Once Upon A Time…
Chapter 9
"In family…"
Once upon a time, there was an actor full of talent, called Terrence Grandchester. He had gone to Hollywood a few years earlier to live with his mother, the great actress, Oscar winner, Eleonor Baker. Thanks to his mother's relations, he was able to get a role in a movie. It was the role of the King of France in the movie version of King Lear, which had launched his career. He got the role of Romeo in the movie version of "Romeo and Juliet", which earned him an Oscar nomination. He wasn't Eleaonor Baker's baby anymore, he had proven that he had talent and that his mother, aside from giving birth to him, had nothing to do with his flourishing career, well, she did give him her genes, without a doubt. Terrence Grandchester won the Oscar for best actor. He was now established in Hollywood. He had his own villa in Bel Air. He was now a wanted actor and his fee had raised considerably. But he was helping small productions by taking a lower salary and his name attracted crowds, so he always ended up with more money then he expected. He was good looking, he had a natural charm and as soon as he was on screen, everybody was charmed. He wasn't married and of course he needed company sometimes. His co-star from "Romeo and Juliet", Susanna Marlowe was stuck to him. They slept together from time to time.
He had a big project, the story of a man who started from scratch, who had a hard life and who ended up making it by making sacrificed to the mas. The young boy who was rebelling againt the world. He had a difficult life, he had a difficult childhood. His mother had married a man who was strict who had send him to boarding school and when he'd come back, he would act out just to piss off his stepfather… he had based it on his childhood and his teen years. The producers were looking for a young boy who looked like him, Terrence Grandchester… which complicated things, because those who were good, didn't look like Terry and those who looked like him, were lousy actors!
Since they were going to shoot in England, Terry was happy to be back in his home country. He spent a lot of time in his family castle with his family, where the reporters were camping in front of the gate of the castle.
- There is no way of sending those reporters away? Asked the duchess.
- What's bothering you, said the duke, is that all the attention is for Terrence.
- My brother, the Oscar winner! Said Julie his little sister smiling, my popularity just jumped in school, thank you Terry!
She jumped in his arms. Terry hugged her back.
- Can I ask you something? Asked Julie.
- You want an autograph session?
- Yes! And I also want you to come to the May Festival. There's going to be a play…
- I don't know if I'll have the time… I have to audition young boys… I'm looking for someone that looks like me and not only physically.
- He's got to be as arrogant as you? Asked his brother.
- Shut up Junior! Said Terry laughing.
- You're looking for a teen who not only looks like you, but who also has talent? Asked Julie.
- Which is impossible, said his other sister Tanya, you're one of a kind Terry!
- I'm not so sure about that, said Julie.
- Julie? Said Terry, you've got something to tell me?
- Maybe, I shouldn't say anything, continue Julie.
- Julie, if I don't find any body, I would have to chose the boy who looks the most like me and pay for his acting classes.
- Well, there's this boy at school, who reminds me of you…
- How?
- Well…he's got long hair… even the same eye color, even the way he talks reminds me of you!
- Really? And how is that going to help me? There are a lot of young boys who look like me…only, they're not actors…
- Ok, I understand… but this one is in the school play…
- Ah!
- I know…
- He's good?
- I suppose that we will have to see, if you come to the May Festival…
- Julie…
- You can count it as part of your reseach… you've got nothing to lose… you're going to spend some time with me.
- … and your friends…
- Aren't an old student of St. Paul?
- Yes…
- So?
- I don't promise you anything, but we'll see.
- All right…, said Julie smiling.
The duke listened to the discussion with a smile. He was happy to see his son and happy to see his other children get along with Terry. His wife had tried to tell him that he didn't like it.
- Listen Mellicent, we won't always be there. They are my children and when we wont be there anymore, they will have to count on each other and support each other. They're a family, they have to be united. Terrence is my son and his brother and his sisters love him… stop your animosity…
The duchess had nothing to say… Terrence was a Grandchester, he was the duke's heir, because he was the eldest son…
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Terry was discouraged. The auditions were going really bad, the actor were more horrible one after another. He was starting to get a headache! But the auditions was for young actors who looked like Terrence Grandchester… not for potential actors… and when they were asked to read a role, it was a disaster…
- Robert, I'm going to go… I have a headache and I'm going to go and relax at the May Festival at St. Paul Academy, with my little sister.
- Your little sister? All right… go. Tomorrow, we will need to make a decision, otherwise the production is going to be delayed.
- I'm going to think about it tonight… we will have to chose the one that looke the most like me and pay for his acting classes.
- More fees…
- I'll take care of it! We need someone who looks like me…
- There's still enough money in the budget at the moment… and you're helping by living at your father's … I know some who would've wanted a luxury suite at the Ritz…
- You're lucky I miss my family, said Terry smiling, my love for my father and my brother and sisters is stronger than my animosity for my step monster… See you tomorrow, call me if there's anything new.
Terry went back home to change. He found Susanna Marlowe, very elegant and with perfect hair, waiting for him in one of the living rooms.
- Terry, darling! She said running to him.
She put her arms around his neck and her lips on his and kissed him…
Terry pushed her away, gently.
- Susanna, what a nice surprise!
- Honey! I've missed you!
- What are you doing here?
- I came to see you, honey, you were not at the hotel.
- As a matter of fact, I'm with my family, I miss my family.
- I thought you were going to be in our suite.
