Chapter 49: Ambitions

When smart people talk, they can quickly understand each other's meanings. 

Nicole Kidman certainly knew what she was about to face, but compared to what she would gain, what she lost didn't matter at all!

After Nicole Kidman left, Arthur returned to the award ceremony venue, "In Hollywood, isn't the word 'friend' an irony?"

Although Winona Ryder didn't win the award after the ceremony, at least she gained some fame in the independent film circle.

Winona Ryder's vibrant performance made her very suitable for teen roles. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for her to land the lead role in Edward Scissorhands!

"Arthur, are we going home now?" The two walked out of the venue.

Arthur draped her coat nicely, "Someone invited us for dinner, it's Nicole Kidman, whom we met last time at Craig's restaurant!"

"Oh, the girl who was with Tom Cruise?" Winona Ryder remembered.

"Yep, that's her," Arthur nodded.

After they came out, the two quickly met up with Nicole Kidman at the designated location, and Arthur drove his Ford, taking them to the restaurant!

Nicole Kidman and Winona Ryder chatted in the back seat, "Nicole, is Mr. Peter Weir, the director of Dead Poets Society, the most famous director in Australia?"

The art film Dead Poets Society, released last year, was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture and was one of Winona Ryder's favorites.

"There are many other famous directors in Australia as well," Nicole Kidman explained. "But Dead Poets Society was indeed exceptionally well made!"

How could it not be? It grossed $95 million in North America alone, and over a hundred million worldwide.

Listening to Nicole Kidman's praise of Australian films, Arthur couldn't tolerate it anymore and directly switched to a mocking tone, "You're talking about some co-productions with Britain at the beginning of the century, right? After the 1930s, were there even any so-called Australian films? Providing some film talents to Europe and Hollywood is already good enough. Are there any native Australian films now?"

Nicole Kidman rolled her eyes, "Australia has always had its own native movies, they're just not well-known."

Arthur directly drove to the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, "Here it is, I heard the French cuisine here is pretty good!"

"It's lively here, seems like there are quite a few Hollywood celebrities," Nicole Kidman commented as they walked.

Holding onto Nicole Kidman with one arm and Arthur with the other, Winona Ryder explained, "It's less than a month away from the Oscars, so many of the nearby star hotels are filled with people. A five-star hotel like this surely won't lack Hollywood elites!"

Looking around at some of the young, attractive waitstaff, Arthur murmured, "Many of the waiters here are probably fringe people in Hollywood, hoping to run into some opportunity one day. Why didn't I think of working at a five-star hotel back then? I almost went to work at a fast-food restaurant!"

Nicole Kidman laughed, glanced at Arthur Smith, "Indeed, you could totally stand at the door as a doorman, maybe some rich lady would give you an opportunity."

Winona Ryder sighed, "Arthur, working as a waiter in a place like this isn't easy. You need to be very polite and have a good temper. I'm afraid if some customer says something unpleasant to you, you'll directly start a fight. All the guests here are rich and influential, the consequences, you understand..."

Soon, the three arrived at the restaurant on the second floor and chose a table by the window, overlooking the pool view!

Arthur never ordered this extravagantly before, directly ordering a lavish spread, making Winona Ryder give him a slap, "Can you finish all this?"

She and Nicole Kidman, both being women, clearly had small appetites. This table must cost over $1500, right?

"I can finish it," Arthur said, pointing to Nicole Kidman, "Don't worry, she's got the money!"

Nicole Kidman, sitting opposite, elegantly raised her wine, "Arthur, enjoy yourself, make sure to eat happily!"

Nicole Kidman now earned $200,000 per film, and coming from a middle-class Australian family, this was small change to her.

Days of Thunder was her first Hollywood film, with a paycheck of $200,000!

"By the way, Arthur, I heard you are preparing your movie, how's it going?" Nicole Kidman initially thought Arthur Smith was still struggling with auditioning for roles.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing Winona Ryder's introduction, she found out that this guy, with whom she auditioned back then, had already become a film producer, leading Orion Pictures' Sleeping with the Enemy!

"Going into production next month," Arthur raised his glass, clinking with the two, "Once we start shooting, I'll treat you to a big meal."

"Impressive," Nicole Kidman hadn't particularly followed Arthur Smith, a small player. But since they ran into each other tonight, she chatted more. Unexpectedly, this fellow aspiring actor from back then was climbing up!

"Didn't you arrange a role for Winona?"

Arthur shook his head, "The film is primarily handled by Orion. The lead actress is Meg Ryan. There's no need for Winona to waste time on minor roles. I will personally help her with scripts in the future. I will personally bring her up on to the Oscar stage!"

"Arthur, don't feel pressured," Winona Ryder patted Arthur's leg, "You should focus on gaining experience now. The lead role is crucial to the success of a film and it's not easy. Currently, I'm not short of scripts, we'll have opportunities to work together in the future!"

"Oscar," Nicole Kidman, as a foreigner, longed for it even more.

Now, both Nicole Kidman and Arthur Smith were still small fish in Hollywood. Only Winona Ryder had a bit of fame.

Three fringes talking about the holy grail of world cinema, the Oscars, while eating!

They drank a bottle of wine, finished eating, and prepared to leave the hotel when they ran into Arnold Schwarzenegger surrounded by reporters outside.

"Let's go, those reporters are asking about Terminator 2. Arnold Schwarzenegger's $15 million paycheck for Terminator 2 is making waves now," Arthur nudged Nicole Kidman with his elbow, trying to diminish her envy.

"Let's go, come on," Nicole Kidman's ambition was completely unconcealed in her eyes!

*****

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