[Renner’s Mansion, Beverly Hills]
Ian was on his bed, propped down to read the script he had asked for a copy from Mason. The script was written by Keanu Reeves, the same man who was a legend in his previous world—and it couldn’t be more stressed.
He was halfway through the story. It was a crime-thriller story. The movie was plotted and the dialogues and characters were surprisingly interesting.
While reading, Ian had tried his level best not to bias his opinions considering the perspective of him on Keanu. And he succeeded with his intentions when he honestly got absorbed with the story and the movie storyline.
The movie was about a character named Finn who was also a crime police officer getting intact with an unusual murder, he gets help from detective Derren who seemed to have a connection with the murder. In the end, is almost killed by a hammer, but he got out and was able to corner the detective and everyone involved in the murder.
Ian took the notepad and started writing what attracted him the most to what could have been done more to make things better.
He noted how he enjoyed the character absorptions, and the flow while focusing on the continuation of the movie. The mystery and the plot twist were something that took him by surprise, and Ian thought it could have been better if the story hadn’t revolved too much around the same thing, but also focused on the side characters a bit.
‘Maybe I’ll give this a try, or ask Raelynn to-’
His thoughts got distracted by Raelynn coming to mind. With her directing the movie, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Ian got a vision of how good she was at being a director. Which was also why he had asked about it when they met today in her office.
The question took her by surprise, but the answer made Ian praise her more.
[Back in the day, Raelynn and Niko still talking about the movie in the office]
“And then, the theatres around Rodeo Drive are less compared, but I’m pretty sure the majority of the people are coming from that part of Beverly Hills.”
“Yeah, I don’t care about it a lot, and look, you should not either. Have you invited Ian for the premiere or the release?” Niko asked and slapped himself while thinking why he hadn’t asked this question before.
“Yeah, I did. But it was when he was in France, and all Ian said was that he wouldn’t dare to steal the spotlight from me. Like, it’s not right?” Raelynn asked back while putting her head on her hands.
“Well, I know how much it means to you. I’m sure he-”
“May I come in?” Ian’s voice made Niko gasp and Raelynn hold back her shock which she muffled with a silent smile.
“Of course, please!”
Ian walked inside and gave a little pat for Niko in the back.
“How have you both been?” He asked a couple of friends in front of him.
Niko and Raelynn had grown closer, and it was a wonderful bond for even Ian who was practically a third party to the crowd.
“Great!” “Never been better, what about you?”
“I’ve been well. So, Raelynn, how’s the premiere coming along? Have you considered my suggestions for the movie?”
“Yes, I did. And we were able to edit some, but others weren't. We’ll have a screening before the premiere, so you can decide.”
“Raelynn,” Ian said her name and she nodded quickly. The silence passed between them and Niko couldn’t help but think that the tension could easily be cut off by a knife for how thick it is.
After the entire month of just talking through a phone, and looking at her from the screen, the sudden feeling and emotions felt heavy for Ian as soon as he walked inside the office. Looking at her eyes, he remembered why he started thinking about her the way he did.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Have you thought about directing? As a profession… and not just because I asked?” Ian asked genuinely.
“Oh-” She straightened up in her seat and continued. “Yeah, I have. I’ve even been meaning to ask you-”
“You were?” Niko interrupted, for which she just chuckled.
“Yes, I’ve. After Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, it was almost as if all the right reasons to get into directing came to my doorstep. So, yes. I’ll take any chance that you throw.”
“Good. I was thinking since I’ve too many ideas. You can help me with some,” Ian said and she understood what he said.
“I’d love to.”
[End of the little flashback]
Ian had his right hand on his heart while remembering how her dimple popped when she was talking and smiling about what he offered.
‘Fuck the tension!’ he thought to himself and put the script away so that he could get some sleep after the exhausting day he had.
-
[GreyStone Mansion - Beverly Hills]
Beverly Hills was the house of all the celebrities and movie-makers in Hollywood. This was also why the GreyStone Mansion was owned by none other than Jeff Sanson.
The night breeze was heavy, as he was under the covers while reading the interview given by Ian.
“I still can’t believe you’re obsessing over the young man.” his wife said while she got into the bed.
“Are you a witch? How do you even know when the tablet is turned towards me?” Jeff dramatically shuddered, making her laugh.
“I know that look. It has never been there before, but just for Ian.”
Jeff turned the tablet off and switched the lamp off. “Whatever you say. I’m sleepy.”
The dim light on the other end of the bed made him realize she was still awake.
“What do you have to say?” He asked, breaking the undeniable silence that spread in the room.
“I don't know. I just hope you know what you’re doing. And, not to mention, his new book is coming this winter, and I can’t wait!”
Jeff had lots of thoughts about Ian, and his life wasn’t that small to obsess over a rookie director who turned billions of heads in Hollywood and among fans.
‘Now he is back, let’s see what he can do,’ he thought to himself and smiled.
“Yeah, and we had this talk with Mr. Hams today. About his studio…..”
Jeff shifted the conversation as his wife’s focus came back to what he was talking about.
-
The next morning wasn’t as pleasant as Ian had imagined and he woke up with a rather raging body ache and a headache.
He went to the office bearing everything.
“Are you ready, sir? For the movie screening. The next couple of hours are cleared from your schedule as Ms. Raelynn requested your appearance for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” Murphy said as they both got into the elevator.
“Yes, perfect.”
The movie started quickly, and the entire staff including John was invited to watch the movie. The small theatre in the Renner Studio gave enough space for everyone, and they buckled for an exciting journey on Ferris Bueller and his smartness.
/.\
“I know you don't care,” Cameron said on the screen.
“That hurts, Cameron.”
“Jump back, Ferris, Cameron's been a good sport.” Sloane mouthed out.
“Cameron, what'd you see today?”
Cameron looked at him.
You saw four states, a submarine, a giant heart, seventy-five dollars worth of cooked pancreas, two of the most incredible breasts ever to come out of modern plastics, major league baseball, and…” With a quizzical look, “Are you gonna chuck your nachos?”
Cameron's staring past Ferris. He's frozen. Ferris realizes he's looking at something out the window. He turns. He Freezes.
/.\
As the movie was playing in front of Ian, he couldn’t help but think of the original movie. The movie that was in front of him was so different yet similar to it, which made him more excited and charmed about the whole idea and the execution.
Which also reminded him of a lot of things related to the movie. How the idea of a sequel had gone around for years, with Ferris in college, or on the job somewhere, but the idea was dropped. Matthew Broderick felt that the film didn't need a sequel, that this film was about a specific time and place that we'd all like to revisit, and didn't need updating.
‘Maybe I’ll create a sequel’ Ian thought and smiled while continuing to watch the movie.
By the end of the movie, everyone had huge smiles and some had tears in their eyes. The movie-making journey is something that gives more tears than the ending of the movie—which is also a part of the wonderful things that come along with making movies.
A massive round of applause erupted around the theatre, and Ian stood up in honor of everyone who put their effort into making the movie come true.
Looking at Raelynn, Ian saw the tears on her face.
“That was…. Wonderful! With the movie coming to an end” the lights flipped on, and all the eyes were on Ian while everyone else went silent. “I might have a few things to say about the movie….”
Thus, he said all the good things that were in the movie, and all of them celebrated what’s yet to come.