Once Upon A Time…
Chapter 13
"The road to the Oscars"
The Oscar nomination had made Terry and Marcus happy. Happier than all the other nominations they had received… The month of December was the month when different nominations for awards started. In December, before the holidays, they had received the Golden Globes and People's Choice, nominations… But everybody knew that the rest of the world only remembers the Oscars… Marcus thought about what had happened…
- All those ceremonies, said Marcus, you're going to go?
- Well, I try to go when I have the time and if I'm available
- And if you're sure you're going to win…
- Not necessarily… but it counts too.
- What about the Golden Globes?
- It's almost as important as the Oscars in America…
- But here in England, it's not that they don't care, but… there's the BAFTA… it's important and don't forget you're British.
- I can't forget that, especially since we shot part of the movie in England and that half of our sponsors are British, I'm not going to miss that… and the Golden Globes…
- I'd like to go to the Golden Globes…
- All right, we can arrange for you to come just for the weekend… you'll miss two days of school at most…
- You'll probably have a teacher with my assignments…
- You know the rules, no assignments, no award shows…
- That's fine with me… I can't wait for it…
But when he got to Los Angeles, he was disappointed to see Terry with Susanna. He was sulking. And Terry was smiling inside. Since he had agreed to go out with Marcus' mother, the latter had become even more possessive than usual and he was "polite" with Susanna. Susanna on the other hand, thought Marcus was a little too much in the way…
- Couldn't you send him to a hotel, or something?
- I'm responsible for him Susanna…
- Yes, but I wanted to spend time with you…. You know how nervous I am before ceremonies…
- I'm sure you'll find a way to calm your nerves, Susanna…
- You're not fun at all, you know that Terry?
- Terry, said Marcus, can you come and play "Halo" with me?
- All right, I'm coming…
Marcus got out of the room. Susanna was looking at him with mean eyes.
- For him, you have time!
- Yes, for him, I have time, Susanna… you're not my girlfriend…
- I'm just good for you to bang from time to time
- I don't think, I'm forcing you, Susanna… You know that I'm never ever out of female companionship… Don't let the door hit you in the back…
- Terry!
But Terry went to be with Marcus and they played "Halo" together… Susanna left angry. She didn't understand why Terry was so attached to this young boy. She thought that Terry would've been done with him after the shooting of the movie, but no. He called him every day and he took advantage of the littlest occasion to spend time with him. Terry was not at her disposal anymore… she had hoped to become his girlfriend, but, Terry rather be with Marcus!
The Golden Globes ceremony, took place at the Beverly Hill Hotel in Beverly Hills. Terry and his team were all at the same table, because they were all in the same movie. Susanna couldn't even pretend that Terry was her date, because, he was with his inseparable teen age friend…
Terry and Marcus won the Golden Globes and they were ecstatic and Susanna didn't win… which didn't make her mood better. On top of that, the dress she had put on, had already been worn by Karen Kleiss, two years before! The reporters had a field day! They loved looking for those little details…
During the reception, Terry felt sorry for her… Marcus shook his head. After all, his mother was in the portrait yet, but it shouldn't be too long…
- I'm going to go and console, Susann…
- You're way too nice, dude…
- I'm also very happy tonight! Said Terry
- I don't want to know! Said Marcus, walking away, have fun dude!
- I won't take long, wait for me and be a good boy, stay with mum…
- Yes daddy! Said Marcus smiling.
Terry burst out laughing. Poor Susanna was assailed by reporters, who were asking her who had advised her for the dress. She was trying to have fun and joke about it:
- In fact I called Karen and I asked her to lend me a dress for the Golden Globes and she said yes! Isn't she a nice girl…?
Terry arrived.
- Susanna? Can I speak with you?
- But of course, darling! She said almost running to him to jump into Terry's arms.
- Are you all right?
- Not that you're here, everything is fine! Take me far away from here! I have to hide!
They walked together to the exit of the reception room. Terry had given his interview, so the reporters, let him alone.
- Susanna, were you high on something when you chose your dress?
- No! It's probably the new maid I hired, she deliberately sabotaged me! I don't care if I'm wearing the same dress as Karen at the restaurant, but not at the Golden Globes, damn it! And I thought losing was the worst thing… at least they give us basket presents for losing… The ones from the Oscars are worth a lot more, of course…
They walked to the elevators. They went up in a room.
- Get some res. You want me to order something for you?
- I want you to stay with me…
- I have a few minutes, said Terry taking her in his arms to kiss her.
Susanna was very happy. She was ready to be humiliated herself again, just to have Terry save her and make love to her! Terry was in a party mood, because he was happy to be happy and if he could make Susanna happy, despite the fact that she hadn't won, well it was good for her!
Marcus was with Eleonor who was very happy. Being with Marcus, reminded her so much of a young Terry, it was incredible…
- Where's Terry?
- With Susanna…
- Oh…
- He saved her from the reporters…
- He loves saving young women in distress
- Isn't he the hero?
