Tycoon Actor in Hollywood

Lucas blinked awake, his eyes slowly focusing on Neil's concerned face.

"Lucas. Please break character. You don't look well at all," Neil pleaded.

Lucas chuckled weakly, his voice hoarse from disuse. "Is that so?"

Neil nodded, relief washing over his face at hearing Lucas's normal voice. He handed Lucas his phone. "Jennifer's been calling non-stop. You should call her. She's worried sick."

Lucas shook his head weakly. "She'll be more worried if she sees me like this. It's better to focus on the role for now."

Neil studied Lucas, taking in his grown-out hair and gaunt face. Even without a disguise, Lucas was barely recognizable. He nodded slowly, "Alright. I'll reassure her when she calls."

"Thanks," Lucas said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Also, tell her I won't make it to the 'Catching Fire' premiere."

Neil's eyebrows shot up. "Are you sure?"

Lucas nodded, his eyes distant. "I can't break character now. It's crucial for the role."

Neil sighed, concern etched on his face. "Okay, I'll let her know. But Lucas, we need to talk about setting some boundaries. This level of immersion... it's not healthy."

Lucas managed a weak smile. "I appreciate your concern, Neil. But trust me, this is necessary for the performance I want to give."

Neil sighed heavily, his concern evident. "Lucas, I have to warn you. Remember what happened to Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger after they played the Joker? It didn't end well for them."

Lucas smiled weakly. "Don't worry, Neil. If I can't handle the role, I'll stop. Right now, I'm not just immersing myself, I'm testing my limits. And I haven't reached them yet."

Neil nodded reluctantly, still uneasy but knowing he couldn't dissuade Lucas.

***

Meanwhile, as Lucas continued his intense preparation, the third season of "Game of Thrones" was nearing its end.

The episode featuring Robb Stark's fate began, and viewers who hadn't read the books were completely unprepared for what was about to unfold.

As the scene of betrayal unfolded, with Robb's pregnant wife brutally murdered, shocked gasps echoed in living rooms across the country.

"Oh my God!" a viewer in New York exclaimed, her hand covering her mouth.

Then came the moment of Robb's death. His final word, "Mother," uttered with Lucas's haunting performance, sent chills down viewers' spines.

As Catelyn Stark's life ended moments after witnessing her son's death, the audience was left in stunned silence.

Social media exploded:

"WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! #RedWedding #GameOfThrones"

"Lucas Knight's performance in that final scene... haunting. #RobbStark #GoT"

In the aftermath of the "Red Wedding" episode, critical acclaim poured in from all corners of the media landscape. The episode quickly became one of the highest-rated in the series' history.

The New York Times wrote: "A shocking turn of events that will go down in television history, anchored by Knight and Fairley's gut-wrenching performances."

Entertainment Weekly featured a cover story titled: "The Wedding: Inside GoT's Most Intense Episode Yet"

Rotten Tomatoes gave the episode a rare 100% rating, with the consensus reading: "Brutal, unexpected, and masterfully acted, 'The Rains of Castamere' changes the game forever."

Some critics even injected humor into their praise. A popular TV critic tweeted:

"Did Lucas Knight and Michelle Fairley know they were filming GoT and not going for Oscars? Because damn. #TooGood"

Another reviewer quipped in their column:

"Knight and Fairley acted so well, I'm half expecting HBO to issue an apology for actual on-screen murders. #RedWedding"

The episode sparked countless reaction videos, memes, and discussions across social media platforms.

Many fans expressed both devastation at the plot twist and admiration for the performances:

@PayMyBill_Gates tweeted: "Lucas Knight and Michelle Fairley just ripped my heart out. Give them all the awards! #RedWedding"

@Sandy33Sands posted: "I'm not okay. Robb and Catelyn's final moments were too real. Knight and Fairley deserve Emmys for this!"

Meanwhile, memes and jokes started circulating to cope with the emotional trauma:

One popular image showed Lucas and Michelle in a mock advertisement: "Knight & Fairley's Acting Masterclass: How to Emotionally Destroy Your Audience in 10 Minutes or Less"

Another meme featured a picture of Walder Frey with the caption: "Most Hated Man in Westeros... and probably on Earth too #RedWedding"

The hatred for the betraying characters was palpable:

@StarkFamilyFan raged: "Walder Frey, you're on my list now. Right next to Joffrey. #Revenge"

@IAmAKing100 commented: "Roose Bolton, I hope you sleep with one eye open. The North Remembers. #JusticeForRobb"

As the reactions continued to pour in, it became clear that Lucas and Michelle's exit from the series would indeed be remembered as one of the most iconic episodes in television history. Their performances had left an indelible mark on the show and its fanbase, setting a new standard for dramatic television.

