HWI 576

Hollywood What If Chapter 576

March 2, 2009.

Gibson Amphitheater.

Los Angeles, California.

The soft cranking of the limousine engine was the only sound inside the vehicle. Paul Walker sat back against the leather seat. His fingers were happily drumming lightly on his knee as the limousine turned the corner toward the Gibson Amphitheatre.

Outside, fans were already packed behind barricades, camera flashes twinkling like stars in the night sky. It was a moment that only a few people could savor. People who personally see their idols.

He glanced at the rearview mirror and caught his expression. His eyes showed nervousness but they were also calm. He was excited but collected, after all, this was not the first time he experienced attending the red carpet.

'I still can't believe it. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a dream. Decades ago, I was just an actor who wasn't even well known. But now, these people are waiting outside to cheer me.'

Paul Walker had been in the industry since the 80s. Despite being in the industry for decades now, he still couldn't find his big break.

Until he was cast in one of the franchises of Continental Cinematic Universe. The Fast and Furious franchise. His career had leveled up.

The franchise was successful just in the first movie, especially when the scriptwriter was Kazir Grey.

Although Paul couldn't deny that there were moments he thought the franchise might just fade away, another cool street racing flick that lived and died in the early 2000s.

Even now, some people are still skeptical about the longevity of the Continental Cinematic Universe.

But now, here they were at the Fast & Furious 3, the third installment, bringing most of the original cast back.

And the hype? It was super insane.

He tugged at the collar of his white shirt. He had no tie. He liked keeping it comfortable, even on red carpets. The navy suit was clean and sharp and made him feel like he was a superstar.

Even though Paul Walker didn't reach the superstar level, he still received annual projects and his salary was also satisfactory. He owed it a lot to Fast and Furious.

He was actually happy that he had a project that he could lean on whenever he needed exposure and money. At least he won't fade away as long as Fast and Furious is relevant.

His salary alone was $5 million plus the studio promised a bonus if their movie achieved a milestone.

He also has some conversations with Kazir, the head of the overall CCU project. Whenever Kazir and Paul had a conversation, it always lingered around driving.

Kazir adamantly said that having a personal driver was important. Especially when you're going to a party or charity and drinking alcohol, it is important to have a designated/personal driver.

Paul didn't know why the conversation usually went to that topic but he decided to listen to Kazir. After all, Kazir experienced some traumatic stuff and his opinion regarding having a personal driver was valid. So, as much as possible, Paul had a personal driver, especially when he was drunk.

As the limo slowed to a stop, the muffled roar of the crowd outside grew louder. He took a deep breath and put on a charming smile.

“Let’s roll," he said.

The driver opened the door, and Paul stepped out into a storm of flashing lights and cheering voices.

The cool breeze touched his face as he raised his hand in a waving motion. He offered a relaxed smile that had charmed the audience.

“Paul! Over here!”

“Paul, give us a smile!”

“Brian O’Conner lives!”

"Paul you're so fucking cool--!"

He laughed at that last one, pausing to pose for the cameras before making his way down the carpet.

The Fast & Furious banner loomed behind him, massive and glowing with lights. His name, Paul Walker, was there, written on the poster, easy to see. He was one of the protagonists of Fast and Furious after all.

He stopped for interviews, nodding and answering with thoughtful pauses.

“How does it feel to return to the franchise?” a reporter asked.

“It’s amazing. There’s something about the cast, the crew, every time we’re together, it just clicks. It’s not just about cars or action. It’s about family," Paul smiled.

That word. Family. It was more than a tagline now. It was the motto of this whole franchise.

Nothing beats family. You can do everything when you're with your family. You can jump onto a running tank if you have a family. You can go parachute in your car with your family. Also, you can go to outer space with your family.

Suddenly, a cheer erupted from the crowd as Vin Diesel emerged from his own limousine.

Speaking of the devil, the guy who promotes "family" has arrived.

Vin Diesel had projects such as Chronicles Of Riddick and XXX. Out of all the cast of Fast and Furious, Vin Diesel was probably the most successful. The Rock was still steadying his fame in Hollywood in this era.

Vin walked over and immediately pulled Paul into a firm hug. Was this a form of promotion or a genuine act?

Was Vin Diesel really friends with Paul Walker? Perhaps they were just coworkers? Perhaps they hated each other? Only close friends could know the answer.

“Happy to see you tonight, Paul,” Vin said.

Paul nodded. “Yeah. Let’s give them a show.”

They stood together for the cameras. Dominic Toretto and Brian O’Conner, side by side as they promote Fast and Furious 3.

As they headed toward the theater, Paul glanced back at the sea of fans. He felt grateful, deeply, and profoundly grateful. Not just for the fame or the franchise, but for the chance to be part of a huge project that people would remember for a very long time.

“Let’s see where the road takes us this time,” he thought, stepping inside with a smile.