Chapter Thirty-Seven
“I’m nervous, Tom,” Darell said to Mr. Fryer as the spotlight moved closer to him. Darell watched through the darkness as the circular beam of light stopped right next to him and shined on the person whom he sat next to, feeling the pulsating heat from the light and the sweat that the heat brought to him.
“What are you nervous for? All you have to do is stand up and wave when you hear your name,” Mr. Fryer whispered, watching as the Master of Ceremonies introduced the director.
Watching that spotlight, like its heat was too unbearable for human flesh, Darell perceived it, knowing that it would be his turn soon to get up and have the light on his silhouette. He was nervous, he didn’t know what to say, how to act, how to smile, words he should keep to himself, and who to thank once the spotlight hit him; his mind was flustered with dialogues of panic. He then turned to Tom, who sat on the side of him, and questioned, “By the way, when is that director coming with the contract for that February movie?” Before Tom could even acknowledge that he heard his question, the spotlight came upon Darell, shining its brightness to the point of blindness. He stood up and began waving to the people at the dinner, and then sat down immodestly, and immediately, to finish his question to Mr. Fryer; before he sat down completely, the Master of Ceremonies stopped him from touching his seat.
“Darell, would you like to say a few words? After all, you are the star tonight,” the M.C. asked.
Darell looked at Mr. Fryer in a nervous way, not knowing what to do, how to do it, or even what to say. “What should I do?” Darell asked in a low and shaky voice to Tom, seeing that everyone was waiting for him to give his speech. His nerves caused him to begin shaking his left foot and biting his nails a bit.
Tom turned to him, smiled and whispered, “Tell them what you’re feeling tonight. After all, he’s right, you are the star.” Darell wiped the sweat off his face, due to the spotlight heat reflecting off his image, and just gazed at Tom’s eyes, hoping that he would say some other words of encouragement; he didn’t.
Darell lingered his head toward the audience and then looked back at Mr. Fryer, slowly beginning to get up as he stopped biting his nails. He stood straight up and looked at the audience in a frightened way, it was as if the audience was there to kill him. He tried to imagine the audience naked so he could laugh and feel comfortable, but the spotlight shot directly on his face and caused him to see nothing but darkness.
He looked straight in the darkness and said in a nervous manner, “Um, um, well, I’d like to thank the director, Mr. Cannon, for choosing me for this particular film.” He looked down at the ground and began rubbing his eyes. Darell looked up again and added, “Um, I would like to thank the producers, particularly Henry Schultz, who isn’t here yet, for doing a wonderful job at co-producing this film. Um, I would also like to thank my small group of fans, that’s if I have any.” Directly after he said his last comment, the audience started laughing, they thought Darell was kidding. While the crowd was laughing, Darell looked deeper into the room, thinking to himself, My God, movie stars are actually here for me...
A smile commenced to erect on Darell’s face, a smile that meant he’d finally made it. The crowd’s laughter became silent once again and Darell saw something in his mind, something that he’s been waiting for a long time to see; he saw his dream become reality. The red carpet, the cameras, the media asking him questions, and fans: these things were Darell’s main ambitions in Hollywood and throughout his life. Yet, he realized that this wasn’t the Academy Awards, that was the only thing missing. But he said to himself, “Well, it’s close to the Oscars.” Mr. Fryer hit him lightly on the leg and knocked Darell from his thoughts. Darell looked down at him and asked, “What is it?”
Tom pointed to himself, responding with, “Aren’t you forgetting someone to thank?”
“Oh, and I would like to thank my agent, Tom Fryer, he’s the one that helped open the door to Hollywood, and I hope that door stays opened for a long time,” Darell announced, hearing the audience’s laughter starting up again. He then sat back down, saw the spotlight end its aura, and watched as the hall lights came back on. The audience went back to eating while Darell’s entire table poured themselves some champagne at the same time. Mr. Cannon got up from his chair and spilt a little bit of champagne on his tuxedo, but still he smiled at his accident and tapped a spoon at his glass, announcing he was ready to make a toast, in a very drunken way.
