I Am Hollywood

by Cui Shi yi

1 - 702

1. 1

I am Hollywood

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An advertising film director was reborn in the bustling Hollywood in 1988. From then on, he began his own domineering road to becoming a legend in the film industry, mastering everything from writing, editing, directing, and supervising films and TV series, dating a lot of female stars, and having a bunch of child stars

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I am Hollywood #Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Hollywood 1988 - Read I am Hollywood Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Hollywood 1988 Online - All Page - NOVEL NEXT

[Note: As per the poll created in , this novel got the highest votes. This is a completed novel started in 2014 and finished in 2018. I will try to make this novel up to date.]

[Chapter 1: Hollywood 1988]

"Hey, Eric, steak for table nine."

"Oh, right," Eric replied, somewhat clumsily bringing two plates of steak to a couple seated by the window. Once he finished, he returned to his original spot, leaning against the counter and lost in thought.

It was July 13, 1988, three days into his new life, at an Italian restaurant in North Hollywood. Eric turned to gaze at the faint reflection in the glass window nearby -- a figure about six feet tall, with a chiseled jaw, a prominent nose, and short, curly blonde hair. This was him now.

Just a few days before, Eric had been working as an advertising director. He graduated at 24 from a prestigious film school, having dreamed of becoming an internationally renowned director. After ten years of climbing that uphill battle, he learned the hard truth of reality. With his solid yet unrecognized talents, he had managed to gain some fame as an advertising director. At 35, he got married, and a year later, his son was born. He finally settled down, trading his dreams for diaper money. Years later, after a reunion with long-lost classmates, he wound up drinking too much and ultimately dozed off, lost in nostalgia.

Like the start of any thrill or not-so-thrill story, he woke up only to find everything changed. He discovered he had returned to the past, transformed into a high school graduate named Eric Williams.

"Eric, you alright?" A chubby hand landed on Eric's shoulder, giving it a gentle pat. He turned to see Jeff Jones, the restaurant owner.

"Sorry, Jeff. I zoned out again."

"No problem," Jeff rubbed his hands, contemplating his words, then continued, "I'm really sorry about Ralph, but life goes on, doesn't it? Hang in there, Eric."

Ralph Williams, Eric's father, was a brilliant Italian chef who had worked in this restaurant for many years. Despite his culinary talent, Ralph had a nasty habit -- he was an alcoholic. According to the memories left by Eric's predecessor, Ralph's drinking problem was likely tied to a mother he never met; in modern terms, he was a man with a story. A month prior, Ralph had succumbed to acute alcohol poisoning after an overdose.

"Thanks, Jeff. I wouldn't know how to get through this without your help." Eric spoke, turmoil enveloping him after Ralph's death. He had recently applied to the University of California, but now his hopes of attending college vanished, as even public universities charged around twenty grand a year for tuition, not to mention other expenses. Being Ralph's boss and friend, Jeff sat down with Eric for a chat, which led Eric to start working as a waiter at the restaurant. After all, as Jeff had said, life had to continue.

"Ralph worked here so many years; it's the least I could do. But I can only do so much, the rest is up to you."

Eric nodded with gratitude as he watched Jeff walk away, mulling over his words. Somewhere in the back of his mind, if some mischievous deity sent him back to over thirty years ago in Hollywood, he couldn't settle for being a nameless restaurant server; that would surely infuriate that deity.

Three days after realizing his predicament, Eric initially felt excitement, but soon that excitement faded into confusion. In his past life, he had been a standout student at film school but had never realized his dreams, ultimately surrendering to reality. Now, without a diploma or connections, even applying for the most basic job at a film studio wouldn't guarantee success.

...

After a busy day, Eric drove away from the Italian restaurant in a Ford sedan left behind by his dad. Following Ralph's death, he considered selling the car to help with expenses. However, after landing the waiter job, he opted to keep it -- after all, this was a country on wheels and life was much easier with a car.

As he passed by a movie theater, Eric noticed a poster for Rambo III, showcasing Sylvester Stallone in his prime, muscles rippling in a tank top against a snowy mountain and helicopter backdrop. On a whim, Eric parked nearby, inquiring about showtimes. With luck, a film was about to start, so he bought a ticket and headed inside.

Since it wasn't during peak hours, only about thirty to forty people filled the two hundred-seat auditorium, and Eric took his seat.

Soon, the lights dimmed, and the film began. Colonel Trautman invited Rambo, living in self-imposed exile in Thailand, to take on a mission in Afghanistan, but Rambo declined. After Trautman was captured, Rambo armed himself once more to rescue his friend...

In his previous life, Eric had watched all of Stallone's movies, often more than once. He purchased the ticket partly because he recalled Stallone's journey and his own past. During those ten grueling years, whenever he felt like giving up, he'd draw inspiration from motivational stories, including Stallone's legendary acting career.

As the story unfolded, Eric collected his scattered thoughts and focused on the movie. Gradually, he sat up straighter, realizing that due to having seen this film before, he instinctively thought about what would happen next. To his surprise, he found each subsequent scene playing out clearly in his mind. He remembered every shot, every line, even every piece of score in the film.

As excitement bubbled inside him, he closed his eyes and whimsically picked a favorite, Titanic, directed by Cameron, and found the same remarkable clarity -- he recalled every second. He tried to conjure memories of films he had only heard of but never seen, but nothing came to him; he realized he could only remember things he had already watched, yet that alone was more than enough.

When he first transmigrated in this reality, Eric had thought of claiming some future films as his own. However, as a professional director, he knew how impossible that would be; he could write similar scripts at best. But now, realizing he held a treasure trove of memories from his past life, Eric understood the implications -- it meant he could almost perfectly recreate all the classics he had seen, provided he had the means.

His heart raced with exhilaration as he walked out of the theater, the anticipation of reaching the pinnacle of his career inspiring him. At that moment, he knew with such vast resources stored in his mind, failing just like his past life would be unacceptable; it would be better to drown himself in straight-up water than to let this opportunity slip away.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 2: Inspiration from Argument]

Eric gently set the somewhat clunky secondhand typewriter on his desk, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and felt a deep nostalgia for the sleek laptop he once had. It was the second day since he discovered his peculiar memory bank, and after a day of reflection, Eric had started to sketch out a preliminary plan for his future.

He had deliberately taken the day off from Jeff, spending most of it browsing around and purchasing this typewriter, which was essential to realizing his vision.

After handling Ralph's affairs, Eric found himself with only a few hundred dollars in cash left. Thankfully, since Eric had already paid off the mortgage on this house, he felt relieved; otherwise, unable to manage the payments, he might have found himself homeless. He ended up using a month's advance on his paycheck from Jeff to afford the typewriter.

To achieve his aspirations, Eric knew he needed to break into Hollywood. Directing was out of the question for now, and acting wasn't a suitable path for him. After considering his options, he concluded that screenwriting was the way to go. While many claimed that screenwriters had a low status in Hollywood, the truth was different. Considering that Michael Crichton's novel, clocking in at just over a hundred thousand words, had been published in 1990, it was unlikely that Crichton had started writing it yet. Eric felt justified in claiming it as his own -- after all, if one didn't take a risk, they'd miss out on opportunity.

He chuckled at the thought of Crichton, who had an almost fantastical life experience. Without the likes of Jurassic Park, there wouldn't even be a concept of "Jurassic" anything.

As he reminisced, a slight smile crept onto Eric's face while he tapped on the keyboard. He wasn't drafting the screenplay for Jurassic Park; he was writing a novel. Having watched the film out of curiosity, he sought out the book to read it thoroughly. He figured it would not be that difficult to write this novel.

The reason he refrained from writing the screenplay directly was twofold. First, if he submitted a screenplay to a movie studio, it would likely end up in the trash, as Hollywood studios received scripts in bulk every day. Second, Eric aimed to retain control over the film rights to the series. Even if he wrote the screenplay and some perceptive studio took notice, they would inevitably reap the most significant profits, while Eric would merely receive a handful of script royalties.

Publishing the novel would allow Eric to keep the film rights firmly in his grasp, ready to sell at the right moment and maximize his potential earnings.

...

Time always flew by when engrossed in work. As darkness fell and he could no longer see the letters on the keyboard, Eric realized he had been writing for four or five hours straight, and his stomach began to grumble.

Standing up, Eric looked at the thick stack of manuscript on his desk, satisfied as he stretched his arms overhead. At this rate, he estimated he could finish the manuscript in about a week, especially since he still needed to work at Jeff's restaurant, or else he would starve.

Making his way to the kitchen, Eric prepared himself a simple dinner with scrambled eggs. The remaining bread and peanut butter in the fridge usually served as his snacks these days.

After his simple dinner, Eric stepped onto the balcony on the second floor, leaning against the railing while taking in the night scenery.

His apartment occupied a small yard of under two hundred square feet or twenty square meters, with a two-story house that randomly hosted some unknown flowers and plants. Without a woman in the house, Eric's father, Ralph, had never displayed much attention to detail, leading to a rugged lifestyle for the two of them.

In his memories, they had moved from London to Los Angeles when he was around seven or eight. Eric couldn't quite recall why Ralph chose to do so -- his young age had left him oblivious, and the clues remaining in his current memory didn't offer clarity, so he dropped the matter.

Once in Los Angeles, Ralph dragged young Eric around for only two days before buying this chaotic little abode through a real estate agent.

After spending some time on the balcony, just as he was about to return to his study to continue working on Jurassic Park, he heard a sudden crash, the sound of glass shattering. He turned his gaze towards his neighbors to the west -- the Ronkels. They were in their forties, with three children: the eldest in college, a daughter at a boarding school, and a seven-year-old son.

The couple had been arguing a lot lately, perhaps a sign of midlife crisis. Though he had a good rapport with the Ronkels, Eric didn't plan to get involved; they were generally quite reserved and had never resorted to physical altercations. Rushing in would only create an awkward situation for everyone.

After a flurry of rapid, muffled shouting and the sound of things breaking, the Ronkels' front door swung open. Charles Ronkel, dressed in a shirt with tousled hair, stormed out and turned back to shout inside, "Enough! I've had it with you, damn it! If I hadn't moved to Los Angeles to marry you, I'd probably be a top executive at General Motors by now! Look at you now, for crying out loud!"

"Go to hell," replied Mrs. Ronkel, usually calm, now sounding sharp and high-pitched. "Out of the three guys who pursued me when you did, one's a California senator and another is making millions selling oil in the Middle East! Do you have any idea how much a shipload of oil is worth? It's worth more than your salary in a lifetime! I'm the one who should be regretting things! Now, sleep in your 'General Motors high-rise,' dear!"

With that, Mrs. Ronkel flung a black coat out onto the stoop and slammed the door shut.

Charles picked up the coat, dusted it off, and then noticed Eric standing on the balcony.

"Sorry to bother you, Eric," Charles said sheepishly, offering a nervous smile.

"No problem, Charles. Do you want to... come over for a bit?" Eric offered.

Charles shook his head. "No, thanks. I... I think I'll hit a bar for a while. Maybe by the time I return, Mary will have cooled off."

After a nod at Eric, Charles got in his car and drove off into the distance.

Back inside, Eric reflected on the Ronkels' fiery argument. A sudden thought struck him, and he sat at his desk, inserted a blank sheet into the typewriter, and the idea began to take shape in his mind.

For the past few days, Eric had been mulling over what his first screenplay should involve. Now, he finally had his answer. The script felt like it was custom-made for him. Sure, given the era's differences, many details would need revisions, but that posed no real challenge. The real selling point wouldn't hinge on those minute specifics.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 3: Thankfully, Not Michael Clayton]

Jeff, the owner of the Italian restaurant, noticed that Eric seemed like a completely different person these days. He no longer daydreamed as often, and his whole demeanor radiated energy. During his interactions with customers, he no longer appeared awkward; instead, he occasionally cracked harmless jokes. Once, Jeff even caught Eric skillfully flirting with a glamorous single woman in her thirties, using a laid-back, slightly hip vibe that was endearingly charming. At the end of the meal, the woman had tipped him three times the standard gratuity and flashed an unabashed wink.

"Eric, have you run into some good luck? You seem... different lately," Jeff finally couldn't help but ask during a break, genuinely concerned about the young man, who was like a son to him.

"Is it that obvious?" Eric paused, somewhat surprised.

Jeff chuckled. "Of course! It's practically written all over your face."

"Maybe it's because I finally found something to strive for. You know, when someone has a dream, it changes everything."

"Oh? What's your dream? Care to share?"

"Definitely," Eric replied with excitement. "I've decided that I want to become a director. In fact, I've been working on my very first screenplay. I'll finish it in a couple of days!"

"Director...?" Jeff raised an eyebrow, initially tempted to caution Eric not to aim too high. But then he remembered how Eric had just started coming out of the grief over his father's death. The kid finding a goal was encouraging enough, so he held back his words.

Just a subtle change in his expression made Eric realize what Jeff was about to say. Still, Eric chuckled it off; after all, they were in Hollywood, where thousands arrived each year to chase their movie dreams but only a fortunate few succeeded. It made sense that Jeff had those concerns.

"Well, once you finish that script, I'd love to take a look. You know, I once had dreams of becoming an actor. Don't let this beer belly fool you," Jeff patted his ample stomach, adding, "I was quite the looker back in the day. Believe it or not, I even auditioned for a small part in The Godfather. Time sure flies!"

Eric was taken aback, unaware of this side of Jeff's past, but he quickly accepted it. This was Hollywood, the world's largest film industry, and anything was possible. After all, Sylvester Stallone had even starred as The Italian Stallion in The Party at Kitty and Stud's.

"Sure thing! Your feedback could come in handy," Eric responded, knowing he could use Jeff's input to spot any flaws in his script.

Although Eric had tried his best to eliminate anything that referenced events or cultural elements from after 1988, he couldn't guarantee there wouldn't be any slip-ups. As someone from the outside, Jeff could easily spot any anachronisms.

They shared a few more laughs before some guests walked into the restaurant, prompting Eric to rush over to greet them.

...

The day flew by, and after a hasty dinner at home, Eric dove into work on the novel and screenplay for Jurassic Park.

The novel was practically finished; he was just in the final proofreading stages. Eric planned to make copies and submit it to a few publishers the next day. As for the screenplay, he had only drafted a basic outline and noted areas needing revisions. With his vivid impressions of the movie in mind, he figured completing the script would only take him two evenings.

The next morning, Eric left home shortly after seven, intending to make copies of Jurassic Park and mail them out. He had already prepared addresses for several well-known publishers in North America. Even if the bigger publishers turned down his manuscript, he wouldn't be crushed. After all, there were thousands of publishers out there, and surely one would be willing to print his novel. Despite Jurassic Park once reaching the top of the New York Times bestseller list, Eric wasn't focused on the royalties but was more keen to retain the movie rights once the book got published.

"Hello! How can I help you today?" As he stepped into a print shop, a slightly slender Black woman greeted him warmly.

"I'd like to make a few copies of this manuscript," Eric replied, pulling out the pages from his bag.

Her eyes lit up as she looked at the thick manuscript, beaming brightly. "Sir, may I take a look?"

"Of course," Eric handed it over.

Without delving into the content, she quickly counted the pages and said, "Looks like about three hundred. Let's say three hundred pages. It'll be thirty dollars per copy. How many would you like?"

Thirty bucks! Eric's lips twitched. That was a steep price! He had only a few hundred dollars left in cash, and that included his pre-drawn salary for the month.

After some bargaining, they settled on a deal of four copies for a hundred dollars. After paying, the woman politely poured Eric a cup of coffee while she started the copying process.

Bored, Eric sipped his coffee while watching her work the machine. He calculated it would take about half an hour to finish, which wouldn't interfere with his restaurant job. Even though the restaurant didn't see a rush until after ten, he knew that with Jeff's personality, he wouldn't dock his pay for being late. Still, he understood that maintaining their friendship meant showing up on time.

About ten minutes later, the print shop door darkened slightly. Eric looked up to see a brown-haired white man in his forties walk in carrying a leather bag. The man was around five-foot-seven, stocky, with stubble along his chin, a pronounced nose, and gold-rimmed glasses. He exuded a cultured and gentle presence.

"Welcome, sir! Would you mind waiting a moment?"

The brown-haired man nodded politely, greeting Eric as he sat down beside him. The Black woman paused her work briefly and quickly poured him a cup of coffee. "Sir, it should be ready in about ten minutes. Please enjoy your coffee in the meantime."

"Thank you," the man said, eyeing the thick stack of papers on Eric's table, intrigued by the manuscript. With only the three of them in the shop, he couldn't help but ask, "May I inquire if that's your manuscript?"

"Yes," Eric nodded. "It's a novel I just finished writing. I'm planning to make a few copies to submit."

"You look like a high school student; that's impressive! I couldn't do things like that at your age."

"Thanks! This is actually my first novel, so I don't have much confidence."

"No, you need to believe in yourself. Can I take a look at your novel?" the brown-haired man said, reaching into his pocket for a business card. "I happen to run a small publishing house."

Eric took a glance at the card: Michael Krauss, Manager of Nightshade Press. His eyebrows raised slightly, relieved that it wasn't Michael Clayton. Eric couldn't help but laugh inwardly at the lack of imagination some people had when naming children. He recalled his high school class had two Jakes and two Jessicas, and when you broadened it to the entire school, the number only increased. Even when a kid was born, parents might just name him Jr. instead of being creative!

Since glancing wouldn't cause harm, Eric casually handed over the freshly copied manuscript to Michael Krauss. The man took it, briefly scanned the title, and commented, "Jurassic Park, interesting title."

Eric smiled slightly but didn't respond. Michael Krauss didn't press further, flipping through the pages instead. As he delved deeper into the text, his nonchalant demeanor shifted to one of seriousness. Initially, he had praised Eric, but deep down, he doubted whether someone Eric's age could compose anything remarkable. In his experience, bestselling authors were typically individuals with rich life experiences and knowledge.

After reading the manuscript carefully yet quickly, Michael meticulously sorted the somewhat disorganized pages and lifted his gaze to Eric, his eyes brimming with surprise, excitement, and a touch of ambition.

"May I know your name, young man?"

"Eric Williams," Eric replied plainly. Given his extensive past experiences, he could easily detect the implications behind Michael's expression. Although he didn't plan to hand Jurassic Park over to a small publisher just yet, meeting Michael Krauss could prove beneficial. If the notable publishers really turned him down, this could be a back-up plan.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 4: Heartfelt]

"It's like this, Eric. Would you be able to hand this book over to my publishing company for some work?" Michael Krauss didn't hide his intentions and spoke directly.

Eric glanced over at the young Black girl who was binding the printed copies and then replied to Michael Krauss, "I appreciate your recognition, but I'd like to try my luck with some bigger publishers. It's like every parent wishing their child could get into an Ivy League school, don't you think?"

Michael didn't seem offended at all and smiled back, "Eric, have you done your homework on those big publishers? Maybe we can find a place to talk. I know a cafe just around the corner; my treat. How does that sound?"

Eric took the bound manuscript from the Black girl and packed away the draft into his bag, firmly turning Michael down. "Sorry, Michael, but I'm going to be late for work. If those publishers reject the manuscript in the future, I'll definitely get in touch with you."

With that, Eric picked up his backpack, Michael Krauss's contact card and left the print shop, driving his car toward the Italian restaurant. Michael hesitated for just a moment before rushing out after him, getting into his own car and following suit. He had a gut feeling that if he missed this chance, he might regret it for the rest of his life. Three parts of that instinct were about the novel titled Jurassic Park, and seven parts were truly about this young man, Eric.

Although Michael had only read the first half of the book, he was pleasantly surprised to discover that Eric had seamlessly woven in many high-tech themes that teenagers of his age might not have heard of, like genetic engineering, chaos theory, and nanotechnology, without losing the novel's fun and engaging plot.

He had seen plenty of examples where high-tech elements were awkwardly integrated into stories, often turning what should have been novels into dry science explanations, which rarely appealed to any type of reader.

...

Eric parked his car and turned around to find a black sedan had pulled up not far behind him; it was Michael Krauss, clearly following him. This gave Eric a minute spike of vanity and unexpectedly, he started to feel a bit of warmth toward Michael.

"Hey, Eric." Michael waved at Eric, about to say something else, but Eric pointed to his watch and said, "Uh, Michael, look, it's almost nine. I work as a waiter at this Italian restaurant. Perhaps you wouldn't mind ordering another breakfast? The place is pretty slow before ten, so we'd have an hour."

Michael nodded in understanding and followed Eric into the restaurant.

After changing clothes, Eric came out to find Michael already seated by the window, a plate of breakfast in front of him, which he had nearly finished.

"I explained everything to Mr. Jones, but you have to hurry," Eric said as he took a seat across from Michael. "I might be young, but I'm not that easily swayed."

Michael laughed, "I believe once you hear my explanation, you will hand over that book to me. I just mentioned that you might not know much about those big publishers, and as it happens, I spent eleven years at Simon Schuster, starting from the most basic editorial position, until I left to start Nightshade Publishing after the competition for department manager failed."

"What does that have to do with what we're discussing now?" Eric interjected, feeling weary at hearing another 'struggle story' from someone who would only wind up as a loser in his past life.

"Just hold on, young man. I'm telling you this to reassure you that what I'm going to say next is true and credible," Michael replied. "Did you know, when I first started as an editor, I reviewed tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of words every day? While there were many terrible manuscripts, I accumulated quite a number of publishable ones. At one point, the number of book types I published in a single year reached two thousand. Just imagine, as a newcomer, how much marketing resources could you leverage from those thousands of publications?"

Michael paused to take a sip of water, giving Eric some time to think. Eric acknowledged Michael's words internally but didn't say anything, simply gesturing with his eyes for Michael to continue.

Michael slightly raised his hand, as if delivering a speech. "Though my publishing house is small, I have extensive experience in book marketing. Our focus over the past few years has been publishing science fiction, adventure, and thriller novels. We publish about a dozen titles each year, but we've already gained a solid reputation in the industry. If you hand Jurassic Park over to me, I will guarantee to use all my resources to promote this book and make sure it gains significant recognition in the shortest time possible. With my experience, there's a good chance it could make it onto the bestseller list."

Michael laid out all his cards, then quietly waited for Eric's decision.

Initially, Eric had found Michael's grandstanding distracting; a small or even micro-publishing house had limited resources, so how impactful could it really be?

Deep down, Eric felt like a middle-aged man, having seen a range of bizarre scenarios in his complicated former life. There was no way he would change his mind based on a few enticing words from Michael Krauss like some naive youngster. However, one of Michael's statements struck a chord within Eric: making Jurassic Park famous in a short period.

No matter the era, fame was an intangible yet potent resource. Eric needed to realize his plans, and his biggest drawback was his age; younger individuals often triggered a sense of distrust.

But if he gained sufficient fame, that flaw could be obscured. An eighteen-year-old high school kid directing a film would get critiqued for being overreaching, while the same age genius writer making a film would surely be viewed differently; sure, criticism would still come, but more people would likely say: "Oh, what amazing stunt has that genius kid pulled now?"

Eric tested the waters, "I have to admit, Michael, your terms are indeed tempting. But these are just your words; I don't know anything about your publishing house."

"That can easily be verified," Michael replied calmly. "On the latest New York Times bestseller list, there's a book from my publishing house, though it's at the bottom, it has already been optioned by Twentieth Century Fox for a movie, and could possibly be produced in the coming years."

Eric believed Michael's words. He had no reason to lie about such an easily debunked claim. "Well, how about we find time to discuss the specifics of the partnership?"

Michael blinked, surprised. "You... you agree?"

"Yes," Eric nodded with a smile. "To be honest, I can't wait to see my novel published."

"How about tonight? I think you might need to work now," Michael pointed to the restaurant, which was gradually filling up with more guests.

After agreeing on a meeting spot, Michael left the restaurant, satisfied.

...

"Hey, Eric, what were you talking about with that guy? You look pretty happy," Jeff asked, curious because Eric had only mentioned talking business with a friend.

Eric handed over the menu that a customer had just requested to a colleague in the kitchen and replied to Jeff, who was working as a substitute waiter, "Good news, Jeff. That guy just happens to be the owner of a publishing house, and I'm about to publish my novel!"

Jeff looked puzzled and a bit skeptical. "A novel? I thought you said yesterday you were writing a script. Are you giving up your directing dream already and planning to be a writer?"

"Not at all! My goals will not change easily. Directing and writing novels aren't mutually exclusive, right? Oh, my novel is in my backpack in the changing room; you can check it out and give me some feedback."

Jeff turned toward the changing room, feeling confused. He thought Eric's novel was just a short story of a few thousand words, but when he saw the thick stack of manuscript pages, his eyes nearly popped out. It had to be over a hundred thousand words; he had never written that much in his life.

...

After the lunch rush, the restaurant saw a brief lull in activity. The staff noticed that the boss had seemingly disappeared for several hours -- unusually rare for the man who loved to wander around flaunting his presence.

As the employees debated whether they should look for the boss, Jeff emerged from the changing room and patted Eric's shoulder. "This is quite the novel! I can now assure you that you'll be quitting your job soon." With that, Jeff left confidently.

As soon as the boss's figure was gone, a crowd gathered around, asking Eric what had happened.

Thus, throughout the afternoon, servers and even kitchen staff took turns sneaking into the changing room to read Eric's manuscript. Even at closing time, a pretty waitress sweetly asked if she could take a copy home to read.

Though the waitress's flirting made Eric's heart flutter, he had to politely decline. While he had no use for the copied manuscripts anymore, he didn't want anything to go wrong before his work got published. He had lived through enough situations where someone's work was claimed as their own, and he certainly didn't want to experience that again.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 5: Conditions]

In a cafe located in North Hollywood, Eric and Michael discussed the details of their collaboration on Jurassic Park.

Eric didn't get hung up on the royalty split and settled for the standard 7% that was generally offered to newcomers. Their negotiation mainly revolved around the film rights for the novel. With Michael's seasoned eye from over a decade in the industry, he recognized the immense potential this novel had for adaptation. Since Eric raised no objections about the royalty distribution, Michael felt that Eric was young and easy to persuade. He proposed that Nightshade Press and Eric share the film rights, handing over complete control of the rights to Nightshade Press for representation.

After patiently listening to Michael's proposal, Eric firmly rejected it, stating, "That's not going to happen, Mr. Krauss."

Michael Krauss blinked in surprise, slightly thrown off by Eric's decisiveness. Adjusting his demeanor, Michael continued, "Eric, let me explain. You know I just sold one of our novels to 20th Century Fox for over a million in adaptation fees. If that author had negotiated on their own, they wouldn't have even seen half that amount. That's the advantage of going through a publisher..."

The two talked for another ten minutes, with Michael Krauss eloquently trying to convince Eric to accept his terms and even offering to reduce the publisher's cut on the film rights.

Ultimately, Michael was disappointed to realize that this young man was no naive newcomer. Instead, he was like a seasoned veteran himself, able to discern the subtle implications hidden within seemingly generous conditions. What surprised Michael even more was how Eric displayed none of the impulsiveness typical of someone his age. Even when he recognized a trap, he didn't directly call it out or walk away in a huff; rather, he subtly hinted that he understood the game.

Finally, with a rueful smile, Michael abandoned his plans to meddle in the film rights for Jurassic Park.

After that, the negotiations proceeded smoothly, and they quickly signed a cooperation agreement.

...

"Pleasure working with you, Eric. I'm sure you won't regret giving me the reins for Jurassic Park," Michael said after signing the contract, re-emerging as the affable elder figure, seemingly shaking off the shrewdness that had been evident during the negotiations.

"Likewise, Michael. I hope that's true," Eric replied, shaking his hand. They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Eric casually asked, "Michael, do you have connections in those movie studios?"

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Of course! How else could I have recommended my publisher's novel to 20th Century Fox? I actually know people in several other studios too. When I was at Simon Schuster, I handled book rights collaborations with film companies for some time. So Eric, if you hand over the film rights to Jurassic Park to Nightshade Press, I can directly pitch the novel to producers at the big six studios."

Eric shook his head. "Let's not talk about that anymore, Michael. I'm not giving up a single inch of Jurassic Park's film rights. However, I am in the process of completing a screenplay, and I hope you might help me recommend it."

Michael's flickering hope went out again upon hearing about Eric's screenplay. He wasn't particularly interested but, out of politeness, he asked, "Could you share the rough outline of the script?"

"It's like this," Eric began, clarifying his thoughts. "Eighteen years ago, seventeen-year-old Mike O'Donnell was about to participate in a crucial basketball game that could secure him admission to an Ivy League school, complete with a hefty scholarship. However, right before the game, his girlfriend suddenly revealed that she was pregnant. In the middle of the game, Mike dropped the basketball and walked off the court, choosing to take on his responsibilities. Eighteen years later, he looks back on lost glory, a failed career, and faces a crumbling marriage with his wife, Scarlett..."

Eric didn't dive into too many details, simply giving an overview of the story. After hearing the arguments between the Ronkels, he quickly thought of 17 Again; this film could be exactly what he needed for his plans. A seventeen-year-old with the soul of a middle-aged man was just tailor-made for Eric.

Michael's eyes brightened as he listened. He had high hopes for Eric, and now, having just received Jurassic Park, he was surprised by yet another gem from Eric.

Films involving time travel or transformation were just starting to gain traction at that time, not yet saturated as they would be later on. So long as the film was of good quality, it typically performed well at the box office.

Let's not forget the 1985 box office champion Back to the Future; just this year alone, two similar films had performed admirably. One was Beetlejuice from April, and another, which had just released two weeks prior, was Big, already breaking even and likely heading to gross over a hundred million, making Penny Marshall the first female director in North American history to exceed that mark.

"That's a solid script, Eric. But don't you think there have been too many time travel films lately? Plus, you're just an unknown rookie," Michael pointed out, trying to regain some control after feeling defeated in their previous discussions about Jurassic Park's film rights.

Eric smiled slightly, clearly sensing Michael's posturing. He simply held up five fingers. "Fifty percent commission!"

"What?" Michael exclaimed, struggling to believe his ears. Had this guy suddenly become so generous?

Eric reinforced, "Michael, you heard me right. If the script sells, I'll give you fifty percent of the script's fee as your commission! But I have one condition."

Of course, nothing comes for free, and with that last comment, Michael felt a slight relief, as things seemed to be back on their original track; Eric remained that astute young man.

"Let's hear it."

"I want to be the male lead in this movie, that is, young Mike O'Donnell."

"That's not going to happen," Michael said instinctively. "Even directors may not have the power to decide on the roles, let alone a rookie screenwriter like you."

"There is a saying -- 'Man plans, God laughs,'" Eric replied. "How would you know it's impossible if you don't try? Besides, with Big hitting theaters, the possibilities have increased."

Michael Krauss found himself a bit perplexed. "What does Big have to do with this?"

Casually stirring his freshly poured hot coffee with a spoon, Eric said, "I think this movie has a good chance of hitting over a hundred million at the box office. If that happens, a similarly themed, quality script might get someone to consider my terms."

Though Michael hadn't seen Big, he believed what Eric said. "Alright, Eric. I can give it a shot, but about the commission..."

"Michael, you're being too greedy. You really think you should take more than the original author?"

Michael couldn't help but rub his nose with his finger, feeling a bit embarrassed. "It's not as serious as you say, and if you land that lead role, you'd likely make around five hundred thousand, while the script might only earn twenty thousand tops."

Even so, Michael didn't raise the topic of commission again. As they parted ways outside the cafe, he suddenly said, "Honestly, Eric, I have this feeling that you really do fit the role of that character in your script. Because during the contract negotiations, I felt like I was dealing with a peer, not an eighteen-year-old high school kid."

Eric chuckled, "Don't sweat the details, Michael. I'll get the script to you in a couple of days. I hope you bring good news."

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 6: Good News]

After securing the publication of Jurassic Park, Eric poured all his spare time into writing and revising the script for 17 Again. This film primarily explored themes of familial love, romance, friendship, and life's choices. Therefore, relocating it to this era posed no problems. However, the various geek elements and the culture that had filled the previous iteration had to be adjusted -- after all, the brick-sized mobile phones hadn't even hit the market yet, and personal computers were still in their early transistor days.

Eric decided to reshape Ned's character into a successful entrepreneur and a hardcore film buff who enjoyed collecting movie props. Naturally, this pertained only to films that had already been released. Dialogue from the movie The Lord of the Rings had to be altered to reference other films, which was an effortless task for Eric, whose mind was packed with countless movies.

...

Once he finished the script, Eric handed it over to Jeff, as per their agreement. After reading Eric's Jurassic Park, Jeff no longer underestimated the legacy left by his friend. He read through the script several times, and sure enough, he spotted some details that needed correcting, such as the protagonist returning to school in a Kevin Federline hippie T-shirt. Curiously, Jeff asked, "Who's Kevin Federline?" Eric searched his memory and realized that this young pop star and former husband of Britney Spears was still just a ten-year-old kid at the time.

After making the necessary changes that Jeff identified, Eric planned to swiftly pass the script on to Michael Krauss.

...

Following the completion of a novel and a script, Eric didn't rush to start on a third project; instead, he began practicing basketball. He had to focus on performing flashy basketball moves for the movie, but he had no foundation to build upon, so he had to start from scratch.

There were many basketball scenes in the film. Although Zac Efron's performance in the past hadn't been remarkable, some of his basketball scenes were still notable -- especially the segment in the cafeteria where he showed off his skills to tease the bad boy Stan, which left a lasting impression.

A week later, after two hours of practicing fancy basketball moves at the community court, Eric entered his house, only to hear the urgent ringing of the phone. Over the past few days, he had received several calls from Michael, mostly updating him on the publication status of Jurassic Park and matters concerning the 17 Again script. The publication of Jurassic Park was progressing smoothly, and soon Eric would be able to see the sample book, but 17 Again wasn't so lucky.

Despite several film companies expressing interest in the script after reading it, most of them dropped out upon hearing that the screenplay's writer insisted on playing the lead role. This was pretty standard; nobody would risk investing tens of millions of dollars lightly. Eric even suggested to Michael that he could look beyond the big six film studios and try some of the independent production companies.

"Hello, this is the Williams residence." Eric picked up the phone, adjusting his slightly breathless voice from his workout.

"Hi, Eric, it's Michael."

Eric calmly replied with a chuckle, "Michael, it's almost ten at night. You must have good news calling at this hour, huh?"

Michael's frustration came through as he complained on the other end, "Don't remind me! I've been trying to get ahold of you since eight, and you never picked up!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Michael. I was out playing basketball."

"Basketball? Wow, Eric, sounds like you're determined. I remember that there are quite a few basketball scenes in the script."

"Of course! Just remember, fate favors the prepared. I'm not just working on my basketball; I also practice my acting for an hour in front of the mirror every morning."

"Eric, I have to admire you. It's rare for someone to prepare so thoroughly when nothing is set in stone. How about taking a day off tomorrow? We have a meeting lined up."

Eric's hand trembled slightly, and the basketball he had been spinning on his right finger dropped to the floor with a thud: "Is this... good news?"

"Absolutely, lucky guy! I received a call today from Mr. James Brooks at 20th Century Fox. They are very optimistic about the script and haven't outright rejected your terms, but you need to audition."

"That's... thank you so much, Michael."

"Don't mention it," Michael laughed on the other end. "Just understand, them agreeing to an audition is basically an indirect acceptance of your terms. But if you perform poorly during the audition, well, that's unfortunate."

"That won't happen; I'm fully prepared."

...

Eric felt ecstatic all night long, and the next morning, he hurriedly drove to the agreed meeting place with Michael Krauss.

"Is this the 20th Century Fox filming lot?" Eric gazed at the massive warehouse-like sound stages surrounded by high walls, filled with admiration.

Michael closed the car door and walked over, standing alongside Eric, looking up at the sound stages, "Yeah, it's impressive, isn't it? Though Warner's lot is even more magnificent. I'm sure you've seen it; you should visit it someday."

Eric nodded, picturing the iconic opening from Warner-produced films. "I will."

The two followed a staff member to the front of an office door. The guide knocked and exchanged a few words before inviting both of them inside.

Upon entering, they were greeted by two middle-aged individuals, a man and a woman, who stood up from a discussion at the table.

Michael Krauss shook hands with the two and introduced them, "James, Penny, this is Eric Williams. Eric, this is producer Mr. James Brooks and director Penny Marshall."

After introductions, Michael smiled and remarked to Penny, "You may not know this, but a week ago, Eric said you might become the first female director in Hollywood history to break the $100 million box office mark."

Eric first shook hands with James Brooks, who merely offered a light grip that lasted barely a second before pulling his hand back.

Eric quickly sensed that this well-known producer wasn't particularly fond of him, and he realized why -- self-nominating himself for the lead role might not sit well with a producer who typically wielded full control in the filmmaking process.

Maintaining composure, Eric turned to Penny Marshall. She was a plump, blonde woman in her forties, who worked as a director while also taking on acting roles, though her characters were usually minor ones that were hard to find on the credits list.

"Hi, Ms. Marshall, I really enjoyed Big."

