Hollywood Fixer

by Edwin Betancourt

  Darlene: “First off, Thank you so much for coming onto my show. It is such an honor to be in the same presence as Hollywood Royalty.”

  Damien: (smiling shaking his head) “I wouldn’t necessarily say we are on that exact caliber. We are just two regular people. Two creative people who- (he looks at LOLA)- were lucky enough to find each other.”

  Darlene: (nods still smiling) “Let me ask the question that has everyone going crazy-wait before I ask. Did you guys know your fans are shipping you as ‘DALA’? ”

  (Both LOLA and DAMIEN shake their heads clearly having no idea they had a ship name.)

  Lola: “Not at all. That is so amazing! Our fans have been very supportive of us since…well the tabloids leaked that picture of us last week having dinner at the Grove.”

  Darlene: “Yes, that was my next question. Everyone wants to know how you two met each other since, Damien is a huge Pop Star that sold more than 20 million records in his three year career span and Lola…you’re just… a model.”

  Damien: “That is a great question Darlene. I was playing a show in Athens when my security received a letter from a young woman who wanted to meet me. I had no idea who this girl was. But her hand writing was beautiful. She wrote poetry that would make the strongest man cry-”

  (As DAMIEN speaks, LOLA stares at him listening and falling more in love with him with every word he says.)

  Damien (cont’d): “-To make a long and boring story short, I told security I had to see who wrote me such a beautiful letter.”

  Darlene: “And it was Lola?”

  Damien: “Not at all. It was her younger sister.”

  (DARLENE lets out her signature fake laugh, which sounded like a seal being strangled by a Hyena.)

  Damien (cont’d): “But as it turned out, Lola helped her write it.”

  Darlene: “And when was this exactly?”

  Lola: “Six months ago. We’ve been dating for six months.”

  Darlene: (nods in shock) “That is amazing! Six months in this industry is like a decade. So make sure you two cherish each other.” (She looks into the camera) “We’re going to take a quick break and when we return, Damien will tell us all about his upcoming album.”

  Director: “And cut!”

  ____________________________________________________________________________

  I let out a sigh of relief in shock these two were able to pull off such an act.

  Darlene got up from her seat, walked over to the director and they began discussing whether she looked amazing in the shots they just took.

  I walked over to the young couple.

  “How did we do?” Damien asked nervously.

  “You did exceptionally well. I am so proud of both of you. Now your fans will know the truth and why you two chose to hide your love for so long.”

  Damien lowered his eyebrows confused at my words.

  Just a few minutes ago, I was telling him to act as if he could tolerate Lola and now I started to act as if they were really a couple. He probably thought it was because Darlene was in the room but she wasn’t within earshot.

  “I-I don’t understand-”

  I pointed at my own chest, which caused both Damien and Lola to look at it in confusion. It wasn’t until Lola looked at her own chest she realized they still had the body mic on. She nudged Damien and pointed to his mic and he gave her a nod finally understanding why my demeanor changed.

  Hollywood is a tricky industry. People will smile at your face and wish you well but when you’ve turned your back, they’re secretly on the lookout for ways to destroy you.

  For example, when it comes to microphones during interviews, it is imperative that you watch what you say; because as long as you have a hot mic near you, anything you say is on the record. Whether it was said on air or off.

  A Hot Mic [when a nearby microphone is on without the awareness of the person(s) being recorded and it records everything said in private] has hurt even the brightest of stars in this industry.

  I smiled widely. “It seems my job here is done. I want to thank you both for such an amazing job. I would hug you but...I just don’t want to.”

  “Hey Damien.” Darlene interrupted causing the young couple to look at her nervously. “I’m sorry to interrupt; I just have to say it is an honor to get to speak with you. I have been a fan of yours and I know it’s awkward because of my age but-” She placed her right hand on the young man’s left shoulder and rubbed it smiling. “-I see a lot of talent in you and I know you will get far in this industry.”

  Lola clenched her jaws together watching the scene unfold.

  I rolled my eyes and walked out of the suite closing the door behind me, not wanting to get involved in whatever drama was about to unfold.

  My job was to have them prepped for the interview and with that portion complete, as is my job here.

  *****************************

  A Few Seconds Later:

  I let out a yawn as I leaned against the wall of the elevator once the doors closed. Tony rubbed the back of his neck shaking his head. “That Lola is freaking insane.”

  “No crap Sherlock.” I snapped as the elevator started to descend. “Did Damien tell you anything about her?”

  Tony shook his head. “Only the fact she has been trying to seduce him daily. He has told her many times he wasn’t interested in her but she continues to make advances. Poor guy has a super crush on his neighbor’s daughter and he’s stuck pretending to date a nut job that should be locked up in a psych ward.”

  I knew this couple was a mistake. They were completely mismatched as far as interests go. Lola was a model who looked as if she was new to fame and Damien was a Pop Star that had more success than anyone before him did.

