Chapter 251: Plane Forced Landing

The next day, Richard arrived in Boston where the crew was filming. Richard played the role of District Attorney Rick Cabot, who, while returning home with his wife Jean, had their car stolen by two black men.

This story was one of the subplots in "Crash," using a series of related stories and characters to discuss the issue of racial discrimination in the city.

Sandra Bullock played the role of his wife, Jean.

Initially, Richard decided to participate in this film because of her. So, during the project's development, he handed her the script and asked if she was interested.

Sandra read it once, felt the story was excellent, and the character resonated with her. She immediately agreed to star in it, even waiving her salary, so the role naturally went to her.

Later, director Paul Haggis suggested that Richard play Rick Cabot. Seeing that it wasn't a major role, Richard agreed.

"Last time we played a couple in 'Miss Congeniality,' and this time we're playing a married couple. Will the audience think this is a sequel to 'Miss Congeniality'?"

Richard said, holding the script on the set.

"It's possible. In 'Miss Congeniality,' we were both very capable, but here we get our car stolen by two punks. It feels a bit strange."

Sandra Bullock laughed.

Richard smiled and looked at director Paul Haggis beside him.

"Mr. Haggis, will this be a problem?"

"Not really. You were a special agent couple before, now Richard is a boxing champion, and Sandra is a big star. The audience's perception of you is constantly changing. As long as your performances are engaging, the audience will see you as Rick and Jean."

Director Paul Haggis said.

"Alright, I'm ready."

Richard adjusted his tie and said. He was wearing a suit, his hair neatly styled, and his expression serious, exuding a capable aura.

"I'm ready too."

Sandra was wearing a fashionable dress with her blonde hair loose, a refined and elegant woman. In the film, she played Jean, a sensitive and suspicious woman with an inherent sense of white superiority. Sandra portrayed her very well.

"OK, let's start filming."

Paul Haggis picked up the megaphone and asked the various teams to get ready.

Richard and Sandra walked onto the street, chatting as they walked. This scene was simply Rick and Jean walking down the street and talking.

"Richard, you're really popular lately."

Sandra brushed her hair and smiled.

"That sounds familiar. It seems like you said the same thing last year when we were filming 'Miss Congeniality.'"

"Did I?"

Sandra laughed.

"You did!"

Last year, during the filming of "Miss Congeniality," it happened to be right after the match between Paul and Hasim Rahman.

Paul had pulled off an upset victory, and some media outlets published photos of Richard at the scene, claiming he was using magic to help Paul win the match. It caused quite a stir, and he was very popular during that time.

"Alright, you're quite something. It seems like you've been popular ever since your debut."

"Yes, actually, I don't want to be too popular, but I have too many shining points, I can't hide them even if I wanted to. Sigh, sometimes it's quite distressing."

"...You're still as shameless as ever."

Sandra rolled her eyes at him.

"You know me well."

Richard laughed.

"Mr. Brad, Ms. Bullock, it's time to start filming."

The crew member shouted.

"OK!"

"Scene 159, take 1, action!"

The slate clapped, the camera turned, and Richard and Sandra entered their roles.

"I thought you were jealous of Karen."

Rick laughed.

"Of course not. I just want you to put down your work and have a proper meal with me, and stop calling her or anyone else."

Jean said with a stern face.

"OK, no more calls to anyone tonight."

Rick took out his phone and removed the battery. "Here, you keep the battery."

Jean took the battery, linked her arm with his, and said,

"I bet 10 dollars she'll call you as soon as we get in the car."

The two of them walked towards the car.

"Cut!"

Director Paul Haggis looked at their shot. One was mature and steady with an upright appearance, the other was beautiful and dignified, proud and reserved. They looked very well-matched walking together, and they acted like a real couple.

"Richard, Sandra, just like that, let's do it again."

Director Paul Haggis stepped forward and said. The first take was to let them find the feeling, the second take was to let them solidify and improve, and if necessary, there would be a third and fourth take.

"OK!"

Richard and Sandra returned to their original positions and continued filming.

This scene was about Rick and Jean preparing to go home after dinner. On the way, they encountered two young black men. Jean, being a sensitive and suspicious woman, linked her arm with Rick's upon seeing the two black men.

This action made the two young black men very unhappy, feeling it was discriminatory. They then pulled out a gun and stole their car.

Next, the crew filmed the second scene. Rick, being the district attorney, prompted an immediate police investigation after his car was stolen.

The second scene wasn't about the investigation process, but rather about the lock on their house door being broken. The locksmith was of Mexican descent and had tattoos, which again aroused Jean's vigilance.

Jean approached Rick, asking to replace the locks. Rick, not holding any prejudice against people of color, got into an argument with her.

The filming went smoothly, finishing three scenes on the first day. Richard didn't have many scenes, and at this pace, they could probably wrap up his part by tomorrow afternoon.

"Anna, book a flight for tomorrow afternoon. No, make it the day after tomorrow. In case we don't finish filming tomorrow, we'll have time to adjust."

Richard said.

"Okay!"

Anna took her work bag and left.

Richard called Bundchen to update her on his schedule.

"Alright, alright, I got it. Yesterday you said you wanted to rest well, but then you went off to film again. Your words can't be trusted."

Bundchen said, dissatisfied.

