A modern man in 1930’s Americas

Hollywood Endeavors

Charlie Lee had no idea that Aimo was negotiating with Lightning Entertainment to sign Catherine Hepburn, a rising starlet with immense potential. Nor did he know that Catherine had been on the verge of joining Lightning when, at the last moment, she made a surprising decision to join DreamWorks instead.

Even if Charlie had known, it wouldn't have concerned him much. Such is the nature of a capitalist society. Deals fall through, competitors swoop in, and even signed contracts aren't enough to prevent job-hopping or talent poaching. These events happen daily in Hollywood.

Catherine's decision to choose DreamWorks over one of the industry's giants like Lightning Entertainment was, in fact, a point of pride for Charlie. It proved that DreamWorks had carved a niche for itself in Hollywood. For someone to willingly give up the prestige of joining an established powerhouse and instead align with his company was a testament to DreamWorks' growing influence.

Her ambition was a rare treasure—something Charlie admired deeply. Only individuals with ambition, drive, and a vision to succeed could soar higher and farther.

In this era, no woman who managed to survive in the harsh world of entertainment could be naïve. Those without cunning or perseverance had long been cast aside by the industry's ruthless laws of survival. Only the clever, the ambitious, and the unrelenting could climb to the top, stepping over countless competitors in the process.

Women like Greta Garbo, Hollywood's reigning superstar, were the exceptions—one in a hundred thousand. Without Charlie's intervention, Garbo's career trajectory might have followed the established paths of her time: she would either succumb to Hollywood's cutthroat rules, become the mistress of a powerful figure, or leave the entertainment industry entirely.

Now, thanks to Charlie's influence, she was thriving under his mentorship and protection. In a sense, Garbo's continued success reflected his ability to navigate Hollywood's volatile landscape.

"What's DreamWorks' plan for your development?" Charlie asked Catherine during a meeting. Her bold, confident demeanor caught his attention. Despite her inexperience in the industry, she radiated a determination that was both impressive and contagious.

Catherine explained enthusiastically, "First, I'll attend the opening ceremony for Subway to attract attention by leveraging Garbo's popularity. After that, Miss Aimo will announce my first movie project."

Garbo, known for her reclusive nature, wasn't one to enjoy public appearances, but she had agreed to accompany Catherine for the event. Once Garbo had her fill of the spotlight and withdrew, the reporters would naturally shift their focus to Catherine.

As Garbo's good friend, Catherine planned to share carefully curated anecdotes about her—details like her favorite desserts or her daily routines. The public adored Garbo, and these tidbits would guarantee massive media attention.

"It's a solid plan," Charlie remarked, checking his pocket watch. "It's getting late. You should rest. Jesse, please show Miss Hepburn to her room."

Catherine stood and thanked Charlie politely. Before stepping out, she turned and gave him a playful wink, leaving him momentarily flustered.

"Was that… a hint to stay?" Charlie muttered to himself, unsure of how to interpret her gesture. As a novice in the unspoken social cues of Hollywood, he couldn't help but chuckle at his inexperience.

Catherine's confident personality intrigued Charlie. She was bold and self-assured, qualities that often intimidated others. For Charlie, however, her assertiveness was a breath of fresh air.

Later that night, Charlie mustered the courage to approach Garbo's room, but the moment he turned the door handle, it snapped off in his hand.

"Open the door!" he whispered, knocking gently.

"The room is too small," Garbo's cold voice responded from inside. "You can sleep on the sofa."

Charlie scowled. A room spanning over 100 square meters couldn't possibly be considered small.

"Don't regret this!" he muttered under his breath before forcing the door open with a loud bang.

By morning, the first rays of sunlight illuminated the room. Garbo opened her eyes to find Charlie's smiling face beside her.

"Good morning," he said cheerfully.

"Get out, you beast!" Garbo growled, throwing a pillow at him. Memories of the previous night came flooding back, and she blushed at the thought of how completely exhausted she had been.

Despite her gruff demeanor, a flicker of amusement danced in her eyes. Though she might never admit it, she appreciated the unique sense of security Charlie provided.

"Why didn't you entertain your 'new prey' instead of coming to my room?" she quipped, referring to Catherine.

"What new prey? Am I that kind of man?" Charlie feigned indignation, thumping his chest dramatically. "You're the only one for me!"

"Show me your heart, and maybe I'll believe you," Garbo replied coolly, though a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Charlie laughed, enjoying their playful banter. Garbo's aloofness had always been part of her charm, but beneath her icy exterior lay a warmth reserved for those she trusted.

Later that morning, Garbo prepared for her public appearance with the help of her makeup artist and assistants. She chose a silver fishtail gown with a daring V-neckline, but as she held the dress, she hesitated.

Memories of Charlie's admiration for her previous outfit made her reconsider. Opting instead for a butterfly-collar split gown, she ensured her look was elegant yet less revealing.

When Charlie saw her emerge, his eyes lit up. "You look stunning," he said, slipping an arm around her waist.

The two made their way to the waiting car, turning heads as they walked. With Catherine joining them, the trio radiated glamour and sophistication.

As the day unfolded, the spotlight shone brightly on Catherine. Following Garbo's carefully planned exit, reporters swarmed the young actress, eager for any details she might share about her life and friendship with the superstar.

Charlie observed from the sidelines, satisfied with the outcome. DreamWorks had successfully orchestrated Catherine's grand introduction to Hollywood, cementing its status as a rising force in the industry.