Chapter 459: Wedge

[Chapter 459: Wedge]

Paula Wagner flipped through the file of an Asian individual and said to Nicole sitting beside her, "Are you telling me that Mr. Williams wants to hire this Mr. John Woo as the producer for Mr. & Mrs. Smith? Although his films received widespread acclaim in Southeast Asia, this is Hollywood. Can he adapt to the Hollywood style?"

Nicole took a few sips of the coffee that Wagner's secretary had brought over before replying, "Eric said that it's precisely to differentiate from the Hollywood style that they want to use this Asian director. By the way, I brought you some tapes to check out -- these are all works by this Mr. John Woo. Eric and I have been watching them together at... at the Shell Manor, and while the production quality of these films is a bit rough, the plots are absolutely thrilling. Eric said it's called 'hyper-violence aesthetics.'"

As she spoke, Nicole pulled out four or five tapes from her bag and handed them to Paula Wagner.

Paula Wagner received them but merely set them aside and turned to Nicole. "Nicole, last time you produced for Sarah & Shannon (The Heat), Tommy had some serious reservations about that."

Nicole looked surprised and asked in confusion, "Why would that be?"

Paula Wagner couldn't detect any signs from Nicole's expression, and of course, she couldn't anticipate that Nicole and Eric's true intention was to drive a wedge between her and Cruise. She revealed a resigned expression. "Tommy wants me to focus all my efforts on the Cruise/Wagner production company. He worries that taking on other work will interfere with the company's operations."

She didn't mention the deeper issue: Cruise's last film, Days of Thunder, hadn't performed well, causing a year-long stall in his career. Last year, not only did he skip acting in films, but he also parted ways with his long-time partner Paramount. In contrast, Paula's work as producer on Sarah & Shannon (The Heat) brought in over $200 million at the global box office from a mere $20 million budget. Whether it was out of male pride or undeniable jealousy, Cruise didn't want Paula Wagner producing any more films for Nicole.

"Tom works on at most one film a year. With your abilities, it's not like it will affect the operation of your company, right?"

Hearing this backhanded compliment, Paula Wagner couldn't help but smile, but when she thought of Cruise, the smile turned into a sigh of resignation. The purpose of establishing their production company was to emulate what Eric started with Firefly Films. Reality, however, often proved harsh; even though Cruise was one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood, that didn't guarantee every film produced would achieve the success Firefly had. Their production company certainly couldn't hope to replicate Firefly's rapid growth.

To this day, the Cruise/Wagner production company could only secure more control and profit-sharing rights for films starring Cruise. They didn't even have the energy to produce other films. With Cruise having a new manager, Paula Wagner often found herself with nothing to do. For a woman with a strong drive for her career, this was torturous.

"Nicole, I've just never understood why you would invite me to produce Sarah & Shannon (The Heat) and now this... uh, Mr. & Mrs. Smith?"

Nicole paused at first, then a blush crept onto her face as she stammered, "I... I hoped to feel more important beside him. Besides, you're the only person I know, after all... you understand."

If Eric had been there, he would have said: This fairy is quite the actress.

If Drew had been there, she would have said: This gold digger really knows how to play a part.

Unfortunately, Paula Wagner, who had no clue about the situation, quickly concocted an image of a lovesick woman trying hard to win her beloved's affections, upon hearing Nicole's childish stammer.

"By the way, Nicole, what's going on between you and Mr. Williams? Ever since he broke up with Jennifer Aniston, he seems to have no public girlfriend?"

"He's going to be 22 in a few months and already holds one of the top seats in Hollywood. I can't expect too much. I just hope he can settle down once he's had his fun," Nicole said, her tone dull, but this time it was her genuine feeling.

Paula Wagner had much more experience in Hollywood than Nicole and had seen many playboys in their forties and fifties unwilling to marry. She couldn't help but comment, "Then you might be waiting a long time."

Nicole touched the necklace around her neck, where a special ring was hidden inside a heart-shaped pendant. She was a Red Heart Nine. She remembered asking Eric to pick one out for her, and he had elaborately explained the significance of a series of numbers. When he got to the Red Heart Nine, he said nine represented eternity, and she decisively chose this one.

"Nicole?" Paula Wagner noticed Nicole was lost in thought and prompted her.

"Oh," Nicole looked up, snapping back to reality, quickly shaking off the messy feelings. "So, Paula, regarding Mr. & Mrs. Smith, if you really can't take it, I'll have Eric reach out to others. This project has a tight deadline; Columbia wants it to release by November this year, which gives us just over eight months. The pre-production, shooting, and post-production combined will take at least six months."

Paula Wagner stared at the file in front of her; she hesitated to let go. With Sarah & Shannon (The Heat) making over $200 million globally, she had earned around $5 million in salary and bonuses -- a record single income for her career. As Cruise's producer, she used to only take 10% of Cruise's earnings, which typically amounted to only one to two million a year. Moreover, the Cruise/Wagner production company didn't encounter the same good fortune that their first film in the other life, Mission: Impossible, had received.

"If we could get Tommy to star in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, it would make things a lot easier."

Nicole's expression turned troubled, and she gestured at her nose with her finger. "You know this is a delicate situation."

Paula Wagner smiled, reminding her, "Don't bring this up in front of Tommy. He hates it when others mention his height."

"I certainly know that," Nicole replied with a laugh.

Though Cruise was a leading actor in Hollywood, the joke about him standing on a box had been circulating in and out of the industry for years.

