Chapter 36 - Pretty Woman

Everyone was listening to Penny Marshall's explanation, and when they heard the last question, they involuntarily turned towards Eric.

Right now Eric's reputation was even higher than some of the most well-known directors. A lot of people thought that even if the youth made a bad movie, they could just rely on his current fame to earn investors' money. In fact, this was also why Barry Diller had agreed to Eric's conditions.

"I have several good scripts, but I haven't decided what to start with." Eric told the truth. He had wanted to make a movie that would push Aniston to fame, but the girl had refused. So now he was considering filming something else first.

Several good scripts…

Some people who heard it were petrified. Scripts weren't rare, there were a lot of scriptwriters after all. But finding good scripts was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Many directors had to wait several years to get their hands on a good script, and Eric said he had several and couldn't decide on what to make first. How were people supposed to feel?!

"Oh wow, Eric, several scripts, huh? How about selling me one?" Penny Marshall said a little enviously.

Eric didn't mean to sound cocky and quickly realized he had slipped up. He casually diverted, "Penny, with 17 Again being your second movie about to cross the 200 million mark, are you saying you lack good scripts?"

Eric was telling the truth, this year, the number of movies that could make 100 million throughout the year at the box office was no more than ten. For Penny Marshall to consecutively make two of them, many companies were sure to try and snatch her away.

Although Penny was subtly rejected, she didn't mind. She didn't really lack any scripts, and the topic was soon changed. They chatted for a bit more when the band started to play dance music. Penny laughed and said: "Well, Eric, we won't keep you any longer, many girls are waiting to invite you to dance."

Eric looked up and glanced around; sure enough, several beauties were eyeing him eagerly. Drew's arms unconsciously tightened around his.

"OK then. By the way, Tom, can I have your contact? Maybe we can co-operate in the future."

Tom Hanks was about to leave when he heard Eric. He took out a business card and smiled: "Sure, no problem, there are various ways to contact me on the card. Eric, can I know a bit about the plot ?"

The people who heard Tom Hanks, slowed down, waiting to hear what Eric would say next.

Eric calmly collected the card and put it away, looked at the crowd and shrugged saying: "I'm sorry, Tom, I can only say that you would play a cop in it. But I'm not sure if this movie will be accepted easily, so it won't be my second movie as a director, it will probably be the third."

"You could at least satisfy our curiosity, Eric." Penny complained in disappointment. But Tom Hanks simply nodded, turned away and left.

"Mr. Williams, will you grant me this dance?" a blonde girl in her twenties approached once the crowd around him dispersed. The curves on her seemed soft and delicate, and she was petite, reaching a little more than 160 centimeters but the most eye-catching detail was her large chest. It seemed to jiggle at her slightest movements providing an alluring view.

Eric recognized the beautiful woman in front of him immediately. He didn't know why, but the deepest impression he had was not from any of her large-scale movies but of her amoral and predatory character in Hot Spot. She was able to provoke men's desire better than a strip show could.

Eric was slightly distracted and before he could respond, Drew said: "Virginia Madsen, am I invisible to you?"

Virginia Madsen observed Drew's irritated look and said in a playful tone: "Hey Drew, that's not right. The more you cling to them, the more men are likely to run away."

"That's my problem, don't butt in." although she said that, the arms that were clutching Eric subconsciously loosened, and Virginia who happened to notice this small detail couldn't help but giggle, while Eric also laughed.

"Okay, Drew, don't be so rude, you go make your rounds while I dance with Ms. Madsen." Eric said, gently prying himself from her.

"Eric, I wanna dance too!" Drew weakly protested but was stopped by Eric's look. She could only resentfully stomp her feet and reluctantly turn away.

"Drew is still young, Ms. Madsen, I hope you don't mind." Eric said, to the waiting blonde, after Drew left.

"Of course not, Eric, call me Virginia." She held out her hand, Eric grabbed it and led her to the dance floor.

Gently holding Virginia's soft waist, Eric lowered his head and sniffed the girl's faint fragrance, admiring the delicate little face unabashedly. Looking down at her, the girl's long eyelashes twitched. She had a sharp jawline that accentuated her gorgeous face. Eric suddenly realized why most beautiful girls' selfies were clicked at such angles in his past life.

Feeling Eric's keen look, Virginia Madsen had the impression of being watched by an experienced middle-aged man. She met his eyes but could only move her gaze away shyly after a moment.

Virginia had debuted in the early 80s, and although she looked more mature and gorgeous now, she was already twenty-seven. She had appeared in nearly ten movies, and had some fame, but was only a minor celebrity. However, all her movies collectively brought in fewer profits than Home Alone's first two weeks at the box office.

Not only that but the critics also completely ignored her efforts, classifying her as a talent-less actress relying on her pretty face. She would soon be 30, and if her career didn't experience a remarkable improvement, she could only play a few minor roles for the rest of her life.

Hearing from her friends of Eric's presence at the party, Virginia Madsen felt that this was perhaps a good opportunity. She thought it would be easy to make the teenager infatuated with her beauty and was willing to pay with her body if he could really improve her career.

Now the two hadn't even talked, just his eyes let her feel that her plan wouldn't be so smooth. The teenager in front of her felt more like a playboy than a kid.

"Eric, don't you think it's a little rude to stare at a lady so openly?"

Eric denied: "Not appreciating beauty is the most regrettable thing in the world. As a gentleman, I would never allow myself to have such regrets."

Virginia felt slightly proud at being complimented. "So, Eric, do you think I might be the heroine of your movie?" she said while moving slightly closer and gently pressing her full meat onto his chest.

Teasing him so openly was playing havoc with his hormones and he quickly stepped away while saying: "You know, Virginia, when I see you, I can not help but think of two words: Pretty woman."

Virginia was a little lost and thought Eric was changing the topic, but she still said: "Thank you for the compliment."

"No," Eric shook his head, "That's not a compliment, that's the name of my next movie."

"Your second movie?" Virginia Madsen's big and beautiful eyes lit up.

Eric nodded: "Yes, you see I was still undecided on what to make next, but not anymore. My next movie will be called Pretty Woman."