After returning to script practice, Hugo's performance clearly showed a qualitative improvement he was entirely in the zone. However, since they were only doing basic exercises for now, Hugo's performance could only be described as steady and adequate not exactly astonishing, but at least good enough for the script rehearsals to proceed smoothly, which was already a big step forward.
The atmosphere in the conference room finally calmed down. Although no one was actively talking to Hugo yet, at least they had stopped looking at him with strange expressions. Still, everyone was reluctant to engage with Hugo, as if he were some sort of contagious virus. Hugo wanted to strike up a conversation with Jack after all, Jack had technically introduced him to the crew—but unfortunately, Jack had no such intention. When the morning script practice ended, he left together with Robert.
In the end, Hugo ate lunch like an abandoned child, sitting alone in a corner. Kevin did come over and sit with him for a while, but Hugo only chatted briefly with Kevin before using the excuse that he needed to read the script to catch up, gently urging Kevin to return to the main group.
Hugo knew that the reason people were no longer openly mocking him was only because they didn't want to disrupt the rehearsal progress. However, they still didn't accept him. Until Hugo proved himself with real ability or until Jack changed his attitude toward Hugo this situation wouldn't fundamentally change.
So even if Kevin stayed with Hugo, it wouldn't make much of a difference. On the contrary, it would put Kevin in an awkward position. That's why Hugo gave Kevin a polite way out. But it was also true that Hugo needed to read the script. After quickly finishing his lunch, he returned to the script. He had fallen far behind, and if he didn't make use of every moment, his position in the crew would only become more precarious.
There was a full ninety minutes for lunch break. While the others gathered in small groups to smoke or drink coffee, Hugo sat alone in the corner, continuing to read the script.
Seeing Hugo buried in study, Joseph walked over and handed him a bottle of water. Hugo didn't look up; he just raised his free left hand, but after fumbling around for a while, failed to touch the bottle he was grabbing at air. Joseph sighed, took Hugo's left hand, and placed the bottle firmly into his palm. Only then did Hugo grasp the bottle and place it on his knee. But he didn't drink it for a long time; instead, his right hand continued scribbling on the script, occasionally muttering under his breath.
Joseph sighed again, crouched down, unscrewed the bottle cap, then lifted Hugo's wrist slightly and said, "Drinking some water won't take up much of your time."
Only then did Hugo snap out of it, quickly tilted his head back and gulped down two large mouthfuls. A smile appeared on his face clearly, he had been thirsty. After drinking, Hugo immediately returned to the script. Seeing this, Joseph could only screw the cap back on, then step back a few paces to lean against the wall with his arms crossed, silently accompanying Hugo.
When Jack and Robert returned, this was the scene they saw. Hugo had unexpectedly chosen not to socialize with the other actors but instead focused on reading his script alone. This wasn't something Jack had anticipated.
Robert noticed Jack's ambiguous expression and chuckled, "Jack, remember? You're the one who recommended him to me. I'm quite satisfied with him now what about you?"
Jack's expression didn't change much. He just curled his lip and said, "At least those two old guys didn't lie to me." Leaving aside everything else, Hugo's attitude and behavior were indeed commendable, which slightly improved Jack's impression of him. "But whether he's truly suitable still depends on his performance. If he doesn't deliver, those two old guys can forget about it." The "two old guys" he referred to were, of course, Bo and Al.
Seeing Jack's strict expression, Robert chuckled but didn't say more. He walked toward the conference room, and when he reached the door, he called out in Hugo's direction, "Hugo, we're starting the afternoon rehearsal. Come in."
But Hugo, immersed in the world of the script, didn't hear him at all. Joseph looked up and saw Jack heading for the conference room. He quickly patted Hugo's shoulder, "It's starting."
Hugo finally came to his senses, immediately stood up, grabbed his script, and headed toward the conference room. Before he could even sit down, Robert said, "Let's begin this afternoon with Daniel and Kendrick's courtroom interrogation." The entire room fell silent in an instant.
Hugo's movements paused slightly but quickly continued. He took a deep breath and sat down. He could clearly feel the gazes of Demi, Jack, Kevin, and the others curious, mocking, even gloating.
Daniel and Kendrick had a courtroom confrontation scene. As a loyal subordinate to Colonel Jessep, Kendrick had passed down the infamous "Red Code" order directly from Jessep. So breaking through Kendrick was of critical importance. This scene was where Daniel showcased his ability in other words, it was an extremely challenging scene.
