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Chapter 187: Skiing Vacation
🕑 Added 2025-01-09 17:11:55 +0000 UTCAt the wrap-up party, Bruce Willis and Gilbert continued their conversation.
"I have a feeling that this film will be a massive success," Bruce Willis said.
"Of course, it will be a huge success," Gilbert nodded solemnly.
It had to be a success. Otherwise, why would Gilbert make The Sixth Sense?
When Gilbert chose to shoot a film, two factors were at play: box office performance and critical acclaim. The Sixth Sense was a perfect combination of both.
This was also why Gilbert passed on directing Independence Day. While the box office numbers were impressive, the film's quality was a different story.
That's the reason why, despite its success, it took many years for Independence Day to get a sequel.
For a profit-driven industry like Hollywood, not producing a sequel to a blockbuster wasn't typical behavior.
It wasn't that they didn't want to make a sequel; they just couldn't.
If they had rushed to make Independence Day 2 shortly after the first, the likelihood of failure would have skyrocketed.
Additionally, after the success of Independence Day, there were too many derivative works. Apocalyptic films of various types flooded the market.
Just asteroid-impact films alone had Armageddon and Deep Impact, leading to severe homogenization.
Considering this, it was no wonder that a sequel to Independence Day took so long to materialize.
After wrapping up The Sixth Sense, Gilbert didn't dive straight back into work. Instead, he took Scarlett and his cousin Ellie to Whistler, Canada, for a skiing trip.
He had promised Scarlett last time and couldn't go back on his word. He decided to bring Ellie along as well since the two girls were of a similar age and had plenty to talk about.
Whistler's Blackcomb Mountain Ski Resort wasn't as famous as other Canadian ski destinations, like Mont Tremblant or Grouse Mountain near Vancouver.
However, Blackcomb Mountain offered a wide variety of activities. It boasted over 80 ski trails and winter activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, and even Alaskan husky sled rides.
For more adventurous souls, there were options like snowcat tours or helicopter rides to explore the pristine wilderness.
Of course, these experiences didn't come cheap, but for Gilbert, the cost was negligible.
The Whistler Castle Hotel also provided natural hot spring experiences, paired with local pine nut wine, desserts, and snacks—a truly indulgent experience.
After arriving in Whistler, the three of them checked into the castle hotel. That very afternoon, Scarlett and Ellie couldn't contain their excitement and dragged Gilbert into town to explore.
Although Whistler and Grouse Mountain are different locations, they both fall under Vancouver's jurisdiction.
The town around the ski resort had charming scenery. On clear days, visitors could admire the snow-capped mountains. The town also featured high-end boutiques and numerous restaurants.
Scarlett and Ellie eagerly sampled the local specialties.
Gilbert encountered an unusual dish—maple-glazed salmon.
The dish combined salmon and maple syrup as the primary ingredients. The salmon was marinated with pepper and cinnamon powder before being pan-fried and served with mashed potatoes and shredded vegetables.
"Gilbert, why aren't you eating?" Scarlett asked, crumbs at the corner of her mouth as she stared at Gilbert's untouched plate.
Gilbert saw right through Scarlett's intentions. Smiling faintly, he handed her his portion of salmon, saying, "It's a bit too sweet for me."
Scarlett didn't understand why Gilbert didn't like it, but she gladly accepted it. Meanwhile, Ellie chimed in, "Share some with me."
Scarlett generously used her fork and knife to divide the salmon in half and handed a portion to Ellie. The two girls happily devoured it.
Meanwhile, Gilbert sipped on ice wine while gazing at the distant snow-capped mountains, planning the next day's skiing schedule.
Ice wine, made by pressing frozen grapes directly into juice, is a delicacy in Canada. Best served chilled, it's perfect for slow sipping, often paired with desserts or cheese.
Though renowned as Canada's national treasure, Gilbert wasn't focused on its history. Instead, he reflected on his limited skiing experience.
In his past life, winters were snowy, and his only "skiing" experience came from sliding on packed snow while walking to school.
China also has ski resorts and vacation spots, but just like Whistler, they're not affordable or accessible for everyone. Many simply don't enjoy skiing as a hobby.
Unimpressed with the maple salmon, Gilbert ordered something else.
A meat lover, he opted for Montreal smoked meat. Though they were in Vancouver, one didn't have to travel to Montreal to enjoy its signature dish.
When a large platter of smoked meat arrived, Gilbert pointed at it and said to Scarlett and Ellie, "Now this is food."
Scarlett and Ellie wasted no time, each grabbing a few slices from the plate.
"Hey, won't you two get too full eating all that?" Gilbert asked, curious about where the two girls were putting all the food.
Scarlett took a big bite of the smoked meat, chewing laboriously as she mumbled something incomprehensible.
