A Video Store

In Aaron's apartment in West Hollywood.

Early in the morning, Nicole Kidman came over and knocked on the door.

"What is it? If something came up, couldn't you have just called me?" Aaron listlessly ushered her inside.

"I'm going to freshen up. Help yourself to whatever's in the fridge. If you want coffee, make it yourself..."

Nicole Kidman froze for a moment. Was that any way to treat a guest?

She opened her mouth to say something, only to see him already heading into the bathroom.

More than ten minutes later, Aaron Anderson emerged after washing up and came over to Nicole. "Go on. What brought you here so early in the morning?"

Nicole Kidman rubbed her forehead. "The screening. You were the one who told me about it. Warner Bros. is holding a viewing event for Dead Calm!"

"That's tonight. It's still early," Aaron said, glancing at her. "Could you stop questioning my professionalism?"

Nicole Kidman was helpless. "You signed me over half a month ago, didn't you? You haven't even called to ask about my career!"

It was not just Nicole Kidman. Steven Soderbergh was the same way—Aaron could not be bothered to manage them when nothing was happening. After all, they were both newcomers with no events to attend.

Aaron shook his head and went into the study, returning with several pages of paper. "Disney is preparing a romantic comedy. I think the story has promise, and I'm trying to find a way in."

Nicole Kidman took them and looked them over. "This isn't the script, is it?"

"It's not the complete version. Disney would never let a script like this get out. The script will definitely be revised," Aaron said, shaking his head. Hollywood was simply too competitive these days. Without connections, landing a lead actress role was practically impossible.

"I heard you bought a script yourself," Nicole Kidman said, her eyes gleaming. She was still a nobody, but if it was her own agent's project, how could the female lead possibly slip away?

"That's something I'm saving to develop myself. What resources do I have right now?"

Aaron's biggest issue right now was that he had no reputation. He was just a newcomer. But once Steven Soderbergh's Sex, Lies, and Videotape made a splash at the Cannes Film Festival, Aaron's standing in the industry would surely rise somewhat.

"Then can you help me get an audition for this project?" Nicole Kidman waved the few pages in her hand.

Aaron nodded. "Yes. I've been looking into this project lately. Don't worry."

"Come on, let's get something to eat. And I'll take you to get a new look."

Aaron really could not stand Nicole Kidman's instant-noodle hairstyle any longer.

"Is my hairstyle not nice?"

"Yeah. It doesn't match your face or figure!"

"Aaron, you have great looks. Why don't you pursue a career as an actor?"

"I can't stand taking crap from people..."

Around noon, Aaron brought Nicole Kidman to a styling salon. After explaining what he wanted, he prepared to take a walk around.

"Nicole, get your hair done first. I'll come pick you up later."

"Okay..."

Afterward, Aaron left the salon and spotted a small video store nearby, so he went inside.

Video stores these days mainly sold and rented movie videotapes and Laserdiscs. Music came on Vinyl Records, CDs, cassette tapes, and so on.

There was not much variety in either movies or singers.

"Hah! Ha!" Suddenly, Aaron heard the sound of a television coming from the counter. He walked over to take a look.

Hey, an old Hong Kong kung fu film. A distinctly odd-looking young man was staring intently at the television screen.

"Oh, sir, do you need any help?" Hearing the sound, the man stood up to greet the customer. At least he had not forgotten his duties.

Aaron blinked. That face was truly something else. Wasn't this Quentin Tarantino?

Except Quentin was not even thirty yet, though he really was ugly!

"This is an old Hong Kong kung fu film. I didn't expect anyone in the United States to like it," Aaron said with a smile, pointing at the videotape on the television.

"Yeah, I really like it. This is a production from Hong Kong's Shaw Brothers Studio. I love this kind of macho, hard-hitting action!"

Aaron nodded. "Not bad. In terms of film exports, Hollywood is number one, while Hong Kong is second in the world. You have to remember, Hong Kong is a city with a population of only six million."

Hollywood currently produced around four to five hundred films a year, and roughly half of them made it into theaters.

"Oh, so you know about Hong Kong film?"

"A little," Aaron said, extending his hand. "Aaron Anderson, agent at CAA!"

The other man paused. "You're an agent at CAA?"

He shook Aaron's hand. "Hello, I'm Quentin Tarantino, a film enthusiast."

"Yeah, I can tell. Working in a video store lets you watch movies to your heart's content. Not a bad idea," Aaron said, looking him over. He knew how to pick a job.

"Well..." Quentin Tarantino looked at Aaron somewhat awkwardly. "Agents can pitch scripts too, right?"

"Of course. Two months ago, I helped a new director pitch a film called Sex, Lies, and Videotape at the Sundance Film Festival. It'll be heading to Cannes in May, so keep an eye out for it."

Aaron said it casually.

"Uh, well, I've made short films before, and I've come up with scripts too. Would you be willing to take a look?"

"Uh, you can write scripts?" Aaron deliberately gave Quentin Tarantino a once-over.

Quentin Tarantino nodded. "I've come up with two scripts. Want to see them?"

"Sure." Aaron handed him a business card. "Once you've got them ready, call me and bring them over. I'll help you pitch them."

"If there's a chance, you can sign with me too. Once we sell your scripts, it's not impossible that I could support you in making films yourself and becoming a director!"

Quentin Tarantino hurriedly nodded, his face full of joy. "Next month, I can have both scripts organized and bring them for you to see."

"My dream is to make movies, to become a director and make the kind of films I like!"

"Yeah, everyone needs to have dreams." Aaron even patted him on the shoulder. "You can look up news about me. The newspapers covering this year's Sundance Film Festival should have mentioned me."

"Don't worry. It's already great if you can help me pitch my scripts," Quentin Tarantino said, personally seeing Aaron out of the video store.

"See you around. Prepare your scripts well. I'll support you in becoming a director someday," Aaron said, deliberately waving at Quentin Tarantino from the doorway.

"See you!" Quentin Tarantino was clearly excited.

After leaving the video store, Aaron pinched his own face. One Nicole Kidman, plus one Quentin Tarantino.

Had his luck finally turned around?