Hugo didn't look at Joseph's worried expression, nor at Jack's inquisitive gaze, nor at Demi's contemptuous look. He simply flipped to that scene in the script, then looked across at Kiefer Sutherland, who sat diagonally opposite. In this scene, Hugo was going to act opposite Kiefer.
After receiving a prepared look from Kiefer, Hugo took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment to adjust, and entered Daniel's mindset. "Captain Kendrick, these are the last three evaluation reports for Cadet Dawson. Your signature is on all of them. Two rated him as excellent, but the final one, dated June 9th, rates him as below average. I'd like to discuss this last report."
"No problem," Kiefer replied.
"Cadet Dawson graduated from infantry school with high marks. More than half of his peers had been promoted to sergeant, but Dawson was still a cadet." Hugo kept his tone controlled, calm, and factual—only slightly emphasizing words like "excellent," as if discussing something trivial. "Was his promotion held back because of this final report?"
"I'm quite sure it was," Kiefer replied again.
"Why did this report rate Dawson so poorly?" Hugo slightly quickened the rhythm of his speech, following closely after Kiefer's reply.
"I really forgot," Kiefer answered, also unconsciously speeding up. "I have a lot of people under me and a lot of reports to write."
"Captain, do you recall a Private First Class named Curtis Bell stealing liquor from the officers' club?" Hugo shifted gears, slowing his pace noticeably. Kiefer's answer slowed as well, "Yes, I remember."
"Did you report him to your superiors?" Hugo casually lifted the pitch at the end of his question, asking in a very gentle tone.
Kiefer's voice involuntarily rose a bit, "I keep two books by my bed—'The Marine Code of Conduct' and the Bible. The only superiors I know are my commanding officer, Colonel Nathan Jessep, and God."
Hugo didn't respond immediately. He paused, then quietly raised his voice slightly, "By your reasoning, Captain, am I to understand that you do not recognize the military court as your superior?"
"Objection. Irrelevant to the case." Kevin, playing government lawyer Jack, interrupted Hugo. The actor playing the judge followed up, "Sustained. Please be mindful, counselor."
"Did you report Curtis Bell to your superior?" Hugo's tone and speed returned to normal.
"To my recollection, Private First Class Bell was excellent. I didn't want to see his record tainted because of this." Kiefer replied calmly.
Hugo leaned toward the conference table, his body tilting slightly forward, then deliberately slowed his pace by half a beat. This added a touch more weight to his words. "You preferred to handle it internally, is that right?"
"Yes, that's correct." Kiefer took the bait.
A smile appeared on Hugo's face. "Captain, do you know what the Code Red is?" The answer was obviously yes. "Have you ever ordered a Code Red?" The answer was obviously no. "Captain, did you order Dawson and two other subordinates to guard Curtis Bell for seven days and not provide him with any food or drink except water?"
Hugo began to speed up the rhythm between questions and answers, slightly increasing his tempo, though not exaggeratedly so. This made Kiefer respond faster as well. "That's a mischaracterization, Lieutenant! Private First Class Bell was confined in the barracks, provided with water and vitamins. And I assure you, his health was never at risk."
"I'm sure Private Bell found that quite amusing." Hugo inexplicably slowed down again, then suddenly picked up the pace. "But did you order the confinement? Did you order no food?" This irregular pacing allowed Hugo to fully control the tempo, and sure enough, Kiefer was forced to follow his lead. The impatience on Kiefer's face revealed his inner irritation—mirroring Kendrick's state of mind.
"Yes, I gave the order," Kiefer said after taking a deep breath.
"Would this form of punishment be considered a Code Red?" Hugo suddenly slowed down again, but the rapid transition between question and answer left Kiefer breathless. He fell silent, eventually squeezing out a single word: "No." Hugo seized that moment of hesitation, immediately following Kiefer's answer with a rapid string of words, "If I summon the other four hundred and seventy-eight Marines from Guantanamo to testify, do you think they'd consider that a Code Red?"
It was clear that Hugo was silently controlling his speed, tone, and volume managing his delivery and pacing in a subtle yet powerful way. Before people even realized it, he had taken control of the rhythm.
On the surface, it looked like Hugo was just reciting lines. But it wasn't merely "reciting" it was performing. Though it seemed unremarkable, it left both Jack and Rob visibly impressed.
In just one short morning, Hugo had gained such insight. This kind of talent and dedication was truly extraordinary.
.....
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