"Thank you for the compliment, Eric." Penny's demeanor was hardly affected. With Big continuing its successful run, everyone knew it was destined to surpass the $100 million mark. In fact, in the past week, its weekly earnings hadn't just stabilized; they had seen an increase. This was noteworthy considering it was the fourth week of its release, as many films at this point often faced forced removal due to dwindling attendance.

Once the introductions wrapped up, Eric noticed that James Brooks and Penny Marshall were scrutinizing him closely. Clearly, if their collaboration went well, James Brooks and Penny Marshall would be the producer and director of 17 Again, respectively. However, Eric felt no anxiety, merely wearing a confident smile as he took a seat on the couch alongside Michael Krauss.

A stunning female assistant came in with a few cups of coffee and then exited the office.

James Brooks didn't touch his coffee, instead placing it crosswise on the table and stating, "Eric... your screenplay is indeed impressive, but I have to say, your conditions seem a bit harsh. We learned from Michael that you are just a high school student with no acting experience. So initially, we planned to turn it down. However, Mr. Barry Diller happened to see your script, and he was quite fond of the ideas it presented, so he personally approved your requests. Of course, you'll need to audition first. If you qualify, you'll also have to undergo short-term acting training."

Eric nodded in agreement, feeling surprised that his script had reached Barry Diller's attention. He certainly knew who Barry Diller was -- once a powerful figure behind Paramount and later at 20th Century Fox, along with other industry leaders.

Barry Diller had dominated Hollywood for over thirty years. From the rise of Paramount to the glory days of 20th Century Fox, he left indelible marks on the global film industry, television networks in America, and the rise of online media.

Lost in thought for a few moments until Michael Krauss gently nudged him, Eric abruptly realized he was in James Brooks' office, where Brooks was showing subtle signs of dissatisfaction.

From the start, he had resisted Eric. In Hollywood, producers usually held enormous power, controlling everything from casting to editing. Eric's insistence on wanting to play the lead role undoubtedly deprived him of some of his authority.

"Sorry, everyone, I zoned out for a moment," Eric quickly apologized.

"No problem, young man," James emphasized the word "young man" lightly, then continued, "Alright, before we discuss anything else, let's move on to the audition."

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 7: Audition]

Eric followed James and a few others into a small temporary soundstage. As he looked around at the familiar surroundings, he felt a flutter of excitement. He silently vowed to all the movie equipment, "Just wait, beauties, this time I'm going to become the movie legend everyone admires. I want future generations to remember Hollywood the same way they recall Barry Diller's biography. When they mention Eric Williams, they'll say: he is Hollywood!"

As the scriptwriter, he skipped all the questions about understanding the character during the audition and went straight into the performance.

In his previous life, besides being a director, Eric had also struggled as an actor, appearing in various movies and TV shows for minor roles. After all, in that circle, whenever someone he knew had an actor in their crew that looked like him, a quick phone call could land him a minor role, earning a few thousand dollars, helping him build connections for future opportunities.

Penny Marshall casually picked a few scenes for Eric to perform. The first few were quite simple, and since he had practiced privately for some days and had a clear image of the original movie in his mind, Eric performed effortlessly.

Brooks and Penny Marshall, who were watching, found themselves surprised. Eric's performance was nothing like that of a complete novice -- if he maintained this level of quality during actual filming, he wouldn't even need the short-term training; they could jump straight into movie preparations.

"Next up, Eric, give this scene a shot," Penny smiled as she handed him a script. From her expression, Eric felt he had passed this round, easing his nerves as he had been afraid of making mistakes.

Looking at the script, this scene was one where Mike comforts his daughter after she breaks up with her boyfriend on a school stage. It included Mike's favorite and most iconic lines from the film.

"Ms. Penny, I need a female actress to perform this scene with me."

"Of course," Penny said, turning to a female crew member nearby. "Teresa, come on over and act with Eric."

The scene lasted over two minutes, so Eric and the girl named Teresa took a few minutes to prepare. Teresa only needed to get the lines down since she was just a "prop." Eric, however, was deeply immersing himself in the emotions portrayed in the scene -- feeling the concern when his daughter cried, the fury upon hearing that his daughter might sleep with Stan, and clumsy as he attempted to comfort her when she came to him for support.

Once ready, a crew member shouted, "Action!" and the performance began.

...

Maggie sat on a prop box, pretending to cry.

Mike walked closer, concern etched on his face. "Hey, Maggie, what's wrong?"

"Go away," Maggie mumbled, tucking her hands into her sleeves and continuing to cry.

"Hey, what happened?" Mike sat beside her.

"What do you want? To pet my head and say, 'Didn't I tell you?'"

"No, no, no, I wouldn't do that," Mike hurriedly explained, "I just want to know what's going on."

"Stan dumped me."

"Stan dumped you!" Mike raised an eyebrow, surprise flashing across his face before melting into anger and disbelief.

A father would naturally be happy to learn that his daughter broke up with a jerk. But then realizing that the jerk had actually dumped his daughter sparked his outrage. In a father's eyes, his daughter, being so wonderful, should have been the one to walk away -- what right did that jerk have to dump her!

...

Watching Eric's performance, James Brooks and Penny Marshall exchanged astonished looks. If Eric's earlier performance could be rated a sixty, this change in expression alone elevated it to a ninety. James began to respect Eric; someone at his level wouldn't be someone who was rigid in their views and unable to change their opinions once negative feelings emerged.

The scene continued unfolding.

...

Upon hearing that his daughter might sleep with Stan, Mike went into a frenzy. Once confirming that a terrible outcome hadn't occurred, he embraced his daughter while awkwardly scratching his head, struggling to find the right words to comfort her.

"When you're young, a little thing feels like the end of the world, but it's not. This is just the beginning. You might run into a few jerks, but one day, you'll find a boy who treats you like a treasure, spinning around you like the sun, up and down."

"Really?"

"Of course."

"You're so sweet," Maggie said, and as she leaped into Mike's arms, he noticed her strange emotional state and clumsily pulled back, grabbing his backpack and standing up, inviting her to join his party while fending off her advances.

...

Clap--clap--clap--

As soon as they finished performing, James Brooks and Penny Marshall couldn't help but applaud. With their professional eyes, they could clearly see just how exceptional Eric's performance was. The crew members nearby, noticing the director and producer's reactions, joined in with their own applause.

Michael Krauss stood by, grinning and clapping his hands. While he also thought Eric's performance was impressive, he knew he wasn't a professional. Yet, from the actions of James and Penny, he understood that Eric had passed the audition, meaning the script for 17 Again had successfully sold, and he would earn at least a hundred thousand dollars in commission. Though he ran a small publishing house with decent performance, his total assets amounted to only around four to five million, mostly in real estate. Landing a single payment of a hundred thousand was a significant sum for him.

Having passed the critical audition, everything began to fall into place.

Eric sold the script for $250,000 and signed an actor's contract for $150,000. The script's price was $50,000 more than anticipated, which Michael fought for since half of that belonged to him. As for the actor's fee, although Eric excelled, he was still a newcomer, making $150,000 reasonable.

[T/N: Originally it was 500K but it didn't feel realistic for a newbie. So, I changed it to 150K.]

In no time, Eric found himself worth over $275,000. Though actor payments would only be made after filming concluded, it still gave him a surreal feeling. If only he had that amount of money in his previous life, he surely would have produced a film himself. Unfortunately, amid all his hardworking peers in the industry, only a handful ever managed to become movie directors.

...

After signing the contracts, Eric left Fox Studios with a check in hand. The next order of business was preparing for the film. He wanted to get involved and gain experience, but having just earned the goodwill of the producer and director, he didn't want to give them the impression he would overstep his role.

As for the planned acting classes, they were canceled. In Penny Marshall's words, Eric's performance was perfect, and there was no need to waste time in beginner classes. Any minor flaws could be corrected during filming.

Eric went to the bank with Michael Krauss, cashed the check, and paid Michael $125,000. He didn't mind this expense too much; while Michael hadn't done much, getting the script in front of the right people was enough. If it had just been up to him, without contacts, who knows when he would have sold the script, not to mention the conditions attached.

Soon, he resigned from the restaurant as Jeff expected. After a month together, Eric invited his coworkers over for a small party at his place. Jeff and a few senior colleagues did not attend.

After a night of revelry, Eric drunkenly passed out, deeply asleep.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 8: The Referee Becomes the Basketball]

The moment Eric woke up, it felt like a stone had been stuffed into his head. He shook it vigorously a few times, then instinctively reached for his phone beside the pillow. It didn't take long for him to realize his situation. With a faint smile, he sat up; it was already past nine in the morning.

This was Eric's bedroom on the second floor of the Williams house. The summer sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling glass doors of the south-facing balcony, unabashedly flooding the room with light. It was August already, and even before noon, one could already feel the stifling heat of Los Angeles.

Having been reborn for almost two months, Eric had been busy with various matters, his heart floating aimlessly. He hadn't even had the time to take in this brand-new world. Now, everything seemed to have a good start, and his heart finally settled.

The bedroom was spacious, over thirty square meters. Despite the presence of a large bed, wardrobe, desk, bookshelves, and other odds and ends, it still felt rather empty.

Eric remembered that Ralph had once thought about dividing the bedroom into two rooms. However, he never went through with it, as there were only the two of them in the house, and there were plenty of rooms. It didn't seem necessary to create another room for no purpose, a thought that had made Ralph gloomy for many days. Yet, he never took any action to find a wife before he passed away.

Was it true that every alcoholic man had heart-wrenching stories behind them?

After coming down from the second floor, it took Eric half an hour to tidy up the chaotic living room from the party. Once he finished breakfast, he got into his car and left the house.

...

He spent a few hours, first heading to the specialty store to order a Strauss piano. After leaving the delivery address for the deliveryman, Eric went to the bookstore to select a hefty stack of books on music arrangement.

Eric wasn't just whimsically wanting to become a singer; he was preparing for future film scoring. With so many classic films in his mind, to perfectly recreate them, he needed to understand some basic arrangement knowledge. At the very least, he should be able to write the melodies already playing in his head into sheet music; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to hum them in front of the professional film scorers. That was out of the question!

In Hollywood, music was a crucial component of films. Thus, the production had to be refined to perfection. Not to mention the background music; just the theme songs alone produced countless classics. Many iconic movie soundtracks were globally recognized, such as "Unchained Melody" from Ghost, "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic, "New Divide" from Transformers, "Young and Beautiful" from The Great Gatsby, "Let It Go" from Frozen, and the delightful tracks from Juno could easily fill an album.

...

When he returned home with the books, the deliveryman soon brought in the piano. Eric directed them to place it in the study on the west side of the living room. Though he called it a study, it didn't even have a bookshelf -- just a large desk and various odds and ends. All of Eric's books were upstairs in his own bedroom, and Ralph had never been one for reading anyway.

Once the piano was set up, it was customary to test the sound. Eric sat down confidently, placing his hands on the keys. Then, to the horrified and disdainful looks of the deliverymen, he proceeded to play a slightly off-key version of "Happy Birthday." He shot a sidelong glance at the stunned deliverymen and thought, "Did I scare them or what?" With skills like his, one could barely call him a prodigy in the circles he had come from in his past life.

To punish the deliverymen for their disdain, Eric decided to half the tip he intended to give. However, the deliverymen seemed oblivious to this. Until they got into their truck, one tall, lanky driver muttered something about Strauss, the specialized piano costing over twenty thousand dollars, with a tone that implied one might as well marry a twenty-eight-year-old maiden off to an eighty-two-year-old man. Eric felt a twinge of embarrassment but also a little helpless.

...

"What, an audition?" Eric asked, puzzled. "Penny, I thought my role was already secured?"

He had been holed up at home for a few days, spending each day learning music, practicing basketball, and working on his acting. He thought this situation might last until filming began, yet in just three days, he received a call from director Penny Marshall.

"Of course, Eric. I meant you to participate in auditions for other roles. You are the screenwriter and can provide input on the casting choices, right?"

Eric inwardly sighed, realizing he would probably only be able to contribute a few suggestions, with no real authority in decision-making. However, he cheerfully agreed to Penny. He had intended to be involved in the movie's production to gain some experience.

He drove to the Fox Studios lot and met with Penny Marshall and James Brooks. Casting for a movie was a significant matter, so both the director and producer had to be present. It was the same room where he had auditioned just days before, with several other staffers present, but Eric was the only young person there.

With over ten minutes until the auditions started, Penny Marshall initiated a conversation about the preparation for 17 Again.

"The success of Big has given 20th Century Fox a lot of faith in our project, allocating a budget of twenty million dollars. However, they want us to finish the production quickly to release it around Thanksgiving. Therefore, we need to wrap up preparations within two weeks and film the school scenes before summer ends."

Eric accepted the audition actor list from a staff member and thanked them, responding to Penny Marshall, "As long as the shoot goes smoothly, three months should be enough for this film. There are only a few simple special effects shots; post-production won't take too long."

Penny nodded, "That's true, but we also have to allocate time for promotion."

"By the way, Penny, which roles are we auditioning for today?" Eric asked.

"We're looking at adult Mike O'Donnell and Scarlett O'Donnell. We've already invited Dan Aykroyd and Susan Sarandon to those roles. For Ned's adult character, James recommended a friend of his, and today we're primarily auditioning Mike's children and other young actors in the film, so I thought you should take a look."

Although Eric knew he had no real say as the screenwriter in the casting decisions, hearing that several actors had already been predetermined without his knowledge still made him a bit glum. Fortunately, the two actors Penny mentioned matched Eric's expectations, and as for Ned's role, James Brooks wouldn't take a twenty million dollar investment lightly, so the actor for that part wouldn't be too shabby either.

Still, Eric couldn't shake off the feeling of dissatisfaction. He inwardly vowed to secure a stronger voice in future projects; this sidelined feeling was truly unpleasant.

Feeling dejected, Eric didn't have the heart to chat more with Penny. She, on the other hand, didn't notice Eric's unusual mood and turned to whisper something to James Brook.

Bored, Eric started flipping through the audition actor list. The initial entries were all male actors showcasing their youthful vigor in their photographs. After examining seven or eight pages, he finally found a familiar name: Brad Pitt. Interestingly, the role he was auditioning for was Alex. In the original film, Alex had been portrayed as a weak character, which Eric felt had been exaggerated. It seemed rather incongruous to see such a frail figure acing it on a basketball court.

Based on his analysis, the reason for choosing that skinny guy over a slightly taller, more attractive male was likely due to storytelling needs, and the director must have feared that the supporting character would overshadow the lead, Zac Efron, who stood at just 5'9" -- quite short, especially among actors. Those who watched the film in his past life could certainly sense that disparity.

Looking at the photo of Pitt, who was already twenty-five but still looked like a high school student, Eric thought that casting Pitt as a tall and robust character who struggled at first but excelled on the basketball court in the end could work well. Moreover, Eric had complete confidence that his performance wouldn't be overshadowed by Brad Pitt. After Pitt became famous, it would be quite amusing for people to discover he had once played Eric Williams's son.

With a slight smirk, Eric continued flipping through the list, but didn't find any more familiar male actors from his past life.

What followed were stacks of female actors' dossiers. When Eric saw the first audition material for a female artist, his jaw almost dropped -- Angelina Jolie! Today, it looked like her whole family had arrived. Reflecting back, he realized Jolie should have just graduated from acting school, ready to enter high school, preparing for her modeling career next year. He wondered why she appeared on Maggie's audition list.

In the photograph, thirteen-year-old Jolie already stood tall with her striking blonde hair and blue eyes, her signature seductive lips emanating a hint of wildness. Eric wasn't optimistic about her audition results, thinking that her presence might be a result of her Oscar-winning father's influence.

As he continued browsing, he found another intriguing girl.

"Hey, Penny," Eric called out, holding up the dossier, "What's the deal with Drew Barrymore? The awful things she's done in the past two years... You know, maybe she's not quite suitable for our campus comedy, right?"

Penny Marshall took a glance and chuckled helplessly, "That was a recommendation from Steven. That woman was relentless in begging him, and he was so annoyed he finally passed her along. But Steven also hinted that we shouldn't consider his opinion, so you know what to do."

"Steven Spielberg?"

Penny nodded, "Yes. You know, Steven is Drew's godfather."

Eric raised his eyebrows, realizing that the woman Penny was repulsed by must be Drew's greedy mother.

Just as he was about to continue looking through the list, Penny Marshall patted Eric on the shoulder. "Alright, Eric, settle down. The auditions are starting."

Eric reluctantly organized the actor sheets in order, preparing for the upcoming auditions.

He had expected to simply be a spectator in the process, contributing a comment or two at best, only to find that after the first young male actor entered and answered a few questions, the performance phase began. Penny Marshall smiled at Eric and said, "Eric, why don't you go up and do a scene with Mr. Wolson?"

Eric shrugged, glanced at the script, and walked up.

...

As the fifth actor exited the audition room, Eric returned to his seat and jokingly complained, "Penny, I thought you called me in to officiate but ended up making me the basketball on the court!"

"Ha! That's a clever metaphor. Stop complaining, Eric. It was James's idea. He wasn't thrilled that I canceled your acting class, and we came up with this method to help you hone your skills."

Eric pretended to glare at the nonchalant James Brooks, lamenting, "Why didn't you just say that from the start?"

"Well, don't you know now?" Penny smiled at him.

"Fine." Eric threw up his hands in resignation.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 9: Lead Actress Auditions]

"Does this Brad Pitt seem a bit taller than Eric and a little older?" The last audition ended with Brad Pitt stepping out of the room, and with a pause in the auditions, James Brooks began discussing with a few of the heads in charge.

Penny Marshall commented, "Yeah, Blake Quinn from audition number seven was pretty good."

A few other heads chimed in with their opinions.

Eric glanced over Blake's materials -- he was a seventeen-year-old blond kid, standing five foot seven and a bit frail, which indeed matched the image of Alex from Eric's previous life, but he wasn't what Eric wanted.

Unable to hold back, Eric spoke up, "Penny, I feel like Blake Quinn looks too weak. While he fits that bullied high school student vibe early on, by the end of the movie, having such a frail kid shine on the basketball court would feel jarring, giving the audience a false impression. I just graduated high school, and I know for sure a guy like that wouldn't make it on a high school basketball team, much less get scouted."

James Brooks nodded in agreement with Eric's analysis. "You're right, Eric. Who do you think would be a better choice?"

"How about Brad Pitt?"

Penny Marshall responded, "But Brad Pitt is even a bit taller than you."

Eric shrugged. "Height isn't an issue; it's common for kids to be taller than their parents. Plus, his image could make Alex's transformation feel less jarring."

James asked, "How so?"

"First off, we know that Brad Pitt can act. Although he hasn't starred in any films yet, he's done quite a bit of television, and his audition was solid. He can absolutely portray Alex's insecure and timid nature early in the film. Then later, with Mike's encouragement and training, he can confidently showcase himself and pursue the girl he likes. You see, he already has that potential; once it's unleashed, the audience won't feel it's fake. They'll think, 'Oh, that's exactly how Alex is!'"

The others around nodded in agreement with Eric's viewpoint. Eric could tell that James Brooks was a bit interested, but he didn't decide immediately. Instead, he said, "Alright, let's revisit this issue later. Now, let's start the auditions for the actresses."

The first audition featured Angelina Jolie. The girl presented herself with confidence while answering questions, but when it came to acting, she didn't quite deliver. Her performance was filled with the exaggeration typical of stage acting, almost dragging Eric down with her. If he had total casting power, he might have given Jolie a minor role just for the fun of collecting future stars in his film. Alas, he didn't hold much sway at the moment.

After a few more girls had their turns, Drew Barrymore entered.

With her signature sweet doll-like face, she wore a white crop top, with the black straps of her bra subtly showing with her movements. Her lower half flaunted a knee-length white pleated skirt, revealing a glimpse of her fair calves and clad in black ankle boots. If someone only looked at her appearance, they would see a slightly precocious teen beauty, never associating her with words like alcoholism or drug abuse.

As Drew took a seat opposite the casting directors, she played with her bangs and noticed the young Eric sitting near middle-aged men and women. The stark contrast made Eric's youthful face appear exceptionally handsome to her. Drew's red lips curled into a flirtatious smile as she tossed a wink at Eric, an allure that felt far beyond her years, making Eric's heart flutter unexpectedly.

James and the others exchanged glances, frowning at Eric. He gazed back innocently, thinking, 'Hey, why are you glaring at me? I'm just being propositioned here!'

Finally, James broke the silence. "Alright, Drew, let's keep it together. Let's begin."

"Of course, Mr. Brooks," Drew replied sweetly, transforming into the innocent girl-next-door once more.

...

"Stop it, Maggie, I'm not that kind of guy." The scene shifted to Ned's bedroom, where Maggie and Mike were in another scene together. Mike kept dodging his daughter's attempts to pounce on him.

"No, you are."

"No, I'm not!"

"You're a good person; you're different from them."

"I am very different from them. I'm fundamentally different!" Mike fumbled his words.

A once frisky little lion suddenly realized something, sitting on the bed with a disappointed expression. "Oh, I... I get it now."

"What do you understand?"

"Your hair looks so tidy, and yet you want to make it more noticeable."

"What do you mean?" Mike asked, puzzled.

"I mean... dude, those jeans are way too tight!"

Mike glanced down at his jeans, suddenly blurting out, "No, I'm not gay! I was dating a girl when I was seventeen!"

Relieved, Maggie jumped up and quickly asked, "Is she from our school? Do I know her? What's her name? I want to know her name!"

"Okay," Maggie leaned closer to Mike, just like her mother, playfully pinching his cheek. "You'd better tell your girlfriend to keep a close eye on you. Ooh, ooh!"

...

In the room, everyone was engrossed in how deeply the two were performing together. Had it been in the right scenario, their acting could've been directly included in the movie.

Some couldn't help but think how unfair it was for God to gift these two such exceptional acting talent. The people in charge of casting had been in the industry for many years, witnessing numerous performances that still received harsh critiques as if cursed by the Razzies. Meanwhile, the talent of these young performers seemed innate and effortless.

They were unaware that Drew's talent was genuinely natural, while Mike was riding a wave of previous experience and vivid memories as if they were playing simultaneously in his mind. If he didn't perform well, it would be time for an IQ test.

"Eric, your performance was outstanding. I heard you're the screenwriter for this movie; that's incredible!" Once the scene concluded, Drew looked at Eric with curiosity.

Eric nodded. "Thanks, but you were even more impressive, Miss Barrymore."

"Thank you for the compliment," Drew readily extended her hand.

Eric reciprocated with a handshake, noticing her fingers lightly grazing his palm. He smiled faintly, not allowing himself to feel any special significance from it, thinking perhaps Drew just felt he had some say in casting and wanted to gently nudge him towards her when it came time for role selection.

But she didn't know he was only there to practice his acting.

After Drew Barrymore left, the heads felt a bit silent. They all knew how Drew's audition opportunity came about; initially wanting to test the waters, they had thought they'd eliminate her easily. Surprisingly, she had turned out to be the best performer so far.

As the next auditions continued, including Eric, everyone seemed a bit distracted.

Nearly an hour later, as noon grew closer, Eric finally realized there was only one audition sheet left in his hand. He casually peered at the name: Jennifer Aniston.

Wow, within a second, Eric's mind sprang into action, exclaiming silently, "The American sweetheart!"

...

James Brooks spoke up, "Miss Aniston, could you introduce yourself, please?"

Jennifer Aniston sensed that the only young person across from her had a rather intense gaze -- one that carried a hint of excitement -- making her feel slightly pleased yet a little shy. After introducing herself, the director asked the boy to perform a few scenes with her before wrapping up the audition.

It was clear that those overseeing the auditions were somewhat distracted; perhaps they had already decided on their choices. Aniston felt a wave of disappointment; both her parents were in the industry, keeping her more informed than outsiders. Still, she completed her performance, hoping to land one of the smaller roles.

...

Once Jennifer Aniston exited the audition room, Eric reluctantly pulled his gaze away. As the files indicated from his previous life, Aniston did indeed look a bit fuller at the time but not necessarily overweight. Standing at five foot six and wearing heels, she still presented herself as a graceful young woman.

However, due to on-screen weight perception, the cameras magnified this flaw significantly.

"What's up, Eric? Do you like that girl? I must say, her smile is quite sweet," Penny Marshall teased, her voice cutting through Eric's thoughts. The others noticed his moment of distraction and chuckled.

Eric snapped back to reality, feeling a bit embarrassed, scratching his head. "Penny, don't tease me! I'm just... just..."

James Brooks, sorting through his materials, laughed, "Oh, it's not teasing, Eric! If you like her, maybe you should run after her and walk her home. Look, auditions are over, but if you want to stick around and have lunch with us old-timers, I won't stop you."

"I think... I'll pass," Eric felt that acting on those thoughts would be a tad over the top, and he wouldn't want to come off as too eager to Aniston.

"Hey Eric, be bold!" James Brooks encouraged. "In a sea of faces, good girls don't come around often. Although she might be a little fuller on-screen, that sweet smile can make up for it. So if you go after her now, I could arrange a small role for her -- perhaps one of Maggie's three best friends? That would give you a chance to spend more time with her."

"Really? That would be amazing, James! I'll... I'll just head out then!" Eric had intended to request James give Aniston a shot, but he hadn't figured out how to approach it; now, Brooks had offered it himself.

Once Eric wrapped up, he quickly gathered his backpack and dashed out the door amidst the encouraging laughter of the others.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 10: Flirting Takes Skill]

Jennifer Aniston stood by the roadside, somewhat distracted as she waited for a cab. She hadn't felt overly disappointed about this audition since she never held high hopes anyway. After graduating from acting school the previous year, she had landed a few roles in stage plays. By chance, she had heard about an open call for actresses for a movie and decided to send in her resume, surprised to get an audition opportunity.

Just as she raised her hand to hail a taxi, she heard someone shout her name from behind. Turning around, she saw the boy from the audition room who had been staring at her intently.

"Hi, you're the one...," Jennifer Aniston waved her hand a couple of times instinctively, realizing she didn't even know his name.

Eric extended his hand, saying, "Miss Aniston, hello, I'm Eric, Eric Williams."

Jennifer reached out her hand politely and smiled, "Hello, Mr. Williams..."

Eric gazed at Aniston's sweet smile, slightly mesmerized, holding onto her hand without realizing he hadn't let go.

"Mr. Williams, you..." Aniston lightly tugged her hand, feeling the warmth of his large hand and slightly embarrassed, shot him a playful glare.

"Oh, sorry, just call me Eric. Can I call you Jenny?" Eric retracted his hand awkwardly, scratching his head, thinking how he didn't turn into a bumbling teenager, even though he had some dating experience in his past life. Surely, it must be the hormones acting up in this body, he reasoned.

Aniston raised an eyebrow with mild suspicion, "Okay, Eric, but we don't seem to know each other, do we?"

Eric smiled, shaking off the previous thoughts. "Well, not yet. All friends were strangers once, right? Jenny, it's already noon. Can I take you out for lunch?"

"That's a bit sudden, Eric. We've only exchanged a few words," Aniston declined.

"Then how about I give you a ride home?" Eric suggested, giving in.

"Um... alright," Aniston hesitated for a moment. She had already turned him down once, and not good at rejecting others, she instinctively accepted his offer. In truth, Eric had only employed a social tactic. Had he asked to take her home right away, getting rejected would have been a real blow; persistence wouldn't work in his favor.

...

They both got into Eric's car, cleared up the address, and Eric drove off toward the destination.

Unable to contain her curiosity, Aniston asked first, "Eric, are you part of the crew for 17 Again?"

Eric nodded while gripping the steering wheel, "Yeah, I'm the writer and the lead actor of the movie."

"Wow, that's amazing! You should be about my age, right? I've only played minor roles in a few stage plays."

Eric chuckled, "It's just luck, really. By the way, you mentioned you're acting in a stage play?"

"Oh, yes!" Talking about something she was interested in, Aniston opened up and began chatting away, while Eric chimed in occasionally, making her giggle.

A nineteen-year-old girl who had hardly stepped into the real world didn't stand a chance against Eric, who had the soul of an older man hidden deep inside. Under Eric's subtle guidance, the conversation flowed, and Aniston gradually opened up about her life in Los Angeles.

"Even though working at a convenience store is tiring, standing at least eight hours a day, I feel really fulfilled. I still get to perform in stage plays and go on auditions. I believe that even without my irresponsible father's help, I'll succeed one day."

Eric knew that in his previous life, Aniston eventually entered the television industry through her father's connections, that would happen two years later.

He remembered Jennifer Aniston from his past life had some resentment towards her father for abandoning her and her mother when she was little. For over two years, she had refused his help and squandered precious time in Hollywood. It was only after her father, John Aniston, made some attempts to mend their relationship that the stubborn Jennifer accepted his assistance. By the time she got the role in Friends, Jennifer was already twenty-five, and in Hollywood, if a female actress wasn't successful by thirty, opportunities would significantly dwindle. It had to be said, Jennifer had been fortunate.

Listening to Aniston, Eric encouraged, "I believe that too. You did a fantastic job at the audition. Your performance didn't seem stagey at all; it felt very natural. You know, some girl who auditioned before you brought so much stagey flair that I almost got pulled into it."

Suddenly, Aniston turned a bit silent when he brought up the audition, and after a moment, she quietly asked, "Eric, was the role of Maggie already cast before my audition?"

"Can't deny it, Jenny, you certainly have a keen eye."

"I noticed you all seemed distracted; maybe it was just a formality."

Eric didn't beat around the bush and replied directly, "If nothing changes, Drew Barrymore will likely play Maggie. She performed exceptionally well during her audition."

"Drew Barrymore, the adorable little girl from E.T.? She should be about thirteen now, right? Isn't Maggie supposed to be a high school senior getting ready for college?"

Eric asked curiously, "What? Jenny, didn't you see Drew while waiting for your audition? She's all grown up now, though... well, yes, she's still only thirteen."

Aniston looked a bit embarrassed, "Um, for today's audition, I switched shifts with a coworker and worked until midnight last night, so I arrived a bit late."

"No worries, actually, I'm not sure if I should tell you..."

Aniston looked up, curious. "What's that?"

"After you left, they all noticed I... liked you."

Aniston's mouth dropped open, surprised by Eric's straightforwardness, and stammered, "And... then what?"

"James, the producer of this film, told me that in a sea of faces, if you miss out on good girls, you might never find them again. So, he encouraged me to chase after you. He also said if I pursued you, he'd give you a role which would create more opportunities for us to spend time together." Eric revealed James Brooks' advice, silently apologizing to him in his mind, thinking dating wasn't an easy task.

"Uh, well... I... I..." Faced with Eric's almost confession-like words, Aniston appeared flustered, but a hint of sweetness bubbled up inside her heart.

Seeing her fluster, Eric quickly reassured her, "No, you don't need to feel any pressure, Jenny. We're friends now, right? It's normal for friends to help each other. Honestly, that role isn't a big deal; it's just one of Maggie's three friends with a few minutes of screen time. But if you accept, it would give you a credential for future auditions. I genuinely believe this movie will do well."

"Thank you, Eric. I really don't know what to say," Aniston replied gratefully.

After another ten minutes on the road, once they reached a neighborhood in Burbank, Aniston pointed to an intersection. "Eric, we've arrived. You can park over there."

The car came to a stop at a narrow alley, and both of them simultaneously fell silent for a few seconds. Aniston didn't make any move to get out, and Eric wasn't going to suggest it either. After sitting in quiet for a moment, the atmosphere in the car began to shift toward something more intimate.

Finally, Aniston gathered her courage to speak, "How about I take you out for lunch, Eric? There's a little cafe up ahead where I often eat."

"No way, Jenny. It's not proper for a girl to pay. I'll treat you. Let's go; just lead the way," Eric replied with relief.

...

Ultimately, Aniston accepted the role, and during the following weeks of preparation for the film, the two of them ended up talking on the phone almost daily. Their conversations were pretty scattered: about someone stealing in Aniston's convenience store, almost being late due to oversleeping in the morning, and discovering a few cockroaches in her closet.

Eric occasionally shared snippets of his life too, comforting the lonely girl in a strange city. Although Aniston interacted with many people, she didn't have anyone she felt she could confide in. In a short span of time, Eric had already become her emotional anchor. He realized that if he just confessed, Aniston would undoubtedly agree to be his girlfriend, as she had even begun to flirt on the phone.

However, Eric wasn't in any rush. He didn't want Aniston to associate her role in the film with their budding relationship. He decided that he would wait until after 17 Again wrapped filming. After all, the girl wouldn't be able to escape his grasp anyway in her current state. Eric just needed to wait until everything fell into place naturally.

...

During this time, another development took shape: the publication of Jurassic Park. About a month and a half after signing with Michael Krauss, Eric finally received a sample copy of Jurassic Park. The cover featured a massive Tyrannosaurus Rex chasing a speeding SUV -- what a sci-fi concept! This idea stemmed from his recollection of the Jurassic Park movie, and Michael Krauss thought it was fantastic. The combination of ancient dinosaurs and modern SUVs set an enormous suspenseful tone right from the cover.

Eric thoughtfully asked for an extra copy to gift to Aniston. He had unknowingly crafted an image of a thoughtful boyfriend in Aniston's mind over the days they had spent together, a significant impact for someone who had lacked the love of a father figure in her life.

When she received Jurassic Park, her admiration for Eric's writing and acting talent grew, and her eyes sparkled with a hint of admiration. Naturally, she subconsciously labeled him as a gifted artist in her heart.

...

The preparations for 17 Again continued intensely, and during that period, Eric participated in a few more preparatory meetings with the crew and encountered other actors involved in the project. Regarding Mike's son, the production team didn't choose Brad Pitt; they didn't opt for the skinny kid named Blake Quinn either. Instead, they selected a slightly sturdier eighteen-year-old boy.

Eric didn't hold any grudges about this since he subsequently met Aniston. Out of some principles, he found himself losing interest in Pitt for abandoning Aniston in his past life. In fact, he whimsically considered that if he ever became a big director, he might cast both Pitt and Jolie in a minor role in his movie, with Aniston as the lead, of course!

Everything proceeded smoothly. On August 16, 1988, the first movie Eric had fantasized about throughout both lives officially started filming.

https//Sayonara816.I am Hollywood #Chapter 11: Chapter 11: All Riled Up - Read I am Hollywood Chapter 11: Chapter 11: All Riled Up Online - All Page - NOVEL NEXT

[Chapter 11: All Riled Up]

"Cut! Great job, Eric. Why don't you take a break and get ready for the next scene?" Penny Marshall clapped her hands, urging the crew to prepare quickly for the upcoming shot. At that moment, Eric stood in his oversized suit, performing a scene where he asked a janitor about the whereabouts of an old man in the school hallway.

It was the first day of filming, and they were at a private high school in Beverly Hills. After reviewing the script, the school board readily agreed to allow the crew to use their campus for free, provided they changed the name of the fictional Hyde High to theirs. It was a win-win situation; the crew saved a budget on location costs, while the school got some publicity from the film. After some brief discussion, the crew consented to the board's request.

In the morning, they shot some simple scenes, which turned out well, so they began filming the part where Mike turned into his school persona and searched for the old janitor in the afternoon.

"Eric, that outfit looks ridiculous. You look like one of those filthy homeless people downtown," Drew Barrymore quipped casually, perched with her legs crossed and a haughty attitude.

Eric shrugged off the jibe. "Hey, Maggie, that's not something a daughter should say," he shot back.

With an exaggerated pout, Drew replied, "Hmph, as an eighteen-year-old virgin, you really know how to talk big."

Just then, Jennifer Aniston walked by holding a towel, and upon hearing Drew poke fun at her crush, she immediately retorted, "At least he is not like those bad girls who do drugs and drink themselves silly!"

Drew glanced up and down at Aniston in a dismissive manner, then raised her eyebrows in a mocking smile, deliberately twisting her slim waist in her chair.

It was effective; Aniston, self-conscious about her curvaceous figure, felt like a cat whose fur stood on end. She dropped the towel and lunged at Drew, not that her sweet face would have given away that she could pack a punch. Living alone in Los Angeles required a tough attitude to look after oneself.

Seeing a catfight on the verge of breaking out, Eric quickly intervened, grabbing Aniston's hand to pull her back to sit beside him. He leaned in to whisper something in her ear. Aniston pulled her neck in, feeling his breath, before erupting in giggles and lightly punching Eric on the shoulder. "Eric, you're so bad! How could you say that?"

Drew pretended not to care, but she strained to catch what Eric had just said, scrunching her nose in feigned indifference before turning away.

"Eric, get ready for the next scene."

"Alright, Penny," Eric said, patting Aniston's small hand before standing up to head toward the shooting spot.

...

As for why Drew targeted Eric, it stemmed from the morning's earlier dynamics. Since it was a school film, both Drew and Aniston had jumped into the scene. Even though Eric and Aniston hadn't clarified their relationship, everyone could see Aniston's infatuation with Eric. Some teased, some envied, and others disapproved, like Drew.

