Hollywood Divorces / Hollywood Wives: The New Generation (50 page)

Russell Savage, a short, wiry, staccato-voiced man with stand-up black hair and thick, bushy eyebrows, nudged her. ‘Your answer, sweetie,’ he urged.

Her answer. To what? She was thinking about Linc and hadn’t heard the question.

‘Excuse me,’ she said into her microphone, ‘could you please repeat the question?’

‘Would you be prepared to do more on-screen nudity?’ asked a pie-faced woman, with a thick Swedish accent.

‘Uh…it would very much depend on the script and naturally the director. Mr Savage made me feel extremely at ease. And so did Beck,’ she added, indicating the actor sitting on her right. ‘Both of these wonderful men were always respectful. Plus there were only essential people on the set when we shot the love scene everyone seems to be talking about.’

‘Love scene?’ said the female journalist sneeringly. ‘Is that what you call it?’

‘Yes,’ Russell Savage said, taking over. ‘It’s a raw, very sexual
love
scene, and only an actress of Shelby Cheney’s calibre and talent could’ve pulled it off.’

‘Some people have compared it to the graphic sex scene between Billy Bob Thornton and Halle Berry in
Monster’s Ball
,’ said a male journalist. ‘How do you feel about that comparison?’

‘Flattered,’ Shelby replied. ‘Halle Berry is an amazing actress.’

‘She certainly is,’ agreed Russell, rapidly joining in again. ‘But let’s face it, guys, comparisons are lazy journalism.
Rapture
is a completely different movie.’

And so it went on, most questions involving the nudity and sexual content of the film.

Shelby couldn’t wait for the torture to be over. She was an actress, not a talking puppet.

After Shelby left, Linc decided that since he’d never made it to all
his
morning interviews, he’d better catch up. He was well aware that there were many journalists waiting to speak
to him, and pissing off the press was never a good idea. So reluctantly he wandered downstairs, unshaven, hiding his bloodshot eyes behind dark glasses.

Women’s heads still swivelled. Linc exuded a rugged sex appeal that they found irresistible.

Norm Johnson, his publicist, was pacing the lobby tearing out his hair–metaphorically speaking, because Norm featured a flat red rug that perched uneasily on his bald scalp like an Indian’s trophy. It would take an army to dislodge it.

‘Hey, Norm,’ Linc said, patting the short man on the back like he hadn’t missed a dozen interviews.

Norm glowered on the inside. Linc was not an easy actor to deal with at the best of times, especially when he’d been drinking. And last night he’d obviously experienced quite a bender.

‘You’re late!’ Norm wanted to yell at him. ‘You’re late! And rude! And a pain in the ass!’

He didn’t say any of those words–instead he manufactured the perfect publicist’s noncommittal expression and got down to business. Dealing with stars was never easy, especially big macho studs who thought they owned the world.

‘So, what’s happenin’, Norm?’ Linc asked, grinning lazily.

‘There’s a woman from
Premier
magazine who’s been waiting since ten a.m. She’s in the bar.’

‘Wise choice,’ Linc said, thinking that maybe a Bloody Mary was exactly what he needed to get him through the day. One Bloody Mary and that was it. ‘Let’s go,’ he said. ‘I’m ready to charm.’

‘Glad to hear it,’ Norm said, through clenched teeth, as they headed for the bar.

‘W
e should have the tender drop us in Juan-les-Pins where we can walk around,’ Cat suggested.

‘Walk around and do
what?
’ Jonas said, not very pleased at the prospect of spending the day with Cat when he’d sooner be checking over every detail for tonight’s party.

‘Like hang out and do nothing,’ she replied vaguely, inspecting his pristine outfit of linen slacks and crisp white shirt. ‘You’d better go put on something more comfortable before we take off.’

Reluctantly he acquiesced. He had changed into shorts and a T-shirt when he jumped into the tender.

‘Nice legs!’ Cat teased. ‘Shame about the face!’

