Chapter 302: River Phoenix
The Pelican Brief took the top position at the box office during its opening weekend with $17 million, and it received good reviews, making it one of the best performers before Halloween!
Downtown's Edison Bar is a vintage bar with a long history, showing the splendor of Downtown Los Angeles' golden era; Retro dances and black-and-white silent films give visitors a chance to relive history.
In a hidden room behind the curtain, Arthur and Winona Ryder watched as Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn left.
"Arthur, why did you invite the mayor to the downtown area on Halloween Eve?" Winona Ryder asked in confusion.
Arthur smiled, took a sip of his cocktail, and looked out through the curtain at the bar hall outside. "Downtown's decline has been ongoing for a long time; many people yearn for its former glory. I need the mayor to fully convince the council to support my plan to build a new multi-functional sports arena for the Clippers."
As the Mayor of Los Angeles, James Hahn had an obligation to develop Downtown, and building a large sports arena near the Los Angeles Convention Center and the Los Angeles Music Center was very fitting.
Winona Ryder didn't quite understand these matters. She stood up and sat on Arthur's lap. "That's a hefty investment, right?"
In a sexy body-con dress, Arthur caressed the thigh of the beauty in his arms. "At least $300 million!"
"So much?" Winona Ryder exhaled sharply.
Arthur had over $100 million left from his previous $200 million loan, which was meant for the arena investment. He would find ways to secure the remaining funds later.
Right now, the most important task was to resolve issues related to the arena's construction land.
"Mhmm," the lady received a passionate and dominating kiss from Arthur. Winona Ryder looked incredibly alluring in her red lips and tight body-con dress.
"Alright, let's go home," Winona Ryder suggested after they finished their kiss.
"Mm," Arthur had no objections. He draped the lady's coat over her and they left together.
At this moment, the atmosphere inside Viper Room on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard was highly lively, as Johnny Depp held a grand Halloween party and even performed on stage himself.
River Phoenix, who had returned to Los Angeles during a break from filming Dark Blood, brought along his brother Joaquin Phoenix, sister Rain Phoenix, and girlfriend Samantha Mathis to Viper Room for the party with friends!
River Phoenix sat on the couch holding his girlfriend, smoking a cigarette, and watching the stage performance of his good friends Johnny Depp and Gibby Haynes. He felt inspired. "Later, I want to perform too."
His girlfriend Samantha Mathis laughed. "One of the main reasons Depp runs this bar is so he doesn't have to wait in line to perform, haha!"
River Phoenix waved his hand, stood up unsteadily, and looked at his brother and sister with a smile. "You guys stay here and have fun. I'm going to get a guitar from Depp."
Joaquin Phoenix, seeing his brother clearly high, suggested, "Do you want to rest for a bit and go on stage later?"
River Phoenix ruffled his sister's hair. "Now is the best time for me, sit back and enjoy my rock storm!"
Saying this, River Phoenix left the couch and bumped into a friend a few steps away. The friend handed him a drink with a smile, "Something strong!"
River Phoenix, who had tried everything, took the drink and gulped it down. Just as he was heading backstage, the effects of the drugs kicked in; River Phoenix soon felt extremely uncomfortable, rushed to the bathroom, and vomited uncontrollably.
When he returned to the bar, Leonardo DiCaprio, who had come for the party, saw his idol River Phoenix coming out of the bathroom looking deathly pale. He halted his steps, as he was about to greet him; He knew the style of people like River Phoenix since he had worked with Johnny Depp on What's Eating Gilbert Grape and considered him a friend!
River Phoenix, feeling unwell, didn't want to perform anymore and sat beside his siblings, worrying his family.
"Brother, you look terrible. Should we leave?" Joaquin Phoenix suggested.
"No, just resting for a bit will be fine," River Phoenix didn't care much.
After a while, River Phoenix seemed to have convulsions. Joaquin Phoenix grew more worried, "Brother, let's go outside for some fresh air!"
Then, with his sister's help, they supported River Phoenix out of the bar. The air outside was much better than inside;
Unexpectedly, River Phoenix collapsed on the street, convulsing continuously.
This scared the trio. Joaquin Phoenix was the first to react, immediately telling his brother's girlfriend to call 911 for assistance while instructing his sister to watch over their brother. He rushed to the bar entrance to seek help from the staff, "Please, come help us, he's dying!"
Rain Phoenix held her brother on the ground, trying to wake him up. Soon, others noticed and came over to assist River Phoenix; Not long after, an ambulance arrived to take River Phoenix to the hospital!
Meanwhile, Arthur was sitting in the back of his car heading back to the Bel-Air community, enjoying himself with Winona Ryder's service;
His hand on Winona's hair moved to her chest. Glancing at the Viper Room's entrance, he saw an ambulance loading a stretcher but didn't pay much attention, as such incidents were quite common.
Arthur couldn't have imagined that today was the day River Phoenix would have an accident.
"Ah..." After some time, Arthur let out a long breath as Winona Ryder sat back up, her hair disheveled and her chest heaving!
"I'm preparing to promote The Pelican Brief in New York and Washington soon, then I'll join the Little Women cast thereafter," Winona Ryder said while fixing her hair and adjusting her lingerie.
"Mm, I know. We've had a great time together these past few days," Arthur smiled, his hand caressing the inside of the lady's thigh.
Winona Ryder smiled, "But you're always so busy, now mingling with politicians and bankers!"
Arthur smiled without replying. These were the connections he needed to cultivate, while stars? They were just consumables.
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