CHAPTER 401: WHOLESOME

The "La La Land" shoots around Los Angeles weren’t exactly keeping a low profile - especially with Lucas Knight involved. Crowds would gather at filming locations, watching the production unfold.

When fans spotted Lucas and Emma together between takes, their chemistry sparked immediate reactions. "They look perfect together!" a young woman squealed to her friends. "Andrew Garfield is definitely missing out!"

"Come on," her friend rolled her eyes. "It’s just acting. Lucas and Jennifer are solid."

"Still," the first girl insisted, "just look at them..."

The onlookers weren’t entirely wrong - Lucas and Emma’s comfort with each other showed both on and off camera. They’d wave to the gathering crowds together, their natural rapport evident even during breaks. Their charm worked its magic on everyone watching, regardless of gender.

When the production prepared to move locations, some overeager fans tried breaking through security for autographs, without success.

"So close!" one fan sighed, watching their chance slip away.

***

The team’s next location proved historic - they’d secured permission to film at Griffith Observatory, something no production had managed before. The pressure of the milestone wasn’t lost on anyone.

The scene demanded forty takes to get right, each one building on the last until they finally nailed it. When Damien called the final cut, Emma collapsed into a chair with relief, the entire crew sharing her sense of accomplishment. They’d just made cinema history, even if the public wouldn’t know it for months to come.

***

Takes piled up, scenes wrapped, and two weeks of shooting around L.A. had flown by. Word spread quickly among Angelenos about Lucas and Emma’s romance project filming at historic locations throughout the city.

The security team handled most situations well, but persistent fans occasionally disrupted shoots. A few days back, Emma had playfully pinned the blame on Lucas. "This is all your fault," she’d declared, and the rest of the cast jumped on board, teasing him about his fan following.

It was all in good fun - Lucas knew they were joking. Still, they had a point. The constant shouts of "Lucas!" or "Emma!" during critical scenes had become a real challenge. If not for Damien’s firm "Quiet on set!" commands, they might never get anything done.

Now at Hermosa Pier, they had a narrow window to catch the sunset. Already, despite the location being kept quiet, a small crowd had gathered. Everyone knew it would only grow once word spread that Lucas Knight was in the area.

While waiting for the perfect light, Emma glanced at the distant fans calling Lucas’s name. She turned to him with a bemused smile. "You know, I’ve worked with plenty of famous people, but you’re something else entirely. The whole L.A goes nuts when you show up."

Lucas chuckled, watching the growing crowd. "Makes me appreciate what Michael Jackson dealt with," he joked. "Though I’m nowhere near that level of chaos - thank god."

Emma raised her eyebrows. "Actually, I read an article the other day saying you might reach Michael Jackson levels of fame." She studied his expression. "What do you think about that?"

Lucas shrugged, "I don’t know about that." In his mind, he could think of several figures who would reach that level of worldwide fame in the future - soccer stars like Messi and Ronaldo - but that wasn’t something he could explain.

"There you go again," Emma teased. "Being so humble it makes the rest of us feel bad about our tiny bits of confidence."

"Hey, you’re the one who just nailed that incredible scene in one take," Lucas shot back with a grin.

As the sun began to set, they prepared to film Sebastian’s "City of Stars" sequence. The crew had just called for quiet, camera ready to roll, when an enormous U.S. battleship suddenly appeared on the horizon, sailing directly into their shot.

Marc Platt sprinted toward the edge of the pier, frantically waving his arms at the massive vessel. With their limited window for filming and the perfect sunset light fading, every minute counted. They’d secured permits for the pier, though they couldn’t do much about the small crowd of onlookers in the distance.

Ten minutes of tense waiting followed before the ship’s captain responded to their signals. The radio crackled on the bridge as crew members discussed the situation.

"Looks like we’ve got a film production down there," one officer reported, peering through binoculars. His next words came out in a rush. "Wait - is that Lucas Knight? The ’Joker’ guy?"

"Let me see that," the captain took the binoculars. After a moment, he lowered them with a slight smile. "Well, we can’t exactly ruin Lucas Knight’s shot, can we? My daughter would never forgive me. Take us about."

The massive vessel began its careful maneuver away from the filming area, its crew now part of the growing number of unexpected spectators to the day’s shoot.

The production team collectively exhaled as the ship moved away. Marc jogged back, giving Damien an enthusiastic thumbs up.

"Thanks for that, Marc," Lucas called out, genuinely impressed by the producer’s dedication.

"Just make this shot worth my sprinting," Marc grinned, still catching his breath. "Show us some magic."

