制霸好莱坞

"Oh, shoot." Before Jenny could remain nervous for long, Lillian's pager rang. She checked the screen and said, "Honey, I'm sorry, but I have to go to the hospital right away. We have a group of gunshot patients. God knows how many of them can survive."

Los Angeles is not only the glamorous home of Hollywood but also one of the most gang-ridden areas in America. Lillian's hospital is near the downtown slums, where Jenny often hears that gunshot victims—whether from gang shootouts, stray bullets during fights, or unlucky passers-by caught in the crossfire—are brought in. Although American hospitals generally don't require doctors to be on call after hours, when a surge of emergencies occurs, the head of the ER will quickly summon additional help. Needless to say, Lillian is always one of the first to respond.

"I wish you a smooth operation," Jenny said, helping Lillian pack a bag. "Luckily, we didn't drink tonight."

If they had been drinking, Lillian wouldn't have been able to undergo surgery. Lillian nodded hastily, pointed to the balcony, grabbed her bag, and dashed toward the garage. Washington, the German Shepherd in the backyard, woke up at the commotion and barked twice.

After a while, the tension subsided. Jenny, trying to steady her nerves, went out to the backyard to play with Washington. Despite not having seen her for months, the high-IQ dog still remembered her. After some affectionate moments, Washington ran to the corridor, grabbed his leash, and looked up at Jenny expectantly.

"Oh," Jenny said as she stepped forward and rubbed Washington's ears. "Don't be like this, Washington. I'm heading back—but I'll ask your male master to take you for a walk tonight. He should be home, right, good dog?"

Lillian's house was modest—a single-story building of about 100 square meters with no swimming pool in the backyard, most of which was reserved for Washington's play. Jenny searched for a moment before finding Cesare in the small study on the second floor. The ceiling light was off, so he wasn't immediately noticeable. Peering in, she found him sitting at his desk, the phone clamped between his head and shoulder while he used his free right hand to make marks on a document.

"Okay, I know—you need time..." Cesare said as he glanced at her, then pointed out the window. Jenny mouthed, "Emergency."

Though she should have left out of etiquette, Cesare was clearly on a call about the casting for Pirates. Jenny really didn't want to leave. She leaned against the door, listening quietly to Cesare's phone conversation—even though he claimed it was just a brief call, it was obvious he wasn't finished.

New calls kept coming in, and Cesare patiently fielded them one by one—sometimes explaining he had other calls to take, other times simply listening attentively in the dim light, occasionally offering a few social niceties.

After about ten minutes, once Cesare had ended all his calls, Jenny slowly walked into the study. "Do you need to charge your phone? You know, to prepare for the next wave of calls?"

"There won't be many more calls in the short term." Cesare lit his cigar again with a match. "Sit."

Jenny found a seat on the reading sofa behind the desk. "I didn't know you still smoked."

"Generally, I don't smoke cigarettes—nicotine is a royal road to lung cancer." Cesare tossed the match into the ashtray, picked up his cigar, and inspected it. "But sometimes, for a person who doesn't smoke at all, it's hard to navigate social situations. Some habits are not easy to shake once they're acquired."

"Yes," Jenny admitted, "including questioning you. After I found out you were smoking, I wanted to ask more about those calls you just took. This addiction is no easier to quit than smoking."

"Always curious about your agent's behavior, right?" Cesare smiled faintly. Jenny noticed that tonight his mood was different—normally, his reactions were hard to read.

"You smoke—a sign of nervousness," Jenny observed. "At dinner, you were laughing and talking freely. Then after Depp's call, you disappeared and started smoking a cigar again. I think—even though for me, the game ended after the audition and even after Johnny called—you didn't play your last card until just now, did you?"

Cesare made a gesture of surrender without denying it. "You know, appropriate sharing builds trust," Jenny said.

"Every actor wants to know how much negotiation goes into choosing a role," Cesare replied, placing his cigar in the ashtray and letting the ash fall. "It seems you're no exception. Compared to others, you're persistent."

Jenny smiled victoriously. "Sometimes, enduring second-hand smoke is worth it for a concession."

Cesare exhaled a light puff of smoke. "That's retribution for you ruining my cigar time."

Usually, when enjoying a cigar, people speak softly or remain silent in almost pious tacitness. Jenny's presence, however, had clearly dampened Cesare's usual detachment. Still, he had no desire to dwell on it. Instead, he joked, "In fact, I played the last three cards in my hand tonight."

