My Hollywood System

Chapter 206:

David and his son, Jonas walked down the street to watch the newly released [Catch Me If You Can].

They had selected the movie after having a huge argument about what the movie would be. At first, the son wasn’t that interested, but after his father insisted how good [Liberty City] was and explained how worth it he thought this one would be as well. He was personally a fan of Leo, from [Liberty City].

On the way to the theatre, they both were excited.

“I’m hella sure it’s gonna be one of the best we get to watch!” he told his son while walking.

“Yes, dad! I’m pumped!”

“What I’m looking forward to more is to see how Leo would act in the movie! Ahaha… Can’t wait!”

They walked and stood in the queue which was in front of the theatre. So many other people were present to go watch the movie.

***

In the same queue, there was a group of university kids lined up in the same queue inside the theatre. Ever since the teaser was out, they were anticipating watching the movie.

“Aw, man! I can’t believe the line is this long! Why on Earth does it have to be this long?! Why can’t we just go in and sit there?!”

“Yeah, because there’s another movie already screening inside! It’ll take a few more minutes! I can’t wait to watch this~”

“Yes, we have been planning for ages! I just hope the movie is worth it! I love Leo!!” Another girl chimed in.

“Oh my God, you girls, look at me and look at Leo, who looks good the best?” Their classmate, a guy asked while putting his hands over the two girls’ shoulders.

“Leo!” “Leo~” “Duh!”

All the guys laughed listening to the girls and mocked the dude for the rest of the time in their queue.

***

“Ah babe, do you think it is worth it?! I was always skeptical after watching the trailer. Mmhm, it’s more like I don’t even think it’s that great,”

“You’re just obsessed with rom-coms. So obviously you wouldn’t be like this! But, just see for yourself! I am so sure it’s going to be good!”

“How are you so sure?!”

“It’s just that feeling, cutie pie. I just feel so, like it would outta the ballpark. It’s just this… I don’t know how to explain! But every good movie we have ever watched… I suggested them, do you agree?”

“Yeah, you’re right! But–”

“See, you do understand what I’m tryna say right? Among all the other things which I’ve a good instinct on, movies are one of the best. One of the best! And trust me on this… [Catch Me If You Can] would be one of the best you ever watch!” The guy said with a cheeky smile.

“It’s by Kron Studio right?! I heard Will Evans wrote the script” The girl asked looking at her boyfriend.

“Yes! And as far as I know, if Will wrote something, there’s a slight possibility that it could go wrong. But I’m sure, this would be so great! Just let’s see! I can’t wait!” He said and kissed her forehead.

***

Everyone was seated inside the theatre. After a long thirty minutes in the queue, everyone got the chance to get seated–the speciality was how it was the first show of [Catch Me If You Can] in the local theatre.

Many people were very excited! But some were there due to other reasons; such as, being called, and invited by someone. Nevertheless, the little talks, whispers, and all the focus that was scattered everywhere came to an end.

The entire focus was shifted to the screen as the movie started.

[Catch Me If You Can]

The logo of the studio, Kron was displayed. With the movie starting, some names were displayed. They were the names of the cast and the crew.

“I already have a feeling this is going to be great,” the girl whispered in her boyfriend’s ear.

“Told you so,” He whispered back.

The movie started and the story began to unravel. People had different sorts of emotions, and thoughts running throughout the entire movie. During times that Frank Abagnale conned other people, the crowd were laughing and most of them had tears in their eyes.

“-Brenda. -Brenda. Brenda, I wouldn’t worry about it. You know, these doctors you know, they don’t know everything.” Frank said to the nurse who was crying her eyeballs out.

“It’s my first week and I think they’re going to fire me.”

“No, no, nobody’s going to fire you, Brenda. I bet you’re good at your job.” Frank said.

“No, I’m not.”

“Yeah, I bet if I asked you to check on the status of my friend Lance Applebaum that you could do that for me in a second.”

“Um… Mr. Applebaum fractured his ankle. Dr. Ashland is treating him in exam room seven. You see that? No problem. This is the emergency chart. See that blue star there? That means that the patient has been diagnosed. And then, after he’s been treated, we put a red circle here, see?”

That was all it took for the audience to crack into laughter. The lady nurse was manipulated by Frank and she was so naive. The way she kept explaining those things made everyone laugh.

“Oh my fucking God! I mean–” A fat man laughed while holding his stomach.

“Hahaha… Your popcorn is everywhere… But that’s just…!” The person next to him laughed along!

***

“Dad, I think I finally figured out what I want to be,” The 14 year old young man walked beside his father.

“You can’t do that. Why do you wanna do that?”

“Frank Abagnale is so cool. Like, see how he got rich faster. Isn’t that what everyone wants? The money?”

“Listen up young guy, there are so many things wrong with your statement. The movie was set back years ago, where the technology wasn’t even half as good as it is now. And, if it is about you, I highly disapprove of your choice of life.”

“It is my life, dad.” He was stubborn just like every other teenager.

“Still, it’s a no. You’d get caught up by the police. You saw how Carl Hanratty went after Frank and didn’t give up till he got caught? That would be worse if you tried to con people nowadays. Forget about big places, conning is even worse if it’s for the people close to you.”

The kid was visibly upset. The movie, which ran 2 hours and forty minutes, made the young guy think of possibilities to have such a future for himself. In fact, it was just not him. But also every other kid who was present at the theatre.

“I just want to be cool,”

“And, lying would make you appear as someone who is not cool.”

They kept walking, and the night had already crept in. The street got dark, yet the conversation was active.

“Lying just needs more lies to cover it up,” The young guy figured it out finally.

“Exactly. And just so you know, everything that seems cool is not the right thing to do. But…”

“Mhm..”

“If you want to look cool, you can be an actor. Actors play cool characters all the time! From heroes, to villains.”

The guy nodded listening to the words.

***

In the parking lot, after the movie, a bunch of girls who watched it sat on the bench.

“Oh my word! I can’t believe it was so good! I actually had tears! It was so good and I really liked how Leo acted. I can’t believe I hated his acting before. He nailed the character!”

“That emotional connection throughout the movie seriously got me at the end! When I saw Ella crying, I was like…. Why on earth do you have tears?! That was the first time she pointed out that I even had tears in my eyes! We laughed about that for five minutes straight!”

“Hehe, I heard. I shushed because you guys were being too loud! Ah holy cow! Just…. This was the best girls night ever! That too… Because of the movie! Thanks, Stella. If we watch the other movie Ivy selected, I don’t think it would have been this great!” Another girl said with a chuckle.

“Aw c’mon! My choices are not that bad!” Ivy said with a pout.

“Last time, I almost puked at the theatre for how much the actors tried to be funny. Maybe it’s your luck with bad movies!”

Everyone laughed, agreeing with the girl who said that. Ivy laughed along.

***

The three men, who were from the studio and had decided to watch a movie—came out of the theatre with different expressions on their faces.

“I can’t believe I just watched a masterpiece! It was so good and very well executed!” The script writer said in disbelief.

“What do you think about the story?! I have so many thoughts about it, I don’t know where to start! That was like one of the very best stories I have ever got the chance to watch!” The cinematographer said and shook his head.

“I felt very sorry for young Frank! He basically fell apart when he saw his mother with some men while still being married to his dad! He obviously loved his parents very much, mostly his dad! I am glad the FBI agent, Tom Hanks’s character, Carl Hanratty, had grown to like and felt sorry for Frank and was able to help him get out of prison, and even gave him a job at the FBI! I really enjoyed this movie, very well acted by the leads! Just… I was mind blown!”

“Same!”

They muttered and walked among the crowd, to reach the exit.