Hollywood Road

The sound of the heavy screenplay slamming down onto the pristine glass table echoed throughout the room. Another script, another piece of shit. How hard was it to find a project worth joining? Wesley Reed had been receiving a script more or less every day and very few actually caught his attention. The only two that had were very different. The first was a new Disney animated movie. The way the producer was selling it, it was going to be the next Toy Story or Frozen. Why was an actor like Wes considering a role like that? For one, it was just voice and a little motion capture work. He’d only be on set a few weeks at most and then he could be home with his daughter. The other selling point to it was the very fact it could be a film that his little Tilly could enjoy. The second film was a supernatural tv series called Texas Gothic, the role of a hedonistic but poetic vampire
was appealing but the role meant relocating to Austin for six months. Wesley didn’t know if he could be away from Tilly for that long.

Walking up to the full length mirror, the young actor fixed is tie and threw on his jacket. If he was perfectly honest with himself, Wes hated gatherings like this. It was just another excuse for the rich and famous to feel better about themselves whilst hiding all of their troubles and demons away behind a mask of sanity and breathing through a champagne glass as they drown their sorrows. This latest charity benefit was to help raise money for cancer research. A noble cause; too bad probably maybe three quarters of those in attendance actually didn’t give a shit. That said, Jen was going to be there. Wes had asked her to bring Tilly along so he could see her but she thought it best not to as a place like this might not be the best environment for a child of two years old.

Tonight’s event was being held at the local golf club, it was formal wear of course. Wes arrived shortly after seven. The valet took his car, he waved to the paparazzi’s that were waiting to get a snap of some drunk celebrity, with a few of them hollering questions both abusive and nonsensical. Entering the party, he asked for an orange and soda and took his seat at a table with his name on. For some reason, the event organisers had seen fit to mix and match that night. Everyone in attendance had a chair with their name on it. Wes didn’t bother to check the other names on his table he had no interest in finding out which vacant headcase was going to be joining him that night.
The sun was nearly a distance memory, the sky above the open air event a mix of blue, navy and orange. The sea to their left a dark pool of broken dreams.

“Let the fun begin”

Jonathan saw the new, blue tinted streetlights pass by, one by one, as the limousine made it's way from the Pico Plano Bar to the Golf Club. As he started considering getting a driver's licence now that he wasn't in New York anymore, a song came in the radio and hypnotized him. The slow melody went from the speakers to his ears, and from there to his head; where the words that accompanied it stayed. He vaguely remembered going to Neil Young's studio when he was five with his father, who was trying to convince the Canadian troubador to let him use the still unreleased Trans as the official score for his then upcoming sci-fi picture. Although the memory seemed distant now, Jonny could still hear Young's advice to him clearly, "Boy, don't let your pa's bullshit drown you. Because God knows there's enough of it to drown him." Funny, now that he though back to it. He started wondering about everything everyone had told him, trying to figure out if he had ever met another unknowing prophet. But as he tried to remember, the limo came to a stop.

He came out as the blinding flashes came to a sudden stop. He wasn't worth wasting the camera's space with, there were bigger stars arriving soon. Once inside, Jonathan tried to make a mental map of the club's landmarks.

"Bar. Bathroom. Backdoor. Stage. Table? Where the hell is my table?"

"...That’s when the press say I’m threatened by some new kid who does ballet.
What do I give a shit about some little kid ‘lil Kim’ Jung Ill Jessie J?
‘Baddest female’? Yeah right, I’d fight you for that title,
But the battle’s over. I won years ago. She’s a Barbie doll. I’m a Stone Idol.
It’s no secret the press don’t like me, stir shit up to spite me.
Like that time on Casey’s when I joked and poked fun at Jaxy.
Lesson learned; I should keep my mouth shut and shouldn’t tell coma jokes on T.V.
But my head’s full of bricks. I’m never gonna change and that’s why y’all love me..."

-Excerpt from the song 'Spotlight' by NE1. Released 2012

---

A lot can change in two years. Here Natalie was, waiting for said 'Baddest Female' to join her table. The two were friends. Not best friends. Not close friends. They'd done a few guest spots on each other's albums. They sometimes met up for drinks with other musicians and had a laugh together. They were friends. Natalie didn't have a lot of friends in the celeb world. A lot of people were scared or intimidated by her, or just plain didn't like her. She probably insulted them in a song. She can't even remember who's she's pissed off. There are too many names to keep track of.

