yours."
Rob paused and added:
"They are also very interested in you, wanting to see with their own eyes what kind of actor can change a script!"
The pressure was on Cassius.
The script was changed, but whether he could secure the role depended on his on-the-spot performance.
"No problem!"
Cassius nodded, already having some ideas in mind.
This new version of Han Lee needed a mysterious temperament of "I know destiny but I won't say it outright."
This was a good challenge and opportunity to showcase his current acting skills.
"Prepare well!"
Rob patted his shoulder.
"Get this role, and you'll have your name on the map in mainstream TV circles! The exposure of a sitcom is considerable!"
Rob gave a few more instructions about the audition details before driving away contentedly.
Cassius and Kristen returned to the house.
Cassius took the new script and sat on the sofa to study it carefully.
"So you're going to become a charlatan?"
Kristen poured a glass of water and handed it to him, teasing.
"This is called Eastern wisdom!"
Cassius corrected her.
Looking at the script, he subconsciously simulated the motion of tossing coins with his fingers, pondering how to interpret that state of seemingly casual but actually precise fortune-telling.
Cassius found that this role required excellent [Rhythm] and [Expression] control.
He needed to show that mystical sense without being overly exaggerated like a scammer.
While catching Max's sharp-tongued barbs, he had to maintain the character's own calm and humor.
And these two attributes happened to be useful.
The attributes about [Dry Humor Rhythm] absorbed from Robert Pattinson earlier seemed applicable here too.
"Need me to run lines?"
Kristen sat down next to him and picked up another copy of the script.
"I can reluctantly play Max and temper you with my sharp tongue."
Seeing her eagerness, Cassius smiled.
"Sure, I'll trouble Miss Max then."
The two began practicing the revised script of 2 Broke Girls right in the living room of Beverly Hills.
Cassius tried to find Han Lee's unique tone and state.
Kristen imitated Max's fast and ruthless roasting style, occasionally improvising a few lines, making Cassius almost break character laughing.
During breaks, Cassius looked at the script in his hand, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
Pushing a character to change in a more positive and interesting direction felt more fulfilling than simply getting a role.
For the audition the day after tomorrow, he was determined to win!
...
Cassius arrived at the 2 Broke Girls audition inside the Warner Bros. studio soundstage at the agreed time.
Rob accompanied him, nagging about precautions along the way, but Cassius felt quite relaxed.
As soon as he entered, he felt the relaxed and lively atmosphere unique to sitcom crews.
Director Michael Patrick King and several producers were already seated behind a long table.
The two lead actresses, Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs, were also nearby.
"Cass!"
Kat Dennings waved enthusiastically as soon as she saw him, a familiar smile on her face.
"Wow, transported straight from Asgard to our little diner in Brooklyn?"
Cassius smiled too and high-fived her. "Hope the rent here is cheaper than Asgard."
Beth Behrs also greeted him friendly.
The favorability scores of these people were all in the 30-40 range, except for Kat Dennings, who was at 50.
The director and producers looked him over curiously, obviously interested in this actor who dared to say no to the original script and actually pushed for character revision.
After exchanging pleasantries, the director got straight to the point.
"Cass, we all really like the direction of the revised Han Lee!"
"Today we want to see how you interpret this mysterious and humorous handsome Eastern guy. Kat will read with you. Let's do the scene on page three where Han Lee first uses copper coins to tell Max's fortune."
"No problem!"
Cassius nodded.
He unhurriedly took out three silver-shining coins from his pocket.
This was something he prepared specifically and practiced at home for a long time.
Kat Dennings immediately entered Max's state.
Hands on hips, she spoke in her signature sarcastic yet lazy tone:
"Okay, my mysterious boss, how's my luck today?"
"Can you predict if a handsome millionaire will fall into my arms today?"
Cassius's Han Lee didn't answer immediately.
He walked elegantly to the table acting as the temporary diner counter, gently weighing the three coins in his palm, his movements natural and fluid.
Under everyone's curious gaze, he didn't simply toss the coins. Instead, with a nimble movement of his fingers, the three coins spun and weaved rapidly between his knuckles as if by magic.
His upgraded body language attribute made his muscle control increasingly precise, making such small tricks easy to handle.
The director and producers exchanged surprised glances.
Kat Dennings was also stunned for a moment, then Max possessed her as she quipped:
"Wow, looks like you're not just a diner owner, but a street magician too!"
"But can this trick pay my rent?"
Cassius stopped the coin trick, the three coins landing steadily back in his palm.
He raised his eyes to look at Kat, teasing in his gaze, the corner of his mouth hooking into a reserved smile belonging to an Easterner.
"Magic can't, but maybe wisdom can!"
His voice was calm with a unique rhythmic sense.
Following the script, he tossed the coins onto the counter, then looked down to examine the hexagram, frowning slightly as if truly interpreting some heavenly secret.
Then, he looked up and said to Max in a serious tone:
"The hexagram says you will meet someone who changes your financial situation today... but maybe not in the way you expect."
"He will probably be wearing a cheap suit, carrying an unreliable business plan, trying to swindle you out of your entire fortune!"
He paused, adding with a glint of cunning in his eyes:
"So I suggest you stick to selling cupcakes!"
The performance was seamless.
He grasped Han Lee's mystery and humor just right.
Neither too charlatan-like to seem fake, nor too plain to lack comedic effect.
Especially that cool coin trick at the beginning instantly distinguished this character from traditional impressions of Asian roles, adding unique charm and memorability.
"Cut!"
Director Michael shouted, an uncontrollable smile on his face.
"Very good! Cass, that's the feeling! Mysterious, interesting, and not annoying!"
"Did you add the coin trick yourself?"
"Just a little trick, thought it might fit Han Lee's personality!"
Cassius put away the coins and said modestly.
"Perfect! It made the character come alive instantly!"
The director was clearly very satisfied.
Kat Dennings also nodded with a smile.
"Hey, buddy, that hand trick was really cool! Can you teach me on set later? Maybe I can use it to scare off those annoying customers!"
Beth Behrs also agreed.
"Yes, Cass, your interpretation makes Han very charming, and the interaction with Max and Caroline felt very right!"
The subsequent process became simple, even a bit perfunctory.
Several Asian actors came in to audition after Cassius.
They might have had good acting skills, but whether in image and temperament, or in the unique understanding of the character's mysterious Eastern humor, none could achieve the natural and highly distinctive effect Cassius just displayed.
Especially compared to Cassius's dazzling coin skills, their performances seemed a bit plain and conventional.
The director and producers exchanged whispers, nodding occasionally, their eyes glancing at Cassius waiting aside for the result.
After all auditions ended.
Director Michael Patrick King walked directly to Cassius and extended his hand.
"Cass, your performance exceeded all our expectations!"
"Welcome to the 2 Broke Girls family! We look forward to the chemistry you bring!"
It was decided just like that?
Cassius breathed a sigh of relief.
Although confident, it was still a pleasant surprise to have it go so smoothly.
Cassius shook the director's hand.
"Thank you, Director. I'll do my best!"
Rob was grinning from ear to ear beside him, quickly stepping forward to finalize follow-up contract details with the producer.
Kat Dennings came over and hugged him.
"Congrats! Looks like we'll be colleagues in Brooklyn for a while! Remember to teach me the coin trick!"
"No problem, tuition can be paid in cupcakes!"
Cassius joked.