Gilbert couldn't hear her and turned to Ellie. "What did Scarlett just say?"
Ellie replied, "She said the smoked meat is delicious."
With that, she ignored Gilbert and continued tackling her portion of the smoked meat.
Gilbert chuckled. "Little gluttons."
After their meal, none of them wanted to do anything else. They returned to the castle hotel for a good night's rest.
The next morning, well-rested, Gilbert took Scarlett and Ellie up the mountain via cable car.
Yesterday, the distant view of the snow-capped mountains from the town had been beautiful, but it paled in comparison to the breathtaking sight up close.
Blackcomb Mountain's ski season runs from October to April, with December and January being the prime months.
The thick, powdery snow, resembling champagne bubbles, was fine and smooth. Walking on it produced a satisfying crunch underfoot.
Scarlett and Ellie were thrilled watching skilled skiers perform various tricks outside the cable car.
"Look at that, Ellie! So cool! I want to try that!" Scarlett clapped her hands in excitement.
"Doesn't seem too hard. I think I can do it too," Ellie said, eager to experience the thrill of skiing.
Gilbert quickly curbed their enthusiasm. "Safety first. Beginners should stick to the bunny slopes. You two need to stay in the children's ski area."
"Got it," Scarlett said, rolling her eyes adorably. "You're such a nag."
"Still, safety comes first," Gilbert insisted.
"Yes, yes, we know..."
When the cable car reached the summit, the two girls dashed toward the ski lodge, leaving Gilbert's words behind.
"Hey, don't go there! That's the adult skiing area!" Gilbert took a quick stride and caught them.
He had already made reservations the previous day at the castle hotel, which provided a list of instructors. Gilbert chose two female instructors for the girls.
Why female instructors? Simple—Gilbert, as a man, naturally preferred them over male ones.
"Gianna, please take good care of them. Make sure they stay safe," Gilbert instructed one of the instructors.
Gianna nodded and took the two girls, now fully equipped, to the children's ski area to begin their lessons.
Meanwhile, Gilbert, under the guidance of another female instructor, began practicing as a complete beginner.
"First time skiing?"
"Yes, first time."
The instructor smiled. She had seen plenty of beginners and was quite experienced. "Take it slow. Follow my steps. Let's start with the basics..."
Under her guidance, Gilbert grasped the fundamentals of skiing but didn't dare go too fast, opting for a cautious approach.
Suddenly, a figure zipped past him, circling him before stopping.
It was Scarlett.
"Scarlett? What are you doing here?" Gilbert asked.
"Hey, Gilbert, you're as slow as a turtle," Scarlett teased.
"I'm being cautious," Gilbert defended.
"Hahaha," the little girl laughed heartily. "You just can't learn it properly. I'm off to the intermediate slopes."
With that, Scarlett sped off toward the intermediate area.
Her speed alarmed Gilbert, and he quickly signaled his instructor to follow Scarlett and ensure her safety. He shouted after her, "Be careful!"
"I know!" Scarlett's voice echoed back from afar.
Gilbert wished he were better at skiing so he could catch the mischievous girl himself.
After practicing for a while and realizing he lacked a talent for skiing, Gilbert gave up. He returned to the lodge to change and relax in a cozy glass-walled room with a coffee, admiring the snowy mountain view.
Before long, Ellie returned.
"How did it go?" Gilbert asked.
Ellie proudly said, "Gianna said I have a talent for it. A few more lessons, and I'll be able to ski independently."
"Not bad," Gilbert said, patting her head. "I'll bring you back next time."
"Next time... I want to go to Switzerland," Ellie suggested.
"Switzerland? Sure," Gilbert agreed without hesitation.
Shortly after, Scarlett returned, her hair dusted with snow.
"What happened?" Gilbert asked with concern.
Scarlett waved her hand dismissively. "Nothing, just a little fall. It's no big deal."
"No big deal?" Gilbert flicked her forehead lightly. "If you got hurt, your mom would never let me hear the end of it."
"It really wasn't a big deal! I've got talent. The instructor even said I could become a professional skier."
Gilbert chuckled. "Do you want to be a skier?"
Scarlett thought for a moment before answering, "No, I think acting is more fun."
"Fair enough."
The three spent three days at Whistler. They also went on a snowshoeing hike together. Scarlett begged to go on a snow mountain expedition, but Gilbert firmly refused.
When denied, Scarlett pouted in dissatisfaction. But when Gilbert gifted her a set of skiing equipment, her mood instantly improved.
Scarlett mastered the art of mood swings, seamlessly switching expressions—a true talent for a child star.
After their vacation, Gilbert took Scarlett and Ellie back to California and then immersed himself in the post-production of The Sixth Sense.
Comments
OceanLily
Why is he hanging out with a tween he's not related to? What kind of parents send their little girl away with a grown man especially in Hollywood?