Jenny, half-flattered, exclaimed, "I didn't even know you could hold three extra cards—but if you still had three, why choose to play the game with Gore?"

"Gore is the can opener—the most important card. There are only two people who decide the heroine of Pirates of the Caribbean: Gore and Jerry." Cesare took a puff, then grabbed a whiskey glass from the table and sipped. "Without Gore's support, you can't pass Jerry's review and get in."

Jenny immediately remembered Cesare's earlier comment about abandoning Gore and choosing another route—there was simply no hope for the producer route.

"Only when you secure Gore's support and get into the game can I play the next cards," Cesare continued. "Johnny is a top-line actor with excellent skills and a strong presence. He doesn't care much about awards, but he wants to choose a commercially successful blockbuster. In my view, his biggest asset is understanding how dominant special effects will be in future movies. He wants to pick a film that's a special effects extravaganza, though the plot and character settings should be tailored to him. I convinced him to take on Pirates of the Caribbean, and so far he's been very positive about the project. He'll provide limited support at the right time, but he isn't a major name—lacking robust box office and award recognition. Although Jerry adores him—Jerry suggested he star in Pirates—he doesn't have much sway overall, and may not support you extensively. Johnny can only offer you fixed support once he personally confirms your acting skills. That's my second card. In poker terms, consider Jerry's opinion as a low card, Gore's support an ace, and Johnny's support as a ten."

Cesare had thus far only shared information Jenny already knew. Jenny patiently waited as he continued, "But I have more than just Johnny in my hand. I have a close relationship with the agent of the second male lead, Josh Branch. Josh will support you even more enthusiastically than Johnny. Although he's only the second lead, he's very popular and considered the next Leonardo DiCaprio. To cast him as the second lead, Jerry also put a lot of effort in. If Johnny and Josh weren't targeting two major female demographics, and if Pirates is as tough and masculine as it is, they might have chosen a third- or fourth-tier actress to save budget. The support from Josh is also worth 10 points, but I consider it a trump card—you won't owe a huge favor until the very end."

Jenny listened silently; she'd been aware of the unexpected casting progress in Pirates over the past two months. The renowned Orlando Bloom—known as the charming elf prince in The Lord of the Rings—had not taken on Pirates in this world but instead chose to perform in stage plays and independent films to hone his craft. After hearing about the casting changes, Jenny curiously asked about his recent situation. It seemed he was preparing for a wilderness hike or something similar to temper his soul.

In Chen Zhen's previous life, Orlando's star journey had been rocky. Although he had cameoed in The Hobbit and appeared in two of the most profitable series globally, he had never been the lead in either Pirates of the Caribbean or The Lord of the Rings. He hadn't shouldered the box office burden, and his lead performances had rarely been solid. His solo blockbuster, Kingdom of Heaven, was a box office flop—even though the director's cut recovered some reputation, his performance was never widely recognized. Since then, quality roles had been scarce for him. Though he still appeared in big movies, opportunities to star were few.

Since The Lord of the Rings had already given Orlando enough popularity and box office power—and with Will Turner's character almost completely overshadowed by Captain Jack—Jenny really didn't know whether it was right for him to forgo Pirates. If he could still star in Kingdom of Heaven like in her previous life and truly showcase his skills, even if that film failed commercially but his acting was praised, he'd still get a good opportunity. After all, everyone knows that Kingdom of Heaven's failure was largely due to poor editing. The director's cut remains a classic.

Alternatively, Orlando may have lost out to Josh Branch in the casting competition and spread the word that he'd turned down the invitation. That wouldn't be surprising—Josh Branch is currently in the limelight. He became famous in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. His role as the adult Anakin Skywalker made him a hot topic even before the movie's release; his interaction with Natalie Portman in the trailer had made him a new star the whole country was talking about. A newcomer with excellent looks and acting skills, destined for popularity, stands on par with Orlando in terms of box office appeal. The producers may have chosen Josh over Orlando for various reasons, and although Josh's voice might be a bit lower, he is destined to be a rising star. Even though Pirates is a big investment, its future remains uncertain.

Cesare's discussion of casting principles opened Jenny's eyes, yet she still had doubts. "Is Josh really that loyal? Just because his agent is close to you, will he support me so enthusiastically?"

