Filming in New Mexico was coming to an end.
After a few more pick-up shots, the crew would pack up and return to Los Angeles to shoot the remaining interior scenes.
Work started in the morning.
Someone from the prop department ran frantically to Director Branagh, face pale.
"Director, something happened! Mjolnir is missing!"
The set exploded instantly.
This hammer wasn't an ordinary prop.
It was an important filming tool meticulously crafted by Marvel, worth a fortune, and many shots focused on it.
Everyone's first reaction was surprisingly unanimous—gazes turned in unison to Chris Hemsworth, who was getting makeup done.
Chris had just put on his blonde wig. Hearing the news, he was dumbfounded. Seeing everyone's eyes on him, he immediately jumped up from his chair, raising his hands with a look of injustice.
"Hey! Hey! Why are you looking at me? It really wasn't me this time! I swear!"
His reaction wasn't without reason.
When he was drunk before, he had indeed clamored about wanting to steal the hammer. Plus, he was inseparable from the hammer on set, making him the prime suspect.
Director Branagh's brow furrowed into a knot. He walked up to Chris, his tone serious.
"Chris, this is no joke. Where is the hammer?"
"Director! I swear on Odin and my surfboard!"
Chris was so anxious his Australian accent slipped out, his expression exaggerated.
"I went straight back to my room after wrap last night, didn't even go to the bar! Besides, why would I steal it? Use it as a dumbbell to build muscle?"
Seeing everyone still skeptical, he steeled his heart and pulled out his room key card.
"Don't believe me? Go search my room! Search anywhere! If you find it, I'll donate my salary for the next movie to Marvel!"
Seeing him swearing oaths and looking a bit exasperated, everyone wavered.
Chris loved to goof around, but he wouldn't joke about something like this.
Just then, a purple attribute orb dropped from Chris.
[Guilty Conscience +4]
Cassius paused!
Did Chris really take it?
This guy has guts!
"Could a crazed fan have snuck in?" Jaimie Alexander, who played Sif, guessed.
"Or maybe it got blown away by a sandstorm?"
Kat Dennings cracked an untimely joke and got a gentle elbow nudge from Natalie.
Realizing she misspoke, she quickly shut up.
The scene was chaotic, and filming was about to be delayed.
The producer's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, constantly on the phone, presumably reporting to Marvel headquarters.
Cassius stood on the outskirts of the crowd, silent. He carefully observed everyone's reactions, especially Chris's.
Seeing Chris looking like he wanted to rip his heart out to prove his innocence, it really didn't look like acting.
Just then!
The prop master wiped his sweat, seemingly remembering something suddenly. He leaned into Director Branagh's ear and whispered a few words.
Director Branagh's expression shifted several times, from anxiety to helplessness, and finally, he let out a long sigh and rubbed his temples.
He picked up the walkie-talkie and said weakly:
"Alright, stop guessing. Notify the backup prop team to bring out the spare hammer!"
"Spare?"
Chris's eyes widened.
Soon, several prop staff carried over a Mjolnir that looked identical.
Looking closely, the wood grain and metallic luster of this hammer seemed slightly newer than the previous one, but it was still extremely realistic.
"We have backups for every major prop, just to prevent situations like this," the prop master explained awkwardly.
"It's just that the weight distribution of this spare hammer is slightly different. It might feel a bit different to swing."
Chris took the spare hammer, weighed it in his hand, swung it twice, and frowned.
"It is a bit different. The center of gravity seems slightly off."
For an actor who had to do a lot of action scenes, changes in prop feel were very noticeable.
"Make do with it for now, Chris."
Director Branagh waved his hand wearily. "Better than stopping production!"
"Security will continue investigating the missing hammer. Now, all departments ready, let's hurry up and shoot the next scene!"
The storm subsided temporarily, and filming continued.
The day's shooting ended.
Although the spare hammer was usable, everyone was still thinking about the missing original, looking at each other with suspicion.
Chris was especially deflated, feeling his dignity as Thor had been insulted.
On the way back to the hotel after wrap.
Chris quickened his pace to catch up with Cassius, putting an arm around his shoulder, his tone unusually serious.
"Cass, have a drink with me! I don't want to stay in this place a day longer."
Seeing he was genuinely depressed, Cassius nodded and agreed.
They didn't go to the restaurant but went directly to the small living room in Chris's suite.
Chris took a few bottles of beer from the mini-fridge, handed one to Cassius, and downed most of his own bottle first.
"Fuck, which bastard did it?"
Chris wiped his mouth. "Making me take the fall. Don't let me find out who!"
Cassius clinked bottles with him. "The production will figure it out!"
"Hope so!"
Chris took another sip, then suddenly changed the topic, his eyes flickering.
"By the way, Cass, we're going back tomorrow. Do you have a lot of luggage?"
"Not much, just one big suitcase and a carry-on!"
Cassius didn't think much of it.
"That's great!"
Chris slapped his thigh, revealing a "you know what I mean" smile.
"Brother, do me a favor. I have a lot of random stuff, and my suitcase might be overweight!"
"Help me pack some things in yours. Consider it exercise! Don't you Kung Fu guys value weighted training?"
Cassius looked at him, feeling the excuse was a bit forced.
What was Chris's assistant for?
And exercise with a suitcase?
Was this Australian's brain fried by the desert wind?
"What kind of stuff?"
Cassius asked.
"Ah? Just some clothes, souvenirs, odds and ends."
Chris's gaze shifted, then he slapped Cassius hard on the back, making Cassius wince.
"Relax! All light stuff! Won't tire you out! It's settled then! I'll bring it to you before we check bags tomorrow!"
Patted into submission and having had a bit to drink, Cassius figured Chris might just be neurotic from the hammer incident, so he agreed vaguely.
"Alright, give it to me then."
"Good brother!"
Chris beamed instantly, opened another beer, and shoved it at Cassius.
"That's what friends are for!"
They drank for a while longer.
Mostly Chris complaining and proving his innocence, with Cassius chiming in occasionally.
When Cassius returned to his room, showered, and lay down, he vaguely felt that Chris's request to help with luggage was a bit off.
But he couldn't put his finger on what exactly was wrong.
"Probably just overthinking it!"
Cassius turned over, throwing the suspicion to the back of his mind. "Probably just doesn't want to pay excess baggage fees."