Banquet Invitation

When Henry received the lovely pink paper bag from old Gary, he assumed the female agent had left him some "special" souvenir for espionage purposes.

But when he took out the adorable Tabby Cat plush toy from the bag, Henry paused, then asked, "Is this Kitty's doll?"

"Bobbie's thoughtful, isn't he?" old Gary said. But he didn't dare mention how he and Barbara had been startled by the real Kitty when they went to open Henry's door earlier that day.

Henry's X-Ray Vision didn't find any listening devices or anything like that inside the doll, and he was wondering if he had wronged Barbara Morse.

Perhaps she was just an ordinary, beautiful young female college student who wanted to find a boyfriend. However, this thought only flashed through Henry's mind for a moment before he didn't take it seriously.

One major reason Henry didn't continue his career in Hollywood was a comment he heard from a well-known agent in the industry, "Ordinary looks, and without honing my acting skills, I'll lack any distinctive features." So, the agent introduced him to acting training courses, which were ridiculously expensive...

It seemed like that guy just wanted to earn a referral fee for the training course and had no intention of putting in any effort for me.

Since he didn't have Leonardo DiCaprio's stunning good looks to start with, and would have to wait ten or twenty years before he could possibly gain recognition for his acting skills, Henry had no interest in taking that long road of playing supporting roles.

Don't say that action stars don't need to be good-looking. It's true that action stars don't need to be handsome, but they should at least have some distinctive features that make their faces memorable.

Henry's defining characteristic is precisely his "ordinariness," the kind that even plastic surgery can't fix. Perhaps disfigurement offers a chance...

Judging one's attractiveness by the standards and experience of a seasoned real estate agent, a woman would fall in love with him at first sight; only a blind man could do that.

So Barbara's attitude was simply that she was kind, and that she was friendly to everyone?

Yes, there are still good people like that.

We shouldn't think of the world as something terrible, as if good people have disappeared. Even if they are rare, you still have a chance to meet them.

A beggar on the street won't necessarily receive money from every passerby, but he'll always encounter a few kind people throughout the day. Giving a few cents or even a coin is not impossible.

Henry held the doll in his hands, his expression somewhat indescribable. Old Gary chimed in, "This is a gift Bobbie specially picked out for you to thank you for showing her around Los Angeles these past few days."

"It's a bit strange to give a man a plush toy, but it's something a girl would do, right? She told me she'll come see you again next holiday."

Henry put the doll back into the paper bag and said with a smile, "In that case, we'll probably meet again in about six months. Maybe she'll find her Mr. Right this semester."

"So let's talk about this when we actually meet. But if she keeps in touch with you, please give her my thanks."

"Okay," old Gary said with a disappointed look.

Seeing that expression, so obvious it seemed like he was doing it on purpose, Henry couldn't help but laugh and ask, "Gary, I didn't know you were so keen on introducing people to girlfriends. Hmm, your ex-wife's relatives shouldn't count as your relatives."

"But do you think Bobbie, with her looks and qualities, will lack suitors? I'm still unemployed. I'm even thinking about going back to Alaska to catch king crabs this year, otherwise I'll be struggling to pay your rent."

Old Gary said, "I don't see any worry in you. Besides, at your age, shouldn't you be dating and living like a young person?"

"You're so bored you've even gotten a Tabby Cat."—This flamboyant landlady deliberately made a quotation mark gesture, "—I'm afraid you'll tell me one day you have a Bichon Frise. This time, I won't allow it."

Henry laughed, "Now we have both cats and dogs, the house will be in constant turmoil!"

"Right? You yourself think it's pretty bad. Besides, having a girl to keep you in check is not bad. Reason you can skip experiencing the life I had, which was tortured to death by my ex-wife," old Gary said disdainfully.

Henry said awkwardly, "That's what you really think, isn't it, you old man?"

Old Gary made an exaggerated expression of realizing he had let something slip, which looked so contrived and deliberate that you wanted to punch him.

Before Henry could even consider whether to throw a punch, a conspicuous silver-gray Rolls-Royce pulled up beside the apartment. A burly, brown-haired, brown-eyed white man in a black suit stepped out.

"Are you Mr. Henry Brown?" the big man asked.

Henry and old Gary exchanged a glance; neither of them recognized the stranger. And judging from his various behavioral characteristics, he didn't seem to be from the public sector.

So Henry said with reservation, "Perhaps I am. And who are you?"

"Mr. Brown, hello. I am Happy Hogan. I am here on behalf of Ms. Catherine Hepburn tonight to extend an invitation to the banquet, and I would like to invite you to attend." The burly man said, taking an envelope from his pocket and handing it to him with one hand.

Okay, here are two more familiar names. Catherine Hepburn needs no introduction. But Happy Hogan, isn't that Tony Stark's future driver and bodyguard?

Is he working for Catherine now? Or is it that young master is actually behind this?

Henry opened the invitation and found its format and contents very familiar. He also realized that the timing was indeed about right.

During my time as Audrey Hepburn's assistant, I received these kinds of party invitations almost daily during Oscars season. So I was extremely familiar with them.

However, despite the invitations, Audrey Hepburn, who had largely retired from the film industry, only accepted invitations from a select few. She politely declined all others.

So today's event is also a campaign party related to the Oscars? But what does that have to do with me? I'm not qualified to vote at the Academy.

However, the signature of the person who invited the guest was indeed Catherine Hepburn's handwriting and name. We couldn't refuse this elderly lady's request.

Henry put away the invitation and said, "I understand. Please convey my message to Ms. Hepburn that I will be there on time."

This isn't a very formal banquet, so there's no need for a written reply; a verbal explanation will suffice.

"Okay, then I'll be going now." After receiving the reply, Happy Hogan drove away in his silver-gray Rolls-Royce.

Only then did old Gary say, "Was that Catherine Hepburn's driver?"

Henry said, "It must be someone else's; they were just helping to deliver the invitation. That lady isn't wealthy enough to let her chauffeur drive Rolls-Royce around, and she herself wouldn't use such a car."

"Then why don't you hurry up and get ready! We're having a banquet tonight."

Seeing old Gary's anxious look, Henry said disdainfully, "This is just a regular banquet, not a red carpet event. There's no point in me dressing up in the most fancy way."