Sun.
"Steven Spielberg, top billing, $11 million and approval on casting."
Eric slid the official contract across the table toward Ari and waited for the super agent's gasp of disbelief. Everyone said that it couldn't be done, but yet, Eric had just closed the deal of the decade for his prized client. Another New York Love Story had been a hot commodity on the screenplay market last spring, and every hot actor in Hollywood was dying for the lead. One read through and Eric had known that Vince was made for the part. He had promised that he would get his client the role and exactly forty-six minutes ago, he had received a fax in his home office confirming that he would fulfill his promise.
"I can't fucking believe it."
"Well, you better fucking believe it because that is Steven's signature at the bottom. Vince is doing this movie and he got all the concessions that he deserves," Eric boasted proudly. He had been integral to many deals before, but there was something extra sweet about this one. He had worked it on his own from beginning to end. "Vince is gonna kill in this movie."
Ari was still pouring over the contract when Vince strode into the office with Turtle and Drama in tow. He had been across town shopping with the boys at Armani when Eric had called and told him to meet him at the agency. Turtle and Johnny were about to hang back when Eric waved them in. "Everyone's in for this one, screw Ari," he announced. Turtle grinned and patted his friend on the back while Drama puffed out his chest proudly. He loved being part of the inner circle.
"What was so important that I had to leave my fitting?" Vince asked as he collapsed on the couch. Eric watched as he reclined back, spreading his legs and leering at him suggestively. They had been together for five years now and officially registered as domestic partners for two years. Other than the fact that Drama and Turtle didn't live in the mansion with them and that they shared the same bed, it was pretty much like it always was. It's funny how little had changed one they had realized they liked screwing each other. "Poor Turtle was really workin' this cute sales girl, E."
"Yeah, E, it better be good," Turtle added, grinning at his old friend. Turtle was doing well these days, his transportation company the biggest in the city and about to open a satellite branch in San Francisco. He still pretty much usually rolled with Vince, especially since a lot of the business ran itself. "What was so important that you had to ruin our fun?"
"Were you worried that we were going to keep your man out all night?" Drama teased. He was back on Five Towns, which was now in its eighth season and the nation's top-rated drama. The old studio exec had lost his job after he was caught sexually harassing an intern. "Geez, Vince, when did you start answering to the missus?"
Eric glared at his friends. They were always ribbing on him about something, and his marriage to Vince was no different. Vince smiled at Eric before pretending to think. "Hmm, I think it started when we were about six," he mused. "What do you think, babe?"
"Babe?" Ari growled. He still wasn't exactly thrilled that his superstar liked boys. It had kind of killed his heart throb status for awhile until people realized that he was still hot.
"If we are done acting like we're seven, I have some news," Eric interrupted. He snatched the contracts and passed them over to Vince. He started to scan the document, with Johnny and Turtle looking over his shoulder. Vince read softly aloud until he came to the part that mattered. That was when he went silent and stared up at Eric with wide eyes. "Yeah, so that's why you're here. Your husband, the missus, is kind of amazing."
Vince's amused smile is so bright that E barely hears Ari call him the luckiest leprechaun cocksucker on the West Coast. "I'm going to be in a Spielberg film?" he asked Eric, jumping to his feet to wrap his partner in his arms. Vince squeezed him tightly before he felt Johnny throw his arms around him from behind. "And you managed to get Johnny a role."
"It's all about family, right?" Eric asked as Johnny nearly suffocated him. Turtle watched and laughed, content to be on the outskirts as always. When Eric managed to peel Drama off his back, Turtle exchanged a manly hug with Vince and bumped Eric's fist. "So, I did good?"
"Uh, yeah," Vince stated obviously. "You're so getting lucky tonight."
"I so didn't need to hear that," Turtle complained. "Seriously, E, this is sick. Spielberg?"
"Steven said that Vince was the only person he could imagine doing the role," Eric said coolly. He had to be nonchalant in the namedropping, even if his heart was racing a million miles a minute. He knew how big this film was. It would put Vince in a whole different league. "Filming starts in two months in New York. It looks like we'll be spending the fall at home."
Turtle and Drama started talking excitedly while Ari looked over the contract some more. Vince watched for a moment before turning to Eric. "This is amazing, E," he praised him. "Thank you."
"I promised you that you would do this movie, Vin," he reminded him. "I meant what I said, you were made for this role. You are this character."
"I'm gonna be in a Steven Spielberg movie," Vince realized. "We've got to call Ma and your Ma. They're gonna be stoked to get to spend time with the kids." The twins they had adopted last year were now just over fourteen months old, and both grandmothers often lamented that their granddaughters were being raised too far from the boys' roots in Queens. "If I hadn't already before, I'd be completely in love with you now for this."
"Lucky for you that you already were," Eric taunted. "Do you think I work this hard for my other clients?"
"Better not," Vince replied, leaning in to kiss him briefly. "So what do you say, guys? Feel like celebrating? I'm sure Ari wouldn't mind watching the girls tonight so that we can fly to Vegas."
"Like you're fucking leaving me at home," Ari shot back, already mentally planning his excuses to Mrs. Ari.
Vince laughed and shook his head. "You're right. I'm sure that Shauna wouldn't mind keeping the girls. Her kids love playing with Hallie and Brooke," he said. Eric took that as his cue to make arrangements. Vince was the idea guy. Eric just turned those dreams into realities. "Vegas?"
"Vegas, baby," Turtle agreed, rubbing his hands together greedily.
So while Turtle started to make party plans, Ari lied to his wife and Drama looked over how many lines he was guaranteed in the movie, Eric made arrangements for the girls and Vince admired his man. When everything was figured out, they headed for Turtle's limo and toward the airport. And when they got on the plane, Vince leaned over and whispered into Eric's ear, "We'll have our own celebration tonight in our room. I think I need to show you a lot of gratitude." Eric turned red but agreed eagerly. They really deserved it.
