"Hugo, think. Use your head and think," Al said, having spoken at length and feeling somewhat tired. He panted, slowing his speech to adjust his breathing. "Remember what I told you last time?""Don't try to act the role, try to understand the character." Hugo forced himself to ignore the Staff Members who were leaving one by one to smoke, focusing instead on Al's words. He succeeded; as soon as Al asked the question, the phrase immediately came to mind.Al nodded repeatedly, "Yes, that's it. Think about it. What is Charlie's current situation? What is he facing? Why is he able to feel the Colonel's inner pain, and why is he able to stop the Colonel from committing suicide? Why him, and not the Colonel's relatives or some woman?"Hugo took a deep breath to calm his mind and began to think about how Charlie had arrived at this scene. Not just thinking about this scene alone, but thinking about the entire film, the ins and outs of the story, and Charlie's entire life.Charlie was a model student, but he was accidentally dragged into a prank by a few rich kids. He witnessed the three young masters pranking the school's proctor. Standing next to him at the time was George, another member of the rich kid quartet. Thus, George and Charlie became the eyewitnesses. The school would not tolerate such behavior from students, so they intended to severely punish this group, requiring George and Charlie to step forward and identify the culprits.The proctor used admission to Harvard University and a full scholarship to entice Charlie into telling the truth, while also threatening to expel him if he didn't. At the same time, George pressured Charlie with the bond of friendship, making an agreement that neither of them would step forward to identify those "good friends," and there was no need to tell their families or anyone else.Under these circumstances, Charlie and the Colonel came to New York. During those few days in New York, Charlie unexpectedly discovered that George's actions completely aligned with the Colonel's speculation after hearing about the incident: George had told his father, who was a very powerful man. He stepped forward to resolve the matter for his son. Under his father's powerful influence, George was very likely to betray his so-called friends. For George, his future would continue to be secure under the wings of his father, and this incident would have no impact at all. However, this placed Charlie in a very awkward position. What should he do? Betray his friends to secure a chance to enter Harvard, or stick to his principles and never break his promise?Charlie was unwilling to break his principles to betray his friends. But if he persisted, and George spoke up, he would be expelled from school. Perhaps his life would take a huge turn from this point on. The Colonel knew that Charlie was unwilling to speak because this was Charlie's principle. Even if he worried about being expelled, even if his life might change because of it, even if it was for those rich kids he didn't even like, this was Charlie's principle. He didn't want to compromise.So, Charlie knew that perhaps his life was about to be ruined, ruined by his own damned, stupid principles.Under such circumstances, the Colonel chose suicide because he felt there was no hope left in life. But wasn't Charlie the same? In fact, in this incident, by sticking to his principles, Charlie was also stepping step by step into an abyss. Although being expelled from school was not the end of life in the true sense for a young man, for a poor student who aspired to attend Harvard University and change his destiny through knowledge, this was indeed no different from suicide, because it meant he was personally stifling his own dreams.What kind of feeling was this? On one hand, Charlie knew that sacrificing his future for a few rich kids was not worth it at all, because those rich kids wouldn't thank him. They could still rise smoothly with the help of their families; even if they were punished or expelled by the school, it wouldn't affect them. But Charlie was different. On the other hand, Charlie was unwilling to violate his principles: he could not betray his friends. Even if he himself felt that his persistence had no value, he still wanted to keep going.How complicated this feeling must be.Suddenly, Hugo thought of his own life. How bleak the prospects of an underground Rock Band were. He had known this since he was in school. Although they were amateur music enthusiasts, they also knew that domestic Rock had risen rapidly in the late nineties and then withered away quickly. Underground Rock Bands had almost no way out; to put it bluntly, they were struggling to make ends meet. But knowing this, the Glory to Death Band still pursued their dreams without hesitation. In their own words, it was "seeking their own death," but even so, those ten years of life, they were still in pain and happy.Perhaps, this was principle—the persistence of not wanting to compromise with reality.Suddenly, Hugo understood.The reason Charlie was able to touch the Colonel was because of his integrity and kindness, and also because he was unwilling to give up his principles even under the heavy pressure of power. This simplicity, for the Colonel, was like long-lost sunshine in the darkness, allowing the Colonel, even