- I'm sure; she thanked him like she should…
- And I'm sure Terry was happy to receive thanks from her…
- It's party time; everybody is having fun… let's go get something to eat!
Terry came back down, an hour later, with Susanna who couldn't stop smiling… Marcus was looking at them and he wished it was his mother at Terry's arm…
Marcus went back to England and went back to school.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Terry arrived in England, almost a month later for the BAFTA (The British Academy of Films and Television Arts), the "British Oscars". This time Marcus wasn't going to miss school, since the ceremony was in London. He went to stay at the hotel with Terry on Friday Night, because the ceremony was on Sunday night.
- No Susanna? Asked Marcus
- She's taking a little break before the Oscars. She's looking for a dress she'll be the only to wear, it's almost an obsession.
- But the incident allowed her to get banged by you… I don't think, I've seen her smile that much before, from ear to ear!
- Maybe. But she didn't want the British press to attack her… she'll be at the Oscars…
- Good. I hope you're going to be a good boy…
- Hey! Who's the adult here? Said Terry smiling
- When you're thinking with your tail? I'm the adult!
They burst out laughing! The atmosphere at the BAFTA was different from Hollywood's. You could feel the difference…Hollywood, is Hollywood and London, is London! The ceremony was at the Royal Opera House of Covent Garden.
Marcus was happy to have Terry just for himself, no Susanna to distract him this time around. Eleonor wasn't able to make the trip either, and she was sorry.
The British press was nice to Terry and Marcus. Marcus had to answer a few questions on his school, the royal college of Saint Paul.
- All those ceremonies don't affect your school work?
- Terry always makes sure I've done all of my school work before I go the ceremonies with him, otherwise I won't go and he doesn't joke about that…
- Yes, said Terry, my mother was that strict with me… I have to give the good example and apply what I learned, said Terry.
- You're hoping to win tonight?
- May the best one win! Said Marcus smiling.
The best one won! The British were happy to honor Terrence Grandchester and Marcus Williams, with the BAFTA for best actor and best supporting actor. The reception after the ceremony went on fine, they took pictures together with their trophies.
- They look like masks, said Marcus looking at the golden statues.
- The mask of comedy, said Terry, we all wear mask in a way, we play a role, we become other people in front of the cameras…
- I haven't thought about it like that… You're right!
They had won all the awards, but it was impossible to attend all the ceremonies, they went to the most important ones… And it was a treat every time!
Marcus was thinking about his mother, who was going to be there for the Oscars. He was eager to get there!
- The next award show, it's the Oscars! Said Marcus smiling, and my mother is going to be there!
- Yes, your mother…
- You promised to give her a chance Terry…
- I never break my promises…
- Gentleman's word?
- Gentleman's word!
Terry smiled, but he was apprehending the meeting with Marcus' mom.
Marcus came back to reality. The Oscars… For him it was Terry's meeting with his mother, he apprehended the most…
Once Upon a time, a father and son, who didn't know they were related, but who were on the same wave length…
oOoOoOoOoOo
Terry was on hot coals. He had been doing weird dreams ever since… Yes, ever since Marcus had asked him to go out with his mother… Why was he so nervous to the idea of becoming Marcus' father? He got along great with Marcus, and he looked so much like him, he could be his son… Yes, but to have a son Marcus' age, he would've had had him at…But how old was Marcus' mom? He wanted him to meet his mother… she was probably older than him… he had gone out with older women before, that was not the question, but to make a family for Marcus… How old was Marcus' mother anyway? Should he ask him? It would be discourteous to ask him, he seemed so happy when he agreed to meet his mother… And she's got a heart of gold; she's taking care of abandoned children in India, to the detriment of her own son. But she had promised to stay with her son… and Marcus wanted him to be part of their life… but, all that seemed so weird… he never married during this whole time because he never thought of settle down and have a family… at least ever since… but he was just a teen and that feeling, he never felt it again ever since, those famous summer vacations in Lakewood… It was so far away… but during a time, he had a good feeling, when he went out with … Candy. There, he had finally said it in his head! He had never felt what he had felt for Candy, despite the fiasco of the end of their relationship… that damn Neil Reagan! If that moron found himself in front of him, he was going to put his fist on his face. Because of him, Candy didn't want to hear about him anymore. He had taken her innocence, and he didn't even remember it! If he at least had some memory… but why was he thinking about Candy? Because Marcus had asked him to go out with his mother? One had nothing to do with the other… Candy… Well, that was the past, he had to move forward… And please Marcus by going out with his mother. It will be just a formality: he would take her to dinner, he would talk to her about her son, then, he will tell Marcus, that it didn't work out, but that he will always be at his disposal if he needed him… there, the matter was settled… Marcus is probably going to be disappointed, but at least he would have tried.
oOoOoOoOoOo
The Oscars date was getting closer and closer… And Marcus was eager to see Terry and also have his mother with him. His Uncle William had to convince his mother to come to Los Angeles… For the Oscars! How was he going to do that?
