507 Human Comedy (1/2)

Chapter 507: Human Comedy

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

This era's filming process had no essential difference from that of 100 years later, but the latter may be more refined and more professional.

On its second day, Famous was taken to the studio to film a movie.

It didn't know which film it was currently attending. As one of 18 stunt doubles, Famous didn't have to be told about these things. Roger, who was its temporary owner, didn't care either. His gaze was always greedily pursuing beautiful girls. As long as he could get his money, he'd let Famous do anything, no matter how dangerous it would be.

As for the dog, the distinguished celebrity dog, nobody in the studio really liked it, except perhaps its owner.

The salary of the star dog was eight times more than the leading actors. It took a company car to the studio each time. It wore a radiant diamond necklace on its neck. When the crew members ate their simple lunch, the star enjoyed a steak.

The red wine wouldn't be prepared for the dog in public places. After all, there was the Prohibition Decree.

In addition, the plate where the steak sat was made of silver.

Everything the star dog did was to remind every human in the studio that they weren't as good.

No one dare questioned its intentions in the studio, after all, even the company owner suffered in silence when the dog bit him.

The Dog Warrior studio may have many disappointments, but there was equality. Everyone in the crew, from the human stars to the dogs, would eat the same lunch.

Of course, this was not the star dog's fault, it was merely a dog. It was the fault of the humans who knelt in front of it and put it on a pedestal.

When shooting dangerous scenes, this dog wouldn't take the risks. Instead, one dog of the 18 stunt doubles would be randomly selected to perform the scenes. For example, an unlucky dog ​​would be chosen to fight a big black bear today.

There was a real black bear kept in a cage. The bear anxiously walked in the cage, sometimes issuing a dull growl. It came from a circus, and a trainer had said that it wouldn't cause any trouble. Still, no one dared to let the star dog fight the bear. If the star dog, who would take the role?

”9! Let stunt double 9 try,” the director cried.

There was no power grid or anesthetic guns on set, or the computer effects that would appear 100 years later. The only security protection was the trainer's promise that the bear was safe.

Stunt double 9 was pulled out by a staff member, but when it approached the bear, it nervously ran away as soon as the leash loosened up. There was no way 9 would film the scene where a German Shepherd fought against a bear to protect its young owner.

”17! Try 17!” The director designated another unlucky dog.

17 was the opposite of 9. When it faced the black bear, it was too aggressive. As soon as the leash loosened, 17 growled and rushed forward to bite the bear. As a result, the bear extended its claw from the cage and slapped 17 in the head. 17 was instantly knocked to the ground, its skin on its head was torn and badly bruised.

The smell of blood provoked the black bear, and it became increasingly irritable in the cage. Even the trainer didn't know how to calm it down. Compared to this violent bear, fighting the so-called Mastiff King was practically a piece of cake.

Everyone present thought that there was no way to complete the shot today. They might need to find another dog to try tomorrow when the bear calmed down.

However, the director didn't intend to give up. Previously, he had worried that the bear wasn't wild enough for the effect that he wanted. The angered black bear was what he wished for.

”Go on!” the director announced, ”Bring another dog!”

”Which one, sir?” the staff asked.

The director's eyes glanced at the row of German Shepherds. ”Which one...”

”Woof!”

Famous barked suddenly because that the odds were against the rest of the dogs, who might be injured or killed by the bear.

The director said thoughtfully, ”Ah? Is this the newly-arrived dog, 13? I heard that this dog is somewhat capable, and I want to keep it for a crucial moment, but since it's so active, let it try now.”

”I'm at your service at any time.” Roger didn't want to let Famous fight this fierce black bear, in fear that he'd be dismissed from the studio if Famous was injured. Since the director had requested, Roger had to pull out Famous.

Famous stood steadily in front of the black bear's cage. Instead of barking or running away, it just calmly watched the black bear.

The director found Famous's performance impressive. He clapped. ”Good boy! So courageous! Let 13 do this scene! Get ready to shoot!”

Famous and the black bear were brought to the temporarily-built enclosure in the woods to ensure the safety of the staff members.

When the director issued the order, the black bear's leash was released. The infuriated bear immediately snarled and rushed toward Famous. Famous could be wounded or killed by the bear.

In this scene, Famous didn't need to defeat the black bear, it just needed to make the bear retreat. Famous relied on its flexibility and deceptive movements to dodge the bear's attacks. Meanwhile, it was barking constantly to intimidate the bear. Occasionally, Famous kicked up dust and pebbles to blur the bear's vision.

The bear's fury and physical strength faded away gradually. Not only had it not caused harm to the clever dog, but it also might lose this fight, so it turned around and withdrew.

”Wow, this dog is awesome!” The director applauded excitedly. This scene, which would have been so difficult to shoot, had been done in one take, to everyone's surprise.

”How awesome could it be? It's nothing more than a stunt double, if my dog was in this scene, it would've done a better job than this stunt double,” Duncan, sitting on the sidelines to watch the battle, said disdainfully. His dog was lying beside his feet, and for some reason, it seemed lifeless.

”Yes, Mr. Duncan. You're right!” The director knew his own words were inappropriate, so he quickly smiled. ”Mr. Duncan, after the black bear is driven away, the next shot is the dog who plays the protagonist and the little boy hugging. Should this shot be... ”

Duncan proudly stood up. ”Of course, this shot should be played by my dog, no other dog can outperform it in showing this kind of delicate emotion. Come on, buddy, it's our turn to play.”

His dog stood up tremblingly. The dog walked only a few steps and then fell to the ground feebly.

”Doctor! Where's the doctor? Bring the doctor over!” Duncan freaked out and pushed his dog. His dog struggled for a few times to stand up, but couldn't.

The director was also panicked. ”Go get the doctor! Go get Mr. Charles! Go get the boss!”

The studio suddenly became chaotic.

The doctor hadn't arrived yet. As a former soldier, Duncan was strong enough to bring his dog into his car. He stepped hard on the gas pedal and rushed towards the hospital.

In the midst of chaos, Famous watched everything, its memory was recovering.

Even though Duncan arrived at the hospital in time, his effort was futile. The veterinary science in this era was very basic and there was no way to find out why the dog was sick. The doctors tried everything, but it was useless.

Famous closed its eyes.

The people and things around Famous appeared and then disappeared rapidly, like a movie in fast-forward.

Famous opened its eyes and it was at a different location. Famous was in its own Imagined Landscape, the master of its own world.

Famous had once again returned to Charles's luxurious office, except that this time, Roger wasn't there.

Apart from Famous, only Charles and Duncan were in the office, frowning and sighing as if doomsday had arrived.

”It's over.” Duncan shook his head. ”Everything is over.”