"Haha, my bad. I promised Director Haggis before that I'd come for a cameo, but I forgot about it. It's only two days of filming, I'll be back soon."

Richard laughed.

"Okay, wait a minute. An An has something to ask you. She said she wants to place a bet and asked if you're confident about winning the matches. If you are, she'll bet more. Haha, An An has won a lot betting on you, she's almost addicted now."

Richard smiled. "Do you want to bet too?"

"No, I don't like gambling, and I don't like watching your matches."

"You should believe in me. I'm invincible."

Richard laughed.

"Can you win the matches without getting hit?"

"Of course, just wait and see."

After chatting for a bit, Richard hung up the phone.

The next day, filming continued. After being robbed, Rick held a press conference, hoping to eliminate racial discrimination. Meanwhile, his wife Jean fell at home and was rescued by their Filipino maid. Through this incident, she also let go of her vigilance and prejudice against people of color.

"Cut!"

With the last scene filmed, Richard's part was complete.

The next morning, he flew out of Boston.

"Mr. Brad, this is your seat."

On United Airlines flight 715, the flight attendant guided him to his seat in business class.

"Thank you!"

"You're welcome. If you need anything, please call me. I'm the chief flight attendant, Amy Sweeney."

"Okay, Ms. Sweeney!"

After the enthusiastic flight attendant left, Richard shrugged and said, "If being too handsome is a trouble, then I'm about to be annoyed to death."

"Is that a joke?"

Assistant Anna asked seriously.

Richard looked at her, a bit helpless. This assistant was good in every way, except she was too serious and had no sense of humor. He shrugged.

"It's not a joke, I'm just bragging about myself."

"Oh!"

Anna nodded and took out a newspaper. "Richard, I haven't had time to prepare today's briefing yet. Do you want to take a look first?"

"Alright!"

Richard opened a copy of The New York Times.

On the sports page, there was publicity for his matches. With four days left until the first match, all the tickets were sold out, with over 42,000 sold. If the arena could hold more people, they could have sold even more.

"#￥%&@#"

While reading the newspaper, he suddenly heard someone speaking softly in Arabic beside him. The voice was very low, and if he didn't have good hearing, he wouldn't have heard it.

Hearing their conversation, he couldn't help but frown. Were they joking?

Was it really okay to joke like this on a plane?

He stared at the two of them, and the more he looked, the more he felt something was wrong.

These two were suspicious.

He had studied micro-expressions. Through a person's expressions and demeanor, he could preliminarily judge whether someone was joking or serious. These two people's emotions were agitated and excited, and their pupils seemed to have flames burning in them.

Buzz buzz buzz~

The plane was about to take off, and the two became even more excited. Suddenly, Richard noticed that there were six other Arabic-looking people in the business class, and they were communicating secretly.

Buzz buzz buzz~

The plane was vibrating. Richard didn't hesitate any longer and stood up, wearing his hat.

"Richard, what's wrong?"

Anna asked.

"Sit down, don't move!"

Richard walked directly towards the cockpit and encountered the chief flight attendant, Amy Sweeney, in the aisle.

"Mr. Brad, is there something wrong?"

"I need to see the captain!"

Richard said.

"Mr. Brad, not now. The plane is about to take off, and the cockpit is closed."

Sweeney asked.

The plane was shaking too much. He took a step forward and hugged her. Wow~ Several flight attendants around them exclaimed.

"I must see the captain. Someone said they were going to hijack the plane."

Richard whispered in her ear.

"What?"

Ms. Sweeney was stunned for a moment. "This must be a joke."

"What if it's not? There are over a hundred people on this plane. Can you take full responsibility? If not, take me to the captain immediately. I'll be responsible for my words."

Richard said seriously.

Sweeney hesitated for a moment and walked towards the cockpit. Buzz~ The plane took off.

"Ms. Sweeney, please hurry!"

"Okay!"

Sweeney opened the cockpit door.

The captain was talking to the ground tower, reporting the situation in the sky.

The co-pilot looked over. "Amy, how can you come here at this time?"

"Bob, this is Mr. Brad. He heard a passenger say they were going to hijack the plane and wants to stop the takeoff."

Sweeney said.

"Haha, that joke is so old. I hear it three hundred times a year, and it's never true."

"What if one time it's true? Are you willing to gamble with the lives of so many people?"

Seeing the plane flying higher and higher, Richard said impatiently.

"Mr. Brad, I know you're a celebrity, but as the captain, the plane is already in the air. I'm responsible for the safety of all 122 passengers on board. I now request that you return to your seat immediately."

The captain said sternly.

"As a passenger on this flight, I also have the right to request that you stop the plane for inspection. I'm not willing to risk my own life."

Richard said seriously.

"Mr. Brad, you're obstructing our work. After the plane lands, we have the right to sue you."

"You can, but you must land and inspect first."

"Impossible. Amy, please take Mr. Brad back, or we'll have to take coercive measures."

The captain said sternly.

Richard frowned and took out his wallet, flashing it. "I'm an FBI agent. I now request that you land. Captains, please cooperate with my work."

"..."

The two captains looked at it.

Pfft~

The co-pilot suddenly laughed. "Mr. Brad, this is a prop, right? I've seen you play a special agent, you were fantastic."

"..."

(End of Chapter)