Rule 18: Stay Cool
Lydia Albright, President of Production, Worldwide Pictures
Lydia’s Lincoln Town Car pulled up to Mann Chinese Theatre. Before Lydia had accepted the job as president of production for Worldwide, back when she merely produced films, she only attended the premieres for her own films and those of her close friends. Now, unless she was out of the country, she was expected to attend the premiere of every film Worldwide released. And she no longer breezed down the far side of the red carpet, the side that spouses, guests, and noncelebs quickly jetted down, bypassing the press. No. Now, as the public face of Worldwide, she had to actually walk by the reporters and occasionally answer a question. Her job required that she appear for photo ops with the stars of all the films Worldwide released.
A Worldwide publicist opened Lydia’s car door. Jay stood near her, close but not too close. Lydia had arrived dateless. Zymar had boarded a flight bound for New Zealand earlier that day after finishing postproduction on
Collusion
. Organized chaos reigned on the red carpet. PR mavens wearing Donna Karan power suits flitted past Lydia, holding walkie-talkies and sporting Bluetooth headsets in their ears. Flacks radioed drivers to alert them when to drop their celebrity cargo to ensure maximum press exposure for the star on the carpet. The infotainment journalists from Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood were poised to pounce on their celebrity prey. Hair pouffed, tits up, and microphones at the ready, Leeza and Lara stood side by side, waiting for their next feed. Perhaps Lydia could sneak into the theater? She didn’t see any of the
Pivot and Press
stars on the carpet.
“Lydia?”
Lydia looked over her shoulder toward the voice calling her name above the hubbub. Kiki Dee stood next to her client and the star of
Pivot
and Press
, Maurice Banks. Kiki held a walkie-talkie in one hand and wore a Bluetooth in her ear.
“Maurice,” Lydia said. She leaned forward and gave Maurice a quick hug. “So good to see you.” She quickly turned and smiled for the cameras. The bulbs flashed as the star of
Pivot and Press
and the president of production at Worldwide posed. Lydia knew that Kiki had faded into the background, as good publicists did once they got the shot for their clients.
“I’m so pleased with the film,” Lydia whispered into Maurice’s ear as the cameras continued to flash. “You did a great job.”
“Thanks, Lydia,” Maurice said and slipped away from her. “I’ll see you inside.”
Lydia watched as Boom Boom, Kiki’s assistant, swept Maurice down the carpet to Leeza, hungry for her five-second sound bite. “He’s a great actor,” Lydia said to Kiki, who approached again, since the photographers had finished with Lydia for the moment. “He needs an award,” Kiki said.
“This year big box office, next year the Oscar,” Lydia said.
“I’m surprised you’re so upbeat, with everything you’re going through,” Kiki said.
Lydia gave Kiki a quick glance. She hoped the publicist had some discretion. A film premiere wasn’t the ideal place to discuss Celeste Solange’s sex tape.
“
Vitriol
won’t be an easy set,” Kiki continued. “With Viève, Holden, and Mary Anne’s little love triangle? Plus Steven and Billy? Believe me, I know Steven.”
“Kiki—” Lydia followed Kiki’s gaze as she looked down the red carpet toward the Town Car pulling to the curb. Photogs flashed their cameras and lit up the night. Kiki touched her Blue-tooth earpiece. “Okay, got it.” She looked at Lydia. “Looks like this is a big one.”
Lydia turned toward the theater, she’d have more time to chat with Kiki after the screening.
“No, no. Lydia, stay. This arrival is important for Worldwide, too,” Kiki said.
Lydia watched as Holden Humphrey emerged from the car. The fans went bonkers, as did all the photographers. He wore jeans, snakeskin boots, and a blue button-down that matched the teal in his eyes. He turned to help someone out of the car.
“Don’t they make a pair,” Kiki said.
Lydia contained the shock that tripped up her spine and balled at the base of her brain. This was not good for
Vitriol
. “Yes, quite a pair.” Lydia waited as Holden and Mary Anne worked their way down the press line.
Mary Anne arrived breathless by Lydia’s side. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Mary Anne’s fingers wrapped around Lydia’s wrist as though Lydia were a life preserver floating on the sea of the red carpet. The threesome turned toward the press. Tonight Holden Humphrey and Mary Anne Meyers went public with their relationship, and with this new hot Hollywood revelation the
Pivot and Press
premiere became the lead story for every infotainment show on the planet.