though he was blind, to still feel that ray of sunshine from the depths of his soul.So, what exactly was Charlie feeling in this confrontation? He could not accept yielding without a fight. He could not accept giving up on life, and he was even less able to accept violating his principles. In his view, even if he suffered setbacks and failed in life, he could still start over. As long as you are willing, you can set off again anytime, anywhere. But once you give up, there is no turning back. You might regret it for the rest of your life. This was Charlie's own belief and principle. Even if there was confusion, struggle, wavering, or uncertainty, he would ultimately not change, because he didn't want to, and he didn't wish to.At the same time, he was even less able to accept the Colonel's giving up. In his view, the Colonel was stubborn and strong. Most importantly, the Colonel was a soldier, a soldier who had achieved countless glories and experienced a magnificent life. Such a Colonel would not give up, because this was the Colonel's glory, this was the Colonel's dignity, and even more, it was the Colonel's principle.Therefore, Charlie's feelings for the Colonel were very complicated but also very firm. He believed that the Colonel choosing suicide was a shameful surrender. He did not want to see the Colonel end up with such a fate, not only because of his integrity and kindness, but also because of his admiration for the Colonel.It was precisely because of this emotion of Charlie's that the disadvantaged Charlie was able to persist until the end amidst the Colonel's storm-like venting, and successfully dispelled the Colonel's thought of suicide.Thinking of this, Hugo's eyes suddenly lit up. "Let's try again!" As Hugo looked up, he saw the expectant eyes of Al and Martin before him. Not only them, but many of the surrounding Staff Members also focused their attention on Hugo. It seemed that while Hugo was thinking just now, everyone had been waiting.This was not only because of their seriousness about work, but also out of curiosity: Could Hugo, who had won the Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Actor, really explode with superb acting skills when facing a veteran Actor like Al?Martin looked at Hugo again. It wasn't that he didn't trust Hugo, but the difficulty of this scene was definitely the most arduous challenge Hugo faced in the entire film, and of course, it was also the most brilliant part. Since the previous seven NGs hadn't allowed Hugo to find his state, Martin had reason to express his concern.But unexpectedly, this time Hugo responded with a firm gaze. This affirmation was something Martin hadn't seen before. The energy radiating from those amber eyes made Martin's heart inexplicably settle down.Hugo stood up again and walked to Al. "I'm sorry about just now. This time I will do my best." Al didn't speak, just patted Hugo on the shoulder. He was getting old now, and such a scene with such intense emotional conflict was a physical challenge for Al as well; everything was not so easy.At this moment, the Staff Member had already called in the Staff Members who were smoking outside, indicating that filming was about to restart. After the Staff Members came in, although they didn't say anything, the looks in their eyes toward Hugo didn't hold any special sarcasm or dissatisfaction; they just whispered and laughed as they returned to their posts, as if Hugo, who was about to resume filming, was simply not worth mentioning. What did this indicate? It indicated that the Staff Members had no confidence in Hugo. They didn't think that Hugo's acting would improve by leaps and bounds in such a short time. Perhaps, this scene would still have to rely on Al alone to carry it.Facing such an attitude from the Staff Members, Hugo had no way to blame them, because if he were in their position, he was afraid he would have the same thoughts. But understanding was one thing; it didn't mean Hugo would just give up. He knew that for this kind of disdain, his actual performance was the best means of retaliation compared to words. Even if promises were made grandiosely, if the subsequent performance was still terrible, it would only make himself more miserable. A thousand words were not worth one brilliant performance.Therefore, Hugo didn't say a word, but his fists clenched involuntarily, secretly cheering himself on.Before walking to the filming position, Hugo saw Joseph standing in the crowd. Joseph had his arms crossed the whole time, standing outside the set like a statue watching the filming. He didn't criticize Hugo, nor did he worry about Hugo, nor did he encourage Hugo; he just silently paid attention to Hugo's state. Seeing the gaze Hugo cast over, Joseph just nodded slightly, and that was all.But Hugo knew that Joseph was worried about him. Standing in the same spot without moving to watch his filming was actually the greatest support for him. Hugo gritted his teeth, adjusted his breathing, lightly tapped his feet on the spot, adjusted his mindset, stopped paying attention to other people's gazes, and put all his energy into the upcoming filming.Hugo had no other superfluous actions, walked back to the position specified by the Staff Member with Al, and waited for Martin's "Action" command to throw himself into the filming.
