Star Attraction Read Free Page A

weeks, it had soared to the top of
the bestsellers list, and won several prestigious literary prizes.  
    It was no small wonder then that
her novel had come to the attention of Brad Clarke, who was famous for his box
office successes with the most unlikely of subjects.   His range of films had been very wide, but even Zaira had
been amazed at his approach to her publisher.   He had written from Hollywood saying that he would be in New
York for a set of lectures, and wished to meet with Zaira to talk over a
project he had in mind.  
    Zaira had been very reluctant to
even consider a film being made of her book, let alone a film by Brad
Clarke.   Zaira couldn’t find any
logical objections, except that she disapproved of the way he wasted his
obvious talent making B-grade horror films and war pictures, and was afraid he
might turn her situations and characters into a sideshow.
    That Brad Clarke was a talented
director Zaira was certain, for she was an avid film goer, and could see that
he admired many of the great old films. But in her opinion, his fatal flaw he
lacked the confidence to forge his own style.  
    Maybe that was not so surprising.   Brad was still young, under thirty, and
he was the fourth generation of a Hollywood dynasty whose name had become
synonymous with success both in front of and behind the camera.  
    His great grandfather Declan had
come over from Ireland and worked with Edison in the first film studios in New
Jersey, his grandfather had a legendary actor and screenwriter, and his father
Cormac Clarke was a famous actor, director and producer.  
    So far as Zaira knew from the
gossip columns, Cormac had grown increasingly estranged from his eldest son.
Now that she had met him, Zaira suspected that rather than overwhelming
arrogance, this too was symptomatic of Brad’s desire to prove his worth, to
stop living in other men’s shadows.
    The telephone interrupted her
thoughts, and she hastily picked up the receiver, painfully aware that she had
spent too much time already sitting around doing nothing but thinking of the
stunningly handsome man who had literally knocked her off her feet.
    She heard the cheerful voice of
her publisher, Matt Wolf, say, “Well, tomorrow is the big day.”
    “Tomorrow!   But we're doing the first rehearsal of Hamlet tomorrow for the amateur
dramatics festival!”
    “No problem, he can see you in
action.”
    “But he’s a Hollywood
director!   He’ll laugh himself
silly.   And besides, we still
haven’t got a female lead, so I’ll have to read Ophelia as well until we find
someone suitable who can get along with the temperamental Peter Duffy. How can
I possibly meet with him tomorrow?” Zaira protested.
    “Look, I know it will be awkward,
but money comes first here.   I know
you have your reservations, but this is a golden opportunity for you. As your
friend as well as publisher, you have to put this first, no matter what you
think of his films.   We'll work in
some clauses that stop him from taking too many liberties, and even if the
critics hate it, enough people will go to see it just because his name is on it
to make it well worth your while.
    "But
Matt—"
    "No buts, honey.   We need this. No author is bullet proof
in this economy. But something like this, well, it will make you a hot
property. If the worst happens, he’ll say no to our price. If the best happens,
you'll rake in royalties and be able to pay off all the debts Jonathan left
before he disappeared,” Matt advised.
    Zaira’s sharp intake of breath
indicated to Matt that he had said the wrong thing, but rather than back off,
he decided to use his blunder to convince her.   “I know the book is still selling well, but there’s no guarantee
that this will continue.   If you
want to clear his debts, and finish your degree, and get a bit of financial
independence and security for the first time in your life, then go for it, and
the hell with your principles.”
    “Damn you, Matt,