For reasons unknown, just seeing the two close together, even without any overtly affectionate gestures, sparked an unusual discomfort in Drew, especially when Aniston flashed her blissful, girly demeanor. Thus, Drew found herself unable to restrain her snarky comments towards Eric, and by midday, the whole crew knew about the tension between them. However, when they were filming together, they maintained their professionalism with minimal flubs. Since it didn't impact the shoot, Penny only hinted to Eric that he should perhaps tolerate Drew a bit more, having observed Eric's remarkable maturity compared to his peers over the past half month.

"Hey, fatty, what did that guy just say to you?" Drew couldn't help but ask, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Listen, crybaby, if you call me 'fatty' one more time, I'll squeeze your little tatas!" Thanks to Eric's encouragement, Aniston's reaction was no longer as heated, but without him around, her words turned boldly spicy.

"Crybaby? Me?" Drew's heart skipped a beat, though she masked her surprise with an incredulous expression directed at Aniston.

"Uh-huh." Aniston tilted her chin up defiantly, asserting herself.

"Ah-ha! How ridiculous. I'm one of the leads, and you're just a minor character with two minutes of screen time. Who are you to call me a crybaby?"

Aniston shot back, "So what? Even if you're the lead, you're merely a tool for your mother to make money off of. I'm different -- though I'm just a small role now, I have the freedom, dreams, and a talented, sweet boyfriend who, at just eighteen, has written a screenplay and is starring in it. Meanwhile, your father ignores your existence, and your mother sees you as cash flow. You're bitter and helpless, wallowing in self-destruction -- drinking, doing drugs, even screw-ups that you foolishly believe are acts of rebellion. Seeing me with Eric makes you jealous, because fundamentally, you're just a pathetic, unloved crybaby trapped in this cycle!"

Boom--

It felt like an atomic bomb had gone off in Drew's mind, leaving her exposed, stripped bare in the middle of a bustling street, feeling utterly vulnerable.

Despite her mature physical demeanor, Drew was still a thirteen-year-old girl. Most girls at that age had just begun middle school, wide-eyed and curious about the new world, filled with anticipation for their first romance. Aniston's gut-punching revelation tore into the fragile facade that Drew had carefully hidden beneath layers of bravado.

Seeing Drew suddenly go silent, Aniston wore a smug smile, feeling victorious. Eric would've surely stepped in to halt Aniston from uttering words harsh enough for a thirteen-year-old to bear.

...

After completing a few more shots, Eric returned to the break area, surprised to find Drew curled up in silence, her little head buried in her arms. Curious, he asked Aniston, "Hey, Jenny, what's wrong? Why are you two so quiet?"

Aniston beamed with pride, "Well, she's speechless after I put her in her place."

"Oh, Jenny, you're impressive; that little smart mouth of Drew's isn't easy to contend with. Alright, we should go; it's your turn now. Impress the director!"

"I will!"

They walked hand in hand toward the filming area, and the little squabble seemed to fade away quietly. But was it really so simple?

...

During the next scenes, Drew didn't display any signs of abnormality, only speaking less and refraining from targeting Eric. Though completely focused on the filming and Aniston, Eric didn't pick up on Drew's peculiar shifts.

"Incredible! This shoot has gone so smoothly," Penny Marshall said as she wrapped the final shot of the day. Holding the shooting schedule with pen in hand, she drew lines on it and remarked to Eric, "Initially, we planned to wrap the school scenes in ten days, but at this rate, we might finish within a week! I know I said it many times during auditions, but I must say, Eric, your performance has exceeded everyone's expectations. You truly have no previous acting experience?"

Eric chuckled, "Not at all, Penny. Actually, I lied. I acted in lots of films in a past life -- though not as the lead, I still gathered a lot of experience. Fortunately, I didn't forget it in this life."

"Wow, past life?!" Penny assumed Eric's straightforward comment was a joke. "Alright, your little girlfriend is getting impatient. Go on now, and remember, don't be late tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, Penny."

"See you tomorrow!"

As Eric started his car and drove away with Aniston, no one noticed Drew Barrymore, standing alone outside the crowd, peering at the departing vehicle. Filled with resentment, she muttered under her breath, "Just wait, Jennifer Aniston, you little brat. You hurt me like this, and I'll make you pay. You'll regret every word you said today."

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 12: You're Really Shameless]

"Eric, do you think I should... should I lose some weight?" Aniston, sitting in the passenger seat, blushed slightly as she faced the window, seemingly contemplating the stream of cars passing by. She casually tossed the question out there.

Eric pursed his lips and gathered his thoughts before responding, "Jenny, in my eyes, you'll always be the most beautiful no matter what. But if you want to make it bigger in Hollywood, you should at least aim for around 100 pounds."

"Hmph! You're such a two-faced jerk! You couldn't help but say it, could you? You think I'm fat!" Aniston huffed lightly, her tone lacking real anger and instead carrying a hint of playfulness.

Eric felt speechless -- she was the one who asked, after all.

"Alright, I apologize. To make it up to you, how about we grab some Italian food?" he offered.

Aniston hesitated for a moment and then softly suggested, "Why don't we just go to my place? I just learned a couple of new dishes, and you can help me taste them."

Without a second thought, Eric replied, "I'd be honored!"

...

This was his first visit to Aniston's cozy little apartment, a charming one-bedroom adorned with warm decor and stuffed animals that made the space feel welcoming, filled with the subtle fragrance unique to a girl's place. Eric intended to help out, but Aniston shooed him out of the kitchen, leaving him to idly flip through her fashion magazines in the living room.

An hour later, Aniston emerged with the last pot of soup, placing it on the dining table and proudly clapping her hands. "So, what do you think?"

Eric sniffed the air and praised, "It's fantastic! It smells so good; I can't wait to dig in!"

"Hey, thanks, Eric!"

They skipped the formalities and settled down to enjoy the meal. Eric had to admit, Aniston really had a knack for cooking. Midway through, she suddenly stood up and said, "Oh, Eric, I saw something about you when I went downstairs to buy some spices. Let me show you!"

Excitedly, Aniston stood up, retrieved a newspaper from her carry bag, and returned to the table, spreading it out in front of her.

Eric was just curious about what Aniston was doing with the newspaper when she began reading with a hint of self-satisfaction. "Eric Williams in Jurassic Park creatively showcased a highly operational concept for reviving dinosaurs based on genetic engineering and embryonic theories. Through the hand of Dr. Hammond, a shocking Jurassic dinosaur park was established on Isla Nublar. However, this is just the beginning. The arrival of chaos theorist Malcolm brings us into another realm of possibilities..."

Once she reached that part, Aniston skipped over much of the review, jumping straight to the end: "Even more surprisingly, the author of the novel, Mr. Eric Williams, is only eighteen years old this year. According to our sources, this genius boy has had quite a troubled background..."

Eric barely suppressed the urge to cover his face. No doubt, the next part was the great American dream, of course, he had added a classic segment from reality TV that involved the strongest sob story. He pulled the newspaper from in front of Aniston and said, "Alright, Jenny, that's enough."

Aniston frowned and waved her tiny hands, trying to reclaim the newspaper. "Hey, hey, we're getting to the good part! They're praising you! Wait, why does your face look so strange?"

"Actually," Eric crumpled the newspaper into a ball and tossed it into the trash bin beside the table. "If you want to hear it, I can recite it for you."

"Oh," Aniston's mouth dropped open as she glanced at the newspaper in the bin. "So, you've already read it, huh? But I haven't! Eric, you're terrible!"

"It's not like that; actually, I wrote the article."

Aniston was shocked. "Wow!"

Eric felt a bit sheepish. "The novel has been released, and for promotion, publishers usually hire someone to write reviews for the papers. A few days ago, Michael approached me and said no one knows my novel better than I do, so he asked me to write a few reviews to be published. Coincidentally, the article you just saw is one of them."

"Wow!"

Eric shrugged and boldly added, "It's really not a big deal, Jenny. It's just a regular marketing tactic. Everyone does it."

"Eric..."

"Yeah?"

"You're just... so shameless." After saying that, Aniston finally couldn't hold back and burst into laughter, disregarding her image as she sprawled out on the dining table.

As expected, there wasn't any lingering ambiguity. Citing her pure heart being sullied by Eric's shamelessness, Aniston promptly kicked him out of her place after they finished eating. Well, it wasn't entirely a loss for Eric; at his insistence, Aniston shyly planted a quick kiss on his lips before swiftly shutting the door behind her.

...

Three days later, Aniston wrapped up her scenes at school, leaving only a couple of party scenes to shoot, which had to wait until the school filming was complete. So, she temporarily returned to her job at the convenience store.

Meanwhile, Eric noticed that Aniston seemed a bit out of it lately. After he asked, he found out that she had started dieting and her tiredness was due to hunger. Eric advised her not to be so hasty as it could harm her health, but it didn't seem to help.

Additionally, Drew had been giving Eric these lingering looks on set, resembling a hungry little kitten that might pounce on him at any moment; it was a classic scene straight out of a horror film that left Eric feeling unsettled.

Moreover, when Aniston wasn't paying attention, Drew would subtly flirt with him. Although she fancied she was being discreet, had Eric really been an eighteen-year-old boy, he might've been hooked already. Unfortunately, at his core, he was basically an older guy. While older guys might find young girls attractive, Drew didn't look like one regardless of the angle you viewed her from. When Drew mocked Eric's performance on their first shooting day, he simply laughed it off; even if she continued that way, it didn't bother him.

But observing Drew's current demeanor made Eric wish he could ask, "What sort of twist is this, lady? Can we skip to the knife-twist already?"

The day after Aniston left the set, it was time to film.

"Hey, Eric, do you want some water? I can grab you a bottle!" Drew sweetly asked during a break.

Eric instinctively declined, "Ah, no thanks, Drew. I'm not thirsty."

Drew didn't press the issue. She turned and swayed away, only to return shortly after with two bottles of water, tossing one to Eric. "Here, take it."

With no choice, Eric accepted it. Drew sat down on the chair next to him and subtly nudged her seat closer to him, practically leaning against him.

"Uh, Drew, maybe we need to talk," Eric said, wanting to know what was going on. "You know I have a girlfriend." Actually, these words were merely an excuse for Eric; the main reason was Drew's age and her chaotic lifestyle did nothing to pique his interest.

"It's simple -- I like you!" Drew leaned in close and declared.

Eric sprayed water from his mouth at the surprising directness of her confession.

"But I... but I..." If he said he felt nothing upon being confessed to by a beautiful girl, that would have been overly dramatic. Eric found himself at a loss for words.

Now that the cat was out of the bag, Drew felt free to lay it all on the line. With Aniston gone from the set, Drew could boldly make her move.

Directly pressing her soft body against Eric, she rubbed her gentle curves against his arm. Drew whispered, "Eric, can I be your girlfriend? Actually, I've only had one boyfriend before, and it wasn't as... terrible as everyone says."

"Drew, don't do this," Eric was trying to figure out a way to turn her down when suddenly, the melodious voice of Penny Marshall interjected, "Hey, you two little ones, stop with the flirting! Get ready for the next scene!"

Eric quickly responded and pulled away from Drew, heading towards the filming area. Watching him go, Drew's flirtatious demeanor evaporated, replaced with a subtle bitterness on her face. "Aniston, just you wait. I'll make you watch me take away the one thing you cherish most. Call me a pity case, and we'll see who ends up being the real pity case."

https//Sayonara816.

[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.

"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.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 14: What are the Odds?]

"Come on, eat up. Once you're done, I'll take you home. I've noticed you yawning several times -- you must be tired," Eric said.

Drew took a sip of her juice, casting a playful glance at Eric. "You could just take me home, you know. Whatever works for you!"

"Cough..." Eric choked for a moment, hurriedly covering his mouth with a napkin as he shot Drew an intense glare. This girl truly had no boundaries.

Slowly, Eric noticed that Drew was eating more slowly, speaking less, and even her hands gripping the knife and fork were slightly trembling.

Just as he started to ask Drew if she was feeling unwell, he suddenly recalled certain people he'd seen in their circles and Drew's current state, quickly confirming a dreadful realization: Drew's drug addiction had likely flared up.

It couldn't be this coincidental, he thought bitterly, watching Drew struggle to hold herself together. He quickly called out to the waiter, "Excuse me, could we get the check?"

At that moment, Eric just wanted to escape. The fact that many people were aware of Drew's addiction -- even if it had made the papers -- did little to ease his mind. After all, without proof, there couldn't be a scandal. Most people still remembered Drew from E.T. as that sweet little girl kissed by an alien. If anyone were to catch a glimpse of her struggling with her addiction in a public place, and worse, snap a photo, it would devastate her image.

Having paid swiftly, Eric turned to the now slightly dazed Drew and said, "Drew, let's go. I'll take you home."

As they walked out of the restaurant with Eric supporting her, he could feel her petite frame trembling against him, evoking a sense of sympathy.

Once in the car, Drew curled up in the passenger seat, shivering uncontrollably. Turning to Eric, she managed, "Eric, can you... can you help me get... get some..."

"No," Eric said firmly. "Drew, just hang in there. I'll take you home. Can you tell me your address?"

"No," Drew shook her head quickly, suddenly breaking out into hysterics. "I don't want to go home! I don't want to go home! That woman will see me like this and just send me off to rehab! I'm not going back! Not going back!"

Eric hurriedly reassured her, "Okay, okay, we won't go back." He paused, then started the car, steering it toward his own home.

...

After parking in his garage, Eric picked Drew up, who had completely lost herself in chaos, and carried her into his bedroom.

"Eric, Eric, I'm begging you... please, do you want me? Just give me some! Anything you want, I'll do it -- please!" Drew sobbed, clutching onto Eric's collar desperately.

"No, Drew, I can't do that. It would only make things worse," he replied, placing her gently on the bed. Just as he was going to grab a damp cloth to cool down her overheated forehead, Drew's body jerked unnaturally.

"Ugh--"

No matter how beautiful a girl might be, she would never look good while vomiting. Drew's recently eaten steak landed messily on Eric's bed, with some splattering onto him, filling the room with an unpleasant odor.

Eric frowned slightly, but mostly felt pity for the girl who lay there helplessly amid the mess.

He quickly pulled off the soiled sheets, cleaned up as best he could, and then found a towel. Gently lifting Drew, he began wiping away the remnants of her sickness.

Feeling the cool cloth against her forehead, Drew gradually returned to her senses and grabbed Eric tightly, mumbling through her shaking breaths, "If you don't help me get some... I'll sue you for assault... you... you know I'm only thirteen... you know the consequences..."

Eric hugged her tightly, "Drew, just hold on. That stuff will only make things worse for you. You have to be strong; you're the girl who was kissed by an alien, remember?"

"I... don't want to be... the lucky girl. I want..." Drew's cold frame pressed against Eric's warm chest instinctively sought comfort, clinging tightly to him, still muttering incoherently.

Eric had no idea how to help someone in the throes of addiction. Although he had encountered many addicts in his past circles, he had never witnessed anything quite like Drew in this state. Realizing that his warmth might offer her some solace, he enveloped her in his arms and gently rubbed her back, hoping to ease her discomfort.

For over an hour, regardless of Drew's thrashing, pleading, threatening, or cursing, Eric kept her securely in his embrace, patiently offering comfort. Finally, he noticed that at some point, she had fallen asleep in his arms. He shifted slightly, feeling stiff from holding the same position for too long.

As he attempted to lay her down, the moment he released her, Drew twisted like a fish out of water, anxiously flailing her limbs as if reaching for something.

Sighing softly, Eric adjusted himself, pulling her back tightly against him. Drew nestled her head against his chest, and soon, her breathing became calm again.

...

Holding the girl close, Eric suddenly thought of his own family in another parallel life. His son was only five, and his wife worked a modest job. Since their marriage, she had devoted herself to being a full-time homemaker. He had been the sole provider, and he wondered how they were faring now, unmoored by his sudden absence. He hoped they were well.

...

Drew dreamt that she had landed another movie role, portraying a lost fairy in a dark forest, wild and confused. Then a prince appeared, rescuing her from her wicked stepmother, the queen of poisoned apples. Together, they fought against the Snow Queen's oppression, and for her sake, the prince turned away Snow White from the dwarfs' forest.

The two celebrated their love in a grand wedding held in a palace built of candy and cake, with the prince carrying Drew into their sumptuous chamber, placing her atop a bed lined with layers of fluffy blankets. Drew smiled blissfully, resting her head on the prince's chest, feeling as happy as a blooming flower.

And then she awakened.

Finding herself nestled in the warm embrace of a man, resting on his arm, she felt his waist snugly held by her hands. After a moment of brief confusion, Drew recalled the events of the previous night, fragmented as they were.

Gazing adoringly at Eric's chiseled face, with his tousled blond hair and the subtle masculine scent he emanated with each breath, stirred something in her.

Everyone believed Drew was God's favorite, a star who rose to fame while still young. But to Drew, happiness had always been elusive. Her father's indifference and her mother's harshness and greed suffocated her, much like a bird trapped in a cage longing for freedom. It had led her down a dark path of expressing her discontent through drinking and drugs. Yet, her mother didn't care; she worried more about how Drew's troubles might hurt her finances from missed film opportunities and unceremoniously shoved her into a merciless rehab facility.

Every young girl yearned for her prince, right? He had to be sweet, caring, tall, and handsome. He should be talented, kind, and always patient with her whims. When it was hot, he would fan her; when it was cold, embrace her. He would care for her when she fell ill and comfort her in hardships. Even if she sank into hell, he would ride in on a dragon, rescuing her from the clutches of the underworld...

Such a person had indeed appeared, though perhaps not in the way she had envisioned. He might not love her, but in that moment, it hardly mattered.

Drew initially intended to steal Eric from Jennifer Aniston, seeking revenge for the hurtful words she had received that day, only to suddenly realize she had truly fallen for Eric.

...

Perhaps sensing an intense gaze, Eric opened his eyes, meeting Drew's adoring stare. He smiled gently, "Drew, you're awake. Are you hungry? I'll make breakfast; you should probably take a shower. You look pretty rough right now."

"Hey, Eric, why are you being so nice to me?"

"Hmm?" Eric paused, a bit taken aback, and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Well, we're friends, right?"

Just as Drew sat up, she unexpectedly grabbed Eric and, like a wild cat in heat, pressed her lips against his.

"Hey, hey! Drew, your breath smells!" Eric laughed, protesting.

Drew released her hold on his neck, seeming to ignore his protest as if declaring ownership. "Eric, I love you."

"But I don't love you," he said, freeing himself from her grip and drawing back the curtains to let the sunlight flood in.

Drew watched Eric's back, puffing out her lips as she stubbornly replied, "You just need to know that I love you."

"Alright, I got it," Eric said teasingly, pinching her cheek.

"Hey, Eric, I just realized something!"

"Hmm?"

"You slept all night with this little beauty in your arms, and there was no reaction down there. Isn't that a bit strange? I could check for you, for free!"

"You're quite generous, Dr. Barrymore, but let's hurry and take a shower. We're going to be late."

"Want to wash with me? I could help you scrub your back!"

"No thanks, I'll shower downstairs."

"That's not right, Eric! We should conserve water. Wasting is shameful. Think about those refugees in Africa dying of thirst!"

"You've got a point. I'll start being more prudent tomorrow; today can be my last splurge."

"Hey, hey..."

One summer day in 1988, a little girl wandering in confusion through darkness stumbled upon a glimmer of warmth in her life, gripping onto it with unyielding resolve, like a drowning child clinging to every straw within reach.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 15: Pretending to Run Away from Home]

"Eric, this is so amazing!" Drew exclaimed from the passenger seat, playfully fiddling with the T-shirt dress she had fashioned for herself, her surprise evident.

Drew's clothes had gotten dirty from the vomiting the night before, and since they were in a hurry to get to the set, Eric had a flash of inspiration. He remembered how his ex-wife used to turn her oversized men's T-shirts into dresses; fortunately, it wasn't a difficult task.

So, there she was in her sky-blue T-shirt-turned-dress, cinched at the waist with a brown leather belt Eric had that measured three fingers wide. This outfit seemed quite fresh and avant-garde for that time, and as they stepped off the car at the set, many people couldn't help but stare at Drew.

Of course, there was an underlying meaning in those glances, because Drew had arrived with Eric.

"Hey, Eric, have you already moved on? After seeing how sweet you were to Jenny just a few days ago, I thought you were really a good man!" Penny Marshall said this while going over the shooting schedule with Eric in the downtime. However, her tone didn't carry much surprise; such things were all too common in the industry.

"Penny, I still like Jenny. As for Drew, it's just a coincidence," Eric replied.

Penny teased, "Is her outfit also a coincidence? Anyway, Eric, I really don't want to get involved in your young people's affairs, but you should be careful; after all, Drew is only thirteen. You get where I'm going."

"Thanks for the reminder, Penny," Eric said helplessly, realizing that Penny had already made up her mind about the situation, so he just wanted to put an end to that topic.

...

The following month passed without any notable events. Filming for 17 Again proceeded quickly and orderly, and Drew, who initially played coy with Eric, had turned outright into the pursuer. When Jennifer Aniston showed up on set, she also noticed the change immediately.

So, when the two girls were at the set at the same time, their subtle rivalry over Eric became a source of lighthearted amusement for all the crew members amidst the tense shooting schedule. The men couldn't help but envy Eric; even the young actor playing the bad boy Stan sought him out for dating advice. Eric entertained him with some wild stories, leaving the kid dumbfounded.

However, Eric soon found himself in an unexpected situation: the other young people on set began spreading the bogus dating tips he had jokingly rattled off. Somehow, those tips found their way to Drew's ears, and during a break in filming, she clung to Eric, half-teasing and half-mournful, saying, "So this is how you managed to get me! You little heartbreaker! What's worse is that you steal a girl's heart and don't want to be responsible for it! Give me back my heart!"

...

Meanwhile, Jennifer was still grappling with her rough dieting plan, but having suffered so much, her results were not very significant; she had only lost less than five pounds in a month. Eric worried even more about this; he wanted to wait until filming wrapped before addressing the matter.

Things often took unexpected turns, and eventually, during a shoot, Jennifer fainted from low blood sugar caused by hunger. Eric stayed with her as she hung on to an IV for the night. The next day, he didn't have any scenes to shoot, so he took her to the fitness consultant Susan Sarandon had recommended.

They walked into a high-end gym mainly serving Hollywood actresses and coincidentally encountered Sigourney Weaver, who had just stepped out of the gym. Eric found himself nervously asking for her autograph while Jennifer eyed her with a hint of envy, considering Sigourney was one of the goddesses of Eric's past.

The fitness consultant was a timeless-looking Russian woman with a long name; they just called her Natasha. Upon first meeting Natasha, Eric noticed how deeply Jennifer envied Natasha's amazing physique. He gently squeezed her little hand and whispered to her, "Don't worry, babe. One day, your body will be even better than hers."

After getting to know Jennifer's situation, Natasha patiently explained the dangers of her recent dieting methods. She took her through some tests and spent the entire morning crafting a weight loss plan that stretched over ten pages.

As they left, they fully grasped what it truly meant to go to an upscale gym: it was expensive! When it came time to pay, Jennifer insisted on covering the bill, only to find her card charged to the limit. Thankfully, she would soon receive her paycheck for 17 Again, though it wasn't much, it would help her out of her financial bind.

...

By the end of October, the filming of 17 Again finally approached its conclusion, with post-production and promotional activities already underway. Eric happened upon some tabloid gossip about 17 Again in the papers. After finishing her scenes, Drew unexpectedly asked to enter rehab to conquer her addiction. A troubled girl seeking redemption -- what a story to promote!

So, under the direction of Fox's publicity department, Drew's transformation was wholly credited to 17 Again. The papers stated that she had become lost after her rise to fame, but while filming 17 Again, she began to reflect on her life and find her direction again, leading her to resolve to make a change. The articles were written as if the reporter had witnessed everything firsthand; if Eric didn't know the truth of the matter, he might have believed it!

Another promotional angle emphasized him being the eighteen-year-old screenwriter and lead actor. The papers illustrated the challenging journey Eric took from submitting the script to Fox recognizing his talent and putting it into production, painting him as the quintessential young man who never gave up on his dreams.

Of course, controversy arose as well; some papers quickly questioned Eric's writing skills, speculating that 17 Again was nothing more than a hasty, crude follow-up to the successful Back to the Future. A $20 million budget might just be a total loss.

This skepticism wasn't unfounded. After Universal's 1985 sci-fi comedy Back to the Future brought in over $200 million, other companies followed suit with several similar offerings, all of which bombed -- something clearly illustrated in the 1986 box office rankings.

As long as the controversies remained manageable within their own control, Fox didn't mind the mixed reviews. A movie riddled with only praise or solely negative reviews would yield poor results; appropriate controversies would only serve to pique audience interest.

...

Simultaneously, Eric's novel Jurassic Park benefited from this promotional wave. Initially, after the novel hit the market, Michael Krauss put his all into marketing it as he had promised; within the first week, it sold over twenty thousand copies, a solid showing for a newcomer. In the following weeks, with further promotions and the book's growing positive reputation, sales gradually increased --though not spectacularly, it aligned adequately with Eric's expectations.

Once the promotional plan for 17 Again kicked off, Jurassic Park naturally became an important feature in the campaign. This made Michael Krauss ecstatic; the impact of even a fraction of a media group's promotional resources would far exceed what his tiny publishing house could manage, having fewer than ten staff members.

Consequently, Jurassic Park experienced a significant sales boost, driven by the growing exposure from 17 Again. The public grew increasingly curious about Eric, the young man who seemed to achieve feats beyond his peers' capabilities.

Unfortunately, all that had been revealed were some stills and gossip about 17 Again. Although the public could guess at some of the movie's plot from its title, it remained conjecture. Naturally, curiosity about the film transferred entirely to the novel Jurassic Park.

By the first week of October, the novel surpassed one hundred thousand copies sold, exceeding the total of the previous weeks combined. It smoothly broke into the eighth spot on The New York Times bestsellers list. Although this rank wasn't particularly high, if you compared it, people would notice that Jurassic Park stood amongst well-known authors on the list. It was the only debut by a newcomer in the top ten.

...

Since there were several night scenes that evening, Eric didn't return home until after ten.

As he drove close to home, he spotted Stuart Ronkel, the youngest of the neighbors. The little boy appeared from his yard, closed the gate behind him, and wandered over to a nearby streetlight, spinning in boredom.

"Hey, Stu, sneaking out of the house isn't what a good kid should do," Eric said, curious about why Stuart had ventured out so late.

"Oh, come on, Eric, do you really think it's right for parents to argue in front of a seven-year-old?" Stuart replied, pointing his chin toward his house.

Eric was taken aback; the little guy argued back with such clarity. He honestly didn't recall Stuart being this sharp. He could hear the Ronkels arguing inside the house.

"So, what are you doing out here?" Eric refocused and asked.

Stuart crossed his arms, leaning against the streetlamp, looking like a mini adult. "I'm pretending to run away from home."

"Pretending?"

"Yeah. That way, when they realize I'm missing, they'll stop fighting."

Eric agreed that arguing in front of a child was really unfair. "How about this, little buddy? Why don't you come hang out at my place for a bit? It's not safe for you to be out here alone at night."

"Okay, thanks, Eric," Stuart said.

Eric parked the car and opened the door, leading the little guy into the living room.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 16: A Bold Idea]

"Want something to eat? I've got some... uh, chocolate and some apples?" Eric asked as he opened a somewhat empty fridge.

Stuart Ronkel shook his head from his perch on the couch. "No thanks, it's not a good habit to eat late at night. If you have some milk, though, I'd like a glass; it helps me sleep."

Eric raised an eyebrow and poured a glass of milk, handing it over. "Who told you that?"

"A book told me, Eric. Don't think I'm just some clueless little kid; I'm already seven years old."

Eric chuckled and nodded. "Alright, big boy. So what did your mom and dad argue about today?"

"Dad quit his job, saying he wanted to start his own company. Mom got into a fight with him. Ugh, women can be so troublesome. When Dad was still working, Mom always nagged him about how his company was too small and had no future. Now that Dad finally mustered the courage to quit, Mom immediately turned on him, saying abandoning a stable job was irresponsible to the family."

Eric reclined on the couch. He wasn't too interested in the Ronkels' family matters, munching on an apple as he laughed. "I think you're hearing and seeing a lot of things that aren't quite meant for a kid your age."

Stuart grinned, as if he'd received a compliment. His eyes darted around before he hopped off the couch and sat beside Eric. "Eric, are you making a movie right now?"

Eric nodded. "Yeah, almost done. I could get your mom to take you to see it when it's finished."

"Then, Eric, do you think I could be in a movie?"

"Hmm? Stuart, where's this coming from all of a sudden?"

Beaming with hope, Stuart replied, "I heard movie stars make a lot of money. If I became a movie star, I could earn loads for my family, and then Mom and Dad wouldn't argue anymore."

If the Ronkels were there to hear that, they might have felt ashamed.

Eric thought it over and finally responded, "But you're too young right now. You may not know this, but kids are one of the hardest things to manage in movies. Many films try to limit child roles. Even during shoots, directors are always on edge because if those kids start crying, the whole crew comes to a standstill. Plus, there are laws like the 'Child Protection Act' that make it tricky. The contracts signed by production companies don't enforce any strict rules for kids. So, I think it's better to wait until you're older -- at least until you're eighteen, like me."

"Hey, Eric, I'm not one of those silly little kids. I'll be really obedient. I heard you're a writer; could you write a role for me? I'd really appreciate it." Stuart looked up at Eric with wide eyes. For a kid his age, he was surprisingly sharp, but he was still only seven, naively thinking that if Eric, the writer, penned a role for him, he could just jump right into the movies.

Eric's heart skipped a beat as he sat up straight, closely eyeing the little boy. He suddenly thought of someone: Macaulay Culkin. The mega child star who skyrocketed to fame with Home Alone.

In that moment, a wildly bold idea popped into Eric's head. Though it wasn't fully formed yet, he knew that if this plan succeeded, he could easily shatter the toughest barriers of age, funding, and qualifications to realize his dream. Sure, it was a tall order for him, who had nothing to his name at that point, but how would he know without giving it a shot? Life didn't hand out many chances!

And besides, looking at little Stuart, who clearly had a maturity beyond his seven years, that biggest uncertainty in the film equation vanished.

"So, Stuart, to be honest, I actually have a role that would fit you perfectly -- and it's the lead!"

Stuart's eyes lit up in surprise as he leaned on Eric's lap, tilting his little head up. "Eric, what's a lead?"

"Well, the lead is... the one who gets paid the most in the film."

"I want to act! I want to act!"

Eric continued, "But we'll need your parents' okay first. Let's get you home, and I can talk to them."

Just as they stepped out of Eric's house, they heard the sounds of the Ronkel couple next door.

...

"I'm telling you, Charlison Ronkel, if something happens to Stuart, I'll divorce you!" Mary Ronkel's voice was stern.

The normally submissive Charlison suddenly yelled, "Shut up, you bitch! If you hadn't stirred up this fight, would Stuart have run away? Go check the basement and see if he's hiding there!"

Mary froze at her husband's outburst, momentarily dazed. Knowing she was at fault, she timidly followed behind him to search. Just then, Eric's voice called from next door.

"Hey, Mr. Ronkel, don't worry -- Stuart's right here." Eric lifted Stuart up, and upon seeing their son in Eric's arms, the couple released a sigh of relief.

After returning Stuart to the Ronkel house, when they heard Eric's general account of the day's events, both parents felt a pang of regret and promised they wouldn't argue in front of Stuart again.

"Actually, Mr. Ronkel, there's something else. Stuart just said he wanted to act in a movie, and it just so happens that I have a script that would be perfect for him. With Stuart's smarts, I think he'd have no problem playing that role."

The couple exchanged surprised glances. If they hadn't been aware of Eric's recent endeavors, they might have brushed his words off as a joke. But now, with Eric's name appearing even in the newspapers, they felt both surprised and a flicker of hope.

Their lives weren't going great; otherwise, they wouldn't be experiencing a midlife crisis. If their son became a movie star, it was easy to see what that could imply.

"Eric, can you share a bit about what kind of movie this is?"

"Of course! It's a comedy about a little boy who gets forgotten at home by his careless parents..."

After about five minutes, Eric summarized the plot and then added, "I just spoke with Stuart for a bit and realized that his intelligence seems to surpass the boy in the movie, so if you're okay with it, he could definitely give it a shot."

They all glanced at Stuart, who sat beside them looking obedient or at least pretending to be.

"Dad, Mom, I think I can do it; this story is awesome!"

"He's still too young; I think..." Charles started to protest but was discreetly elbowed by Mrs. Ronkel.

"Eric, could you give us some time to think it over?"

"Sure," Eric nodded, adding a little zest, "But you have to get back to me quickly. This film is set to release around Christmas, and if it does well, there's a chance for a series. If you agree, Stuart will most likely be the star of that too."

A film series? Even ordinary folks understood that the leading role would come with a heftier paycheck.

At the same time, Eric cleverly didn't mention to the Ronkels that he planned to direct the film himself. Everything was still up in the air, and Eric couldn't be sure if the plan would come to fruition. He didn't want to hand the script for Home Alone over to Twentieth Century Fox or any other studio; he wanted to fully produce it himself. Given that he was only partially entrenched in the industry, it was clear that the challenges ahead could be substantial.

...

Back at home, Eric, buzzing with excitement, found it hard to sleep. He sat at his typewriter, rapidly pounding out the script for Home Alone while thinking through the specifics of how to execute his plans.

First came financing. Regarding casting, aside from Stuart, he also needed two bumbling burglars, but Eric wasn't planning on inviting Joe Pesci or Daniel Stern from his past life. They were both already pretty well-known actors now, with Pesci even earning an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He knew he couldn't afford to pay either of their fees.

Eric decided to aim for two TV comedy actors; at this time, television actors didn't hold a candle to movie stars and often felt awkward admitting they worked in television, which meant their fees were significantly lower.

The shooting location definitely had to be Canada; Los Angeles had just entered autumn, while many parts of Northern Canada had already seen snow.

And there were other random complications...

...

The light in his bedroom shone throughout the night, and as sunlight streamed in, Eric got up and stretched.

Having considered everything overnight, he recalled that the cost of the original Home Alone was about $18 million; from Eric's professional perspective, that amount seemed to be just the shooting and promotional costs combined. The pure filming expenses were probably around a few million, most of which went to actors and directors.

But now, with a complete movie version of Home Alone in his mind, all Eric had to do was transfer that vision onto film, saving on unnecessary expenses.

As for publicity, Eric had some plans in place too. But no matter how he managed the budget, he knew that without a million dollars, he wouldn't be able to make the film.

A million dollars! 17 Again would wrap up in a few days, and Eric would make about $150,000 from it, plus around $90,000 left over from his original script fee. That brought him to just under $250,000.

Hmm, considering how well Jurassic Park was doing, he thought he could chat with Michael Krauss about possibly getting another $500,000; he'd still be left with more than $200,000 gap.

With a mindset of "let's cross that bridge when we come to it," Eric decided to start trying to gather funds first.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 17: Assembling the Crew]

On the set of 17 Again, Eric experienced several mistakes during filming as he grappled with thoughts of Home Alone. However, since the end of the shoot was in sight, Penny Marshall demonstrated an unusually good temper, patiently correcting Eric's blunders.

Eric even contemplated asking Penny Marshall for help, but quickly dismissed the idea. If Penny Marshall knew, it would be just as if 20th Century Fox knew. With all the professionals at 20th Century Fox, they would certainly recognize the potential of this low-budget Christmas comedy and would look for ways to get involved. That was not what Eric wanted to see.

Eventually, Eric thought of a certain faux-loli who was recovering in rehab. Despite her notorious reputation, Drew had managed to make a comeback, successfully breaking free from the child star curse, becoming a well-known actress, director, and producer. Aside from talent, connections were an important aspect.

Despite being only thirteen, with her savvy personality, Drew's connections were not to be underestimated. At the very least, it would be no problem to ask her to help assemble a small crew.

On October 9th, filming for 17 Again finally wrapped up, and Eric happily received a $150,000 paycheck. Thus began the whirlwind of preparations for his next project.

...

"Eric, where are we headed?" Aniston asked curiously from the passenger seat.

Eric pulled out the script for Home Alone, saying, "Take a look at this."

Aniston glanced at the title, exclaiming, "Wow, Home Alone! Is this your new script?"

"Yep," Eric nodded, starting the car. "I plan to direct it myself."

"What? Eric, you must be joking! Do you even know where the camera's power button is?"

"Of course I do. By the way, I'm directing, not cinematography." Having been around the industry for years, Eric had experience in just about every film-related role, and he had done quite well in all of them. If he had the ability to clone himself, he could run the whole crew solo, except for acting.

"Well, okay, but where are we really going?"

Eric hesitated for a moment and finally said, "We're going to rehab to see Drew."

"Hmph!"

"Jenny, I brought you along to avoid any misunderstandings."

"Hmph!"

"I want to ask Drew to help find some professionals to put a crew together. Even though she's young, she knows quite a few people."

"Hmph!"

With a sigh, Eric pulled over to the side of the road, unbuckled his seatbelt, and said, "Looks like I first need to convince a jealous little girl."

"Hmph... What are you doing? No, uhm..."