***

As November 2013 rolled in, the cryptocurrency world was rocked by a sudden surge in Bitcoin's value. The price skyrocketed from around $200 to over $1,000 in a matter of weeks.

Bobby, who had invested $10,000 in Bitcoin on Lucas's advice, had been anxiously watching the fluctuating prices for months. He'd often found himself silently cursing his decision to trust an actor's financial advice.

But as the price surged, Bobby's initial investment multiplied nearly five-fold. Ecstatic, he took to Twitter:

"Holy crap! My $10k Bitcoin investment just turned into $50k! @LucasXKnight, I'll listen to ANY business advice you give from now on! #Bitcoin"

Within minutes, Bobby's tweet gained traction. Likes and retweets poured in, along with a flood of comments:

@Jacklyn10010 replied: "Same here! Thought I was crazy following an actor's advice, but man, Lucas knows his stuff!"

@LouisBoy369 commented: "Lucas Knight: Actor, Philanthropist, and apparently Financial Guru. What CAN'T this guy do?"

"I laughed at my friend for buying Bitcoin because of Lucas Knight. Now I'm eating my words. And she's eating caviar."

As Bobby scrolled through the responses, he was amazed to see how many others had also invested based on Lucas's recommendation. The actor's influence seemed to extend far beyond the entertainment world.

Meanwhile, financial news outlets began picking up on the trend:

"An Actor's Advice That Could Make You a Millionaire" - Bloomberg Headline

"Is Lucas Knight the New Wolf of Wall Street?" - CNBC article title

The Bitcoin surge had turned Lucas Knight into an unexpected financial influencer, adding yet another fascinating layer to his already multifaceted public image.

***

Lucas, now almost unrecognizable with his gaunt face and long, unkempt hair, stood on a busy New York street corner. His once-muscular frame was hidden beneath baggy clown attire, complete with oversized shoes. His face, painted with exaggerated clown makeup, bore a forced smile that didn't reach his eyes.

He twirled a sign advertising a going-out-of-business sale for a nearby store - a job that Warner Bros. had specially arranged to mimic Arthur Fleck's work in the script. Passersby hurried past, barely sparing him a glance. A group of teenagers snickered as they walked by, pointing and whispering among themselves.

"Look at that freak," one boy muttered, loud enough for Lucas to hear.

Lucas felt a pang of genuine hurt, surprised by how deeply the casual cruelty affected him. He kept dancing, the sign spinning in his hands, his movements becoming more frantic and less coordinated as the day wore on.

Hours later, exhausted and still in his clown costume, Lucas trudged back to his dingy apartment. The stark contrast between this life and his real one was jarring, yet he found himself fully immersed in Arthur's world.

Lucas sat at his small desk, pen in hand, scribbling in his notebook. His brow furrowed in concentration as he wrote:

"I can see everyone suffering, no matter their profession. They suffer as a doctor, they suffer as a lawyer, or they suffer as a poor man, just like me. I guess you have to choose how to suffer in this joke we call life."

He read it over, scratching the back of his head in annoyance. With a frustrated sigh, he crumpled the paper and tossed it aside.

Taking a deep breath, he started again:

"You know, I love comedy. I love joking. I love humor. Everyone's got different tastes, right? It's what we like that gives our life meaning, makes us willing to work and live. But what if that's taken away? What's life worth if we can't have a laugh, have some pleasure? Maybe that's why politicians are corrupt. Money gives their life meaning when everything else is gone."

Lucas stared at the words, a mix of emotions playing across his face. He could feel Arthur's desperation and cynicism seeping into his own thoughts. After a moment's hesitation, he crumpled this paper too, tossing it to join the growing pile on the floor.

He sat back, running his hands through his unkempt hair.

Lucas muttered under his breath, "Fucking think of a good fucking joke, Arthur." His frustration was palpable as he began to write again:

"You know what's funny? Life. It's so stupid yet so simple. We've got politicians living it up, cheating on their wives, swimming in luxury. Meanwhile, us honest folk are scraping by on pennies. It's like the world's biggest practical joke, and we're the punchline."

He stared at the words, a mixture of Arthur's bitterness and his own social commentary bleeding through. With a growl of frustration, he crumpled the paper and tossed it aside, adding to the growing pile of discarded jokes.

As Lucas sat there, teetering on the edge between himself and Arthur, he heard a gentle knock. The actress playing his mother called out, "Happy? Is everything alright in there?"

Lucas sighed deeply, running a hand through his disheveled hair. He looked towards the door, momentarily unsure whether to respond as Lucas or Arthur. Finally, he said in a tired voice, "Nothing, Mom. Everything's fine."

He turned back to his notebook, the blank page staring back at him accusingly.

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