Chapter 251: The Second Oscar

Outside the Holy Citizen Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.

Valerie Gollino, dressed in a black Gucci evening gown, stepped out of the limousine and was greeted with cheers from both sides of the red carpet. The excitement was hard to contain.

As the youngest Venice Film Festival Best Actress, her 1986 award mainly served to open Hollywood's door for her. Her award-winning movie "Love Story," despite its Jury's Special Prize, left almost no trace in film history, overshadowed by many similarly titled movies.

Now, everything was different.

Although the two male leads of "Rain Man," Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, overshadowed her role, Valerie still gained significant fame. Moreover, she was the lead actress in Simon Westeros's new movie "Batman," playing Catwoman.

As she walked on the red carpet, Valerie's excitement made her keep moving forward.

She recognized many big shots around her, but only a few knew her. She was alone, having broken up with her boyfriend when she moved to Hollywood. She had hoped for something to happen with the young, talented director in Melbourne, but he didn't show much interest in her.

Understandable, she thought. The men Hollywood yearned for wouldn't be easy for her to get.

Lost in thought, she was brought back to reality by her agent, Iliane Borman, who reminded her that she had almost walked past the media area.

She was supposed to stop for photos, not just for exposure, but also for the Gucci dress promotion, which had been arranged in magazine layouts.

She quickly went back to pose for photos, excusing her distraction as an aftereffect of a previous fall.

Yes, that must be it.

Feeling relieved with this justification, Valerie's smile became more natural.

Listening to reporters asking about "Batman," she wanted to answer but stayed silent, knowing Simon Westeros was already stressed about the secrecy on set.

This thought tempted her to spill some details, but she refrained.

After the photo session, she continued forward, being reminded by Iliane about a TV interview.

Annoyed, she remembered this time.

Approaching the live interview spot, after Bruce Willis and his wife left, Valerie quickly took her place on the interview stage.

The warm hostess exchanged compliments with Valerie, who eventually got asked about "Batman." Unable to disclose anything, Valerie jokingly put the blame on her agent, apologizing inwardly since nobody knew him. But after the camera panned to him, people now did.

After the interview, Valerie didn't get scolded but instead got praised for her quick response.

That's right!

Finally, at the end of the red carpet, Valerie was early, so she joined Daenerys Entertainment's group.

Amy Pascal was chatting with Bruce Willis and his wife, WMA Vice President Jonathan Friedman, and celebrities like Robert De Niro, Kevin Costner, Billy Crystal, Sandra Bullock, and Madonna.

Iliane didn't follow her but went to talk with Jonathan Friedman. Valerie, unfazed, started chatting with Billy Crystal, admiring his movie "When Harry Met Sally" and recalling its iconic dialogue about apple pie and dressing on the side.

Disappointedly, Meg Ryan wasn't there, rumored to have a fallout with Daenerys Entertainment.

The clock nearing six, people started entering the auditorium.

"Rain Man" cast members were scattered around the venue, with Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise at prominent front seats. Director Barry Levinson also had a noticeable seat, while Valerie Gollino was placed near the "Dead Poets Society" crew. Other nominees from "Rain Man" were spread out, illustrating a severe divide among the main creators.

Perhaps due to previous lackluster Oscar hosts like Chevy Chase, this Oscars had no host.

After a speech by Academy President Richard Kahn, the event opened with a song and dance.

The first award was for Best Supporting Actress.

Sandra Bullock and Julia Roberts, closely associated with Daenerys Entertainment, were nominated. Sandra, for "Dangerous Liaisons," initially meant for Michelle Pfeiffer, got the role due to WMA and ICM's disputes, with Jonathan Friedman's intervention. Julia was nominated for her role as Shelby in "Steel Magnolias."

Both actresses, only a few years into their careers, were fortunate to be nominated.

The award, unsurprisingly, went to Geena Davis for "The Accidental Tourist."

Jane Fonda then presented "Rain Man" as a Best Picture nominee.

Next was Best Sound.

Amy Pascal could have been in the auditorium but chose to wait backstage with Doichman, Friedman, and others for the results.

The first few awards were insignificant, and Amy even contacted the Hilton for the after-party.

About half an hour later, Vanessa reminded her of the upcoming Best Art Direction award, one of "Rain Man's" eight nominations.

Amy's attention shifted to the backstage live screen.

The stage presented the winner for Best Animated Short.

Amy felt regret.

Simon's Pixar Animation Studios had submitted "Tin Soldier" for nomination but faced clear suppression from the Oscars, missing even this modest nomination.