- I have to go to my little sister school party, said Terry avoiding the subject.
- Your little sister?
- Yes, I promised her…
- Oh ok. I'll come with you.
- The rest of my family has already left… I'm going to get change.
- You want me to come with you? Since we're alone.
- Non, I'm already late… wait for me here…
Terry left before Susanna insisted. He took a quick shower and got dressed. He put on some sunglasses and he went to join Susanna downstairs and they went together to St. Paul College.
There were a lot of people. The students, the parents, the family members. There was also some music playing and it was time for the school play.
- Terry! Said Julie running to him, finally! The others were starting to think that I was a liar! The play is about to start! Come quick! Oh… Susanna Marlowe? Hello! My friends are going to be disappointed…
- Let's go seat down…
- I didn't know you were bringing someone…
- She came at the last minute and she invited herself…
- It should be ok, let's go…
She took Terry and Susanna to the first row, so Terry could see the famous actor.
Everybody was looking at Terry and whispering. They had a movie star with his girlfriend, two movie stars! Julie had to go sit else where, since Terry was with Susanna. She wasn't very happy, but she was happy that Terry came… the lights went off…
The play started and Terry looked with pleasure those young people who were trying to act,but when the one Julie was talking about, the main actor entered the scene… he was breath taken by his talent. He was tall, brown haired and he was a natural, he won't need any acting classes! They had found the rare pearl!
Susanna turned to Terry and she said:
- He absolutely magnificent that kid! And he looks like you! He would be perfect for the role!
- As a matter of fact… that's the only reason I came here, my little sister told me about this boy who had the main role and who also looked like me…
- All those in the audition looke a little like you… but this one, it's almost unreel! He's like your clone!
- I don't know where he comes from… but he's going to be in our movie!
- You'll need his parents permission…
The play was over and there was a thunder of applauds. The main actor came forward and the teacher introduced him:
- And in the main role, the very talented, Marcus Williams!
There was some cheering and lauder applauds. The young man came forward and he bowed.
When the presentations were over, the actors left the scene.
Terry stood up and said to Susanna:
- Let'a go see that boy…
They went backstage under the amazed looks of people who were recognizing them. They asked around and they showed them where Marcus Williams was. The young boy was in a room and he was looking out the window and he seemed a thousand miles away from there…
Terry looked at him, he knocked on the door, which was open…
- Can we come in? Asked Terry.
- What do you want!? Asked Marcus with insolence.
- Whoa! Said Terry, calm down my boy…
- I'm not your boy! Leave me alone!
- You can turn around when I'm talking to you!
The young boy turned around against his will. He saw Terrence Grandchester and Susanna Marlowe.
- What the hell are you doing here? He said unimpressed.
- I saw you on stage…, started Terry.
- Oh yeah? And so what?
- You've got a lot of talent… I'm looking for a young man for my next movie… and I think you could be that actor…
- Really?! I'm not interested! You get lost!
Marcus left the room passing in front of Terry and a surprise Susanna, slamming the door behind him!
- What a snotty nosed kid! Said Susanna.
- He's perfect! That's the attitude I had at his age! I need him!
- Terry, he just blew us off…
- You don't know me Susanna. I never back down in front of difficulties to reach my goaol! Come on! We've got some work to do…
Once upon a time, an actor named Terrence Grandchester, who had found the child prodigy, who didn't want to hear anything. He had some work ahead of him…
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Once upon a time there was a young woman named Candice. She lived in a villa in Chicago and she was taking care of charity cases. It was her favorite occupation, taking care of the less fortunate and find a solution to their problems. She would literally go in the streets of Chicago and pick up homeless children sleeping in the streets and would give them a roof over their heads. Sometimes, she was able to pull from the streets youngsters who were in a prostitution rings. What she did was sometimes dangerous. But she didn't want to stop. Sometimes she was getting attacked. Her big brother, William, was doing his best to protect you, but sometimes it wasn't enough.
- Candy, please… I promised your mother that I will look after you…
- She finally accepted your help and she finally let me breathe… it feels good to be here and free of my movements… and William, you've helped me in a way…
- I'm your brother…
- I know… all the rumours in the village were true… I'm your father's daughter… My mother who was on the verge of becoming a nun got pregnant with me… I understand better why she was so bitter… after what happened to me, I had to leave Lakewood… it was all possible because of you…
She went to see William the day the day she woke up with nausea…
- Candy? Said William surprised, what are you doing here so early in the morning?
- Oh William! She said jumping into his arms…
- Candy? What's going on?
- I think I'm pregnant…
- Oh my God! It's going to be fine, I'm going to take care of you… little sister.
- The rumours are true, aren't they? I'm your father's daughter?
- Yes…
- And I'm bringing shame to the family…
- It's not your fault…
- I don't want the family to be dragged to the mud… no one must know…
- Don't worry. I'll take care of everything
And that's what he did… he managed to make Candy's mother believe that she was going to study in a special school in Chicago… he arranged for her to have a private tutor and she was able to do all her exams necessary for her high school diploma. She was living in one of the villas, where other family members never went. She had disappeared of the circulation and severed all the ties with her past. William helped her with the child and he gave her access to her heritage… That's how Candy used her money to help the children of the streets…
She came back to reality.
- I will never thank you enough…
- You don't need to thank me honey… I love you
- I love you too William…
Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Candice, who was helping the children of the streets, but something was missing in her life, she was missing the love of a man…