Sometimes she wasn't sure how much of her 'nastiness' was her and how much was her persona. Was she being forced to be controversial by her fame, or did her fame allow her to do and say things that she secretly wanted to but shouldn't? Either way, she hated the press, and she hated that she might look weak if she acted like herself at public events. Sometimes she had to act nastier or more apathetic than she felt just to keep up appearances. Because it's all about the fans.

She checked her phone for the time. She should not have gotten here this early. How long was she going to wait for interesting people to show up? Yeah, it was for charity, but...ah, fuck it.

She got up and headed to the bar. She needed a damn drink in her.

(whoops. Delete this post)

"Nah, I just really hate cancer you know?"
Casey had been stuck outside by a bunch of paparazzi's who seemed to be playing a game called "Can we get him to say something stupid?"
They kept firing questions at him. "What do you intend to achieve tonight? Do you think you are doing good?"
"Well. Recon the high cottons get together and drink expensive wine all night, and the proceeds goes to the cancer research and stuff."
Casey knew there was probably more to it than that, but he figured that answer would be good enough.
"But common guys, I really got to get inside now. I didn't get gussied up to stand out here with you folk."

Casey got inside and quickly walked up to a seat, realized they were seated and started to look for one with his name on it.

Nothing to see here.

As Jon was busy putting on his Tux for the party this evening his phone rang. Jon saw the caller I-D read, "H. Kirshlight 555-9898." Jon shook his head and said, "It would be a shame if I had to start drinking before I got to the party." He rolled his eyes and said, "I guess begging for that planet killing asteroid to show up now is a little short notice,"

Jon let a heavy exhale and hit the speaker function on the phone as he continued to get dressed. He said, "Harvey. What's on your mind? Please make it quick I wanna be out the door in the next 10 minutes. Otherwise the bartenders at these parties have a tendency to get an attitude if you show up late and grouchy."

Harvey replied, "I talked to the studio for three hours after you left, and they want Downey Jr. or Depp for the role of Paddy Hutchinson. They're really sticking to their guns on this one JT. They say either or they might have to let the project go elsewhere."

As Jon was tying his shoes he shook his head and said, "I'm telling you Harvey I have the perfect actor in line for Paddy Hutchinson."

Harvey said, "I know I know you think it's Wesley Reed. Jon look the guy has talent no doubt about it, but face it he hasn't had to carry a picture like this and everyone still thinks of him Mr. March. Not to mention he is so method that it tore his family apart."

Jon rolled his eyes and said as he put on his cuff links, "Harvey this guy has the talent and the presence to pull off Paddy I know it. Besides Downey Jr is doing 'Avengers 2' and Depp does that accent people think Captain Jack is now a mobster. Not to mention they would over shadow the character I already agreed to Henry Cavil as Sean, Dame Helen Mirren as the mother, and Sir Anthony Hopkins as the father. He's not even in the movie that long the first 20 minutes and he's done in less than 2 weeks on set. Look Harvey will you trust me on this one. I went against the Warner Brothers to get Michael Westlake cast as Aquaman over Leonardo and now Westlake can send his two kids to any college in the world when they grow up. Not to mention the sequel starts filming next year. So will you trust me on this one?"

Harvey exhaled and said, "Tell you what if you can get Wesley to do a screen test just 5-6 lines. I don't care if you film it in a bathroom with a camera phone and you can get it to me by 12 pm tomorrow. I'll tell the studio to go with you on this. I'll back you up. If you don't get that footage by then you promise to let the studio call Depp."

Jon slipped on his jacket and said, "If I don't get the footage to you by noon tomorrow I will call him personally."

Harvey replied, "Fair enough. Have fun tonight and be careful the cops will be out tonight."

Jon smiled and said, "You got Harv. I'll talk to you later."

Jon shut off his phone and took one last look in the mirror. In a fake British accent he said, "Bond James Bond." Jon let a sizable laugh and left his house.

He arrived at the party in his sapphire blue Ferrari and as the valet took his car a reporter from "Entertainment Tonight" ran up to him. She said, "Jon...Mr Templeton." Jon stopped and said to the reporter, "Hey There Allie how are you? How are the kids?"

Allie Lynch replied, "Just fine Jon. Mind if we have a word with you."