Following that, "Rain Man" also missed Best Art Direction, taken by "Dangerous Liaisons."

While technical awards didn't matter much to her, the loss in Best Art Direction added a tinge of gloom.

"Rain Man" continued to lose in Best Cinematography and Best Editing, deepening the gloom for Daenerys Entertainment. Ella Doichman even stepped out for a smoke twice.

The main nominations were later, but the technical award losses didn't bode well for the more competitive categories.

A winless night would bring controversy to the Oscars and mockery for Daenerys Entertainment.

As the three-hour ceremony reached its midpoint, the Bridges family trio, Lloyd, Beau, and Jeff Bridges, introduced the Best Original Screenplay nominees.

"Rain Man" was among the five nominees.

Everyone tensed up but held little hope due to Daenerys Entertainment's deep conflict with the Writers Guild of America.

After presenting the movies, Jeff Bridges, after a dramatic pause, announced: "Best Original Screenplay goes to Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass for 'Rain Man'."

Applause erupted.

The excited winning screenwriters didn't head straight to the stage but instead hugged the director Barry Levinson and stars Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise.

This obviously staged act was clear to the observant.

The applause continued, but many in the hall had mixed reactions.

It was known that "Rain Man" was a CAA package project, and its winning screenwriters, both CAA clients, didn't rush to the stage but made a point to greet the separately seated director and stars, showing off and taking credit.

On stage, the screenwriters thanked Levinson, Hoffman, and Cruise, omitting any mention of Daenerys Entertainment.

At CAA's Century City headquarters, many agents cheered at this victory, even Michael Ovitz. His assistant David O'Connor was tasked to check on CAA's party preparations.

Like Daenerys Entertainment, CAA also prepared a grand after-party.

This was an unspoken battle.

Everyone knew if CAA couldn't defend its clients' glory, the rapidly growing talent agency would suffer in reputation.

"Rain Man's" screenwriters' win was more a victory for CAA than the movie itself. Without CAA's involvement, "Rain Man" would likely have lost this Writers Guild award.

Now, CAA's win was almost assured if Levinson and Hoffman won their categories.

After the screenplay awards, Daenerys Entertainment's 11 nominations had 5 announced. Julia Roberts's Best Supporting Actress and "Rain Man's" three technical awards fell through, only the CAA-led Best Original Screenplay won.

The remaining major awards, including Simon's Best Original Score, were announced last.

Backstage, although "Rain Man" had high chances for the final awards, Amy felt disheartened.

However, noticing Doichman's deeper disappointment, she reassured him. Doichman's recent performance, especially with Highgate Pictures' successful "City Dwellers" and "Sisters," was admirable, with no PR missteps.

This was a matter of Daenerys Entertainment's limited Hollywood influence.

Amy consoled herself that despite potential Oscar disappointments, Daenerys Entertainment's box office success was unparalleled. Any Hollywood studio would trade their Oscar for such box office results without hesitation.

The ceremony continued regardless of the varied emotions.

After the Special Achievement Award, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore introduced the Best Original Score nominees.

Those aware of the night's undercurrents perked up.

Valerie Gollino shared a similar thought on the red carpet – Simon Westeros was a true Hollywood talent, rare even in a place full of geniuses. His nomination beyond directing was unprecedented.

Best Supporting Actor wasn't live, sparing the awkwardness of Simon's absence.

After introducing the nominees, Willis, with a surprised look, passed the envelope to Moore, who showed an audible "wow" before scanning the audience with regret. When most guessed the winner, Moore finally announced, "An unexpected result, and it's a pity he's not here tonight. The Best Original Score goes to Simon Westeros for 'Rain Man'."

Despite predictions, the announcement caused a brief silence before applause.

"Really won?"

"No way."

"What's next, Best Cinematography? I heard Westeros's photography skills are better."

"Incredible."

"Is a Grand Slam possible at the Oscars?"

...

...

If the ceremony had live comments, they'd be overflowing.

At CAA, Ovitz almost threw his coffee cup at the screen.

Backstage, a stunned Doichman hugged Amy in disbelief.

This win for Best Original Score was as significant for Daenerys Entertainment as Best Picture for "Rain Man."

With varied emotions, Valerie Gollino took the stage to give Simon's acceptance speech. After the celebration, Amy and Doichman hurriedly called Simon in Melbourne to share the good news.

___________________

(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)

If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters

Read Ahead

Patreon.com/INNIT