Eric lunged forward, pinning Aniston against the passenger seat and giving her a passionate kiss.

Aniston instinctively struggled for a moment, but as Eric's kisses deepened and his hands wandered, she quickly softened. Once Eric's tongue found its way past her lips, she finally surrendered resistance, her own tongue responding shyly.

The two of them shared a kiss for a few minutes, during which Aniston felt Eric's hand growing bolder, slipping beneath her shirt and inching toward her chest.

"No, please, Eric," she finally said, her cheeks flushed. "We're in public..."

Realizing he had crossed a line, Eric let go of Aniston, gently tucking her hair behind her ear and gazing at her blushing, beautiful face. "So, it's okay as long as we're not on the street?"

"You... that still doesn't work."

"Alright, are you done being jealous? Let's get going."

Eric buckled his seatbelt and restarted the car.

"Hey, Eric, you could also ask Penny or James for help. Why do you have to look for that... that girl?" To maintain her lady-like image in front of Eric, Aniston held back from calling Drew any harsher names.

Eric laid out his concerns, and Aniston, sitting in the passenger seat, clenched her little fist but remained silent.

...

At a well-known rehab facility in Los Angeles, the two were searched to ensure that visitors wouldn't bring drugs inside. With a staff member leading the way, Eric quickly found Drew.

Upon seeing Drew, she was lounging in a sundress by an outdoor pool, soaking up the sun while holding an illustrated edition of Jurassic Park.

"Hey, Drew?" Eric called out.

"Eric! If you don't come see me soon, I might just escape and find you!"

As soon as Eric's voice rang out, Drew, who had spotted him, leaped up from her lounge chair and bounded toward him like a koala, wrapping herself around him and aiming for his lips.

In a flurry, Eric raised his hands to shield his face, but Drew kissed the palm of his hand and started licking it without a care, sending a surprising jolt through Eric.

"Gross, like a frisky puppy!" Aniston said darkly, glaring at Drew, who had completely ignored her.

Though Aniston felt a strong urge to pull Drew off Eric, many eyes were on them, and she wasn't as brazen as Drew.

After some playful antics, Eric finally pried Drew off himself. As she settled into the moment, she suddenly looked at Aniston and said, "Hey, fat girl, I heard you collapsed from hunger on set while trying to lose weight. How sad! But it looks like you didn't lose much, huh?"

Just as Aniston opened her mouth to retaliate, Eric lightly tapped Drew on the head and said, "Alright, Drew, no mocking Aniston. You should keep an eye on yourself."

Drew pouted, on the verge of tears, "Eric, you really are biased."

Eric ignored Drew's faux-pity face and said, "It's crowded here. Let's check out where you live."

...

Drew's residence was akin to a hotel suite, complete with a kitchen. They made their way to the living room, where Drew poured two glasses of juice for Eric and Aniston, then took a seat on the couch with her own drink, asking, "So, Eric, what brings you here?"

"Uh, can't it just be to see you?" Eric replied somewhat awkwardly.

Drew pursed her lips, "Did you bring the fat girl here to annoy me? You know I don't like her."

With no one else around, Aniston exploded with the jealousy she had been holding back, "I've had enough! You little brat, I don't like you either!"

Drew snapped her fingers, "The truth comes out, huh? Eric, look, fat girl here isn't really a lady; she's just pretending. You've got a lot to look forward to."

"You..."

Eric rubbed his temples in distress, silently deciding that he needed to keep the two of them apart in the future. "Alright, let's all settle down. If you keep this up, I'm going to get angry."

"Eric..." Aniston looked at him, her face a picture of discontent.

"Jenny, why don't you wait for me in the car? I promise I won't be long."

Drew perked up upon hearing that, but quickly feigned indifference as she sipped her juice. However, the female sixth sense was strong, and Aniston caught Drew's brief moment of delight.

"I'm not going," Aniston pouted defiantly.

Got no choice, Eric offered a few words of comfort and handed Drew the script, saying, "So, Drew, here's a script. Can you help me connect with some professionals? I want to put together a temporary crew."

Drew took the script and looked it over, bursting into laughter. "Haha, this is hilarious! It's a great script. So... Eric, you mean..."

"Yes," Eric nodded. "I want to independently produce this movie. I've done some budgeting; I'll need around a million dollars, which I can probably manage. But with just that million, I need some professionals who are both reliable and inexpensive."

In truth, the number of filmmakers in Los Angeles was overwhelming. Even without Drew's help, Eric could piece together a crew. But he knew that would waste a lot of unnecessary time, and the people he found might not be dependable. If something went wrong during filming, he would be left wishing he had taken a different path.

While Eric was distracted, Drew shot a smug glance at Aniston and nodded, "Sure, I know a lot of people. Who do you need?"

Aniston fumed at the smug look Drew shot her way but could only glare stubbornly at Eric.

"Cinematographer, gaffer, sound technician... In short," Eric pretended not to notice Aniston's displeasure and shrugged his shoulders, "I have nothing right now."

Drew thought for a moment and said, "I happen to know a small film company that recently went under. They have a filming crew, but the owner used the company as collateral to take out a loan. He ended up making a movie that lost money, and now they're probably up for bankruptcy. The team is good though; I've guest-starred in one of their films. If they haven't fallen apart by now, you could take them all on. Compared to being unemployed, I imagine they'll be eager to work on your film."

"That sounds amazing!" Eric replied excitedly.

Drew stood up with a smile. "I'll give them a call and hope it's not too late."

After making the call, Drew returned with good news: the company was completely done, but the team members were still in Los Angeles, and the former boss was happy to introduce them to Eric.

Once they agreed on a time and place to meet the former company owner, Eric wasted no time getting ready to leave.

He guiltlessly stole a kiss from Drew as they parted, which had her reluctant to let him go.

...

On the drive back, Aniston remained sullen, and Eric could do nothing but offer comfort.

"Jenny, I'm sorry. I had no choice; Drew was the only one who could help, and from here on out, I have to find actors on my own."

Aniston, looking a bit unsure, gazed at Eric and asked, "It's fine, Eric. I understand... do you... will you always love me?"

"Of course," Eric responded without hesitation.

"I love you too, Eric."

"Jenny?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

Aniston's face turned beet red, and she floundered, "Oh, Eric, I feel like I..."

"No, silly, don't overthink it. Just say 'yes' or 'no.'"

"Yes, I do."

And thus commenced the wild journey that would lead them through the unpredictable world of Hollywood.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 18: Crossing the Rubicon]

[Note: The phrase "Crossing the Rubicon" originates from a historical event in 49 B.C. when Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River in Italy with his army, an act of defiance against the Roman Senate. This decision led to a civil war, and there was no turning back from the consequences.]

In the following days, Aniston didn't join Eric. After he dropped her off at home, he headed out to meet the owner of the bankrupt film company alone.

As she got out of the car, Aniston suddenly said, "Eric, can you leave a copy of the script for Home Alone with me? I can take a look and maybe... offer some feedback."

Eric nodded, "Of course, no problem. I just made a few copies."

Aniston took the script and got out, waving goodbye as Eric drove off. She seemed to resolve something within herself as she turned and walked into her apartment.

...

At a cafe in Burbank, Eric met with Jeffrey Hansen, the owner of a small film company called Firefly, whom Drew had introduced him to. Jeffrey was a white man in his fifties with a weary look about him; the bankruptcy of his company had clearly taken a toll, and he seemed rather dejected. Eric knew that in such circumstances, a person needed to vent, so he didn't rush into discussing the project. Instead, he patiently listened as this man shared some of his past.

"My wife, Selina, was a top student at USC's film school, did you know? She was classmates with Francis Ford Coppola, but you see, she was just a farm girl from Maryland, without the kind of background the Coppolas had. Otherwise, she surely would have achieved more than Francis. The short films she made back in school won a bunch of awards.

I majored in finance back then, and people called me a nerd. I don't know why a young, beautiful, talented woman like her would fall for me. She said she wanted to be a director, so I stayed in L.A. to support her, starting from the ground up. We did that for about nine years. I still remember the joy on Selina's face when she got her first investment for her screenplay; that smile was brighter than the day I slipped the ring on her finger when we got married.

Later, we started Firefly Films; she directed, and I produced. We worked on several movies, all of which made a profit for our investors and even snagged a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival.

But a year ago, Selina had an accident while driving back to Maryland to visit her parents..."

As Jeffrey spoke, his voice started to choke, and it was clear he had a deep bond with his wife. Eric, sitting across from him, handed him a tissue and quietly waited for Jeffrey to continue.

"After she passed, I felt I should carry on her dream. She always wanted to grow Firefly into something substantial, aiming to be an Oscar-recognized director. I figured after years of being a producer, I could surely manage directing. So, I mortgaged the company to raise funds for my first movie in her memory, but unfortunately, it didn't work out so well..."

"That's alright, Jeffrey. It's just a failure; what Hollywood director hasn't faced failure at some point?"

Jeffrey wiped his eyes, "Thank you, Eric. I feel much better after talking to you. After the bankruptcy, my son nearly cut ties with me. He didn't agree with my decision to direct, believing I ruined the legacy his mother worked so hard to build. I don't blame him; I just regret everything. Well, let's leave it at that. Drew mentioned you needed help producing a film?"

Eric nodded, "Yes, but it's just a small-budget movie, about a million dollars."

Jeffrey shook his head, "No, a million is quite a lot. My wife's first film only cost a little over seventy grand. By the way, can I ask your age?"

"Of course, I'm eighteen now. Jeffrey, you don't think I'm too young or too eager, do you?"

"No, I just needed to confirm that you're of legal age, fully capable of entering into contracts. After all, a million bucks isn't chump change."

"Oh?"

Jeffrey replied, "Don't feel that way, young man. I think you're the one who lacks confidence. I hold no prejudice against youth; many directors have made their finest films when they were younger. The longer they're in the game, the more mediocre their work tends to become. Youth is full of creativity; filmmaking is all about creating dreams. Plus, I believe my team could help you pull off this film wonderfully -- they're the very crew Selina nurtured, very professional and in sync. It's a shame they'll be out of work because of me, but if they could join yours, it could be a good opportunity. Can I see your script?"

"Sure," Eric pulled out the script and handed it to Jeffrey, waiting patiently for him to read through it.

About ten minutes later, Jeffrey closed the script and returned it to Eric, "This is a decent comedy script. It's not too complicated to shoot, making it perfect for practice. I must say, it was wise of you to pick this script."

Eric put the script back in his bag and asked, "So, Jeffrey, would you be willing to be the producer for this film?"

Jeffrey looked puzzled, "Are you sure, Eric? My company just went under because of me."

Eric replied, "Jeffrey, maybe directing isn't your calling, but from what you've shared, I believe you'd make an excellent producer. If this film does well, I'll start my own production company, and then you could help run it. Furthermore, I can take on the crew your wife left behind, so they won't have to be unemployed."

Jeffrey's interest was clearly piqued. Previously, he had been quite dejected, thinking of returning to the farm to live out his days. However, hearing Eric's plan, he began to reconsider. The crew had been friends through years of collaboration, and he felt guilty about their unemployment due to his own mistakes.

After only a moment's thought, Jeffrey nodded, "Alright, Eric, I accept your offer."

"Great, here's to a fruitful collaboration." Eric cheerfully raised his coffee cup, and the two clinked mugs, officially sealing their partnership.

They then dove into discussing the preparations for Home Alone.

...

During the conversation, Jeffrey learned all about Eric's recent endeavors and couldn't help but be impressed. Now that their collaboration was confirmed, Eric shared his vision for the project.

"I plan to finish this movie in about a month and then ride the wave of influence from Jurassic Park and 17 Again to have Home Alone released during Christmas. I believe to give the 17 Again writer and leads a director's sheen for greater box office benefits, Fox won't hesitate to distribute Home Alone. So, as long as we create a solid film, this family-friendly Christmas comedy should bring in some good profits."

Eric remembered the Home Alone box office figures that hit the Guinness World Records in his past life and felt a surge of hope; even half of those earnings would realize his dreams.

The two men discussed until evening set in, settling a variety of details before exchanging contact information and Eric drove home.

...

Upon arriving, he received another piece of good news: the Ronkels had agreed to let Stuart play Kevin. Eric discussed the details briefly with the couple, who accepted his offer of fifty grand in salary plus one percent of the box office.

Though that salary was less compared to Eric's from 17 Again, if the box office turned out to be as impressive as before, even that one percent could make the couple quite happy. Eric didn't mind; this movie needed Stuart Ronkel to lead the cast.

The next day, Eric had Jeffrey Hansen meet with the Ronkels to finalize the contract. The couple learned Eric would be directing, and seeing the fifty-thousand-dollar check he had prepared, they promptly signed the document.

...

Next up was securing funding. Eric originally had $240,000. After negotiating with Michael Krauss, Michael readily agreed to front about $500,000 in royalties within ten days. The owner of the piano store, after much deliberation, reluctantly agreed to a return but deducted $2,000 as depreciation.

With about $250,000 still needed, Eric gritted his teeth and quickly mortgaging his house for $250,000 to the bank.

Looking at the check in his hand, Eric sighed; he truly felt like he had crossed a point of no return. If this failed, he wondered if Aniston would take him in.

He then thought of Drew. With the experience of a forty-year-old man living in Eric's body, it was impossible not to recognize how deeply Drew had feelings for him. If possible, after filming 17 Again, Eric preferred to avoid any further entanglements with Drew. His feelings for her leaned more toward parental than romantic.

Perhaps, over time, her feelings would fade, but for the sake of Home Alone, he had to seek Drew's help, tying them back together.

...

Once all the filming funds were ready, Eric and Jeffrey rushed to cast the roles. Eric's plan was to choose the bumbling thieves, Harry and Marv, from TV comedy actors, but unfortunately, those he approached were either unavailable or felt the fees were too low.

After a few days of running around, Eric suddenly received a call from Aniston.

"What? You said your dad wants to take me to dinner?"

Aniston's voice was filled with excitement over the phone. "Yeah! Didn't you say you were struggling to find the cast for Home Alone? I told my dad about your situation, and he agreed to help connect you with some comedians."

Aniston's tone sounded nonchalant, but Eric knew it wasn't that simple and felt a wave of gratitude. Aniston had a distant relationship with her father, John Aniston, whose career-driven choices had left her feeling abandoned by him. In his past life, it took much effort for John to gain his stubborn daughter's forgiveness. So, Aniston approaching her father for his help on Eric's behalf was no light undertaking.

Eric sincerely replied into the phone, "Thank you, Jenny. I'll be there on time."

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 19: Director Williams]

"I don't like you, Mr. Williams." John Aniston, sitting across from Eric, said with a tense expression while his daughter stepped out to the bathroom.

Eric found himself at a loss for words and could only shrug, "May I ask why, John?"

John Aniston replied, "For all these years, Jenny has secretly resented me, and I've felt guilty about what happened back then. I've always hoped she could forgive me. You know, she called me last night. It was the first time she initiated a call, and I was thrilled -- almost jumped out of my seat! But the reason for her call was to ask for help for her boyfriend, the guy who might take my daughter away from me."

Well, that was a powerful reason. The saying that a daughter was a father's lover in a past life wasn't just a saying. Usually, the relationship between a father-in-law and a son-in-law wasn't the smoothest.

Eric shrugged again, and the two men fell into an awkward silence.

Jenny quickly returned from the bathroom, smiling as she sat next to Eric, her affectionate demeanor only making John Aniston more displeased. However, considering how difficult it had been for his daughter to show kindness, he wouldn't be foolish enough to explode over it.

Thanks to Aniston's mediation, the meal went relatively smoothly on the surface. Just as John Aniston had taken on the position of a senior by chiding Eric about aiming too high, Jenny shot him a disapproving look, compelling John Aniston to agree to help connect Eric with actors.

...

With John Aniston's extensive connections around television, Eric soon found actors for most of the roles. Since John negotiated on behalf of Eric, the salaries weren't too high, which was quite a relief for Eric.

However, Eric hesitated regarding the casting of the bumbling thieves, especially Marvin. It wasn't until Aniston brought her classmate and friend to meet Eric that he made his decision. Upon seeing the naturally grumpy face of the guy, Eric barely had to audition him before he decided to cast Matthew Perry, who would famously become one of the six friends in Friends in his past life.

Following that, Eric and Jeffrey Hansen took several trips to Canada, eventually locating the filming site for Kevin's home in a small town. The hectic schedule caused Eric to lose several pounds in just a week, much to the worry and envy of Aniston.

...

On October 17, Eric's directorial debut officially began filming in Los Angeles. The crew sent several members to the chosen Canadian town to set up Kevin's home, while the majority stayed in Los Angeles to shoot scenes that didn't require snow, like at the airport and police station. After all, it was the world's largest film hub, where filming was a lot more convenient.

The entire crew, from the lighting technicians to the actors, basically agreed to participate in the film due to the money involved and the influence of Jeffrey Hansen and John Aniston. While they had many reservations about Eric, deep down, they held some hope. After all, using Eric's former words: "What if it accidentally becomes a hit?"

They had all read the script of Home Alone and felt relieved that this young, somewhat overzealous director wasn't making deep, artsy films like other young directors. They believed the chances of Home Alone being successful were decent. With a one-million-dollar budget and the buzz around Eric from 17 Again and Jurassic Park, it might even turn a profit. Eric also promised everyone that if the film did make money, there would be bonuses.

...

Jeffrey Hansen wanted to support the crew he had left behind for his wife, so after the filming began, he showed up on set every day. Originally, he intended to offer some assistance to Eric, the 'rookie,' based on his many years of experience. But after just one day, Jeffrey began questioning life itself. It seemed so unfair!

From the moment filming commenced, Eric exhibited none of the typical nervousness expected of a first-time director. He operated like a seasoned director, methodically discussing set piece placements with the set designer and using professional terminology while talking through the next shots with the cinematographer. He directed the lighting technicians to achieve the desired effects and patiently guided the actress playing Kevin's mother, who was over a decade older than him...

Of course, when a few shots repeatedly flopped, he displayed the unique talent that directed scripture came with: the director's roar!

"Ms. Leslie, I want a look of confusion! Confusion, not curiosity! From what I've observed, you definitely have a bit of OCD, so this expression should be easy for you. Imagine lying in bed at night, thinking you forgot to lock the door or that the kitchen faucet might be dripping, but you can't pinpoint what's wrong. Get into that conflicting emotional mindset. Picture that. Oh hell, we've only rented this plane for three hours! Three hours! Okay, everyone ready, let's go again. Nicole, do you want to see the clouds through the titanium alloy ceiling of the plane? Give me something serious, for crying out loud!"

Thanks to Eric's prior excellent performances, everyone on set quickly recognized his directorial standing. So when Leslie, the actress playing Kevin's mother, forgot about those earlier scenes on the plane where Kevin was left home alone, Eric's anxiety about the filming schedule disrupted by repeated mistakes made him yell out. Everyone momentarily forgot Eric's age and froze in silence.

Nicole Frank, a cinematographer in her thirties, completely forgot that the young man before her was just an eighteen-year-old kid. Out of reflex, she apologized, "Sorry, Director Williams, I'll pay more attention."

Many years later, after winning an Oscar for Best Cinematography, Nicole stood at the Kodak Theatre's podium and recalled this moment. "At that moment, my subconscious completely regarded Eric as a seasoned director, not an eighteen-year-old. It was as though he had been born to lead the entire crew."

After another take that failed, the shot finally passed, and Eric breathed a sigh of relief. He soon regretted his earlier outburst and apologized to Leslie, saying, "I'm sorry, Leslie. I might have been a bit harsh just now."

"It's okay, Director Williams. It was indeed my fault. I should be the one apologizing. You know, the way you got mad was actually quite charming," she replied.

"Uh..." Eric wanted to remind her that this was the beginning of Stockholm Syndrome, and she might want to seek treatment.

...

Over the next few days, Eric noticed that the crew members who had initially called him Eric were now unconsciously referring to him as 'Director Williams.' Even Jeffrey Hansen joined in. He understood this meant that the crew had fully recognized him as their director. He became more assertive in guiding the crew; in just four days, they finished filming all the scenes in Los Angeles and moved to the Canadian town.

The crew had already sent a few workers to set up Kevin's home, and although he had guided them only over the phone, Eric was very pleased with the apartment's layout. At the same time, he resolved to win over Jeffrey's wife's crew.

This little town in northern Canada had never seen a film shoot before, so the residents were extremely friendly and curious. Even before Eric arrived, many had asked the crew if they could audition for small roles. With the filming involving Christmas scenes that required cheer, all the townspeople decorated their homes, making it feel like a festive holiday was happening early.

In response, Eric generously invited several local kids to appear in the movie as extras.

The film focused mainly on young Kevin's life and the antics involving the two bumbling thieves. As a pure Christmas comedy, it didn't require any underlying themes -- just lots of laughs. Plus, Stuart's performance outshone even Macaulay Culkin from his past life, resulting in a filming pace that could only be described as rapid. Eric confidently believed they could wrap all the shots within a 2 weeks.

...

Meanwhile, another incident unfolded. While Penny Marshall was intensely focused on post-production for 17 Again in Los Angeles, she needed Eric to record some voiceovers for various shots. Suddenly, they couldn't locate Eric. He wasn't answering his phone, and even showing up at Eric's house resulted in locked doors. Just as Penny began to think the worst and almost called the cops, she finally learned of Eric's whereabouts through Aniston.

On the phone, Penny vented her frustrations, insisting that Eric return to Los Angeles within a week. In addition to the voiceover, Eric's involvement in promoting 17 Again was essential.

Naturally, news about Eric filming Home Alone came to light during this call. Penny, adopting a more parental tone, admonished him for trying to reach too high, but she didn't take Eric's film too seriously. Unlike the crew who was invested in Eric's project, she somewhat believed it was just a young man's nonsensical venture.

...

Caught up in work, Eric was essentially two different people in reality. Although he got along well with everyone on set, that was all there was to it. Matthew Perry, the friend introduced by Aniston, would sometimes strike up chats with Eric. Eric found Matthew intriguing, but his priority was completing Home Alone, so he had little chance to connect deeply with Matthew.

A week later, they finished filming in the small town. Thanks to Jeffrey Hansen and Eric's careful planning, they had only spent about $600,000, leaving more than $300,000 for post-production.

Thus, Eric generously threw a party in the town, inviting the entire crew and locals to celebrate all night long. The next morning, while many were still nursing their hangovers, Eric boarded a flight back to Los Angeles with the completed film reels.

...

After spending half a day completing the voiceovers for 17 Again, Eric dove into the post-production studio Jeffrey suggested and began a whirlwind of work.

In the days that followed, Eric worked over sixteen hours a day and completed the film's post-production in an astonishingly quick five days. Since everything in his mind was practically ready, he was able to wrap things up so swiftly. The editing went so smoothly that the editor had nothing but admiration in their eyes for Eric.

On the fifth morning, a small screening room with only five or six seats was packed with over ten people, most of whom were from the Home Alone crew. Aniston even made a special trip to watch Eric's directorial debut.

As the faint buzzing of the projector filled the room, the film began, starting from a blue silhouette of a house under the hazy moonlight...

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 20: The Screening]

Even though everyone in the screening room, including Jennifer Aniston who wasn't part of the film, knew the plot of Home Alone inside and out, the laughter kept rolling in waves as the story progressed -- especially during Kevin's pranks on the two bumbling robbers. Even someone like Jeffrey Hansen, a fifty-something old-timer, couldn't help but burst into hearty laughs.

As the hour and forty-minute film wrapped up, the final credits rolled, and everyone stood up together, applauding enthusiastically.

"I have to say, this movie is outstanding. Eric, I think I should congratulate you ahead of time," Jeffrey Hansen said, patting Eric on the shoulder serious-like.

"Thanks, Jeffrey, and thanks to everyone. I couldn't have pulled off Home Alone in this short time without your help," Eric replied gratefully.

After a bit of chatter and back-patting, people began to filter out, each with their own agendas. They had planned a small celebration, but seeing Eric's tired, unshaven face made everyone reconsider. They all knew he had exhausted himself over the past two weeks and needed a real rest.

...

Next up was securing the film's distribution. Coincidentally, tomorrow was the screening of 17 Again, and Eric figured it might be a chance to pitch Home Alone to 20th Century Fox for distribution. He believed that once the higher-ups at 20th Century Fox saw the film, they would back his distribution plan, even if it meant giving up a bit of the profit. After all, he didn't have much of a foundation yet.

Perhaps after 17 Again made its premiere, it would be easier to sell Home Alone, but by then, the New Year would have come and gone. As a Christmas comedy, releasing it at any other time of year just wouldn't work. He couldn't wait until the next year; having already put in so much effort, success was so close, and he didn't want to delay things for another year.

...

With only a temporary license, Aniston drove Eric's car back to his house. Eric put the film copies away, gave Aniston a quick shout, and then dove into bed, unwilling to open his eyes again.

Aniston had planned to suggest that Eric take a shower before sleeping, but seeing him already deep in sleep with clear signs of exhaustion, she could only sigh compassionately. She took off his clothes and shoes, carefully tucked him in with a blanket, and then turned to leave the bedroom.

Eric's house was swamped with dust after not being cleaned for over two weeks. Aniston rolled up her sleeves and started tidying up. In Friends, Rachel was a spoiled girl who wouldn't know how to do laundry even if a washing machine was right in front of her, but in reality, Aniston had quickly learned to fend for herself.

At the desk in the study, Aniston picked up a thick book on music theory and wiped the dust off the surface. Suddenly, a document slipped out from within the pages of the book. Curious, she picked it up and discovered it was a mortgage agreement.

...

Without knowing how much time had passed, he felt like Aniston asked if he wanted to eat around noon, but Eric, in a daze, turned her down, dozing off again. When he woke up, the room was pitch black.

He reached for the bedside lamp and turned it on, glancing at his watch -- it was past nine in the evening.

Aniston should've left by now, Eric thought as he dressed and walked out of the bedroom, vaguely hearing the sound of the television coming from the living room.

As he walked down the stairs, he saw Aniston curled up on the sofa, hugging a throw pillow while watching TV.

"Hey, Jenny, good evening," Eric said as he approached her, leaning down to give her cheek a light kiss.

"You're awake, Eric! Go take a shower; I'll whip up something to eat for you," Aniston replied.

Eric didn't notice the peculiar look on Aniston's face. After responding to her, he turned toward the bathroom, taking half an hour to wash up and shave off the stubble. When he emerged, he found Aniston back on the sofa, where a dinner she had prepared sat in front of her.

"Oh, Jenny, I'm impressed! You actually made fried rice. Mmm, it smells great," Eric said, taking a bite and praising it.

"You mentioned you liked it, so I learned how to make it," Aniston said with a smile, watching him devour the food patiently until she finally asked, "Eric, did you... mortgage your house?"

As Eric was about to return the dishes to the kitchen, he paused at Aniston's words, his head tilting in confusion. He hadn't told anyone about that -- how did she know?

"I found it while cleaning up your room; it fell out of a book," Aniston said, retrieving the document from under the coffee table, meeting Eric's puzzled gaze.

Realizing he had no choice, Eric set down the dishes and glanced at the document, nodding as he explained, "I still needed two hundred fifty thousand for funding Home Alone. So, I had to mortgage the house."

"That also includes the piano in your study, doesn't it?" Aniston asked, recalling how much he adored that Strauss grand piano from her visits to Eric's house.

Eric nodded again.

Aniston frowned slightly, "Eric, I think you're being rash. Even though everyone loved what they saw of Home Alone today, what if it flops? You could go bankrupt at any moment."

Eric moved to sit beside Aniston, wrapping his arms around her. "Don't worry, Jenny. Look, just a few months ago, I was nothing but a broke high school kid, and now I've published my own novel, written a script, starred as the lead, and now I'm producing a movie. How many people my age can say that? Even if it fails, I believe I can bounce back easily with my skills. We're still young; we have to give it our all, whether we succeed or fail. At least we'll have laughter and tears along the way. Otherwise, when we're old with graying hair, looking back at our lives with nothing but dullness and monotony -- like a shooting star that never leaves a bright trail -- it will be a regretful way to live."

"Oh, Eric, when you say things like that, you're just too... charming. I feel like you're trying to seduce me, you rascal." Aniston couldn't help but tilt her face up towards Eric, leaning in to kiss his lips.

Wrapping his arms tightly around her waist, Eric kissed her back passionately.

Aniston felt the fervor in his touch and didn't stop him this time as she had in the car. Instead, she embraced him tightly, her cheeks flushing while her eyes squinted with delight.

...

The morning sun streamed across Aniston's face, and she instinctively turned away from the intrusive light. However, the motion accidentally snagged at a sore spot, causing her to blink awake in pain.

For a few moments, she felt confused until she recalled the events of the previous night, her cheeks turning slightly red as she thought about the guy who had made her feel so worn out. Turning her head to look around, she saw that she was alone in bed, which saddened her. What girl wouldn't want to wake up in the arms of a caring boyfriend?

Just as her feelings of melancholy started fermenting, Eric walked in, holding a tray. Seeing Aniston awake brought a smile to his face. "Hey, babe. Good morning."

Aniston pouted. "Not good at all, you jerk."

"Okay, I apologize. To make up for it, I spent an hour making you some delicious rib soup," he said, grinning.

"No way, I'm on a diet."

"Today's special circumstances mean you should forget about the diet for now. Come on, try it and see how it tastes!"

"Mmm, I haven't even brushed my teeth yet..."

Eric placed the tray on the nightstand, then tossed aside the covers, scooping Aniston up in his arms. "Her Highness is surely having a hard time moving; I'll carry you."

"Stop it," Aniston said playfully, only in Eric's oversized shirt. She pouted and allowed him to lift her from the bed.

...

After a cozy breakfast, because of her limited mobility, Aniston had to ask the convenience store owner for another day off. The owner had gotten used to such requests, knowing many starry-eyed young workers in Los Angeles often took time off to chase their dreams in film. He understood Aniston was one of those dreamers, so when she accepted the job, they had come to a mutual understanding.

After lounging around for a bit, Eric had to leave the house. Today was the screening of 17 Again, and he wanted to see if he could simultaneously secure distribution for Home Alone.

Around ten in the morning, the luxurious screening room of 20th Century Fox was filled with dozens of people, including staff from the distribution and publicity departments, as well as representatives from various film companies. James Brooks, the producer of 17 Again, and director Penny Marshall were in attendance, along with several unannounced lead actors.

Before the movie began, Eric approached James Brooks and Penny Marshall, hoping to get an introduction to the head of the distribution department at 20th Century Fox.

"Eric, you mean to tell me you want your low-budget film to be released during the Christmas season?" James Brooks said, surprised. He had heard from others that Eric had quickly completed his film after finishing 17 Again, but this was quicker than he anticipated.

"Yes, James, it's a really fun Christmas comedy. It's best shown during the holiday season; any other time just wouldn't work," Eric explained.

James Brooks felt a bit dismissive. Although Eric had surprised him on multiple occasions since they met, he didn't believe that this newcomer could make anything worthwhile in a comedy film. He could argue that Eric was talented as a writer and actor, but directing required years of experience, not just raw talent. Out of courtesy, he agreed to help with the introduction.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 21: The Flurry of Events]

The screening of 17 Again was a big success. Both the executives at 20th Century Fox and the theater representatives were excited about this coming-of-age comedy. During the Thanksgiving season, if Eric hadn't shown up, 20th Century Fox would have only released a comedy featuring Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver called Working Girl during the Christmas window on December 23rd.

Now with 17 Again in the mix, the originally empty Thanksgiving slot in November was perfectly filled. After some discussions, 17 Again was set to debut on November 18th. Eric was quite satisfied with this release date as he noticed from the movie schedule that there weren't any box office hits in November, which seemed tailor-made for the quiet debut of 17 Again. In December, there were only three movies that squeezed into the top ten at the North American box office for 1988: Rain Man, Twins, and Beverly Hills Cop.

...

Close to noon, James Brooks finally led Eric to a middle-aged man in his forties who wore glasses. This was Carlin Hunt, the head of the distribution department at 20th Century Fox. After a brief introduction, Brooks left the space for the two of them. Although he had a good impression of Eric, they weren't related, so he wouldn't waste his goodwill promoting Eric's low-budget film.

"Hello, Mr. Hunt," Eric greeted Carlin, who politely complimented Eric's acting in 17 Again.

However, after Eric explained his intentions, Carlin Hunt immediately rejected him without a second thought: "I'm sorry, Eric, but the company's distribution plan is already full for this year. There's no way we can squeeze in a low-budget film at this late stage, so I'm afraid I have to apologize."

Such an excuse felt flimsy. If Spielberg had recommended Eric's movie, Carlin Hunt would probably have been begging for it.

Though Carlin Hunt rejected him firmly, Eric still pushed back: "Mr. Hunt, could we at least watch my movie? I just so happen to have a copy right here; it will only take you a little over an hour to watch, and I swear it's a fantastic film."

Carlin Hunt shook his head again. Many small companies pitched their films to him with the same rhetoric, especially recently, with the busy season approaching. Many film companies without their own distribution channels scrambled to promote their projects to him. He had graciously watched a few of them out of obligation, but most had poor commercial potential, so he certainly wouldn't waste time on a low-budget comedy from an eighteen-year-old: "Eric, you know I'm busy right now. I have to arrange the distribution for 17 Again and then go to a meeting at headquarters this afternoon, so I must apologize again."

Eric wasn't one to give up easily. He stubbornly pressed for a few more moments before Carlin Hunt finally grew impatient and found an excuse to leave.

...

"So, Eric, how did it go?" Penny Marshall asked him upon his return to the group of familiar faces.

Eric smiled wryly and shook his head. Penny Marshall comforted him with a pat on the shoulder: "Don't be disheartened, Eric. Distributing films comes with its own costs, and the promotional expenses can sometimes exceed production costs. If the box office doesn't perform well, the person in charge has to bear the responsibility. So, you should understand Carlin Hunt's position. You must have spent quite a bit of money making your film. Once this busy period passes, I can introduce you to a video distribution company. After 17 Again is released, with your name, the video release should at least recover some funds. And I think you should focus more on screenwriting and acting. You've got talent, Eric. If you stay grounded, you will get your breakthrough eventually."

"Thanks, Penny," Eric replied, but inside he felt a pang of bitterness; it seemed like everyone considered Home Alone as nothing more than a trial film for a rookie. He wanted to force the people there to sit down and watch Home Alone in its entirety. Unfortunately, he would need divine intervention for such a maneuver.

...

Feeling somewhat down, Eric returned home. Since there was no chance left with 20th Century Fox, he resolved to try other film companies.

Jennifer Aniston was curled up like a kitten on the living room sofa, watching a BBC soap opera with boredom. When she saw Eric walk in, she poked her head up and asked, "Eric, how did it go?"

Eric approached and held Jennifer in his arms, stroking her back as he replied, "20th Century Fox passed, but it's alright. I'll try other film companies."

Jennifer sensed Eric's hint of disappointment and hugged him tighter, raising her pretty face to comfort him: "It's okay, Eric. With how great Home Alone is, their passing is definitely their loss. I'm sure they will regret their decision once it releases."

"Oh baby, your words are so heartwarming," Eric squeezed Jennifer's cheek affectionately.

The two leaned in for a kiss, but just then, the phone rang. After several rings, Eric reluctantly let go of the girl after a little pushing from Jennifer.

"Hello, this is the Williams residence."

"..."

"Jeffrey, hey, what's happening?"

"..."

Eric listened to what was said over the phone and suddenly raised his eyebrows in surprise. Jennifer knew this was a sign Eric was excited and curiously leaned in, but she couldn't catch what Jeffrey Hansen was saying on the other end.

Eric nodded a few times in agreement before hanging up and pulling Jennifer into a spin.

"Ha ha, Eric, I'm feeling a bit dizzy. Put me down! What's the good news?"

Eric placed Jennifer back on the couch and said, "Jeffrey ran into a friend from Columbia Pictures this morning. They talked about Home Alone, and his friend seems to be very interested in the film. Jeffrey said if I hadn't signed an agreement with 20th Century Fox, I could pitch it to them."

"Columbia Pictures? The one that..." Jennifer posed as the Statue of Liberty.

"Exactly that one," Eric nodded.

...

"Amy is a close friend of my wife. She's extraordinarily capable and has already reached a high level at Columbia before hitting thirty. My wife's made two films with her help in securing investment and distribution. I ran into her yesterday and mentioned you. She seemed to know you, and I told her about Home Alone," Jeffrey Hansen recounted in a coffee shop.

Sitting opposite, Eric asked curiously, "Amy? You mean it's a woman?"

"Of course!"

Eric thought, could this be a coincidence? Connecting the dots with Columbia Pictures, he couldn't help but ask, "What's Amy's full name?"

"Amy Pascal."

It was her. Perhaps in the 1990s, Sherry Lansing would get more exposure as the first female head of Paramount bringing it back from the brink, but Amy Pascal's achievements weren't far behind. This powerhouse ruled Columbia for longer than Sherry Lansing.

