Just another Hollywood Story.

Chapter 13

New chapter. There's not much to discuss here, as no questions were asked. So, I will move things along by saying thank you for reading my story so far. There is a little information down at the bottom of the chapter. I want to let you all know what I was thinking when I wrote this chapter.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Thank you for being here today, Mr. Jobs."

"Please call me Steve." Steve Jobs says to the unassuming interviewer.

"Very well, Steve. I guess you already know why you are here today and what it is I am going to ask you, " The interviewer says.

"Of course, though, to be fair, I think it's a bit early to be doing a documentary on him. He isn't even 40 yet." Steve says in good cheer.

"True, but it can't be denied he has lived one hell of a life so far." The interviewer says.

Nodding his head, Steve says, "That is true."

"Can you tell us how you first met and this strange friendship that developed from it?" The interviewer asks.

"Well, I won't call it a friendship…" Steve says and shakes his head, "Maybe it is, but to understand how whatever it is we are came to be, you first have to understand the time. It was the beginning of 1997, and Apple stock had plummeted to an all-time low. It was inches away from bankruptcy when one young man and a group of his Hollywood friends got together and bought into this failing company."

"Gutsy," the interviewer says.

"Incredibly gutsy. When everyone in their right mind was jumping ship, they bought in. That is where I come in. About a month after I became Apple's CEO again, I looked at a file containing information on those who owned at least 1 million shares in the company, and there he was. Ceaser Espinar, a young up-and-comer in Hollywood whose name I just barely knew due to having watched the 1996 Academy Awards." Steve says.

"What did you think when you first saw his name?"

"Well, honestly, my first thought was, how can I use this information to benefit Apple? A guy like that would surely have friends in Hollywood who Apple Inc. could use as spokespeople. So I went to meet him, and we talked." Steve answers.

"What did you talk about?"

"Just this and that. He admitted to me that no one believed that what he was doing was a good idea. That the stocks would be worthless by the end of the year. When I heard him say this, I asked him why he had invested so much if that was the case. His answer was simple. He had faith that in me." Steve says, remembering that day clearly.

"But he bought those stocks before you had returned to Apple, right?"

"You know, I said the exact same thing to him, and again, he just answered that he had faith I would return. And when I did, I would take Apple to heights never seen before." Steve says.

"And you did." The interviewer says.

"That I did, and we have, I guess you can say, been friends ever since," Steve says with a small smile.

"Would you call him a financial genius like some people have claimed?" The interviewer asks.

Steve laughs and answers, "Oh god, I love it when I hear people call Ceaser that. Don't get me wrong, Ceaser is, without a doubt, a genius who will go down in history on the level of William Shakespeare with his screenplays. I have little doubt about that. What he has done so far in his life. Coming from nothing to where he is today. I don't think there is a story that matches it, but financial genius hardly. This is the same guy who invested in Pets.com, Blackberry, and Zune."

"So, how do you explain his success then?"

Taking a moment to think about how to answer, Steve says, "Luck, blind instinct, a relentless drive to succeed. There are not that many people, even highly successful people, who will continue to take a chance. To go off the deep end when everyone else says no. He is one of those who, no matter what will never walk the safe path if he believes the hard one is the right choice."

-1997-

There are some calls you get from time to time that you can't ignore, no matter what. They are just that important to either your career, life, or your people's culture. What I mean is that you can't ignore some things because they are beyond your petty little life. On March 21, 1997, the biopic Selena was supposed to come out starring the then largely unknown actress Jennifer Lopez. And I choose to ignore it. Like many Mexican Americans, I was a fan of Selena. I even caught one of her shows before she died in the late 80s by sneaking into the show.

Fan or not, however, I wasn't exactly in a position to be taking advantage of her death to push my own name forward, nor did I wish to at the time. It was to me a disrespectful thing to do to a woman who died no more than 2 years ago. So, pushing that movie to the back of my mind, I ignored it, thinking it would come out anyway. I was wrong.

The movie never came out, and the reason why was simple. In 1995, a film called Se7en, written by a young Mexican-American boy for the streets, that would be me, came out, catapulting me to fame. Then, in 96, I followed that up with Scream. Another considerable success that pushed that fame to even higher heights. I had no idea that these two movies and my fame would change the course of Hollywood history so much.