Lydia’s heart ached for her friend Mary Anne, the screenwriter from Minnesota. Mary Anne still maintained her fresh-faced charm. Lydia knew by Mary Anne’s gargantuan smile and effervescent joy, her friend, still riddled with naivete about the cutthroat nature of the movie biz, did not realize what she’d just done—Mary Anne had just jumped into the very deep end of the pool. The public now owned a piece of Mary Anne’s life. Mary Anne and her relationship with Holden would become a commodity that print and broadcast infotainment would use to sell tickets, magazines, books, soap, gas, cars, and anything else their advertisers hocked. The photogs called out Holden and Mary Anne’s names as the two posed. The photogs needed their money shot. Lydia braced herself for the questioning calls from the journalists.
“Holden! This way, this way!”
“Mary Anne, when did you start dating again?”
“Holden, what does Viève say?”
Lydia continued to smile for the cameras. “I’m speechless,” she whispered to the couple, maintaining her smile. “But thrilled for you both.” She stepped closer to Mary Anne as the new ‘It’ couple broke apart and Holden turned to his adoring fans.
“Mary Anne,” Lydia whispered, “let me have Worldwide send some security to your house.”
Shock passed over Mary Anne’s face.”Security? Why?”
“This is a very public event. And now”— Lydia eyed the cameras and hundreds of people drifting around them— “you’ve become a public person. You and Holden will immediately be the hottest story in America. Just to be safe, please. I’ll have Jay send someone to your house now.” Lydia waved toward Jay.
“Lydia? I’m fine. No one will bother me. Besides, we’re not even going to the after party. Just the film and then home. Holden has to get ready for—”
“You’re wrong,” Lydia interrupted. She realized by Mary Anne’s expression that her voice sounded cold and harsh. She filled her lungs with air and softened her tone. “Before you get home the press will go through your garbage and trample your yard. Mary Anne, this is a big deal, and I’m worried that you are unprepared.” Lydia needed Mary Anne to wise up—to understand the reality of the tabloid machine—to understand how the machine could hurt people—to understand the machine created collateral damage.
“Lydia, I don’t … ,” Mary Anne whispered, glancing at the red carpet beneath her feet. She looked up and reached her arm out to Lydia. “Please—”
“Lydia,” Kiki interrupted, “sorry to break in, but I need this little lovebird. Access Hollywood gets her first and then Entertainment Tonight. This is big, big, big!” Kiki was thrilled by the romance between People’s Sexiest Man Alive and the cute writer from the Midwest. Lydia gazed skyward as Kiki pulled Mary Anne from her—more fuel for the never-ending publicity fire.
*
Lydia worked her way toward the back of the premiere-party tent. She glanced down at one of the buffet tables as she passed. Her stomach churned at the sight of food set out by Worldwide’s caterer. The chicken satay looked plastic, the salads appeared wilted, and the drinks tasted watered down.
Pivot and Press
might not be the biggest film, or the most expensive premiere, but Worldwide’s guests deserved a better selection.
A clump of people surrounded Paul Peterson, the former president of production at Summit Pictures who, after leaving Summit, received an overall production deal at Worldwide.
“Lydia,” Paul called. He reached out to her over the bodies surrounding him. Although nothing spectacular,
Pivot and Press
was a solid film and would make its budget and P&A costs back for the studio. Because of his profitable movie, Paul would get another film made with Worldwide this year.
Pivot and Press
would also get a huge publicity bump with the red-carpet appearance of Holden and Mary Anne.
“So good to see you. Thanks for coming.” Paul wrapped an arm around Lydia’s shoulder. “And thanks for bringing Holden and Mary Anne. Tomorrow, unless World War Three begins, we’re the lead on every news show in America.” He laughed. “Hell, we’re the lead even if World War Three does start.” He nodded at a gorgeous young man that stood beside him. “Have you met Rick?”
Rick held out his hand to her. “We’ve never met, but I’ve heard about you from Arnold.”
“Arnold?” Lydia’s heart quivered with the mention of Arnold Murphy—the man that nearly destroyed Lydia’s career in Hollywood not once, but twice.
“Arnold is a huge fan of yours. In fact, I’ve brought him with me.” Rick looked around. “Where did he go? You know he’s easy to lose in a crowd. He’s rather vertically challenged.”
Lydia’s skin tingled and her palms grew damp. Prior to his banishment from Hollywood Arnold Murphy spent most of his energy attempting to destroy Lydia. How had he gotten into a Worldwide premiere? When had Arnold returned to L.A.? Why didn’t Worldwide security keep a list with names of people who weren’t allowed to attend Worldwide events? Lydia assumed Ted Robinoff’s banishment of Arnold after the
Seven Minutes Past Midnight
screening would last longer—perhaps forever.
