Hugo and Joseph sat together on a bench in the front yard. Around them, plenty of guests were still wandering about, each looking for their own opportunity. Hugo had barely sat down when several people came up to greet him. He wasn't some all-powerful director or top producer, nor was he an A-list celebrity, but in a party like this, making new connections was always worthwhile and given Hugo's rising reputation lately, it was no surprise that people wanted to talk to him.
Over the next few minutes, four or five people approached to chat, forcing Hugo to pause his conversation with Joseph to make small talk with these strangers. But socializing was part of the business — old friends and new acquaintances alike were all part of the game.
After the last person walked away, a youthful, slightly sharp voice called out, "Wow! You—you must be Mr. Lancaster, right? I—I—oh man, I'm such a big fan!" The voice cracked mid-sentence, still caught between adolescence and adulthood, carrying both excitement and awe.
Hugo looked up again and when he saw who was standing before him, his polite smile broke into a genuinely warm grin. "Do you want me to sign something for you?" he teased. "If you'd like, I can even sign your shoulder." His tone was light, his earlier tension finally beginning to fade.
"I'd rather have a hug and a beer," the young man in front joked cheerfully. "I've been here all night and haven't managed to get a single drink — not even one!"
Hugo smirked. "Coming to a party without a fake ID? Rookie mistake."
The young man threw up his hands in mock despair. "Hey, how was I supposed to know Pollack's parties actually have security? He said he didn't want any trouble. Honestly, he's such a buzzkill."
"If I were him, I'd do the same," Hugo said with a grin. "I wouldn't want to see you drunk, stripping naked, and running through the garden. That would ruin the whole party." His easy humor made the two young men laugh — even Joseph couldn't help but smile. "So," Hugo continued, "aren't you going to introduce your friend? Or is he underage too?"
"Of course! He's a year younger than me," the young man said playfully. His companion quickly corrected him, "Eight months," which earned a shrug and a laugh. "Anyway, this is my friend Tobey Maguire. We met during auditions — did some background work together on a few soap operas. Tobey, this is Hugo Lancaster the guy I told you about. Doesn't he look way too young to be called an old man?"
Standing before Hugo were none other than Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire — the now-famous Hollywood best friends often dubbed "the most inseparable non-couple in town." Along with duos like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, or Brad Pitt and George Clooney, the two would later become known as legendary bromances in the industry.
But back then, Leonardo and Tobey were just two young, hopeful actors who'd met through TV work — friends bound by the same dream of making it big. No one could have guessed where their futures would take them, only that they shared the same restless ambition.
When Hugo heard Leonardo calling him an "old man," he couldn't help but laugh. "Leo, an old man? Are you serious? I'm only twenty-five!"
"Relax, relax," Leonardo chuckled. "I didn't mean it that way. You're seven years older than me — technically that makes you an old man. But you sure don't look like one."
Beside him, Tobey said nothing, smiling brightly at Hugo. When Hugo's gaze shifted toward him, Tobey held up eight fingers. At first Hugo didn't get it, then realization hit — Tobey was pointing out that Hugo was eight years older than him. Hugo burst out laughing. "Hey, you two aren't planning to get me to buy your beers, are you?"
Both Leonardo and Tobey laughed, because neither of them had reached the U.S. legal drinking age of twenty-one yet. Even though the Prohibition era was long over, the 1988 law raising the drinking age had done little to stop young people from experimenting with alcohol. Teenagers still found ways to drink, drive drunk, and get into trouble — rebellion was practically a rite of passage. So, even if Leo and Tobey weren't yet twenty, alcohol was hardly a stranger to them.
At Hugo's playful "threat," both of them burst out laughing even harder.
"So," Hugo asked with an amused smile, "what brings you two here? You working with someone at this party?"
"No, no, nothing like that," Leonardo said quickly, shaking his head. "I came with De Niro — just wanted to join in the New Year's fun. But honestly, a party without alcohol is just… boring." Hugo remembered Leo had mentioned before that he was working with Robert De Niro on This Boy's Life, so it didn't surprise him.
Catching Hugo's friendly glance, Tobey stammered slightly, surprised to be included in the conversation. "Uh, no, I came with Leo."
"The film I'm doing with De Niro — Tobey's got a small role in it too," Leonardo added enthusiastically. Tobey smiled modestly. "Yeah, thanks to Leo begging the director on my behalf."
Hugo gave Tobey an approving nod. "Then you'd better make sure you earn it." Tobey blinked, then grinned.
"And you?" Leonardo asked with a teasing smile, noticing Hugo's neat suit and the sprig of mistletoe pinned to it. "You look like you just got here. Nobody came out to greet you?"
"Oh, no," Hugo replied, pointing toward the door. "I was just about to leave. I've got plans with some friends for a New Year's Eve party. I only came here for a bit of… work." He gave a small, self-deprecating smile, as if finally saying goodbye to the The Firm that no longer belonged to him. "Now that the work's done, I figured I should get going."
"Whoa, a party? Where's the party? Is it more exciting than this place?" Leonardo immediately jumped up, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
"Actually, you know the host," Hugo said, suddenly remembering. "Alex—remember him from the Halloween party? He's throwing something in Santa Monica. It's mostly young people, so it'll definitely be livelier than this. Though, I have to admit, the stars here are probably a little brighter." Seeing Leonardo's eager expression, Hugo laughed. "So… do you guys want to come along?"
"Can we?" Leonardo asked, though his tone already betrayed his excitement.
Hugo chuckled softly. "Of course. The more, the merrier—it's New Year's Eve, after all. I'm sure Alex will be thrilled to have more company." Then he turned to Tobey. "I mean Alexander Lorin—you know him, right?"
"Oh, Lorin? Yeah, I know him," Tobey nodded. "We've auditioned for a few of the same shows before." Having spent years hustling in the TV circuit, Tobey's situation wasn't too different from Alex's, so it made sense they'd crossed paths.
"That's perfect then," Hugo said with a grin. "Alex mentioned most of the guests tonight are his friends, so chances are you and Leo will know even more people than I do."
"Of course," Leonardo shot back playfully. "A movie actor trying to blend into the TV crowd? That's not exactly easy."
Hugo pressed his lips together, trying not to smile. "You do realize I'm inviting you to a party, right? You sure you want to start with that tone?"
"Ah, Hugo, my dear Hugo," Leonardo immediately put on an exaggeratedly remorseful look. "I take it back. I'd love to come with you. Santa Monica, huh? That sounds amazing—it's going to be one hell of a night!" He even let out a cheerful whoop, which made Tobey chuckle beside him.
Hugo turned to Joseph. "Why don't you guys head to the car first? I'll go find Uma." It had been nearly twenty minutes already, and he didn't want to keep them waiting any longer.
Joseph nodded in agreement. Hugo then looked back at the two younger men. "Do you need to say goodbye to De Niro?"
Leonardo quickly shook his head, and after a moment's hesitation, Tobey followed suit with a smile.
"All right then," Hugo said. "Go wait with Joe in the car. I'll get Uma, and we'll head out."
"Uma?" Leonardo immediately perked up. "You mean the Wonder Woman from the Halloween party?"
When Hugo confirmed it, Leonardo let out a low whistle, earning a hearty laugh from Hugo.
A moment later, Hugo stepped back into the ballroom, scanning the crowd for Uma's familiar face. She'd mentioned earlier that she was joining a small gathering of actresses, so the group shouldn't be hard to spot.
After a brief search, Hugo found her near the dressing room entrance. Uma stood with a group of five or six women, champagne glasses in hand, chatting animatedly. Beside her were Nicole and a few other actresses—including Tracy.
....
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