Ever since Dunn shot *Titanic*, he's been a hot topic in the gossip rags.
At first, it was all self-hype—Dunn just wanted to boost his fame fast. But later? Oh, it was all about those juicy rumors!
Take the latest sizzling gossip, for example: Dunn Walker supposedly invited two up-and-coming starlets, Reese Witherspoon and Elizabeth Hurley, over for a wild threesome. The tabloids went nuts, painting it so vividly you'd think they had photos!
Elizabeth Hurley, being the more reserved Brit, couldn't handle the chatter. She moved out of Dunn's place and, in an interview, laughed it off. "I was just crashing with my good friend Reese for a few days. A threesome? Total nonsense!"
Reese, meanwhile, "accidentally" ran into some reporters and flashed a big smile. "Dunn and I are dating, and Elizabeth's my bestie. She's British and needed a place to stay in the States, so I invited her over. Can the media please stop making stuff up?"
Dunn? He couldn't care less about the rumors. As for Reese claiming they were a couple, he just shrugged it off. They weren't dating, but hey, he'd let her ride his coattails for some buzz. Reese got his fame; he got… well, her company. Fair trade, right?
Back at Dunn Films, he walked in and was pleasantly shocked. The office was sparkling! Fresh flowers sat on the windowsill, the bookshelf and desk were spotless, and the floor? You could eat off it!
Staring at Reese's charming grin, Dunn blinked. "You did all this?"
Reese tossed her hands up playfully, tilting her head. "So, what do you think?"
"Awesome!" Dunn gave her a genuine thumbs-up.
Reese smirked, grabbing a file off the desk. "Those people you wanted? They're all set. The *Star Wars* crew didn't bat an eye, though their power's a bit limited."
Since it's Dunn's movie, he was bringing his usual team along. But that clashed with George Lucas's squad. Dunn got it, though. "No biggie. This time, it's about getting them some experience—letting them learn how a blockbuster gets made."
"Exactly what I was thinking!" Reese handed him the file. "Here's the production department's report for Manola. She greenlit it—says the film's got artistic value, it's cheap, and we should buy it outright."
Dunn skimmed the file, and his jaw nearly dropped!
Reese didn't notice, chattering on. "It's by some young British director, made for just $6,000. I saw the cut—it's solid! Hard to believe it cost so little. Andrew says it's got no market value, though."
Dunn calmed his racing heart. "How'd it even land with us?"
Reese frowned. "Not sure. I'm just helping out temporarily, so I didn't dig too deep. Word is, the director's had a rough go—probably shopped it around to tons of companies with no takers."
Dunn closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and set the file down. "Reese, spread the word: Dunn Films is taking *Following*. And get in touch with that British director—I want to meet him."
Reese's pretty eyes widened. "You… you don't even want to watch it first?"
Dunn flashed a confident grin. "Nope!"
…
When Reese came back to the office, Dunn patted his lap. "Come sit."
Reese blushed, locked the door, and sashayed over, swaying her hips. She plopped onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, her eyes flirty and inviting.
Dunn laughed, half-annoyed, and gave her a playful smack. "You little tease—what are you thinking? This is an office!"
"Oh!" Reese squeaked, embarrassed.
Dunn pulled her closer, softening his tone. "Reese, let's talk about your career plans."
Her mind exploded with joy—she nearly fainted! As one of Hollywood's rare brainy actresses, she knew exactly what he meant. He was paving the way for her future!
"I… I… Dunn… I…" Reese stammered, her face lighting up with excitement.
Dunn patted her waist gently. "Hilda Quincy's a top-notch agent. With her help, carving out a spot in Hollywood shouldn't be too tough."
"Dunn, I trust you more!" Reese wasn't dumb—she knew whose leg was thicker to hug!
Dunn paused, thinking. "Reese, you're too sweet-looking—it limits your roles. You're stuck as the eye-candy in horror flicks, probably been that way for years. And your petite frame? Not quite right for big action movies. As for award-worthy dramas, your acting's not there yet."
Reese's face fell—she didn't expect such a harsh take. "So, I've got no shot at the A-list?"
She'd even ditched school for acting, falling behind on credits and dropping out of Stanford. If her career didn't pan out, it'd all be for nothing!
Dunn shook his head. "Not true—it's just that roles where you can shine are rare. There's always the Julia Roberts route—cute, ditzy comedies—but honestly, that's beneath you."
"Beneath me?" Reese blinked, confused. "What status do I even have?"
Dunn grinned. "You're a Stanford girl—a brainiac! Isn't that something?"
Reese's smile faded. "If I were a real brainiac, I wouldn't have dropped out."
Dunn shook his head firmly. "No, Reese, it's different! That background sets you above every other actress here. Are you okay slumming it with them?"
"Huh?" Reese's brow quirked. "Dunn, I don't get it."
"Those stars might look glamorous, but actors are low on the totem pole. You know what Tom Hanks and Tom Cruise are up to?"
"They're… switching to producing," Reese said slowly, starting to catch on.
Dunn nodded. "Exactly. Even the biggest actors are just pawns—squeezed dry. Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz—they're no exception. You're smart, Reese. Do you want to be some guy's toy?"
Reese smirked, leaning into him. "Aren't I already?"
"Ahem!" Dunn flushed. "That's different—I'm young! Even if we weren't a thing, you'd date some hot guy, right? But those old creeps? That's another story."
Reese dropped the teasing. "Dunn, I get it. But… even Julia Roberts went through that?"
Dunn shook his head. "Not now—she's made it. But on her way up? It's unavoidable."
Reese took a deep breath. "Okay, Dunn, tell me—what should I do?"
"Enter Hollywood from a higher level!"
His words hit her like a lightning bolt.
"Dunn, you'll help me, right?" Reese knew he was her golden ticket.
"It's not instant—it'll take time. You're sharp and capable. For now, be my secretary, help me run things at the company."
"Secretary?" Reese hadn't seen that coming!
Dunn rushed to explain. "Dunn Films is small now, but it'll grow fast—I promise. Work will pile up, I'll need more assistants, and your role will rise with it."
Her eyes sparkled as it clicked. "Then I'd be mid-level—or higher! I'd have connections, access to better roles, join projects with more clout, and get better treatment!"
Dunn hugged her tight, planting a kiss. "See? Stanford smarts—brilliant!"
Reese's cheeks flushed as she glanced at the door, her voice low and sultry. "Dunn, ever thought about… in the office?"
"You little minx!"
"Wait, you're actually going for it?!"
…
The next morning, the director and producers of *Following* showed up at Dunn Films. They signed the deal—Dunn Films snagged all rights for $50,000.
Then Dunn invited the director into his office. Looking at the young, handsome Brit, Dunn couldn't hide his admiration. "Can I call you Chris?"
"Of course!"
"Chris, *Following* is solid work, but… you know there's room to grow. Here's an opportunity: I'd like you to join the *Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace* crew as assistant director. You'd help shoot and produce. What do you say?"
"S-Star Wars?!" Christopher Nolan's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Yup! I'm asking with 100% sincerity. I hope you'll take the gig," Dunn said with a warm smile.
"Yes!" Chris didn't hesitate. The thrill drowned out two years of struggling to sell *Following*. Lady Luck had struck out of nowhere!
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