A few hours later they both realized what a welcome change it was to get away from the razzle-dazzle of the Festival. They’d perused the many small boutiques, strolled along the seashore, and finally they’d settled at an outside café in the middle of the main square.

‘So, Jonas,’ Cat said, sipping a Pernod on the rocks and lowering her shades, the better to give him one of her penetrating green-eyed looks, ‘you’ve got to admit this is more fun than all those uptight events we’ve had to suffer through.’

‘Suffer through?’ he said, raising an eyebrow. ‘People would pay fortunes to attend them.’

‘You know what I mean.’

‘You have no idea how lucky you are, do you?’ he said, shaking his head.

‘Lucky?’ she said casually. ‘How come?’

‘You’ve got Merrill Zandack behind you. What more can you ask for? He’ll make sure
Caught
gets made. Admit it–you’re
unbelievably
lucky.’

‘Or maybe I’m simply talented,’ she said.

‘That too,’ he conceded. ‘Only there are thousands of talented people who struggle for years and never get a break.’

‘That’s
their
karma. Mine is pretty good.’

‘How old are you, Cat?’

‘You
know
how old I am,’ she said, not appreciating his superior tone. ‘And what’s
that
got to do with anything?’

‘You’re lucky, that’s all,’ he said, thinking how easy she’d had it.

She stared at him for a moment. She’d always felt Jonas did not like her, and now he’d proven it by making out she was a spoiled little rich girl who simply happened to get lucky. ‘Hey,’ she responded sharply, ‘I had an idea and I pursued it. Most people talk a good game, then never do anything about it.
I
got off my ass and called in every favour I could to make my first movie. Nobody handed me anything. The fact that it worked doesn’t make me
lucky
. That’s insulting.’

‘I didn’t mean it to be,’ he said, backing down.

‘How about
you?
’ she said challengingly. ‘Do
you
have a dream that hasn’t happened ’cause you’re too busy kissing Mr Zee’s ass?’

‘Some people have to work for a living,’ he said, keeping his temper in check. He was annoyed with himself because it was true, he
did
kiss Merrill’s ass, but that was because it
was his only option if he ever planned on making it as a producer. He always remembered the Joel Silver story–Joel Silver, producer of many mega-hit movies including the
Die Hard
series–had started out as another big producer’s gofer and driver. If it could happen for Joel Silver, why couldn’t it happen for him?

‘I’ve worked bloody hard to get where I am,’ Cat said earnestly. ‘I’m
entitled
to everything I’ve achieved.’

‘Even though you’re only nineteen?’

‘What’s
with
you?’ she said, amazed that he was carrying on about her age. ‘Young is where it’s at today. Don’t you get it?
Young
, Jonas. How old are
you
?’

‘Twenty-six.’

‘You look older,’ she said rudely.

‘Why would you say that?’

‘’Cause you’ve got an old attitude.’

‘Thanks.’

‘You’re always dressed up in your Prada, running after Mr Zandack and, y’know, I think you get on people’s nerves.’

‘I do not,’ he said indignantly. ‘Perhaps I get on
your
nerves. Other than you, I’m well liked.’

‘Ha! Well liked? Nobody even notices you.’

‘That’s not very nice.’

‘You’re not very nice to me,’ she responded, knowing she sounded like an argumentative kid, but unable to stop herself. ‘Ever since I arrived here you’ve been on my case.’

‘Do you think it’s because I didn’t have international parents like you who could afford to let me roam around the world?’

‘Careful,’ she said caustically. ‘Your resentment is beginning to show.’

‘I don’t resent you.’

‘Then stop being such an uptight asshole towards me.’

‘Didn’t know I was.’

‘Apology accepted,’ she said sarcastically. ‘What is it you want to do, anyway?’

‘One of these days I hope to be producing films that have something meaningful to say.’

‘That’s very Oprah Winfrey of you.’

‘I’m using this opportunity as Mr Zandack’s personal assistant to learn.’

‘Hmm…Then be very careful exactly what you learn from dear old Merrill.’

‘Mr Zandack is a major force in the film industry.’

‘Tell me the truth, Jonas, are you pissed he’s prepared to finance my movie?’

