Chapter 233: Complex Editing Techniques Used — The Mysterious Veil

As the RV drove down 42nd Street, Duke looked out the window and could still see the massive billboard for the film adaptation of Chicago standing in the heart of Broadway. True to the scale of that billboard, Warner Brothers had conducted extensive targeted promotion and surveys among musical enthusiasts, which was why they had chosen to hold the film's premiere in Times Square, right where 42nd Street intersected with Broadway.

Withdrawing his gaze, Duke turned to Catherine Zeta-Jones. She wore a black double-strap evening gown, her eyes staring straight ahead, a faint hint of excitement visible in her expression. Although the New York weather was already quite cold, for an actress accustomed to battling it out on the red carpet, the temperature could be completely ignored.

"Duke, I've already spoken with the reporters asking the questions."

As the vehicle gradually approached Times Square, Penny Kalis turned back from the passenger seat to remind him, "They are all pre-arranged questions. Don't forget your answers."

"Don't worry, Penny." Duke tapped his forehead. "I've got them all memorized right here."

The reporters who managed to secure interview rights at the premiere couldn't just ask questions at random. Most of their inquiries had to be vetted by the organizers, and dealing with pre-arranged questions was usually much easier.

"Darling, what are you thinking about?"

Turning to glance at Zeta-Jones, Duke asked, "Are you nervous?"

"I've walked the Oscar red carpet. How could I still be nervous?" Zeta-Jones smiled sweetly, one hand clinging tightly to Duke's arm. "Alright, I am a little nervous. After all, this is my first premiere in North America!"

"You'll get used to it soon enough."

As soon as Duke finished speaking, the RV pulled up at the red carpet. He pushed the door open and stepped out first, then turned back to lead Zeta-Jones out. Ignoring the camera flashes flaring on both sides, he laced his fingers tightly through hers and walked straight toward the theater.

Along the way, Zeta-Jones stopped to sign autographs for fans holding up her posters. Duke waited briefly. The two didn't linger on the red carpet for long, quickly entering the interview area. Many of the crew were already waiting there, either giving interviews or posing for the media.

Making the grand finale appearance at the premiere were Tom Cruise and his wife. In this era, Tom hadn't yet been heavily smeared; his image was wholesome and positive, and his box office appeal was astonishing. When he and Nicole Kidman walked onto the red carpet hand in hand, they pushed the night's fashion show to its absolute climax.

Even with the recent hype about Duke and Zeta-Jones supposedly falling in love on set, a major director simply couldn't compete with a massive movie star in this regard.

Standing in the interview area, Duke and Zeta-Jones accepted an interview from a Warner Brothers media outlet. Just as Penny Kalis had promised, the questions were almost entirely pre-arranged. The film-related inquiries were standard fare; Duke talked about the crew's hard work, their pleasant collaboration, and leaked a few behind-the-scenes secrets.

"Duke, are you and Miss Jones dating?" the reporter finally asked.

Catherine Zeta-Jones looked deeply at Duke. He turned to meet her eyes and declared solemnly, "Kate is my muse!"

Some things didn't need to be stated directly. The two of them standing with intertwined fingers already explained plenty.

Next came routine activities, such as the entire crew posing for group photos under the sponsors' billboards, and the actors taking pictures with each other or with the director.

Finding an opportunity, Charlize Theron stepped up next to Duke. Smiling toward the reporters, she asked, "Why her?"

"Who?" Duke didn't understand.

"Why did you choose that British woman to be your girlfriend?"

Charlize Theron's smile was radiant, but her words carried a hint of icy coldness. "I just can't figure it out!"

"Sally!" Duke's voice turned equally cold. "This is my private business."

With that, Duke turned and walked toward the theater entrance. Catherine Zeta-Jones was waiting there, but the click of high heels sounded behind him. Charlize Theron had chased after him.

"Duke..."

Before she could say anything, Zeta-Jones had already walked over. Quickly slipping her hand through Duke's arm, she glanced sideways at the other woman. "Miss Theron, can I help you?"

The two women glared at each other, looking as if they might break out into a fight at any moment.

Duke gave them a look. Without waiting for the arrogant Zeta-Jones to continue, he pulled his arm from her grasp. Too lazy to bother with two women who couldn't read the situation, he walked into the theater alone.

Charlize Theron seemed to realize something and suddenly laughed. Catherine Zeta-Jones glared at her, making no attempt to hide her disgust.

"Kate, can I call you that?" Charlize Theron said softly as she walked past. "I've known Duke for four years; I understand him far better than you do. Do you know how our first time happened? It was me and Cameron Diaz—the three of us! He's someone who loves fresh thrills. He won't stay by your side for long!"

