I am Hollywood

Chapter 13: Advice



[Chapter 13: The Great Sage Took In This Little Goblin]

A week later, the school scenes were completely finished, and the crew moved on to shoot other locations.

...

"Wow, wow," Susan Sarandon approached Eric, playfully pinching his cheeks with both hands. "You really look like my husband, don't you?"

"Uh-huh!" Eric managed a grunt as Susan playfully mauled him.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"That's my ex-husband, it's just so strange," she added.

"Definitely strange," Eric agreed.

"What's going on here?" Susan continued.

...

At that moment, Penny Marshall, who was monitoring the shots, shouted, "Cut! Eric, you cracked up again! This is the fifth time! Can't you hold it together?"

Typically, directors had a reputation for having bad tempers, which was pretty standard. Facing repeated flubs from actors that wasted the crew's time and money, even the most patient folk could get driven to the edge.

In response to her frustrations, Eric could only apologize repeatedly, "I'm sorry, Penny. I promise, I'll try not to laugh next time."

Penny rolled her eyes dramatically, quite clearly exasperated with Eric's repeated promises. "Everyone, take your places! Let's do it again."

Susan Sarandon chimed in beside Eric, "Eric, when I'm pinching your cheeks again, try to look distracted and keep your focus off me."

"Sure thing, Ms. Sarandon, I'll give it a shot," he replied.

Honestly, the humor in that scene wasn't particularly high, but Eric couldn't help but crack

up.

As they began filming again, Eric diligently followed Susan's advice, narrowly managing to hold back his laughter. After six attempts, they finally got the take they needed.

...

During the break, Eric approached Susan again. "Ms. Sarandon, thanks a lot for your help just now."

"No problem, Eric, just call me Susan. Honestly, you have talent. I've never seen anyone debut with such outstanding performances like yours," she replied.

"Oh, thanks. Um, Susan, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, shoot."

"I was wondering, Susan, how do you keep such an amazing figure?" he inquired.

"Wow, Eric, can I take that as a compliment?" Susan raised an eyebrow, a playful smile crossing her face.

Noticing her meaningful smile, Eric suddenly recalled that this gorgeous woman was a well- known figure in Hollywood, famous for dating younger men -- many over a decade younger than herself -- and even planning to marry a guy thirty-two years her junior, despite already being in her sixties.

"No, Susan, it's actually about my... girlfriend. She's been trying to lose weight, and I wondered if you had any tips."

"Oh, I see," she replied. "Losing weight is no easy feat. I actually know a great fitness consultant who opened a women's gym in Beverly Hills. She's also an excellent nutritionist. You should take your girlfriend to her for some advice; she can draw up a sensible weight-loss plan for her."

"Could you give me her address, Susan?"

"Absolutely," Susan asked her assistant for paper and pen, quickly scribbled a note, and handed it to Eric. He tucked it away and thanked her before turning to leave.

...

Just as he settled back into his resting spot, Drew sprinted over, her chair sliding to a halt beside him, eager to pry. "Hey, Eric, what did Susan just write you? A date address?"

Eric pushed Drew's face away, teasing her. "Of course, you see it. I like older women, so don't waste your time thinking you have a chance."

"Ha!" Drew chuckled lightly. She had only been joking, and Eric's easy admission deflated the notion. "I heard that kids without mothers tend to have mother complexes when they grow up. Is that true?"

Drew clearly seemed to have done some digging into Eric's background.

"Hey, Drew, that's not a good topic," he replied sternly.

Thinking Eric was upset about the talk of his mother, Drew playfully stuck her tongue out.

"Eric, how about you take me out for dinner after work?"

Eric shook his head. "No can do; if you're asking, bring Jenny along."

"Jenny? That fat girl? You're not trying to turn her into a T-Rex, are you?"

Curiously, Eric wondered if people were already using dinosaur comparisons for heavy girls back then.

"T-Rex? Drew, don't you think saying that about my girlfriend in front of me is quite inappropriate? If you were a guy, I might just have to punch you."

"Hmph, don't think I don't know. You two aren't actually dating. I heard about her audition; her role was given to her because James put in a good word for you. With that proud attitude of hers, she wouldn't be your girlfriend now -- at least not until filming wraps. Seems pretty hypocritical to me."

"Drew," Eric said, serious now. "If you keep talking like that, I won't talk to you anymore."

"Okay, okay," Drew raised her hands in a gesture of surrender. "How about I take you out to eat, then? Once we're done, we can chat about your book, Jurassic Park. It was absolutely brilliant! I declare myself officially a fan of Eric Williams."

"Get real, Drew. You think your mom will approve of your antics?"

"That woman," Drew scowled. "As long as it's not about signing checks, she couldn't care less about me!"

It seemed Drew had deep-seated grievances about her mother, which explained why she severed ties with her family so thoroughly by sixteen.

...

Today's filming had a lot of shots focusing on Eric, and even his young body started to feel the strain. After wrapping up, he tiredly made his way to the parking lot. Shortly after, he noticed Drew trailing behind him like a shadow.

"Hey, Eric! You promised to take me out to dinner. You can't just run away!"

Eric paused, "Drew, please don't be unreasonable. When did I promise you? You should head

back now."

"No way," Drew latched onto Eric's arm, her brusque demeanor swiftly turning pitiful. "I sent my assistant away. You're not going to let me, a little girl, go home alone, are you? What if something happens? What if someone drags me into an alley?"

Eric had grown quite immune to Drew's exaggerated antics and remained unfazed. "No way! I trust you to get home alone. Just go; I'm tired and ready to rest."

Seeing her sad act not working, Drew switched tactics. She tousled her hair into a messy mop, pulled at the straps of her tank top, gently scratched at her delicate skin on her chest, red marks soon appearing. Raising her eyes to Eric, her big doe eyes filled with tears, she said, "If you still refuse me, I'll just sit right here and scream. I'm sure the cops in L.A. wouldn't take kindly to a creep harassing a little girl."

Eric rubbed his forehead, trying to soothe his pounding temples.

Bang!

Frustrated, Eric slammed the car door shut, inserted the key, and started the engine, looking

at Drew seated beside him in the passenger seat. "Alright, you win, Drew. Where to?"

"To Mastro's! I want a steak!"

"As you wish, my queen. By the way, where is Mastro's located?"

Drew initially shot him a disdainful look but then perked up, "How about I drive?"

"Not a chance! I don't want to attract any police attention. Just tell me the address, or I'll pick

any place!"

Drew pouted and finally relented, providing him with the restaurant's location. Eric drove

them toward their destination.

*****

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