‘I can assure you, this isn’t personal.’

‘Oh,
really
?’

‘Maybe we should drop the subject.’

‘I’m cool with that,’ she said, checking her watch. ‘What time is it in Australia? I want to phone my husband.’

‘You got married way too young,’

‘Oh, here we go with the age thing again.’ She sighed. ‘What
is
your hang-up with age?’

‘It’s a well-known statistic that most women wait until they’re in their mid-twenties to get married.’

‘Why wait?’

‘Sensible people do.’

‘Who said I’m sensible? I’m a nutter–surely you’d guessed by now?’

‘Was Jump your first boyfriend?’

‘Ha!’ she said, taking another sip of Pernod. ‘
That
’s hilarious. Where do you think I got all that info for
Wild Child
? It’s
my
story, you know.’ A beat, then, ‘How about you?’

‘Why is it that you always manage to turn every question around?’

‘I’ve got an inquisitive mind.’

‘You sure do.’

‘So, do
you
have a…partner?’

‘What do you mean by “partner”?’

‘You know,’ she said, pressing on. ‘Someone you live with.’

‘Are you intimating that I’m gay?’

‘Didn’t say that.’

‘What do
you
think “partner” means?’

‘Okay, so, yeah, you
are
gay, right?’

‘Christ!’ he said, thinking that this girl was too much. ‘Sorry to disappoint you, but I am most definitely
not
.’

‘Oops!’ she said, realizing that she’d made a mistake. ‘It’s just that, y’know, we’re here in this cool place and there’s all these hot girls parading by in shorts and bikinis, and you’re not even eyeballing any of them.’

‘I don’t look at other women when I’m with one.’

‘It’s not exactly like we’re together, Jonas.’

He frowned. ‘What made you think I was gay?’

She shrugged, feeling somewhat awkward. ‘I dunno. You never…Well, I guess I’ve only seen you at work.’

‘I can assure you,’ he repeated. ‘I am
not
gay.’

‘Okay, okay, I believe you.’

‘Good.’

‘Can we order food now? I’m starving.’

‘There’s one thing I feel I should mention before I read your script,’ Lola said, toying with the stem of her wineglass in a sexually suggestive fashion.

‘What?’ Merrill responded, lighting up a fresh cigar.

‘You’re not planning on letting that girl direct, are you?’

‘It’s her project, Lola.’

‘So
what? You
’re the boss.’

‘She’s talented. You saw
Wild Child
.’

‘She’s also inexperienced. There’s no way I could work
with someone so new. I’ll read it, and if I like it, we’ll talk. I’m sure you know that I now get co-star and director approval.’

‘Not a problem,’ Merrill said, sweating profusely. ‘If you wanna make the movie, you’ll get whatever you want.’

‘Here comes my publicist,’ Lola said, waving at Faye, who was fast approaching their table. ‘Interviews and more interviews–you know how it goes.’

‘You work hard for your movies,’ Merrill said. ‘Some of my actresses get paid a fortune an’ refuse to do shit. You’re a professional, Lola. I admire that.’

‘It was a lovely lunch, Merrill,’ she said graciously, reaching for her sunglasses. ‘It’s always a pleasure seeing you.’

‘You’ll be at my party tonight?’

‘Wouldn’t miss it.’

‘You bringing that husband of yours?’

‘Of course.’

‘No more Tony Alvarez in your life, huh?’

‘No,’ she said, putting on her sunglasses.

‘Tony’s trouble. You’re a smart girl getting rid of him.’

She nodded, pretending to agree, although she was seething inside. How come everyone thought they were free to criticize her love life? She would sleep with whomever she wanted. If they didn’t approve, too bad.

Faye reached their table. Lola got up. Merrill didn’t.
He’s such a rude son-of-a-bitch
, she thought.
Rude, but powerful. And powerful always wins out
. ‘’Bye, darling,’ she said, bending down to give him the Hollywood peck on both cheeks.

‘See you tonight,’ he said, blowing acrid smoke in her face. ‘We’ll talk more.’

