Kapitel 417: Chapter 418: A Handshake is Enough
[Chapter 418: So Bad]
The reporters were destined to be disappointed. After Eric got out of the car, the chauffeur drove off, leaving him to walk the red carpet alone. As he passed through the interview area, Eric complied with the reporters' demands, stopping briefly to pose for photos.
Just as Eric was about to leave, one reporter finally couldn't hold back and shouted, "Mr. Williams, why are you without a date tonight?"
Eric paused, glancing at the journalist who had spoken, seemingly about to say something. This piqued all the reporters' interest. As members of the Hollywood press, they vaguely suspected that Eric might have had trouble deciding which woman to bring and just opted not to bring anyone. If Eric did say something along the lines of "Who do you think I should bring?" it would surely spark a headline that would leave plenty of room for interpretation.
Eric kept the crowd in suspense, cleared his throat, glanced at the reporters holding their tape recorders, and flashed a brief mischievous smile before turning away and heading down the red carpet.
The group of reporters stared at Eric's departing figure in dazed silence for a while before a few self-deprecating chuckles broke the stillness.
...
Eric appeared later in the lineup, and as usual, there was a large crowd already waiting at the end of the red carpet. Occasionally, several stars would pretend to stray into the ABC live coverage, eager to catch a glimpse on the broadcast.
Upon seeing Eric arrive, familiar faces rushed up to greet him. He exchanged pleasantries with Francis Ford Coppola and Al Pacino from The Godfather Part III. Since Nicolas Cage was Coppola's nephew, members of the Ghost team also gathered near The Godfather Part III crew. Eric's presence soon drew in The Silence of the Lambs crew as well, forming a small circle of over ten people.
"What's going on over there?" Eric asked, nodding to a large group of people in front of him.
But before anyone could answer, it seemed that the crowd had received some sort of signal and gradually dispersed. Eric finally spotted a man and woman surrounded by people.
Others fell silent, looking somewhat awkward, until Francis Ford Coppola spoke up, "That's Renny Harlin and Geena Davis; I'm sure you know them, Eric?"
Eric replied nonchalantly, "Of course I do."
At that moment, he understood why so many people had gathered around Renny Harlin and Geena Davis only for them to disperse after he arrived.
...
Renny Harlin not only had acquired the directing rights for Cutthroat Island, but previously he had also directed Die Hard 2 for Fox. News of the Cutthroat Island script had spread throughout Hollywood, and aside from a few who understood it was a trap, most believed the film had great potential. If Renny Harlin managed to deliver two blockbuster hits in a row, his status in Hollywood would skyrocket, which was no surprise as to why so many people had sought him out to chat.
At this point, Renny Harlin and Geena Davis also noticed him. Renny merely nodded at him from afar and led Geena in another direction.
"Renny, we should go say hi," Geena whispered while linking arms with Renny.
Having made his first film at 26, Renny was now in his early thirties and already had two big productions under his belt. While he couldn't be compared to Eric, he still had enough success to look down on most directors who toiled away without ever finding fame. Thus, the scene where the stars had stepped away upon Eric's presence made Renny quite uncomfortable. Hearing his wife's suggestion, he felt even more displeased and stated, "Disney and Robert Shea have already made a mess with Williams over the Cutthroat Island script. If we go over to greet him, it wouldn't earn us any goodwill. If Michael Eisner and Robert Shea see us, it'll just create problems for us. It's unnecessary to get involved in something so thankless."
Geena sighed and didn't press further.
...
Meanwhile, Eric's circle found themselves discussing the Cutthroat Island situation.
Francis stared at the departing figures of Renny and Geena and turned to Elisabeth, saying, "Cutthroat Island script getting snatched away was quite the surprise. But I don't understand why Fox let Renny go so easily; there must be more to it."
Elisabeth cast a quick glance at Eric. Renny Harlin had been a rising young director that Fox had been nurturing, even handing him the sequel to Die Hard. Plus, Fox had already discovered that Eric had appointed Renny to direct Cutthroat Island. If it hadn't been for Eric's comment about "not taking it," Fox wouldn't have let Renny go so readily, even if it meant dragging a lawsuit out for years.
This was certainly not information for public consumption. Faced with Coppola's question, Elisabeth shrugged it off, saying, "I'm not really sure about that. Fox's business isn't something I meddle in."
Coppola sensed that Elisabeth was holding back but didn't delve into the idea that Cutthroat Island was a trap. He assumed Fox had, like Eric, stumbled into a misstep with Disney.
Thinking along these lines, Coppola, assuming a mentor-like demeanor, patted Eric on the shoulder. "Eric, that's just how Hollywood is. Don't take it too heavily; it's just a script after all. You're not short on those, right? Ha ha!"
Eric laughed lightly and then asked, "Francis, how many Oscars do you think The Godfather Part III might snag?"
Coppola looked indifferent and replied with a grin, "As long as I don't walk away empty-handed, I'll be satisfied. After all, facing Fox's little princess is quite the pressure for me too."
"Mr. Coppola, are you also joking about me?" Elisabeth playfully scolded, casting a glare at Eric. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have been stuck with such a backhanded nickname.
The group erupted in laughter again.
...
Soon, the attendees for the ceremony began to stream into the auditorium. When Eric found his seat, he was momentarily stunned to see Elisabeth and Nicole sitting beside him. He had only exchanged a quick greeting with Nicole outside, planning to meet up again at the post-ceremony party. He hadn't expected this situation. It was definitely a ploy by the Oscar committee -- so unfair!
Although he grumbled internally, it didn't seem appropriate to switch seats at that moment.
The ceremony had yet to begin, and as Eric pondered how to ease the tension, the two women appeared perfectly at ease. Elisabeth reached out to Nicole with a smile, saying, "Hello, Ms. Kidman, it's been a while."
"Long time no see, Ms. Murdoch," Nicole replied, extending her delicate arm to grasp Elisabeth's hand.
Surrounding acquaintances who witnessed this scene discreetly turned their gazes away.
Eric felt a spark of tension crackling in front of him, watching the two slender arms crossing in front of him. He chuckled dryly and murmured, "A handshake is enough; let's not get too close."
*****
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