Billy was asleep with Scarlett, completely naked, as they had been for a long time. The rule was to sleep entwined, without underwear. It made their intimacy flourish under the best conditions—a space where an intense, insatiable desire sparked between them.
It began with two weeks in Nevada, where they filmed the final desert scenes, from beginning to end. They shot Lincoln's escape with Delta, along with other ideal first-take sequences—fleeing, crossing the desert, meeting Lincoln's maintenance friend, while Lincoln continued questioning Jordan about his existence and connecting with her as a clone. Each step forward dove deeper into the essence of the mind and soul, reflecting a growing fascination with human life.
Lincoln's friend was played by Steve Buscemi, a famous actor, though often overlooked. When the agency director sends mercenaries after them, the friend is tragically killed helping them escape. Now, they're on the run.
The alarm went off in the early hours. They had been in Detroit for two days, and their relationship had grown close, subtly evolving into something deeper. They had breakfast together, displayed affection in public, and slowly lost the easy comfort of simple friendship, replaced now by the complexity of a real bond.
–I don't want to work out. It's too late. –murmured Scarlett, curling into Billy's chest, trying not to fully wake up. It felt as though they had already known each other for years.
–Come on, darling, we have to get up. There's no way around it. –Billy said. –Besides, we'll make the most of the day, and when we do, it'll be good for us—action scenes, you and me… becoming great action stars.–
–Forget it. I'd rather die than be an action actress… if I ever do it, I'll use stunt doubles. Training just isn't my style. –Scarlett replied, trying not to move, though the chill in the air began to stir her. She watched Billy head to the bathroom, his bare pink backside exposed. She felt the urge to follow him—hungry to kiss him—a pure desire, one that soothed the longing they shared.
The sound of running water signaled the start of Billy's routine. He wasn't one to slack off, and he was embracing teamwork and growth. The opportunities ahead offered clarity and renewed discipline.
With her hair wet, Scarlett was surprised by how awake Billy looked, full of desire. Unlike the sleepy blonde trying to keep her eyes open and offer a reluctant "yes," she found herself motivated by his energy. She pulled on tight workout leggings and a top, tied her hair into a ponytail, and smoothed it back, her clear skin dotted with small moles.
–I hate when you wake me up like this. –Scarlett grumbled.
She pouted a little as they headed out for their workout—a long run followed by weight training on machines and pulleys. They showered again at eight, this time together in the bathtub, gently washing each other and silently agreeing not to question the intimacy of the moment.
–My head aches when I overdo it. –Scarlett sighed, cheeks flushed, barely conscious from the intensity of the workout. Billy, ever attentive, wrapped his arms around the blonde with care. Even their sweat seemed magical—their shared desire seemed to give them life. He kissed her lips, trying to forget everything else, and she surrendered without resistance.
–Let's have a proper breakfast. –he murmured, looking out the window. The driver would arrive soon to take them to Detroit. He turned to the stunning woman beside him, who, even soaked in water, looked incredibly alluring. Billy couldn't help but nibble her shoulder gently—a tender gesture. She moved closer and embraced him tightly.
Just as predicted, they were now preparing the next scenes, running through the streets of Detroit. The city wasn't exactly a cultural hub, but its abandonment gave the shots a raw edge. Billy appeared in straightforward scenes, some involving moving cars, chasing down conversations that hinted at unresolved truths.
…
–Billy, we've got a scene where you meet your double. –said Paul Rubell, laying out today's selected shots. In filmmaking, each profession brings its take on how to shoot a scene. When everything clicks, it's up to the actors to bring it to life. Two characters merge into one—the actor must portray both faces. One cynical, one clever. Though it may seem complicated, it's really about syncing their timing. That's what makes it unique.
–So basically, I just do what the director tells me. –Billy replied with a wink toward Paul as he sat for makeup. He would begin by portraying the non-cloned Lincoln, arrogant and intense, with cameras capturing the performance from different angles, each adding stylized touches and vivid color.
Back under the green screen, they resumed shooting. The set was a grand house on the outskirts of Detroit.
Scene 69. Take 2.
In an extravagant home, someone approaches a screen—it slides open. Billy enters with Scarlett. A man in a green suit steps in. Alongside Jordan and Delta, they observe closely, as if each one recognizes something familiar in the other. The masks fall away.
–Well, I didn't expect this. –said Lincoln Six Echo—the clone, not someone else. Just a man searching for the truth and trying to expose the company.
No reply. He had to act on his own.
Six Echo: So I guess we're on the run. People are trying to kill us. It's terrifying.
Six Echo/Billy: Thank you.
Climbing the stairs, trying not to lose himself in time, space, and reality. A camera followed close behind, capturing the ascent behind the man in green.
–Wow. That's just incredible. –Lincoln muttered, looking at his tattered white shirt, stained with blood. He changed into a short-sleeved blue one, revealing strong arms. Every choice felt loaded with unexpected meaning.
–I think it's fantastic. –he said, putting on a pair of black shoes and an old sweatshirt that had been handed to him. After a while, they came downstairs for a three-minute take, timed precisely to maintain narrative clarity.
–We're going to meet with the authorities. –Lincoln told Scarlett.
Jordan: You're going… but… your eyes are lying.
Lincoln: There's something I need to do on my own. And I won't be silenced.
Jordan: But…
Lincoln: I'll be okay.
Jordan: I'll wait as long as I can.
Lincoln: I won't be long. Not as long as it seems.
He walked through the door, and the scene ended.
–Cut. –called out, Michael Bay.
–Billy, I need you to bring more energy. –Michael Bay added, walking over. –You've got to be cheerful and keep glancing sideways, like you're remembering something. But when you look at Jordan, make it count. That look is everything.
–Yes, director. –Billy replied, as Bay demonstrated the shot and path himself. Thanks to digital cameras, no film was wasted. That helped Billy lean into his role, seeing himself clearly through the lens.
–Alright, kid. We've got time… –Michael Bay said, clearly impressed. The chemistry between Billy and Scarlett was first-rate, and Billy's performances, while generally solid, occasionally rose to something truly exceptional.
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