Eric chatted a bit more with Jeffrey and set a time for their meeting. Just two minutes to spare, Amy Pascal arrived hurriedly. At about five foot six, dressed in a black suit, her long brown hair framed her exquisitely delicate features, radiating charisma.

After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them sat down together.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 22: Buyout]

Amy Pascal had made her interest in Eric clear: "Oh, Eric, you look younger than I imagined. When I was your age, I had just started college."

"You look quite young yourself, Ms. Pascal," Eric complimented.

Amy smiled and said, "Thank you, Eric. Just call me Amy. By the way, do you still hold the rights to the novel you wrote?"

Eric raised an eyebrow, "Of course."

With his growing fame, Eric had been approached by several studios about the movie rights, but he had turned them all down. Until he was strong enough to negotiate a fair deal, he had no plans to sell the adaptation rights.

"Well, would you be willing to sell the rights to Columbia? We could offer a very decent price," she proposed.

Eric replied, "Amy, that's not the topic we're discussing today. Besides, the special effects technology isn't quite there yet, so I'm not looking to sell the rights at this time."

"That's a shame; well, let's talk about something else. Jeffrey really appreciates this film, and as I know Jeffrey, he has a good eye for talent. By the way, I heard you originally intended for 20th Century Fox to distribute the film. What happened with that?"

Eric shrugged and said truthfully, "Mr. Carlin Hunt from 20th Century Fox didn't even watch the film and turned it down."

"Carlin Hunt, I know him. Quite a pompous guy," Amy laughed. "Well, let's check out your film now."

...

Eric nodded, and Amy led him and Jeffrey to a theater at Columbia Pictures' headquarters, handing a copy to an usher as they took their seats in the leather chairs.

"Eric, you don't seem very excited," Amy teased as she caught his expression before the screening began.

Eric laughed lightly, "Amy, you know I produced this film from start to finish. Every shot exists in my mind, and I've watched it many times. But I believe you won't be disappointed."

As the lights dimmed, Amy nodded, pulling her gaze away as a sense of desperation crept in. While it was true Columbia was in need of good projects, how had she come to rely on even a high school student's film? With those thoughts, Amy sighed softly in the dark.

As a senior executive at Columbia, Amy was very much aware of the company's situation. The company had struggled in recent years, and if not for the revenue from a solid library of films accumulated over the years, they would be facing immense losses.

Compared to the rising Disney and 20th Century Fox, or even the still-thriving Paramount after the Barry Diller era, Columbia felt like an aging man with little ambition. After placing second in North American box office in 1984, it had been three years since Columbia had a film in the top ten, and it looked like they wouldn't this year either. For an established film giant, it was a disgrace.

Columbia's parent company, Coca-Cola, had suffered massive losses during last year's stock market crash. If Columbia failed to provide profits, it risked being sold off; in fact, Sony was already signaling interest in acquiring Columbia Pictures.

Amy had done her homework on Eric. The kid had just graduated high school, had a sci-fi script picked up by 20th Century Fox, and had landed a lead role in the film, which had astonished everyone. Without those accolades, Amy might have dismissed Eric's movie like Carlin Hunt had.

Columbia had indeed received the script; several producers were interested, but Eric's condition of starring in it was a deal-breaker for the cautious Columbia. In the end, they had to pass.

It was said that Barry Diller himself had personally approved the project, which made Amy sigh again when considering the mediocre Cohen Blount now running Columbia. The company's current struggles were linked to that president's timidity and conservative nature.

As the film played on, the delightful plot and Stuart Ronkel's standout performance quickly drew Amy's scattered thoughts back to the screen.

After the screening, Amy was left with nothing but astonishment. She couldn't believe this brilliant comedy had been helmed by the eighteen-year-old sitting before her.

With excitement, Amy stood up and said to Eric, "Eric, could you wait here for a moment? I need to make a phone call."

From Amy's expression, Eric knew that things were leaning in his favor.

Half an hour later, a group of six or seven Columbia executives, including president Cohen Blount, gathered in the screening room to watch the film again.

In a lively atmosphere, they watched the film once more as the clock neared quitting time, but no one seemed eager to leave. During the latter half of the movie, the executives began to whisper among themselves.

In the office of the president of Columbia Pictures, Eric sat with Jeffrey across from the sixty-something Cohen Blount. After his assistant brought in coffee, Cohen leisurely sipped before beginning, "Eric, to be honest, we see great potential in this film. We want to offer ten million dollars for all the rights. What do you think?"

Upon hearing the ten million dollar price tag, Jeffrey Hansen's excitement was palpable. A budget of one million could instantly balloon tenfold; were he in Eric's position, he would have likely nodded in agreement immediately.

Cohen Blount noted Jeffrey's reaction and smiled in satisfaction. The estimated box office for the film hovered around fifty million dollars, and a sequel looked easily attainable. The potential for merchandise rights was substantial, so after discussion, they decided to set a buyout price that seemed high to them, with a ceiling of twelve million dollars firmly established.

Thinking that they could buy out the film for ten million made Eric inwardly scoff. Business dealings often meant raising the stakes and haggling.

"Mr. Blount, I'm sure you have a rough estimate of the box office value for this film. May I know that figure?"

Eric didn't immediately agree, disappointing Cohen somewhat, but he responded, "Of course, we believe that with proper promotion, the North American box office should be around thirty million dollars. Traditionally, as the producer, you'll receive about twenty percent of the profit. Therefore, Eric, the ten million buyout offer is very reasonable. Your production costs shouldn't exceed two million, right? So, Eric, what are you hesitating for? Just say yes, and you'll become the youngest millionaire overnight."

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 23: Crazy or Foolish]

Sitting nearby, Jeffrey Hansen felt that he should step in to negotiate, but before he could say anything, Eric had already spoken up: "Sorry, Mr. Blount, but I"m not planning to sell Home Alone outright; let"s discuss a profit-sharing agreement instead."

Cohen Blount furrowed his brow in displeasure and replied, "Eric, if we"re talking about profit-sharing, I can only offer you eighteen percent."

"Mr. Blount , didn"t you just say twenty percent?" Jeffrey interjected.

Cohen Blount responded nonchalantly, "What I just mentioned was under normal circumstances. If we were to distribute Home Alone, the promotional costs would far exceed the production costs. Eighteen percent is already quite reasonable."

Jeffrey was about to argue, but Eric cut him off, sensing his friend"s impulsiveness: "Alright, Mr. Blount, but I have another proposal. How about we sign a wager agreement instead?"

Although wager agreements were common in the film industry, Cohen Blount couldn"t help but scoff inwardly, thinking, what kind of leverage did this kid have to negotiate with Columbia? However, he signaled for Eric to continue, curious to hear what terms this young man could propose.

Eric, seemingly oblivious to the derisive look on Cohen Blount's face, smiled and said, "A fifty million dollar floor; under the condition that Columbia guarantees promotional effort and theater slots. If Home Alone's box office falls below fifty million dollars, I will transfer all rights of Home Alone to Columbia Pictures for free."

After these words, even the seasoned Cohen Blount felt a twinge of emotion. Their projections for Home Alone's box office were around fifty million dollars. If they signed the wager agreement, it would be a simple task to keep the movie's earnings below that number with a little maneuvering. While Cohen Blount considered Eric foolish, he couldn"t help but admire the young man"s boldness.

Suddenly, Jeffrey Hansen jumped to his feet, incredulous as he spoke to Eric in grave tones, "Eric, are you out of your mind?"

Eric stood up and patted Jeffrey on the shoulder, signaling him to sit down. He continued, "If the box office falls between fifty million and one hundred million, I want twenty percent; and if it exceeds one hundred million, I get an additional one percent for every ten million over that."

After Eric finished, he remained quiet, calmly sipping coffee. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Hansen anxiously darted his eyes back and forth between the two, worried that Cohen Blount would agree to this outrageous deal, leaving their ten million dollar buyout fee in the dust. Ten million dollars! How many people went their entire lives without seeing that much money?

Regrettably, Cohen Blount proved to be a hesitant decision-maker, taking a full five minutes before finally saying, "Eric, I need to discuss this with the team. I"ll get back to you tomorrow, okay?"

Eric nodded and simply stood up to bid farewell to Cohen Blount.

...

In the parking lot, Jeffrey didn't retrieve his own car but climbed into the passenger seat of Eric's.

"Eric, you really were too impulsive. Ten million dollars just like that! Look at how comedy films have done reasonably well over the years, but dark horses are few and far between. Let's just go for a buyout agreement tomorrow. We could negotiate a better price. Trust me on this; sometimes people only get one or two opportunities in life. Miss one, and it may never come again. With ten million dollars, you could continue making movies and do so much more."

However, Eric was lost in the exhilaration of digging a pit for Columbia Pictures, his adrenaline pumping. He was convinced that the box office for Home Alone, which had even gotten into the Guinness records, would do just fine replicating its past success. He outright refused to believe that Columbia's old-school distribution abilities would fall short of history, so initially, he hadn't even considered how to leverage his position for the most benefit.

In a standard profit-sharing negotiation, his low-budget film would probably net him a maximum of twenty percent. When Cohen Blount had been stingy enough to drop it to eighteen percent, a light bulb had gone off in Eric's head, reminding him of how he could make the profit share variable - with a wager.

In the film industry, wager agreements on box office figures were rather standard. Usually, they represented a win-win for both parties, allowing them to hedge their risks while maximizing their benefits.

If they projected Home Alone's final North American box office at 280 million dollars like last time, signing the wager would mean Eric could secure thirty-eight percent instead of the thirty-five percent that might go to more established producers. Judging by Cohen Blount's reaction to his proposal, it seemed likely Columbia Pictures was leaning towards falling into the trap.

"Hey, Eric, I've said so much. Are you actually listening to me?" Jeffrey Hansen realized he was drying out from his own words while Eric sat lost in thought. A couple of light taps on Eric's shoulder finally got his attention.

"Alright, Jeffrey, I know your intentions are good, but think about it. Just months ago, I had nothing. What have I got to lose? Let me share something with you -- I've got a gut feeling that Home Alone's box office could potentially break two hundred million. Can you imagine how much I'd make with that wager agreement?"

Jeffrey looked at Eric as if he were a delusional patient.

Unfazed, Eric laughed, "Jeffrey, can you have a little faith in me? If this really works out, as the nominal producer, I'll definitely give you a generous cut. You could buy back Firefly Films from the bank, so why not help me out a little?"

Jeffrey had dreamed of reclaiming the company he had built with his wife, yet he didn't take Eric's words seriously. Realizing that he wouldn't be able to change Eric's mind no matter how hard he tried, he asked, "Alright, Eric. What do you need me to do?"

"Help me reach out to a law firm and an accounting office. Once Columbia accepts my proposal, I'll need someone to oversee and audit the execution of the agreement. If a dispute arises, I'll also need someone to handle the litigation."

Jeffrey replied, "That all sounds doable, but Eric, do you still have any cash? Even hiring two teams like that would cost a fortune."

"Of course I do," Eric said, popping open the glove compartment and pulling out a copy of the Jurassic Park novel. "I'm using the future royalties and film rights to Jurassic Park as collateral. Given its current sales, that could easily account for a million dollars. If the wager flops, they can take Jurassic Park on as payment; I'm sure those firms wouldn't refuse."

"Eric, you really are... out of your mind!"

"Every great genius carries a bit of madness to them."

Jeffrey threw his hands up, "Fine. You're not just crazy; you're cocky. Not even Aristotle could put a stop to you."

"Aristotle is too busy. That line was actually from Stendhal."

"..."

...

Jeffrey eventually agreed to help contact the firms, while back in Columbia Pictures' conference room, several executives were discussing the wager terms Eric had proposed.

"Alright, that basically sums it up. Let's hear everyone's thoughts," Cohen Blount recapped Eric's wager conditions, looking at the executives seated down the table, waiting for their input.

After Cohen Blount finished speaking, most of the high-level executives in the room expressed disbelief. Should they label the boy as crazy or foolish?

Finally, Lester Reed from the distribution department chimed in first: "Mr. Blount, this is a great opportunity; let's go for it. According to our estimates, the highest box office potential for this movie is about fifty million. After signing the wager, it's easy to manipulate the earnings to stay under fifty million, and we wouldn't even have to pay that ten-million-dollar buyout fee."

After Lester Reed spoke, others echoed their agreement.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 24: Jumping into the Pit]

Sitting at the end of the conference table, Amy Pascal felt that this matter was not as simple as it seemed. Although she had only interacted with Eric for a few short hours, she sensed that the boy possessed a level of composure that was hard for others his age to match. A person with such a temperament would not be impulsive enough to propose a wager agreement with such a low probability of success. Hence, this wager agreement was most likely something that Eric Williams had considered deeply.

Ignoring the unanimous support from others for the wager agreement, Amy Pascal pondered for a long time before saying, "Mr. Blount, I think it would be better to proceed with caution; there's no such thing as a free lunch. We could raise the buyout price a bit and negotiate again with Eric Williams. If that doesn't work, we could at least sign a revenue-sharing agreement. With the box office potential of this film, we're bound to make a profit."

"Amy, I think you're being too conservative, even more so than that kid," Lester Reed interjected. "Do you know the potential of this film? If we completely acquire the rights to this movie, apart from box office sharing, in terms of video rights, TV play, and various peripheral licenses, we could easily make tens of millions of dollars more. Plus, we could shoot sequels. If we choose the revenue-sharing agreement, the rights will still be in that boy's hands, and we would have to give him a substantial share again in the following operations."

Amy Pascal replied, "We could bump the buyout price a bit -- maybe $15 million -- I'm sure that boy would agree."

"Based on the potential of similar low-budget comedies, typically speaking, a $50 million gross would already be considered a box office dark horse. Most high-quality films could only pull in about $20 million at the box office. So, with over an 80% chance of getting the entire rights to this film for free, why should we pay over $10 million? That boy proposed such a crazy wager even with less than a 20% success rate; don't tell me we lack the courage to take such a bet?"

"But..." Amy Pascal observed her colleagues' greed and fervor. A woman's unique intuition made her feel that something was off about this whole deal.

"Alright, Amy," Cohen Blount interrupted her. "While Jeffrey Hansen and that Eric Williams might be your friends, you must understand that you are now an employee of Columbia Pictures and should consider the company's interests."

Cohen Blount's comments left Amy Pascal momentarily dumbfounded. While she did consider Jeffrey Hansen a friend, as a professional manager, she had always adhered to professional ethics.

Now, expressing her opinion out of caution led to being suspected of colluding with outsiders for personal gains. The intense humiliation made Amy Pascal's right hand gripping the pen tremble slightly. Finally, she stood up abruptly and coldly said, "Mr. Blount, since my comments led you to this conclusion, I believe I am no longer suited to participate in this project. I will take my leave. Goodbye."

With that, Amy Pascal pursed her lips, hurriedly organized the documents in front of her, and silently turned to leave the office.

A brief silence fell over the entire office.

"Women!"

It was impossible to tell who sighed first. Amy Pascal, as a high-ranking woman in a patriarchal society, surely faced all sorts of discrimination, but it was unclear what emotions lay behind that sigh.

Cohen Blount felt a twinge of regret for his earlier words. Amy Pascal's work ethic and professional integrity were well-known; otherwise, she wouldn't be sitting in that office as a woman. However, while lacking decisiveness in managing the company, Cohen Blount was quite obstinate, thinking that Amy Pascal leaving the conference room was a provocation to his authority, so he naturally attributed all the blame to her.

After about ten seconds of silence, Cohen Blount spoke up again, "Alright, since everyone agrees to this wager agreement, let's wrap it up for today. Lester, starting tomorrow, you'll take full responsibility for the Home Alone project."

Amidst the envious gazes of everyone, Lester Reed excitedly agreed. If he won the wager, the credit would definitely fall to him, and a promotion and raise would be inevitable.

"No problem, Mr. Blount. I will do my best to carry this out."

...

The next day, Eric received notification from Columbia that they had accepted the wager agreement. At the same time, Jeffrey contacted the law firm that Eric needed. After both firms assessed the value of Jurassic Park, they agreed to send a team to assist Eric in drafting and overseeing the implementation of the wager agreement.

On October 31, though very interested, Eric still could not attend his first Halloween parade since being reborn. Instead, he spent time in a dreary conference room at Columbia headquarters with a bunch of dull middle-aged men and women drafting the specifics of the wager agreement.

Building on the conditions Eric proposed, the specifics of the agreement gradually took shape. To ensure that Columbia would maximize its efforts to promote and distribute Home Alone, the agreement even detailed how many promotional articles needed to be published in different newspapers, the required audience turnout, which would necessitate either an increase or decrease in screening time and number of shows in theaters, and so on. Furthermore, should Columbia violate any aspect of the agreement, they laid out varying penalties based on the degree of violation.

The final dozens of pages of the contract left even Eric dumbfounded, and he couldn't help but admire the professionalism of the accounting and legal teams that Jeffrey Hansen brought in.

On Columbia's side, Lester Reed, in charge of the Home Alone project, believed it was essentially already in Columbia's pocket, and thus he didn't pay much heed to the lengthy contract. Instead, he mocked Eric for making a fuss over nothing; the two teams he hired likely racked up fees of several hundred thousand dollars, which seemed like a waste.

Lester Reed thought that no matter how detailed the contract was, the box office potential of Home Alone was evident. Columbia's upper management's most daring expectations for the film's box office didn't even exceed that of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, which, being a perfect blend of animation and live action, only earned $150 million at the North American box office.

Originally, Columbia planned to release Home Alone during the Christmas season in December; Eric strongly opposed it. No one understood the fierce competition of high-grossing films in December better than he did; within one month, three of the year's top ten box office films would be screening. Moreover, Home Alone had achieved astonishing box office results in his past life through a lengthy release period starting in November, spanning over two months.

In the end, Columbia compromised and decided to set the release date for November 18, the same day as 17 Again, which was Eric's suggestion. Both movies related to him opened simultaneously, and due to the difference in themes and target audiences, they wouldn't eat into each other's box office; instead, they could help promote each other. To accommodate this, Columbia even postponed the planned release of the drama Fresh Horses, originally slated for November 18, to December, freeing up around 1,000 screens for Home Alone.

The sheer number of screens reflected Columbia's ambivalence. Typically, only films with high box office predictions receive over 1,000 theater screenings, signaling that Columbia was optimistic about Home Alone's prospects. However, also due to the wager agreement, Columbia did not want Home Alone to exceed $50 million, as this would allow them to keep all box office shares and retain all film rights, including sequels, leading to a limitation of screens.

Eric didn't harbor any resentment; the mindset of Columbia's upper management was perfectly normal. Besides, the extensive wager agreement clearly stated that reaching certain box office numbers would necessitate an increase in the number of screens. If Columbia refused to implement this, they could expect a legal battle. Eric believed that a film's revenue wasn't sufficient for a giant like Columbia to risk its commercial reputation.

After signing the wager agreement, since neither party concealed the intentions of the agreement, but rather, preferred it to spread, the content of the agreement quickly circulated throughout Hollywood.

With the efforts of Columbia's publicity department, the next day, the Los Angeles Times' entertainment section headlined an article about the wager.

"Genius Boy Bets Against Columbia: Madness or Foolishness?"

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 25: The Push for Promotion]

Yesterday, a shocking bet agreement was signed at the headquarters of Columbia Pictures, involving Eric Williams, a talented young man who had recently found fame through Jurassic Park and 17 Again, and Columbia-TriStar Pictures.

It was reported that after wrapping up 17 Again, Eric Williams used his earnings from the film and some advanced royalties from Jurassic Park to write and direct a low-budget comedy, Home Alone, which lasted over a hundred minutes and was completed in just twenty days. Regardless of the film's quality, for Eric, at only 18 years old, to accomplish such a feat was undeniably genius.

Home Alone eventually caught the eye of Columbia's higher-ups after some back-and-forth. Sources indicated that Columbia's president, Cohen Blount, had offered ten million dollars to secure the rights to Home Alone. However, Eric Williams refused this tempting offer that would have made him Hollywood's youngest millionaire and instead proposed a bet agreement that was both crazy and foolish.

The article went on to detail the contents of the bet and then analyzed the probability of Eric winning this wager. The author, clearly someone inside the industry, listed various box office data from similar comedy films along with clues provided by Home Alone and pessimistically concluded that Eric Williams had an over 80% chance of losing the bet.

Since Home Alone neither featured box office draws nor had a massive budget, typical comedies of this kind, when well-received, could only usually pull in a mere two or three million dollars at best. Therefore, the chances of Home Alone surpassing fifty million dollars at the box office were slim. The author concluded with a conspiracy theory suggesting that Columbia would not 'allow' Home Alone's box office to exceed fifty million.

...

What did the people love to discuss? There were two kinds: extraordinary geniuses who inspired jealousy, and tragic heroes, not to mention conspiracy theories.

The Los Angeles Times article blended these three factors, stirring public sentiment. Initially, due to Fox's prior promotion for 17 Again, the public had developed an interest in Eric, as evidenced by Jurassic Park's steadily rising sales.

Now, with the explosive public interest stirred by Home Alone, the attention on Eric peaked. Public fascination translated into sales and ratings, and soon Eric received over ten interview requests in just a few days. Then Jeff Jones, who hadn't been in touch for a while, suddenly called, stating that people had called their restaurant to inquire about him. Eric sensed that the paparazzi had begun to take an interest in him.

Following the publication of the Los Angeles Times article, Fox and Columbia surprisingly synced their promotional efforts for both 17 Again and Home Alone.

Carlin Hunt, the head of Fox's distribution department, though regretting having hastily rejected Eric's Home Alone without seeing it, quickly forgot his annoyance as a professional manager. After negotiations with Columbia's higher-ups, he revised the promotional strategy for 17 Again. Collaboratively, the two giants produced significant results.

...

"Jenny, how is it? Can I go home now?" Eric asked as he saw Jennifer Aniston coming in at her apartment, having hidden away for a week.

Aniston shook her head, placing a shopping bag on the coffee table. "I drove past your place and saw at least seven or eight paparazzi still hanging around. Luckily they didn't know I was in your car, or they would've chased after me. It's terrifying."

Eric lamented the madness of the paparazzi. Thanks to the two studio's intense promotional efforts for Home Alone and 17 Again, he had unexpectedly become a hot topic across North America within just a week. News of Eric even surfaced across the Atlantic in the UK. Having been part of the industry, Eric quickly sensed trouble after Jeff Jones's call and sought refuge at Jennifer's place. The promotional push from the two studios was already sufficient; it was now up to the film's quality. Eric also wasn't keen on stepping out and giving paparazzi something to talk about, especially since they could spin wild stories.

Although Eric had hidden away, he had become completely visible to the public. Unable to interview him in person, the paparazzi dug through every detail of his life: his immigrant background, his high school grades, and his time working at Jeff's Italian restaurant. Jennifer listened intently and commented from time to time.

Days later, a gossip tabloid surfaced with a story about a love triangle involving him, child star Drew Barrymore, and an unknown actress. The author clearly had insider tips from the 17 Again crew, as the paper painted a colorful story, almost like it had been witnessed firsthand, even making suggestions that Drew Barrymore had turned to sobriety for Eric. Following this article, the "unknown actress" was said to have made Eric sleep on the couch for two whole days due to jealousy.

...

Michael Krauss was on cloud nine lately because the vigorous promotions from the two studios for Home Alone and 17 Again had sent the sales of Jurassic Park -- already exceeding one hundred thousand copies a week -- soaring even higher. In the second week of November, Jurassic Park finally topped the New York Times' North American bestseller list with sales of 250,000 copies, and based on current trends, hitting a million by year's end seemed certain.

After multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach Eric, Michael Krauss learned of Eric's whereabouts through Penny Marshall and headed straight to Jennifer Aniston's apartment.

"Hey, Michael, how did you find this place?" Eric asked as he let him in, curious.

"I was about to call the cops if I couldn't find you. Hiding here... uh..." Michael paused when he saw Jennifer walking out in her revealing pajamas, surprised into silence.

"Michael, this is my girlfriend, Jennifer Aniston. Jenny, this is Mr. Michael Krauss, the manager of my book publisher."

Michael exchanged greetings with Jennifer, who walked off towards the bathroom.

"Hey, Eric, is this the little actress? I still prefer Drew; she was such a sweetheart in E.T." As soon as Jennifer left, Michael couldn't resist poking fun.

Eric poured Michael a coffee and quietly said, "Michael, if you want to be kicked out by Jenny, keep this conversation going. I don't even dare to mention Drew's name right now."

Michael Krauss could clearly see that Eric was serious and quickly changed the subject, "So, Eric, with Jurassic Park selling so well, don't you think you ought to write a sequel?"

Eric shook his head without hesitation. He had already secured the film rights to Jurassic Park, and while they were mortgaged to the firms overseeing the bet agreement, he wasn't worried. He also didn't want to waste any more time writing a sequel.

"The novel's story is already complete; I don't see much to write about, Michael."

Not discouraged, Michael continued, "So, do you have any other projects at the moment?"

Eric shook his head again, having been too busy lately finally completing Home Alone and signing the bet agreement with Columbia. He decided to take a break. But the break wouldn't last long; just a week before the movie's release, he would be expected to promote it non-stop with the crew. Fortunately, the two companies had already established a cooperative agreement, so the promotion schedule would align, allowing Eric to avoid splitting himself between the East Coast and the West Coast.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 26: Potential Crisis]

Michael Krauss watched as Eric Williams shook his head repeatedly, finally resorting to a touch of desperation. "Eric, come on, just write anything! You can't leave me high and dry after I came all this way, can you? I've been swamped with work for Jurassic Park lately; even my wife is starting to complain about how much time I'm spending on it. Plus, when you wanted to advance your royalties for your movie, I happily gave you $500,000. Don't you feel the slightest bit appreciative?"

A short, stout middle-aged man was trying to play the sympathy card in front of Eric, and Eric couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. After a moment, he finally spoke up, "Alright, Michael, I do have an interesting idea. It's in the sci-fi genre, but it's just a rough concept with no detailed outline yet. The story is inspired by George Romero's Zombie series and centers around a virus leak at a biotech company that turns humans into the living dead..."

Eric briefly recounted the plot of Resident Evil. In his previous life, he had watched the Resident Evil series - he wasn't a huge fan, but thanks to his reborn memory, he was able to recount the story in its entirety.

In his previous life, the Resident Evil series became one of the most profitable movie adaptations with relatively low production costs, grossing over a billion dollars in total. Since Michael Krauss was so insistent on him writing something, he figured it was best to stake a claim on this idea.

However, Michael Krauss seemed somewhat dissatisfied. "Eric, is this story too niche? While there are plenty of fans of zombie culture, the audience is still relatively small. How about we brainstorm something else?"

Eric shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands, giving the impression that he was indifferent. Michael Krauss had no choice but to relent, saying, "Alright, just write it up as soon as you can. With your current fame, sales won't be an issue. Oh, and feel free to add some adult elements to it; it has to be a bit spicy. You're an adult now, and no one will fault you for it..."

As he continued to ramble on with his suggestions, Michael Krauss suddenly caught sight of an unnatural expression on Eric's face. He instinctively turned around and found Jennifer Aniston standing right behind him, hands on her hips, pouting in a way that seemed to say, 'Well, go on.'

"Um, Eric, I just remembered I have some errands to run. So, uh, I'll see you later." Caught up in encouraging Eric to write an adult novel, Michael quickly grabbed his bag and attempted to make a swift exit, but not before turning back to say with a hint of awkwardness, "Make sure you write it quickly!"

After Michael Krauss left, Aniston questioned, "Eric, you're not actually going to write what that guy suggested, are you?"

Eric smiled, wrapping his arm around Aniston's waist and caressing her slim figure, which had become quite delicate after over two months of dieting. "Of course not. I'm currently being promoted by Columbia and Fox as a role model for American teenagers. Why would I jeopardize my shining image for a little pocket change?"

"Heh, a role model? You're just a big flirt. Oh, no, please!"

After a light struggle, Aniston found herself pushed back onto the couch by Eric.

...

After a while of promotion for Home Alone and 17 Again, they finally reached a crucial moment: the film screenings.

On November 11, both films held simultaneous screenings for critics. In those days before the internet hype, movie promotion primarily happened through newspapers. Audience decisions largely depended on film reviews published in those papers.

Therefore, critics represented an unavoidable hurdle in the movie promotion process. Of course, the critics at these screenings would generally avoid harsh criticisms unless the movie was utterly unbearable. After all, critics needed movies, while movies didn't necessarily need critics; going too far could only lead to being blacklisted by studios.

The day after the screenings, various newspapers and magazines began publishing the eagerly awaited reviews of Home Alone and 17 Again.

"Home Alone created an entirely new narrative model for pure comedy, filled with innocence and heartwarming moments of growth. The antics between the quirky young protagonist and the bumbling burglars appealed to audiences of all ages. One must say, Stuart Ronkel, the seven-year-old actor, delivered a performance that could be described as astounding. Similarly, newcomer Matthew Perry's portrayal of Marvin was noteworthy; his comedic face would make anyone burst out laughing upon appearing on screen..." - The Los Angeles Times.

"A genius director and a genius young actor presented audiences with a holiday feast of laughter. I advise viewers not to eat popcorn while watching, lest they risk spraying it on the necks of those in front of them..." - The Chicago Tribune.

"17 Again marked a transformation for Drew Barrymore. She completely shed the adorable little girl image from E.T. and instead played a rebellious daughter about to graduate high school. Drew's emotional outbursts throughout the film showcased acting skills that were truly impressive. The performances of superstar Dan Aykroyd and Susan Sarandon remained outstanding. And Eric Williams, who wrote and starred in the film, exhibited a performance that was nothing like that of a rookie without any acting experience. He held his own against Drew Barrymore during their scenes, and he's also the director of Home Alone that hit theaters at the same time. One could say he's a genius blessed by the heavens; it's hard to explain why Eric Williams excelled like this..." - Variety.

"Many people constantly complain about the dissatisfaction of reality, but after watching 17 Again, you will realize that you aren't truly unhappy; rather, various negative emotions have completely overshadowed the happiness you possess. However, only the protagonist in the film managed to escape his original shell and view himself from a different perspective..." - The Washington Post.

Numerous papers praised both films, though some criticisms were inevitable. After all, no matter how powerful the two media conglomerates were, they couldn't control all opinions, especially since the other four major studios wouldn't allow Columbia and Fox too much satisfaction.

The Chicago Sun-Times directly criticized Home Alone as a completely unrealistic farce, arguing that the plot lacked logic and that the pranks on the two clueless burglars could never happen in real life, potentially leading to misguided influences on young audiences.

Another publication, The Hollywood Reporter, took an even sharper stance, making a big deal out of the scene where Kevin held a toy gun in Home Alone and calling for the rating agency to reassess the film's classification. This news even captured the attention of a local television station in Los Angeles.

...

When Eric learned of this situation, he felt a little concerned. In his impression, although gun violence was rampant in America, there were strict regulations regarding underage people holding firearms in films.

Anxiously, he called Lester Reed, the producer of Home Alone, to inquire about the matter. Lester nonchalantly reassured him, hinting at hidden details. The owner of The Hollywood Reporter was a shareholder in Universal Studios, which was about to release a children's animated film called The Land Before Time on November 18, making this sort of behavior quite normal as it was a competitor to Home Alone. Columbia would counter such actions accordingly.

Hanging up the phone, Eric sighed. He had already fallen into a web of deception so soon. This little incident sparked a feeling of crisis within him. Compared to those cinematic giants, he was still a negligible figure, posing no real threat. But if Home Alone achieved massive success as it did in his previous life, his existence would certainly attract the giants' attention, especially Columbia, who was about to face a significant challenge.

If, at that point, he lacked sufficient strength and didn't want to relinquish a large portion of his profits, then he could expect intense oppression from the power brokers.

In his previous life, Tom Cruise served as an example. As Tom starred in one hit movie after another, his demands for power and profit-sharing escalated. Eventually, when he began earning more than the studio, Paramount Pictures, everyone at Paramount, led by Summer Redstone, publicly severed ties with Tom Cruise in the newspapers. The media under Viacom then mired Tom Cruise in a smear campaign that ruined his career.

"Hey, darling, what are you thinking about? You look so glum," Jennifer noticed Eric staring blankly after his phone call. She gently tugged at his shirt.

"Oh, it's nothing."

Even though Eric always acted self-assured, Aniston sensed that he was worried about the box office for the two films. After all, he only had the car his father left him, and he had put everything else up for collateral. If he lost the bet on Home Alone, he would go bankrupt.

Wrapping her arms around Eric from behind, resting her cheek against his back, Aniston softly said, "Darling, if you have something on your mind, why not talk to me about it? I may not be able to help much, but I can be a good listener."

"I just suddenly feel..." Eric turned around and pulled Aniston into a comforting embrace. "The road ahead might be a bit rough. Aniston, will you stay with me on this journey?"

"Of course, I will." Aniston didn't fully grasp the deeper meaning behind Eric's words, but she decisively chose to respond affirmatively.

"Thank you, Jenny. So, you really won't come with me to New York? It's just a matter of a plane ticket after I speak with James about it."

As the release dates for Home Alone and 17 Again grew closer, both crews needed to head to the East Coast, to New York, for promotion. However, being merely a supporting character in 17 Again, Aniston was not included in the lineup of actors who would promote the film.

Not wanting to burden her boyfriend over such trivial matters, Aniston shook her head, saying, "No need. I lived in New York for many years, so it's not really fresh to me."

After a brief moment of warmth shared between them, Aniston gently pushed Eric away, turning to pack his travel bag.

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[Chapter 27: A Shocking Scene]

On November 18th, the day after Eric flew to New York, Home Alone and 17 Again officially premiered. Home Alone opened with 1,000 screens, while 17 Again had 1,279 screens, surpassing Home Alone by more than 250. Fox had no worries about any wager agreements, so they threw everything into the promotion right from the start.

Also opening at the same time were Universal Pictures' animated film The Land Before Time with 1,395 screens, and Disney's Buena Vista International distributing the animated film Oliver Company with 952 screens.

With three children's films premiering at the same time, the media thought Eric had a lower chance of winning the wager, but Eric wasn't too worried. While the two animated films might cause some box office pressure on Home Alone initially, in the long run, they wouldn't hold a candle to Home Alone. In its previous iteration, Home Alone had pulled in over $10 million for ten consecutive weeks.

After attending two premiere events, Eric and the crew returned to the hotel around eleven at night. At that time, there wasn't the advanced box office reporting system we have today, so they would have to wait until the following week to get the box office numbers for Home Alone and 17 Again.

...

Back in his room, Eric had a shower and was about to go to bed when the phone suddenly rang. The only one who would call at this hour was Aniston.

"Hey, Eric, are you asleep?" Aniston asked, her tone tinged with excitement.

Eric sat up on the bed, towel-drying his damp hair. "Not yet, just got out of the shower. What's got you so excited, Jenny?"

"Guess what?"

Eric joked, "Oh, I know! You're pregnant! Don't worry, I'll take responsibility."

"Ugh, you big perv, is that all you think about?" Aniston spat into the receiver, "I just got out of Home Alone and saw something really amusing."

Eric smiled, "What happened?"

"So, I came out of the theater and saw this five or six-year-old boy yelling to see Kevin. His parents wouldn't let him because they just watched it, and the kid threw himself on the ground crying. People thought the parents were kidnappers and started beating them up. They even called the cops, and multiple squad cars showed up. It was hilarious, haha!"

Aniston merely shared this as a fun anecdote from her movie outing, but Eric saw deeper implications in the story. After chatting with Aniston a bit longer, he hung up and lay back in bed, feeling a bit giddy.

Because things were unfolding exactly as they had back in the day. The reason Home Alone achieved such astonishing box office success back then was due to a wave of rowdy kids who kept watching it over and over, eager to imitate Kevin's every move, ultimately driving its incredible box office performance.

...

As Eric suspected, on the first day of release, Home Alone and the two animated films had similar box office figures, but as positive word-of-mouth spread remarkably fast among children, the next day, Home Alone's daily gross doubled, with a significant increase again on the third day, prompting lines outside some popular theaters.

After all, animated films can be watched anytime, but the clever and mischievous Kevin is a character kids can't encounter every day. Most kids fantasized about growing up quickly to do things they couldn't do now. Home Alone presented a perspective where kids could experience what they imagined but couldn"t dare or achieve in real life.

A wave of imitation swept through North America's children. A San Francisco newspaper even reported on a real-life Home Alone incident, where a nine-year-old boy, after watching Home Alone, locked himself in his room while his family prepared to go on vacation to Hawaii.

Astoundingly, the parents of six children didn't realize this until they reached Hawaii, where they discovered the boy wasn't with them. They had to abort their vacation and fly back to San Francisco, only to find a messy home and a boy waiting for "dumb burglars." Unfortunately, he was met by his frantic parents instead.

...

A week later, the box office results for the first week rolled in. Although the previously apparent signs of success had prepared everyone somewhat, Home Alone's jaw-dropping $27.55 million opening week box office still astonished everyone.

While over $20 million couldn't compare to the hundred-million-dollar opening weekends of films in later years, in that era, this achievement overshadowed all recent high-grossing movies. Even Spielberg's E.T. hadn"t reached such an impressive start. The only franchise surpassing Home Alone was George Lucas's Star Wars, but that series had a budget well over a tens of times that of Home Alone.

