After the shoot wrapped, Landon and Zoe left the set.
Back in the car, Landon could feel Zoe's scorching gaze wandering across his profile… and lower.
Her unabashed, fangirl admiration and fantasies were almost tangible.
Landon shot her an amused glance. 'Seen enough, Zoe?'
Not the slightest flicker of embarrassment crossed Zoe's face; she answered with perfect righteousness:
'Boss, I'm your personal Makeup Artist. I'm just planning how to give you an even more perfect look next time—it's literally my job!'
Still, she toned it down; after all, Landon was now her employer.
Landon shook his head helplessly, drove her home, then returned to his own apartment.
He needed to start preparing for what came next.
Tracy had already sent him the audition sides for 24 hours and ER.
Although both were only small parts—just a few episodes—Landon knew these shows would become major hits.
For a newcomer, showing his face in projects like that was priceless experience and exposure.
He couldn't afford to slack off; he plunged straight into studying the new scripts.
That evening Rachel came home from work.
She could tell Landon was in high spirits, and the two of them naturally ended up in another tender, passionate session—sessions Rachel now both loved and feared, yet never resisted.
Two days flew by.
Landon was in his apartment, deep in the 24 hours script, analyzing the terrorist cell-leader who had only a handful of lines but a vivid personality, when someone knocked.
The moment he opened the door, a gust of perfume barreled in.
Tracy swept into the apartment like a whirlwind, jumped up, and peppered Landon's face with kisses, babbling in excitement:
'It worked! Landon! Ron Howard called personally! Charles Herman is yours! I knew it, I knew you'd do it!'
Even though he'd been half-expecting it, hearing the confirmation made Landon's heart lurch; a wave of joy and triumph surged through him.
He hugged Tracy back, laughing as he endured her assault. 'That's amazing! Thank you, Tracy!'
She bounced in his arms, her full breasts pressed against his chest. Only after a while did she calm down, cheeks still flushed.
'Don't thank me—you earned it with your talent.' She patted his cheek, eyes blazing.
'Go put on something formal. We're heading to Imagine Entertainment right now; the lawyer's already downstairs!'
Landon didn't dare delay. He quickly changed into the well-cut dark suit Tracy had prepared.
When he stepped out, Tracy's eyes lit up again.
The suit emphasized his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs, and combined with the bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement, he looked like walking charisma.
'Let's go, future superstar!' Tracy slipped her arm through his, and they headed downstairs.
Below, the lawyer sent by WMA was waiting in the car.
The two vehicles drove in convoy toward Imagine Entertainment in Los Angeles—the production company founded by Director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer.
Upon arrival they met up with the WMA attorney and rode the elevator upstairs.
In a sleek, art-filled conference room Landon again met Director Ron Howard and, for the first time, the other key figure—producer Brian Grazer.
Also present were two producers representing the investors DreamWorks and Universal Pictures, along with their legal counsel.
After pleasantries, Ron Howard clapped Landon warmly on the shoulder and handed him a noticeably thicker full script:
'Landon, here's the complete screenplay—study it well. Welcome to the A Beautiful Mind family!'
'Thank you for the opportunity, Director Howard.' Landon accepted the hefty script with both hands.
Meanwhile Tracy and the WMA lawyer followed Brian Grazer and the other producers into a side room to negotiate fee, schedule, rights, and obligations.
Taking advantage of the lull, Ron Howard pulled Landon aside to a lounge area and began a deeper, scene-by-scene discussion of Charles Herman's arc and his vision for key moments.
Landon listened intently, raising questions and cross-checking everything against the classic film in his mind, gaining invaluable insight.
About an hour later the side-room door opened.
Tracy and the WMA lawyer emerged wearing professional, satisfied smiles; Brian Grazer and the other producers looked equally pleased.
Clearly the negotiations had gone smoothly.
Staff quickly brought in the printed formal contracts.
The WMA lawyer reviewed every clause once more, then nodded to Tracy and Landon.
Under everyone's gaze Landon stepped to the conference table and picked up the weighty fountain pen.
He drew a steadying breath, quelled his excitement, and signed his name with a fluid, forceful stroke—Landon Williams.
The scratch of the nib across paper sounded like the overture to his official Hollywood debut.
'Congratulations, Landon!'
'Welcome aboard!'
Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, and the others came forward to shake his hand.
The production team then informed him that principal photography would start in mid-March—nearly two months away.
That gave him ample time to dig into the role and still handle auditions and possible shoots for 24 hours and ER.
Landon, Tracy, and the lawyer took their leave and exited Imagine Entertainment.
Back in Tracy's car, once the doors shut and they were alone, Tracy burst out with the exact figure:
'One hundred twenty thousand dollars, Landon! For a complete newcomer, that's fantastic money!'