“Sacred Mountain, Ryan. That’s your next big hit.”
“I’m not interested in sci-fi right now, David. I told you that I want to pursue The Isletin Solution. You and Aaron are supposed to be working on
that.”David’s lips pursed. “I don’t know why you have that script stuck in your head. People are not going to line up at the theaters to see Ryan
Christensen playing some med student from the 1940’s who does medical trials on dogs.”
“It was the 1920’s – 1921 to be exact,” I interjected.
David shot me a dirty look. “What did you say?” he asked, annoyed by my interruption.
“It happened in 1921. You said the 1940s,” my subconscious big mouth replied.
“Whatever. It doesn’t matter,” he said tersely, quickly turning his attention back to Ryan. “You’ll be better off doing Sacred Mountain. You need
another project lined up, and this one is a big budget – big action with a big studio to back it – not to mention a big paycheck for you!”
Ryan looked over at me, trying to gauge my opinion before he gave his response. I scratched my chin repeatedly.
“A sci-fi film, David? Really?” Ryan’s nose wrinkled.
“Yes, Ryan. Really! You need to line up a project after the third Seaside and this one is it. I’m telling you - this one is all yours! Aaron and I
already spoke to Stevens at Universal. All you have to do is say yes and we can seal this deal. But the time is now, Ryan. He wants you to lock in,
so let’s lock it in!” David’s enthusiasm was apparent.
“I don’t know. I’ve read the script and the story is weak. I’d rather do films that are more meaningful and memorable – character driven. Are
people going to run to the theaters to see me frolic around with little gray aliens? I don’t think so. I’ll quit acting before I do shitty films. Besides,
Taryn read Isletin and she feels it would be a better role for me.”
I gasped from the surprise. Why did Ryan have to mention my name? He said it so nonchalantly and then simply returned to being distracted
with his phone. David instantly glared at me and I could feel his disdain. I wanted to defend myself but I kept my mouth shut instead this time. This
was between Ryan and his manager.
“Isletin is a sleeper,” David groaned. “It’s career suicide.” He made sure to look directly at me when he said that. “You need big action now. You
have to keep this energy rolling!”
“I’m already signed on for three films next year. Besides, I want to try and have a life somehow in between it all.” Ryan picked up my hand and
wove our fingers together. David’s disapproving eyes stealthily followed Ryan’s gesture.
“Ryan, let me give you some advice. You haven’t been in the business long enough to pass up opportunities like this. And forget about slowing
down. You slow down now and your career is over in this town. Sacred Mountain is a money project and the producer is even willing to wait until
you’re done shooting the third Seaside. You need to jump on this project and forget about the script that has no backing.”
Ryan took a deep breath; his indecision was starting to show. I squeezed his hand in mine to get his attention. When he glanced over at me I
rubbed my forehead and then scratched my chin. He would not make his mark as a serious dramatic actor with a storyline like Sacred Mountain. It
was beyond cheesy.
“Let me think about it,” Ryan replied. “I want to talk it over with Taryn.”
Marla, his Publicist, was already at the studio waiting when we arrived. Ryan was scheduled to give a brief interview after the photo shoot; Marla
was there to mind his tongue and make sure his image was captured correctly.
I was under the impression that this shoot was just a magazine spread and an interview of Ryan, however that assumption was quickly bashed
when I saw Suzanne in the makeup chair. For the next seven hours I watched Ryan and Suzanne make numerous wardrobe changes as they posed
together over and over again.
Suzanne, of course, played up her most fortunate position. She was relishing in the fact that it was she in these photos with Ryan and not me. In
between shots, a team of makeup artists tended to her and made her smoky eyes even more alluring.
I was able to take a few relaxing breaths when Ryan posed alone. He looked uncomfortable from time to time, cracking jokes and occasionally
making funny faces to help pass the time.
I remembered the last time I had my picture taken professionally; it was when I graduated from Brown. It was one of my memories that I tried to
suppress in the darkest corners of my brain.
I winced, recalling that fateful day when I was waiting for my mother to come home from grocery shopping so we could go pick up my photos
from the photographer. That was the day she died. If only I had gone shopping with her instead of giving her a hard time, I could have prevented it.
“Are you okay?” Ryan asked during a break.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Just deep in thought.”
“David wants an answer.” He looked unsure.
“What are you going to tell him?”
“What should I tell him?” he countered.
“It’s your decision, Honey. I’ll support any choice you make.”
He gave me a disgusted look. “I want your opinion!”
I took a deep breath. “Ryan, all of your idols have done a wide variety of films. Some were memorable, some were a paycheck, and some were
a disaster. But you said it yourself… it’s those decisions that could make or break a career.
“You have three projects coming up, all films destined to be box office hits, but they could be your stepping stones to even greater things. You
know as well as I do that you are in a unique position to really direct your career. But you choose! Don’t let them choose it for you.
“You’re signed on for Thousand Miles with Slipknot scheduled right after that. Then you have the press tour, junkets, and premiers for
Reparation in the beginning of April and Seaside Two in July. Rehearsals for the third Seaside start in September. You have nothing on the docket
after that, and if Universal is willing to wait…”
Ryan nodded.
“But Honey, it’s not a matter of schedule and whether you’re available or not. Is Sacred Mountain the type of film you want to be associated to?
My opinion is that it’s not a story line that will make you shine and stand out as a powerful leading man. I mean, would Leonardo DeCaprio do it?”
Ryan shook his head quickly. “I don’t think so.”
“Well then? You and UFOs will make money. You and UFOs will not garner awards or make you a well-respected, well-rounded actor. Dreams
only come true if you point yourself in their direction.”
I watched his expression change when he comprehended.
I was surprised that his manager and his agent were pushing the sci-fi movie on him. Ryan had never taken a role like that before, and although I
could see the importance of showing his acting range by portraying different characters, the lead in Sacred Mountain seemed to be a huge
deviation from what he had been doing.
While we dressed in our evening wear for the wrap party, I couldn’t help but bring the subject up again. Ryan was very open to discussing the
pros and cons of the role. I wanted to make sure that the decision he made was well thought out and that my influence didn’t hinder him from
accepting a worthwhile role.
“Wait to be escorted,” Marla informed Ryan when we pulled up to the grand hotel where the Seaside wrap party would be taking place. Her
authoritative tone snapped me out of my private thoughts.
“I know,” Ryan mumbled, clearly knowing what was expected of him.
Marla edged her body closer to Ryan so she would be able to exit the car right behind him. Ryan’s door opened and several formidable security
men surrounded him immediately. Four men quickly escorted him across the street where the paparazzi and hundreds of fans were waiting.