Meanwhile, 17 Again also performed well, securing second place with $13.12 million. The competing animated films, The Land Before Time and Oliver Company only garnered $7.12 million and $3.98 million respectively, far below what both studios had expected. Undoubtedly, Home Alone crushed the box office for the two animations, leaving both Universal and Disney executives lamenting the dominance of Home Alone while envying Columbia's good fortune.

...

Columbia did have a stroke of luck, but upon seeing the first week box office results, Columbia's president Cohen Blount was not in a good mood. He even found himself breaking his teacup several times out of frustration.

According to the first week box office data, Columbia reassessed and determined that Home Alone's North American box office would definitely exceed $200 million, and it might even surpass $300 million. Cohen Blount was filled with regret, wishing he had insisted on acquiring the Home Alone rights instead of signing some ridiculous wager agreement. If he had, Columbia would be raking in hundreds of millions from this movie this year.

Now, due to the wager agreement, if Home Alone hits $300 million, Columbia would pay $120 million in shares to Eric, leaving them with only $45 million, and after subtracting distribution costs, Columbia's profit might barely a fraction of Eric's $120 million share.

Cohen Blount had entertained the idea of tearing up the agreement multiple times, but that wager agreement was now common knowledge across the nation. If he tore it up, Columbia would likely lose the lawsuit, and he would become a laughingstock, with him as president sure to be scapegoated and ousted.

"No, I need to find a way to recover losses, I must..." Cohen Blount mumbled to himself when his assistant knocked and entered, saying, "Mr. Blount, everyone has arrived; we can start the meeting now."

Cohen rubbed his temples, stood up, and headed to the conference room.

Once seated, Cohen directly questioned Lester Reed, responsible for the Home Alone project, "Lester, how's the data analysis coming along?"

Lester Reed was supposed to return with the Home Alone crew on a late-night flight, but an urgent call from headquarters had him returning to Los Angeles half a day earlier. Upon arriving at Columbia headquarters and learning about Home Alone's first-week box office results, Lester felt instinctively uneasy.

Glancing nervously at Cohen's stoic face, it was Cohen Blount who had rashly agreed to the wager agreement in the first place. Given Cohen's stubborn nature, it was likely he would take his frustrations out on Lester.

"Mr. Blount, according to the analysis from our data department, based on the wager agreement, we can expect to receive around $50 million in shares, with the peak share value being approximately $225 million. Here's the data curve."

Cohen took the analysis document, glancing at the red parabolic line representing Columbia's profits and the green line indicating Eric's share, causing his temples to throb again.

Bang--

Another teacup shattered against the redwood floor with a muffled thud, causing everyone in the conference room to flinch and lower their heads in silence.

In general, a $50 million box office share would make many film executives smile in their sleep; even among the six major studios, this decade saw yearly box office profits top out at around one or two hundred million.

However, comparing that with the potentially over a hundred million that Eric might earn, all of Cohen's excitement vanished in an instant.

"So, you were responsible for signing the wager agreement. What now?" Cohen coldly surveyed everyone in the room, his gaze finally landing on Lester Reed.

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[Chapter 28: Strategy]

Lester Reed lamented inwardly as the anger clearly turned toward himself. In such a situation, he did not dare to argue back; after all, he knew he would be kicked out for sure.

"Mr. Blount, perhaps we can try... try negotiating with Eric Williams to re-sign the revenue-sharing agreement," he suggested hesitantly.

"Is that the best you could come up with?" Cohen Blount scoffed, "If you were Eric Williams, would you agree to re-sign the agreement?"

Lester Reed pressed on, despite the weight of Cohen's gaze: "Eric Williams should realize that based on current box office trends, it is unfair to Columbia, which has invested far more than he has, so..."

Before Lester could finish, Cohen Blount slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Enough! Fairness? When have you ever seen fairness in this world? What I want is a strategy, a strategy that can secure more benefits for Columbia, not a pipe dream."

Lester Reed fell silent, lowering his head. Cohen Blount glanced around the room, his gaze settling on Amy Pascal, who was seated at the end of the conference table. She had been the only one in the room opposing Eric Williams' betting agreement, which gave him a flicker of hope.

Shifting his tone, Cohen Blount said to Amy Pascal, "Amy, do you have any good ideas?"

Even though Cohen had been fiercely assertive in the meeting, Amy Pascal seemed somewhat distracted. She felt thoroughly disappointed in him -- conservative, lacking boldness, full of suspicion, never calm in the face of issues, and certainly not exhibiting the demeanor of someone in charge. She couldn't understand how Coca-Cola had chosen this mediocre CEO. Amy even thought it might be time for her to look for another job.

However, when Cohen Blount asked her opinion, Amy Pascal gathered her thoughts and replied, "Mr. Blount, I have no solution regarding that betting agreement. Even if we were to force the film out of theaters right now, we wouldn't be able to get the rights for Home Alone for free; instead, we would face a claim from Eric Williams for over a hundred million dollars."

Here, Amy Pascal paused to allow everyone to think. Before Cohen Blount could speak again, she continued, "So, what we should do now is try to win over Eric Williams and sincerely execute that betting agreement to show Columbia's good faith. There's no doubt that Home Alone would surpass 50 million dollars in box office, meaning that the overseas and other peripheral rights would go back to Eric. Moreover, a sequel to Home Alone is sure to be made, and by maintaining a good cooperating stance this time, I believe, with Eric's shrewdness, he would continue to work with us. I think that's the only way for Columbia to secure more benefits."

After Amy finished speaking, several executives couldn't help but nod in agreement, though Cohen Blount, while somewhat in agreement with her views, was once again reminded of Amy's potential friendship with Jeffrey Hansen and Eric Williams. His suspicious nature made him doubt that Amy's advice was impartial.

Thus, Cohen Blount couldn't help but interject again, "Amy, you are an employee of Columbia and should think of the company first, not just outsiders. If you can come up with a way to overturn that betting agreement to secure more benefits for us, I would promote you on the spot."

It felt just like a few weeks ago when she worked hard, doing her utmost to bring quality film projects to the company and diligently offering strategies. And what happened? She was first kicked off the Home Alone project team. She felt she needed to keep a distance and bore no ill will. Then she was demanded to speak again as the only opposing voice to a poor decision and offered her reasonable advice, only to be questioned once more.

This left Amy Pascal feeling cold, a surge of intense grievance rising; her nose felt a bit tender, and tears threatened to spill.

Suddenly standing up, her chair fell backward with a loud crash.

"Mr. Blount, I resign!"

The cold voice rang out in the conference room. Having said that, Amy Pascal did not linger to organize the documents in front of her but turned and left the office immediately.

"This is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous! Who does she think she is?" Cohen Blount fumed, his tempers flaring after already being on edge due to the Home Alone situation. Without a moment's pause, he slammed the table again and turned to his assistant saying, "Notify security to immediately throw that bitch out of here; I don't want to see her at Columbia HQ again."

"Understood, Mr. Blount," the assistant replied in a tight voice, cautiously rising to leave the meeting room.

Taking a sip of coffee to steady himself, Cohen Blount coldly stated, "Alright, let's continue. Everyone better stay sharp, or I won't hesitate to sign more termination papers today."

Although many executives felt that Amy Pascal's recent suggestion was the most valid -- after all, everyone in that meeting room was a competent professional -- Cohen Blount had fallen into a hysterical state. No one wanted to risk their job to back Amy's proposal.

Therefore, the executives reluctantly began to discuss. After several hours of discussions, they finally came up with a strategy.

As the meeting ended, Cohen Blount eagerly told his assistant, "Get in touch with Disney's Michael Eisner for me. I want to invite him to dinner tonight; tell him we have important matters to discuss regarding Home Alone."

"Yes, Mr. Blount," the assistant felt relieved as the tension from Cohen seemed to have evaporated after the meeting and stood a little less nervously.

...

The next morning, the $27.55 million opening weekend box office for Home Alone made headlines, thrusting Eric back into the spotlight as a topic of public interest. If before the film's release, much of the news regarding Eric came from the two major studios promoting their film, now the media had taken it up independently.

With Eric having just returned to Los Angeles in the middle of the night, he woke up to find his home -- previously free of paparazzi -- now swarming with reporters. There was no other word to describe the crowd; they were indeed piled up in front of his door, mics and cameras in hand.

Due to Columbia's intentional omittance of information, Eric did not receive any immediate news about Home Alone's box office. But upon seeing the reporters, he knew that Home Alone had hit big.

Even though he appreciated the press for 'informing' him in their way, Eric still had no interest in engaging with them. After breakfast, he headed straight to the garage, planning to drive through the throng of reporters to the Columbia headquarters to get the scoop on the situation.

However, Eric clearly had never encountered such 'glamorous' moments before. Thus, when he pulled out of the driveway, he miscalculated how to handle it; he was instantly surrounded by a horde of reporters as the car barely left the house. Some journalists even climbed onto the hood of his car, loudly demanding answers and indiscreetly banging on the window at him.

Questions flew from every direction: "Mr. Williams, what do you think about Home Alone's $27.55 million opening weekend?"

"Mr. Williams, do you think Home Alone will surpass E.T.?"

"Eric, according to the bet agreement, you are about to become Hollywood's youngest multi-millionaire; what will you do once you have that money?"

"Mr. Williams, I'm a reporter from the Los Angeles Times; can I interview you?"

"Eric..."

"..."

It felt like thousands of geese were quacking in his ear. Though Eric found the $27.55 million opening weekend somewhat thrilling, he was mostly consumed with anxiety and nervousness. There were simply too many reporters surrounding his car, and he hesitated to press the gas pedal hard. A chunky white reporter in front of the car seemed eager for a collision, his expression one of desperate anticipation.

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[Chapter 29: The Awkward Compensation Agreement]

As Eric scanned the crowded area, he noticed that the Ronkel family's residence to the west had become deserted. Just three days after the release of Home Alone, the Ronkel couple had hurriedly taken Stuart away from the promotional team, reportedly because someone had offered a hefty sum for Stuart to star in a commercial.

While Eric was out of town, the news about this family had already started making headlines. Home Alone had become a massive hit, and in just a few days, Stuart had earned millions through various endorsements and commercials. Reports also claimed that the entire family had moved into a mansion in Beverly Hills.

Even though Eric hoped that the Ronkel couple would not be as money-hungry as Macaulay Culkin's parents of the past, the circumstances suggested that they were not very different from that couple. Eric could only wish that Stuart wouldn't follow Macaulay's path; after all, the sequel to Home Alone still needed this bright kid. In the previous third installment of Home Alone, the box office had plummeted from $170 million in the second film to just $30 million after Macaulay's departure.

Lost in thought as reporters crowded around him, someone eventually noticed Eric's plight and called the police, who then rescued him from the throng.

Driving to Columbia Pictures' headquarters with a crowd of followers, Eric's presence was quickly recognized by two receptionists. They were unaware of the complex emotions among Columbia's higher-ups regarding Home Alone's box office success; they only knew that Eric was on the verge of becoming Hollywood's youngest billionaire. After notifying the president's office, the two girls eagerly tried to engage in conversation with Eric, hoping to catch the attention of this wealthy young man.

Eric happily flirted with the two attractive receptionists, even telling a few risque jokes that made them giggle uncontrollably.

Just as Eric chatted with the receptionists, he heard Cohen Blount's voice nearby. Turning around, he saw Cohen with his arms outstretched, and Eric warmly walked up to hug him.

"Mr. Blount, I didn't expect you to come down personally, you could have just sent someone to fetch me."

Cohen Blount chuckled, "What? Did you think this old man was going to interrupt your flirtation with the ladies?"

"Of course not," Eric quickly denied.

Cohen continued, "With Home Alone achieving such impressive box office figures, it's only right I come to meet you. Let's take care of business first before you start dating. A young person must prioritize their career."

Eric nodded in agreement, waving the pink perfumed contat cards in his hand at the receptionists as he followed Cohen Blount into the elevator.

...

As they entered the VIP elevator, a petite receptionist turned to her friend and asked, "Milia, do you think Eric will ask me out?"

Tall and blonde Milia leaned in closer and whispered, "Who knows? Maybe Eric will ask us both out at the same time; would you go for that?"

"What? No way... That's impossible!" The petite girl blushed as she imagined certain scenarios.

Milia suddenly laughed and said, "Alright, Lisa, stop dreaming. From Eric Williams' banter just now, it's clear he's a playboy. Together, we would just be left as scraps."

"How could that be? He's only eighteen!" Although Lisa just experienced Eric's flirtation, she still held a good impression of him. That's how the world works; if an average guy had teased them, security would have kicked him out, but a young, wealthy hunk instead made them feel charmed.

"To be precise, he's an eighteen-year-old about to become a multi-millionaire. Achieving such enormous success at such a young age is something neither of us could attain. And did you notice? When Mr. Blount left just now, he gave us a stern look, clearly a warning. So, Lisa, let's be realistic. Come to the club with me tonight; I"ll introduce you to two handsome guys."

Disappointed, Lisa nodded but couldn't resist glancing towards the VIP elevator one last time.

...

In the Columbia Pictures president's office, Cohen Blount warmly invited Eric to sit on the sofa and personally retrieved a bottle of wine from the cabinet. "Eric, let's have a little toast to celebrate. Once Home Alone finishes its run, I will definitely throw you a grand celebration party. This bottle of white wine comes from my vineyard in Burgundy, and it's the last one I have."

Eric expertly raised his glass and took a whiff. The amber liquid exuded a fresh pineapple aroma.

Cohen Blount knew Eric's background and assumed he had never encountered such top-notch wine before. Curious, he inquired, "What are your thoughts?"

Eric nodded and praised, "It's an excellent wine; it's not easy to create a pineapple fragrance from Burgundy grapes."

Cohen was somewhat surprised, "I didn't expect you had such knowledge about wine."

"I heard about it once," Eric replied honestly.

Cohen didn't press further. He raised his glass and said, "Then here's to the success of Home Alone; cheers."

"Cheers."

After drinking, Cohen instructed his assistant to clear away the glasses, returning to his seat. "Eric, let's discuss business. Here are the box office numbers from last week for Home Alone. Take a look."

Eric took the document and opened it. The sheet included not just Home Alone's box office data but also figures for all the films currently in theaters. Home Alone topped the chart with $27.55 million, while the second-place film, 17 Again, had only $13.12 million. Although that figure was impressive, it barely compared in light of Home Alone's success.

"Eric, what I need to tell you next is somewhat awkward," Cohen said, straightening up, a hint of embarrassment on his face. "There's something about this week's screening count for Home Alone that requires your understanding."

Seeing Cohen's expression, Eric felt a bit uneasy but nodded for him to continue.

"According to our betting agreement, Columbia was supposed to increase the screening count to 2,000 this week. Unfortunately, because Home Alone's box office had far exceeded Columbia's expectations, we weren't prepared sufficiently, resulting in only an increase of 500 screens this week."

Though Cohen's reasoning seemed valid, Eric sensed something was off.

"So, Mr. Blount, what does Columbia plan to do?" Eric asked calmly.

"Eric, Columbia found our agreement to be of significant value. But this matter caught everyone off guard. Theater chains can't just leave screens empty to accommodate our deal, so we've put together a compensation agreement," Cohen explained.

A small warning siren flashed in Eric's mind. "A compensation agreement?"

"Yes, Eric, please don't worry. The original betting agreement will remain unchanged. Additionally, due to our underestimation causing loss, we will add an extra 100 screens starting next week, continuing until the film finishes its run. I believe this shows Columbia's sincerity," Cohen smiled.

Eric instinctively nodded. If that was the case, this compensation agreement could indeed be acceptable, yet he still felt something was amiss.

Seeing Eric nod, Cohen produced the prepared compensation agreement and pushed it across the table to him. "This is the compensation agreement, Eric. You can check it over, and if everything looks acceptable, just sign it."

Eric picked up the agreement and examined it. The agreement was brief, with only a few clauses, the language straightforward and seemingly free of contractual traps. However, Eric remained cautious. "Mr. Blount, may I show this to my lawyer first? If everything checks out, I will return it signed."

"Of course, no problem," Cohen readily agreed. "Now, let's discuss the overseas distribution of Home Alone. Given the film's current explosive popularity, the sooner it gets released overseas, the better the box office. If we miss the holiday season, we could see at least a 50% drop in overseas revenue. Therefore, we propose to secure Home Alone at $16 million or 8% of the overseas box office share. What do you think?"

"Mr. Blount, 8% seems a bit low," Eric replied.

Cohen shook his head. "It's not low, Eric. After deducting local theater shares and high film taxes, we would only net about 20%. You wouldn't be paying anything and yet would get 8% of the box office; that's quite reasonable."

Eric scoffed internally. What did he mean by "not paying anything"? Without Home Alone, Columbia wouldn't have made $50 million in net profits from North American box office alone across any films in a year, and during all of 1988, fewer than 10 films would achieve a $50 million profit solely from North American box office. With just Home Alone, Columbia's performance among the six studios would leap from the bottom to the top three. It was clear that Columbia stood to benefit significantly.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Blount. I need to think it over." Eric shook his head, rejecting the proposal. He wouldn't forfeit his rightful gains simply due to the lucrative betting agreement. In his view, what was rightfully his was his, and there was no room for discussion.

Seemingly anticipating Eric's answer, Cohen nodded. "Alright, Eric; take your time to consider. But please get back to me soon."

...

As Eric left Cohen's office, he ran into Lester Reed, who was in charge of the Home Alone project.

"Hey, Lester, good morning."

Lester hadn't expected to run into Eric and looked a bit uncomfortable. "Hi, Eric, congratulations on the success of Home Alone.

"Thanks! You"re a part of it too, Lester. Since you oversaw the project, I imagine you'll receive quite a hefty year-end bonus?"

He would be lucky to get a scolding, Lester mused silently, though his face betrayed none of his thoughts, and he managed an awkward smile.

"By the way, Lester, could you tell me where Ms. Pascal's office is? If it weren't for her recommending me, Home Alone wouldn't have achieved such success so easily. I want to thank her in person."

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 30: Michael Eisner's Invitation]

Lester hadn't expected Eric to suddenly bring up Amy Pascal. "Pascal... Ms. Pascal has resigned," he responded.

Eric was baffled. "Resigned? Why?"

Lester's mind raced for a few seconds before he said, "I'm not entirely sure. Maybe she was upset that the company didn't involve her in the Home Alone project and decided to quit."

From the flicker in Lester's eyes, Eric sensed he was lying but chose not to call him out. He let out a disappointed sigh, "That's quite unfortunate. In that case, I'll take my leave."

...

Once Eric stepped into the elevator, Lester knocked and entered Cohen Blount's office.

Cohen Blount no longer wore that warm smile he had during Eric's visit; instead, he wore a frown as he held a document, though his focus was clearly elsewhere.

"Mr. Blount, here's what you asked for," Lester said as he placed the folder on Cohen Blount's desk. Hesitating, he added, "I just ran into Eric Williams outside. He asked about Amy Pascal."

Cohen abruptly raised his head and fixed a sharp gaze on Lester. "What did you say?"

Lester instinctively wanted to step back under Cohen's intense stare but steadied himself. "I told him Amy resigned because she was unhappy with the company not involving her in the Home Alone project."

Cohen remained silent, staring at Lester. Lester then continued, "I believe Eric Williams and Amy Pascal aren't well acquainted. Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked me where her office was. He would undoubtedly thank her privately, so he probably wouldn't go looking to verify what I said."

"You think so?" Cohen asked, his expression showing no signs of easing.

Lester felt a pang of anxiety and cursed his bad luck for encountering such a situation. "Mr. Blount, even if the truth came out, it might not matter. Eric could end up dissatisfied with us, which might help in implementing our plans. If he is unhappy with us, it becomes easier for him to accept Disney's conditions."

Cohen took a moment to consider and finally relaxed a bit, waving his hand. "Alright, you can go now."

...

Driving along Hollywood Boulevard, Eric contemplated everything he had encountered at Columbia that day. He was certain that Columbia was not content with the profits they had gained from the bet agreement and had already begun some actions. He now had two leads; one was the compensation document in his hands, and the other was Amy Pascal.

After parking far from home, Eric slipped in through the back door and went to the second floor to glance outside. The reporters still lingered by the front door.

The moment the reporters spotted Eric at the second-floor window, they lifted their cameras to snap pictures. Eric thought it was time to move house, laughing sardonically to himself. With the Ronkels moving to Beverly Hills, he realized he only had a few hundred dollars scattered around. Talk about being broke.

Lost in thought, his phone rang suddenly behind him.

He picked up the receiver. "Williams residence, how may I help you?"

"Is this Mr. Eric Williams? I am Michael Eisner's assistant. Mr. Eisner would like to invite you to lunch. Does Mr. Williams have time?"

Eric wasn't surprised that Eisner knew his contact information, but he was curious about the reason for the call.

"May I ask what this is about?"

The assistant replied, "It's regarding your Home Alone project. Disney is interested in the overseas rights."

Since Columbia's terms were disappointing, Eric didn't mind collaborating with another company. "Sure, where shall we meet?"

"We will send someone to pick you up shortly," came the response.

...

After hanging up, Eric pondered for a moment before picking up the phone again to call Jeffrey Hansen. "Jeffrey, it's Eric."

Jeffrey's tone was enthusiastic. "Hey, Eric, the opening weekend box office for Home Alone was incredible! I called you this morning to congratulate you, but no one answered."

"Oh, sorry about that. I was at Columbia discussing a few matters."

"No worries, Eric. What can I do for you?"

Eric replied, "When I visited Columbia today to discuss the upcoming release of Home Alone with Cohen Blount, I noticed some oddities. I suspect Columbia might be scheming something. Also, I heard from Lester Reed that Amy suddenly resigned. Can you contact her...?"

Jeffrey hesitated before saying, "Eric, I don't think reaching out to Amy will be of any help. Even if she resigned, she wouldn't leak Columbia's trade secrets. Can you share what unusual things you noticed? I've been in Hollywood for over twenty years; maybe I can help you out."

Realizing he couldn't rely on Amy Pascal, Eric recounted the events of the morning in detail.

Jeffrey pondered for two minutes before saying, "Have a lawyer check that compensation agreement. I suspect the issues might stem from there. If there isn't anything there, I can't think of any other problems for now. Eric, can you recall any other details?"

"Other details?" Eric repeated, thinking back to the recent phone call. "Oh, just before I called you, Michael Eisner from Disney suddenly invited me to lunch, stating he was interested in the overseas rights to Home Alone."

"Michael Eisner..." Jeffrey echoed the name, raising his voice slightly before adding, "Eisner and Cohen Blount are friends. Eric, be cautious. Don't agree to anything Eisner offers. Columbia's terms for the overseas rights to Home Alone are very low, and now Eisner reaches out to you because of that? It's hard to believe the two aren't connected."

Listening to Jeffrey's warning, Eric's peripheral vision caught sight of a silver car pulling up outside his house, so he said, "Jeffrey, the car sent by Michael Eisner is here."

"Well, go on then, Eric. Remember, no matter how tempting their offers may sound, don't agree to anything."

Eric nodded, hung up, and went downstairs. After confirming his identity, the chauffeur and another man cleared a path through the reporters, helping Eric into the car.

...

Half an hour later, Eric met Michael Eisner at the Hilton Hotel. Eisner, still in his forties and in his prime, exuded a certain liveliness that came from running one of the six major studios. He was not yet the tyrant Disney would later become, displaying a friendly demeanor.

"I can't help but envy you, Eric. When I was eighteen, I was still just proud of getting into Denison University, while you have achieved what many dream of," Eisner said, enjoying a casual chat before diving into business.

"I actually intended to apply to UCLA, Mr. Eisner, but due to some family changes, I had to carve my own path. Luckily, I've had some success," Eric replied.

Eisner shook his head. "No, it wasn't merely luck, Eric. Even though this is our first meeting, I've learned about your accomplishments. If someone lacked talent, not even the goddess of fortune could help them achieve such remarkable heights. You're one of the most outstanding young people I've encountered."

"Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Eisner. You're also someone I deeply respect, considering not many people head a film giant at your age," Eric replied.

Eisner clearly relished Eric's praises and smiled. "Since I'm one of them, may I ask who you admire the most?"

After a moment of thought, Eric answered, "I'd say Howard Hughes is my greatest admiration."

"Oh," Eisner nodded, "he was indeed a legendary figure. If I may say, Eric, you share some similarities with him. Perhaps you're even a bit more remarkable; most of his success was due to inheriting a vast fortune from his father, while you've achieved so much without relying on anyone. You're on your way to becoming the youngest multi-millionaire!"

Eric felt bashful at Eisner's compliments, chuckling slightly. If it weren't for his rebirth, he might have been in a modest studio shooting infomercials for some health product.

Ignoring Eisner's authoritative traits, he was indeed a person of significant charisma. During their lunch, both engaged in friendly conversation, and the atmosphere felt quite pleasant. If he hadn't phoned Jeffrey Hansen beforehand, who had put him on guard, Eric might have forged a genuine friendship with Eisner.

As the server cleared the plates, Eisner said, "Alright, Eric, let's get down to business."

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 31: Statement]

Eric straightened slightly in his seat and said, "Mr. Eisner, please go ahead."

Michael Eisner, preparing to speak, hesitated for a moment. During their recent conversation, Eric had made a strong impression on him; similarly, Eisner felt that he was not talking to an inexperienced youth but rather to a peer.

Recalling Eric's astounding accomplishments in such a short time, Eisner began to doubt whether accepting Columbia's terms and attempting to undermine Eric was really such a good idea. At only eighteen, Eric's future seemed limitless. If this situation led to animosity between them, the chances of future collaboration would undoubtedly be slim.

As a rising executive, Eisner was known for making decisive choices. Considering the demands made by Cohen Blount, he reinforced his resolve.

'The success of Home Alone was quite exceptional,' he thought. 'Whether this young man can achieve such dazzling success again remains to be seen.' Even if he continues to excel, Eisner believed that when significant profits were at stake, cooperation was still very likely. After all, many previous rivals had reconciled; and the real antagonist in undermining Eric was still Columbia.

"Eric, Disney is very interested in the overseas distribution rights for Home Alone. Disney's market focus is on teen movies, and we have more advantages than other companies in distributing films of this genre. If you hand Home Alone's distribution over to Disney, I believe it could perform even better abroad than it has in North America."

Eric calmly inquired, "Mr. Eisner, may I know Disney's offer?"

"12% of the overseas box office. What do you think about that?"

Eric's expression shifted slightly as he responded, "Isn't Disney interested in a buyout?"

Eisner shook his head, smiling as he said, "Eric, you'd rather sign a bet agreement with Columbia than accept a buyout. So I won't waste time on that."

Eric nodded, stating, "If that's the case, the offer is indeed quite reasonable. Columbia has only proposed an 8% overseas share."

"So, you see, Disney is keen to collaborate and hopes we can work together in the future," Eisner continued, smiling. "Now, Eric, if you agree, I'd like to sign the authorization agreement as soon as possible. Overseas releases are not as straightforward as they are in North America; once we sign the agreement, it could take at least a week to get the film in theaters abroad. Given how hot Home Alone is right now, delaying a single day could cost millions in total revenue."

Listening quietly to Eisner's persuasion, Eric quickly processed the series of clues in his mind. A knowing smile suddenly crossed his lips. He grew increasingly aware of Columbia's tricks; though not particularly sophisticated, they were quite effective, and one could easily fall into the trap if not careful.

Having figured these things out, Eric finally relaxed. He picked up his coffee cup and gently caressed the fine ceramic before looking up at Eisner and asking, "Mr. Eisner, if I agree, when can we sign the contract?"

Although Eisner noticed Eric's shifted demeanor, he still felt a rush of relief upon hearing Eric's question. "Of course, the sooner, the better. I'll have someone draft the agreement as quickly as possible. We could sign it this afternoon," he replied.

Setting down the coffee cup, Eric fixed his gaze on Eisner and said, "So, Mr. Eisner, would you say the situation is this way?"

"Hmm?" Eisner looked perplexed.

Eric explained, "Columbia, unwilling to let go of the bet agreement, approached you with certain terms you couldn't refuse. Perhaps it was due to financial incentives, or maybe it was because you and Cohen Blount are good friends, which led you to agree. However, uncertain how to persuade me, Columbia has reduced the number of screens for the next week's release to 1,500, even agreeing to pay an extra 100 screens for the subsequent release period."

Eisner began to process Eric's words, initially stunned, then letting out a wry smile; he had indeed underestimated the young man before him.

Satisfied with Eisner's reaction, Eric continued, "The reason Columbia is willing to pay such a price is to delay the box office reaching $50 million for Home Alone, buying you more time for persuasion. Because in our bet contract, if the final revenue is below $50 million, all rights to Home Alone revert to Columbia. The current box office is still shy of that $50 million mark. The other rights associated with Home Alone still fall under the betting terms. If I rashly sign the authorization agreement with Disney, it would mean I would be the first to breach the contract. Columbia could then justifiably use my breach as grounds to invalidate the bet agreement. Would you agree with my assessment?"

If the entire matter had not concerned him, Eisner, with his disposition, would surely have applauded Eric's brilliant analysis. But now, he could only muster a somewhat awkward smile.

Eric stood up. "I think we don't need to discuss this further, do we, Mr. Eisner?"

Eisner rose as well. "Indeed, there's no need, Eric. But I still want to say I enjoyed our conversation earlier. I hope we can have a chance to collaborate in the future."

"Perhaps," Eric nodded, deciding that since Eisner hadn't outmaneuvered him, he wouldn't confront a movie giant face-to-face. "Mr. Eisner, could you tell me what terms Columbia proposed to you?"

Eisner shook his head, responding, "Eric, that's a business secret."

Eric, not disputing this, remarked, "Then, Mr. Eisner, could you have the driver take me back?"

"Of course, no problem," Eisner signaled to his assistant nearby and exchanged a few brief words.

...

As Eric stepped out of the Hilton, a pack of reporters quickly encircled him. They had learned through various channels that Eric had just met with Disney president Michael Eisner and were eager to capture the details of their meeting.

Upon seeing the reporters rush over, the Hilton's security swiftly moved to protect Eric, while Eisner's driver prepared to escort him toward the parking lot. But Eric suddenly stopped.

Kept at bay by security, the reporters initially felt disappointed, thinking Eric would slip away silently again. Instead, Eric halted in his tracks, prompting the reporters to quickly raise their cameras and microphones.

"Eric, can you tell us what you discussed with Mr. Michael Eisner?"

"Was it about Home Alone?"

"Eric, both of your current films target a young audience, aligning well with Disney's business strategy. Are you planning to join Disney?"

"Eric..."

"..."

Eric held up his hands for silence, saying, "Can I have a moment to speak, everyone?"

Since Eric had voluntarily stepped forward, the reporters quickly quieted down.

"Mr. Eisner just treated me to a meal, and we did discuss some matters. As for the specifics, it's not convenient for me to disclose that here. However, we had a pleasant discussion and perhaps there is a possibility of future collaboration."

Seeing the reporters weren't satisfied, becoming restless again, Eric quickly added, "Everyone, please don't rush. Actually, I want to take this opportunity to make a statement."

The reporters showed confusion, but a few perceptive ones sensed that Eric was about to deliver a significant piece of news and quickly readied their recording devices.

"First, I want to thank Columbia Pictures for helping to distribute my film Home Alone. However..."

Eric's expression turned serious. "I want to say that due to the previous bet contract, my expected share will far exceed what Columbia is receiving. That is what I am rightfully entitled to, and I have a clear conscience. Moreover, should the agreement be honored properly, Columbia would still earn nearly $50 million from the North American box office. This accomplishment, which represents half of Columbia's annual box office profits, is enviable to many. So I must sternly warn certain individuals to rein in your greed and refrain from using petty tactics to attempt to tear up the bet agreement. Please continue to distribute Home Alone as per the contract. If Columbia violates the bet agreement again, I wouldn't hesitate to see you all in court. Though you may see me as small and weak, I believe we are equal in the eyes of federal law. If you think the successes of Home Alone and 17 Again aren"t proof enough, then we shall see what our next film brings. You've been warned."

As soon as Eric finished speaking, the surrounding reporters erupted in a frenzy.

"Eric, could you be a bit more specific?"

"Eric, do you already have plans for your next film? Can you share the theme?"

"Eric, was your meeting with Mr. Michael Eisner related to Columbia's attempt to breach the agreement?"

"Eric..."

"..."

After saying this, Eric silently moved through the crowd with the security's escort directly to the parking lot, getting into the car.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 32: Turmoil]

Back at home, Eric noticed a growing number of reporters outside his door. He had no choice but to call his lawyer to discuss the compensation agreement, even though he was already aware of Columbia's tricks; being cautious seemed wise.

Once that was settled, Eric finally remembered he needed to call Aniston. He dialed her number several times, but no one answered. At this hour, Aniston should have been at home. Worried, Eric was about to redial when the phone suddenly rang.

"Williams residence?" he answered.

"Eric, it's me," came Aniston's voice through the receiver.

Eric responded with relief, "Jenny, are you alright? I called your apartment multiple times, but no one picked up."

"I moved in with my dad, Eric. Didn't you know? The paparazzi found out about us and started following me everywhere. They even pretended to be delivery people and knocked on my apartment door. It scared me to death," Aniston admitted, her voice tinged with lingering fear.

Eric exclaimed, "Jenny, are you okay? When did this happen? I called you right before I boarded the plane yesterday, and everything seemed fine."

"I'm fine, Eric. It happened this morning. I don't know how the paparazzi found out. It was already in the papers by then, and they... they said..." Aniston's tone grew increasingly upset, and Eric thought it must be something discouraging. He quickly tried to soothe her, "Alright, Jenny, as long as you're safe. Just stay at your dad's place for a while. You can quit that convenience store job too."

Aniston complained unhappily, "Eric, it won't stay like this forever, right? How am I supposed to live?"

"Of course, it won't be like this forever. Things will calm down eventually. My house is surrounded by reporters too. Give me your dad's address, and I'll come visit when I can."

Aniston provided the address, and after Eric reassured her a bit more, they hung up.

...

In a Beverly Hills villa, Aniston moodily put down the phone. She glanced at the crumpled newspapers scattered across the floor and picked up a pillow from the couch, hitting it a few times in frustration. The papers portrayed her romance with Eric as the Hollywood version of Cinderella and Prince Charming, praising Eric while belittling her. Most of the articles painted a bleak picture for their future, and some even compared her unfavorably to Drew, suggesting she was less suited to be Eric's girlfriend.

As she read on, Aniston's feelings of self-doubt and unease grew. To her, Eric was extraordinary, while she felt so ordinary. Now, he was about to become Hollywood's youngest multi-millionaire, while she was the "convenience store clerk" the papers mentioned. The gap between them had never felt wider.

...

Unbeknownst to Aniston, Eric was clueless about her inner turmoil. After waiting for half an hour, Edward Lewis, the lawyer handling the wager agreement, finally arrived.

"Hello, Mr. Edward, thanks for coming personally," Eric greeted Edward Lewis and his assistant as they stepped inside.

Edward quickly extended his hand to shake Eric's, saying respectfully, "Eric, I couldn't believe how huge Home Alone became! Congratulations! This is my assistant, Carter."

The three sat down on the sofa, and Eric pulled out the compensation agreement from Columbia. He recounted the entire situation.

Edward listened quietly to Eric's explanation and then examined the compensation agreement closely. After a few minutes, he stated, "Eric, there's nothing wrong with this agreement. You can sign it without worries."

"That's great," Eric nodded in relief and took out his pen to sign the document.

Edward hesitated for a moment, looking at Eric. "Eric, I think you might need a full-time legal team to handle your ongoing legal affairs."

"Huh?" Eric caught on to Edward's pitch, smiling as he looked up.

Edward met Eric's smile directly, stating, "I believe my firm has the capability to handle this, Eric. Based on your account, if you hadn't been so vigilant, you might have faced a situation where the wager agreement could have been torn up. Therefore, I think our team could be your representatives, fully managing your dealings with Columbia. If Columbia defaults again, we can fight for you in court to ensure your rights."

Eric had seen Edward and his legal team's professionalism when they first drafted the wager agreement. He acknowledged he truly needed a dedicated legal team. After a bit of discussion, they quickly came to an agreement. Edward pulled out a prepared power of attorney agreement, and Eric immediately signed it.

"Alright then, I'll leave the rest in your hands, Edward. Please forward this compensation agreement to Columbia; I really don't want to deal with them anymore."

"Okay, Eric. If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave."

After seeing Edward and his assistant out, Eric finally breathed a sigh of relief. He could now focus on his love for filmmaking. He trusted Edward's firm; after all, they were merely his representatives and held no authority to make decisions on his behalf. If they decided to collude with Columbia against him, once exposed, that would ruin their entire firm's careers. Columbia wouldn't pay to support a whole team for a lifetime either.

...

