"I probably look like an idiot. Believe me, I know. I have eyes too."
"But... I'm trying. I'm working hard to be myself."
Lowering his voice, Anson muttered a self-deprecating comment, then shrugged lightly and let out a long sigh. His brows and facial expression gradually relaxed.
Anson was still the same Anson, yet the subtle, lively expressions he now displayed firmly held Risa's gaze. This was a side of Anson she had never seen before.
People are inherently subjective—
Risa had always felt that her hard work went unnoticed. Diligently preparing for roles, she was often overlooked, misjudged, or dismissed with the casual label of "blonde bombshell," erasing all her efforts. In the end, it was her looks that gained her attention.
People would often chime in with dismissive remarks, "If you have looks, why bother with talent?"
But the issue lies here: if all you have is looks, how long can that sustain you? What about the soul beneath the surface?
Yet now, Risa realized she was treating Anson with the same dismissiveness.
Feeling this realization wash over her, Risa became slightly embarrassed, her gaze evasive.
Anson, however, seemed unaware of her discomfort. He naturally filled the silence she left.
"Earlier this year, I went on a street performance tour across Europe with some friends."
"It was during that time I realized how challenging it is to live on the move, carrying nothing but a guitar. Life always keeps you on the go, and that's even harder."
"But now, those experiences have turned out to be unexpectedly helpful."
"One key lesson I learned earlier this year was not to feel shy."
"We often worry too much about others' opinions, subconsciously holding ourselves back because of them. But the truth is, we're not that important. People probably don't notice us that much. Even if they do, they're just passersby—they don't really matter in our lives."
"So, even if I look like a lunatic right now, I don't mind."
Risa was slightly taken aback—
The way Anson casually downplayed his experiences with the August 31st Band was astonishing. To those unfamiliar, it might sound like he just played a few random gigs in Europe. But anyone who knew the band would think otherwise.
Seeing the genuine sincerity in Anson's expression, Risa couldn't help but let a small smile form on her lips.
Anson noticed and didn't linger on himself any longer. Instead, he turned to Risa.
"I heard you recently visited the Carter family."
Though Risa was still in negotiations with the production, she had been proactive and showed keen interest in the project.
After reading the script, Risa had her agent reach out to June Carter's children. She sat down with them to discuss June in depth, hoping to draw inspiration for her portrayal directly from those closest to the late star.
Unlike most biopics, Walk the Line was actively supported by the real-life figures it was based on. Much of the script was drawn from Johnny Cash's own memoirs, with full cooperation from both families involved.
It was said that Risa had a meaningful and memorable visit with the Carter family.
Anson's inquiry didn't come across as probing or critical but rather as a natural exchange. Risa found herself responding with ease.
"Not the entire Carter family, actually. Specifically, June's children from her three marriages—each of them is a musician."
"It was truly unfortunate—Rosie passed away last week in a car accident. I wasn't sure if it was appropriate to visit the family during such a difficult time, but they still welcomed me warmly."
"Especially John—John, June and Johnny's son. He said their family has faced so much tragedy this year, and they desperately needed something positive to lift their spirits. Perhaps this film finally coming to fruition is the best tribute to their parents."
April: June Carter.
September: Johnny Cash.
October: June's daughter from her second marriage.
As John Carter Cash put it, this year had been a relentless stream of bad news for their family.
Though Anson had never met any of these individuals, he still sighed softly, his tone tinged with melancholy. "We never know which will come first, tomorrow or the unexpected. The only thing we can truly grasp is the present moment, right?"
Risa froze slightly, giving Anson another look.
It was clear: today, Anson had brought one surprise after another.
Noticing Risa's gaze, Anson raised his hands in a playful surrender. "Sorry to interrupt. So, you shared some memories with them?"
Risa quickly collected her thoughts. "Yes, we talked about some habits, personal styles, and little details outsiders wouldn't notice."
"They even brought up something funny." Risa chuckled. "They thought I should add something extra to my upper body."
She gestured vaguely with her hands near her chest as she spoke.
Only a beat later did she realize how inappropriate it might be to discuss such a thing with someone she barely knew—especially considering their earlier confrontation.
Wait, did they even argue? Why couldn't she remember anymore? And…
Risa felt slightly flustered.
Her meeting with June Carter's children had ultimately concluded with a focus on external appearances—specifically, her physical features.
Meanwhile, Anson had bypassed superficiality entirely. Starting with music, he sought to deeply understand his character's soul and depth. He even tried to capture the essence of the era, exploring the societal backdrop that shaped his character's circumstances and identity.
Her own efforts, her research, her pride—they all paled in comparison to Anson's.
Yet here she was, self-righteously accusing Anson of being a shallow "pretty face," worrying that their collaboration might distract audiences and critics alike.
Standing before Anson, Risa felt smaller than ever.
Her smile stiffened at the edges, her gaze flickering uneasily.
But Anson remained unshaken.
He looked at her with the same calm, sincere expression. "It's just like makeup and costume design—when the appearance is right, the performance can truly come to life."
"Nicole Kidman's fake nose in The Hours worked that way, didn't it?"
Risa nodded instinctively. Her unease, embarrassment, and self-doubt gradually faded, replaced by a sense of warmth.
"Yes." Risa nodded again. "I feel the same way. Even though it's a small detail, it's vital for actors to step into character."
"So, after meeting them, the first thing I did when I came back was work with my stylist to closely study June Carter's look during her youth—her style and everyday habits."
"Can you believe it? In many of her looks, June neither flaunted nor hid anything intentionally. I think she just wasn't a fan of showbiz glamor."
(End of Chapter)