  “If you ask me, I would make them break up. He deserves to just live his life doing what he wants to do. He found more success by himself. As far as I’m concerned, he doesn’t need this fake romance to further his career.” Tony sighed as if he had a long day of moving heavy furniture.

  However, he was right.

  “Yeah well this is all the work of Jordan Seaze.”

  The elevator slowed down and stopped in the lobby of the hotel. This shocked us both, as we were sure the ride down was a lot faster than the ride up.

  The doors opened and I walked out unto the lobby floor.

  “Magnificent job Solìs!” A voice called out causing every hair on the back of my neck to stand.

  “Say the Devil’s name and he appears.” I stated underneath my breath causing Tony to chuckle.

  Walking towards us was a tall older man with silver dyed hair wearing a very tight suit. His face had not one wrinkle which didn’t shock me because while he is Forty Nine years old, the man gets Botox injected into his face more times than a baby burps.

  “I saw the interview and I am beyond pleased at your work. Those kids are more convincing than celebrities when it comes to their charity work.” Jordan waited for either Tony or I, to laugh but none of us did, so he cleared his throat to speak.

  I quickly chimed in, “When was the last time you spoke to Damien? He doesn’t want to be in a relationship with her.”

  Jordan looked at me in shock, “He told you that?”

  “He didn’t have to. The poor kid just wants to tour the world and hook up with fan girls looking for something to tell their friends. He can’t do that if he’s dating Ms. Psychopath.”

  Jordan’s face grew stern-well at least that’s what I thought, it was hard to tell from looking at him.

  “Lola is the top selling Model in Mexico and I know she can hit the U.S market and be on magazine covers. She can be the next Sofia Hayek or Penelope Vegara…or whoever!”

  I rubbed my forehead in frustration at the man who saw only dollar signs rather than anything of importance. “You would honestly have both your clients be in a miserable relationship just so that you could cash in on them?”

  “Let me tell you something Solìs. Damien got famous because of me. I upl
oaded that video of him singing in a cardboard box, I dubbed him the Homeless Singing Kid. He was never homeless or even miserable with his life. He is a friend’s kid that I promised to make famous. The public ate that crap up and now they will eat this up too, making Lola a star and me a billionaire.”

  “And you think playing Devil’s Advocate is worth billions of dollars on the unhappiness of your first client?”

  Jordan didn’t need to think about the question because it was obvious. “Don’t pretend that what you do is nobler than what I do. You and I turn scraps of garbage into these beautiful and perfect illusions that Hollywood and the idiots who worship them, eat up. Yes, Damien is miserable. Yes, Lola is a beautiful psychopath. But at the end of the day does any of that matter when they’re making millions in an hour?”

  Jordan combed his fingers through his silver hair and he lowered his voice so none of the hotel staffers could hear the words he was saying. “Everyone sells their souls to make it in this industry and only the strong survive. Damien and Lola are both strong kids who will leave their legacy in this God Damn city and if you think-”

  CRAAAAASSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Jordan’s words were cut short by a loud crashing sound that came from outside of the hotel.

  The horrific screams of fans camped out caused hotel staffers to run out as some of the fans ran inside trying to take cover.

  “What the hell was that?” I asked as I began to walk towards the entrance of the hotel with Tony and Jordan following behind.

  I pushed the hotel doors open and a scene of chaos ensued.

  My mouth fell open as I saw what was causing the commotion and I felt as if the whole world around me slowed down.

  On the curb of the hotel was a parked Red Sports car and on the roof of that car was the dead body of Lola Ferrari. She was bloodied, bruised and staring lifelessly at the beautiful clear sky above her.

  The chaotic scene looked like something out of a movie. Inconsolable fans shocked, disgusted and saddened by the loss of a famous person, hotel staffers scrambling and calling the ambulance and Jordan paralyzed out of shock.

  I couldn’t believe what I was looking at! I had just left her alive and safe upstairs seconds ago and to see her lifeless, broken and bruised body made me sick and angry.

  I stepped closer to the car not saying a word.

  This could’ve been avoided- it should’ve been avoided if Jordan had decided to do the right thing and focus on Damien’s career instead of forcing him into a relationship he clearly didn’t want.

  Nevertheless, it was too late now, too late to blame someone, too late to think of possible outcomes and most importantly; too late to feel guilty.

  I slowly looked up at the balcony of the thirty sixth floor swearing I could see a figure staring down at the tragic scene below with a smile of relief on his face.

  Just minutes ago, Damien was telling Tony how he yearned for freedom to be single and live his life being a huge Pop Star. Now all those dreams he had of recording a Christmas album for his mother, any thoughts he had about becoming a bigger star by the taking the world by storm is gone.

  Damien always sang about Paradise in his songs and how he just wanted to smile under the sun, based on the smile he had on his face now…he found his Paradise—unfortunately in doing so, he lost his freedom.