[Chapter 2: All Set but the Key Player is Missing]
The heart of every parent is tested, especially for a single mother raising a teenage boy.
Dealing with a rebellious adolescent was never easy. Parents guarded their children's fragile self-esteem while worrying about the wrong path they might take.
Charlie had been a troubled kid who hardly cared about school, which kept Judy, his mother, up at night.
It was Judy's constant, unconditional love that helped Charlie accept his new family quickly.
But post-time-travel Charlie wasn't sensitive or fragile in the slightest.
He didn't come to his mother for help mainly because Judy worked a modest office job, and it was almost impossible for her to help him publish his book.
...
Driving an old black Ford, Charlie headed toward the southern part of the city.
Soon, he stopped in front of a graffiti-covered apartment building.
The quiet morning in this rundown neighborhood was shattered by Charlie's loud shout, "Alicia, hurry up! We're leaving!"
Downtown mornings were usually hustle and bustle, but this was more like a slum, where many people worked the night shift.
Someone threw open a window angrily, shouted loudly to express his dissatisfaction, waving a big black fist out of the window. "Asshole, shut your damn mouth, do you want to die?"
"Fuck you!" Charlie shot back with equal bluntness, giving a rude hand gesture. "Watch who you're talking to -- go back to sleep!"
The man hesitated, called him "Godfather," then cursed and disappeared.
Another window slid open, and a long-haired woman waved excitedly, "Hi, honey! Coming down now!"
...
Ten minutes later, Charlie started the car and glanced at the passenger seat. "I thought I said to dress up today."
Alicia, barely passing for a glam pretty lady, about a 7, was no rarity in Los Angeles.
Countless young dreamers came to Hollywood with nothing but passion, most struggling as time wore on.
Getting a shot at an uncertain chance was rare.
Charlie's strong personality meant Alicia respected him but feared him too.
She gave him a pleading look. "Yes, dear, I listen. But you know I don't have much saved up. This is the best dress I could rent."
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Alright, you got everything?"
"Of course!" Alicia nodded, clutching her purse nervously. "Do you think we'll really make it? You know those guys won't go easy on us."
"You know my plan is solid! We've got nothing to lose," Charlie smiled, squeezing her hand. "Relax, just stick to the rehearsal -- we'll do fine. You can do this, right?"
"Yes, I can!" Alicia said with growing confidence.
...
Within minutes, the car stopped near MacArthur Park at a pizza joint buzzing with morning workers.
There, a young man, about 6 feet tall wearing a cheap suit, greeted Charlie with a fist bump, "Hey, Charlie." He glanced at Alicia and nodded.
Pulling Charlie aside and a little away, he said with surprise, "Man, when did you change taste? Didn't know you liked black women."
This was Etto Romano, Charlie's high school buddy and cheeky rival. Etto had better grades, got into Abagon Community College but went to jail for a petty assault before starting as a paparazzi for Beverly Star Weekly thanks to his down-and-out film critic dad.
Charlie shrugged. "It's amazing that you could tell she was black. She's so pale, I thought she was Latina at first. Lucky she's black -- it really helped our plan."
Etto laughed. "No big deal."
He sized up Alicia with a sly grin, "She's got a great figure. Glad your taste hasn't changed. You've been acting wild lately -- trying to turn a call girl into a star."
Charlie said, "Why not? She's got a rare chance. My plan could turn that into serious reward!"
Etto rolled his eyes. "If we pull this off, Hollywood's gonna laugh us off the map. You're shameless as ever. I swear Vito Corleone from the movies has to be your ancestor."
Charlie laughed and sat down, "Thanks. Now all I need is a cat. Kid, you should call me Father and let's make history together!"
Etto grinned wickedly, playing along, "Yes, oh mighty Godfather. Let's bite a big chunk out of big shot Will Smith and turn that call girl into a star."
Like Alicia, Etto was just as daring, unafraid of current big-shot Will Smith or juggernaut 20th Century Fox.
Charlie's ambition was bold. "Hollywood's just a pile of crap, no cleaner than a call girl. And I'm a shameless bastard, born for this. Can't wait to stir the pot.
Come on, sign this. Locke promised me with a pre-emptive purchase agreement for this. We're going to be busy today with a movie premiere this afternoon."
Charlie pulled out some papers and motioned Alicia to sit.
His plan was simple: piggyback on a star's hustle to hype an unknown film project.
First, everyone involved needed to sign binding deals.
Even with his buddy Etto, the benefits must be clearly distributed in advance to avoid hurting feelings in the future.
Alicia was the least trustworthy; contracts were insurance.
The agreement was short; Charlie had spent his last dime on a lawyer.
Certain promotion details were coded, ensuring everyone's interests were secured.
No objections came from Etto or Alicia. They signed eagerly, ready to hustle.
---
After sorting some details, by 9 AM, they drove to Chris Book House headquarters near Koreatown.
A regional small publisher mainly outputting adult thriller novels -- your typical family-run workshop.
Locke, the owner's grandson and editor-in-chief, was middle-class and small fry in the biz.
Without his family ties, Charlie wouldn't even get through the door.
The book agent who'd signed Charlie was no help.
Only after lots of effort did Locke promise a first-look agreement.
That was part of the plan -- to get Locke's resources for promotion.
Hustling a star needed opportunity and backing.
Charlie had nothing except hopes.
...
Led by an assistant, they entered Locke's office.
Besides Locke was a middle-aged man, sitting with legs crossed, studying Charlie with a half-smile.
Charlie frowned but quickly smiled, "Hi Locke, thanks for trusting me. I've got a perfect plan -- I hope you won't be disappointed."
Revealing the full plan without NDA wasn't ideal.
Charlie had no choice; Alicia was the key.
Locke took the documents and a redacted version.
At first indifferent, he soon nodded appreciatively and then patted Charlie's shoulder, "Nice work, a solid plan."
Etto and Alicia's faces changed.
Charlie stayed calm, asking, "So, about that first-look deal?"
Locke sighed, lit a cigarette, "Sorry Charlie, your plan's bold, but the other side is 20th Century Fox. I don't want to offend them."
Charlie knew it was an excuse. He pressed, "It's normal business. Just put the blame on me. They're film people, and you.."
Locke waved him off, "Look, things changed. Chris Book House is focusing on Raymond's new book. We're small, can't spare resources."
Raymond was a professor at Cal State Northridge, writing thrillers for five years -- not hot but Chris Book House's top author.
His books usually dropped in January.
Etto and Alicia looked worried, and Charlie knew he couldn't compete.
Still, he didn't want to quit. Even a small publisher had some media pull; without them, his project's future was uncertain.
"Locke, we had good talks before. You said you liked my ideas."
"Sorry," Locke shook his head.
Raymond chuckled, "Kid, writing isn't easy. Better get into college and learn your ABCs first."
He wasn't talking down like to a street punk and Charlie didn't fire back.
Instead, he gave Raymond a serious look and stood, "Alright Locke, we'll work together someday. When that day comes, you'll owe me better terms. Even for the times you chased my mother."
Locke laughed and shook his hand, "Haha, true, we'll work together someday. I used to like your mom, now I kinda like you."
...
After they left, Raymond sneered, lighting a cigar, "Some clueless kid. Must've been kicked by a donkey to think he could be an author."
Locke shrugged regretfully, "At first I thought that too. But his idea was good, and his plan is very touching. The work itself has a certain market, and his agent is also working hard. He's just too young -- and right now we've got to focus on you."
Hearing that, Raymond frowned, "Mind if I borrow your office phone?"
*****
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