But he didn't realize that our Hero Billy had already wittily broken off a piece of chewing gum used to plug the fuel leak on the rocket pack?
(Zoe complained about this detail; the director of this show was really childish. She almost laughed out loud and quickly held it back).
As a result, as soon as the villain ignited the rocket and rose a few meters, it lost control due to the fuel leak and exploded with a bang!
The fireball from the explosion, trailing black smoke, hit the famous giant 'HOLLYWOODLAND' sign on the Hollywood Hills squarely, smashing the last four letters 'LAND' to pieces. Thus, this sign permanently became the 'HOLLYWOOD' known to the world today.
After imagining this whole bizarre and heated 'plot,' Zoe felt the tips of her ears burning.
She quickly shook her head to shake off these unhealthy imaginings and pulled her attention back to the reality of the recording studio.
Behind the glass, Landon and Alicia had just finished a recording session and were listening to the playback.
Landon turned his face and said something seriously to Alicia, probably discussing how to handle a certain ending note.
Alicia looked at his focused profile, that faint smile still on her face, but her eyes were full of favor.
Zoe let out a soft breath and unconsciously drew a crooked little rocket in her notebook.
She finally understood that her boss's 'private life' was probably more dazzling and complex than the stylistically diverse EP he was currently recording.
And as his assistant, besides arranging work, she seemed to have to be ready at any time to deal with the mental impact of these far-fetched 'plots'—even though these plots only happened in her active mind.
The recording of 'My Boo,' a vocal collaboration with Alicia, was finally nearing its end.
In the recording studio, the last long note slowly faded. The voice of producer Jermaine Dupri, with a satisfied smile, came through the headphones: 'Perfect, Landon, Alicia.' Alicia took off her headphones and smiled at Landon.
She stood up and stretched her somewhat stiff shoulders.
Landon walked out of the recording area, nodded his thanks to Dupri, and then looked at Alicia.
The eyes of this talented piano virtuoso sparkled with unspent light and a hint of a suggestion.
She approached, the faint scent of her perfume wafting over.
'Finishing tonight deserves a real drink, not throat-soothing tea. What do you think?' Alicia's voice wasn't loud, carrying the magnetic rasp characteristic of a jazz singer, her eyes boldly looking into Landon's.
Their recent collaboration and time together had clearly given her a liking for Landon that transcended a professional relationship, as he had also shown amazing insight and passion in music.
Landon could clearly feel the sincerity of that invitation.
Alicia was undoubtedly extremely charming, a combination of talent and beauty.
However, another face immediately flashed in his mind—Jennifer Connelly, along with her blood-pumping and endlessly creative 'role-play nights.'
Compared to a potential new adventure that would need to be handled carefully, he found himself longing more to return to that known private theater full of dramatic tension and ultimate pleasure.
Jennifer's infinite creativity and level of commitment in this regard made him look forward to it every time he finished high-intensity work.
What would the plot be tonight?
'Alicia, your suggestion is great,' Landon gave a slightly apologetic smile, while avoiding her direct eye contact and turning to pack his things,
'But I'm afraid I have to save some energy. You know, I have to film tomorrow morning, and I don't want to go to the set with dark circles and a muddled head.' He used a work-related reason as a tactful refusal.
Alicia raised her eyebrows, not hiding the flash of disappointment, but she just shrugged and regained her easygoing posture:
'Alright, workaholic. Remember, inspiration sometimes needs to be gathered outside the recording studio.'
She finished with a pointed remark, waved her hand, and left first.
Landon breathed a sigh of relief and shook his head inwardly. This kind of temptation was a huge test of energy.
By the time he and Zoe got into the car to return to their residence, it was late at night.
The car was very quiet, with only the low hum of the engine. Landon leaned back in his seat to rest his eyes but felt a gaze from beside him.
He opened his eyes and found Zoe looking at him sideways, her expression a bit... strange?
There was none of the usual teasing expression.
Since she had swapped her punk accessories for a cleaner and sharper look, even her temperament seemed much calmer, making Landon feel a bit unfamiliar occasionally.
He even had an absurd thought: could this girl have been 'transmigrated' into by something, just like him?
Just as his thoughts were drifting, Zoe suddenly approached without warning and quickly kissed him on the cheek.
'Landon,' her voice carried a bit of effort to maintain a casual tone, 'good job! This is your reward.'
Obviously, she had seen him reject Alicia.
Landon was stunned for a moment, then laughed.
She was still that eccentric girl who didn't play by the rules and might 'take advantage' at any moment.
He shook his head, not taking this bit of intimacy too seriously, closed his eyes again, and muttered, 'What kind of reward is this...'
What he didn't see was that after he turned back, Zoe immediately turned her burning cheeks toward the car window, which blurredly reflected her flushed face and suddenly racing heartbeat.
That kiss was far from being as casual as she made it out to be.
That night, Jennifer's 'private theater' opened as scheduled.
Tonight's play was a variation of another movie of Jennifer's with dark fairy tale elements, 'Étoile.'
The plot was full of Gothic temptation and danger: the young painter Jason, played by Landon, entered the mysterious old mansion again, and Claire (played by Jennifer), wearing a seductive black swan tutu, lured him to the bedside.
While he was sound asleep, Claire approached with a dagger in her hand, her face struggling.
Just as the cold light of the dagger was about to fall, Jason in his dream murmured 'I love you,' and the dagger dropped at the sound.
Later, Jason discovered a secret room at the end of a labyrinthine passage. Claire (still played by Jennifer), wearing the same black swan tutu but looking like the incarnation of a 'demon,' lay on a bright red bed.
With love for the real Claire, Jason fought fiercely with the 'demon.'
At the same time, in another space (symbolizing the stage or the heart), the bound soul of Claire, wearing a white swan tutu, was also struggling hard, seeking liberation.
Since Jennifer needed to play both the pure Claire and the demonized Claire, the plot could not proceed simultaneously and could only be divided into the first and second acts.