March 11.
Indifferent to anyone else, Billy breathed in; the heat, everything seemed anchored to the arrival of shoots in other countries, though nothing Billy did was truly surprising. From so many places, he thought only of work—of the next film while making this one, the next book, the next comic; everything passed through his mind like a magnifying glass. He took on Anakin's posture in his thoughts, performing from a romantic angle, with eyes filled with devotion. He was an expert in every field; each one shone like a sun. He learned to do as much as he could to demonstrate the affection and love suspended within the performance. He had to look like a true madman, someone driven only by love; his contained emotions would explain his path to the dark side—otherwise, everything would feel false, without any convincing takes.
The way he moved. The way he held on. The shape of love was a proper runway, moving from the most dignified extremes to the precocious edges of life. That was why he begged from his soul to show the most intrinsic forms of love.
-—I can say it gladly, with conviction, that the sets where a person acts are simply places where we pour everything into one pot—nothing ungrateful, nothing worthy of admiration; they are merely the ways people behave— Billy replied to a crew member.
-—I think roles carry life. I truly enjoy watching— Natalie replied. With her bright eyes, she was only steps away from studying at Harvard University. What attracted her were thoughts about people's lives. No one can truly keep themselves contained in any way.
-—I think it's connected. Some roles become easier when one experiences situations that are simply real— Billy commented simply, about the art of speaking, about the art of acting.
-—I've tried it very little, but experiencing things requires something complicated—carrying the role; it can only be done by following a method of study— Natalie replied, preferring to keep any simple task close, any restless work.
-—The method— Billy laughed.
-—Sometimes the method is as wonderful as doing things in front of people. I think everything works out; however, it's the mind that triumphs. Both methods lead to a limit, but it's the mind that does the best work. It's about doing things right and not avoiding them— Billy commented—. Many methods are good, but only the human being can push them to the extreme, use them to their limit. Will.
-—Now the mind plays— she recited his words.
-—It's always the main thing—only one mind or the other. Discipline, talent, perspective, emotional control, systematic study, and land earning. Whoever wants something, or wants to be something, achieves it— Billy replied, taking a step forward, not denying what stood before him. A door.
-—You can do whatever you want— Billy added.
Natalie felt a finger brush against hers as their gaze lingered. Everything felt so romantic: the impulse he gave her to become someone different. An actress, a professional, a model… he was a man worthy of admiration from a single whisper, someone who could desire any foolish thing. A man who forgot, a man who seemed to know everything.
-—I heard you bought the entire villa— Natalie commented.
-—Yes, in fact, I did. For an offer they couldn't refuse— Billy replied—. He paid nearly nineteen million euros for the whole villa, along with the surrounding land; every sale and purchase created a magnificent space.
-—It seems you have everything figured out.
…
Filming began earlier than planned, perhaps around eleven in the morning, after a sumptuous breakfast; this time, everything would be in Steven's hands, who would lead them into his own prison of roles.
-—We start in ten minutes— Lucas announced through a megaphone, while not far away, Steven approached to whisper in his ear; everything moved through overlapping angles. Wealth intertwined. Commitment and the way things were resolved—every trait observed by Billy.
-scene 35, take 1.-
The landspeeder bus comes to a stop. PADMÉ, ANAKIN, and R2-D2 disembark. The great courtyard stretches out before them, and they see the pink dome of the palace on the far side. R2-D2 whistles. They gather their things and begin crossing the courtyard. R2-D2 lags behind them.
ANAKIN: If I had grown up here, I don't think I'd ever leave.
PADMÉ
(laughing)
I doubt it.
ANAKIN: No, really. When I began my training, I missed my home terribly and felt very alone. This city and my mother were the only pleasant things I could think about… The problem was that the more I thought about my mother, the worse I felt. But I'd feel better if I thought about the palace, about how it shines in the sunlight, about how the air always smells of flowers…
PADMÉ: …and the gentle sound of distant waterfalls. The first time I saw the capital, I was very young… I had never seen a waterfall before. I thought they were so beautiful… I never dreamed I would one day live in the palace.
ANAKIN: Well, tell me—did you dream of power and politics when you were a child?
PADMÉ
(laughing)
No! That was the last thing on my mind. My dream was to help in the Refugee Relief Movement. I never thought of running for elected office. But the more I studied history, the more I realized how much good politicians could do. So at eight years old, I joined the Legislative Apprentices, and later became a senatorial advisor—so passionately that, without realizing it, I was elected queen. Partly because I earned very high marks on my examinations, but mostly because of my conviction that reform was possible. I wasn't the youngest queen ever elected, but now that I think about it, I'm not sure I'm old enough. I'm not sure I'm ready.
ANAKIN: The people you served thought you did a good job. I heard they tried to amend the Constitution so you could stay in office.
PADMÉ: Popular government is not democracy, Annie. It gives people what they want, not what they need. And honestly, I felt relieved when my two terms ended. My parents did too. They worried about me during the blockade and were eager for it to be over. In fact, I had hoped to have a family by now… My sisters have wonderful children… but when the Queen asked me to be a senator, I couldn't refuse.
ANAKIN: I agree! I think the Republic needs you… I'm glad you chose to serve. I feel that things are going to happen in our generation that will profoundly change the galaxy.
Anakin/Billy's eyes drew closer to hers in a magnificent way. He performed—those eyes that inspired, his way of making her see the intensity of love. For the first time, from her perspective, someone wanted to make her feel completely valued and loved.
PADMÉ: I believe so, too.
ANAKIN and PADMÉ walk toward the palace. ARTOO follows them.
-cut.-
-—Well don,— Ben Burtt replied.
Billy nodded, understanding now that in the coming weeks, many of the shoots would work in his favor.
He gave Natalie a slow, delicate smile. She nodded back; they were heading to the next scene. She didn't mind kissing him. She didn't mind feeling loved by the way he left her speechless.
...