Jon nodded and said, "Sure."

Allie motioned to her camera operator to start rolling. The camera operator gave her a thumbs up and she said, "Jon Templeton need to ask you 'Bound by Blood'; what's the status of it? You've been at this project for over 18 months."

Jon nodded and said, "Yeah feels a lot longer though. We have a script in place that everyone is happy with, our director is ready to go, and we got some very fine actors lined up for some key roles. We just need to find the right actor for Paddy and this thing is as good as in front of the camera."

Allie asked, "Any hints to whom you have in mind for Paddy?"

Jon put his finger to his mouth and said, "Shh can't say right now, but we have it down to three very good actors. We're sure no matter who we get we're gonna have a film that the fans and all those involved can be proud of. There should be an announcement in the next 2-3 days."

Allie nodded and said, "Thank you Jon." The camera operator nodded and Allie said, "Thanks Jon."

Jon replied, "My pleasure Allie."

Jon turned and headed into the party and saw Wes sitting at a table. Jon also saw that he was sitting at the same table and began to make his way to the table.

Oh I love my job!

Sirenia St. Claire
“Hi everyone. As you can see my stylist is getting me ready to head out to a charity event. I’ll try and get a bunch of pictures for you guys because I am sure many of your icons will be joining! You can thank me by leaving your sweet or dirty comments below and continuing to stalk me on my sites. Much love bitches, bye!” Sirenia blew a kiss to the webcam and had her assistant sign out of the online account.

Most of her raunchy behavior was simply an act though she had nearly forgotten what her real personality was truly like. She joked that acting would be her next endeavor though she could not imagine adding that to her plate, and her heart was not in that line of work anyway. It was bad enough that her band Torn Asunder was taking some time to find their muse again but she was ever thankful to modeling and social networking sites that kept her afloat. Perhaps every celebrity hit this road block every now and then, beginning to question what the hell they are going to do next…and why? Sirenia loudly groaned in frustration while her hair stylist added the finishing touches to her volumes of hair, and her makeup artist dabbed on some last minuet mascara.

“You’re ready babe.” Rebecca her assistant for occasions such as this confirmed, and handed her a shot glass filled to the brim with potent alcohol. They both raised their glasses sarcastically and downed them before placing the frosted glasses on an end table. They walked down the see through steps and out through the glass double doors where a black Rolls Royce limousine awaited, both females parted ways with a hug. The top of the line security system was instantly activated for the property as the car passed through the long driveway and out through the gated community.

Upon arrival the chauffeur shooed away the valet service and opened the door since he was already attending to St. Claire’s destination needs. Instantly flashes proceeded to blind the curled red and black haired woman as she stepped out of the car and waved. Taking a moment to pose for the paparazzi in her long black latex dress, which received both negative and positive remarks. These negative reviews would inevitably be voiced over the internet and magazines the following morning no doubt but she did not read up about herself. That would be a one way ticket into self-doubt and alcoholism...though some would say she was headed toward already, and she had no time for rehab or a therapist. Before heading inside she stuck out her pierced tongue and playfully gave the finger…though no one was the wiser to know if she meant it or not.

Black platform heels strolled into the massive yet elegant space resembling a ball room where she immediately saw faces she recognized. A few came over to greet her, and they exchanged petty conversation before she excused herself to grab a vodka straight up at the elongated bar. A server stopped Sirenia midway asking if she would like a drink. Instead she anxiously asked if he could find her seat, and retrieve her when the time came to sit. He laughed and nodded while she finally made way to the bar and ordered a drink. Vibrant hazel eyes scanned the environment before the drink was prepared, and she took it with a wink and nearly finished the beverage in one gulp.

“You look absolutely enthralled to be here.” She said to the woman gazing haphazardly at her cell phone. Sirenia recognized her from a music video that had played at a club she sometimes visited. Since Rap was not her genre she did not know nearly anything else about her. “Thank god for the bar right? What the hell would us girls do without it?” She brought the glass to her crimson colored lips to finish the drink, and asked for one more…for the road—or back to her table should the man ever find it.

