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American Horror: Grind Edition
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American Horror: Grind Edition
Cassius swallowed his surprise. "It's me—Cassius. I honestly didn't expect your call, sir."
Jackie Chan's laugh boomed through the phone, warm and full of that signature energy you could feel even over the line. "Haha, just call me Jackie, or Brother Jackie like everyone in the industry does. Didn't wake you, did I? I just finished watching your Tonight Show segment—damn, kid, you killed it. Handled those loaded questions like a pro. Smart, respectful, and you made us all proud. Real credit to the culture."
"You're too kind," Cassius replied, already turning the conversation over in his head. Jackie Chan didn't call just to hand out compliments.
"No need for the polite stuff," Jackie cut in, straight to business like always. "I've got a movie— Zodiac—about to drop. Back home I'm confident, but the U.S. market feedback isn't great—"
"It's not just another action flick. My idea was to use it to spotlight real traditional culture and actual history, maybe even pressure some of those overseas museums to return the stolen national treasures."
Cassius's pulse jumped.
Zodiac.
He remembered the film perfectly from his last life. Back home it had blown up—massive cultural impact. Jackie used his star power to spark real conversations about repatriating looted artifacts, even got some pieces sent back. Way bigger than just box office.
But in North America? Crickets. American audiences had zero context for the zodiac, and the theme felt completely disconnected from local culture. It mostly played in Chinatown theaters and faded fast.
"I've been following the project," Cassius said, meaning every word. "It's important work. I'd love to help any way I can."
He hadn't been around for the actual shoot, but he could absolutely show up for the roadshow and premieres.
"It's kind of a personal mission for me," Jackie added, voice turning serious. "So on this side of the ocean, I don't want it to just slip away quietly. Even if one more person sees it, one more person learns the story—that's a win."
"I watched Green Lantern, caught your recent interviews too. You're on fire right now—especially with younger crowds and mainstream media. Figured maybe I could borrow a little of that momentum?"
He paused, then laid it out plain. "I'd love for you to help me promote it—join a few roadshow stops and premieres. Whatever Warner and your team need to coordinate, any conditions, we can talk it through."
Cassius's mind raced. The offer was completely out of left field, but the second he thought about it, it made total sense.
His own heat was peaking. Green Lantern was exploding, he was the Asian lead, the film already mixed in Eastern elements—pairing that with Zodiac could easily create one-plus-one-equals-three synergy.
For him personally? Teaming with Jackie Chan—even short-term promo—was pure gold. It would skyrocket his standing in communities and across Asia. Warner couldn't give him that kind of cultural capital.
Plus, Cassius actually cared. Helping get looted artifacts back? That was bigger than any paycheck. A second life meant having some principles.
He knew exactly how Zodiac had performed in the U.S. in the old timeline: $60,000 opening weekend, less than $100,000 total. New low for a Jackie Chan martial-arts film.
If his Green Lantern buzz could pull even a few extra eyes and tickets? That changed everything.
Decision made in a heartbeat.
"Brother Jackie, you're being way too polite," Cassius said warmly. "Helping promote a film like Zodiac is an honor. I've always admired what you've done to celebrate our culture. This isn't 'helping'—it's learning, and it's the right thing to do. I'll handle Warner and my team. Whatever cities, whatever dates, just have your people reach out to my manager Rob. We'll make it work 100 percent."
"Ha! Straight shooter—I like it!" Jackie laughed, clearly pleased. "Knew I wasn't wrong about you. My producers and promo team will contact Rob right away. We'll sit down at the premiere and talk properly. Oh—and I'll send you the rough cut so you can watch it first."
"Absolutely. Looking forward to meeting you in person, Brother Jackie."
The second the call ended, Cassius pumped his fist.
Jackie Chan. The legend himself.
And the timing couldn't have been more perfect.
He immediately dialed Rob.
Rob went dead silent for five full seconds, then exploded. "Jackie Chan wants you to roadshow Zodiac?!"
His voice cracked with excitement. "Warner's gonna lose their minds—in the best way. I'll call them right now. Wait—gimme a second to calm down—"
Jackie's Beverly Hills estate turned out to be just a short drive from Cassius's current place. Not some flashy mega-mansion—more like a spacious, low-key villa with manicured lawns and a pool. Classy, understated. Compared to Kristen's place, it actually felt more livable.
When Cassius rang the bell, Jackie himself opened the door—simple polo shirt, casual pants, looking every bit the energetic big brother from the screen, only warmer in real life.
"Cassius! Come in, come in, sit!"
The interior was classic California mixed with subtle Eastern touches. Movie posters and awards lined the walls, but the living room felt lived-in—cushions tossed on the sofa, real home vibes.
Cassius set down the two boxes of premium beef he'd had flown in from back home. Nothing flashy, just a thoughtful gift.
Jackie's eyes lit up the second he saw the packaging. "You didn't have to, but damn—this is the good stuff!"
They settled on the couch. An assistant brought tea.
After quick small talk about L.A. traffic and weather, Jackie jumped straight into Zodiac. He handed Cassius a tablet and played key rough-cut scenes—car chases, CG restorations of the Yuanmingyuan bronze heads, the historical segments—while explaining the brutal shoots and the deeper message.
"That chase was shot in Latvia at minus ten degrees Celsius—cars were literally freezing. The volcano crater? We filmed part of it on location, then layered in the effects later—"
Jackie pointed at the bronze-head restoration sequence, face dead serious. "These are our ancestors' treasures. Stolen and sitting in foreign museums. A movie can't fix everything, but it can make sure more people—especially young folks overseas—know the story."