The Academy Awards were supposed to happen on the last Sunday of the month of February. Marcus had the permission to leave boarding school to go to Hollywood, where Terry was waiting for him. The Andrew family had an apartment in Los Angeles, but he rather spend his time with Terry… William understood him and he trusted Terry. After what Marcus had told him, that Terry behaved like a strict father and that he barely let him have fun like he wanted to in Hollywood… Marcus was not full of himself and never did drugs, despite the parties he went to where it was full of booze and drugs.
The plane wasn't getting fast enough to Los Angeles for Marcus. He was in first class next to an old couple and he spent his time on his laptop, communicating with his friends in college on Facebook. The stewardesses were taking good care of them and they were surprised to see he was so simple, no lavish demands. He was behaving like a normal teenager, and was not full of himself.
When he arrived at LAX, Los Angeles airport, he was almost running. It was Los Angeles, there were actors a little bit everywhere, for the Academy Awards, most of them were pretending to be normal, but they were doing everything to be noticed so they talk about them… Marcus shook his head when he saw what they were really doing; it was like they were playing a role, a role in front of the whole world, when they were in public. Hollywood was just a world of illusion and fake behavior… the reality was very different and he was wondering if Terry was one of those irresponsible actors, if he would've take him down the drug road with him… But he was lucky to have met Terry… He was at the airport waiting for him, in the middle of all these people, with his driver.
- TERRY!
And he ran into his arms. He hugged him hard for a long time.
- I missed you! Said Marcus
- I missed you too…
The reporters were taking pictures of them for their articles on the arrival of Terrence Grandchester's little protégé in Hollywood.
- Ready to go? How are you feeling?
- I'm nervous of course! Oh well…it's an honor to be nominated, right?
- As a former winner, I can assure you that winning is a lot more better!
- I believe you!
They burst out laughing.
- I'm waiting for news from my uncle, who should be bringing my mother for the ceremony…
- Oh your mother…
- You promised, Terry
- I know, and I won't go back on my word. But if it doesn't work our…
- Wait at least to see her first, Terry… she's got a heart of gold, with her, you're going to be sure she's not going to spend your money uselessly… she doesn't need your money in fact, my grandfather left her millions…
Terry didn't dare ask for Marcus' mother 's age, he didn't want to know, he didn't want to be discouraged… Candy's image came to his mind, he didn't know why… he didn't want to think long about it… he could ask Marcus for a picture, but he didn't dare…
- You're a good spoke person for your mother, buddy!
- I'm sure you're going to love her, and that you're going to get married and you're going to become my father…
- Whoa, you're going way too fast there…
- Terry, she wants to marry some guy, just to give me a family… if you like her, you marry her! You're not sleeping with her to dump her…
- All right chief…
- It's going to work out, I'm sure of it. Everybody loves my mother…
- But if it doesn't work out … what if she doesn't like me?
- She's going to love you… I like you…
- You're not your mother…
They were talking, walking to the limousine and they were finally inside and Marcus took a bottle of fruit juice in the little fridge.
- Keep an open mind, said Marcus, I'm begging you, I'm desperate here…
- I understand you, believe me, and every time my mother gets close to a guy I couldn't stand… but I'm telling you to be ready to the eventuality that it doesn't work…
- No! It has to work! My life depends on it!
- Marcus…
- Be positive Terry! You're going to adore my mum!
They arrived at Terry's, in his big luxurious villa.
- You don't have a girlfriend lately?
- Marcus!
- You're nervous for the Oscars too, admit it!
- In fact, I had another girl in my mind lately
- Who?
- A girl I met a long time ago…
- Ah! She must be forgotten…
- Yes… but she was special and I admit that I never found the effect she had on me that summer
- Did you bang her?
- Watch your language, young man!
- I'm sorry, did you make love to her?
- Yes, only, I don't remember…
- How come?
- I was drunk and so was she… and I don't remember anything!
- Oh… alcohol is not good… well…
- It ruined everything between us… she was keeping herself for her wedding night… but I never forgot about her… oh well. Let's talk about something else, I've got new video games…
- The one that's not out yet? Great! Let's play!
- With pleasure!
The two young men went to Terry's game room, while the staff was taking Marcus' luggage upstairs in the bedroom. A maid brought a tray with tea and sandwiches, while they were playing.
Susanna Marlowe made an apparition later in the evening. She was a little stoned and Terry didn't like her to come to see him in that state when Marcus was there.
- Come on Terry! I have the right to live my life!
- Yes, but don't do it here, ok? I have a young impressionable young man under my responsibility, you can't stay here…
- Oh give me a break! You want to play the saint for your little protégé, go ahead! But let me live my life! You were part of it…
- Really? How many times have you seen me in your orgies? My mother was protecting me from that horrible part of Hollywood, yours should've done the same thing, instead of letting you do whatever you wanted!
- It's ever since that teenager entered your life that I don't recognize you anymore! You've suddenly become a father, giving morals!
- You have to grow up some time, Susanna. If you don't like it, you know where the door is…
But Susanna of course, stayed. She forced herself to behave well in front of Marcus… To spend more time with her dear Terry.
oOoOoOoOoOo