Chapter 200: Mathematics Is Like Breathing To Me
The mathematicians preparing to return to America collectively demanded to fly back to New York from London, rather than from Frankfurt Airport.
The legend of the Claridge Hotel had already spread among the mathematicians, and everyone wanted to stay there for one night before leaving.
They wanted to see if this place was really as magical as Lin Ran had said.
Over a hundred people arrived at the Claridge Hotel one after another.
Unfortunately, rooms were limited.
There were only two rooms, and even if each person stayed for one hour, a day could only accommodate 48 people.
Everyone would only stay in London for one or two days before heading home.
The local London mathematicians left first, after all, they could come anytime they wanted.
The Claridge Hotel was in London, and there would be opportunities to book it sooner or later.
The European mathematicians didn’t compete; everyone casually found a room with a prime number as its room number.
Only the mathematicians who came from far away places like America, Australia, or Japan insisted on a lottery draw to decide who could check in.
Numerous mathematicians with thinning hair or even baldy heads drew lots in the lobby on the first floor of the Claridge Hotel, and the travelers thought they were a group of priests from the Vatican.
In the end, Courant from New York University and Fox from Columbia University drew the two rooms.
Fox laughed, “See, Randolph and my Columbia have a connection.
Göttingen can only temporarily have the professor, while Columbia can forever have the professor.”
Fox had always been indignant that the miracle had descended on Göttingen instead of Columbia.
The mathematicians present all had the same thought flash through their minds: Can it really be forever?
Some quick-witted ones even thought that the professor would never return to Columbia or to the mathematics community full-time.
Just like Newton was obsessed with the official position London gave him, Lin Ran was no different in this regard.
Besides, it would indeed be hard for anyone else to balance it.
Ever since Lin Ran had IBM create the Technology Ark, the promotional effect was better than any advertisement promotion in IBM’s history.
Everyone in New York knew about it, and Fox was no exception.
He was extremely envious just seeing those blackboards handwritten by Lin Ran himself.
If given to Columbia University, with Columbia University’s financial resources and Lin Ran’s creativity, they could make something amazing.
Placed in Göttingen, it would at best be a holy heirloom proving its glorious history; if placed in Columbia, it would be an invincible frontal halo that could rival Princeton, Fox thought.
Early the next morning, Fox and Courant were surrounded by mathematicians in the breakfast area of the lobby, asking them to share their feelings.
“A very special feeling, as if my thinking became faster here, with countless inspirations blooming in my mind like fireworks.” Fox had a reminiscing expression, “I feel like I can at least produce a major result when I get back.
Perfect timing, since Randolph created a lot of tools this time, I plan to solve the Goldbach Conjecture when I get back. I already have inspiration; the spark of inspiration has been fully ignited in my mind!
Randolph proved the Twin Prime Conjecture in Göttingen, and I return to Columbia University using the tools created by Randolph’s proof of the Twin Prime Conjecture to prove the Goldbach Conjecture. A brand new Columbia School is being born!”
Fox slowly and deliberately spoke of the myth he was about to create.
To be honest, without the Göttingen performance beforehand, no one would really believe it.
Now, most people didn’t believe it, but Fox’s performance was too calm, so calm it was indistinguishable from the real thing.
“Wait, Fox, you’re a topology and knot theory guy, how are you suddenly doing number theory?”
After reacting, the other mathematicians realized Fox was bragging.
You, a topology person, actually saying you can solve the brightest pearl on the crown of number theory—the Goldbach Conjecture? Isn’t this an international joke?
Fox continued to explain, “I’m going to collaborate with others. I have inspiration; I’ve realized that geometry content can be used to solve the Goldbach Conjecture. I’m just waiting for Randolph to return to Columbia to discuss it with him, and we’ll prove it together.”
The mathematicians present were all speechless. Collaborating with Randolph, why not just say Randolph will prove it directly.
Courant took over, “Staying there for one night really has some effect. I felt that lying on the bed in room 523, the ideas for many problems became clear, with countless thoughts surging.
You know, that feeling was like vaguely seeing the road ahead.”
Courant’s words had a bit higher credibility.
Mathematicians on the periphery of the crowd had already run to the hotel front desk to book one of rooms 523 and 257.
Some mathematicians who were originally leaving today now planned to reschedule and delay their return to America by one day.
