“That’s Gage Lang’s next project,” Phoenix explained. “He got the greenlight from a major studio this morning and sent this to me by messenger, so I could forward it on to you. It’s an original screenplay that he’s been trying to get picked up for more than two years.”
I turned to the first page and said, “That’s great, but what does it have to do with me?”
“He wants you for one of the lead roles.”
My heart skipped a beat, and I blurted, “What?”
“I took the liberty of reviewing the script for you, and it’s smart and funny. It’s a buddy picture about a white guy and a black guy who’ve been friends since grade school and are trying to make it as jazz musicians in a small southern town. Lang noticed on your resume that you play several instruments, but even without that, he thought you’d be perfect for the role of Eddie.”
I asked, “When’s he holding auditions?”
“He doesn’t need you to audition, since he’s obviously very familiar with your work. You will have to read for the studio, but that’s just a formality because this project is Lang’s baby all the way. In fact, the screenplay was written by his nephew.” I flipped through the pages and saw Eddie’s name again and again as Phoenix continued, “Lang wants to talk to you as soon as possible. He’s very eager to sell you on this role.”
“Even though we’ve worked together, I’m still surprised he doesn’t want me to audition.”
“You’re in the big leagues now, Will,” Phoenix told me. “Alex and After brought you there, and when the film is released, you’re going to be in demand. Lang knows that, so he’s trying to make sure he gets you signed to this new project before your schedule fills up.”
I murmured, “Holy shit.”
“Sylvia has already been on the phone with Lang, and she wants to meet with you before you leave for San Francisco. She’d like to talk strategy about which projects to take on and when, but if you ask me, this would be happening at the perfect time. They’ve allotted five months for pre-production, but even with that, you’ll finish filming before Alex and After hits the theaters. That means your schedule will be open when all those offers start rolling in.”
“You mean if,” I said.
“No, I definitely mean when,” Phoenix insisted. “Your role as Alex is a career-maker. There’s no question about it.”
I turned to look at Lorenzo, and an astonished burst of laughter slipped from him. The cat didn’t like that, so she crossed the backseat and returned to my lap as my boyfriend said, “Welcome to the A-list, Will.”
* * *
I was a bit dazed as we rode the ferry to Catalina. Beck was waiting for us at the dock with one of the hotel’s red and white trolleys, and after he and Lorenzo exchanged back-slapping hugs, my friend grabbed me in an embrace and asked, “Are you okay? You look mildly freaked out.”
“I think I just landed another movie.”
Beck exclaimed, “That’s fantastic! But why do you look so stunned?”
“It totally caught me by surprise, partly because I’d been trying not to get my hopes up about what was going to happen after this current film.”
Beck’s blue eyes sparkled as he put his arm around my shoulders and told me, “I’m so happy for you, Will, and I always knew you could do it.”
I introduced him to Phoenix and Riley, and then we boarded the open-sided trolley with the cat and all our luggage. Riley was enchanted as we drove through the beautiful town of Avalon, with its palm trees, quaint shops, and hilly streets lined with golf carts. He kept pointing out everything that caught his eye, while Beck played tour guide and told him about the local attractions.
Meanwhile, I sent a text to Lang to let him know I was definitely interested in the movie, and he confirmed the role was mine if I wanted it. We made plans to hash out the details when we arrived in San Francisco, and when I returned the phone to my pocket, Lorenzo squeezed my hand and whispered, “Are you really okay? You still seem a little dazed.”
I clutched my cat and said, “I guess I’m just not used to having so much—the man of my dreams, the career I always wanted, an end to my financial worries—I feel like I’m living someone else’s life.”
Lorenzo’s touch was so tender as he ran his fingers down my cheek. “The career isn’t just being handed to you. It’s the direct result of all those years you spent paying your dues in Hollywood, learning your craft, and never giving up.”
“I almost did give up, though. At the start of the year, I was ready to accept the fact that I’d failed. But somehow, that was right when I landed a job.” While I was talking, the cat put her front paws on the half-wall beside me and stuck her head out of the trolley, like a dog. I grinned and held her harness to make sure she didn’t tumble out, but I also went ahead and let her have her fun.