"Hah, no way!"
"It's true, it's true! Soone just redeed a limited edition poster."
"Oh my God, a limited edition poster of a character?"
"Which character?"
"Who do you think? Of course, it's Anson."
"So, it's a solo Anson poster?"
Screams erupted, completely setting off the crowd's excitent, and the commotion couldn't be cald.
Everyone was losing it, going completely wild as waves of excitent rolled through the entire scene. This small intersection had effectively beco the center of Hollywood.
Nicholas' eyes were full of admiration—
Anson was, indeed, incredible.
To Nicholas, it was clear that Anson had intentionally kept the bonus reward a secret.
There were playful bookmarks at the arcade machines that made people smile and assu that they were just part of a small joke. Naturally, when people found prank notes in the capsule machines, they assud it was all part of the event—
After all, there weren't too many of those prank notes, so audiences wouldn't feel tricked.
If soone decided to keep those prank notes as a nto, they'd discover a hidden reward—the real Easter egg.
But if they threw them away?
Well, they'd miss out with no second chances.
Nicholas could almost imagine Anson's bright eyes glinting with amusent, his satisfied expression watching everything unfold.
Unbelievable!
A movie premiere had actually turned into a full-blown carnival.
Nicholas paused, looking around at the dense crowd filling every inch of space.
Packed shoulder to shoulder!
In terms of sheer numbers, this place couldn't compare to the Chinese Theatre—it simply didn't have the sa capacity. The spacious streets of Hollywood Boulevard could easily accommodate thousands, but here, even cramd to the max, it couldn't fit more than a thousand.
Yet, the atmosphere was entirely different.
Tonight, Hollywood Boulevard was bustling, but it carried a manufactured air, a sense of industrial cheer. The energy was so intense and artificial, as if everyone was playing a part.
But at the Wilshire Theatre, the atmosphere was light and genuine. The joy on people's faces was real, filled with curiosity and a sense of adventure as they explored and celebrated in the small space.
Nicholas couldn't help but smile, feeling a surge of joy.
True happiness.
Who would've thought that a movie premiere could turn into this?
Typically, a movie premiere was a publicity event. The audience stayed in front of the stage, looking up at the stars bathed in the spotlight. It was a one-sided display.
But "The Butterfly Effect" had shattered that wall, inviting the audience to beco part of the event, imrsing themselves in the movie's promotional experience and discovering its magic on their own.
This was revolutionary.
Anson dared to dream it, New Line Cinema dared to do it, and now, it had beco a reality.
Nicholas' heart raced with excitent.
Before long, he realized his earlier instincts were correct—
He wasn't the only reporter leaving the Chinese Theatre.
In fact, more and more people were heading towards the Wilshire Theatre.
The "Master and Commander" premiere was grand and impressive, but it lacked originality. The coverage could be templated and copied without much effort. Gathering so many journalists there was a waste.
But "The Butterfly Effect" premiere was different. Surprises were hidden everywhere.
Nicholas also wondered, how would Anson and the cast make their entrance?
The T-shaped intersection was packed to the brim with people. Journalists and audience mbers were mixed together, indistinguishable from one another. Nicholas couldn't imagine how the cast would make a grand entrance or how reporters would take photos and conduct interviews.
Could it be… a hot air balloon?
Nicholas looked up suddenly, envisioning Anson descending from the sky.
If that were the case, "The Butterfly Effect" would easily overshadow "Master and Commander," with Anson's Jas Bond-style entrance dominating conversations for weeks.
The thought sprouted in his mind and wouldn't leave.
Out of the corner of his eye, Nicholas noticed more people arriving from the east, one wave after another, unending. Though the main crowd was focused on Hollywood Boulevard, the real attention was on the Wilshire Theatre—
If Russell Crowe knew, he wouldn't be pleased.
Wait, was that…
Nicholas froze, literally stopping in his tracks.
A black hoodie, black jeans, and a dark blue denim jacket.
A casual, effortless look that highlighted a lean, well-proportioned figure, radiating youthful energy that stood out effortlessly.
Even in a sea of people, even amid the crowd, they stood out.
One glance and he was hooked.
A subtle smile appeared on his lips as he chatted with his friends, looking like a regular young person heading out for an evening with friends, blending right in with the audience.
Beside him, a girl wore a white skirt and light blue denim jacket, with long wavy hair cascading down, accented by a red hibiscus flower behind her ear, blooming quietly on a cool Los Angeles autumn night.
Another boy, dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, wore his denim jacket casually rolled up, revealing wrist beads and bracelets. His unruly short hair spiked up in a carefree fashion.
The trio walked together, joking, teasing, and laughing as they approached.
Like Nicholas, they must have parked in the lot below and walked up the slope to join the carnival.
They were no different from the others arriving at the Wilshire Theatre, just young moviegoers out for a night of fun.
Except—
These three were anything but ordinary.
Heath Ledger, Rachel McAdams, and… Anson Wood.
The three main stars of "The Butterfly Effect," who were also supposed to be the stars of the premiere, basking in the spotlight and soaking up applause on the red carpet.
And yet?
They joined the party as part of the crowd, just like everyone else, completely redefining the idea of a movie premiere.
Nicholas was stunned, absolutely stunned by the sight.
He even doubted his own eyes.
Blinking, rubbing them, checking again, he finally realized he wasn't mistaken.
Instinctively, he raised his cara and snapped a photo of the three young stars—
In the thick of the crowd, they blended in seamlessly. Even the biggest celebrities were just part of the gathering without spotlights or flashbulbs, stripped of their usual aura.
Yet, they still stood out, effortlessly.
The crowd noise faded, and focus shifted to those smiles, that joy.
They shone like true stars.
(End of Chapter)
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