This group of mathematicians persisted until the end of the holiday, and a few obsessed ones even took a few extra days of leave, just to stay one night in a prime number room.
After this, everyone unanimously said that the prime number rooms at the Claridge Hotel were different, no wonder the professor could complete the impossible task of proving the Twin Prime Conjecture in six days; the buff boost from the prime number rooms was also very important.
In reality, it was completely useless, but since everyone had spent the money, they had to trick the mathematicians who hadn’t spent it into spending it too.
Later on, looking at Google reviews for this hotel, they all uniformly said they stayed in this room before a math exam and got an A+, promoting the Claridge Hotel prime number rooms to even more legendary status.
As a result, no matter when you went, the price of these two rooms was at least two hundred pounds more expensive than other rooms.
Lin Ran’s holiday hadn’t ended yet.
So when he returned to America, he didn’t go to Redstone Arsenal or the White House, but instead went to the New York Times Building in New York for an interview with Jenny.
Because Lin Ran was coming, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger personally welcomed him at the New York Times Building; even Turner Catledge wasn’t qualified for this task.
The former is the CEO of the New York Times, while the latter is just the managing editor.
“Professor, welcome to the New York Times for this interview; it’s our honor.” Arthur was very polite, his suit and impeccably tied tie fully displaying his respect for Lin Ran.
Lin Ran handed the car keys to the doorman of the New York Times building, then shook hands with Arthur and said, “I believe this will be a pleasant interview.”
The social pleasantries with Arthur only took place in the lobby on the first floor.
Subsequently, specific staff members took charge of receiving him.
A middle-aged White person wearing glasses with brown lenses and slightly curly hair introduced himself, and Lin Ran learned that the man was John Ox, the editor of the New York Times editorial section.
While taking the elevator, he suddenly said, “Professor, we are all unmodulated collectives.”
Lin Ran was not surprised at all that the New York Times had members of the Frankfurt School and asked, “Frankfurt School?”
Ox nodded: “That’s right, Professor. Thank you for your contribution to the civil rights movement; we’ve all seen it. I believe you will be the successor to Professor Horkheimer after his passing, for the Frankfurt School.”
Lin Ran was somewhat surprised: contribution to the civil rights movement—what contribution did I make? How come I didn’t know?
Lin Ran entered the interview hall with puzzlement; Jenny was already waiting inside for him.
This interview was naturally handled by Jenny; otherwise, Lin Ran would definitely prefer an interview with Time Magazine.
Compared to the New York Times, Time Magazine’s cover is much more sensational.
Before the formal interview began, Lin Ran asked, “Is John Ox part of the Frankfurt School?”
Jenny thought for a moment and replied, “I’m not clear on his background either, but since you’re asking that way, it probably is.
He is Jewish, but he was able to reach the position of editor of the editorial section because he previously wrote a book called On the Edge of Freedom: A Report on Neutralism and New Forces in Sub-Saharan Africa and Eastern Europe.
This book caught the eye of the New York Times editor-in-chief at the time, who poached him from a small local newspaper company in New York.
He showed support for civil rights. After Ox became editor of the editorial section, he appointed the editorial section’s first woman and first African American to the editorial board since its founding.
In short, he is indeed an active practitioner of the civil rights movement.
You know, internally, he is the one who shows the most undisguised contempt for Fred. Last year, because Fred wanted to place an advertisement in the New York Times, he disagreed and had a big argument with Turner.
Turner is our managing editor.
In short, Ox has an extraordinary persistence on civil rights and the pursuit of equality.”
Lin Ran pondered.
Later, he specifically checked some information and found out that Ox was indeed quite uncompromising in this regard.
In 1976, the New York Times was deciding whom to support as the Donkey Party primary candidate for senator from New York. Boss Arthur supported Daniel, while Ox supported Bella. Arthur disagreed but allowed him to write a rebuttal opinion.
Ultimately, Ox published it on the New York Times editorial page in the form of “A Letter to the Editor,” which was essentially a letter to himself, and then he left the New York Times.
For such a person to dislike Fred is as normal as the sun being out during the day.
Using Ox as a window, Lin Ran clearly realized that in America and even the global free world, such ideological currents were surging powerfully beneath the surface, and in the future, they would become an indispensable force for him to ignite this world.
This was consistent with his expectations.
