Hollywood Zenith

Chapter 158 After Party

The Queen turns again and faces the black pieces. Both Ron and Harry study the game and have some experience playing a miniature version of it.

Harry: Wait a minute.

Ron: You understand right, Harry. Once I make my move, the Queen will take me...then you'll be free to check the King.

There was desperation in his voice, but he showed a brave face for the camera.

Harry: No, Ron! No!

Hermione: What is it?

Harry: He's going to sacrifice himself!

Samuel shouted to give it an authentic feeling.

Hermione: No, Ron, you can't! There must be another way!

Ron closes his eyes.

Ron: Do you want to stop Snape or not? Harry, it's you that has to go on. I know it. Not me, not Hermione, you. Harry nods. Knight...to H-3.

He turns to face Hermione and Harry

Ron's horse moves forward, slides and stops.

Ron: Check.

The Queen turns and advances. Ron breathes faster, clutching the steel reins. The Queen stops.

SMASH!

Ron goes flying off the horse and lands on the floor, unconscious. Rupert did the stunt himself, but there were few supporting ropes involved.

Ron: Ahhhh!

Harry: RON!

Hermione starts walking toward him, but Harry hastily stops her.

Harry: NO! Don't move! Don't forget, we're still playing.

Hermione moves back. Harry walks the diagonal in front of the King.

Harry: Checkmate.

The King's sword falls onto the ground victory. Harry breathes out, and then the two run to Ron. They bend beside him.

Harry: Take care of Ron. Then, go to the owlery. Send a message to Dumbledore. Ron's right...I have to go on.

Hermione: You'll be okay, Harry. You're a great wizard; you really are.

Harry: Not as good as you.

Hermione: Me? Books and cleverness? There are more important things. Friendship and bravery. And Harry, just be careful.

Emma delivered the line with a smile; she felt it from the bottom of her heart. Both were huge inspirations for her, and she looked up to them even if they fought most of the time.

Harry nods and stands, walking away.

" Cut! Perfect, that last bit was exceptional. Good job, Hermione, I mean, Emma." Even Columbus was so engrossed that he misplaced her name.

" Thank you." Emma received the compliment head-on. There was nothing left of her previous shy girl persona.

" David, do we have anything else on the script?" Columbus confirmed a second time.

" No, there are a few shots, but we have to do that to capture various effects," David said with a smile. He knew where Columbus was going with it.

" Then, It's a wrap! Everyone, good job enduring it so far! I have prepared a scrumptious meal for everyone! Enjoy the After Party!" Columbus was exceptionally loud with his delivery.

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" Good work, guys." Tom came after everyone got changed into different clothes. It was nothing fancy, but at least these were not 'work' clothes.

" Thank you. Let's go to the party. I am starving." Samuel said while leading everyone toward the venue. It was a big studio, and Columbus organized the party in one of its large halls.

A row of colorful cuisine was lined up on the table, and everyone was free to pick whatever they wanted. The parents were helping their kids while the crew members enjoyed drinks in a corner. It was to prevent children from accidentally consuming it.

" By the way, I noticed something today," Tom said while they were selecting the meal.

" Hmm, what is it?" Emma asked while Rupert was busy filling his plate.

" It seems like the director is very lax with you guys. Normally when I make a mistake, he would reprimand me. It was strange that you guys made a big scene earlier, and he said nothing and asked me for help." Tom also sensed it in the previous shooting session but was not sure of it until now.

" Is that so? I never thought about it." Emma didn't know what to say while Samuel flinched.

How would they react if they knew that Samuel was basically the director's boss? Owning rights as the producer superseded directing rights. Samuel holds a hefty percentage through his production company.

He never noticed it, but Columbus was unconsciously tolerant of his behavior on set. That also included Emma and Rupert because they were mostly together on the screen.

" You are overthinking it. He is only a little more patient with us, nothing more." Samuel tried to downplay the scenario.

" I don't know." Tom was suspicious.

" By the way, where is he? I don't see him." Samuel asked. The best way to change the subject was to ask questions. It was common knowledge!

" uou ore wwright." Rupert said while stuffing his mouth.

" That's disgusting. Don't talk while you eat," said Emma every time Rupert would outdo himself.

" I think I know where he is. Let's go." Samuel had some general ideas.

" Wait! I still haven't tasted the drumsticks!" Rupert was torn between two choices but decided to follow them.

They went to toward the parking lot, and lo and behold, Columbus, along with David and Ella, were raiding his van. Steve, who was on watch duty, could only look toward Samuel with pitiful eyes.

" Boss, I tried, but they overpowered me," Steve said upon his arrival.

"Overpowered? Says the person holding the glass. Steve was in on it, too; I guess no one could resist expensive wine. " Thought Samuel.

Columbus, on the other hand, very sensibly took out the best bottles of red wine and lined them up on the porch. They also brought some snacks that went along with it.

"Huh? Jeroboam of Chateau Mouton, Chateau Lafitel, Chateau Margaux. What kind of wine is the kid secretly hiding? " Ella said while seeing the wine line-up, David smacked his lips.

" Isn't all of this from the Rothschild estate? Is the owner connected to them?" Ella also asked. She had been to enough parties to know her way around these things. Especially red wines, which were her specialty.

"Huh, you noticed it? I guess we have something in common. I don't know much about the owner, though." Columbus praised the young woman.

" Openly hitting on your subordinates. I guess I should report you for harassment." Samuel popped up from behind. They were so engrossed that they never felt his presence.

" Oh, look who is here. The star of the movie! I am sorry, but today I am not holding back." Columbus was definitely drunk. Samuel could see three empty bottles beside him.

" It stinks; how could they drink it so readily." Emma peeled back. The smell was too strong for her.

" Maybe we should also try it." Rupert, on the other hand, was curious about the taste.

" Do that, and I will report to you, father." Tom's warning was enough for him to get rid of any funny ideas.

" You guys should head back. I will join you after dealing with this mess." Samuel sent them back. It was not good for them to see this sight.

Samuel grumbled fiercely, looking at their way of drinking like this, "They are drinking it like water. It will be painful to drag them out when they pass out."

" Here, too, a success!"

" Cheers."

Contrary to what Samuel expected, it went out for a few hours. Samuel had already left the van while instructing Chin, who was the most reliable of the group. He was responsible for taking them home.

Samuel joined his group, and the party went on till late evening.

Everyone had excited expressions while they discussed their time on the set. They were already anticipating what the final result would look like.