Lux Films produ pany was starting to gh all the necessary procedures to move forward with produ, while producer Saul Zaentz pulled the strings, making his vast experienown. Many times, when a person with experieook charge to schmooze and acquire what was necessary for a film produ, it was just the right moment. Billy's stroke of luck was that this time he had certain friends.

  -I don't like socializing so much before a movie, - ented Anthony Magnolia.

  -We'll meet the necessary people to make the movie happen. For now, I'd like you to talk to Billy Carson. He's been the erstone of everything, he's a handsome, lively young man who fits all your characteristics. He's made several movies, - said Saul Zaentz, a politi through and through.

  -Bah, a waste of time, - Anthony ented.

  -He'll be your actor, he's an ior, and he's allowed us to make the movie the arust in the script, and he's brought Hollywood's ao our side and paid her sary without dipping into our pockets, - Saul ented.

  Anthony just closed his eyes. He wasn't a great director like those who had thousands of movies uheir belt; he did his job methodically, doing everything as it should be done. But he couldn't seem to achieve the success he felt he deserved. This movie had good actood iment, and a good script; it was a recipe for success.

  Lux Animation was excited, and the prospect of traveling to Tunisia and then to Italy for filming only increased their eagero immerse themselves in the role.

  -It's the sed time we've e so far for small meetings, - remarked Saul.

  -And now you're pining, - responded Anthony, smiling at Saul's character.

  ***

  Winona was having breakfast, reading The English Patient, a love script that moved her. It was sweet, tragid romantic, just as it should be. Her mansion in Beverly Hills was just another of her rich properties; she had a total of three of her own, located in specific pces that she used for travel oain occasions.

  She was somewhat indifferent, but there was a broad pn of friendship between Winona and Gwyhat hurt her deeply. Since whehey as cold as friends? The versation they had less than a week ago was something that still ed her stomach; for now, everything was in a dark light.

  Fshback.

  -Why did you accept the movie? - Gwyh asked, tapping her feet on the floor, furious at how everything was unfolding. They were getting ready for a party, ughter filling the air as they both took sips of tequi, but then the question began to sour their eionship.

  -What are you talking about? Let's go to the party; they're waiting for us, - Winona questioned.

  -I'm talking about Billy Carson, you unpleasant fool... you want to steal him from me! - Gwyh excimed.

  Winona's eyebrows shot up to the sky as anger surged through her. - What are you talking about? I haven't goer Billy. Stop being repulsive. Ha. But you know, I wouldn't be surprised if he dumped you when he found out how rotten you are inside. Intelligent men have never been your style. Or you tell me what you were doing with Leonardo DiCaprio at the st meeting? He'll find out; don't a. -

  Gwyh flushed. - We were just talking, but as a damn liar, you're always spreading lies. What am I talking about? I'm talking about how since you broke up with Deep, you've bee a tramp who sleeps with anyone for the slightest bit of affe. -

  -You're nobody to question me, and if I sleep with Billy, it's my business. After all, he wants a real woman. After all, his supposed girlfriend is bedding someone else, - the raven-haired woman respootally enraged by the sensitive words, being treated like a nobody, pletely denying that behavior.

  -Arghhhhhh! Damn liar, you're a gossip, hateful, vengeful, deceitful... nothing has ever happened, but I fear you'll behave as you always ding down everyone around you, - the blonde shouted in anger.

  ….

  -Thank you for everything, Patrick, - said the raven-haired woman.

  -It's my job. They were more cooperative this time. Well, you have to be in Italy by May 29th; filming your parts will start first, - ented Patrick.

  -Well, I'll wait for you to let me know everything, - said Winona. Now, out of vengeance, she felt like sleeping with Billy, even introdug him to many of her friends, women, and models. Using her tacts, she called Monica Bellucci; if she was in Italy, it wouldn't hurt to tempt one of the most provocative women in the industry, whom she knew and had a presence.

  -Maybe I also do other things to annoy Gwyh, - Winona thought. Before feeling deeply disappointed with herself, being a bad woman, and a headache for people wasn't something she wao do, even though her friend's behavior wasn't good, she had to be better.

  -I have other movies lined up; your friend Daniel has signed on to do the movie 'The Witches of Salem', - Patrick replied. The ag dar was fully booked, and Patrick kept presenting script after script, leaving a clear mark on the work and effort Winona had to put in.

  Winona noticed the blue sky painted with small clouds above, taking Patrick's farewell as a signal to get up and resume her daily routine. She paced around her apartment tanize her thoughts. She felt somewhat lost when a beautiful blonde arrived for the meeting; trary to expectations, it was Michelle Pfeiffer, an intimate friend of Winona's who had filmed "The Age of Innoce" with her in 1993. Despite her years, this blonde rofoundly beautiful.

  Her promi cheekbones framed an angur, oval face with greenish-blue eyes that would captivate anyone who looked into them. It was her style; her mere preseopped everyone who id eyes o thirty-six years old; she was the delight of any man.

  -Darling, - Michelle Pfeiffer said, kissing Winona on both cheeks.

  -Michelle, it's so good to see you. I thought you'd still be w on your movie, - Winona ented.

  -Not at all; I always have time to greet a good friend. I thought you called me over more to chat about trivialities. You sounded a bit i the phone, dear, - Michelle ented.

  -I ever lie to you. Sometimes I'm just a nuisance, - the young woman said, sighing deeply, whiichelle's mature eyes meant only ohing: problems with men. Oh, these handsome, intelligent men who always used every means at their disposal to break the hearts of unsuspeg young women.

  -Ah, dear, it was a man. Only men make an angel like you sigh. I hope it's not Deep again with some of his incessant craziness, - Michelle ented.

  -I wish it were! This one is worse, but he mao hold on to me, - the raven-haired woman ented, ready to tell one of her friends everything, seeing her as her advisor. They both took a seat on the baly while sipping some wine. Shortly after, Michelle mao uhe root of the problem and became furious upon disc the maniputions this young man was engaging in—his ing and going, being attentive and then insiderate, always giving a tantalizing hint of affe but then pulling away, causing the girls to go crazy. Michelle even bmed Gwyh for what had happened.

  -You accepted the movie. God, how could you do something so foolish? - Michelle remarked.

  The wide eyes just observed everything that was said.

  -I didn't know; I couldn't refuse, - Winona ented. Michelle rolled her eyes at Winona's words, wanting to hit her on the head for her foolishness.

  -You have to try to be as professional as possible. He probably wants to get you into bed, dear. God, men, are always ag in rather twisted ways. Oher hand, you have fun at his expense, - Michelle ughed heartily. She would have dohat—take the bull by the horns and make him uand that no one could make her look like a helpless woman.

  -Don't pay attention to the st part; just focus, do your job, and leave, - Michelle ented.

  ...