Chapter 11: Winona Ryder

In the evening, at a bar near the Tampa Bay dock, Johnny Depp brought Arthur and Winona Ryder over for some fun. Johnny Depp's current fiancée, Sherilyn Fenn, was also there.

The 24-year-old seductive actress Sherilyn Fenn met Johnny Depp while filming the TV show 21 Jump Street. Currently, Sherilyn Fenn is filming the drama Wild at Heart, directed by David Lynch.

"By the way, is Nicolas Cage the male lead in Wild at Heart?" Arthur asked, leaning back in his chair.

Sherilyn Fenn nodded, "Yes, and Laura Dern is the female lead. I'm a supporting actress!"

Johnny Depp chuckled, "Arthur, it looks like you know his real identity."

"Of course, his real name is Nicolas Coppola. He changed his surname himself," Arthur said. How could he not know about the famous Coppola family?

Nicolas Cage was still a newcomer, mainly known for his roles in indie films.

"Nicolas Coppola?" Winona Ryder was taken aback. "Is he…?"

"Yes, he's Francis Ford Coppola's nephew," Arthur explained to Winona Ryder beside him. "And I heard Francis Ford Coppola is planning to shoot The Godfather Part III for Paramount. There's a role for a daughter in it. You two should try sending in your resumes!"

"Arthur, your information is very accurate. I'm friends with Nicolas, and The Godfather Part III is real." Johnny Depp confirmed it.

Sherilyn Fenn joked, "Getting noticed by Coppola isn't easy. The Godfather Part III has a lot of attention."

"There's no harm in trying," Arthur shrugged indifferently. "Look at me. I also sent out a lot of resumes and auditioned for several productions before being chosen by the Edward Scissorhands team."

"Alright, let's drink first," Johnny Depp raised his ringed hand and poured another round for everyone.

"Cheers!" Everyone raised their glasses together.

The atmosphere quickly became lively, and Arthur noticed that Johnny Depp was indeed a heavy drinker, knocking back whiskey one glass after another.

"Arthur, why don't you go dance?" Winona Ryder asked when Sherilyn Fenn and Johnny Depp headed to the dance floor, leaving Arthur sitting on the couch.

Arthur glanced over, "Who would keep you company if I went?" He realized that Winona Ryder had social anxiety.

"Well, thank you," Winona Ryder smiled and said, "Actually, I can manage on my own."

Arthur shook his head, "It's alright. I don't really like this kind of atmosphere either. Look at the restless crowd in the dance floor. I used to be like this in school. Looking back, I wasted a lot of time!"

"So, what do you want to do?" Winona Ryder noticed that Arthur was different from typical youth.

"I was thinking, since I've finished my script, maybe I should call my agent and ask her to help pitch it," Arthur said, knowing he couldn't get the money to film it himself. He planned to sell it for some money and fame.

As a newcomer, he didn't expect a high price.

"Then try it. It won't hurt," Winona Ryder suggested.

Arthur nodded, "Yeah, tomorrow I'll find a place to print the script, and then I'll call my agent!"

"Hey, Arthur, Winona, we're heading to Los Angeles now. Do you want to come?" At that moment, Johnny Depp, looking a bit dazed, walked over with Sherilyn Fenn in his arms.

"I'm not going back," Arthur said, glancing at Winona Ryder beside him.

Winona Ryder also spoke up, "I don't have anything to do there. I'll go back to Lutz with Arthur."

"Alright, see you next week!"

"Bye!"

Soon, Johnny Depp and Sherilyn Fenn were driven to the airport by Depp's assistant.

Arthur watched Johnny Depp's dazed look, thinking he must have been doing something in the restroom earlier.

"Let's go back too," Arthur said, ready to organize his script and have it printed tomorrow.

"Okay," Winona Ryder picked up her bag and left the bar with Arthur.

Back in Lutz, Winona Ryder asked Arthur, "Tomorrow you are going to…?"

"Tomorrow, I'll go to Tampa to find a print shop to print the script. When Ms. Jacobs comes over, I'll give it to her to pitch," Arthur said. He had mentioned this in Tampa, so why was she asking again?

Winona Ryder nodded and kissed Arthur on the cheek, "Today was fun. I'll go with you to Tampa tomorrow!"

Then, she ran back to her room.

Arthur touched his face. Was his charm this strong now? Wasn't this Johnny Depp's girl?

Shaking his head, Arthur returned to his room to organize the script. American Pie was a future popular comedy film series, a low-budget project with broad appeal.

There should be no shortage of discerning producers or directors.

The next day, a car drove on Route 41 in Tampa, with Winona Ryder happily stretching her hand out the window, feeling the wind.

"Winona, are you happy today?" Arthur stopped the car at the Hillsborough River.

With the sun shining brightly and the sea breeze from Hillsborough Bay blowing, Winona Ryder held Arthur's arm, enjoying the view together.

Standing on a piece of land protruding into the bay, with Old Tampa Bay on the left and Hillsborough Bay on the right, Arthur wrapped his arm around Winona Ryder's shoulder and pointed ahead, "The scenery in Tampa Bay is indeed beautiful."

Winona Ryder, hugging Arthur's waist with a smile on her face under her sunglasses, said, "Next week we have to come back to get the script!"

Arthur nodded. He would first have the typist organize the American Pie script and then print two copies, to be picked up next week.

With no help, he had to find people to do everything. Arthur was worried that Tracy Jacobs might not be diligent; otherwise, he would just hand over the handwritten draft to ITA to handle.

"It's noon now. Are you hungry?" Arthur asked with a smile.

"Yeah, a little," Winona Ryder leaned on Arthur, "Let's find a place to eat slowly!"

Arthur looked around, "Let's go, there's a restaurant over there!"

He then leaned down and kissed Winona Ryder, who responded with a passionate kiss.

After the kiss, they walked towards the restaurant. "After lunch, we can rest at Riverwalk Park and then take a boat tour of the Hillsborough River in the afternoon. How about that?"

Arthur ran his hand through the beauty's hair, "Of course, no problem. We have time!"

*****

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