The "Modern Family" set buzzed with its usual energy, but there was an extra spark of excitement among the newer crew members. They were thrilled to be working with the famous Lucas Knight, a star who had proven himself not only incredibly talented but also considerate and down-to-earth.
It had been a week of filming, and despite not being as fully committed to the series as some of the other cast members, Lucas slipped back into Dylan's character with ease. His ability to do so while juggling other high-profile projects only added to the crew's admiration.
As they wrapped up a scene, a crew member approached Lucas, holding out an envelope. "This came for you, Mr. Knight."
Lucas looked at it curiously. "Who's it from?"
The crew member shrugged apologetically. "No idea. Some guy just handed it to me and said to give it to Lucas Knight."
Overhearing this, Ty Burrell chuckled. "Ooh, looks like another missive from your adoring public, Lucas."
Sarah Hyland chimed in with a grin. "Ten bucks says it's a love letter."
Ariel Winter, who had been nearby touching up her makeup, perked up at this. "A love letter? Can we see what's inside?"
Julie Bowen, ever the voice of reason, gently admonished, "Now, now, it's not polite to read other people's mail if it's not meant for us."
Ariel's face fell slightly. "Oh, right. I guess that makes sense."
Noticing the disappointed looks on his co-stars' faces, Lucas couldn't help but smile. "Tell you what, I'll take a peek first. If it's nothing too personal, maybe I can share it with you guys."
Ty shot a look at Julie. "See? He offered. We're not snooping if he's sharing."
Julie just rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
Lucas stepped away from the group, curiosity piqued as he opened the envelope. He wondered who would send him a letter on set. Could it be from those persistent stalkers?
He was used to receiving hundreds of letters, mostly romantic, each month, but those were usually handled by his assistant.
Unfolding the paper inside, he read:
"You are cordially invited to celebrate the birthday of William Cavendish III. Please find enclosed a card to present at the party, confirming your invitation."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. 'Me? Invited to a random person's birthday party?' The letter's design and quality paper suggested the birthday boy was quite wealthy. Reaching into the envelope, he pulled out a golden card. 'Definitely rich,' he mused.
Seeing nothing too personal, he returned to his curious co-stars.
"So... can we see the letter?" Ty asked, barely containing his excitement.
Julie rolled her eyes. "Why are you so invested in other people's mail?"
Ty grinned mischievously. "Come on, Julie. Don't tell me you're not curious. It's like finding out your uptight neighbor's teenage daughter is pregnant. You know you shouldn't care, but you can't help yourself."
"You're terrible," Julie chuckled, shaking her head.
Lucas smiled, handing over the letter. "Here you go."
Ty, Sarah, and Ariel practically pounced on it, with Julie peering over their shoulders. Their faces fell comically as they read.
"It's just a birthday invitation?" Ariel said, disappointment evident.
Lucas laughed. "What were you expecting? An awkward teenage girl's love confession?"
Sarah nodded, grinning sheepishly. "Yeah, that's exactly what I was hoping for."
"You guys watch too many teen dramas," Lucas teased, taking back the invitation.
"It's really disappointing. I thought I could get a good laugh at the letter," Ty admitted, his face a picture of mock dejection.
Julie smirked, "If you want a good laugh, Ty, just look in the mirror while you're practicing your 'cool dad' dance moves."
The group erupted in laughter as Ty pouted dramatically, which only made them laugh harder.
Lucas joined in the banter, but inwardly, his mind was preoccupied with the name William Cavendish III. It nagged at him, feeling familiar yet just out of reach. This unusual struggle to recall information made him uneasy. With his typically crystal-clear memory and his "Mind Workshop" ability, forgetting wasn't something he experienced often.
The fact that he couldn't immediately place the name suggested it might be significant. William Cavendish III clearly wasn't just some random person.
Their laughter was interrupted by a crew member's call: "Guys, we're filming in five! Please get to your positions!"
The group sobered up quickly, switching into professional mode as they prepared for the next scene.
Two days later, as Lucas prepared to leave the set, he found himself surrounded by his co-stars, all sad to see him go.
Ty pulled him into a bear hug. "We'll miss you, man."