He watched her as she walked away, big ass tightly encased in clinging white jersey. Director and co-star approval indeed. Actresses! They were all the same. Jesus!
How quickly it went to their heads. He could remember her down on her knees sucking his cock like her life depended on it. And perhaps it did, because he’d had the power to make her a star.

Power. That’s what it was all about. And how better to feel the power than to have some eager little cocksucker down on her knees servicing him.

As they moved away from the table Lola turned to Faye. ‘Merrill will do anything for me,’ she murmured. ‘Men are so easy. Especially unattractive ones.’

Faye wasn’t interested in hearing about her client’s conquests. ‘There are three TV crews waiting,’ she said. ‘I’ve checked the lighting and it’s good.’

‘What points should I hit?’

‘Talk about anything except your love-life,’ Faye warned.

‘My love-life?’ Lola said, raising an eyebrow. ‘Surely you’re forgetting I’m a married woman–nothing to talk about.’

‘And don’t
you
forget it,’ Faye said firmly. ‘If they
should
mention Tony Alvarez, you wish him the best, you’ll always be there for him as a friend, but you haven’t seen him since you got married.’

‘Thank you, Faye,’ Lola drawled sarcastically. ‘What
would
I do without you?’

She’d already decided that the first person she’d call the moment she got back to America was Tony. They belonged together, and it was about time she followed her instincts instead of listening to everybody else’s advice.

‘You handled yourself well,’ Russell said admiringly as they left the press conference. ‘Didn’t need my help at all.’

‘Yes, I did,’ Shelby answered ruefully. ‘Your comments were perfect.’

‘I kinda know how to handle ’em,’ Russell said. ‘Done it a time or two.’

She sighed. ‘Are we
constantly
going to be compared to
Monster’s Ball
?’

‘You know what the press are like, they always need a hook.’

‘It’s upsetting that people think I’m hanging on to Halle Berry’s coat-tails because she did an outrageous sex scene and now
I
have.’

‘We were shooting our movie before she even won her Oscar,’ Russell pointed out. ‘Forget about it.’

‘I can’t stand these press junkets.’

He laughed drily. ‘This is nothing. Wait until we get back to the States and our movie hits the screens there. You’d better prepare yourself.’

‘As long as you’re beside me, Russell. You’ve got a way of always making me feel secure.’

It was true. Filming
Rapture
with Russell Savage had been an extremely rewarding experience. Not only was he a fine director, he was also a caring human being, and that made all the difference. She was quite convinced she would never have been able to get through the graphic love scenes with another director in charge. Her role was too personal, plus Russell brought out a side of her that she had not known she possessed.

‘Terrific answers, honey,’ said Beck Carson, winking at her on his way past. ‘You’re quite a pro.’

Beck had been another source of strength to her. He was one of those low-key actors who never stopped working. He had world-weary eyes and a phenomenal screen presence. Twice nominated, it was quite possible he would be nominated again for his role in
Rapture
.

‘When are you leaving?’ she asked.

‘Flying to New York later this afternoon,’ he said. ‘How about you?’

‘Linc and I are off in a couple of days. We’re stopping by to see my parents in London.’

‘What a city!’ Beck said, rolling his eyes. ‘Spent quite a bit of time there last summer. English people are the best.’

‘I’ll take that as a compliment,’ she said, smiling, ‘even though I now live in Hollywood.’

‘You’ll
always
be English,’ Beck said. ‘You’ve got that English thing going. I hope Linc realizes what a lucky sonofabitch he is.’

‘I hope so too,’ she said, turning back to Russell. ‘Will you be at Merrill Zandack’s party tonight?’

‘Yup,’ Russell said, nodding. ‘When Merrill throws his annual party,
everyone
shows up. It’s a Cannes staple. At least the caviar is the best.’

‘That’s very Hollywood of you, Russ.
Where
did you say you were born?’

‘Brooklyn, honey, and I don’t
ever
forget it.’

‘Really?’

‘That’s the trick of surviving in this business–never forget where you came from.’