That was why I was here, sitting across from Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr, his son A.B. Quintanilla III, and small-time director Gregory James Nava. Talking about a biographical picture of Selena's life. It went without saying that outside of Salma and Antonio Banderas, I was the most famous Mexican in Hollywood. Both do to my writing talents and my personal life. This was the reason why Abraham wanted me to write the script for Selena's movie. Being an equal parts businessman and grieving father, he wanted the absolute best for his daughter's movie. And don't get it mixed up; he was indeed grieving hard.

I could see it in his eyes. He was a man who was barely holding on but doing so because he was a man, and that is what he was supposed to do. To deal with his pain, he was working. I could respect that. Only God knows how I would take the death of a child if I ever had one.

Smoking on a cigarette, I say nothing after they pitch the idea of the movie to me. When I take it from my mouth, I say, "Mr. Quintanilla, with all due respect, I was a fan of your daughter. I listened to her music while I was serving time in Juvie. So I would be honored to write this script for you."

"But?" Abraham says, knowing a but was coming.

"But I am not a dramatic writer. If you had seen my two movies, you would know that, and I can tell you do know that. So let's cut the bull shit, and you tell me why you really came to me." I tell him.

Abraham looks me straight in the eyes. Unafraid, unlike his son or Gregory where of me. He came from the streets. He knew my types, so he spoke plainly. "You're right. I know your body of work, Caesar, and I will admit I haven't seen either of your movies. What I do know is you are the most famous Mexican-American in the whole world right now. Nearly winning an Academy Award on your very first movie. Then, going on to write another hit movie that broke records; that is what I want from you."

I nod my head as I see A.B. and Gregory look uncomfortable at Abraham, admitting he wanted to use my fame more than my writing skill. However, I already knew that and took no offense at it. Instead, I say, " I see, and this isn't just from a business perspective, is it."

"No….." I see the man before me get a bit shaken before he shallows whatever it was he was feeling and pushes it down. "I….. I don't want my daughter to be forgotten, Caesar. What she met to me, my family, and her fans. I don't want that. Do you understand me?"

I sit back again and look at him. Smoking on my cigarette while weighing the pros and cons of doing this. I had initially planned to use Shakespeare in Love to show my writing talent went beyond what people had seen so far. However, Steven informed me that he was still unwilling to comment fully. Leaving me with two options before me. Write the script and take the credit for a movie that, while not a box office hit, was eventually entered into the United States National Film Registry. Or to take a moral high ground and pass it up. It was not an easy decision to make. I may not be a good man, but I was not a creep.

However, he was right about one thing: my name would get people's attraction. In my head, I knew the movie didn't do well at the box office. Only earning its money back, and that was it. It did earn an up-and-coming star name, Jennifer Lopez, a nomination for a Golden Globe, but that was it. Would it do better with my name behind it? Did I care? The answer was no; I didn't care if the movie did well at the box office. The important thing was to get as many people as possible to watch the film.

Looking up at the roof for a moment, I say, "Alright, Mr. Quintanilla. I will do it, and I will make sure it's tasteful and respectful to your daughter."

"I appreciate that." He says to me, but I wave him off.

"There is no need. Like I said, her music got me through some hard times in the past. So, I guess you can say I own her, but I want to make something clear. I will write the movie and even work on set for you, but I want to be in charge of casting. Those are my terms. Take them or leave them." I tell him, showing my business side.

This earns me respect from Abraham, who nods his head and says, "It's a deal, Ceaser."

"Good, I will have my lawyer contact you," I say to him.

"So, who are you thinking about playing, my sister? You think you can get Salma Hayek." A.B. asks me.

Of course, they wanted Salma, I thought to myself. She is the hottest Latina actress in Hollywood right now, having started in Scream, From Dusk Till Dawn, and now her upcoming movie Anaconda. A movie that was supposed to go to currently unknown Jennifer Lopez, Salma's fame would bring a lot of credibility to the film. However, I knew Salma, and while she could do the role, she most likely wouldn't.

