Hollywood What If

Chapter 23

After a whole night of drinking beer, Kazir sat up weakly and groaned as a headache hit him.

"... Coffee."

Kazir didn't know the best way to relieve the hangover. He loved to drink alcohol, but he drank in moderation.

But since David Fincher had invited him to drink last night, he had no choice but to stay. In the end, Kazir called David's wife because David was dead drunk.

Even Kazir's car was still in the bar's parking lot because he took a cab. The last thing he remembered was that he was staggering when he reached his apartment.

"Euugh..."

He frowned when he noticed that there was acidic vomit on the floor, probably from him.

"Damn it, David. I will never drink with you again."

With a sore head, Kazir mopped the floor.

Kazir took a cold bath to awaken his senses. He ordered a coffee on the way to the bar's parking lot to take his old, bumpy car.

By the time he reached the studio, it was after 8:50.

Fortunately, Rector had just arrived. As usual, they began editing the film early in the morning.

As a man with four decades of experience as a director, Kazir knew the best angles to use. The transitions, the cuts, everything was in his head.

He even made sure the line delivery was good. In comedy, line delivery was important. Especially when the character was delivering the jokes.

"Pfft--"

Rector laughed out loud after watching the scene where Pedro Sanchez shaved his hair and went bald. He didn't expect the young man to do something like that just to cool off.

"Are you sure you wrote this?" Rector looked at Kazir and laughed.

He hadn't expected someone as serious as Kazir to make a comedy. He also wrote the script.

"Yes. It's enlightening. Although I don't know if I can write another one like Napoleon Dynamite.

"In fact, in my opinion, this will be your last comedy. Don't get me wrong, we've worked together three times now, and most of your movies are B-grade horror movies. I think you have more chances with horror movies."

Considering that the script called Se7en was bought by New Line Cinema, Rector believed that Kazir had a talent for bloody movies.

Kazir just smiled bitterly. His opinion differed from Rector's. Horror movies did not pay him anything. That's why Kazir wanted to break through in a different way.

He dreamed of making an action movie. Unfortunately, action movies require large investments. It was impossible for a small director like him.

Days passed and the celebration of Napoleon Dynamite came. Of course, it was only a small party. The big party would happen when the movie was released and was a big hit.

Renner and Harold were the ones who prepared the party. Most of the actors were there.

Just like the last time, Ed Helms and the other newbie actors thanked Kazir.

Kazir began to lose his patience when he heard their repeated thanks. Once was enough.

"Um, director?"

"Reese, the shoot is over. You don't need to call me director, Kazir is fine."

"So, Kazir... Would you like to go on a date with me?" Reese was nervous after what she had said. Her face blushed.

Luckily, they were talking far away from the party. No one could hear what she said.

"Date? Sorry Reese, I'm busy." Kazir shook his head. He would rather spend his time editing the movie.

"I see..." She bit her lip. It was embarrassing. She braved her heart to invite him, but Kazir turned her down. It was a bit painful for a woman to hear rejection.

Kazir was no child. He knew what was happening.

He had just gotten divorced last October, and he didn't want to get into another relationship. At least not now.

Besides, Reese was young. She was only 19 years old. He didn't know if the woman was serious or if she had other motives.

"See you around, then, Kazir."

She smiled, but it was obvious that she was looking at Kazir with teary eyes.

Kazir sighed.

"Are you free on September 22nd?"

Finally, Kazir felt bad.

"September 22? That would be two weeks from now." Reese Witherspoon was confused as to why the man in front of her was asking if she was free in two weeks.

She was just a small actress, she probably wouldn't have any work then.

"It is like this, a movie is coming out that day and I have two tickets. If you want, we can watch it together."

"A movie?" She tilted her head.

Reese didn't know what movies were coming out this month.

"Yeah, I was the screenwriter for that movie, so they gave me two premiere tickets."

"Okay then, I'll call you when I'm free." She smiled mischievously and left... She was really adorable.

"Why do I feel like I'm playing myself?"

Anyway, he didn't care. A beautiful young woman like Reese would never take him seriously.

Kazir had had bad relationships all his life, he didn't believe in true love.

"Well, anyone who lives deep in Hollywood doesn't believe in true love."

Hollywood was the city of vanity.

Love? Only looks, sex, money, and benefits worked here. If you can't give any of those things, you might as well leave.

After that day, Kazir began to devote all his time to editing. He wanted to finish post-production before or after the release of Se7en. Se7en would be the key to increasing his chips to sell his movie. /Puji_maki