Behind The Spotlight Chapter 82
"Babe, if I'm Rosey and you're Jacky, will you also save me from the tsunami?"
"Of course, babe. I'll do everything for you, even if it costs me my life. You know that I love you so much with all my heart and soul."
"Aww, that's so sweet. Now let's go to the restroom and do the horizontal monster smash. I brought super-thin condoms just for you to use today."
A couple flirted lovingly without a care in the world after watching Passionate Island. The film had struck a chord with them emotionally, leaving them extra romantic and deeply affected.
In a different theater, a young guy was eagerly trying to court his date. The two had watched Passionate Island in silence, reacting with quiet intensity to the emotional rollercoaster on screen.
"Like I said, just like Jacky, I'll also save you from the storm. But unlike him, I'll survive and see you again because I refuse to leave you alone in this world."
He tried to use the movie's plot as a pick-up line, putting effort into sounding sincere and it seemed to be working.
"Really?"
His date turned to him, wiping her tears with a crumpled tissue. The film had moved her so much that even after the credits rolled, she still couldn't stop crying at the thought of Jacky.
"I mean it! We're childhood friends. We practically grew up together and shared so many memories. You know what kind of person I am."
"Yeah, but when we were younger, you never saw me as the opposite gender or someone you could love romantically. But it feels different this time. Tell me, you just want my body, right?"
"Don't disrespect my feelings like that. They're real and come from the heart," he muttered seriously, and the woman was taken aback by the intensity in his voice.
"...Okay, let's date. But no funny business. And you promised you're better than Jacky. Then prove it to me with your actions, not just words."
"Of course I will."
The new couple exited the cinema hand in hand, hearts racing and smiles blooming.
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The effects of Passionate Island on people were astonishing. Sonya-Collapse Studio realized the film's potential, both emotionally and financially, was far greater than expected. They quickly ramped up promotional efforts.
On Friday, December 19, 1996, Passionate Island grossed over $8 million in ticket sales. It was an excellent start that exceeded their expectations. In that era, an opening day earning $8 million was rare and considered a major success.
On Saturday, December 20, 1996, its box office earnings increased to $19 million, thanks to growing word of mouth and its spreading reputation. Sonya-Collapse Studio recognized they were witnessing something special.
By Sunday, they confirmed that Passionate Island was a certified hit. The movie had grossed over $28 million in just three days across thousands of theaters.
Most of the time, a movie's opening weekend determined its trajectory. And by that standard, Passionate Island was a box office success.
However, they had yet to realize the full power of this romance-tragedy or its long-term cultural impact. Lawrence Terrence and Thomas Summerbelt had poured their passion and talents into creating a cinematic masterpiece.
The film's true success didn't lie only in its opening numbers, but in its longevity. It's ability to emotionally grip audiences again and again.
Yes, the staying power of Passionate Island would be the reason behind its massive success and its enduring legacy as one of the most beloved films of its generation. Thanks to its powerful storytelling, brilliant direction, and unforgettable performances, people continued to watch it even after weeks of nonstop screenings.
Now, let's return to the present, December 28, 1996. The holidays had just passed. Collin and the others had spent their time with loved ones in peace.
Collin, aware of Axel's situation, invited him to join their Christmas Eve celebration. Axel appreciated the gesture but declined, he wasn't in the right headspace to socialize. The tall actor spent the night in his apartment, staring out the window with a bottle of alcohol in hand.
Axel had once again hired a professional detective to look for his ex-wife and son. Now that he had money, he chose to spend it on something meaningful, something that gave his life purpose. Though his ex-wife occasionally contacted him to ask for money, he never agreed to anything unreasonable, despite the lingering guilt he carried.
By December 28, Passionate Island had been screening for 10 days and had grossed over $88 million, showing no signs of slowing down.
Sonya-Collapse Studio had no choice but to beg the cast to continue promoting the movie despite the holidays, due to overwhelming public interest.
Lawrence only had time to visit his parents on December 24 before flying to New York to appear on a national talk show.
Surprisingly, Lawrence didn't feel tired or overwhelmed by the demanding schedule. He was excited.
Whenever he appeared in public, women went wild. They hugged him like he was a living fairytale prince. The chaos was intense, but Lawrence never felt threatened by it. For some strange reason, his fans had an obsessive desire to protect him. He didn't understand it, but oh well, life was going great for him.
"I can't believe the studio forced us to sign a contract where we have to pretend to be a couple for two months and make public appearances every day."
Ellie smiled awkwardly as she played with the purse on her lap. She sat across from Lawrence in a high-end New York restaurant, dimly lit by chandeliers and filled with soft jazz music.
Due to the overwhelming success of Passionate Island, the studio's PR team believed that Lawrence Terrence and Ellie Bridget should "date" in public as a promotional strategy to boost audience engagement. They were each offered $1 million to agree to the arrangement and help maintain the romantic fantasy born from their on-screen chemistry.
Naturally, the actors signed the contract. Who could say no to that kind of money? They were already promoting the movie, so they might as well go a step further and ride the momentum while getting paid handsomely.
Still, both parties had terms in place to protect their clients from scandal or misinterpretation. Led by Collin, along with Paul Kim (PR Agent) and Quincy Jennings (Entertainment Lawyer), they ensured the contract clearly defined the relationship as strictly promotional. It included public dates and light physical gestures, nothing more. Lawrence had no reason to agree to anything beyond that. As the mastermind behind the deal, Collin secured the biggest commission from the arrangement.
Ellie's team also made sure to include terms to protect her from being exploited.
Ellie glanced at Lawrence, who was calmly cutting his steak with practiced elegance, his face devoid of emotion.
She had been trying to carry the conversation, but Lawrence responded with nothing more than a "yeah" or "okay," as though he wasn't really there.
She bit her lip in silent frustration. She knew she had made a mistake and couldn't undo it, but what suffocated her the most was how Lawrence had completely shut her out. Not even a sliver of the warmth of friendship remained.
Ironically, her boyfriend had broken up with her after watching Passionate Island. He told her he saw something in her performance that he couldn't unsee. He realized he could never be the man on that screen. He ended the relationship.
Strangely enough, Ellie felt relieved when he left. It was like a heavy chain had been lifted from her heart. She had secretly hoped this public dating contract would give her another shot with Lawrence. She was genuinely excited, like fate had offered her a second chance.
But after three weeks of "dating," Lawrence remained just as distant as ever.
"Lawrence, I want to tell you something..." she said softly.
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[Author's Note: The rain hasn't stopped for a week now, and many cities are experiencing flooding. Fortunately, we live on elevated ground, so we haven't experienced flooding here. But still, the rain is troublesome. To my readers in the Philippines, stay safe, guys.]