Chapter 9: Florida

"Arthur, why did you take so long?" Jennifer Aniston asked when she saw Arthur return.

"Just ran into three punks in the back alley and taught them a lesson," Arthur said calmly, sitting next to Jennifer.

Jennifer Aniston frowned with some concern, "Arthur, should we leave?"

"Leave?" Arthur was momentarily stunned. "They wouldn't dare come back."

"Alright," Jennifer Aniston patted Arthur on the shoulder, "let's call Simon and head back quickly!"

With that, Jennifer Aniston stood up, clearly worried.

"Okay, fine," Arthur said, heading to the dance floor to find the chubby Simon. "Let's head back?"

"Ah, now?" Simon, who was flirting with a curvy woman, looked confused.

Simon thought for a moment and suggested, "How about you and Jennifer go back first, and I'll take a cab home later!"

Arthur thought for a moment, nodded, "Alright, have fun," and glanced at the voluptuous woman next to Simon, thinking his taste was unique.

"We'll leave first, Simon will take a cab home later," Arthur said to Jennifer Aniston.

Jennifer Aniston nodded, "Then let's go!"

Arthur drove past Jennifer Aniston's rented place and reminded her, "Jennifer, pack some things and bring them to my place!"

"Okay, come with me," Jennifer Aniston didn't object and led Arthur into her rented house.

A cozy one-bedroom apartment, the furniture and decor reflected Jennifer Aniston's optimistic personality.

Inside, Jennifer Aniston made coffee after Arthur sat down, "I came to Los Angeles at the end of last year, after participating in several theater performances in New York. Didn't expect to get no opportunities after being in Los Angeles for six months!"

Arthur, holding his coffee, looked at the photos of Jennifer Aniston and her family on the table and sighed heavily.

The room fell silent. Jennifer Aniston noticed the sadness on Arthur's face and followed his gaze to understand why.

She then hugged Arthur, kissing his face several times, "Honey, do you miss your parents?"

Jennifer Aniston knew about Arthur's family situation. Though her parents were divorced, they were still alive.

"Yes, but I can't see them anymore," Arthur missed his parents, but not Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

"Don't worry, it's all in the past. People must look forward, right?" Arthur regained his composure, hugging Jennifer and smiling calmly.

He suggested, "If your father has resources, you should utilize them. After all, he's a veteran TV actor and knows some people. You must know, in the entertainment industry, competition is fierce. Opportunities are more important than anything, and every role, no matter how small, has competition."

Arthur finished his coffee and leaned back on the sofa, "However, I have confidence in myself."

Jennifer Aniston smiled, "Of course I believe in you, honey!"

"Arthur, let's pack tomorrow," Jennifer suggested, lying on Arthur.

"Sure," Arthur agreed and kissed her.

"Let's take a bath first," Jennifer Aniston stood up from the sofa after a while and suggested.

As mid-June arrived, Arthur had to go to Florida to film "Edward Scissorhands."

Meanwhile, most of the script for "American Pie" was completed. Arthur took the outline to the Writers Guild for registration, just in case.

Since Arthur was a complete newbie, he couldn't join the Writers Guild yet, but registering the script didn't require guild membership.

Outside Los Angeles International Airport, Jennifer Aniston drove Arthur to the airport. "I might go back to New York next month. I'll call you when you get home!"

Arthur nodded and kissed Jennifer passionately, and she responded enthusiastically.

"Relax, it won't take long for me to make it big!" Arthur said with a smile after the kiss.

He grabbed his backpack from the back seat, "I'll finish the 'American Pie' script quickly in Florida."

"Sure, if you come to New York, you must visit me," Jennifer Aniston, who had enjoyed her time with Arthur recently, was reluctant to part.

Arthur nodded, "I will. Drive safely, our Jennifer Aniston isn't very bright, haha..."

"You rascal," Jennifer Aniston laughed, watching Arthur drag his suitcase and backpack into the airport.

Florida, Hillsborough County, the town of Lutz, located in central-west Florida, north of Tampa.

Tampa is near Tampa Bay, and the Tampa metropolitan area is the second largest in Florida, after the Miami metropolitan area.

After arriving at Tampa International Airport, Arthur had to take a cab to Lutz. Being a newcomer, his agent didn't pay much attention to him.

Fortunately, Lutz was only 15 miles from Tampa, a 20-mile ride from the airport.

Arthur was alone, without an assistant, following the assistant director's arrangements.

The next day, Arthur met director Tim Burton and the lead actors Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder.

Johnny Depp, now 26, was indeed handsome, and the 18-year-old Winona Ryder was very beautiful.

As Tim Burton's "Batman" was about to be released, the reporters focused mainly on him during their visit to the set.

After all, Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder were still small stars, not very attractive to the media.

"Arthur, have you met Depp?" Tracy asked with a smile.

Arthur nodded, "Yes, he has a melancholic vibe, very fitting for Edward's character!"

"In the script, Edward is pale and thin, with messy hair, wearing tight black leather, and has huge scissor hands. Character-wise, Edward is delicate, weird, and doesn't fit in, but he's free-spirited, lonely, and graceful. Caroline Thompson's script for 'Edward Scissorhands' is really good!"

Tracy Jacobs was surprised by Arthur's evaluation, then asked, "Do you think this movie will do well?"

Arthur nodded, "It's definitely a classic love story, and the cast is great! By the way, Tracy, my 'American Pie' script will be finished in half a month. I'll need your help then," Arthur mentioned his script. "It's a bit rough for the first time, but I won't be this slow next time!"

"Sure," Tracy Jacobs wouldn't refuse Arthur, thinking they could see if anyone was interested in the script later.

"Hi, Tracy, Arthur, what are you two talking about?" Caroline Thompson, the screenwriter of "Edward Scissorhands," walked over.

"Nothing much," Tracy Jacobs smiled, shaking her head. "Arthur is working on a script!"

Caroline Thompson, 33, was an intellectual writer and screenwriter. "Edward Scissorhands" was her first official script, though she had a novel adapted into a movie before.

Hearing Arthur was working on a script, Caroline Thompson became interested, "Arthur, you're only 20, right?"

Arthur smiled, "Caroline, age doesn't matter. My script is a commercial teen comedy set in a high school."

"Oh, that's impressive," Caroline Thompson smiled. "I published my first novel at 27."

"Caroline, Arthur just praised your script," Tracy Jacobs shared Arthur's earlier thoughts with Caroline Thompson.

"Arthur, you're quite something. Hiring you was a good decision," Caroline Thompson remarked.

Arthur smiled, "This script matches Tim Burton's style well. The quirky, dark humor and Gothic elements are his trademarks."

"I'm also grateful to the crew for choosing me!"

*****

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