Lucas nodded, feeling a twinge of sadness himself. He turned to Nolan, "Hey, if you're serious about making music, reach out when I'm in New York. If I'm not swamped, we could talk shop."
Nolan's face lit up. "I'll definitely do that. Thanks, Lucas!"
With final waves to his co-stars and the crew, Lucas climbed into his waiting car. As it pulled away from the set, he couldn't help but feel grateful for this TV family of his, even as his mind drifted back to the mysterious invitation and the name he couldn't quite place.
***
The next day, Lucas found himself back in New York. The city's energy felt different from the warmth of Los Angeles. While there were times he missed the California sunshine, more often than not, he felt that New York's hustle and bustle suited him better.
As they exited the airport, Lucas noticed a few passersby discreetly snapping photos from a distance. He paid them no mind, heading straight for the car he'd summoned through his Uber app.
As Lucas and his team piled into the vehicle, the driver glanced back, his brow furrowed behind his sunglasses. It was clear he didn't recognize his famous passenger.
True to the stereotypical New York cabbie, the driver was chatty. "You look quite handsome, sir. I bet you're a womanizer."
Shawn, Simon, and Jack stifled their laughter in the backseat.
Lucas chuckled wryly, caught off guard by the driver's blunt assessment. "A womanizer? Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
The driver grinned, catching Lucas's eye in the rearview mirror. "What do you think, hotshot?"
Lucas fell silent, unsure how to respond. After a moment, the driver broke the tension. "Course it's a compliment, ya mook. Hope I didn't offend ya."
Lucas relaxed, a smile playing on his lips. "No worries. I guess you look like quite a womanizer yourself."
This quip from Lucas sent Shawn, Simon, and Jack into fits of laughter.
The driver chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter. "Oh, it's not the first time I've been accused of something like that."
Lucas and his team laughed as the driver continued, "One time, a passenger told me I'm so ugly I looked like a criminal. I didn't mind at all, but I just told him..."
He paused dramatically, and Lucas, intrigued, asked, "What did you tell him?"
The driver grinned wickedly. "I looked him dead in the eye and said, 'If I look like a criminal, then you must be what they use to scare criminals straight. Your face could stop a jail break faster than a SWAT team.'"
Lucas and his team erupted in laughter.
The driver continued, "The guy looked like he'd been slapped with a wet fish. His eyes got all watery, and he didn't say another word the whole ride. Guess he couldn't handle a taste of his own medicine."
As they arrived at Lucas's destination, he thanked the driver, impressed by his quick wit. On impulse, Lucas pulled out a handkerchief - a signature piece from a fashion brand he endorsed - and handed it to the driver.
"Here, take this. You might need it next time you make a passenger cry," Lucas joked.
The driver took the handkerchief, stuffing it in his pocket without a second glance. "Thanks, kid. You're alright."
As Lucas and his team exited the car, he couldn't help but smile. It had been a refreshingly normal interaction, a rarity in his celebrity life.
Little did the driver know, he'd just pocketed a piece of designer merchandise worth more than his daily fares combined.
***
At the apartment, Lucas and his team finally had a chance to unwind. Lucas retreated to his spacious room, pulling out the invitation card from William Cavendish III. The birthday celebration was just around the corner, merely three days away.
The name tugged at his memory, prompting him to do a quick Google search. As the results loaded, Lucas's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Well, well, well," he muttered to himself.
William Cavendish III wasn't just some wealthy socialite. He was a former senator and a media mogul who had founded Cavendish Entertainment from the ground up. The company boasted strong connections with major Hollywood studios.
Lucas studied the card more intently now. "A potential project, maybe?" he mused aloud. "Why else would someone like him invite me?"
He couldn't fathom any other reason for such an influential figure to reach out. It had to be about making connections, possibly offering him a role in an upcoming production.
As he delved deeper into the Cavendish family's background, Lucas realized the extent of their influence. They weren't just another player in the entertainment industry; their reach extended into government circles as well.
"Might as well go," Lucas decided, his curiosity piqued. "If nothing else, it'll be interesting to see what they're after."
He couldn't help but feel a mix of intrigue and caution. While Cavendish Entertainment might not be on par with Disney or other major studios, they were far from insignificant. Their influence seemed comparable to Weinstein at it's peak, perhaps even surpassing it given their political connections.