"These events are usually a laugh once everyone's drunk. Until then, I'm just waiting for all the interesting people to show up." The lady puts her cellphone away, and turns to the woman beside her. Natalie had done herself up for this event. Curled hair, eyeliner, red lipstick and blush, a rather inconspicuous short black dress. Most female celebrities either go for flashy extravagance, or dare to be different. Natalie's route is apparently neither. It's like she had actually put effort into blending in to a celebrity charity event. She chuckled at the model's comment, and raised her own glass. It was an amaretto on the rocks. "You can say that again."

She took a sip from it, then looked back at Sirenia. "This is probably a stupid as fuck question seeing as how this is an event for celebrities, but...have I seen you before? You definitely look familiar..."

"These events are usually a laugh once everyone's drunk. Until then, I'm just waiting for all the interesting people to show up." The lady puts her cellphone away, and turns to the woman beside her. Natalie had done herself up for this event. Curled hair, eyeliner, red lipstick and blush, a rather inconspicuous short black dress. Most female celebrities either go for flashy extravagance, or dare to be different. Natalie's route is apparently neither. It's like she had actually put effort into blending in to a celebrity charity event. She chuckled at the model's comment, and raised her own glass. It was an amaretto on the rocks. "You can say that again."

She took a sip from it, then looked back at Sirenia. "This is probably a stupid as fuck question seeing as how this is an event for celebrities, but...have I seen you before? You definitely look familiar..."

"These events are usually a laugh once everyone's drunk. Until then, I'm just waiting for all the interesting people to show up." The lady puts her cellphone away, and turns to the woman beside her. Natalie had done herself up for this event. Curled hair, eyeliner, red lipstick and blush, a rather inconspicuous short black dress. Most female celebrities either go for flashy extravagance, or dare to be different. Natalie's route is apparently neither. It's like she had actually put effort into blending in to a celebrity charity event. She chuckled at the model's comment, and raised her own glass. It was an amaretto on the rocks. "You can say that again."

She took a sip from it, then looked back at Sirenia. "This is probably a stupid as fuck question seeing as how this is an event for celebrities, but...have I seen you before? You definitely look familiar..."

"These events are usually a laugh once everyone's drunk. Until then, I'm just waiting for all the interesting people to show up." The lady puts her cellphone away, and turns to the woman beside her. Natalie had done herself up for this event. Curled hair, eyeliner, red lipstick and blush, a rather inconspicuous short black dress. Most female celebrities either go for flashy extravagance, or dare to be different. Natalie's route is apparently neither. It's like she had actually put effort into blending in to a celebrity charity event. She chuckled at the model's comment, and raised her own glass. It was an amaretto on the rocks. "You can say that again."

She took a sip from it, then looked back at Sirenia. "This is probably a stupid as fuck question seeing as how this is an event for celebrities, but...have I seen you before? You definitely look familiar..."

"These events are usually a laugh once everyone's drunk. Until then, I'm just waiting for all the interesting people to show up." The lady puts her cellphone away, and turns to the woman beside her. Natalie had done herself up for this event. Curled hair, eyeliner, red lipstick and blush, a rather inconspicuous short black dress. Most female celebrities either go for flashy extravagance, or dare to be different. Natalie's route is apparently neither. It's like she had actually put effort into blending in to a celebrity charity event. She chuckled at the model's comment, and raised her own glass. It was an amaretto on the rocks. "You can say that again."

She took a sip from it, then looked back at Sirenia. "This is probably a stupid as fuck question seeing as how this is an event for celebrities, but...have I seen you before? You definitely look familiar..."

"These events are usually a laugh once everyone's drunk. Until then, I'm just waiting for all the interesting people to show up." The lady puts her cellphone away, and turns to the woman beside her. Natalie had done herself up for this event. Curled hair, eyeliner, red lipstick and blush, a rather inconspicuous short black dress. Most female celebrities either go for flashy extravagance, or dare to be different. Natalie's route is apparently neither. It's like she had actually put effort into blending in to a celebrity charity event. She chuckled at the model's comment, and raised her own glass. It was an amaretto on the rocks. "You can say that again."

She took a sip from it, then looked back at Sirenia. "This is probably a stupid as fuck question seeing as how this is an event for celebrities, but...have I seen you before? You definitely look familiar..."

"These events are usually a laugh once everyone's drunk. Until then, I'm just waiting for all the interesting people to show up." The lady puts her cellphone away, and turns to the woman beside her. Natalie had done herself up for this event. Curled hair, eyeliner, red lipstick and blush, a rather inconspicuous short black dress. Most female celebrities either go for flashy extravagance, or dare to be different. Natalie's route is apparently neither. It's like she had actually put effort into blending in to a celebrity charity event. She chuckled at the model's comment, and raised her own glass. It was an amaretto on the rocks. "You can say that again."

