If you look closely, you might recognize him, especially if you spent any time at all in Europe in the mid-nineties, where his face was plastered all over billboards, magazines and television, in advertisements for a famous alcohol company. His good looks and natural charm have allowed him to become handsomely rewarded as someting pretty for well-to-do women's arms and beds, eliminating his need to put in a male model's grueling hours of work. Unfortunately, one can only enjoy being a lapdog for so long, and a man does get to the age where he is in constant danger of being replaced by a younger model. In short, it is a grim time for the gigolo as he attends "the social event of the season", but circumstances may just force him to play a new role: hero.
Who can forget his performance in game six of the finals? The speed, the power, the fierce competitive drive? Even more unforgettable was his personal collapse. America could have forgiven the drug and sex addictions - more importantly, so could the advertisers - But the gambling addiction was one from which he couldn't come back. Betting on his own team got him banned from his profession for life. Now, with his fame and glory fading memories, he finds his gambling debts mounting, and the danger of physical harm from those he owes growing more imminent. In other words, he's the perfect candidate to play the hero in a dangerous situation, because he's got nothing left to lose.
Like any screenwriter in Hollywood, the writer is a prostitute, but he's trying very hard not to be a whore. With only two failed independent films to his credit, and with only uncredited rewrites of brainless big-budget films (the kind often directed by Michael Bay) paying his bills, the writer is at a crossroads. Hungry for artistic recognition and desperate for financial independence, the writer's plan, to hold a Hollywood party hostage and ransom the publishing magnate father of one of the guests, will quench at least one of his thirsts. If he and his associates can pull it off. If anyone is interested in hiring the writer, or looking at any of his spec scripts, feel free to contact his agent, Rialto Halliday Talent.
What writer is complete without a best friend who's a struggling actor? With very litle persuasion, the actor agrees to play an integral role in the writer's scheme. His taste for adventure is simply too strong. Besides, the actor, who is of Asian descent, has grown frustrated and tired of the stereotypical roles offered him. He figures that the publicity generated by their stunt could drastically change the industry's perception of him. After all, in Hollywood, there's no such thing as bad publicity.
An aspiring writer who makes ends meet by working sixteen hours a day as a grip on television and film productions, "the Bruise" is so named because of his bruising, imposing presence. Desperate to get enough money to allow him to concentrate on his writing (a difficult task after a sixteen hour work day), the bruise eagerly agrees to participate in the writer's plan, as the muscle of the operation.
It's not easy being rich. Really. Just ask Carolyn Foster, the only daughter of a powerful publishing magnate. Life can be awfully boring when you don't have to struggle for anything and when you're sheltered from the world's harsher realities. Is she misunderstood? No, she's just as insufferable as everybody says, but she's also beautiful, and a lot more fun-loving than anyone gives her credit for being. In fact, more than anyone else, Carolyn is going to enjoy herself at the party, no matter what happens.
Despite his wealth and status, this publishing magnate is not a happy man. In fact, the entire business and all their assets are in his wife's name, and he's forced to stay in a loveless marriage to maintain his position. Adding to his personal turmoil is the behavior of a daughter whom he can barely stand. If it weren't for the fact that he would have the blood of dozens of innocent party guests on his hands who knows if he would even pay the ransom for his daughter. Pay he must, however, if only to avoid a public relations nightmare.
He's young, he's handsome, he lives in an enormous penthouse suite, and like any good lawyer, he's prepared to profit no matter which way the winds of fortune may blow. When he decides to throw the party, he invites Carolyn Foster, the daughter of one of his wealthiest clients. He's romantically interested in her, but soon other's men's financial interest in Carolyn takes center stage. You can trust that the lawyer will find an angle to play.
What party would be complete without a live band? And the lawyer has retained the services of just about the hottest unsigned band in the country, led by singer-songwriter Sid Hillman. The Sid Hillman quartet tours regularly. For more information about their recordings and performances consult their website: www.theSHQ.com.
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