For Mr. & Mrs. Smith, if the film was completely a Columbia project, Paula Wagner would be sure that Columbia would choose another actress with a more suitable height for the role rather than Nicole for the sake of the bigger star stardom of Tom Cruise. But now the chances of that happening were extremely low. From the casual conversation just now, Paula Wagner understood this was a film that Eric had specifically prepared for Nicole.

"How about this, Nicole? I'll talk to Tommy and give you an answer by the day after tomorrow at the latest, okay?"

Nicole was about to nod, but at that moment, the door to Paula Wagner's office knocked twice and was pushed open. Cruise and Pat Kingsley came in one after the other. Nicole and Paula stood up together.

Cruise was about to speak when he saw Nicole, his gaze flickering a couple of times, but he politely greeted her instead. "Hello, Miss Kidman."

"Hello, Mr. Cruise," Nicole replied with a smile, stepping past Cruise to embrace Pat Kingsley.

"Nicole, what are you doing here?" Pat Kingsley asked curiously.

Nicole released Pat Kingsley and linked arms with her as they both sat down on the couch. She smiled and asked, "I came to discuss some things with Paula. What about you? Didn't you say you were going to New York the other day? You came back so soon?"

"Oh, we were recording a talk show to promote the sequel to Running Out of Time. As soon as we were done, we rushed back. After all, there wasn't much to do in New York. By the way, I brought you a gift," Pat Kingsley said, pulling a small box from her handbag. Inside was a tiny yet exquisite glass bottle. "I met a friend in the fashion industry while in New York, and he gave it to me -- Dior's latest fragrance yet to be released, just a small-scale test. Ah, Paula, yours too," she added, sensing Paula Wagner's gaze, and quickly produced another small box handing it over.

Nicole opened the small box, carefully dabbed some of the fragrance on her wrist, and sniffed it, delightedly discussing it with Paula Wagner who leaned closer.

Meanwhile, Tom Cruise felt disregarded. He instructed Paula Wagner's secretary to make him coffee and sat down on the opposite couch. He casually glanced at a stack of files on the low table and picked one up out of curiosity. The first was a dossier on an Asian director, which he had no interest in and quickly flipped past. Next, he found a budget sheet for a film titled Mr. & Mrs. Smith. He caught a glimpse of the figures, his eyes flickered, then he flipped to the bottom where the script for Mr. & Mrs. Smith was located.

"I find this scent too strong; Paula's, however, suits her perfectly."

"No, Nicole, you should try out more scents like this. It'll surely drive men wild."

"Right, I picked it out just for you. How could it be wrong?"

The three women were chatting when Cruise waved the files in his hand, raising his voice to interrupt. "Paula, which company sent this script for consideration?"

Paula Wagner finally realized that, without knowing it, she had overlooked Cruise. She put the perfume aside and said, "Tommy, Nicole brought this script. She hoped I could produce it. I was about to discuss this with you."

Cruise's initially enthusiastic mood dissipated entirely, and although his expression wasn't exactly dark, it certainly wasn't pleasant. "Paula, did you agree?"

Paula Wagner felt uncomfortable with the questioning tone in Cruise's voice, but replied patiently, "I believe I can manage my time effectively. After all, you won't be considering another film until after Running Out of Time sequel premieres. The promotion for that doesn't require my involvement, so there's plenty of time."

"But now's when I need to start picking out a script for my next film, and didn't I tell you..." Cruise began but stopped, turning his gaze sharply towards Nicole.

Nicole deliberately displayed an awkward look, standing up and saying to Paula Wagner, "Sorry, Paula, I think I should get going. Anyway, give me a call."

Paula Wagner acknowledged, watching Nicole walk towards the door without personally sending her off. However, unlike Paula Wagner, who had worked with Cruise for years, Pat Kingsley hadn't developed much personal rapport with him. So, she stood up and added, "You two can talk; I'll take my leave."

Cruise glared fiercely at Pat Kingsley's retreating figure. He had originally hoped for Pat Kingsley to be his exclusive manager, but after signing with him, she quickly took on Nicole Kidman too. Moreover, with the success of Sarah & Shannon (The Heat), he felt that Pat Kingsley was devoting much more of her energy to Nicole, which left him, who was always the center of attention, feeling very disgruntled. Seeing her go after Nicole triggered thoughts in Cruise's mind about switching managers.

Paula Wagner noticed the change in Cruise's mood. To her, he was like a spoiled child. With a slight sigh, she remarked, "Tommy, I think we need to have a serious talk."

...

After leaving the Cruise/Wagner production office, Nicole heard the sound of heels clicking behind her. She turned her head and stopped, waiting for Pat Kingsley to catch up. "Why did you come after me? Isn't there anything going on with Tom?"

Pat Kingsley shot Nicole an eye roll. "I'm just his manager, not his babysitter; I don't have the job of keeping him happy."

At that moment, some friendly banter was definitely more effective than provocative words. Nicole cheerfully linked her arm with Pat Kingsley's. "Then let me treat you to dinner. You pick the place."

"Just don't regret it later," Pat Kingsley said, enthusiasm igniting in her as she reflected on Cruise's sour mood. She figured that if she had to choose between Cruise and Nicole, she would definitely pick the sharp and personable Nicole, even if it meant earning less.

Although Cruise was seen as a perfect golden boy by fans, only she knew how incredibly challenging it was to maintain his public image perfectly. Just yesterday, for instance, after a taping of a talk show, Cruise suddenly decided he didn't like how he entered the stage. The camera had flashed on him before he smiled, so he insisted on reshooting it. Despite being just a few seconds of footage, it felt unreasonable. Still, with Cruise's resolute attitude, as his manager, she had no choice but to scramble around to communicate with the TV station, leaving her indebted to someone for a considerable favor.

*****

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