Lucas nodded with a quiet smile. "Count on it." He took a deep breath, and in that moment, everyone watched Sebastian emerge.

The sunset painted the sky in deep purples and oranges as Lucas rounded the corner toward Hermosa Pier. His voice carried the first notes of "City of Stars" into the evening air, tender and uncertain, like someone discovering feelings they hadn’t expected. The melody floated across the water, matching the gentle crash of waves below.

When he encountered the elderly couple near the pier’s edge, the moment transformed into something ethereal.

Lucas moved with them as Sebastian, his dance steps graceful yet hesitant - exactly like someone caught between joy and uncertainty.

The old couple became part of his dream-like state, their impromptu dance adding to the scene’s magic. His voice carried wonder and vulnerability as he continued down the pier, eyes taking in the purple sky and endless ocean, every movement suggesting a man who couldn’t quite believe what was happening to his heart.

The scene captured that precise moment when cynicism gives way to hope - Sebastian’s careful walls beginning to crack under the weight of unexpected feelings. Lucas made every note, every step feel like a question mark, beautiful in its uncertainty.

Damien watched from behind the camera, still amazed by Lucas’s performances after all this time. Sometimes he couldn’t believe how their paths had crossed - Lucas approaching him at Sundance three years ago, wearing that ridiculous disguise just to talk about "Whiplash." The memory still made him smile.

"Cut!" Damien called out, and just like that, Sebastian vanished. Lucas emerged from the character as easily as someone switching off a light, greeting the crew with his usual warm smile.

"That was amazing as always," Damien said, and Lucas responded with a modest nod.

Emma shook her head in disbelief as they reviewed the footage on the monitor. "Okay, seriously - do you have some kind of switch button hidden under your hair?" she asked. "The way you snap in and out of character... I’ve never seen anything like it. Most of us need at least a few minutes to transition."

Lucas chuckled. "Maybe I’m actually a robot. Would explain why I never get tired during night shoots." He kept his tone light, knowing he could never explain how his Mind Workshop actually allowed him to slip between personas so seamlessly.

Emma maintained her suspicious stare at Lucas, pretending to take his robot joke seriously.

"Come on," Lucas protested, "it was just a joke."

But Emma kept her "I’m watching you" expression, making Lucas unsure whether to laugh or defend himself. The crew around them struggled to contain their amusement at Emma’s deadpan suspicion.

Later, Marc found himself meeting with the naval officers who’d moved their ship. "Officers..." he nodded respectfully. "Thank you for your service, and for accommodating our shoot earlier. We really appreciate it."

The captain smiled. "Are you the director of this production?"

"Oh no," Marc quickly clarified, gesturing toward Damien. "He’s our director."

The captain squinted at Damien’s youthful figure. "Him? Seems quite young to be directing."

Then, with a conspiratorial grin, he added, "Say... any chance we could meet Lucas?"

"Lucas?" Marc asked, slightly caught off guard.

"My daughter’s a huge fan," the captain admitted with a chuckle. "Love to make her jealous with a photo and autograph."

"Captain’s going soft on us," one officer teased. "Using his rank to get autographs for his kid."

"Hey, naval strategy includes seizing opportunities," another officer joked.

Marc laughed warmly. "After your help with the ship, it’s the least we can do. Let me check with Lucas."

"Appreciate it," the captain nodded, maintaining his military bearing despite his obvious excitement.

***

Marc barely finished explaining before Lucas agreed to meet the naval officers. Minutes later, he found himself face to face with the ship’s command.

"Whew," the captain exhaled with relief. "Was worried you might say no. Glad to see the rumors about you being down-to-earth are true."

"Not rumors, sir," one officer chimed in. "That’s verified intelligence at this point."

The captain’s professional demeanor softened slightly. "Would it be possible to get a photo and autograph, Mr. Knight?"

Lucas smiled at the captain’s directness. "Never thought I’d have a Navy Captain asking for my autograph. Of course - it’s the least I can do after you saved our shot."

"My daughter’s going to lose it," the captain grinned. "Can’t wait to see her face when I show her these. She’ll be so jealous her old man met Lucas Knight!"

"Better get your story straight, Captain," Lucas laughed. "Tell her you ordered the ship to move just to meet me."

What started as a simple photo op turned into an impromptu cast gathering, with Emma joining in, followed by other cast members. Soon they were all posing with the naval officers, sharing laughs and stories.

From behind the security barriers, the crowd of fans watched enviously as their local military leadership got the exclusive meet-and-greet they’d been hoping for.

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