“I’d like to make a toast to Darell, and all the other persons who helped make this film. I’d like to make a toast to this film: may it do well at the box office and may it make a lot of money for us,” Mr. Cannon said; everyone at the table giggled at his remark. Henry Schultz approached the table in a speedy fashion and sat down next to Darell inconspicuously. He poured himself some champagne, to fit in with the rest of the table, and watched as Mr. Cannon sat down in his seat after hitting his glass with the persons next to him. Mr. Schultz got up and announced another toast, handing Tom Fryer a contract for the February movie.
“Hello, my name is Henry Schultz, I co-produced this film,” he announced.
Mr. Cannon cut him off, stopped his speech and laughed, “We know who you are, Henry, everyone does.”
“That’s right,” Henry agreed, returned a laugh to Mr. Cannon. “I’m going to direct a movie with my brother Dennis, Darell is going to have the star role in it. That’s why I’m making a toast to Darell, may he become the next John Smitherson.” Everyone hit their glasses lightly against others, staring at Darell and smiling; this was his night to shine.
Mr. Schultz sat down and started discussing the contract with Darell and Mr. Fryer. Darell took out his golden pen and waited patiently to sign the document; the document that was worth 2.5 million dollars. After Henry explained everything, Darell took his pen cap off and signed his first name on the sheet. He began to sign his last name when he paused in the middle of it, looked at Henry’s handsome face, and asked, “I know this is a stupid question, but after I worked with my co-star on this past movie, I learned that she was a jerk. So, I was wondering, who’s my co-star gonna be?”
Tom looked at him, looking at Henry, and questioned with shock, “What?”
“I mean, I was just wondering.”
Mr. Fryer looked at him in a crazy manner, he just wanted Darell to sign the sheet and ask questions later.
“Just sign it,” Mr. Fryer said; he was ready to sign it for him.
Tom just stared at Darell’s half-written signature, with Henry explaining, “No, no, it’s alright. After all, you are going to be working on this film for about seven months. So, you have a right to know.” He then took a swig of his wine glass, watching Tom look at the contract, showing a pathetic look on his face, and added, “His name is Damen Schultz, my brother discovered him.”
Darell’s face formed a huge smile, asking, “What? You’re kidding me, right?”
“No, his name is Damen Schultz. He’s the one we chose for the co-star role. My brother didn’t even give him an audition, but he says that Damen is one of a kind and a good actor. Why, do you know him?” Henry asked, noticing that Darell finished signing his last name already.
“Yeah, he’s one of my best friends.”
Tom gawked at Henry with discreet and nervous eyes, thinking back when Damen found him assaulting Vivian. He drank his champagne fast, thoughts appeared rakishly tormenting, and his mind flustered with plans after plans, trying to obey his thoughts and cater to their anguishing pain. But he couldn’t, the thoughts spun out of control. No, if Damen gets this part, then he’ll have the power and the guts to tell the media on me and my little incident with Vivian. Everyone believes a celebrity...
He finished his champagne and asked out loud to Darell and Henry, “Do think it’s a good idea working with such a close friend?”
Darell responded, “What are you talking about? Of course it’s a good idea, this way I’ll be comfortable and act much better.”
Before Tom could defend his question and change their minds about Damen, Dennis approached the table and sat down. Henry shook his hand, turned to Darell and said, “I’d like to introduce my brother. This is Dennis.” Dennis shook Darell’s hand. He was ready to shake Mr. Fryer’s hand when Henry stopped him from doing it. He whispered in Dennis’ ear, “This is that scum of an agent I was telling you about...”
Dennis whispered back, “Oh, alright. Hey, after this, I have to discuss some important matters with you. Actually, one important matter.” He turned away and added to Darell and Tom, “So what are you guys talking about? I have to catch up.”
Darell grinned and answered, “Oh nothing, it’s just my agent, he always wants his way, but he’s not going to get it this time.”
Henry gaped at Tom in a repulsive fashion, explaining, “We were just discussing Damen Schultz. Tom doesn’t think it’s a good idea to have Damen as the co-star. Dennis, tell Tom Fryer that it’s a very good idea to have Darell’s best friend in the movie.”