Cassius watched every frame closely, asking sharp, professional questions about pacing, cultural accuracy, and audience flow.
The longer they talked, the more Jackie realized Cassius's current heat in Hollywood wasn't luck. The kid understood acting, directing, even lens language on a deep level.
All thanks to the endless attribute orbs Cassius had been quietly farming from directors, crew, and co-stars. He might not get their exact memories, but the understanding kept stacking.
They got so into it they ended up cooking together—stir-frying the beef Cassius brought, throwing together a few simple dishes, cracking open drinks. The vibe was pure backyard dinner back home.
If you ignored the Beverly Hills view, it felt like a casual night in a courtyard.
Jackie's favorability bar shot from 70 straight to 85.
They ate like kings. Jackie had zero ego—total big-brother energy.
Halfway through a cup of tea, Jackie glanced around the house and sighed. "Bought this place in '98 for 2.8 million. Now any house around here starts at ten million easy."
Cassius nodded. "Great location. Quiet. Feels like a real home."
Jackie studied him for a second, then dropped it casually—but seriously. "Heard you still don't have your own spot in Beverly Hills. Interested in this one? We click, and I think you're solid. I'll sell it to you at half market—three million flat. Lawyers handle the paperwork and taxes. Save you the headache."
Three million?
In this neighborhood, for a pristine estate property? That was practically a gift wrapped in friendship.
Cassius did need his own place. He'd been crashing in hotels or at Kristen's, but a man wanted roots.
The offer was Jackie saying loud and clear: I see you as family.
No fake politeness. Cassius thought for two seconds, then answered straight. "Brother Jackie, that's incredibly generous. I love the house—location, layout, everything. If you're really selling, I'm in. But you're already cutting me way too good a deal."
"Eh, forget that!" Jackie waved it off. "Houses are just bricks. People matter. You're a guy who gets things done and thinks deep. This place feels right with you. Consider it a celebration of Green Lantern's success—and good luck for our Zodiac partnership!"
When someone puts it like that, refusing would be rude.
Cassius raised his teacup. "Then I won't be polite. Thank you, Brother Jackie. Anytime you're in L.A., this house is yours."
"Ha! That's the spirit!" Jackie clinked cups with a grin.
With business settled, the conversation flew everywhere.
Jackie couldn't stop raving about the Azure Dragon effect in Green Lantern. "That design is brilliant—not some Western lizard, but real Eastern dragon spirit mixed with modern VFX imagination. I watched it thinking, hell yeah—why can't superheroes carry our cultural symbols?"
Cassius opened up about fighting Martin and Warner to keep and deepen those Eastern elements—how he made sure they served the hero's growth instead of feeling like cheap exotic flavor.
"Exactly!" Jackie agreed. "Storytelling is about making the audience believe and feel it. Any cultural element has to serve the character and the story."
"You think deeper than most guys grinding in Hollywood," Jackie added. "Some completely sell out and lose their roots. Others force it and it looks fake. You nailed the balance."
They talked shop for hours—film industry, cinema market, cultural gaps between U.S. and audiences. Jackie shared wild early-Hollywood stories and hard lessons. Cassius listened, asked smart questions, threw in his own insights.
A golden orb floated up from Jackie:
[Legendary Figure's Story Rhythm +15]
Holy—huge one!
Cassius's eyes nearly watered from the glow. No hesitation—he absorbed it instantly.
The world went white for a second, then sharpened into perfect clarity.
Knowledge flooded in—not just facts, but decades of hard-won wisdom about film, culture, and unbreakable spirit.
At the exact same moment, his Rhythm attribute broke through the final barrier.
Rhythm Leveled Up! Current Level: Lv4 (8/800)
[All core acting attributes have now reached Lv4. Conditions met. Special module unlocked: Skill Attribute Orb absorption function!]
[Skill Attribute Orbs condense from an actor's signature strength and drop rarely. Absorption grants immediate comprehension and basic mastery of the corresponding special skill or performance philosophy. Depth and peak level still require massive personal practice and insight.]
[Available Skill Attribute Orb detected: Jackie Chan-Style Action-Comedy Performance Essence]
[Contains core philosophy on action design, turning dangerous stunts into comedy gold, and shaping relatable everyman heroes. Not specific moves—pure performance ideology and creative methodology. Absorption will massively boost action-scene rhythm, comedic timing, and ability to craft grounded, audience-loved characters.]
Cassius's heart slammed against his ribs.
Skill Attribute Orbs!
This meant he wasn't just stacking basic stats anymore—he could straight-up inherit signature techniques and philosophies from the all-time greats.
Zero hesitation. He locked onto the orb and absorbed.
BOOM.
A torrent of insight and experience—ten times stronger than any normal orb—crashed into his mind.
This wasn't just points.
It was Jackie Chan's lifetime of blood, sweat, broken bones, and genius.
How to make death-defying stunts funny instead of terrifying.
How to design a clumsy mistake that somehow feels perfectly logical.
How to show an ordinary guy's unbreakable grit through every punch, fall, and laugh.
Scene after scene played in his head—real memories, real breakthroughs.
Cassius sat there, eyes half-closed, letting the flood reshape everything he thought he knew about action comedy.
When the rush finally settled, he felt it in his bones.
He wasn't just Cassius the actor anymore.
He was carrying a piece of the legend himself.