"Chris Pine? This is Marcia Ross, the casting director for The Princess Diaries 2. Are you free this afternoon? We'd like to see you again..."
Even twenty years later, Chris Pine still remembered that phone call—word for word, vividly.
Just when Chris was about to give up on his Hollywood acting career and consider a new direction in life, he got his first film role.
And it was as the lead.
Years later, when Chris Pine looked back at that tumultuous summer, the details remained crystal clear.
"$65,000."
"That was my first paycheck from a movie. I still remember how I felt when I saw my bank account—it completely changed my life."
"As odd as it sounds, I sincerely have to thank Anson. No offense intended, but Anson saved my acting career."
"In a way, I've always been following in Anson's footsteps."
The flutter of a butterfly's wings in the Amazon can stir up a hurricane across the Atlantic—reality works the same way. A single decision can change the fate of many people—whether to the left or the right, no one can predict.
Meanwhile, Anson had no idea that he had changed Chris Pine's fate. He was in Cannes, bidding farewell to Alex and Eric.
The Palme d'Or was now in the past—it was time to look ahead.
Alex had become interested in acting and wanted to try his luck in Hollywood.
Eric wasn't as keen, but with summer vacation approaching and nothing better to do in Portland, he agreed to join Alex on a trip to Los Angeles.
Anson was fully supportive and gave them Marcia Ross's contact information. The buzz surrounding the Palme d'Or was still hot, and they should be able to get some auditions quickly—then it would be up to them.
After saying goodbye to his friends, Anson met up with Lily, Connor, and Miles. Together, they left Cannes and headed south, diving headfirst into the summer sunshine of the Apennine Peninsula. The vibrant days of summer had only just begun.
Not only was Edgar worried, but the rest of the band also felt some concern:
The Palme d'Or frenzy was sweeping across Europe. Anson's recognition and popularity were skyrocketing, and their upcoming street performances might face challenges.
They had passed through Berlin, then Paris, and now Cannes—each step adding momentum. Every time Anson appeared, he risked triggering a storm of attention.
Perhaps the only person unfazed was Anson himself—
"Relax. Calm down! It's not that crazy. Just stay grounded."
And Anson was right.
When the band arrived in Verona, their first stop in Italy, the August 31st street performance didn't cause an uproar.
Verona, though small, is a classic tourist city—it's the setting for Romeo and Juliet. Today, it hosts a variety of attractions built around the story, with young lovers from all over the world sending letters there, wishing for their own romantic futures.
Every summer, the place is packed with tourists.
While the August 31st Band's street performance didn't go unnoticed, it wasn't exactly a ghost town either. There were plenty of spectators, and the bustling crowd peaked at around 500 people, with an estimated two to three thousand passing by throughout the show.
Lively, but orderly. The performance went off without a hitch.
Afterward, some people asked for Anson's autograph and handshakes, sparking a small commotion, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Everyone was amazed.
As for Anson, he remained calm—he had expected this.
First, Europeans, in general, tend to be more rational. While there are certainly fans who go crazy for their idols, it's not as common.
Second, the echo chamber effect: while the Palme d'Or had stirred widespread discussion, it hadn't reached everyone. Some people simply didn't care about movies and were unaware of it.
Third, the audience knew how to appreciate street performances. Some fans might long for a touch of Anson's clothing or a kiss, but most preferred to enjoy the rare chance to see a street performance.
Fourth, and most importantly, influencer and social media culture had not yet fully emerged. Twenty years later, when "clout" becomes an inseparable part of life, people will chase trends not because they're personally interested, but for the sake of photos, shares, and validation. But back then, the craze hadn't started.
So, Anson wasn't worried. He knew the street performances might get lively, but chaos wasn't likely.
And as things played out, Anson's predictions proved true.
The August 31st Band continued heading south, and while there were large gatherings in cities like Rome and Venice that caused traffic jams, it never spiraled out of control like in Paris.
Friendly, warm, and welcoming—Italy embraced the band with open arms.
After Italy, they passed through Greece and headed north, eventually reaching Prague.
Anson wished the tour could keep going—there were still places in Europe they hadn't covered, not to mention Asia, Oceania, the Americas, and even Africa.
To travel the world—it was a grand, romantic dream that once seemed unattainable. But after taking the first step, Anson realized that while it wasn't easy, it wasn't impossible either.
Sadly, the tour had to end in Prague.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
As the last note faded, Anson thanked the bustling crowd. After a brief bout of excitement and a bit of crowding, the performance finally ended.
With sweat dripping down his face, Anson's cheeks were flushed. The summer sky over Prague was painted with a vibrant sunset, and while there wasn't a grand square nearby, the magic and wonder still seemed to spark in the air.
A mix of satisfaction and a touch of regret.
Anson turned to his three bandmates. Their eyes mirrored the same excitement and joy, their tired, sweaty faces lit up with broad smiles.
"Sorry."
Anson stepped forward and hugged each of his bandmates in turn.
"If I could, I'd love to keep this tour going forever. But unfortunately, I need to head back to New York and join the film set."
Scheduling, always scheduling—
Spider-Man 2 was ready to start filming.
Of course, Anson could blame Edgar—if Spider-Man had stuck to the original plan and started filming in July, the tour could have gone on longer.
But there was no point.
The band's tour had already stretched from July to August and into September. It could've continued indefinitely, just like youth.
But Anson couldn't. He had to return to work as an actor. The tour had to end someday—sooner or later.
Goodbyes are never easy, but they're something everyone must face.