Cesare returned a business smile. "These factors aren't a fatal threat to Jerry. He's a senior producer—a bit like a king. Although his overall score may not match the sum of these three cards, it's enough to overshadow any single card. So I used my last card."

"You didn't go to big ghost Disney?" Jenny asked suspiciously—when the producer is a little "ghost," the only one who can be the big ghost is the investor. "But you have to have that energy—"

"If I had that energy, I wouldn't need to take the Gore route," Cesare said. "No, I called Ino Martin." He raised his phone to Jenny. "The second call just now was to him."

"And Ino Martin?" Jenny asked.

"He is the CEO of CAA." Cesare glanced at Jenny tolerantly. "Before he was promoted to CEO, he was Jerry's agent for many years. Disney didn't sign a package contract with CAA, but that doesn't mean CAA's producers treat all actors equally. When there are more than a dozen candidates, he won't give special treatment to anyone—but now, we're talking about you and Kayla. The director supports you, the first male lead supports you, the second male lead supports you—and you're the CAA artist between the two. Even if Martin doesn't know you yet, he'll certainly have something to say about you."

Cesare took another puff of his cigar. "Of course, you know agents care more about big producers. It's a service role, but if Jerry wants to support Kayla, the pressure he faces will force him to think carefully."

Jenny was silent for a moment before walking to the desk and pouring herself a glass of wine—a rare luxury. "Should I cheer for your energy or feel panic? The efforts you've made for me make me feel like I'm a failed investment—insolvent. Even if I get this role, how much will I earn? Three hundred thousand yuan? In the end, it might only give you a pitiful twenty thousand yuan more."

Although CAA's commission is 15%, the company will certainly take another cut—and Cesare can pocket half of that commission.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that," Cesare clinked glasses with her. "Want one? No? I just chose a more complicated way to play this game. In fact, if I had taken another path, you might have signed a three-party contract by now."

"What do you mean?" Jenny sipped her whiskey, feeling the fragrant, mellow bitterness burn down her throat.

"Jerry is a producer at CAA, after all, and he doesn't want to be at odds with me," Cesare blew out a smoke ring. "He expects nothing more than a bow—a gesture of goodwill and an apology."

"But you don't want to give it to him," Jenny said.

"I don't want to give it to him," Cesare agreed. "You could say that 90% of the hardest part of this game was created by me. I'm essentially playing cards with myself."

"I guess this is related to the old account again," Jenny rolled her eyes. "You refuse to admit you did anything wrong in the Bell-Pearl Harbor incident, right?"

"I did nothing wrong—no one can deny that." Cesare filled his glass. "But what we're fighting for isn't simply right or wrong."

Even as his lips glistened with wine, his eyes remained sharp. "What we're fighting for is power, Jefferson. In Hollywood, power isn't about money. It's a fluctuating force that rises and falls in people's hearts. Producers, agents, investors, distributors, actors—we're all battling for this elusive power. Jerry wants me to bow to him, but I want to influence his film, even if he dislikes me. This isn't about Pearl Harbor; Jerry doesn't care that I opposed Bale's participation—he cares about sharing his power with me."

"People say that Hollywood has passed through the studio era and the star era, and now is entering the producer era," Cesare said. "But I don't believe in eras. I believe that at any time, a strong person can seize power in any corner of Hollywood—as long as you're good enough. This is a challenge for the strong. Without determination, you'll never sit at the table and become a true player." (Player, see note.)

"...It seems I'm just a chess piece in your game," Jenny admitted. She walked to the window and opened it to let the smoke out. "I can't worry about these higher-level things right now. In short, regarding Pirates, you've played all your cards."

Cesare nodded. "Now, there's nothing left to do except wait."

"Okay," Jenny sighed. "When will we know the results?"

"It could be minutes, hours, or even days," Cesare said, turning his chair to face Jenny. Although his face was partially hidden in the dim light, Jenny could feel his gaze. "It all depends on Jerry's decision."

Jenny nodded silently, took a sip of wine, and frowned. "What are you looking at?"

"I have to admit, I'm a little surprised," Cesare said, still watching her. "You don't look angry."

"Why should I be angry?" Jenny replied, genuinely surprised.

"Look, I told you I can play this game more relaxedly," Cesare said. "Remember? You might have already signed a three-party contract."

