Alex was depressed both personally and professionally. Alex was now the most reliable star in the industry. He delivered six films and all are blockbusters and his least grossing film is 'Lucas' which grossed $150 million worldwide, which would have made other studios giddy with happiness. Alex personally wrote all the scripts which makes him a successful screenwriter too.
But Alex was not satisfied with it. He need a challenge right now. Though critics were saying his performance in "Empire of the Sun" was so great that it deserved an Oscar nomination but Alex knew that role was not that difficult for him. Except 'Lucas' which gave him some problem he thought that all the roles he played until now are quite easy.
Maybe it was because his soul was that of an adult that he can catch the essence of that role. Alex has a need for competition in him. He want to break his limits and want to play a wide range of roles.
But the problem was his age. Most of the times it was a blessing as it gives him privilige and protection by the child actor's bill of California but it also limits his ability to try new roles.
And his personal life was in deep shit as Kim started dating an executive producer named 'Bob' or 'Rob' that Alex doesn't care. Alex know that Kim hadn't gone on a date in five years since they started living together. All her energy was invested in Alex and movies. Two weeks ago Kim's co-star in the film Tootsie set her on a date with this Bob or Rob.
Alex couldn't demand Kim that she stop dating and he also couldn't tell her that she wait for him to grow up. The bright side of this situation was that she had gone on three dates and she never stayed late. So, we can assume that nothing happened between then. But how long it will remain like that. Today she had again gone on a date and Alex to keep himself from moping came to a restaurant with Alfred, his bodyguard.
Alex once again cursed his age as he couldn't get a proper drink to drown his sorrows. It's not a problem to get a drink if he really wanted to but he had his own rules. Law said that 21 is the legal age to get alcohol but it's okay to vote at 18. Alex thinks that if a man had the right to decide the leader of a country then he had enough qualifications to get a drink at 18. He abhor drugs and doesn't have that much interest in smoking cigarettes.
So now Alex was sitting in a restaurant drinking orange juice and eating a fucking pizza. He thought to himself 'God, I'm pitiful'.
"Alex, it's a surprise to see you here ?" someone greeted Alex from his back.
Alex turned to see a friend of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas and also one of the greatest directors, Francis Ford Coppola, the director of "The Godfather" series.
"Hi, Francis, nice to meet you too. What are you doing here ?" Alex pulled himself out of his misery and greeted him.
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Francis noticed Alex's condition and asked "Is it a wrong time Alex? I can come some other time."
Alex shook his head and said "No, sit down. God knows I need some company."
Francis looked at Alex and thought it's quite funny that seeing Alex talking like a middle-aged man. Not because it was not natural but because how natural it felt. Alex had more common with Francis' generation than with his own. Alex with his two lifes combined lived less than 35 years but his life experience accelerated his growth.
Alex then noticed that there were two young men behind him. Noticing Alex's look Francis introduced them.
"Alex, meet my nephew Nicolas Kim Coppola" referring to a tall and thin boy " and his name is Thomas Cruise he played a role in my upcoming film "The Outsiders"." introducing a handsome man.
Alex knew both of them not by beforehand association but because of the stars they will become one day. Nicolas Kim Coppola aka. Nicolas Cage and Thomas Cruise aka 'Tom Cruise'.
Alex scrutinized Tom Cruise as he compared the present Tom to the future one. Maybe it's the confidence brought by the success. Though most people criticised that he was cocky and arrogant and mocked his religious beliefs Alex doesn't have bad opinion of him. A man in Tom Cruise position had the right to be arrogant and Tom never made excessive demands. If it were not because he followed Scientology he still would have been the darling of the media.
Tom felt somewhat uncomfortable by the scrutiny of Alex but also hopeful that Alex saw something in him that can be helpful to his career. Tom know that Alex was an Oscar winning youngest actor and screenwriter and a successful producer, which was quite amazing considering his age. Most of the people will sell their souls to be in the same position as Alex.
"Yes I've seen Mr. Cruise in 'Taps' and I think I've seen Nicolas in 'Fast Times in Ridgemont High'" Alex said casually. "Taps should have released in 1982 December but because of a 'butterfly' it released ahead of time in August.
Both Tom and Nicolas were flattered that he remember from those films. Fact is even if Alex didn't know their future selves he would have remembered them as he had photographic memory and had seen those movies.
"What are you actually doing here ?" Alex asked again.
"I came here as a favour to Tom" Francis explained further "Tom's agent arranged a meeting with the writer and producer of the film that is going to be
co-produced by Geffen Film Company and Warner Bros. and I came to convice them that Tom is perfect the role."
"What's the film's name ?" asked Alex although he guessed it.
" 'White boys off the lake' though its just a working title." Tom replied as Francis don't know the name.
Alex nodded thinking whether it's coincidence or fate as he know the the title of the film will be changed as 'Risky Business' the vehicle that put Tom Cruise on the map of Hollywood.
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Tom Cruise in 1983 Nicolas Cage in 1983