"I will give her a call, but don't count on her. Besides, I have a different idea." I tell him.

A week later, after I had hashed out the details with Abraham, I spoke with Salma, who was less than thrilled about what I was telling her.

"I don't know Ceaser. Don't you think it is too soon to be making a movie about Selena's life? It feels too soon." She says to me.

"I know Salma, but I am not the one who came up with the idea. Selena's father came to me himself, and I already talked to her husband. He has approved it as well." I tell her.

I hear a sigh from the other end of the phone, and she says, "That may be Caesar, but it still doesn't feel right. I think you should go with whoever your 2nd choice was. Whoever it is, I am sure you'll write a great script."

"Thanks..." I say and wait a moment before asking, "So, are you ready for Scream 2 yet?"

"I am; New Line just sent me the script the other day." She says.

"Good. Did they give you a good deal?" I ask her.

"They did. They offered me 1.5 million, and I took the offer." She says, sounding happy. Not so much for the money but because she was now the highest-paid Latina actress in history. It was a significant milestone for her and our people.

"That is wonderful, Salma. You deserve it." I say to her.

Salma can hear how much Caesar means what he is saying and smiles. She has no regrets about breaking things off with him for now, especially since he didn't take the breakup personally. He just accepted it and kept talking to her anyway. No hurt feelings or wounded ego. If anything, she was the one whose ego took a hit with how easily he could dismiss their breakup and move on. But after thinking about it for a bit, it wasn't a surprise that he could. Caesar didn't love her. He liked her, yes, but there was no love there.

"Thank you, Caesar. So, how are you and Tiffani doing?" Salma asks in a calm tone. Perhaps far more calm than she actually felt. Yes, Caesar and her were over, but that didn't mean she was happy that he was dating the teen idol.

I didn't answer her immediately, not knowing if speaking about Tiffani was a good idea or not. After all the papers and news were saying, I left Salma for Tiffani. While everyone was hyping me, they were asking what she did wrong—not so bluntly, of course, but the accusations were there. No one thought it was her who had left me.

"We are doing alright, I guess," I say to her.

"You guess Caesar?" Salma asks.

"Ya, you know how it is. She wants more, and I don't know if I can give her that. I like her, but you know…..

"You don't love her." Salma finishes for me.

"What is love? I wouldn't have asked you to help me write Shakespeare in Love if I knew." I say to her.

"Have you told her?" Salma asks.

"We talked," I answer her.

"How did she take it?"

"She understands and doesn't care. Says she will stick it out to see if she can change my mind." I say in an amused voice.

"You sound like you like that Caesar," Salma says.

"What can I say? I like passionate women. You should know that after all the nights and days together." I say in a teasing voice.

Which makes her blush on the other end of the phone and say, "Really, Caesar, sex talk with your ex while you're dating another woman."

"Who says she would mind? You never know she could be like you when I was talking on the phone with other people." I say to her.

"Caesar, Tiffani better not be sucking your cock while you are talking with me." She says in anger.

I laugh lightly and say, "No, don't worry, Salma. Tiffani isn't as bold as you yet regarding that."

"Oh fuck you, Caesar," Salam says with a huff.

I laugh some more at that, and after a while, I hear her say, "Caesar, all joking aside, be careful. Not all women in Hollywood are as understanding as I am. While Tiffani may be understanding right now, who knows if things will stay that way if or when you two break up."

"I know; I am watching her closely. Right now, she doesn't seem the type to try any of that bullshit with me, but like you said, you never know." I say to her.

"Good, and just remember, if she does try anything, call me. I will go on the networks and defend you." Salam says.

"Thanks, Salam. I owe you and will give you a call if another role I am working on sounds up your alley. Talk later." I say to her.

"Talk later, Caesar." She says before hanging up.

Sitting in a hallway with a host of other women, Jennifer Lynn Lopez felt incredibly nervous as she waited for her turn at the audition she was at. And for good reason. After she had co-starred in the movie Jack with Robin Williams, she thought she had finally done it. She had finally gotten her foot in the door of Hollywood, only for her to see that same door she thought had opened shut in her face. It shouldn't have been a surprise after she had thought about it. Robin was well, Robin, and his star power was so strong that while she got a good amount of screen time in Jack, her performance had been completely overshadowed by the honestly sweet and caring man.