She took a sip from it, then looked back at Sirenia. "This is probably a stupid as fuck question seeing as how this is an event for celebrities, but...have I seen you before? You definitely look familiar..."

"These events are usually a laugh once everyone's drunk. Until then, I'm just waiting for all the interesting people to show up." The lady puts her cellphone away, and turns to the woman beside her. Natalie had done herself up for this event. Curled hair, eyeliner, red lipstick and blush, a rather inconspicuous short black dress. Most female celebrities either go for flashy extravagance, or dare to be different. Natalie's route is apparently neither. It's like she had actually put effort into blending in to a celebrity charity event. She chuckled at the model's comment, and raised her own glass. It was an amaretto on the rocks. "You can say that again."

She took a sip from it, then looked back at Sirenia. "This is probably a stupid as fuck question seeing as how this is an event for celebrities, but...have I seen you before? You definitely look familiar..."

"These events are usually a laugh once everyone's drunk. Until then, I'm just waiting for all the interesting people to show up." The lady puts her cellphone away, and turns to the woman beside her. Natalie had done herself up for this event. Curled hair, eyeliner, red lipstick and blush, a rather inconspicuous short black dress. Most female celebrities either go for flashy extravagance, or dare to be different. Natalie's route is apparently neither. It's like she had actually put effort into blending in to a celebrity charity event. She chuckled at the model's comment, and raised her own glass. It was an amaretto on the rocks. "You can say that again."

She took a sip from it, then looked back at Sirenia. "This is probably a stupid as fuck question seeing as how this is an event for celebrities, but...have I seen you before? You definitely look familiar..."

"These events are usually a laugh once everyone's drunk. Until then, I'm just waiting for all the interesting people to show up." The lady puts her cellphone away, and turns to the woman beside her. Natalie had done herself up for this event. Curled hair, eyeliner, red lipstick and blush, a rather inconspicuous short black dress. Most female celebrities either go for flashy extravagance, or dare to be different. Natalie's route is apparently neither. It's like she had actually put effort into blending in to a celebrity charity event. She chuckled at the model's comment, and raised her own glass. It was an amaretto on the rocks. "You can say that again."

She took a sip from it, then looked back at Sirenia. "This is probably a stupid as fuck question seeing as how this is an event for celebrities, but...have I seen you before? You definitely look familiar..."

"These events are usually a laugh once everyone's drunk. Until then, I'm just waiting for all the interesting people to show up." The lady puts her cellphone away, and turns to the woman beside her. Natalie had done herself up for this event. Curled hair, eyeliner, red lipstick and blush, a rather inconspicuous short black dress. Most female celebrities either go for flashy extravagance, or dare to be different. Natalie's route is apparently neither. It's like she had actually put effort into blending in to a celebrity charity event. She chuckled at the model's comment, and raised her own glass. It was an amaretto on the rocks. "You can say that again."

She took a sip from it, then looked back at Sirenia. "This is probably a stupid as fuck question seeing as how this is an event for celebrities, but...have I seen you before? You definitely look familiar..."

Nick had been sitting at the bar for a while, sipping on a craft beer that he thought was overpriced. He hadn't been to many social gatherings like this before, so he just kept to himself. He looked around the room, trying to see what celebrities he could pick out of the crowd. It was a weird experience, there over a dozen people who he could recognize, and many more whose names he couldn't quite recall, yet he hadn't even met anyone here yet. Nick took solace in the fact that very few knew who he was, allowing him to keep the low profile he preferred.

He looked at his notebook, and began to write a little bit. "I write about these people from the comfort of my own home, and yet now I am here with them. No longer am I a mere patron of the zoo, looking in from outside. I am like a zookeeper, entering the domain of the animals. I think there is a reason why zookeeper is not a more popular profession."

After writing down his thoughts, he looked around and saw who else was sitting at the bar. Two faces stood out to him, both young women, and both of whom produced music which he hated, though each for their own unique reasons. Nick sighed, and wondered why he had bother to come. It had seemed like a good way to get out of the house and meet some of his neighbors, but now he thought it was a big waste of time.