America 1982-Chapter 322 - 21: The Vacation is Over_2
"Mr. Page, there’s a problem with the direction of Martin’s work, could you please help him adjust it?" Tommy rubbed his face in frustration and spoke to Page, "Making up that drooling story was a bit too much."
Page turned and walked out, and soon after, Martin’s long-missed screams could be heard from outside, then he quickly adjusted his direction and focused more on addressing Mark, instead of teasing Tommy about Vanessa’s comments.
"Of course Mark did wrong, but within the industry, his way of working is not considered wrong. If he didn’t do it that way, that would actually be the problem. I know you think of him as a pimp, and I don’t want to make excuses for him, especially since you are about to part ways with him. What I want to say is, those two men he constantly tried to convince you to accompany didn’t pay him a cent. On the contrary, he spent about seventy thousand dollars, hosted three wrap parties to get to know those people, and finally managed to get an opportunity to present you to those two men—one is the co-producer of ’L.A. Law’, and the other is a producer for a popular ABC variety TV show," Tommy spoke frankly as he looked into Vanessa’s somewhat tense face: 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
"For many girls who hope to make it big in Hollywood overnight, if someone is willing to get them in front of these two men, they would think of that person as their god."
Vanessa held her glass with determination, "I wouldn’t, in my heart, he’s still hopelessly a scumbag."
"Your lawyer can help you look for another agent later. For instance, if Donna Summer’s agency is willing to take care of you and sign you while you’re still unknown, you could be in the same company as her. With Donna looking out for you, the chances of such incidents happening would be very low," Tommy continued.
Vanessa lowered her head and took a sip of her drink, "Stop joking, Tommy. A big shot like that helping me out once, I’m already more than thankful. We both know that big agencies don’t want to sign someone with a... tainted reputation like me."
"Any small company would do the same as Mark, make no mistake, that’s just how the industry is. They think that arranging for you to meet those men who offer opportunities is improving you. If you clearly state that you refuse all non-essential socializing, I’m afraid no agent would be willing to invest in you."
"I’d rather give up this profession and go back to New York to do makeup for people," Vanessa said with certainty after considering it, knowing Tommy wasn’t trying to scare her.
Tommy turned his head to look out the window and slowly stood up, buttoning up his suit jacket, "It’s not that tragic. I mean, maybe... maybe you could stay at this agency. Mark will vanish from your sight, someone will come to replace him, a woman named Susan, two years your senior. She’s studying for her personal career consultant and agent licenses, which might take a little more time. Of course, if you insist, your lawyer can help you break the contract and then accompany you to other agencies. It’s something to think about. As for me, I’m off to personally greet Mark. Excuse me."
"It sounds like the agency is more yours, Tommy," Vanessa said, following up on Tommy’s words.
As Tommy walked towards the exit, "No, it doesn’t belong to me. It will only belong to the person suited to sit in that seat. Also, do you need me to call Martin in so you can give him an earful? The description ’drooling’ is too sleazy."
"So you want me to stay?"
"All I hope is that from this, you realize, we’re friends," Tommy turned his head to look at Vanessa with a smile.
Then, without lingering, he walked out of the hall.
...
The community bar in Beverly Hills Estate.
Tommy raised his beer and gently clinked it with Mark’s. Seeing Tommy appear before him, Mark Warren felt that for a moment, his eyes almost uncontrollably welled up with tears.
The recent work had made him doubt his life.
It was whether being the star of a sad, small film that all his friends and family saw, or meeting Tommy, who planned his life, and now, being called by him to become a sleazy Hollywood agent was worse.
His agency’s full name was Open Road Talent Agency, abbreviated as ORTA, with an office located in Century City, Los Angeles, which was a lot flashier compared to the previous one in San Francisco, but Mark only felt unbearable depression.
"That chick must have ticked you off? Don’t worry, Susan will come to replace you; she’s getting her licenses. Once she has her license, you can throw all the vexing work to her," Tommy took a sip of beer and gently patted Mark’s shoulder, comforting him.
"Hearing the news of relief, I really should be happy, Tommy, but what I actually want to say is, if Susan were a good friend of mine, I’d definitely advise her not to enter this damned, despairing industry and to stay away from women like Vanessa, who are in Hollywood but still can’t see the reality," Mark said, drinking his beer listlessly.
Mark was no longer the youth who walked with his head down, fearful of being seen due to his small films. Nowadays, he dressed in suits that cost thousands of dollars and wore a wristwatch priced at twenty thousand. Most of the time, he was a smaller version of himself, full of energy, ambitious, and, encouraged by Tommy, never lacked the courage to take risks.