"Are you trying to fool me?" Jenny asked. "Or do you think I have a bad memory? When you signed me, I asked why you wanted me—you're connected with so many resources and celebrities. You keep brokering big deals and making tens of millions."

Thinking back on Cesare's words when signing the contract, Jenny couldn't help but feel grateful. "If it weren't for your ambition, you wouldn't have signed me, and I wouldn't have the chance to launch an attack on a film like Pirates today. So why should I be angry at your ambition? Yes, I'm nervous, but that's because I have every right to be."

Cesare didn't answer immediately. Jenny sensed his surprise and took the opportunity to repair their rapport. "Of course, I know I don't always perform perfectly—sometimes I'm uncooperative, sometimes I get temperamental. But you know, we actresses must fight against our impulses. Never doubt it, Cesare."

She walked over to the desk and clinked glasses with him. "I've always stood with you on the important issues—never doubt how grateful and respectful I am to you."

After a brief pause, Cesare clinked glasses back. "Thank you, and I also want you to know that you always surprise me—my standards are high, Jefferson, but you never let me down."

"I hope I won't let you down this time," Jenny said, taking a sip of wine.

"You've already satisfied me more than enough this time," Cesare said. "I never expected you to win the leading actress role in an A-level production in one fell swoop. That's a tall order for anyone."

Jenny smiled silently. "It would be great if you were more reasonable than when you're drunk."

She set her glass back on the table. "I should go now. I don't think Lillian will be back soon. When she does, please say hello for me. By the way, Washington seemed to want to go for a walk earlier—"

Cesare stood. "I'll take you downstairs—and I'll take him for a walk."

As they reached the door, Cesare turned back to grab his cell phone, and it rang. Jenny assumed he'd answer while they walked out, so she waited at the stairs a while before turning back.

"Yeah, I see," Cesare said. "Very good, very good—contact me tomorrow."He hung up, and Jenny glanced at him; his expression remained unchanged. She didn't ask about the call—it was probably regarding other clients. "Can we go now? If it's not convenient, I can come down by myself."

"Wait a minute," Cesare said, motioning for Jenny to come closer. "Is this your glass?"Jenny watched as he refilled their glasses. Her heart began to race, and when she took the glass, her fingers trembled slightly.

Cesare raised his glass but didn't propose a toast. Instead, he tilted his head back and took a large swig of whiskey. Then he picked up his tie to wipe the wine stains at the corners of his mouth and slammed the glass onto the solid wood table, flashing Jenny a smile that revealed a set of brilliant white teeth—a genuine smile, imbued with a wild, wolfish pride without greed.

"Cesare," Jenny urged impatiently.

"Jerry just called," Cesare said, refilling his glass. He regained his usual composure and indifference, gently clinking his glass with Jenny's. "Jennifer Jefferson, you are already the heroine of Pirates of the Caribbean."

Author's Note:

I forgot to annotate yesterday—my head is dizzy… Jerry is a real person, and he's also the producer of Pirates of the Caribbean and Pearl Harbor, haha. The candidates who appeared yesterday are almost all real actresses. Their star paths were similar back then, but now the differences are huge. Compare their filmographies, and you'll see that resources are really limited, leaving little room for failure.

Keira Knightley is truly an artistic and rebellious actress who dislikes commercialization. I remember she once said the Oscars are a dog show, and it seems she also declared she'd never attend such ceremonies to avoid criticism."

Shoot" is a polite substitute for "shit." Jenny's spoken language is still influenced by her original accent, which is rather rough. Lillian would say "shit" as "shoot."

I actually like Orlando very much, but his performances in Caribbean, Troy, and Kingdom of Heaven were not well received. It's true he didn't secure major films afterward. The Three Musketeers all played villains—a clear sign that his resources were dwindling. If he honed his skills, he might reach a higher level!

The Anakin in the Star Wars prequel was Hayden in the original world. His star path is odd, and his chemistry with Natalie is famously unconvincing—Lucas's most failed casting. Here, it is replaced with the original character, Josh Branch.

Additionally, LA gangs are rampant. If interested, you can search for Los Angeles gun battles; many poor people have been casually beaten to death.

The four calls are: the office phone (CAA CEO calling Jerry), Jerry's mobile phone (called by Josh's agent), Gore's mobile phone (called by Josh himself), and Johnny's call from Cesare regarding the situation.