Chapter 66 – Planning the Last Mission
March 15, 2026 – Los Angeles, California
Ever since he had received the call from Tom Cruise, Gustavo had been thinking about nothing else.
He was still in shock.
It was an invitation for a unique project, a true cinematic event.
And now, just one day after the call, he was about to discuss all the details with the legend himself.
His laptop was already open, and the connection for the video call with Tom was ready.
As soon as the call started, the screen displayed Tom's characteristic smile, excited as always.
"Gustavo! My friend, are you ready to discuss the mission?"
Gustavo smiled back.
"Man, I still can't believe this is happening. But I'm ready."
Tom laughed and pointed to the camera.
"Great. Because what I'm planning is going to be absolutely insane." Tom picked up a tablet and started showing some concept art for the project.
"I want this to be more than just a commercial announcing my retirement. I want it to be a tribute to action cinema, something epic and unforgettable."
Gustavo nodded excitedly.
"And what's the story going to be?"
Tom smiled, adjusting the camera to show a whiteboard full of notes.
"The idea is that I play a fictional version of myself, as if I were a retired secret agent… but who needs to go into action one last time."
"Perfect." Gustavo laughed. "That's SO Tom Cruise."
"And that's where you come in."
Gustavo leaned back in his chair, curious.
"Am I going to be the villain?"
Tom shook his head.
"Not exactly. You're going to be the promising new agent who's about to take my place. But before I pass the baton, I need to make sure you really have what it takes to do it." Gustavo raised an eyebrow.
"Does that mean we're going to fight?"
Tom laughed and nodded.
"Exactly. And it won't be just any fight. It'll be something breathtaking."
Tom then went on to describe the scenes that would be part of the commercial.
"First, we start with a helicopter chase over a city. I'll be piloting one and you'll be in the other."
Gustavo smiled immediately.
"Great. I'm certified for helicopters."
Tom pointed to the camera.
"That's exactly why you were the perfect choice!"
He continued.
"Then, we have a motorcycle chase on a winding road. You're trying to capture me, and I'm barely escaping."
"Okay, this is getting interesting."
"So, we're going to a sequence of gunfire and parkour on top of a moving train."
Gustavo gave an incredulous smile.
— Tom… this is starting to look like a full movie, not a commercial.
— Exactly. It's going to be the biggest commercial in history.
Tom then revealed the big final moment.
— The last scene will be the two of us skydiving from a plane in freefall. No stunt doubles.
Gustavo ran his hand over his face, laughing.
— Okay, that's crazy. But I'm in.
— I knew you'd be up for it!
After discussing the scenes, Tom looked directly at Gustavo and said sincerely:
— Man, I chose you because I see in you the spirit of the new generation of Hollywood. You have talent, dedication, courage. This commercial isn't just my farewell… it's also my way of saying that I trust in the future of action cinema with you.
Gustavo was speechless for a moment.
He grew up watching Tom's films, being inspired by the way he dedicated himself to each role.
Now, here he was, personally chosen by him for this last mission.
He took a deep breath and smiled.
"Tom, I don't know what to say... but I promise I'll do my best to make this legendary."
Tom smiled with satisfaction.
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Now, let's start training. And get ready, because it's going to be intense."
Gustavo laughed and adjusted his headset.
"If it's not intense, it's not Tom Cruise."
The screen went black as the call ended.
Gustavo leaned back in his chair, still taking it all in.
He was about to be part of a historic moment in cinema.
And he wasn't going to disappoint.
Chapter 67 – The Commercial That Stopped the World
Los Angeles, California – April 2026
For weeks, Gustavo and Tom lived a secret mission worthy of a spy movie.
No news leaked.
No photos were taken.
No one had any idea what was about to happen.
They filmed in locations around the world, from isolated deserts to futuristic skyscrapers.
The training was intense: Gustavo and Tom skydived together, spent hours rehearsing motorcycle chases, and even performed dangerous helicopter scenes without stunt doubles.
And then…
One morning in April, the world woke up in shock.
Because, out of nowhere, Tom Cruise and Gustavo posted a video at the same time.
No subtitles.
No explanations.
Just a link with a mysterious title:
"The Last Mission – A Tom Cruise Commercial."
And when people clicked…
Action cinema changed forever.
The video opened with absolute silence.
The screen was black.
Suddenly, a sentence appeared in white letters:
"Every legend needs an ending."
The image then cut to a futuristic city, skyscrapers lit up, the dark sky cut by helicopters in pursuit.
Tom Cruise stood on top of a building, wearing an impeccable black suit, holding a wristwatch.
He looked at the horizon, his face serious, thoughtful.
And then, he pressed a button on the watch.
BOOM.
Explosions filled the screen, and the action really began.
Quick cuts showed Gustavo for the first time, running through a market full of armed mercenaries, dodging bullets with absurd precision.
Tom Cruise's narration echoed in the background.
— "All my life, I've been told that one man can't change the world…"
The scene cut to Tom flying a helicopter at full speed, chasing Gustavo, who was in another helicopter.
The wind tousled his hair, Gustavo's face determined.
Tom smiled at the camera and murmured:
— "Let's see if you have what it takes."
Then, the two helicopters entered an aerial battle, maneuvering between buildings, explosions happening in the background.
The adrenaline was pure.
Every scene seemed like something out of a blockbuster, but it was real.
The viewers couldn't believe what they were seeing.
