exasperated now. “Sometimes I don’t know if you’re just too self-entitled you think you can win anything in this business by your acting genius alone or you’re just a throwback of the idealistic 50’s, man. Every cutthroat management agency does this for their talents. Welcome to the land of the jaded and the shrewd motherfuckers. If you wanna remain on the A-list, embrace the game, Wes. Play it hard. Harder if you can.”
He was a practical man, yes, but this thing Tim was suggesting he’d be a part of went against his moral code. It was straight up deception. But then again, Hollywood was the land of deception. Of dreams. No. Illusions.
Play the game.
“Look, time is a huge factor here. If you won’t take it, Ava will easily find a replacement. You’re her first choice but not the only choice. Take this job and you’ll be closer to Super X by fifty percent. Make the Ryders believe in this love affair and you’ll be flying high with those supersonic wings early next year. Guaranteed 15 million per picture from then on, too, plus the option to be a co-producer. You with me, Wes?”
Numbers. Huge numbers.
He turned around to look out into the vast city below. His modern villa in Hollywood Hills was sitting next to the old house that used to be Marlon Brando’s, his ultimate idol in the business. The man who said no to an Oscar to stand by his principles.
Seven years ago, Wes came to Hollywood bursting with ideals, but now he was about to sell his principles for a role. But if he clinched this role, he’d have the bargaining power for his succeeding movies and a shot at longevity in this dog-eat-dog business. He knew he can be a great Super X, the fallen angel turned savior and protector of mankind. He’d take Super X to a whole new level acting-wise, and maybe snag another, but this time as a Best Actor. Not bad for a goal.
Yes, he badly wanted this role and he would get it, even if he had to pretend to be the new main squeeze of that machiavellian Pop Empress, Ava Ryder.
“Alright. Set up a meeting with her.”
“How dare that bitch play the victim here? She’s been doing all the talking in that odious reality TV show of hers, capitalizing on an ancient issue at my expense!” Ava seethed as she paced the vast expanse of her living room in her mansion in Beverly Hills.
“I already talked to the lawyers. We can definitely sue her ass for defamation. We have witnesses to testify she’s been inventing stories to make you look like you’ve been trying to destroy her and Tyrone,” Reena, her manager, informed her.
The mention of her good-for-nothing ex made Ava’s temper escalate, but she inhaled deeply, not letting it get the better of her. Clear head was always key in any tight situation. She’d never let herself be ruled by emotions even at her worst and lowest. Since she won America’s Next Idol almost a decade ago at age 16, she shaped her career like a military general, thanks to her lawyer Dad and professor Mom.
“Every problem has a solution. How you deal with it will make the difference. Use your reason, never your emotion.” Wise words from her father she’d heeded like a covenant all these years and she never went astray.
She wasn’t about to lose it now.
Regroup. Strategize. Fight back without engaging the enemy directly.
Yes. She will turn this disaster to her advantage and win the battle in the end, she swore. She’d had enough of this love-triangle drama with Tyrone and Skylar. It had been years since she broke up with Tyrone, for god’s sake!
Skylar and Tyrone had been the bane of her life since the bastard cheated on her with Skylar almost four years ago. It was the talk of the rags for ages for its sordid real life plot that would rival a day-time soap. The rags were beyond cruel.
Ava Ryder, America’s sweetheart dumped by her band mate, best friend and first love, Tyrone Glass for Skylar Brandt, Ava’s own bestfriend and bandmate, too!
Dumped. How
He was a practical man, yes, but this thing Tim was suggesting he’d be a part of went against his moral code. It was straight up deception. But then again, Hollywood was the land of deception. Of dreams. No. Illusions.
Play the game.
“Look, time is a huge factor here. If you won’t take it, Ava will easily find a replacement. You’re her first choice but not the only choice. Take this job and you’ll be closer to Super X by fifty percent. Make the Ryders believe in this love affair and you’ll be flying high with those supersonic wings early next year. Guaranteed 15 million per picture from then on, too, plus the option to be a co-producer. You with me, Wes?”
Numbers. Huge numbers.
He turned around to look out into the vast city below. His modern villa in Hollywood Hills was sitting next to the old house that used to be Marlon Brando’s, his ultimate idol in the business. The man who said no to an Oscar to stand by his principles.
Seven years ago, Wes came to Hollywood bursting with ideals, but now he was about to sell his principles for a role. But if he clinched this role, he’d have the bargaining power for his succeeding movies and a shot at longevity in this dog-eat-dog business. He knew he can be a great Super X, the fallen angel turned savior and protector of mankind. He’d take Super X to a whole new level acting-wise, and maybe snag another, but this time as a Best Actor. Not bad for a goal.
Yes, he badly wanted this role and he would get it, even if he had to pretend to be the new main squeeze of that machiavellian Pop Empress, Ava Ryder.
“Alright. Set up a meeting with her.”
“How dare that bitch play the victim here? She’s been doing all the talking in that odious reality TV show of hers, capitalizing on an ancient issue at my expense!” Ava seethed as she paced the vast expanse of her living room in her mansion in Beverly Hills.
“I already talked to the lawyers. We can definitely sue her ass for defamation. We have witnesses to testify she’s been inventing stories to make you look like you’ve been trying to destroy her and Tyrone,” Reena, her manager, informed her.
The mention of her good-for-nothing ex made Ava’s temper escalate, but she inhaled deeply, not letting it get the better of her. Clear head was always key in any tight situation. She’d never let herself be ruled by emotions even at her worst and lowest. Since she won America’s Next Idol almost a decade ago at age 16, she shaped her career like a military general, thanks to her lawyer Dad and professor Mom.
“Every problem has a solution. How you deal with it will make the difference. Use your reason, never your emotion.” Wise words from her father she’d heeded like a covenant all these years and she never went astray.
She wasn’t about to lose it now.
Regroup. Strategize. Fight back without engaging the enemy directly.
Yes. She will turn this disaster to her advantage and win the battle in the end, she swore. She’d had enough of this love-triangle drama with Tyrone and Skylar. It had been years since she broke up with Tyrone, for god’s sake!
Skylar and Tyrone had been the bane of her life since the bastard cheated on her with Skylar almost four years ago. It was the talk of the rags for ages for its sordid real life plot that would rival a day-time soap. The rags were beyond cruel.
Ava Ryder, America’s sweetheart dumped by her band mate, best friend and first love, Tyrone Glass for Skylar Brandt, Ava’s own bestfriend and bandmate, too!
Dumped. How
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