After the chat came the interview segment.
Jenny held the prepared script, cherishing this interview opportunity.
Lin Ran would reveal a lot of information during his usual chats with her, including about NASA, the White House, and himself personally, but this information could not be presented in newspaper form as an interview.
Jenny wouldn’t even publish these as news; she would occasionally seek Lin Ran’s permission first.
Therefore, this interview was the first one with Lin Ran by print media after the Soviet-American joint moon landing, and combined with the Göttingen mathematics miracle, it was even more valuable.
Even Jenny had made full preparations from the time in Göttingen until returning to New York.
She wanted to do this interview well.
Wearing a women’s suit just like the outfits of female news anchors on CBS, Jenny shook hands with Lin Ran and said in very standard American English, “Professor, let’s now formally begin this interview.”
Lin Ran was also dressed very formally; this was respect for the New York Times, and even more so for Jenny: “Okay, let’s begin.”
“Professor, let’s start with the Soviet-American joint moon landing,” Jenny asked while looking at her notebook: “Some media believe that the Soviet-American joint moon landing was a response that America had to take under the Soviet Union’s surprise moon landing, due to NASA’s strategic passivity caused by a lack of sufficient estimation of the Soviet moon landing timeline.
What do you think of this view?”
Jenny’s question was very polite.
If it were conservative media, this question would turn into the Soviet-American joint moon landing being a mistake caused by NASA.
“This view has some merit.
The actual Soviet moon landing time was much earlier than we predicted. I think the Soviets internally had their own strategic considerations, so they wanted to advance the moon landing timeline at the expense of success rate.
I don’t deny this.
But I don’t think this was NASA’s mistake, because ever since I joined NASA, I’ve always emphasized that the moon landing is not the end point. The moon landing is at most a milestone in humanity’s exploration of the universe. Whether this milestone is reached first by the Soviet people or by us, it will not affect the reality that we will ultimately gain absolute leading status in the field of aerospace.
Ultimately, our choice of joint moon landing was also in hopes that humanity’s first manned moon landing could succeed completely.
This was Washington standing at the height of all humanity, abandoning Cold War confrontational thinking, fully embodying the White House’s humanitarian spirit, and practicing Article 26 of the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It promoted international understanding and friendship, supported the United Nations peace goals, and advanced the common progress of science.”
The New York Times reporters and management standing under the stage looked at each other, and inwardly all had similar sentiments: “As expected of the professor; truly watertight.”
Lin Ran’s airtight performance is very famous in the media industry, because whether serving as Special Assistant for Aerospace Affairs at the White House or later as NASA Director, both went through hearings with media present.
Lin Ran’s past performance at the hearings shocked all the reporters covering Washington news at the time, after all, everyone had never seen such a scientist who quoted classics extensively and spoke eloquently before.
Lin Ran’s performance was unanimously considered by them to be no less than that of a veteran politician or senior lawyer.
Some New York Times staff hadn’t seen it, but had heard of it.
This time they finally got to see it.
Lin Ran’s first answer convinced even these New York Times staff with liberal leanings.
Because the interview needed to stay quiet, everyone could only lightly mime applause.
Turner (Managing Editor) whispered to Ox standing next to him: “The professor’s response to the accusations from conservative media is flattering the White House, citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, even specifying which article, showing a vision that’s unimaginably high.”
Ox has always admired Lin Ran, of course with some dissatisfaction, the dissatisfaction being that Lin Ran said to provide job opportunities at NASA to minority ethnic groups and women, but no specific actions have been seen yet.
Ox felt that compared to himself, Lin Ran’s actions were too slow; he had brought in black people and women to the New York Times within a month of joining.
Ox nodded: “Yeah, now I finally understand why White House presidents have changed one after another, yet the professor always stands firm, whether Donkey Party or Elephant Party, both favor him greatly.
Just this meticulous answer during the interview, no one else could do it.”
Turner added: “A top-tier global mathematician like the professor praising you feels completely different from an ordinary White House bureaucrat praising you.
A White House bureaucrat praising you, if the president hears it, he’ll think it’s only natural, you should flatter me because your position comes from me.
But if it’s the professor, the professor’s flattery, the president would be genuinely delighted from the heart, the smartest person in the world is praising me.
Moreover, if I were president, just for the chance to dialogue with the smartest person in the world every few days, I’d keep the professor at the White House.”