However, she had thought she would at least get a few calls after the movie came out, only for nothing to happen. Just the same old offers to be in this music video or that one and a role in the box office bomb Blood and Wine, which did nothing to help her career. She had thought she had nailed the starring role in Anaconda but had lost out to Hollywood's latest star, Salma Hayek, which went on to be another success for the older but still beautiful actress. It was heartbreaking, to say the least.

Now, here she was again at another audition, back where she started as just another pretty face in a sea of pretty faces. All of them were competing for the same role, but not just any role, Jennifer thought to herself, but the role of a lifetime. The role of Selena, the Queen of Tejano Music and perhaps the most important woman in the history of her culture. While they all did an excellent job of hiding it, Jennifer could tell she wasn't the only one who was practically shaking with nervousness. All of them who made it past the first round of auditions understood all too well that this wasn't just a role. This wasn't just some make-believe character they were being asked to play. This was the icon of their people. They all wanted the role, but they all understood the pressure that would come with getting it. If they fucked it up, they would be dragged under the hot coals by their people for the rest of their lives. It was a truly make-or-break chance.

Moreover, the script was written by young up-and-comer Ceaser Espinar, whose first two files have been major hits. One ever earning him an Academy Award nomination. This made him the youngest writer in history to be nominated, and after the loss of Selena, the Hispanic community as a whole embraced him as their new hero. Something they desperately needed at this point. It was a role both Salma and Ceaser quickly filed with their quick success. While not major stars in America yet, if you went to any Hispanic community, you would see the effect these two had on their people. Girls were now dressing to match Salma's look and style while the boys acted and dressed like Ceaser.

Something that was an improvement if you asked Jennifer. Instead of bagging pants, flannel shirts, and bandanas. Ceaser wore suits and ties with fedoras or homburg along with sunglass. Somehow, looking both formidable and respectable. It was hot, Jennifer thought to herself. Especially coming from a guy who was not all that good-looking. Oh sure, she had seen the GQ cover Ceaser was on along with Mel Gibson, Schwarzenegger, and the rest. So, he definitely didn't lose out when it came to how his body looked. It was just his face. It was so plain. It's not ugly but average.

Average or not, however, there was nothing average about Ceaser himself—two back-to-back major hits. Se7en has grossed over 400 million, making it the number-one thriller of all time, and Scream ended up in the number 3 spot for highest-grossing horror of all time with 350 million worldwide. They were numbers no one saw coming, and while most would credit the director and actors over the writer. The fact was that Ceaser's name was on both of them, and he played a massive part in the casting of the actors in both movies. Actors like Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Spacey, and Salma Hayek had even gone on record to say he was the one who either suggested them for their parts or fought to get them their roles. All while he was still a no-one who had no power in Hollywood.

Now, here he was, casting for the roles in the movie she was trying out for. Jennifer was both excited and scared that she wouldn't be picked by the young man who clearly had an eye for talent.

"Miss Lopez, you up." An average woman with a clipboard says.

Standing up and taking several deep breaths, Jennifer tells herself in her head. "This is my time. My moment. Now go and own it."

Once she enters the room, her eyes immediately land on Caesar's. Who doesn't smile, doesn't check her out in a lustful way like everyone else she had ever met. He just looks at her, judging her momentarily before leaning over to whisper in one man's ear. Who nods at whatever it is Caesar is saying.

"Well, Miss Lopez, I think we found what we are looking for," Caesar says bluntly.

"Huh?"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Okay, to be honest, I completely forgot about the movie Selena starring Jennifer Lopez and seeing as the MC is Mexican American I thought I make him the writer. For three reasons, first, I thought it would be good for him to show his support for culture at this point in time, and I wanted to hook him up with Jlo at some point anyway. The 3rd reason is that I thought this would be the perfect time to show that history is changing because of his actions. What should have happened doesn't happen for one reason or another. While it really only affects Hollywood, it still changes things to the point that he won't be sure how much he can trust his information later on down the road as more things change. That is it I hope I made that clear.