Actor in Hollywood Chapter 47 - 46: Regrettably Absent

Brad spread his hands wide, looking at Chris in disbelief: *Is this it?*

Chris scratched his head awkwardly. "We drank all night last night, so…"

Brad looked shocked. "You! You didn't wait for ! And does drinking all night yesterday an you're not going all night tonight? I honestly don't know which part of that news to be upset about first. You've changed."

The look on his face was as if he had just missed out on a million dollars. Maybe two.

Anson, walking leisurely from behind, popped two chips into his mouth and flashed a small smile. "Brad, you should check your room."

Brad: ???

Anson shook his head slightly. "I thought you'd at least check your room first. I didn't expect you to dive straight into party mode. Miscalculation on your part."

Without a mont's hesitation, Brad took off running, heading straight for his room.

Chris, confused, looked at Anson.

Anson shrugged lightly. "You guys planned a surprise, so naturally I had to prepare a little sothing in return."

Chris froze, his smile lingering briefly before slowly fading away as his shoulders slumped. "So you already knew Brad was coming back? The surprise was blown?"

Jas chuckled smugly, his face filled with schadenfreude. "With your level of secrecy, it'd be more surprising if Anson hadn't figured it out."

Before Chris could respond, Brad's voice bood from his room, "Haha, good, good, good! Party ti!"

Both Jas and Chris looked at Anson.

Anson finally explained, "I just made a quick run to the liquor store."

It was only after coming to Los Angeles that Anson realized, while supermarkets and convenience stores had everything you needed, they were pretty strict about checking IDs and age restrictions. In addition, there were all sorts of specialty shops: ones that sold just ats, others just bread, so only alcohol, and even ones dedicated to prepared foods and snacks.

These small shops were often tucked away in each neighborhood, without any fancy decorations, just little stores at the end of alleys or on quiet corners, relying on regulars from the community to keep business going.

So, at the liquor store, the clerk would often turn a blind eye, not bothering to check everyone's age too strictly.

Of course, that wasn't the only convenience.

Because the liquor store is a specialty shop, you can find all kinds of alcoholic beverages inside, from beer to wine to spirits, ranging from cheap, low-end brands to expensive, high-end brands, and even the store's own private labels. Although it's a small shop, it has everything you could need, catering to the various needs of custors.

After uncovering the surprise, Anson knew that tonight's party would once again be one where no one leaves sober. So, he prepared a—

Massive alcohol gift package.

Brad's cheers alone made it clear how significant this surprise was.

Jas glanced at Chris.

Chris glanced at Jas.

They paused for a second, and then, as if in sync, both raced toward Brad's room, like a 100-ter dash final at the Olympics.

Gradually, the first-floor living room filled up again, bustling with people, and even the small garden outside was teeming with shadows of partygoers. This was the real party—

Actually, at parties, after a while, your vision becos filled with nothing but unfamiliar faces, which is precisely what makes a party a party. What remains at the end is a peak of sheer joy.

However...

As the broadcast ti for *Friends* drew nearer, and it was about to start, the other surprise Chris had prepared had yet to make an appearance.

Buzz.

Buzz, buzz.

His phone started vibrating.

Anson glanced at the caller ID and, through the crowd, signaled to Chris, "Buddy, the other surprise is here."

With that, Anson held up the phone to show him.

Chris imdiately understood, weaving his way through the crowd like a swimr. He hurried over, looking a bit anxious, "But...but..."

Anson had already answered the phone, "Hey, Hayden."

Hayden Christensen, the young actor who later rose to fa for playing Anakin Skywalker in *Star Wars: Episode II*, was their fourth roommate.

Because *Star Wars* had beco so famous, people didn't know much about Hayden's other works. In fact, like Brad, Hayden had also started as a child actor.

Born in 1981, Hayden had already appeared in comrcials by 1991, earning his way into the entertainnt industry, and after that began working in both film and television. Over the years, he had participated in more than a dozen projects, but unfortunately, none gained him significant attention.

Despite that, Hayden's good looks kept him on his agent's radar, and once he turned eighteen, he began actively pursuing more opportunities.

Now, Hayden was in New York, auditioning for a role.

Clearly, this was a big role because Hayden had been in New York for almost a month. Two weeks turned into three, and then four.

Up until now.

If Anson's guess was right, this mysterious audition was probably for *Star Wars*.

"Oh, Anson, sorry..."

Hayden's voice ca through the phone, the background noisy, much like Anson's surroundings. It seed New York was also hosting a party.

But just as he started talking, Hayden cut himself off.

"God, look at my mory, let's start over."

Before Anson could respond, Hayden hung up the phone.

Anson: ???

Chris had already reached Anson's side, "So, what's happening? Do we need to go to LAX to pick him up?"

Anson showed Chris the phone screen, and Chris looked equally confused.

"Ah, he's calling again," Chris pointed at the phone.

Anson answered again, and this ti, Hayden's cheerful voice ca through like confetti being thrown.

"Congratulations! Anson, congratulations, God, I'm really happy for you. Hey, *Friends*—it's a guaranteed hit. We're all going to be jealous of you."

Anson couldn't help but laugh, "You should wait until after it airs to say that. Maybe my performance will be a disaster. But thanks, anyway."

Hayden laughed along with him, "According to the plan, I should be in L.A. right now. I really wish I could be there to watch the episode with you all."

Chris leaned in and caught so of the conversation through the receiver. Impatient as ever, he shouted directly into the phone, "I thought you could co back. Wasn't your flight supposed to be this afternoon?"

Hayden: "Yes, that was the plan. Everything was supposed to be over. The auditions were all finished, but just as I was heading to the airport, they called again. They want to audition one more ti this evening. God."

Chris was flabbergasted. He had only heard about situations like this but never imagined it would actually happen in real life, "Weren't the auditions already over?"

Hayden chid in with a bit of sarcasm, "Yeah, I thought so too, but..."

Chris: "How many tis have you auditioned now?"

Hayden: "Seven tis? No, wait, eight? No, maybe nine. Sorry, I've lost track. I honestly can't rember. After the audition tonight, there's even a dinner eting."

Chris looked at Anson and mouthed, "Still auditioning. God, still auditioning—nonstop." Then, he continued into the phone, "Yeah, I can tell. I thought it was noisy here, but it sounds like it's even louder over there."

Due to a non-disclosure agreent, Hayden couldn't reveal anything about the audition—not the company, not the project, not even the character.

And now, after seven, eight, or nine auditions?

Anson thought, without a doubt, it must be *Star Wars*.