“Lyyydiiiaaa!”
A chill slid down her spine as the familiar voice called to her. “Arnold.” She turned, bent forward, and air-kissed each of Arnold’s cheeks. “So good to see you.”
“You’re looking fabulous,” Arnold held her hand tightly and looked her up and down. “Being president must agree with you. Seems you’ve dropped a couple of pounds.”
Lydia pulled her hand from his grasp. “Yes, I’m on the no-time-to-eat diet, but surely you remember from your tenure as president of production?”
“Ah, I missed many a meal when I had your job. No, darling, I don’t envy you one bit. So, you gave my little lover his first big break?” Arnold gazed adoringly at Rick. “So talented, isn’t he?”
Arnold appeared calmer, perhaps happier. But Lydia couldn’t let her guard down. A mere four years before, Arnold took gleeful pleasure in attempting to convince the U.S. Attorney to file criminal charges against Lydia and Zymar. Arnold probably still blamed her for his ignominious exit from Hollywood.
“Arnold, I had no idea you’d returned to Los Angeles. Last I heard you were on the East Coast? Working in theater?”
“For about a minute,” Arnold said. “I couldn’t stand it. Too pretentious and too slow. Besides, who wants to deal with the weather? No, Los Angeles is my home. This is where I’m meant to be.”
“So what are you working on now?” Lydia asked.
“Project-wise or personally? I mean, personally, I’ve had the most remarkable breakthrough. After getting my butt kicked out of L.A., I reevaluated my life. What an eye-opener. I tell you, Lydia, love and meditation changed my entire outlook. And my writing? I’ve been putting pen to paper almost every day.”
Lydia watched as Arnold and Rick gazed adoringly at each other. She almost believed him.
“Really? I’ve never been big on meditating. Perhaps I’ll try.”
“Oh, but you’re so grounded in comparison to my headspace as an executive. I became so paranoid. Afraid people were watching me. Stalking me. I became almost paralyzed with fear. But you?” Arnold gazed at Lydia. “I imagine you’re sailing along without a bump.”
Without a bump? Her chest tightened as she thought about all the potholes. A stalker sending her letters, a sexually explicit DVD, lying to her boss, being forced to put a below-average script into production with a first-time director, and a constant security detail. “Arnold, such a pleasure to see you, really,” she said. “Will you excuse me?”
“Sure, Lydia, not a problem. Duty calls. I remember.” He gave her a knowing glance.
Lydia quickly brushed past groups of people. She glanced at Jay, five steps behind her, and nodded toward an opening at the back of the tent for the catering staff. She pushed her way through the flap. Once outside, in relative privacy, she leaned forward and rested her arm against a pole. Her heart beat fast and her head felt as if it were filled with helium. She struggled to breathe—air in—air out.
“Lydia, you okay?” Jay whispered.
“Fine. I’m okay. I just … I guess I… panicked.” She looked around her.
“It’s clear,” Jay said. He grabbed her elbow and gently pulled her forward. “Come on, let’s get you to the car.”
Lydia let Jay lead her away from the tent. She scanned the shadows as they walked together through the dark. Anywhere. They could be anywhere. Watching, waiting, and willing her to fail.
Rule 19: Never Forget Where You Came From
Mary Anne Meyers, Screenwriter
Mary Anne Meyers felt like a princess in a fairy tale. She’d found her prince, and without the glass slippers, poison apples, or nasty stepsisters. She watched as Holden slept soundly beside her. They were a couple. Officially a couple. No more sneaking around, no more lies. She now dated the Sexiest Man Alive. She watched him lying on his back, asleep in her bed—such a perfect body. Mary Anne thought of the roll of flab developing around her abdomen. And her ass? Well, she’d caught a glimpse while leaving the shower yesterday, and it wasn’t the same ass that she remembered. Today she would be more physical. Maybe she’d try Pilates? Jessica swore by it and had recovered her pre-baby body in record time. Yes, she’d call today for her first Pilates session … but after breakfast.
Mary Anne’s tummy grumbled. Holden had kept her up late the night before. She glanced at the velvet-covered paddle lying next to her bed. She covered her eyes with her hand, embarrassed by the memories of the previous evening. They were so naughty together. She took one final glance at her sleeping prince and then got out of bed.