"And we've maintained a physical relationship this whole time."

Dropping that breezy parting shot, Charlize Theron turned and walked into the theater.

In the theater's VIP lounge, Duke did a quick round of socializing. Guided by Tina Fey, he found his mother hiding in a corner.

"Mom..." Duke greeted her, then looked to the side. "Hi, Aerin. It's been a long time. I'm so glad you could make it."

"This isn't just your premiere, it's Anna's premiere too. I had to come show my support."

Smiling at Duke, Aerin Lauder pointed at Anna Printz, who had just walked in. "I'm going to head over and say hi to Anna."

Watching Aerin Lauder walk away, Mrs. Leah asked, "George came with his new girlfriend. Did you see him?"

"No, I didn't." Knowing his mother meant Lucas, Duke shook his head. "We probably just missed each other."

The two had only exchanged a few words when George Lucas walked over, arm in arm with a white woman who looked to be in her thirties or forties. After Duke greeted them, Lucas gave a brief introduction for both sides.

Duke had never heard of this woman named Lana Mills. According to Lucas's introduction, she wasn't from the industry, either. Furthermore, Duke recalled that the George Lucas of his past memories had quite eclectic tastes and hadn't chosen a white woman.

"I came over to see your mother and some other old friends," Lucas said to Duke, "and I happened to catch your premiere. You probably didn't know this, did you, Duke? I'm actually a fan of the Chicago musical."

"Even if you're not satisfied with the adaptation," Duke joked, "you still have to put in a few good words for me with the media, George."

"Of course, no problem."

Everyone laughed, and George Lucas changed the subject. "I have another reason for coming to New York. Before Christmas, I'm planning to host a grand party. First, to promote Star Wars Prequel: The Phantom Menace, and second, to introduce Lana to my family and friends like you."

"I'll be there," Mrs. Leah agreed immediately.

Duke turned to ask Tina Fey about his rough schedule, then said, "I have no problem with that either."

Following that, he asked with considerable interest, "George, does this mean the Star Wars Prequel is officially kicking off?"

"The cast is basically finalized, barring any accidents." Lucas nodded in greeting to someone passing by, then continued, "We'll start shooting next year. Duke, are you interested in coming over for a cameo?"

"I haven't even made a cameo in my own movies." Duke shook his head. "We'll see how things look when the time comes."

Not long after, Aerin Lauder walked back over. She was a direct member of the Estee Lauder family, so George Lucas extended an invitation to her as well. After thinking it over for a moment, Aerin agreed.

After Robin Grande sent someone over to remind them, Duke and the others headed into the theater. Zeta-Jones found her way back to them, linking arms with Duke and greeting everyone affectionately. Mrs. Leah simply nodded. Duke had told her the truth of the matter long ago, and while she had some objections to these Hollywood-style tactics, she wasn't going to rashly interfere with Duke's professional life.

Walking into the theater, the crew members and the guests attending the premiere took their seats in the front rows. The venue, capable of holding nearly a thousand people, was completely packed. Under the bright lights, Duke took a rough glance back before sitting down. In stark contrast to his previous movie premieres, where the audience had mostly been young, the back rows were filled with middle-aged and elderly viewers. Quite a few were even white-haired senior citizens.

This was exactly the targeted strategy Warner had devised. The audience for the early screenings of Chicago would primarily consist of these nostalgic demographics.

After all, it had been far too long since the golden age of musical films.

Gru was in his fifties. Back in the seventies, he had watched Chicago on Broadway multiple times. Even though Thanksgiving wasn't until the weekend, he had specially brought his wife and his twenty-something daughter here to see exactly how the movie version would turn out on its very first day.

Not far from them, Allen and Kunitz had just sat down. The two were in New York on their annual vacation and happened to catch the premiere. Neither was a fan of musical films; during the era when musicals were at their most prosperous, they hadn't even been born yet. The only reason they had walked into the theater was because this was a new movie by their favorite director.

To their left was a group of chattering girls. From their discussions, it was easy to tell that they weren't musical enthusiasts either. Their age also guaranteed that they had absolutely nothing to do with nostalgia. There was only one reason they had come into the theater—Tom Cruise!

A few other people were gathered together, gleefully discussing gossip about the director and the lead actress. They had clearly been drawn in by the hype.

Although the number of people who walked into the theater because of Duke and Tom Cruise couldn't compare to the nostalgic crowd, they still made up a fair proportion. The collaboration between a massive star and a blockbuster director had produced its intended effect.

Whether waiting quietly or engaged in spirited discussion, all these people were waiting for the film adaptation of Chicago to lift its mysterious veil.