While Eric felt assured, Columbia found itself caught in a media storm due to Eric's statement. Many newspapers, which had already gone to print, scrambled to revise their layouts because the news was too explosive. That evening, articles detailing Eric's accusations against Columbia appeared on the front pages. Various analyses and speculations quickly filled the media, as many papers sought to fan the flames and increase sales.

After reprinting Eric's statement verbatim, the papers began dissecting every word. It was surprising how robust sensationalism could be. Some newspapers somehow linked Eric's declaration to Michael Eisner. Eric had indeed subtly undermined Eisner in his statement, mentioning their pleasant conversation and potential collaboration, which led the papers to speculate that Eisner played a key role in exposing Columbia's "underhanded tactics."

...

Eisner had been mulling over how to inform his old friend that Eric had seen through their shared tricks. After seeing the news, he promptly called Cohen Blunt to explain, but sadly, Cohen seemed unconvinced.

With a bitter smile, Eisner realized he understimated Cohen's suspicious nature and sighed at how this friendship might reach its end. Strangely, he felt little animosity toward Eric; instead, he found himself appreciating him more.

...

Several newspapers quickly discovered that Home Alone had only hit about 1,500 screens that week, even less than 17 Again, which had bumped their screen count up to 1,600. This revelation spurred the media to viciously criticize Columbia while also questioning the company's integrity.

The competing studios, already envious of Columbia monopolizing the Home Alone success, jumped on the bandwagon to condemn them, even calling on fans in some tabloids to boycott Columbia films.

Once the news broke, Columbia's public hotline became inundated with outraged citizens, leading to a few female staff members receiving enough abuse to cry, with two of them submitting their resignation letters the following morning.

Columbia's president, Cohen Blunt, in a fit of frustration, smashed everything in his office and then reluctantly called a meeting with his public relations executives to discuss a response strategy.

That night, the TV stations controlled by Columbia issued a statement justifying the screen count for Home Alone and announced the terms of the compensation agreement while suggesting that Eric's claims about Columbia intending to tear up the treaty were baseless, attributing them to a misunderstanding over screen counts.

However, without Eric stepping up to corroborate this, the media and public overwhelmingly dismissed Columbia's explanation.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 33: Taking Initiative]

The next day, the fallout from the incident continued to escalate. Most newspapers condemned Columbia Pictures, and for some reason, they redirected their anger toward Columbia's parent company, Coca-Cola, starting to criticize its management strategies for Columbia. After all, the past few years had seen Columbia's performances hit rock bottom. Initially, Coca-Cola shrugged off this "minor issue."

To everyone's surprise, after the stock market opened that day, Coca-Cola's stock, which had always been stable, plummeted by 1.7%. While this might seem negligible, multiplying it by the company's tens of billions in market value made it a significant concern.

Coca-Cola's COO, Donald Keough, unleashed a tirade against Cohen Blount over the phone, demanding that Cohen quickly resolve the issue, or else he'd be ousted as president of Columbia.

Under the pressure from Coca-Cola's headquarters, at ten in the morning, Cohen personally called a press conference at Columbia, where he offered a subtle apology to Eric and promised to take the contractual agreement seriously moving forward.

...

Naturally, upon hearing the news, Eric was keen to avoid making things worse. He immediately had his personal lawyer, Edward Lewis, publish a statement of understanding in the Los Angeles Times. Just as this storm began to brew, it quickly died down.

Perhaps because of this breach of contract incident, Home Alone, which would typically experience a decline in its second week, shockingly saw its box office numbers rise instead, pulling in $28.76 million and surpassing the $50 million mark within just two weeks.

Meanwhile, 17 Again, with its $14.73 million at the box office, remained in the second place on the charts. The two films associated with Eric had combined earnings that exceeded 50% of North America's total box office for the week, leaving quite an impression on some.

Even with such impressive earnings, the media's interest in Eric started to wane. After several fruitless days of trying to hunt down useful news, the reporters near Eric's home began to leave one by one.

...

During that week, Eric mostly stayed at home, focused on writing the long-awaited adaptation of Resident Evil, a project promised to Michael Krauss. In his previous life, Resident Evil had two versions: one was the storyline from Capcom's video game, and the other featured Alice as the central character in the film version. Unfortunately, Eric had only played the fourth and sixth installments of the game, leaving him a bit out of touch with the storylines from the game.

The movie adaptation had minimal content to draw from, mainly following Milla Jovovich's over-the-top character as she showcased her skills, completely bypassing deeper storytelling elements.

Consequently, writing the Resident Evil novel was not as easy as crafting Jurassic Park. It took Eric three days to outline a story revolving around Leon, from his joining the police force to the team's struggle to escape the outbreak in Raccoon City.

Eric ingeniously incorporated former protagonists Chris, Jill, and Wesker into his novel. Of course, he couldn't forget the beloved Ada Wong, whom many gaming fans adored. In a playful turn, Eric wrote the ambiguous relationship between Ada and Leon as that of a pet boy and his queen.

This was not a wholly original concept; fans online had long speculated on the nature of their relationship.

In the game, the elegant and enigmatic Ada would often save Leon from peril while cheerfully teasing him, leaving behind a rocket launcher stamped with a lipstick print as she floated away.

Every time players reached these moments, they couldn't help but think of some rather cheeky scenarios: "Come here, little darling... (ruffles hair)... That's it, you're all set now; off you go."

...

Emerging from the kitchen with a steaming cup of water, Eric approached James Brooks, who was lounging on the couch, reading a draft of Resident Evil.

"James, what do you think?" Eric asked as he handed the coffee to him, then took a seat across from him.

"It's incredibly vivid, makes you feel like you're in the scene -- just like watching a movie; very exciting," said James.

Eric nodded, appreciating James's honest feedback. Due to his previous career, Eric had unintentionally woven a significant amount of montage techniques into his writing, a style that created a strong visual impression.

"What if it turned into a movie?" Eric asked again.

James set the manuscript aside and replied thoughtfully, "I don't think this novel would be suitable for a film adaptation right now. There are plenty of zombie fans, but their numbers aren't vast enough. A small or medium budget wouldn't cut it for an effective film treatment; if it were to be a true adaptation with all the necessary effects, the budget would have to be higher. It would be best if the tech advanced and became more affordable over the next few years."

No wonder he was a top-tier producer; with just a few words, James sketched out the limitations and potential of Resident Evil's adaptation. Fans often complained about the lack of investment in the Resident Evil film series -- the inadequate special effects, and the recurring theme of Milla without a strong supporting cast -- but they didn't understand that if they followed the fans' desires, the film companies would ultimately face significant financial losses due to ratings and audience demographics.

After chit-chatting about Resident Evil, Eric finally inquired about James's reason for visiting.

"Is it an invitation to the Fox party?" Initially, Eric thought James was there regarding the overseas rights to Home Alone, but it turned out to be about something else entirely.

In recent days, Eric had already received several calls and offers related to Home Alone -- even Michael Eisner, who had initially planned to team up with Columbia to undermine him, reached out personally. Eric had turned them all down, having made up his mind.

Noticing Eric's look of surprise, James laughed. "Of course, you thought I was here for Home Alone, right? A lot of people have extended olive branches to you lately, but I hear you've turned them down. Perhaps you're waiting on Fox to make the first move, huh?"

The surprise in Eric's eyes quickly faded. He had indeed been waiting for Fox to take the initiative, allowing him to seize the upper hand. Given that James Brooks, a prominent producer, was extending the invitation, Eric felt it would be petty to deny it.

With a shrug and a smile, Eric replied, "You're right, James. I was hoping for that, considering our collaboration was rather pleasant."

James said sincerely, "That's why I'm here today. In fact, Mr. Barry Diller wants to meet with you to discuss Home Alone, Jurassic Park, and your... next project."

"Oh, Fox sure is ambitious, aren't they?" Eric remarked.

James chuckled, "It's not about greed, Eric; it's business. If Fox doesn't step in, other companies will show interest in these projects. Of course, Fox won't be as short-sighted as Columbia; we want a partnership based on equality and mutual benefit."

Eric knew better than to fall for those words. This was all just talk because Fox hadn't secured the distribution rights to Home Alone. If they had managed that, they could very well have pulled some shenanigans over the contractual agreement. The leaked scandals from his past life were just the tip of the iceberg regarding the dirty dealings these industry giants engaged in behind closed doors.

However, Eric also realized he had to hitch his wagon to a giant to fend off external threats and protect himself while quietly building up his strength. After careful consideration, he decided to align himself with Fox.

Over the coming years, under Barry Diller's leadership, Fox aimed to establish the Fox Broadcasting Company, which would likely divert some of their focus from films. This shift provided Eric, a small player in the industry, with a golden opportunity to garner resources in their nest.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 34: Crying Poverty]

"Hey, babe, dress up a bit more tonight; we're heading to a party... huh?" Eric frowned slightly. "Meeting some TV producer, Jenny? Didn't I mention that if you wanted, I could write you a script for a TV show? I know you want to make it on your own, but what about tonight? James specifically asked for a date, and if you don't go... No way, I only have eyes for you... All right, it's settled. Talk to you later."

Once he hung up the phone, Eric sighed in disappointment. Ever since the success of Home Alone, his relationship with Jennifer Aniston had subtly shifted. The once spoiled girl who loved to be pampered had become much more reserved around him.

With his life experience, Eric easily figured out that this change had come from Jennifer reading tabloid gossip about their relationship, which made her feel insecure and inadequate. Even though Eric had tried to reassure her a few times, it hadn't alleviated her concerns much.

Jennifer was also working hard to break free from this state of mind. In just a week, she attended several auditions for different productions, both for TV series and movies, thanks to her father's connections.

Her motivation was simple: she wanted to become famous quickly. If she made a name for herself, those tabloids wouldn't view her as 'Cinderella' anymore.

...

At their home in Beverly Hills, after hanging up the phone, Jennifer sighed in disappointment as well. Deep down, she wanted to attend the party with Eric and dreamt of being the leading lady in his films. However, she knew that if she went, the public would label her as someone who relied on her boyfriend for success. That label would stick with her forever. Some women might not care or even welcome such a label, but for strong-willed Jennifer, it was hard to accept.

Sitting nearby, John Aniston pretended to read the newspaper but couldn't help noticing his daughter's distracted demeanor. "Jennifer, how about I go meet with Costner today? I'm sure Uncle Costner wouldn't mind."

Jennifer shook her head. "No, Dad, even though Uncle Costner wouldn't mind, it would be rude for me not to show up. After all, he put in a lot of effort to help me land that role."

"Jen, Eric is a good kid. He's more mature than most young men his age. I don't think he'd mind certain things," John suggested.

"But I do, Dad," Jennifer replied, a bit frustrated. "Look at what the tabloids are saying. Goodness, I didn't even realize I was seen as that kind of woman."

"Jennifer, if you keep caring about what others think, you'll never be happy," John counseled. "Eric has achieved so much at such a young age. He'll always be surrounded by various forms of attention. As his girlfriend, you won't escape it unless..."

John stopped short, realizing he might inadvertently plant a seed of doubt in Jennifer's mind about her future with Eric. Although his impression of Eric had improved, he still didn't hold much hope for their future together due to Jennifer's driven nature.

...

With Jennifer opting not to accompany him, Eric lost interest in the party too. As evening approached, he finally pulled out his father's old suit from the closet and drove over to the Hilton, where the party was being held.

As soon as he entered the ballroom, the sharp-eyed James Brooks immediately approached him. But noticing Eric's attire, James frowned slightly and pulled him aside, saying, "Eric, your status has changed now. You might want to pay a bit more attention to your wardrobe, at least wear a well-fitting suit, right?"

Eric looked down at the slightly baggy suit, a leftover from his father. He shrugged helplessly, pulling out his wallet and waving it in front of James with a wry smile. "James, aside from the car parked outside, this is all I have on me. A grand total of... well, five hundred twenty-one dollars and seventy-five cents. To make Home Alone, I even mortgaged the deed to my house, so I can't afford new clothes."

Hearing a recently celebrated young multi-millionaire lamenting about being broke felt entirely out of place, and James' mouth twitched slightly. "All right, Eric, Barry Diller is waiting for you. Let's go."

The party had begun; the hall was brightly lit as a band played soft music and waiters weaved through the crowd balancing drinks. Many stars, whom Eric had only ever seen on screen, mingled in small groups chatting away.

When the golden producer James Brooks was seen leading a young man through the crowd, people started to get curious about his identity. Although Eric's pictures had appeared in numerous tabloids, many still didn't recognize him.

When a friend nearby revealed Eric's identity, various gazes turned toward him, making Eric feel a bit uncomfortable.

As he neared the edge of the crowd, he finally spotted a familiar face. Sitting at a long table in the corner, Penny Marshall was chatting with Tom Hanks, dressed in a black gown. Their eyes met, and they both smiled and nodded at each other. Unable to resist, Eric took a look at Tom Hanks next to her. Even at thirty-two, Tom was still handsome and fit, showing no signs of future weight gain.

Reaching a room door, James said to Eric, "Go on in; Barry Diller is waiting inside. I'll be going now."

...

Eric knocked on the door and opened it after receiving a response. Inside, a man and woman sat on a sofa, deep in conversation. Upon seeing Eric enter, the exquisitely attractive woman, probably around thirty, leaned close to the big-nosed middle-aged man to whisper something, then picked up her handbag and left the room. The big-nosed man was obviously Barry Diller, a media mogul Eric had seen many times in the tabloids before.

"Hello, Eric," Barry greeted as he stood up and extended his hand.

Eric pretended not to notice the woman's slight blush as she left. "Hello, Mr. Diller. It's great to meet you."

They shook hands and took seats on the sofa across from each other.

"Did you know, Eric? A lot of people feel a sense of defeat when they see you," Barry stated casually.

Eric raised an eyebrow, unable to help but ask, "What about you, Mr. Diller?"

Barry chuckled, unfazed by Eric's somewhat cheeky question. "Not me. I don't believe in luck or shortcuts; I only trust in my own abilities. I climbed the ranks from being a mailroom clerk at the William Morris Agency to where I am now. I might envy your success, but I'm still proud of my own journey."

"Mr. Diller, do you think the success of Home Alone was purely a coincidence?" Eric questioned.

Barry nodded. "I had someone do a thorough analysis, and there were indeed several coincidences behind the movie's success. So, I'm curious, Eric, why did you dare sign that bet deal with Columbia? You know the odds were 80% that you wouldn't see a cent."

"I had nothing to lose. If I lost, I lost. I could always start over," Eric replied.

Barry sensed Eric's words didn't quite reflect his true feelings but chose not to dwell on it. "So, Eric, I'm representing Fox and I'd like to invite you to join us. What do you think?"

Eric didn't want to tie himself down to one company. Once he accepted, he'd likely be signing away several years of his life.

Shaking his head, Eric said, "Thank you for the offer, Mr. Diller, but I don't like being restricted. I plan to start my own independent film company and produce a few low-budget films to hone my skills first."

Barry didn't press further after Eric declined the offer. Since Eric had risen to prominence, several agencies had thoroughly analyzed his background and personality. Barry had seen those reports and knew the young man had a decisiveness that was rare among his peers. Once he made a decision, it wasn't likely to change.

At the same time, Barry wasn't concerned about Eric starting his own film company. Many directors, after achieving fame, sought independence, wanting more profit and control, and often left major studios to go it alone.

It was usually those who struggled without the support of the major studios who ultimately realized that going solo was nearly impossible. Even the most positioned studio, DreamWorks, failed in its efforts, as the terrain was harsh and littered with difficult lessons.

Investing in films was essentially like gambling; no one knew if a film would be successful before its release. The downfall of DreamWorks wasn't just due to losing connections; the primary issue stemmed from multiple failed projects, leading to massive financial losses and a quiet exit from the industry.

However, this gambling risk didn't affect Eric. As someone who had traveled through time, he already knew the outcomes of most bets, giving him the confidence to carve out his own niche in the industry.

Perhaps the industry giants would join forces to suppress him to maintain their monopoly, but Eric wasn't afraid. If his films consistently succeeded, nobody would turn against money in this profit-driven world.

Just like in his past life, media tycoon Summer Redstone, who had directly clashed with Tom Cruise, had no choice but to share meals with him in the years that followed for the sake of profit, laughing and chatting like old friends. Even Tom had made a satire of Redstone's opportunistic nature in one of his films, which Paramount distributed.

After a casual chat, the topic returned to Home Alone, which was currently the only chip Eric had to catch the attention of the giants. Even Jurassic Park hadn't yet garnered sufficient notice.

"Eric, let's talk about Home Alone," Barry suggested. "I have an idea: how about selling the overseas and merchandising rights, as well as the sequel rights to Fox? We'd offer a very reasonable price."

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 35: I'll Show You Affection Another Day]

Eric was just about to speak when Barry Diller continued, "Eric, hold on a second before you decline. Maybe you don't know, but Stuart Ronkel, the lead from Home Alone, has signed with CAA. They've been expanding rapidly lately and their appetite is getting bigger and bigger. Just the other day, Michael Ovitz barged into MGM headquarters, having a heated argument with the CEO over the distribution of a film, and MGM had no choice but to make concessions. You can imagine that if you decide to independently produce Home Alone again in the future, CAA will certainly come asking for a big cut."

Although Barry Diller made a valid point, Eric still directly refused. Home Alone might need Stuart Ronkel, but Stuart Ronkel also needed Home Alone to stabilize his fame. In Eric's past life, Macaulay Culkin had only that one standout film to his name; his other movies had all performed mediocre at best. Eric didn't believe that things would be any different this time around. If CAA truly didn't see the situation correctly and came demanding more than they should, well, they could just wait and see who had the patience. Eric wasn't planning to stake his entire career on just one film.

"Mr. Diller, if we keep this conversation going, it's going to end badly. So let me lay my cards on the table: I can sell the overseas rights for Home Alone to Fox for $25 million, but next year, I intend to make three films, including a sequel to Home Alone. I need Fox to sign a package distribution agreement with me, and I want 35% of the North American shares and 10% of the overseas shares."

The reason Eric chose to sell the overseas rights outright rather than opt for a share was that he suddenly realized he needed a quick influx of cash, and $25 million was certainly a better deal than trying to rely on future earnings.

Barry Diller listened patiently to Eric's proposal but frowned. "Eric, the $25 million is definitely within Fox's reach, but like you mentioned, your films have only been low-budget productions. That being said, your percentage offers are too high; only big-budget films could secure such a split. If it were just the sequel to Home Alone, Fox might consider it, but the other two films..."

Seeing Barry Diller shake his head, Eric smiled slightly and confidently replied, "I believe my films are worth that price. How about this, Mr. Diller, why don't we draft up a wager agreement?"

"Uh..."

Barry Diller nearly choked at the suggestion. Given the fallout from a similar wager agreement at Columbia, where President Cohen Blount's position had become shaky and he could very well be ousted, Barry Diller wasn't about to follow in those footsteps.

"Perhaps I should leak my terms to others; I'm sure a few other studios would be quite interested. Michael Eisner has called me more than once trying to recruit me."

Barry Diller chuckled, "Eric, you can't fool me on that one. I know why Michael is reaching out to you."

Eric shook his head. "No, Mr. Diller, I'm not trying to deceive you. I'm saying that after that meeting, Mr. Eisner has contacted me again."

Having once been Barry's assistant, He knew Michael Eisner all too well; he was quite a cocky guy. So Barry found it surprising that Eisner would be considering a second chance. Little did he know that Eric's impressive performance during their last meeting had left a lasting impression on Eisner.

Diller didn't believe Eric would lie about something so easily disproven and, in the process, felt an increasing respect for Eric. He still trusted the eye of his former assistant. Unlike Cohen Blount, Barry Diller wasn't one to dither. After a brief pause to weigh the pros and cons, he made his decision. "Alright, Eric. I'll agree to your terms."

"Then here's to a fruitful partnership," Eric raised his right hand.

Barry Diller smiled and raised his hand, giving Eric a light slap on the hand. The two of them had basically reached an agreement, and the upcoming signings felt like a formality.

...

"Hey, Eric! I missed you so much!" Eric returned to the reception hall when a light green figure floated over and jumped into his arms.

The girl's excited voice drew the attention of many people in the room.

Eric quickly stopped Drew Barrymore from getting any more affectionate. After all, she was only thirteen. A bit of closeness in private was one thing, but showing it off in front of so many people could lead to misunderstandings.

Drew realized the situation was a bit off and stuck out her tongue. She let go of Eric's waist and quickly shifted to link arms with him instead, carelessly brushing her little chest against his arm.

"Drew, how did you get out? Is your treatment over?" Eric asked as he walked toward Penny Marshall's group, momentarily glancing down at Drew, coincidentally peeking through the slightly loose neckline of her light green dress, noticing that she was without a bra.

Drew keenly caught Eric's gaze, flashing a mischievous smile while puffing her little chest to tease him, she coyly said, "I was supposed to be discharged tomorrow, but when I heard you were coming to this party tonight, I just had to sneak out early."

"Drew, you just got out of rehab. You really shouldn't be drinking."

"Of course not! The waiters here won't serve me any alcohol; I'm only thirteen."

Regardless of private drinking habits, at least on the surface, the rules had to be respected, especially in a well-known venue like the Hilton, which would be extra careful with these details to avoid scrutiny.

...

"Hey, Eric! We haven't seen each other in a week! What have you been up to? I haven't heard a peep from you. Are you planning on retiring early?" Penny Marshall remarked with a teasing tone as she approached Eric and Drew.

Eric casually grabbed a glass of red wine from a tray held by a waiter and stepped closer to Penny Marshall. "Retirement? No way! I'm only eighteen, not eighty; no plans to retire yet, just wrapping up a novel."

"A new novel? I want to read it! I want to read it!" Before Penny could chime in, Drew eagerly pulled at Eric's arm.

Penny Marshall teased, "Hey, Drew! Try to be a bit more ladylike. Eric likes girls who are a bit quieter."

"That's not true!" Drew pouted in defiance. "Jennifer Aniston isn't a lady at all! By the way, where's that fat girl? Haha, Eric, did you break up?"

Eric gave Drew a playful knock on the head. "Alright, Drew, Jennifer just happened to have other things to do tonight. How could we possibly break up?"

"Ugh, Eric, that was really hurtful," Drew whined, rubbing the spot Eric had knocked.

...

"This way," Penny Marshall guided Eric and Drew to a long table, introducing, "This is Miss Elizabeth Perkins, the star of Big. And you definitely know this one; Mr. Tom Hanks."

"Hello, I'm Eric Williams," Eric greeted both of them, "Mr. Hanks, I really enjoyed Big; you portrayed that kid perfectly. How did you do it?"

Tom Hanks, smiling warmly, replied, "Just call me Tom, Eric. As for how I did it, you'd have to ask Penny."

Upon hearing this, Penny Marshall couldn't help but show a bit of pride as she explained, "Well, during filming, I had David Moscow, who played young Josh, act it out according to the script while Tom followed along in character. That rascal David even tricked Tom at one point. Speaking of which, if David were just a few years younger, he could've easily played Kevin in Home Alone. By the way, Eric, do you have plans for your next film?"

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 36: Pretty Woman]

Everyone was engrossed in Penny Marshall's explanation when they noticed the last question directed at Eric. At that moment, Eric's fame soared above that of many seasoned directors. People were saying that even if he released a lousy film, his star power alone would guarantee profits for any investors. That was, in fact, the exact reasoning behind Barry Diller's recent agreement to package three films for Eric.

"There are several good scripts, but I haven't decided which one to shoot yet," Eric stated honestly. He had initially intended to make a film solely to propel Jennifer Aniston into the spotlight, but unfortunately, the girl had declined. Now, he had to consider other projects first.

A few people froze at those words. The industry was flooded with scripts; there was no shortage in the Writers Guild's archives. However, truly impressive scripts had dwindled down to a rare few. Many directors had waited years for a quality script, sometimes failing to release even one film, but here he was -- almost crazily claiming to have several good scripts, unsure of which to make. That was rather disheartening.

"Wow, several scripts, Eric? How about selling me one?" Penny Marshall teased, part envy and part jest.

Eric noticed the expressions on their faces and felt he had overstated things. Although the scripts in his mind truly held merit, saying so made him appear arrogant. "Forget it, Penny. Once 17 Again wraps up, you might just become a mega director with two consecutive hits over a hundred million dollars each. Then you won't need any scripts!"

Eric spoke the truth; in those days, films surpassing one hundred million in box office receipts in a year never exceeded ten. If Penny Marshall managed to pull off two, she'd become the target of several film studios vying for her talent.

Not taking offense at Eric's response, Penny quickly shifted the topic. They chatted for a bit longer until the band in the hall began to play dance music. Penny smiled, "Alright, Eric, we won't monopolize your time. Just look around; those girls are itching to invite you to dance."

Eric glanced around and indeed saw a few lovely ladies gazing at him eagerly, ready for the next move, while he also felt Drew tighten her grip around his arm.

"Let's leave it at that. Oh, Tom, could I get your contact info? Perhaps we could work together sometime?"

Tom Hanks was about to leave when he heard Eric's request. He pulled out a business card and smiled, "Of course! My contact details are right there. Eric, could I get a sneak peek at the script's content?"

Others, curious about Eric's response to Tom, slowed their exit, eager to hear what he would say next.

Eric accepted the business card and tucked it away, noticing the eager looks from everyone around. He shrugged and replied, "Sorry, Tom. I can only say that you'll play a cop, and I can't promise this movie will be a hit, so it won't be my second film. Maybe the third or perhaps even later."

"You really know how to keep us guessing, Eric," Penny complained, disappointed. Tom nodded, accepting the situation, then turned to leave.

...

"Mr. Williams, may I have this dance?" Just as everyone began to scatter, a blonde walked up confidently to invite him. She appeared in her twenties, her features soft and refined. She stood only about 5'4", but her well-endowed figure was quite eye-catching, and with every slight movement, it seemed as if she might spill out of her top, exuding allure.

With a mind full of movie memories, Eric instantly recognized the beautiful woman. Oddly enough, his strongest impression of her wasn't from the more revealing scenes she often appeared in, but rather of a moment in the movie The Hot Spot when she sensually licks an envelope and taunts Don Johnson's character, Harry Madox, telling him to "Beg for mercy."

That image could stir a man's desires more than if she had stripped down completely, and right after, Dan lost all self-control.

Eric momentarily lost his train of thought and hadn't spoken yet when Drew chimed in, unable to contain herself, "Virginia, you don't see me?"

Seeing Drew's slightly indignant expression, Virginia puffed her chest teasingly. "Hey, little Drew, the tighter you hold on to a man, the more likely he is to run away. You can't do that."

"That's my business, not yours." Though she said this, Drew instinctively loosened her hold on Eric's arm, which Virginia noticed, causing her to chuckle.

"Alright, Drew, don't be rude. Go take a spin, and I'll dance with Miss Madsen," Eric said as he gently pulled away from Drew's embrace.

"Eric, I can dance too!" Drew protested weakly, but Eric shot her a look that said to stop fooling around, causing her to stomp her foot in frustration and reluctantly turn away.

"Drew can be a bit much, Miss Madsen. I hope you don't mind," Eric said, turning his attention back to the awaiting blonde.

"Of course not, Eric. Just call me Virginia," she replied, extending her hand. Eric took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.

As he gently wrapped his arms around Virginia's soft waist, Eric inhaled the faint scent of her hair while openly admiring her delicate features. From above, he noticed her long lashes fluttering slightly, her pointed chin making her naturally pretty face appear even more vivid. Suddenly, he understood why so many beautiful girls online angled their selfies from above.

Feeling Eric's scrutinizing gaze, Virginia had the strange impression she was being eyed by a worldly older man. When she attempted to lock eyes with him, her gaze faltered, only holding for less than a second before she looked away.

Having debuted as an actress in the early 80s, Virginia Madsen, despite looking more stunning now at twenty-seven than at the outset of her career, had still only played minor roles in nearly ten films. Though she gained some recognition, it was merely modest. In total, the box office of all her films combined didn't come close to the two-week tally of Eric's current blockbuster, Home Alone.

If it was just about box office numbers, that would have been one thing. However, critics consistently overlooked the effort she put into her performances, sidelining her as just another pretty face relying on her looks. With her thirtieth birthday approaching, if her career didn't make a significant shift soon, her life could end up spent in small films playing forgettable roles.

At the party, the moment Virginia learned of Eric's identity from a friend, she considered that this might be a great opportunity. She originally thought captivating this eighteen-year-old would be a walk in the park, charming him into her orbit with her beauty. If he could really advance her career, she wouldn't mind putting her body on the line.

Yet, they hadn't shared much dialogue at that point. Just a glance from him hinted that her plan wouldn't unfold as smoothly as she'd hoped. The young man before her seemed anything but naive; he resembled more of a playboy than a greenhorn.

"Eric, don't you think it's rude to stare at a lady like this?"

Eric countered, "Not at all. If beauty goes unappreciated, that is the greatest tragedy in the world. As a gentleman, I absolutely refuse to allow such a tragedy to happen."

Virginia felt a touch of pride from Eric's subtle compliment. "So then, Eric, do you think I have any chance of landing the lead in your film?" As she spoke, her petite frame leaned slightly forward, almost pressing against Eric, her curves brushing lightly against his chest.

Now that was forward! Such blatant teasing elicited a natural response from the young Eric, who quickly pushed Virginia's enticing figure back slightly to avoid any embarrassment. "Actually, Virginia, seeing you brings two words to my mind: pretty woman."

Virginia thought Eric was changing the subject and felt a bit deflated. "Thanks for the compliment, Eric."

"No," Eric shook his head. "It's not just a compliment. It's the title of my next film."

"Next film?" Virginia's large, beautiful eyes brightened up.

Eric nodded. "Yes, I was uncertain about my next project, but after seeing you, a script suddenly popped into my mind. It's called Pretty Woman."

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 37: The Free Meal]

Virginia felt a rush of excitement. From the title, it was clear that this was a movie centered around a female lead. With Eric's current fame, if she could land the leading role, she would certainly attract a tremendous amount of attention, regardless of whether the film turned out good or bad.

"Eric, are you saying... I... I..."

The hopeful look in her eyes made Eric feel a pang of guilt. "I'm really sorry, Virginia. Your charm just doesn't fit this role. You're too alluring. The leading lady I envision should have a more pure essence with a touch of sensuality."

It was as if Virginia didn't hear Eric's words. She leaned closer, pressing her soft body against him, raising her alluring face slightly and softly suggesting, "Eric, maybe we could find a room to discuss that script properly. I believe I have what it takes to play the role you described."

As she breathed softly, her hand gradually crept down to his most sensitive area, giving it a light squeeze. For a moment, Eric felt tempted to agree with Virginia's proposition. However, he was at heart a mature man with strong self-control.

He understood that if he agreed to Virginia's suggestion of "discussing" in a room, he would have to let her play the lead. Though affairs like that were not uncommon in their circle, he was not that kind of man. Besides, he was still relatively new in the industry; if he changed his mind later, he knew it would create a mess for him.

Taking a deep breath, he gently pushed Virginia away and said, "Virginia, I'm really sorry. Even though both Home Alone and 17 Again had seen success, many still question my abilities. I can't risk another failure. If a suitable role comes along in the future, I promise to consider you first."

That last promise felt a bit empty. Virginia saw that despite laying her cards on the table, Eric remained unmoved. Though she respected his self-control, she decided not to press further. After their dance concluded and they parted ways, Virginia left him with her business card.

...

"What's the matter? Feeling a bit reluctant, are we?" Drew suddenly appeared, winding her arm around Eric's as she teased.

"Of course! I'm just a normal man," Eric chuckled.

"Then why not go for it? I'm sure Virginia wouldn't mind spending the night with you."

Eric shrugged, "But that comes at a cost. Currently, I'm broke, with just five hundred twenty-one dollars and seventy-five cents to my name. I can't even afford a luxury suite at a hotel."

Drew licked his lips, rubbing up against him like a playful imp. "Eric, there's something available here that doesn't cost a thing, and it can even be delivered to your door."

Unable to resist, Eric playfully tapped Drew on the head. "You are just a little mischief-maker with a wild imagination. Not interested; no returns!"

Drew winced, rubbing his head. "Eric, I strongly protest your constant head tapping. If this keeps up, I might just bite you. I'm serious."

...

As they were joking around, James Brooks approached with a glass of red wine in hand.

"Hey, Eric. How did your talk with Mr. Barry Diller go?"

"Pretty well. We've reached a preliminary agreement -- most of the films I produce in the next year will be distributed by Fox."

James lifted his glass. "Then congratulations, Eric! I believe your collaboration with Fox will bring you great joy."

Taking a glass of wine, Eric raised it in response. "I hope so too."

After taking a small sip, James continued, "Eric, come with me. I'd like to introduce you to some folks in the industry who'd love to meet you."

"It's my honor," Eric happily followed James into the crowd.

Just then, Drew seemed to have an idea, her big eyes darting around as she quickly followed them.

...

"This is Mr. Richard Zanuck, he was the producer of Spielberg's Jaws," James introduced.

Eric raised his glass. "Hello, Mr. Zanuck."

In his fifties, Richard Zanuck was lean and had a somewhat stern face, but now he wore a warm smile. "Hello, Eric. It's great to meet you. Oh, and little Drew! You're becoming quite the young lady -- no more mischief, you should learn from Eric."

Drew, full of innocent charm, replied, "I will, Mr. Zanuck. Can I offer you a drink?"

"Of course," he replied.

Drew raised her glass, but it was just juice. As if realizing something, she blushed and said, "Oh, I forgot I can't drink yet. Eric, could you take my place and drink this for me?"

Eric smiled and nodded, clinking glasses with Richard Zanuck and finishing the remaining wine in his glass.

...

After a bit of light chatter, James took Eric to meet others in the room. Being in the presence of potential contacts, Eric focused on maintaining conversations, unaware that Drew was slyly finding ways to encourage him to drink more.

After weaving around halfway through the crowd, Eric finally realized he had had too much to drink. He dashed to the restroom to throw up, and when he emerged, he felt unsteady on his feet, his head spinning.

Seeing his state, James decided to forgo further introductions. "Eric, you're drunk. Let's call it a night. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future; I'll have someone take you home."

"Mr. James, let me take Eric home," Drew quickly volunteered.

Having spent the entire evening with Eric, James instinctively thought Drew was his girlfriend and didn't suspect anything amiss. He nodded, "Alright, Drew. Just make sure Eric drinks lots of water when you get back."

Drew agreed and found a server to help steady Eric as they made their way to the parking lot.

"Ms. Drew, would you like me to drive you both back?" the server politely asked.

Drew nodded, handing over the keys as she opened the back door. Eric had already slumped into the back seat, lost in slumber.

Drew squeezed into the back seat, lifting Eric's heavy head onto her lap. After giving the server Eric's address, he nodded and started the car.

...

[T/N: Sensitive content, read with caution.]

After tipping the server and watching him leave, Drew let out a joyful squeal before hurrying back to the bedroom.

Kicking off her high heels, she climbed onto Eric's large bed, lying on her side to gaze at his peaceful face. She couldn't resist reaching out and touching him, murmuring, "You can't run away now. You're mine."

Snuggling up against Eric, she looked around the room, filled with her warmest memories since she had learned to make sense of life. Remembering how Eric had taken such good care of her during her last bout with addiction, she felt a strong urge to do something in return.

With effort, she started to strip Eric of his clothes, leaving him in only his undershorts. A drunk person felt heavy and unresponsive, and after finishing, she was slightly out of breath. Once she covered him with a blanket, she headed to the bathroom for a towel, turning on warm water and awkwardly washing it out before returning to wipe his face.

As Eric quietly slept, allowing Drew to tend to him, she knelt on the bed, looking around. She suddenly wished she could stay by his side forever. She had worked hard to kick her addiction for him. If he ever asked, she'd change anything for him.

Yet deep down, astute Drew knew that Eric was different from the men she had encountered -- polite on the surface but harboring unsavory thoughts beneath. He truly saw her as more of a daughter than anything else.

While that feeling was warm and comforting, and she didn't mind his occasional fatherly scolds, it wasn't what she wanted. She didn't want to be his "daughter." Well... if he wanted to play a little, she might consider it. But she wanted to be his woman. She loved him.

Thinking this, Drew felt a surge of excitement and tossed the wet towel onto the bedside table. In just a few swift motions, she stripped down completely, glanced at her curvaceous figure with satisfaction, and swiftly dove under the covers, snuggling into Eric's embrace.

[T/N: Sensitive content.]

Under the dim lamp by the bed, amidst the warm blankets, a busy little bee was hard at work. Ultimately, disappointment surfaced as she poked her head out from beneath the covers, blushing and slightly out of breath. With a frown, she glared at the still-sleeping Eric, wishing she could pounce on him for a bite.

Didn't it say that men's primal instincts kicked in when they were drunk? So why was it not working out with this one?

Drew had initially planned to force a free meal, pushing certain things to become a reality so that Eric wouldn't treat her like a daughter any longer. But after all her efforts, while there was a reaction, it just didn't reach the level of orgasm.

