Giving More

"Aaron, how does it feel? Being an agent isn't that easy, is it?" Richard Lovett chatted with Aaron Anderson in the hallway outside the audition office.

Aaron smiled. "Once 'Pretty Woman' starts shooting, I'll get my share of the credit. It's just a shame—Nicole was my first client!"

Richard Lovett shrugged. "That's Hollywood. There are all kinds of deals. Within the rules, it comes down to who gives more."

Before long, Aaron saw Nicole Kidman emerge. "All right, Richard, let's talk next time."

Richard Lovett nodded. "Have a nice day!"

Seeing Nicole Kidman looking so dejected, both Richard Lovett and Aaron Anderson could guess that her audition had not gone well.

"Aaron, I might have messed it up." Nicole Kidman came over and hugged her man. "Al Pacino, who read with me, wasn't very satisfied."

"It's okay. You just got to Hollywood. It's normal not to be able to compete with American actors," Aaron said, patting her back.

"I need to stay for the film discussion later. Are you staying, or going home first?"

"I want to go back and rest first!"

"Just go to my place." Aaron handed Nicole the car keys. "Tonight, when I get back..."

"Ah." Watching Nicole Kidman leave the studio, Aaron let out a small sigh.

Leaning against the railing, Aaron thought of another actor—Adam Sandler. That kid should be calling him this month to leave ITA.

Two actors: Nicole Kidman and Adam Sandler, both complete unknowns in Hollywood;

Two directors: Steven Soderbergh had won the Palme d'Or but had no clue about his next project, while Quentin Tarantino was still wasting his days in a video store?

Around noon, Aaron went to a nearby fast-food restaurant for something to eat and happened to run into Jennifer Connelly, who had just finished auditioning!

Nineteen-year-old Jennifer Connelly radiated youthful energy. Her cheeks still had a trace of baby fat, her long black hair was glossy and beautiful, and her light blue eyes were striking. Her innocent face paired with her tall, voluptuous figure gave her a sensual yet pure charm;

After her stunning appearance in 'Once Upon a Time in America,' she had appeared in several more films, but she had only been shown off for her looks and had achieved little else.

Still, she had gotten into Yale University and had now transferred to Stanford. She was undoubtedly a top student!

"Miss Connelly, good afternoon. I'm Aaron Anderson, an agent with CAA!"

Aaron stepped forward to greet her and handed her a business card.

"Oh, good afternoon." Jennifer Connelly accepted the card and looked it over. "You're such a young agent!"

Aaron shrugged. "Miss Connelly, are you planning to return to acting?"

"Yes. Life at school doesn't seem to be what I want." Jennifer Connelly had never truly become famous; it was mainly her appearance in 'Once Upon a Time in America' that had brought her considerable attention.

"The role in 'Pretty Woman' requires someone a little more mature. Miss Connelly, you're rather young right now, so you probably aren't suitable for it?"

Jennifer Connelly nodded. "That's exactly what they said. I'm too young and don't fit the role!"

"Hollywood is fiercely competitive." Aaron Anderson looked at her. "I'd like to sign you. I don't have many clients right now. The most famous one is Steven Soderbergh, the youngest winner of the Cannes Palme d'Or."

Jennifer Connelly's mouth twitched. Was he saying he had no clients, or that he was impressive?

"My mother currently handles some of my representation matters, and I'm still in school. I haven't decided whether I'll leave yet."

Aaron smiled casually. "No rush. Some matters need professionals to handle them. Just keep my card;

"When the time comes, if you have a decision you find hard to make, or if you change your mind, just call me;

"You got into Yale University, so I'm sure you have strong judgment!"

Jennifer Connelly looked at the young man before her, then nodded...

That evening, several people in charge of 'Pretty Woman' held a meeting at Disney's studio;

Aaron attended the discussion as well.

"For the female lead, we'll go with newcomer Julia Roberts. She's sexy, beautiful, approachable, and her audition today was very good!"

Gary Goldstein, Disney's executive producer, spoke, and as expected, he immediately received the approval of director Garry Marshall and the other producer, Steven Reuther.

"Ah." Sitting in the back, Aaron Anderson could only sigh inwardly. You bastards have already decided everything, so why did you even ask me to come?

Aaron and J.F. Lawton, the screenwriter beside him, were probably just there to make up the numbers.

At that moment, Steven Reuther looked somewhat troubled. "Although Al Pacino read with the actresses for us today, he doesn't seem very interested in the role;

"Perhaps we should consider contacting Richard Gere."

Both Steven Reuther and Gary Goldstein knew that Al Pacino might choose the other project, 'Dick Tracy.'

No one else had any particular thoughts. Disney's two projects, 'Dick Tracy' and 'Pretty Woman,' were worlds apart;

One was a star-studded gangster blockbuster adapted from a famous comic, while the other was merely a low-budget romantic comedy. There was no comparison!

Aaron was different. Richard Gere? Could this guy really make a comeback?

After the meeting ended, Aaron deliberately went to find Steven Reuther.

"Is something wrong, Aaron?" Steven Reuther frowned slightly, thinking Aaron had come to ask about the female lead.

A newcomer, and already so presumptuous?

Aaron paid no attention to his tone. "Does Al Pacino not want to play the male lead?"

Oh, he wasn't asking about the female lead?

"Yes, you guessed it. 'Dick Tracy' has invited him as well."

Aaron lit a cigarette. "Both Al Pacino and Richard Gere are people who are about to be forgotten after these past few years;

"Al Pacino is different. The 'The Godfather' brand will always shine. We should still try to get Al Pacino to take the role."

Steven Reuther frowned. "I also want him as the male lead, but... forget it. I'll talk to his agent!"

Richard Gere had been box-office poison with no notable work since 'An Officer and a Gentleman' in the early eighties;

Although Al Pacino had been out of the spotlight for four years, the upcoming 'The Godfather Part III' could not do without him. His influence was far greater.

"Could you take me to meet Mr. Al Pacino himself? I want to try persuading him!"

Aaron's thinking was simple. It did not matter if Nicole Kidman failed to get the female lead, but he could not let Richard Gere make a comeback, could he?

"You?" Steven Reuther suddenly remembered that this guy had spoken with Jeffrey Katzenberg before?

"All right..."