Ever since Lin Ran proved Fermat’s Conjecture, though he never tested his IQ, the Guinness World Records published every year lists him as “the smartest person in the world.”
Jenny then asked: “So you think the US and Soviet Union can maintain peace?
Despite the Soviet Union continuously expanding its nuclear weapons, creating a confrontational momentum in public opinion.”
Lin Ran said: “From a scientist’s standpoint, I hope for peace, I don’t want to see humanity killing each other.
I think the Cold War is better than a hot war, but no war is better than the Cold War.
But this isn’t something I can decide.”
Lin Ran indeed had no ideas at all about reversing the Cold War situation or stopping the Cold War.
After all, if there really were no Cold War, China would face unprecedented pressure.
The Soviet Union is typically the type that softens when met with hardness and hardens when met with softness.
So like in later generations, the Cold War was entirely crafted by Churchill for England’s interests, the Iron Curtain is a man-made constructed concept, Churchill is the worst prime minister England has ever had, he ruined centuries of Great Britain’s accumulation.
Lin Ran didn’t plan to bring out such controversial later-generation statements.
Although the Cold War has so far bundled too many people’s interests, he also feared his controversial statements would cause unnecessary butterfly effects.
Calling for peace from a scientist’s standpoint is very appropriate.
Jenny asked: “Professor, you mentioned peace is greater than the Cold War, how do you think the Cold War will end?”
Lin Ran asserted: “The arrival of the technological singularity, after the technological singularity arrives, the balance between the two sides will be broken.
Productivity will be greatly enriched, the goods humanity can manufacture will experience explosive growth.
At the same time, at the national level, humanity will develop toward a unified direction, in the future there might be a concept like an Earth alliance, managed by artificial intelligence.
Of course, artificial intelligence managing humanity is just my beautiful wish, whether the future will be better or worse I cannot judge.
It could also be a future driven by technology, ruled by mega-corporations, where ordinary people are marginalized by society.
Because corporations no longer need workers.
Upper elites living in hanging gardens, enjoying superhuman abilities brought by biotech, eternal youth.
While ordinary people crammed in crowded streets, surviving on meager salaries or illegal transactions.
Automation makes work disappear, human value replaced by machines, ordinary people’s lives numbed by virtual entertainment.
I call such a future cyberpunk.”
Jenny repeated: “Cyberpunk?”
Lin Ran nodded: “Exactly, high technology society and low-quality human life coexisting on one Earth.
In concept, it should be called the more advanced the technology, the worse human life.”
Jenny pressed: “From this point, professor, are you a pessimist? Rather pessimistic about humanity’s future?”
Lin Ran thought of the sixty years later he could personally experience anytime, in a sense, that future indeed wasn’t great.
“No, I’m neither optimistic nor pessimistic, I’m just observing this world with my own thinking.”
After a pause, Lin Ran said: “We stand at the crossroads of a great transformation era, in the next twenty years, the changes brought by technological progress will far exceed those brought by the Cold War itself.
I hope my prophecy comes true, yet I even more hope my prophecy does not come true.
The prophecy coming true is my personal victory, but even more humanity’s failure.”
Jenny pondered, then asked: “So, professor, what specifically do you mean by the changes brought by technology?”
Lin Ran explained: “The existence of airplanes and trains has reduced the concept of distance in a geographical sense.
In the past, it took half a year, a year, or even longer to reach distant places; now with airplanes, it takes at most two days.
The emergence of containers and shipping standards is rapidly integrating the world on a material level.
But two things are still missing: information and currency.
Information still relies on paper media for dissemination, and while the US dollar dominates, every country has its own currency.
But I believe changes in these two will come soon as well.
When that time comes, we will see the world rapidly integrated together.
When I promoted shipping standards in Hong Kong, I talked about the convergence of four flows: logistics, commercial flow, capital flow, and information flow.
Now, looking at the world from a higher dimension, it is still four flows: people, goods, currency, and information.
The camp led by the Soviet Union is one world, the camp led by America is another world; whoever achieves a breakthrough in artificial intelligence first will dominate the integration of these two worlds.
Ultimately, Earth will be left with only one world, and the Cold War will end.
I believe we will all see this in our lifetime.”