Dennis paused, thinking of what to say, he was nervous at the question. He knew that Damen wasn’t going to be in the movie after all, but also knew that Jose was. Being that Jose Rodrigo was also good friends with Darell O’Conner, Dennis replied with leaving the friend’s name out, “Yeah, I agree with my brother. It’s a very good idea to have a friend work with you, it makes it easier to act.”
Henry patted his brother on the back, speaking, “I didn’t even know that Darell knew Damen—good work, Dennis.”
“See, Tom, even Dennis agrees,” Darell stated in a childish way. “I’ll be right back, I have to go to the men’s room.” Darell got up and walked away, leaving Tom, Dennis, and Henry there to speak amongst themselves.
Henry saw that Darell’s body was walking farther away from them, so he turned to his brother and questioned, “Hey, what was it that you had to discuss with me?”
“It’s about Damen.”
Tom rudely jumped in the conversation, cutting off Dennis, and asking, “What about Damen?”
“Hey, bud out, this isn’t any business of yours,” Henry said in a vicious way. He knew the way Tom was, and at this point, he wanted to treat him like a child.
Dennis then finished with, “Well, anyway, I’m not hiring Damen.”
“Why can’t you hire him?” Mr. Fryer asked.
Henry looked at him again in an even more repellent manner, shouting, “Butt out.” Henry rubbed his temples on his head and gave a deep sigh, looking at Dennis in confusion, and speaking, “Well, why can’t you hire him?”
“Because he’s a drug addict. His other best friend told me. Even Julienne Wells said so herself,” Dennis responded, seeing his brother Henry lighting up a cigarette. Mr. Fryer formed a small grin and blew out a sigh of relief after hearing the doors of Hollywood had been shut on Damen; his mind was at ease.
Henry was aggravated and looked at Dennis with stress-filled eyes. “Who’s his other best friend? Are you sure he said this to you?”
Dennis stared at his brother’s question, watching his eyes, seeing how he could answer it. Dennis took a swig of his champagne, answering, “His name is Jose Rodrigo. I’m not sure if he said anything about it, but I’m positive Julienne did.”
“Well, Julienne is well-known for lying a lot in Hollywood, that’s why I want to know for sure about Jose,” said Henry.
“Listen, we haven’t got time for an investigation. I’ve got everything under control,” Dennis stated.
Tom just listened, and then saw Darell exiting the foyer and walking toward the table again. Looking at Darell walking toward them, and trying to listen in on the conversation between the two directors, Mr. Fryer suddenly took a drink of his champagne as well, lit up a cigar, and sat back in his seat, watching and listening, and drinking and smoking.
“What do you mean? How have you got it under control?” Henry asked in an aggravated fashion, smoking his cigarette heavily.
Dennis spoke, “I’m going to hire Jose for the job.”
Tom looked at him with shock, interrupting Dennis once again, and saying, “But Jose has a scar on his neck.” Mr. Fryer knew that Jose was going to be a challenge for Darell; he knew that Jose was better-looking and smarter than him, yet he didn’t take him as a client because of his scar. He didn’t think that Jose would make it in any movie because of that mark on his neck. But he was wrong, and he hated that.
Henry shouted, “I told you to shut up.”
“Anyway, like I was saying, Jose is gonna be Darell’s co-star, I’m gonna get the contract to him in the middle of the week,” said Dennis.
Darell came and sat back down in his seat, smiling with his glory, happy to hear that Damen will be working with him soon.
Henry smiled, and rubbed Dennis’ head like a five year old, saying, “Alright, I trust you, you did a good thing.”
“What are you guys talking about?” Darell asked.
“Oh, we’re just talking about Jose,” Dennis responded, feeling Henry pulling him by his collar, and placing his mouth up to his ear.
Henry whispered into Dennis’ ear, “Right now, don’t tell Darell anything about the change in co-stars. That’s the last thing we need, friction, friends fighting. Just let him handle and practice the script, get his character together, and when all goes well, Jose Rodrigo will come in Damen’s place. Man, could you believe the odds of this happening?”
