On a starry March evening in 1998, the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles was buzzing with excitement. The 70th Academy Awards were about to kick off in grand style!
In front of the dazzling theater stood four massive Oscar statuette models. The red carpet stretched 280 feet along the Walk of Fame, looking like a fiery dragon ready to soar.
The *Titanic* crew, fresh off their Golden Globe sweep, was still the talk of the night. Everyone's eyes were on them!
But just before heading inside, a staff member quietly pulled Dunn aside. "Director Walker, the organizing committee needs a little favor from you."
Dunn grinned. "Sure, how can I help?"
The staffer leaned in, voice low. "After the Best Sound Editing award, could you step out to the restroom for a sec?"
"Huh?"
Dunn blinked, totally thrown off. It was his first Oscars, and he wasn't quite sure what game they were playing.
"It's not the production team's request—it's the Academy's idea," the staffer added quickly, noticing Dunn's confusion.
That eased his mind a bit. As long as it wasn't the broadcaster, AB, cooking up some ratings stunt, he was cool with it.
Still, once he settled into his seat inside, he couldn't shake the curiosity. What was the Academy up to?
Kate Winslet, sitting next to him as always, was all smiles. Seeing Dunn's worried look, she nudged him gently. "Dunn, you've gotta get it—this is the Oscars, not the Golden Globes. It's a whole different vibe!"
Dunn knew snagging Best Director at his age was a long shot—pretty much impossible.
"And you? You're okay with that?" he teased her with a smirk. "Your performance got rave reviews from everyone, plus that New York Times guild award!"
Kate pouted and whispered, "I'm not deaf or mute, you know!"
At just 22, she'd be one of the youngest Best Actress winners ever—only Marlee Matlin, a deaf actress, had beaten her to it. Age was the biggest hurdle for both her and Dunn.
He let out a long sigh. "Well, at least we're doing better than Leo."
Kate stifled a giggle. Leonardo DiCaprio, snubbed for a nomination, was so ticked off he skipped the ceremony entirely.
Soon, the show kicked off. Host Billy Crystal cracked his usual jokes, and the first award—Best Supporting Actress—went out fast. *Titanic* didn't have much hope there. Old Rose was the oldest nominee ever, but her screen time was short, and her performance was solid but not standout. Sure enough, Kim Basinger from *L.A. Confidential* took it home.
But then came the technical and artistic awards, and *Titanic* cleaned up! Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" totally stole the spotlight, outshining the Academy's big new theme song, "Oscar Prelude."
After *Titanic* nabbed Best Sound Editing, Dunn got up and slipped out of his seat, just as requested. Sure enough, two staffers with eagle eyes were waiting in the hallway. "Director Walker, this way, please!"
Dunn followed, curiosity peaking. "Can I ask what's going on?"
"They didn't say much," one replied. "But if it's like past years, they probably want you to present an award."
"Present an award?" Dunn's jaw dropped. "Isn't that all planned way ahead?"
"There's always an exception or two."
Before long, he met a middle-aged woman—an incredible actress, Frances McDormand. Oh, and last year's Best Actress winner!
It hit him like a ton of bricks.
Frances greeted him with a warm smile. "So glad to team up with you, Mr. Walker!"
Dunn hesitated. "Are we presenting Best Actress?"
She paused. "They didn't tell you?"
He gave a wry smile, and she caught on quick. Her look softened. "You're young and crazy talented, Mr. Walker. Missing out this time doesn't mean anything—tons of chances ahead!"
Still, Dunn felt a pang of disappointment. He got it now—the Academy was tossing him a consolation prize by letting him present Best Actress. They couldn't crown a 20-year-old Best Director, but they didn't want to crush a rising star either. It was all about balance.
Frances sighed, holding the envelope with a half-smile. "Guess you already know who's in here, huh?"
Dunn shrugged. "Until that envelope's open, anything's possible!"
Deep down, though, he figured it had to be Kate Winslet. If it wasn't, making him present right now wouldn't be a pat on the back—it'd be a slap in the face.
Soon, the staff waved them over. Frances linked arms with him, and they stepped onto the glitzy stage.
The moment Dunn appeared, the *Titanic* crew gasped. What was going on? How'd they miss this? Kate fumed silently, "That sneak Dunn didn't even tell *me*! Rude!"
Some of the old-timers exchanged knowing smirks—they'd seen this playbook before.
Presenters usually toss out a few jabs, but with Dunn so young, Frances took the lead. "Dunn, I hear you've been juggling a bunch of romances these past couple years. Still got energy to make movies?"
The crowd roared with laughter. Dunn's love life was Hollywood's favorite punchline.
But no one cared— a 20-year-old acting like a monk would be weirder. This was Hollywood, not some sleepy village!
Dunn grinned. "My next flick's a romance, so I'm just doing some hands-on research!"
The VIPs chuckled—quick comeback, kid!
Frances played stern. "Young man, work should come first!"
"Work?" Dunn straightened up, then sighed dramatically. "Since Ms. McDormand's giving me such wise advice, I'd be a fool not to listen. Just hope the broadcasters and the committee forgive my boldness!"
The 5,000 guests in the theater scratched their heads. What did work have to do with the broadcasters?
Then Dunn dropped the bomb, and the crowd couldn't help but laugh—while the old pros just shook their heads, grinning.
"My new movie, *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*, hits theaters August 20th this summer. Hope all you folks here and everyone watching at home can catch this sweet, funny, romantic ride!"
AB's broadcast team nearly choked. This was the Oscars—second only to the Super Bowl in viewership—and Dunn just scored a free ad!
Frances got the hint through her earpiece and pivoted fast. "Alright, let's check out the amazing actresses who gave us unforgettable performances this past year and earned a Best Actress nod!"
The nominees: Helen Hunt for *As Good as It Gets*, Helena Bonham Carter for *The Wings of the Dove*, Julie Christie for *Afterglow*, Judi Dench for *Mrs. Brown*, and Kate Winslet for *Titanic*.
The camera panned across their faces. Kate, Helen Hunt, and Helena, the younger trio, couldn't hide their excitement behind nervous smiles. Judi Dench and Julie Christie, seasoned vets, forced awkward grins. With Dunn up there, who else could it be but Kate? She was only 22!
The highlight reel ended, and Frances opened the envelope, sharing a smile with Dunn. "And the Best Actress is…"
She stepped back, letting him take the spotlight—after all, this was his moment, the Academy's little gift.
Dunn glanced at the name, his cheeks flushing as his voice rose with excitement. "Congrats to my good friend, Kate Winslet!"
"Ahh!"
Kate froze, like her soul had left her body. Her stunning eyes shimmered with tears.
The theater erupted in applause. Clips of her *Titanic* performance flashed on the big screen, tugging at everyone's heartstrings.
The *Titanic* crew leapt up, grinning ear to ear, as pumped as if they'd won themselves.
Kate's mind went blank. She stumbled to her feet, hugging her team in a daze, still not believing it was real.
Old Rose, Gloria Stuart, gave her a warm hug. "Silly girl, snap out of it—Dunn's waiting up there!"
"Oh, right, Dunn!"
Kate snapped back, turning to the stage. Through teary eyes, she locked onto his handsome, smiling face.
She beamed—a radiant, tear-streaked smile, blooming like a peach blossom.
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