What the hell was going on?!
The commercial then cut to a motorcycle chase.
Tom in front.
Gustavo right behind.
The two crossed a winding highway, dodging cars at over 200 km/h.
The camera closely followed each movement, as Gustavo accelerated, gaining an advantage.
He looked at Tom and smiled.
— "I'm coming, old man."
Tom laughed and replied without looking back:
— "Let's see if you can handle it."
Then…
Tom braked suddenly and turned the bike to the side, making Gustavo almost hit him.
But, in an absurd reflex, Gustavo jumped off the moving bike, slid across the ground, grabbed a gun and fired at a drone that was chasing them.
BOOM!
The drone exploded in the sky.
Tom raised his hands, impressed.
— "Okay… maybe you have a future, kid."
The screen then went black again.
Tom's narration returned, now in a lower, almost melancholic tone.
— "Every legend needs an ending… but it also needs a successor."
The last scene was epic.
Gustavo and Tom were in a plane in free fall.
The door opened.
The wind roared.
Tom looked at Gustavo and handed him a small silver watch.
— "Now it's up to you."
And then, they jumped together.
The camera followed their free fall, one last moment in slow motion, before the screen went black.
And one last sentence appeared:
"Thank you, Tom. Welcome, Gustavo."
THE END.
The commercial was posted at 10:00 AM.
By 10:15 AM, Twitter was already in chaos.
"WHAT WAS THAT I JUST WATCHED?!"
"Tom Cruise passing on the legacy to Gustavo Salles… THIS IS CINEMA."
"GUSTAVO SALLES IS NEVER TIRED OF WINNING!"
The news sites exploded with headlines.
Variety:
"Tom Cruise ends his career in spectacular fashion – and Gustavo Salles is the heir to action cinema."
Hollywood Reporter:
"The commercial that looks like a movie: Tom Cruise has chosen his successor."
Deadline:
"Gustavo Salles takes the throne of action cinema – and the world is not ready."
In Brazil, Jornal Nacional interrupted its programming to show excerpts from the commercial.
William Bonner opened the newscast saying:
— "Brazil keeps making history in cinema. Today, Gustavo Salles was officially introduced to the world as the next great action star."
On Instagram, the world's biggest celebrities were commenting.
Leonardo DiCaprio:
"Absolutely incredible. Tom Cruise says goodbye in style, and Gustavo Salles takes over masterfully."
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson:
"This commercial was more epic than half the movies that have come out in the last few years. Total respect!"
Zendaya:
"Tom. Gustavo. Perfect."
And then…
Jimmy Fallon posted on Twitter:
"If Gustavo Salles isn't in the next Mission: Impossible, I'm personally going to protest at Paramount."
At his home in Los Angeles, Gustavo watched everything happen in real time.
His cell phone wouldn't stop vibrating.
Messages. Calls. Invitations.
He looked at the TV, where the news channels were analyzing each scene of the commercial.
He took a deep breath, picked up his cell phone and posted a single sentence:
"Mission complete. Thank you, Tom."
In a few seconds, his post already had millions of likes.
And he knew it.
From that day on…
Nothing would ever be the same again.
Chapter 68 – The Met Gala and the Next Step
May 6, 2026 – Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
New York City was at its most glamorous moment of the year.
It was the night of the Met Gala, the most important fashion event in the world, where art and style blended in an explosion of creativity and sophistication.
Among the guests that night, Gustavo got out of a black limousine in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, wearing a tailored suit that looked like a work of art.
He had been personally invited by Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue and the person responsible for the event.
And now, all the cameras were focused on him.
As soon as he got out of the car and stepped onto the carpet, the buzz began.
Photographers shouted his name.
Reporters crowded together to get a statement.
The audience cheered at the sight of him.
Gustavo smiled at the flashes, walking confidently while the journalists tried to get information.
It was then that one of the Vogue reporters managed to approach.
— Gustavo! First of all, you look amazing! This is your first Met Gala, right?
Gustavo stopped to answer, smiling politely.
— Yes, it is. It's a real privilege to be here.
— And not only that... You're living one of the most incredible moments of your career. Two Oscars, a historic commercial with Tom Cruise... But the question that won't go away is: what will be your next project?
The cameras got even closer.
Gustavo smiled mysteriously.
— Well... I can tell you that I've already signed on to star in a new film.
The reporter's eyes widened.
— Seriously?! Can you give us any clues?
Gustavo laughed and shook his head.
— It's still top secret. But I'm really excited about this project. It's something different from anything I've done before.
— And when will the world find out more about this?
Gustavo looked straight into the camera, still with a smile on his face.
— In a few weeks, everyone will know.
Journalists immediately began to speculate.
The internet, of course, exploded.
"Gustavo Salles has already signed on for a new film! What could it be?!"
"After making history at the Oscars and in the Tom Cruise commercial, Gustavo already has another project. He doesn't stop!"
"What could be next? Superhero? Science fiction? More action? WE NEED TO KNOW!"
And while the world tried to unravel the mystery, Gustavo just smiled and continued into the event.
He knew that, when the truth was revealed...
Cinema would never be the same again.
New stories in my Patreon
News stories there: "SUITS: The Lawyer " , " The Lawyer and Policeman " and " Former CIA, Now LAPD "
This story is already complete there
[email protected]/SHADOWGHOST07
Just replace the @ with an a