“What about Jose?” questioned Darell, noticing a nervous look on all three of their faces.
“We were just discussing how Jose is here,” Dennis slurred, he tried to cover up the real reason why he mentioned Jose’s name.
“My friend Jose? Where is he?”
“He’s at table 45,” replied Dennis.
Darell got up and looked rapidly for that table, feeling the excitement of his friend Jose’s presence; he wanted to find it as fast as he could, before his mind overflowed with happiness.
Jose spotted Darell looking around the room like a moron, walking into people, knocking down chairs, and trying to search for something. “My God, here he comes,” Jose said, seeing Darell coming into contact with his eyes, finding his table, and walking toward it.
“Just pretend like you’re glad to see him,” said Julienne, watching Darell getting closer. “Remember what I told you a minute ago? Do not discuss anything to him that involves the change in co-stars.”
“What if I tell him that I got in a movie?”
Julienne looked at him with an aggravated image. “Listen to me, you know damn well that Darell already knows about Damen being his co-star.” She paused her words and looked at Darell stopping in his tracks by a man asking him questions.
“Yeah, so?” Jose spoke as another man approached Darell.
“So, if Darell finds out that you took the part from Damen, then he’s also gonna find out about the lie that we told to get you the part. Comprende? He’s going to find out about Damen doing drugs,” she replied in an even stronger tone, the stress began to form wrinkles on her face.
“So what.”
“So, idiot, that means Darell will tell Henry, or one of the producers of this movie, that it’s a lie. And you know what happens next?” Julienne questioned in an angered voice, she was terribly confused at Jose’s stupidity.
“What?”
“They’ll give the part back to Damen, and your career will be down a river without a life jacket. It will be destroyed even before you could call it a career.” She then squeezed her palms tightly to relieve the stress that he is causing upon her. “That’s why you have to keep this little secret inside of yourself until the contract has your name on it.”
“So, let me get this straight, I have to keep it in for a few days? Then, after I sign the contract, I could tell whoever I want?”
“Well, after the contract is signed by you, you can tell a few people about the movie, but you can never say how you got the part,” Julienne replied.
Darell was freed by the reporters, fans, and producers
that stopped him from coming over to their table right away and then started his journey toward them once more.
“Alright, he’s coming now. Remember what I explained to you a second time,” Julienne said, staring at Darell walking closer to their table. She smiled, and added with sarcasm, “I bet you’re glad to see him?”
“Well, actually, I’m kind of glad to see him,” Jose responded. His soul was still whole and full of the memories he shared in Sugar Valley, while his mind and heart had given their places to something much more sinful and un-great.
Darell came up to Jose, gave him a tight hug, and smiled while saying, “Hey, what’s up? Did you hear the news? Damen’s going to be in a movie with me.”
They released their arms from each other, and sat down, with Jose speaking, “Really? That’s great.”
“What are you doing here, Jose?”
“I just came along with Julienne. You remember Julienne, right?”
Darell looked at Julienne, and smiled, saying, “Yeah, I remember you, we met you at that Starbox nightclub.”
Julienne shook his hand, and then got up to go to the bathroom, “I’ll be right back, gentlemen. I have to go to the ladies room.”
Julienne started walking away, as Jose questioned in a tone of phoniness, like he didn’t know it already, “Well, so Damen’s going to be in a movie with you?”
“Yeah, it’s beginning this February. I can’t believe all that’s happened to me, and it’s all going to happen to Damen too,” Darell answered. Jose’s soul went into hiding and his malice mind took over, feeling the jealousy once again, and the rage of hearing Damen’s name.
“Yeah, that’s great.” Jose’s voice showed jealousy, so he his eyes began to look around the room, trying to make this feeling vanish from sight. He was so jealous toward Damen and a little bit toward Darell that he couldn’t even look at him. He then looked back at Darell and asked in an evil manner, “Did I tell you I’m going to be in a movie too, this February?”
Sugar Valley (Hollywood's Darkest Secret) Page 38