Maybe next time she should prepare some stimulating aids. Feeling a bit tired and dejected, she turned her thoughts around, draping her arm over one of Eric's, adopting a more comfortable position as she rested her head against his chest and, before she knew it, fell into a deep sleep.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 38: A Heart-Wrenching Talent]

Aniston woke up early, humming a tune she couldn't quite place, happily bustling around the kitchen. After meeting her father's producer friend last night, she finally secured a role as the second lead in a hit NBC TV series. While it wasn't the leading role, it was a significant opportunity for her as a newcomer, and it would definitely help boost her fame, which was what Aniston desperately needed right now.

"Morning, Jen," her half-brother, Alex Aniston, mumbled as he stumbled sleepily past the kitchen door, scratching his head.

Aniston turned around, holding a packed breakfast and said, "Hey, Alex, breakfast is ready. We can eat as soon as Dad and the others wake up, but I have to run out for a bit."

With that, without waiting for Alex to respond, Aniston rushed out the door.

Declining an invitation to Eric's party had made Aniston a bit anxious. Although the tabloids' portrayal of her relationship with Eric frustrated her, her feelings for him made her care about his emotions. She could tell Eric was upset from their phone call the night before, so she woke up early to make him a heartfelt breakfast, hoping to soothe his discontent while eagerly sharing with him the news of her role.

About ten minutes later, Aniston got out of a cab in front of Eric's house, pulling out the key he had made just for her to open the door and walk into the yard.

...

Unbeknownst to her, about ten meters away, an inconspicuous gray Buick was parked, and a previously sleepy white guy instantly perked up, his face lighting up with excitement. He quickly grabbed a camera, snapping a photo, while kicking his snoozing companion awake.

"Hey, Dave, wake up! There's a great show to watch!"

The black man with the wide-brimmed hat who had been snoring suddenly felt a jolt, and instinctively pulled off his hat, sitting bolt upright, his bloodshot eyes staring out the car window. "Wayne, did Drew Barrymore and Eric Williams just come out? Where are they?"

"Better than that! Eric's convenience store clerk girlfriend just walked in," Wayne said, barely able to contain his glee. "This is going to be wild."

David looked again but didn't see Aniston's figure. He reached to grab Wayne's camera, but Wayne quickly stopped him. "What are you doing? Be careful with the film, or our whole night will be wasted. Don't worry, I already got a shot."

"Good, good," David rubbed his plump hands together, grinning. "I thought catching Eric with Drew would score big, but this is even better. How much do you think we should ask for?"

"At least three thousand bucks. If that old goat Santos tries to lowball us again, we'll just take it to another paper. This story is gonna sell like hotcakes."

...

In a daze from last night's drinking, Eric felt something soft in his hand, comfortable to the touch. He instinctively squeezed it, and as the girl gasped in pain, he opened his eyes, startled to find a warm body leaning against him.

Still groggy from the hangover, Eric mistook the girl for Aniston and, without thinking, pinched the little cherry at the top of the softness in his palm. "Morning, babe."

The girl moaned softly, leaning in to kiss Eric. "Good morning, Eric."

"Whoa... ah!" Just then, the familiar yet unexpected face appeared, and Eric jerked back, surprised, avoiding the girl's red lips.

The sudden movement caused his head to spin. Rubbing his temples, Eric stuttered, "Drew... why are you here?"

Drew seemed just as taken aback, rolling away and pulling up the blanket to cover her pale chest, gazing at Eric with a look of innocent concern. "Eric, you brought me home last night, and then... well, you don't have to worry; I'm okay. I... I'm happy."

I do worry, Eric thought, sighing helplessly as he reached for his clothes, catching a glint of mischief in Drew's eyes.

Suddenly intrigued, he swiftly lifted the blanket to take a look. The sheets were clean, and no scent lingered in the air. He let out a sigh of relief and shot Drew a glare. "We didn't do anything last night, did we?"

"We did!" Drew pouted. "Eric, how could you say that? You can't just deny it!"

"Then why is the bed so clean?" Eric asked, pulling on his shirt casually.

Drew's face twisted in more concern. "You... you forced that thing in my mouth and made me swallow. Then you wanted me to clean up afterward, you jerk! You can't do something so gross and then pretend it didn't happen. You're such a disappointment!"

Feeling overwhelmed, Eric felt like a million horses were galloping through his mind. Where did she learn that?

"Enough, Drew, stop messing around and get dressed!"

Seeing Eric's disbelief, Drew quickly jumped out of bed, bare as the day she was born, and leaped onto him. "Eric, if you don't believe me, just let me kiss you. I still have the taste in my mouth!"

As she opened her mouth to kiss him, Eric's face turned horrified. If what she said was true, that was just too disgusting.

"Don't... ah... don't do that, Drew! I believe you! Just stop already!"

"Don't you dare duck away! Eric, you're such a coward!"

As they tussled around, the bedroom door suddenly creaked open.

Aniston stood frozen in the doorway, holding a grocery bag.

Silence filled the space, as if God had pressed the pause button on reality.

After what felt like an eternity, the distant sound of a car horn outside snapped the three of them back to reality.

Confusion, hurt, anger, sadness, disappointment... a whirlwind of emotions surged within Aniston, and she inexplicably felt a pulse of relief. Was this how things were meant to be?

"E-Eric, I-I brought you breakfast," Aniston's voice came out fragile, almost like a whisper carried away by a breeze.

She bent down to set the grocery bag on the floor and turned to leave, her footsteps unwittingly growing faster, her high heels clattering sharply against the floor, echoing in the vacant house.

As the tears began to fall, Aniston bolted from Eric's yard, desperate to keep her tears hidden from him; she knew he'd revel in her sadness.

The sound of her heels jolted Eric from his daze.

"Jenny, let me explain..." he hurriedly pushed Drew off him, scrambling to pull on his pants as he rushed after her.

...

In his haste, he almost tripped down the stairs, but thankfully he caught hold of the railing and stumbled out of the yard, only to see a yellow cab speeding away, Aniston's silhouette just barely visible inside.

Returning to grab his car keys, Eric felt like crying. How many times had this happened now? Caught in the act again.

Why did he even say "again"?

There he was, watching sitcoms like Friends where Rachel caught her boyfriend cheating, while in real life, she was tossed into a similar mess with Peter and Jolie, and here he found himself facing it all over again.

This heart-wrenching talent was too much -- would it be easier to give it up?

By the time he hit the road in his car, the cab was long gone, leaving only the vague outline of Aniston's figure in his rearview mirror as he drove straight to John Aniston's place.

Minutes later, adjusting his clothes, Eric rang the doorbell at John Aniston's home.

...

"Hi, um, Eric. You here to see Jen?" Alex Aniston opened the door, recognizing Eric.

"Alex, where's your sister?" Eric asked urgently.

Alex looked puzzled. "She left early this morning. Didn't she go to see you?"

Seeing Alex's expression didn't suggest he was lying, Eric said goodbye and rushed away. If Aniston wasn't home, she had to be at her Burbank apartment.

Arriving at Aniston's little place, he knocked, but no one answered. Scanning the area and seeing no one around, he retrieved a spare key from a flowerpot and unlocked the apartment door.

As he stepped inside, Eric sensed unmistakably that Aniston had been there; her unique scent hung in the air.

Searching around, he eventually found a note on the coffee table: Eric, let's break up.

...

Sighing, he hurried back to John Aniston's home, where he found Alex again at the door.

"Alex, you--"

Before Eric could finish, Alex interrupted, "Eric, just go. Jen said she left for New York early, and we shouldn't tell you."

"Uh..."

Sometimes being a little slow on the uptake was a blessing.

"Is that Eric? Come in." Just as Eric was about to respond, John Aniston's voice sounded from inside.

Hearing his father's voice, Alex begrudgingly stepped aside, letting Eric in.

"Follow me," John Aniston said, his expression devoid of emotion as he glanced at Eric, heading deeper into the house.

Eric nodded at John's current wife, then followed him to the study.

"Have a seat, Eric. Can I get you something to drink?"

"No thank you, Mr. Aniston. Can you tell me which airport Jen went to? I need to clarify some things."

John Aniston gave Eric a glance at his somewhat disheveled clothes and asked, "Eric, did you go to a party last night?"

"Uh, yes."

"After the party, did you end up with another woman?"

"John, it's a misunderstanding. I--"

John waved his hand. "You don't need to explain. I just think you both should split. You might not know this, but Jen has been feeling a lot of pressure lately; she's been rather anxious and on edge."

"Why?"

John Aniston replied, "You've been together for a while; don't you understand her personality yet? Jen is a strong-willed girl. You've achieved such dazzling success, and she's still struggling in the shadows. With everything the tabloids are saying, it's understandable that she's feeling this way."

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 39: I've Wanted to Tame You for A Long Time]

It took over an hour for Eric to leave John Aniston's house. Reluctantly, he drove around Los Angeles International Airport, hoping to catch a glimpse of Aniston, but it seemed like she had already boarded her flight to New York.

Through his conversation with John Aniston, Eric learned about the pressure Jennifer had been feeling lately and realized he had underestimated her determination. Jennifer's personality mirrored what he remembered; in his past life, once Aniston discovered Brad's infidelity and saw no hope of reconciliation, she had moved on quickly and decisively with the divorce. Unlike some other women who tried to bleed their ex-husbands dry during a split, Jennifer didn't even bother demanding any alimony from Brad.

"Maybe I should just let her be for a while," he thought as he drove home, only to feel a headache coming on from the morning's debacle with Drew -- an explanation that would be tough to articulate now.

Despite this, Eric had no intention of giving up on Jennifer. She was the first woman he had feelings for since his rebirth. He would do whatever it took to win back that stubborn girl.

...

Upon arriving home, he found Drew sitting nervously on the living room couch, already dressed up and looking anxious. Eric scratched his head -- what was he supposed to do about this girl who had attached herself to him without any persuasion?

He knew he couldn't show her any kindness; otherwise, she would tear the roof off. So, with a stoic expression, he took a seat on another couch and picked up a newspaper, trying to read while pretending he was alone.

Drew remained silent, her expression tense, as if she didn't exist. This sort of quiet treatment was new to her and made her even more uneasy. Although she had wanted to win Eric back from Jennifer, she never imagined it would lead to such misunderstandings. Being a smart girl, she knew this tactic wouldn't help her claim him; it might even drive him away instead.

Even though the morning's incident had been unintentional, Drew recognized that the blame rested mainly on her shoulders. Eric's current demeanor clearly indicated he was upset with her.

Trying to break the awkward silence, Drew stood up and hurried to the kitchen to heat up the breakfast Jennifer had brought that morning. She returned with the plate, looking hopeful as she placed it in front of Eric.

Eric ignored her and continued reading his newspaper.

"Eric, Mr. Carlin Hunt from Fox called; he wants you to discuss contract matters," Drew said tentatively.

"Uh-huh..." Eric grunted in acknowledgment.

"Eric..." Drew took a few cautious steps closer to him.

With a loud rustle, Eric deliberately flipped the page of his newspaper, causing Drew to jump back, like a startled kitten, retreating hastily.

Noticing that Eric didn't react further, Drew inched closer again. When she was about a meter away, she knelt on the floor and crawled to his feet, delicately tugging at his pant legs. Her cheek brushed against his knee, and her voice trembled as she said, "Eric, I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean to. I can... I can explain to Jennifer."

Seeing the panic in Drew's tone, Eric sighed. He had intended to teach her a lesson, but at that moment, his heart softened. Just as he was about to speak, Drew lay down across the coffee table, raising her rounded backside. "Eric, why don't you just hit me? Just don't hate me, okay?"

Eric set down the newspaper and looked at Drew lying on the table. Her water-green dress hugged her well-developed figure, accentuating her slim waist which naturally curved down to her perfectly rounded backside. Her white little feet were bare, exuding an alluring charm from every angle.

Eric's breath quickened, and sensing the shift behind her, Drew, who was expecting Eric's punishment, turned her head. She caught Eric gazing at her with lustful eyes, and instinctively, she shifted her body, presenting a more enticing pose.

With a sharp crack, Eric finally couldn't hold back any longer and brought his hand down with force.

"You little minx, I've wanted to teach you a lesson for ages."

After disciplining the spirited girl, Eric couldn't help but soothe her as she rubbed her sore backside with a tear-streaked face. He escorted her out of his place before heading to the Fox headquarters in Century City with his lawyer, Edward Lewis.

...

Although he had initially agreed on terms with Barry Diller, they spent several more hours negotiating various details. It was only after three in the afternoon that they finalized the contract. As Eric left Fox headquarters, he not only took the contract but also a check for twenty-five million dollars.

"Jeffrey, can you reach out to Nicole and the others tonight? I'd like to throw a party at my place to celebrate. And I want everyone who worked on Home Alone to be invited... Great, let's do that," he said before hanging up the phone. He decided to stock up on supplies at the supermarket, then drove over to Jeff's Italian restaurant, hoping to enlist a chef for the party.

As soon as he entered the busy restaurant, the ever-cheerful Jeff Jones spotted him and rushed over, joyfully wrapping Eric in a hug. "Hey, Eric! Long time no see! You've been making quite the splash recently. I saw both of your movies -- they were great!"

They exchanged laughs and took a seat at an open table. "Julia! Two coffees, please!" Jeff called out to a waitress as they settled in.

"Sure thing, Mr. Jones," a female voice replied from behind the counter.

"Julia?" Eric raised an eyebrow, curious since he had worked there for a few months and knew no one named Julia was on staff. It seemed Jeff had hired someone new after he left.

Turning to sneak a glance, Eric saw a tall woman with curly brown hair busy by the coffee machine, her back facing them.

Jeff followed Eric's gaze and smiled. "Julia is new since you left. She's an actress too -- she had a movie released in October."

"Acting must pay pretty well; why is she waitressing?" Eric asked, quite intrigued.

Jeff shrugged. "It's a tough life. Thousands of guys and gals come to L.A. chasing the Hollywood dream, and only a lucky few actually make it. That movie she's in was filmed last year, but it's only getting released now because it's an independent project. She's been living off this job for almost a year now."

Eric shrugged it off, knowing that independent films came at a dime a dozen in Hollywood. Many never even made it to video releases but got tucked away in storage instead.

Hearing about the struggles behind the scenes made Eric want to find those wealthy producers spending hundreds of millions on failed movies and cozy up to them, jokingly asking, "Would you like to be friends?"

"Jeff, and to this gentleman, here's your coffee," the waitress named Julia approached, carrying the cups.

"Thanks," Eric said as he reached out for a cup, accidentally glancing at her. The sudden look made Eric's hand tremble, causing hot coffee to spill all over him.

He gasped and bit back the pain, quickly setting the cup down and pulling out napkins to dab at his burned skin.

"I'm so sorry... so sorry," Julia blurted out upon seeing his reddened skin and rushed to apologize.

"Eric, wash that off with cold water in the back!" Jeff snapped, shooting Julia an annoyed glance.

Eric nodded and headed to the kitchen, where other staff rushed over to see him, eager to help him. The girl stood awkwardly on the sidelines with a wet towel, worried about whether Jeff would reprimand her for the accident.

"I'm fine, really. Just get back to your work, or Jeff will be on my case," Eric said, keeping the atmosphere casual.

Jeff pretended to be upset. "Eric, am I really that petty?"

Laughter broke out among the crowd, and everyone returned to their tasks.

As Eric followed Jeff back into the dining area and settled down, he noticed the girl had tagged along, wearing a worried expression.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Williams. I didn't mean to -- really," she stammered, aware of him through the others' calls.

"It's okay; it was my mistake too. What's your name?" he said, putting on a facade of being a stranger even though he recognized her from her distinctive features.

"I'm Julia Roberts," she said brightly, surprising Eric.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 40: The Leading Lady in his Heart]

Eric nodded and turned to Jeff. "Jeff, I'm having a party at my place tonight and I thought I'd need a chef... and a server to help out. So I figured I'd come to you."

Hiring out chefs and waitstaff for parties had proven to be quite the lucrative business. After hearing Eric's request, Jeff replied happily, "No problem. I'll have Vanessa and Cindy go."

"Vanessa can handle the cooking just fine. As for the server, let's get this young lady. Miss Julia, does that work for you?"

Julia Roberts glanced hesitantly at Jeff before giving a slight nod.

With the details settled, Eric casually chatted with Jeff while jotting down the menu for the evening. Since he worked as a server at the restaurant, listing off a series of dish names came naturally to him.

Once he finished the menu, Jeff took a look and stood up to address Julia Roberts, who still stood beside him. "Julia, can you come over here and help me for a sec? Eric, just a moment, this won't take long."

Eric nodded.

Once in the kitchen, Julia noticed that Jeff handed the paperwork to a chef without intending for her to assist. Out of curiosity, she asked, "Mr. Jeff, what do you need me to do?"

Jeff looked Julia up and down, noting that besides her large smile and good figure, there wasn't anything that distinguished her too much. He became even more curious. "Julia, don't you know who Eric is?"

Julia stared blankly. "Mr. Jones, I'm certain I've never met him. I just moved to LA a few months ago."

Jeff wasn't in the mood for beating around the bush. "You must have heard of Home Alone, right? He's the young director behind that movie."

Julia's eyes widened at the mention, and she remembered seeing a picture of the young director in a newspaper recently. "You mean... that... that one."

During this time, in all of North America, if someone hadn't heard of Home Alone or that miraculous young director, well, they must have just returned from Mars or traveled to another dimension.

"Yep, that's him. When we were chatting, I casually mentioned you were an actress. At first, Eric just wanted to hire a chef, but then he decided to add a server and specified you."

Hearing this from Jeff, Julia covered her mouth, excitement bubbling up inside her. After nearly a year of auditioning, she faced countless rejections. No one understood better than she did how important just one opportunity was.

"So," Jeff patted her on the shoulder, "make the most of this, girl. I hear Eric is prepping to shoot his new film soon, and you might snag a role."

"Thank you for the heads-up, Mr. Jones."

Jeff waved dismissively, though he felt a bit selfish in his eagerness. Since Eric became famous, the tabloids had outed the fact he used to work in Jeff's restaurant. This made the place quite popular, boosting business significantly. If a well-known actress emerged from here, the restaurant's success could only skyrocket further.

...

"Mr. Williams, can I ride with you in your car?" Julia asked just as Eric pulled out his keys to start the engine, expecting her to hop into the chef's van instead.

"Of course, Miss Julia, be my guest."

He casually glanced at the young woman slipping into the passenger seat, buckling her seatbelt. Julia had exchanged her restaurant uniform for a deep red jacket and light blue jeans, which hugged her legs perfectly, showcasing her long figure. At just 21 years old, while not conventionally stunning, she radiated a vibrant youthful energy.

"So you know who I am now?" Eric casually asked while gripping the steering wheel.

Caught off guard while she thought of how to break the ice, Julia instinctively nodded. "Yeah, Mr. Jones told me."

"That explains it." Eric chuckled lightly.

Julia curiously inquired, "Mr. Williams, explains what?"

"Miss Roberts, I'm paying you ten dollars an hour, yet your outfit looks like you're heading to a party, not to serve."

"Oh," she said, glancing at her attire. Upon hearing Jeff's words, she aimed to leave a good impression on the director, hastily changing outfits. "I... I'm sorry, Mr. Williams. I can go back and change."

Eric shook his head with a smile. "No need, you look just fine. I heard you have a movie which came out in October?"

Nervously, Julia replied, "Yes, it's called Mystic Pizza. It's about three girls who work in a bakery and their love stories with their boyfriends. It's already grossed over ten million dollars."

Even as Julia beamed slightly about the film's box office success, she couldn't help but be dampened by Eric's accomplishments. Though ten million was decent for a low-budget film like Mystic Pizza, it couldn't hold a candle to the blockbuster that was Home Alone.

"Ten million sounds good," Eric responded, showing little interest in the film. He merely knew it marked Matt Damon's debut. "Jeff mentioned you hadn't landed a role in a year. After this success, I'm sure someone would be wise to notice you."

Speaking of this issue stirred frustration in Julia. Ever since Mystic Pizza performed well, her previously indifferent agent had suddenly wanted to capitalize on her newfound potential, pushing for auditions. Yet Julia had kicked that same agent to the curb -- one who hadn't fought for her to land a single role in an entire year.

"Mr. Williams, I've heard... I've heard you're about to shoot your next film?"

"Right now, it's just a thought. No actors attached, no script yet."

Eric laughed lightly, pondering the coincidence that the leading lady of his former life showed up right before he aimed to start shooting Pretty Woman.

Whether or not to cast her was the dilemma.

His preferred leading lady was Sophie Marceau, a star who perfectly blended innocence and sensuality. At that moment, Eric couldn't conjure up another name that fit the bill.

But even though this French rose hadn't yet made her mark on the prestigious European film scene, and didn't boast much fame in North America, he had to at least try to make the offer.

In the meantime, his reason for hiring Julia as a server was that he wanted an angle to bring her under his management. After all, she was the first female star to enter Hollywood's twenty million club, solidifying her status as a leading lady whose talent was undeniable.

With these thoughts in mind, Eric asked, "Julia, are you with any agency right now?"

Julia's heart leaped when she heard Eric's question. "No, I recently fired my agent. Currently, I'm managing my own affairs."

"That works out perfectly," Eric said. "How about joining my agency, Julia?"

After learning that Stuart Ronkel had signed with CAA from Barry Diller, Eric began entertaining the notion of starting his own agency. He didn't want the stars he helped rise to fame to end up benefiting someone else instead.

She assumed Eric was about to invite her to audition for the film; if that were the case, Julia would have jumped at the chance without hesitation.

However, it turned out he was inviting her to join his agency instead, making Julia a little wary. She was cautious not to join the wrong management and risk wasting another year or longer.

"Mr. Williams, I'm not really considering that right now. My last agency didn't bring me any work for a whole year, forcing me to work in a restaurant just to make ends meet."

Eric reassured her. "You can trust me, Julia. I can guarantee you'll have at least two film roles arranged this coming year; we can even write it into the contract."

It seemed that the very film that might earn Julia an Oscar nomination, Steel Magnolia, was set to be shot by Columbia next year. Although his issue with Cohen Blount over contract disputes had soured relations a bit, recommending a female actress was still plausible. Columbia wasn't entirely monolithic; it was just about the exchange of interests. When it came to bargaining chips, Eric had plenty.

Julia hesitated before answering, "Can I think it over, Mr. Williams?"

"Of course, take your time." Eric casually replied, then added, "Actually, the leading lady I'd like to invite for my next film is Sophie Marceau. If she declines, you'd still have a shot."

Julia clenched her hands that rested on her lap, pursing her lips tightly, clearly torn inside. With both her parents and brother in the industry, Julia understood exactly what landing the lead in Eric's next movie meant. The boy from Home Alone was now riding high.

However, knowing her parents were in the business also meant she was all too aware of the deception that could plague the industry. Eric's previous words seemed more like a lure than a solid promise.

If she let her excitement make her say yes, and Eric discarded that assurance, she'd be left regretting the decision without any way to turn back.

https//Sayonara816.

[Chapter 41: No More Collisions]

After six in the evening, the crew members of Home Alone gradually arrived at Eric's house. By the time the sun had fully set, Eric returned to the living room after a brief discussion in the kitchen with the chef, Vanessa. He looked around in surprise to find not only the cast from Home Alone but also about ten beautiful girls in colorful gowns.

"Jeffrey, what's with all these girls?" Eric asked curiously when he found Jeffrey Hansen.

Jeffrey chuckled and replied, "It's Nicole and the others. After finishing Home Alone, they landed another gig for a campus comedy, and those girls are from that project. I don't know how, but somehow they caught wind that the director of Home Alone was throwing a party, so they came along with Nicole. I suppose I don't need to explain why."

Eric laughed; it was clear those girls were there for him. But he didn't mind; the Home Alone crew had only two or three women, and the rest were all men. A party full of old boys would definitely be a drag.

...

He walked to the center of the living room and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Everyone, may I have your attention for a moment?"

The chatter in the room quickly faded as all eyes turned to Eric.

"First of all, I hope everyone has a wonderful evening. Tonight's party is a celebration of Home Alone's success, and this success does not belong to me alone. Without your help, I could never have completed the filming of Home Alone in such a short time. So, once again, thank you all."

As Eric spoke, he gave a slight bow, and the guests responded by applauding.

Eric gestured for silence and continued, "Of course, mere words of gratitude aren't enough. Home Alone has achieved such stunning box office success thanks to each one of your efforts. So, I've prepared a bonus for everyone, and I hope we'll have a chance to collaborate again."

After saying this, Eric took out a stack of envelopes filled with checks and, alongside Jeffrey Hansen, distributed them to the guests. He had already written the names on the envelopes, so there was no chance of any mix-up.

The amounts on the checks ranged from $200,000 to $500,000, depending on each person's position. Although that seemed insignificant relative to Home Alone's box office, it represented several years' worth of pay for these crew members. After all, they had only been scraping by in the low-budget independent film scene, where annual earnings only reached a few thousand dollars.

Naturally, Eric didn't forget the other actors who participated in Home Alone. Their bonuses would undoubtedly be more significant, so Eric planned to pay out after receiving his share from Columbia.

Some might wonder why, now that the film was complete and all accounts settled, he would distribute such large sums after the movie had made a fortune. But every circle has its own rules, and those who broke the rules would find it hard to get by. Rewarding participants after a movie's success was just one of the industry's conventions.

In his past life, James Cameron had openly declared he would forfeit any entitled proceeds due to budget overruns on Titanic, yet when the film broke box office records, Fox still awarded him a huge cut, even after their relationship had sunk to such lows that they pushed each other to the brink.

...

After handing out the checks, Eric declared the party officially opened and then led Jeffrey Hansen upstairs.

"Jeffrey, this is for you. Enough to buy back Firefly," Eric said as they reached the balcony of his bedroom on the second floor, handing Jeffrey an envelope containing a check worth three million dollars. Eric felt no regret; without Jeffrey Hansen's experience as a producer, Home Alone wouldn't have come together so smoothly.

Jeffrey took the envelope, stroked it for a moment, and then immediately handed it back to Eric without hesitation.

"Hmm?" Eric looked puzzled at Jeffrey's action.

"Eric, I thought about it. Even if I bought back Firefly, without Selina, I still couldn't grow it. So... I have a request."

Eric chuckled, "Jeffrey, do we really need to use the term 'request' between us? Just speak your mind."

"Eric, you said you would start a film company. Can I work at your film company? You know, I'm not great at directing, but I do have some experience as a producer."

Eric raised his eyebrows in surprise; he had also considered this idea before, even thinking about fully taking over the crew that his wife had left behind. However, he sensed Jeffrey's strong attachment to the Firefly film company they founded together, coupled with his newfound confidence in launching a new crew after the success of Home Alone. So he hadn't pursued the idea of stealing him away.

Now that Jeffrey had brought it up, Eric couldn't turn him down.

"Jeffrey, honestly, I once thought about having you at my film company; I just felt you'd be reluctant to leave Firefly, so I hesitated to bring it up."

Hearing Eric's words, Jeffrey didn't relax; rather, he looked somewhat anxious. "Eric, actually, that's not my main request. I hope... I hope your new film company can also be called Firefly. After all, the original Firefly no longer exists. I know this might be a bit much to ask, but... I can work for you as a producer without taking a single dollar in profit, just a salary would be fine. I hope you'll consider it..."

Eric finally understood that Jeffrey's feelings about the Firefly film company he established with his wife hadn't faded; instead, he wanted to continue that legacy through Eric.

Feeling touched by this, Eric quickly made up his mind. He wasn't too concerned about the name of the film company. Initially, he had thought of just calling it Williams Film Company, similar to Disney, Warner, and Fox.

Now, having a name that was both pleasant and filled with emotional significance seemed right.

"Jeffrey, it's settled then. The new company will be called Firefly Film Company. I actually quite like the sound of it."

Jeffrey slightly raised his hand, seemingly still trying to think of how to convince Eric, yet paused when he heard the words. "Eric, did you just say... No, I couldn't have heard that right?"

"Of course, I agreed."

"Wow... Thank you so much, Eric. I will definitely work hard for you, I..." Jeffrey didn't know how to express his gratitude, so he opened his arms and tightly hugged Eric.

When Jeffrey finally let go, Eric handed the check-filled envelope back to him. "Alright, Jeffrey, it's just a name. If you'd brought it up sooner, I would've agreed right away. Now, take this; you've earned it."

Jeffrey started to decline again, but Eric stuffed the envelope into his suit pocket. "Jeffrey, even though there's quite an age gap between us, we're still good friends, right? So, regarding the film company name, it was just a request between friends. But this? This is your rightful reward for your hard work. Forget about all that nonsense of not taking shares; I expect you to wholeheartedly help me create the next miracle."

Ultimately, Jeffrey accepted the check, persuaded by Eric. The two discussed the establishment of the film company and the preparation for Eric's next movie, then returned downstairs to the party. Upon announcing the formation of the new Firefly Film Company, the originally distracted crew members erupted in excitement.

After sneaking a glance at the amounts Eric had provided, the team that Jeffrey's late wife had built began to stir uneasily. They knew of Jeffrey's wish to buy back Firefly, and many were torn between sticking with him in the independent film circle or aligning with Eric.

With Eric and Jeffrey's mutually beneficial decision, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and the party atmosphere grew even more festive.

...

After sharing a few laughs with photographer Nicole Frank, Eric was holding a wine glass and turning around when a girl in a red high-slit gown seemed to trip over something, about to crash right into him.

"Stop--" Eric quickly called out with a wry smile, lifting his left hand in front of him to halt the girl's advance.

The girl, with beautifully styled golden hair and a pointed face, instinctively stopped mere inches from Eric. Holding her wine glass, she awkwardly waved her hand, spilling a little wine and revealing an embarrassed expression as if she'd been caught.

"Miss, if you want to flirt, just say hello to me directly. No more collisions; I've already changed outfits twice, and if it keeps happening, I might just have to show up shirtless, which I'm sure you wouldn't care to see."

The formerly awkward girl laughed at Eric's somewhat teasing words. "Mr. Williams, you sure know how to joke!"

"Of course! I specially practiced to catch the attention of beautiful girls," Eric joked. "So, this lovely lady..."

"You can call me Lucine, Mr. Williams."

"Lucine, what a lovely name. Why don't we chat over there?" Eric said, pointing to a nearby open space. He wisely chose a temporary companion to evade the seething attention from eager girls in the party.

He internally sighed, wishing Aniston were there; with her, he wouldn't be mired in such troubles. He couldn't help but wonder what that stubborn girl was up to at that moment in New York. According to the time difference between the East and West coasts, it was probably already past midnight there.

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[Chapter 42: A Thought of Heaven, A Thought of the Mundane]

After 11 PM, guests began to leave the party one by one. Eric had just sent off the last of them, Jeffrey Hanson, and returned to the living room, where he found Julia Roberts curiously flipping through a stack of photos left behind by a group of girls who had attended the party.

These girls had come well-prepared; each photo had a detailed personal profile on the back, including some intimate measurements. Eric, who had struggled at the bottom of the entertainment industry in his past life, understood the ambition these girls had to make it big. So when they nervously handed him the photos, he didn't decline but politely said he would reach out if he saw a need.

"Mr. Williams, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to pry into those," Julia said quickly as she noticed him.

He waved it off, settling onto the sofa and began enjoying the photos one by one.

"You know, Julia? Thousands of young men and women came to Los Angeles each year chasing their dream of stardom. Even among those who managed to snag temp roles in some productions, hardly one in a hundred ever made it. And the chance of becoming a globally recognized movie star? It's slimmer than that."

As he spoke, he gazed thoughtfully at Julia and continued, "Most people waste a few years, finally coming to terms with reality, pack their bags, and return home to their original lives. That's the best outcome. Those who stubbornly cling to the glamorous life of the entertainment industry often find themselves lost and struggling in the maze of greater Los Angeles. Some even give up their dreams and slowly descend into becoming drifters, sex workers, thieves, drug dealers, con artists, pimps, or adult film actors..."

Julia wasn't thickheaded; she gradually picked up on his indirect lesson about the significance of opportunity for actors. This young man seemed to have a lot of determination. She wondered why Eric jumped to such conclusions about her after just one encounter.

She didn't believe in love or hate that appeared out of nowhere, and she certainly didn't think too highly of herself to believe Eric was after her body. Several other girls at the party were much prettier, actively throwing flirtatious glances his way, yet none had succeeded in spending the night with him.

Finally, Julia couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Williams, why me?"

Eric put down the photos and stood, walking over to Julia. He pulled her into an embrace, wrapping one arm around her slim waist, and his right index finger gently traced her youthful face, finally hovering over her luscious lips.

Julia was taken by surprise by Eric's sudden boldness, instinctively placing her hands protectively over her chest. Her mind went blank, and she forgot to protest. As she looked up into Eric's eyes, filled with a mix of admiration and playful interest, her lips quivered.

"Because I want to!" His confident and assertive voice echoed in her ear, and she finally started to grasp the situation.

"Please... don't do this," Julia whispered softly in protest, though her feeble pushing against Eric lacked any real strength.

The playfulness in Eric's eyes deepened. He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her deeply on her soft lips.

"Mmm..." Julia let out a muffled sound, struggling for a moment before getting lost in Eric's skilled kiss. Her body gradually softened until she leaned against him weakly.

"Cough, cough..."

A sudden voice broke through the moment, startling the two into separating. Eric savored Julia's delicate taste when he spotted the plump figure of Vanessa standing at the kitchen door. He frowned. "Hey, Vanessa, why haven't you left yet?"

The chubby chef, holding a box of kitchenware, jested, "Sorry, Eric. I didn't mean to interrupt. I just wanted to ask if Julia needed a ride home. It's late."

"Sure..." Julia started to reply, but Eric interrupted, "No need, Vanessa. You can go ahead. I'll take Julia home."

Vanessa seemed oblivious to the discontent in Julia's gaze as she knowingly blinked and jauntily left the room, her ample figure wiggling out the door.

"Now we won't be interrupted. Let's continue," Eric said with a cheeky smile aimed at Julia.

The interruption snapped Julia back to reality, and she realized she had just shared a passionate kiss with this boy, whom she had met for the first time. Throughout, her emotions had been tightly controlled by him. Julia, who had ventured out into the world at a young age, prided herself on being independent. The inexplicable sense of dependence she felt during their earlier kiss made her resentful; she didn't want to be anyone's plaything.

With a slight lift of her chin, Julia tightened her expression, forcing her voice to come across as cold and assertive. "Mr. Williams, shouldn't you apologize for your inappropriate behavior? We've only just met, and you...you..."

"If you want, I can apologize, Miss Roberts. Then, shall we continue?"

Hearing his insincere words only fueled Julia's anger as she swatted away Eric's hand reaching for her again. "Not a chance. It's late, and I want to go home. Please... just take me back."

"Alright, before I take you home, I have a proposal," Eric said, wiping the playful smile from his face and taking on a serious tone. "I've thought it over -- I will quickly acquire a talent agency, after which I will offer you a generous management contract. I'll personally arrange your future, and I will make you someone every actress in Hollywood looks up to. What do you think, Julia?"

All those talent scouts must have used the same pitch when wooing bright-eyed newcomers, thought Julia. Listening to Eric's arrogant claims, she crossed her arms and scoffed, "If it were really that easy to elevate a girl to the status of Audrey Hepburn, Hollywood stars wouldn't be worth much. Do you think you're Steven Spielberg or George Lucas?"

"Of course not. I'm not anyone else; I'm Eric Williams," he said, casually pulling a photo from the stack and glancing at the details on the back. "I think this 'Julia Roberts' looks promising. What do you think?"

Julia involuntarily took the photo from him. The girl resembled her, yet was undeniably prettier, tall, with flowing blonde hair, light blue eyes, and equally striking lips that didn't appear overdone.

Julia flipped to the back and noticed the girl was only 19, a graduate of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Los Angeles, and had already played supporting roles in three films. She seemed to outshine Julia in every aspect, making a wave of self-doubt creep in.

Eric didn't give her much time to process her feelings. "Now, Julia, soaring in paradise or falling into the mundane -- are you willing to take a chance?"

Looking at Eric's infuriating expression, for a moment, Julia thought about throwing the photo at him and walking out. But the desire deep within her stifled that thought. While Eric's bright portrayal of her "substitute" seemed laughable, seeing the young star from Home Alone now commanding attention in Hollywood made Julia hesitate.

What aspiring actor or actress didn't yearn for money, fame, and the feeling of being adored by the masses?

"D-do you promise?" Julia clutched the photo tightly, paused in silence, then raised her gaze to Eric's, but a moment later, she looked away.

A smug smile flickered at the corner of Eric's mouth. He pulled Julia closer. "I promise."

With that, he again leaned in to kiss her sensually.

Having already made her choice, Julia surrendered to his advances, letting the man savor her lips.

A minute later, Eric grew restless, pulling her shirt out from her jeans and slipping his hands inside.

The two finally broke apart, Eric lightly pressing on her shoulder. Julia understood what he wanted her to do, her flushed cheeks betraying her desires. The little resistance she had melted under the weight of his compelling gaze, forcing her to yield to him.

In the hazy night, the dim lights outside seemed tinged with a soft pink hue of intimacy.

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