Chapter 74: Ghost

The main creators of The Silence of the Lambs were new producer, second-rate director, a screenwriter adapting a script for the first time, and a third-tier leading man preparing to leave Hollywood.

Castle Rock had spent $9 million to purchase half of the North American rights and repeatedly reminded Arthur that the film must be completed on time!

Arthur stayed with the crew until the end of June. He persuaded director Jonathan Demme not to go to Montana to shoot the scenes of stealing the lamb and moved the crew to Quantico, Virginia, to film exterior shots at the FBI academy headquarters on the Marine Corps base.

In New York, Arthur met with Rob Reiner, one of the heads of Castle Rock, to discuss the status of The Silence of the Lambs.

The romance film Ghost, which received rave reviews, had been in theaters for two weeks and had already grossed over $50 million!

"Ghost opened at only two-thirds of the box office of Sleepless in Seattle, but its legs are much stronger," Rob Reiner said while chatting with Arthur about the movie.

Arthur smiled, "Of course, but in Sleepless in Seattle, we had the big draw of Meg Ryan, and we opened in over 1,500 theaters. Patrick Swayze only gained some fame from Dirty Dancing, and as for Demi Moore, her biggest claim to fame is being Bruce Willis's wife. With just over 1,000 theaters, this performance isn't bad!"

Ghost opened in 1,100 theaters, earning $12 million in its first weekend. Sleepless in Seattle opened in 1,570 theaters and earned $17.5 million in its first weekend!

Rob Reiner chuckled, "But Sleepless in Seattle has now grossed over $100 million in North America, so it's doing quite well."

No matter what, Sleepless in Seattle's storyline doesn't pack the punch of the supernatural romance in Ghost.

After leaving Castle Rock, Arthur returned to his hotel near Times Square.

The current Times Square was not the bustling crossroads of the world that Arthur remembered from the future. Instead, it was filled with strip clubs, burlesque theaters, rundown bars with sideshow stages, adult shops, and adult theaters.

Over a thousand crimes occurred here annually, with murder, violence, and pornography visible everywhere, painting a picture of total depravity.

Walking between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, particularly infamous 42nd Street, one could see prostitutes soliciting customers everywhere, scattered needles on the ground, homeless people in corners, and a pervasive stench.

"Damn, this place is almost as bad as Compton in L.A.," Arthur muttered as he shook his head. He reached the intersection of 44th Street, Broadway, and Seventh Avenue and found Jennifer Connelly waiting for him in a nearby cafe.

"Arthur," Jennifer Connelly had just finished filming Career Opportunities and would be joining The Rocketeer crew in two months.

"Why meet here? You could have just come to my hotel," Arthur said, hugging and giving Jennifer Connelly a kiss.

"I wanted to see Ghost, I already bought the tickets. Let's go!" Jennifer Connelly pulled Arthur towards the next-door cinema.

"Let's go," Arthur agreed, having no objections to watching a movie with a beautiful woman.

Passing by a theater, Arthur noticed a poster for a stage play - A Few Good Men.

Once inside the cinema and the movie had started, Arthur couldn't stop thinking about the stage play A Few Good Men. He knew it well as it would later become a film starring Tom Cruise, centered around a scandal involving the death of a hazed new recruit at a US military base abroad.

Tom Cruise's Days of Thunder had also just premiered. It was another big car racing film made in collaboration with Top Gun director Tony Scott.

"A Few Good Men is actually adapted from a stage play," Arthur murmured to himself. The film did well at the box office and received positive reviews. Naturally, Tom Cruise's fee would be hefty!

"What did you say, Arthur?" Jennifer Connelly asked softly.

"Nothing," Arthur planted a kiss on her cheek, "Remember, when you join The Rocketeer crew, if anyone bullies you, call me immediately!"

Jennifer Connelly smiled, "What would you do then?"

Arthur's expression grew serious, "I'd beat them so badly their own mothers wouldn't recognize them. No one touches my woman."

Jennifer Connelly snuggled closer, "Don't worry, I'm just acting!"

"Still, if anything happens, call me right away. The Rocketeer isn't that great of a script anyway. It's no big deal if you walk out," Arthur said, holding Jennifer by the shoulder, "Soon, I'll be able to help you get better roles, so don't just take any script."

Jennifer Connelly had a movie, The Hot Spot, coming out this year, with Career Opportunities and The Rocketeer releasing next year. The results would soon be apparent.

Once Sleeping with the Enemy and The Silence of the Lambs were released, Arthur felt his status as a genius screenwriter would elevate to a gold-standard producer.

"Alright, Arthur, let's just watch the movie. You've got enough on your plate," Jennifer Connelly said, patting Arthur's thigh.

After who knows how long, the scene on the screen showed the male lead holding the female lead from behind while making a pottery vase together, accompanied by beautiful music.

"So romantic," Jennifer Connelly, just 19, found the scene highly captivating.

"When we get a chance, we should try that," Arthur whispered to Jennifer Connelly.

"Okay!"

"Look at those two up front," Arthur said, holding Jennifer Connelly and pointing at a couple a few rows ahead who were making out.

Jennifer Connelly glanced over, "Forget about them, let's watch the movie."

"Watch what? Bitch..." The woman in front snapped at Arthur and Jennifer Connelly for watching them.

Arthur was taken aback for a moment, and then the man turned around and cursed him, "Motherfucker!"

Arthur calmed Jennifer Connelly, "Go wait for me at the door. I'll be quick."

"Arthur, what are you going to do?" Jennifer Connelly tried to stop him, seeing the muscular build of the man in front.

"No worries, three minutes tops. I can't keep this anger down anymore!"

Jennifer Connelly looked at Arthur, grabbed her bag, and left her seat...

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.