Chapter 99: An Unexpected Encounter in the Restroom

[Chapter 99: An Unexpected Encounter in the Restroom]

After having a few drinks, Link decided to head to the restroom. Upon exiting, he unexpectedly encountered Nicole Kidman, who looked stunning in a dark red slip dress that accentuated her radiant skin.

He greeted Nicole with a friendly nod.

Nicole beamed back at him, praising the thrilling experience of watching Paranormal Activity, noting how she had screamed in fright, and mentioned the possibility of working together someday.

As they chatted, Nicole stumbled slightly as if she might fall, and Link instinctively reached out to steady her by the waist.

"Thank you!"

Nicole leaned against his shoulder, a fragrant mix of perfume and the scent of alcohol wafting from her.

"Nicole, what are you doing here?"

Suddenly, Tom Cruise strode over.

"I almost fell; Link caught me. He's such a charming gentleman," Nicole smiled and nonchalantly took a step away.

"Mr. Cruise, Mrs. Cruise, there's some water on the floor; be careful as you pass by," Link said politely.

"Oh!"

Tom Cruise approached Nicole with an expressionless face. His right arm wrapped securely around her waist, fingers almost sinking into her soft skin.

Nicole frowned slightly, exuding an air of vulnerability.

"Director Link, thanks for catching Nicole."

"Not a problem, it was nothing," Link raised his hand casually and turned to leave, overhearing a hushed argument between Tom and Nicole behind him.

What an interesting couple they were.

...

Returning to his seat, Link was joined by two newcomers.

Tim Robbins and his live-in girlfriend, Susan Sarandon, both well-known actors in their forties graced the Hollywood scene.

Tim had starred in a few lesser-known films such as Jacob's Ladder, Bull Durham, and The Player; his breakout role would be in The Shawshank Redemption.

In contrast, Susan was much more famous with works including Thelma & Louise, Lorenzo's Oil, and Bull Durham under her belt, along with two Oscar nominations for Best Actress.

Link felt fairly familiar with Tim.

Sam Haskel had previously brought Tim to Guess Pictures for a visit.

Susan Sarandon, on the other hand, radiated a cheerful, straightforward energy and had the authoritative flair of an older sister, plus a lively spirit about her.

"Link, a lot of people say your directing skills are quite poor,"

Pfft!!

Before Susan could finish, Tim sprayed beer all over the floor.

"Cough! Cough! Susan, why bring that up? Those are just jealous people talking nonsense; there's no need to mention it here," Tim said, wiping his mouth while subtly tugging on Susan's jeans pocket behind her.

"Don't touch my ass. I wasn't finished with my question. How do you know it's inappropriate?" Susan retorted, swatting away Tim's hand as she turned back to Link.

"Link, a lot of people claim your filmmaking skills fall short, and that your two movies are average, relying solely on hype to pull in ticket sales. What do you think about that?"

Tim covered his forehead, feeling awkward.

Link smiled nonchalantly, "I accept criticism, but I don't agree with their claims. During the shoot of my first film, Buried, the budget was tight, the camera and equipment were all rented, and the film we produced was raw and unrefined.

As for Paranormal Activity, it was a pseudo-documentary. To achieve a sense of realism and thrills, I sacrificed the polish of filmmaking; my standards for camera work, dialogue, acting, and scene setup weren't strict.

Artistically, it does lack finesse, but in terms of the viewing experience, Paranormal Activity can stand shoulder to shoulder with any other thriller."

"Really? You think it measures up to movies like The Shining, Alien, Blade Runner, or Cape Fear?"

Susan crossed her legs, holding a cigarette in one hand and curiosity on her face.

Tim tugged at her clothes, signaling her to drop the line of questioning, worried that Link might feel uncomfortable. He himself was nearing the brink of embarrassment.

"Yes, it absolutely does. The Shining is essentially a family drama, Alien and Blade Runner are sci-fi, and Cape Fear is a character-driven narrative; none are purely thrillers. Paranormal Activity, however, is entirely dedicated to being a horror film.

In it, we pushed the horror theme to its limits, crafting plots and scenes that serve the theme of horror. That's why Paranormal Activity comes across as particularly frightening," Link explained.

Applause erupted.

"Link, that was beautifully said."

Tim jumped in, "Every director can craft one solid premise; their films won't be bad. Yet, some directors chase artistry by intertwining action scenes in dramas or injecting risque content into action films, which makes everything feel disjointed. I completely agree with your point."

Susan shot Tim a look, "I never said I disagreed. I was talking to Link to understand what kind of person he is. He doesn't appear anywhere near as arrogant as the media makes him out to be. Instead, he's humble, confident, and mature. Tim, you could learn a thing or two from how Link carries himself as an adult."

"No need! I think part of why you love me is because I'm not mature enough," Tim joked, pulling Susan playfully.

"Yes, you're like my son."

"Mom!"

Tim exclaimed without hesitation.

Link and Jennifer Connelly exchanged surprised laughs.

They had been living together for over five years without tying the knot, seemingly enjoying the unconventional dynamic of calling each other son and mom in jest.

It was both harmonious and oddly amusing.

...

"Hey, Link, Tim, Susan, what are you all doing here, drinking together?"

Bruce Willis, bald and accompanied by his wife, Demi Moore, strolled over to greet them.

"I'm late to mature, but Link is ahead of the curve. We get along well," Tim quipped.

With the arrival of Bruce and Demi, the atmosphere at the booth became even more lively, ten or so people bantering back and forth, often turning heads in the vicinity.

...

"I've seen many filmmakers openly criticize Link in the news lately. I assumed he was the most hated in Hollywood, but it looks like it's not the case."

Nearby, supermodel Cindy Crawford, sporting a beauty mark, rested her chin on her hand and glanced back at Link's direction.

"Tim Robbins and Link are both clients of WMA, so they probably knew each other from before," her husband, Richard Gere, noted with a grin.

"Indeed, Bruce knows Quentin Tarantino but might not be familiar with Link," Tom Cruise interjected from across the table.

"Link and Quentin are part of a new generation of directors with immense potential; knowing them comes with advantages," Nicole Kidman remarked as she looked over her shoulder.

"Compared to Quentin and Steven Soderbergh, Link and Robert are far behind. They just aren't on the same level."

Tom said matter-of-factly.

"That's true. Quentin's Reservoir Dogs and Soderbergh's Sex, Lies, and Videotape indeed exhibit a higher artistic caliber," Richard agreed.

Nicole seemed to want to say more, but Tom discreetly squeezed her hand under the table, signaling her to hold her tongue.

*****

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