Jenny fell into thought: “Professor, the information density you mentioned is too high. I believe that once this interview is released, there will be many professional interpretations, and it may even become a topic of research in academia.”
Lin Ran added: “The four-flow concept I proposed in the field of supply chain has been extensively researched by scholars in Hong Kong, and many theoretical studies have become industry standards that the International Shipping Standards Alliance will promote globally.
However, regarding the cyberpunk concept I proposed, I feel the most benefited should be science fiction novel writers; they can use my settings.”
Jenny nodded: “Yes, Professor, besides being a scholar and a White House bureaucrat, you are also a globally renowned science fiction novel writer.
During this time, you returned to Göttingen and proved the Twin Prime Conjecture on site, which has become a hot topic in global news. Everyone feels this is a scene that doesn’t even exist in science fiction novels.
There are many voices saying that you proved the Twin Prime Conjecture in advance, and going to Göttingen was just a performance; what do you think of this claim? And what do you have to say about the Göttingen mathematics miracle?”
Lin Ran thought for a moment: “I can only say that I had thought about this problem beforehand, but I truly hadn’t proved it before Göttingen.
This is a matter of faith: those who believe will believe no matter what I say, and those who don’t believe won’t believe no matter what I say.
So I don’t want to explain too much.
However, regarding the Göttingen mathematics lecture, I do want to say a few more words.
I wanted to challenge the limits of humanity, and in the end, I proved that I did it, didn’t I?
Mathematics to me is like breathing, eating, and sleeping—it’s an instinct.
I can breathe, so I can think about mathematical problems.”
Jenny’s eyes lit up; she felt the title for this interview was already set: “Exclusive Interview with Randolph Lin: Mathematics to Me Is an Instinct Like Breathing”
Because both the Göttingen miracle and the US-Soviet joint moon landing are closely related to mathematics.
Jenny continued to ask: “Many mathematicians believe you really did it in just six days, solving a world-class difficult problem. What do you think about this?”
Lin Ran said: “Because the more scholars engaged in mathematical research, the clearer they understand how impressive I am.
They understand how difficult Fermat’s Last Theorem and the Diophantine Conjecture are; mathematics is the field that worships genius the most.
They too were omnipotent in their student days, able to do things that ordinary people think impossible.
Precisely because of this, they also believe that I could prove the Twin Prime Conjecture in just six days.
Because in the field of mathematics, I am a genius among geniuses.”
Jenny looked at Lin Ran with admiring eyes, recording his answer in her notebook while thinking that “genius among geniuses” would also make a good subtitle.
Jenny continued to ask: “Professor, American society’s impression of people of Chinese descent has always been one of humility, yet you have always defied that traditional impression. How do you view the role of people of Chinese descent in American society, and the current black movement and Civil Rights Act?”
This was actually a comprehensive question, asking for your view as a representative figure of Chinese descent in American society on the Civil Rights Movement.
This kind of question fits the New York Times’ stance perfectly.
Lin Ran stated bluntly: “I believe people of Chinese descent should also speak out for their rights and make their own contributions to racial equality.
The reason people of Chinese descent lack confidence is fundamentally because historically the group has received unfair treatment. I believe starting from our generation of Chinese descent, a different face will appear in American society.”
Lin Ran didn’t say much more.
If he stayed in America, he would definitely make a statement, calling on people of Chinese descent to join the Civil Rights Movement, to converge with black people, and to speak out for their rights.
Because in the White House, he could provide conveniences for the Chinese descent movement, and even supporting a few Chinese descent senators and congressmen wasn’t impossible.
With his relationships with politicians and financial magnates from both the donkey and elephant parties, as well as academia, spending twenty years to integrate America’s Chinese descent into a behemoth spanning finance, industry, technology, and politics was entirely possible.
But the problem is, he knows he will leave America sooner or later.
In that case, the higher profile Chinese descent is, the worse off they will be after he leaves.
Under such premises, he could only say some innocuous platitudes.
After the New York Times exclusive interview, during lunch chat with Lin Ran, Jenny said: “Professor, The Truman Show is about to start filming by Warner Bros. soon.
Do you have any suggestions?”
Lin Ran shook his head: “No, I know nothing about the movie industry; I only hope they make it interesting enough.”
Jenny continued to ask: “Regarding the actor playing Randolph in the movie, do you have a preferred choice? Because this character is a person of Chinese descent.”
