[Chapter 23: Luck-Transfer Seal]
Reading Daniel's expression, Amanda asked, "So, this one's no good either?"
Daniel replied, "What do you think is good about it?"
Amanda said, "DreamWorks put over $130 million into this sci-fi blockbuster, directed by Michael Bay. You don't like it either? I heard Steven Spielberg was personally involved, even picked the director."
Daniel shook his head. "Just because there's big money and a famous director doesn't mean it'll succeed. Hollywood's full of examples where that still bombed."
Amanda shot back, "But that's Steven Spielberg."
Daniel said, "No one's untouchable forever."
Amanda looked stunned. If she hadn't already seen Daniel's remarkable insights, she'd think he was crazy for dismissing Spielberg like that.
After a pause, Amanda said, "I'm not sure what to choose now. Can you help me pick?"
Daniel's finger hovered over two movie titles. "These two."
"V for Vendetta, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," Amanda read aloud.
Daniel said, "Good. The female lead in V for Vendetta is critical. You should go for that role."
Amanda frowned skeptically. "That's a tall order. It's a new Wachowski Brothers project from the folks behind The Matrix. Everyone's after that female lead. My name alone won't get me in."
Daniel replied, "If you can't land the female lead, then there's no need to fight for it. But you have to secure one of the four female lead roles in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."
Amanda wasn't convinced. "You said there are four female leads in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but won't those roles be smaller? Plus, it's a low-budget film."
Daniel smiled faintly. "Don't underestimate it. Big-budget blockbusters are great, but low-budget films can build careers too. This one's important. You need one of those leads."
In Daniel's memory, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was a coming-of-age classic for many, spawning a sequel and a loyal audience. Blake Lively, one of Hollywood's Four Rising Stars, got her big break from it.
As for V for Vendetta, although it wasn't a blockbuster hit, it didn't lose money. Combined with DVD sales and rentals, it turned a respectable profit.
More importantly, its influence was huge. Landing that female lead would definitely become one of Amanda's signature roles.
Trusting Daniel, Amanda nodded. "Alright. I'll tell my agent tomorrow to fight for both roles."
Daniel suddenly remembered something. "Before your auditions, be sure to tell me."
Amanda's eyes brightened. "Are you going to do a luck-changing ritual for me?"
Daniel didn't elaborate. "You'll see when the time comes."
"I'm already looking forward to it."
She shut her notebook, set it on the nightstand, then threw herself onto Daniel. "Now, let's do a different type of luck-changing ritual."
The ritual was vigorous and lasted a long time. When it ended, both were exhausted but fell asleep tightly wrapped in each other's arms.
...
The next morning, over a simple breakfast, Amanda's agent showed up.
The agent was a white woman in her thirties. Seeing Amanda sharing breakfast with Daniel, she froze. For people in their world, a man and a woman having breakfast together meant one thing -- they had slept together.
Amanda introduced Daniel openly.
Her agent, Wendy, worked at Creative Artists Agency.
Amanda hesitated before calling Daniel her boyfriend.
Daniel greeted Wendy politely but stayed quiet. After finishing, he stood and said goodbye before leaving.
...
Once the car faded away, Wendy sat across from Amanda. "Amanda, why didn't you tell me you had a boyfriend?"
Amanda asked, "Is there a problem with that?"
"Of course there is." Wendy's voice turned serious. "A lot of actors start dating right as they're getting popular. They get caught in romance, lose focus, and miss critical chances. Amanda, you should be building on your current buzz, fighting for better roles -- not falling in love."
Amanda said firmly, "Don't worry about it. He's exactly the reason my career will get better."
Wendy stared at her, dumbfounded. "Amanda, are you feeling alright?"
Amanda didn't explain further. "Enough about Daniel. Let's talk about my upcoming projects. I need you all in securing those female leads in V for Vendetta and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."
Hearing Amanda shift back to work, Wendy finally relaxed.
But when Amanda mentioned the two films, Wendy's expression changed again.
"V for Vendetta? That's a tough one. And while The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants's female leads aren't hard to get, we could be aiming for better roles."
"I don't want better options -- I want those two."
Wendy tried to argue but was interrupted.
"Wendy, if you can't handle this job, we can part ways," Amanda said coldly.
Wendy met Amanda's mature gaze and nodded. "Okay. I understand. I'll give it my all to get those leads for you."
...
Daniel returned to Cross Hall to resume business as usual.
After last night and this morning, Daniel felt physically and mentally refreshed; his thoughts flowed with new clarity.
'Looks like these luck-changing rituals can be held more often in the future.'
Taking out paper and pen, Daniel started mentally drafting a Luck-Transfer Seal.
He didn't know the formal ritual for changing luck, but the seal itself did exist.
Still, a note was attached to it in his mind.
[A person's luck is set. Changing it means borrowing good fortune from the future. Enjoying good luck now means you have to pay it back later.]
'Though it's borrowing from the future, and must be repaid, as long as one survives, they have a chance to grow stronger and handling that debt won't be so hard -- so it's still an opportunity.'
As Daniel mulled this over and sketched the seal mentally, a Porsche Panamera stopped outside Cross Hall.
Seeing who stepped out, Daniel was surprised. "It's you?"
*****
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