Lin Ran thought for a moment: “Do you know an actor of Chinese descent named Bruce Lee?
When I went to Hong Kong to teach during the summer vacation of 1960, I watched his movie, which seemed to be called The Orphan, and it left a profound impression on me. I heard he’s now come to America.
If there’s no suitable candidate, you can tell Warner Bros. and let Warner Bros. consider Bruce Lee.”
Lin Ran just said it casually, not expecting it to completely change Bruce Lee’s fate in this spacetime.
Warner Bros. studio is located in Burbank, California, covering 110 acres, with 30 soundstages and complete production facilities.
The interview was held in a spacious and bright meeting room, with posters of Warner Bros.’ classic works like Casablanca and Gone with the Wind on the walls, declaring Warner’s glorious history to the actors entering this room.
A long table was placed in the center of the meeting room, and on the table, besides notebooks, were the resumes of the actors coming for interviews today.
A camera was set up on one side of the room to record the interview process.
Before the interview began, Philip K. Dick and producer John Smith sat in the middle of the table. Philip took out an actor’s resume from inside and handed it to Smith.
After looking at it, Smith asked: “Chinese descent? Is this the candidate the professor favors?”
Philip nodded: “That’s right, Miss Jenny told me on the telephone that the professor said it personally. If possible, give the role of Randolph to him.”
John Smith looked as if it was only natural: “Good, since the professor has spoken, the role of Randolph is just a formality. It’s him.
But this kid doesn’t look like the professor at all, not even a bit of the professor’s scholarly, elegant, and wise temperament. Why did the professor take a liking to him?”
John Smith being able to serve as the producer of a big production like The Truman Show obviously meant he was professional and capable. He thought the professor was omnipotent, or rather, at present, except for extremely conservative Americans, other members of the public thought the professor was omnipotent.
Philip K. Dick was noncommittal: “I heard it’s because the professor watched the other’s movie when he was in Hong Kong. Perhaps some qualities the other displayed in the movie moved the professor. Anyway, we’ll see soon enough.”
John Smith then asked: “Philip, did you read the New York Times interview with the professor?
I heard many Hollywood peers and science fiction novel writers say that the cyberpunk concept gave them a lot of inspiration. Do you have any new inspiration?”
Philip K. Dick was a science fiction novel writer heavily promoted by Hearst Publishing Group in recent years, who became popular worldwide because of The Man in the High Castle and The Truman Show.
The Truman Show was also his first novel adapted into a movie, and because of Lin Ran’s name on it, it was the best-selling science fiction novel work globally in the past two years.
Compared to other science fiction novels, The Truman Show came with a natural traffic promotion package, equivalent to a Qidian novel that directly races to the top of your bookshelf. Its quality itself was undoubtedly excellent, and Lin Ran’s promotional role in it made it take off directly.
Backed by Hearst Group, plus being the hottest science fiction novel writer in recent years, together enabled Philip K. Dick to participate in the casting and script production of The Truman Show.
The Truman Show had 30% investment from Hearst Group.
Philip K. Dick said: “Of course, I have a lot of inspiration. To be precise, from the moment I saw New York’s Technology Ark, I had a lot of inspiration. The cyberpunk mentioned by the professor made my inspiration more concrete.
I feel like I’m about to touch my inspiration: marginalized, alienated social underclass figures who live on the fringes of society, in a dystopian future, with daily life affected by rapid technological change.
I think I’m not far from grasping this inspiration.”
Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? itself was one of the early foundational works of cyberpunk, so in this era, the influence of Lin Ran on him was even more significant.
John Smith nodded: “Yeah, many of my writer friends say the same. They all feel that the future depicted by the professor may not necessarily come true, but as a science fiction novel background, it has natural appeal.
In professional terms, it’s called naturally easy to create dramatic tension.”
After the interview began, Bruce Lee’s appearance and outfit made them feel the dramatic tension.
Bruce Lee wore a black suit jacket paired with a white shirt, no tie, and his hair neatly combed back.
His gaze was firm and confident, his demeanor calm and composed, showing a demeanor different from contemporary Chinese descent people.
John Smith thought to himself, “Bruce is similar to the professor in terms of confidence. Is it because of this that the professor recommended him?”
Bruce Lee pushed open the door of the meeting room and walked in with steady steps.
He smiled slightly, nodded to Dick and Smith sitting behind the long table, then walked to the front of the table and stood still. His hands naturally hung down, he cleared his throat, and introduced himself in a steady tone:
“Hello, I’m Bruce Lee, from Hong Kong. I’m very interested in the novel The Truman Show, especially the character Randolph. I hope to have the opportunity to play him.”
This was the only role that was Chinese descent.
After sending his personal resume and self-recommendation letter to Warner Bros., Bruce Lee actually didn’t have high expectations.
Although he had some fame in Hong Kong before, in America he was just an unknown minor figure.
Not to mention a big production like The Truman Show that claimed to invest ten million US Dollars, even ordinary movies were hard for him to get opportunities in.
A person of Chinese descent wanting to make it big in America was extremely difficult, and precisely because of this, Bruce Lee and the current Chinese people group particularly admired Lin Ran, who could create a place for himself in America empty-handed, not just representing Chinese descent, but all minority ethnic groups.
But Bruce Lee didn’t want to give up this opportunity, because in the novel, Randolph was Chinese, the only Chinese role, just a supporting role, and he felt he could compete for it.
Of course, he was also very clear that the original novel had a Chinese character, but the movie might not.
However, with the mindset of giving it a try, he sent the self-recommendation letter to Warner, and unexpectedly, Warner really invited him to audition.
Smith looked up, exchanged a glance with Dick, then gestured for Bruce Lee to sit down.
Bruce Lee gently pulled out the chair, leaned his body slightly forward after sitting, rested his elbows on his knees, and clasped his hands.
Dick put down the pen in his hand, leaned back in the chair, and carefully sized up this young actor.
Smith asked: “Bruce, why are you interested in the role of Randolph?”
Bruce Lee’s voice was clear, full of enthusiasm: “In the movie, Randolph is a relatively simple role.
He is Truman’s father, with dual identities as scientist and astronaut, and his heart is full of contradictions when facing the matter of Truman.
I think this role can allow me to showcase certain acting skills.
In the end, there has always been a rumor in the community that Randolph is the professor and can play the professor; this is an honor for Chinese people, and no Chinese male actor would want to miss such an opportunity.”
Dick pushed up his glasses: “What do you understand about the novel The Truman Show?”
Bruce Li paused for a moment and answered seriously: “This novel explores the boundary between reality and fiction, as well as an individual’s status in society.
Truman is trapped in a false world, and I think this is a very profound and thought-provoking theme.”
Smith continued to ask: “Can you perform a line from Randolph for us?”
Bruce Li nodded. He took a deep breath, stood up, adjusted his posture, and began the performance.
He recited the lines in fluent English language, with a calm tone and natural body movements.
His performance was full of tension, as if the professor had appeared in the room.
Although it was hard to imagine a professor full of muscles.
Dick and Smith were attracted by his performance; Smith even unconsciously leaned forward to listen, while Dick quickly wrote down a few lines on the paper.
After Dick and Smith exchanged a glance, Smith nodded, then turned to Bruce Li and said: “Mr. Li, if it were any other character, I would say we will reply to you as soon as possible, please wait patiently.
But this character was specified by the professor; he saw your performance in Hong Kong and was profoundly impressed by you, and he specified you to play the character Randolph.
Your performance has also gained our approval, so we can notify you directly:
Bruce, congratulations, you have got the role of Randolph.
I have a few points to add: first, your style is too sharp; you need to reduce a bit of muscle. We can use makeup to cover the sharpness of your face, but you need to have less muscle.
Additionally, you must not get any darker during this time; we cannot let the makeup effect fail to match your skin color with the professor’s.
Finally, you had better study the professor’s speaking style more, learn some theory knowledge related to aerospace; you need to show sufficient professional level, and you cannot let the audience feel that Randolph is not professional in the field of aerospace.”
Bruce was unable to hide his joy inside; the professor actually watched my movie?
Additionally, he firmly memorized the other party’s words.
At the same time, the report on Randolph’s Göttingen miracle also came across the ocean to Area 51 in China along with the science magazine.
Let me explain: because we’re about to reach ten thousand subscriptions soon, these few days will be one chapter per day to pull up the subscription ratio, one chapter ten thousand words; after getting the ten thousand subscription badge, we’ll resume two chapters per day, five thousand words per chapter update mode.
