Author's note-Thanks so much for your patience. I've had to contend with some writer's block along with some serious health issues, but Hollywood Jim is back with plenty of new adventures to come.
*****
"Get a shot over here, Jim...no, no not there! Yeah, that's a good one! Get the sun coming through the windows...NO! Not those windows! Right over there...watch it! Don't you knuckleheads know what that cost me to import?"
Chuck Tyler was leading me around the huge space that would be Malibu Athletics. At the moment though it was a cacophony of saws and hammers, with me documenting its progress with my camera and him screaming at construction workers. But he was ever-confident in its potential.
That is, when he wasn't yelling at the workmen.
Since taking over Artists Unlimited, Chuck had been generous and shrewd with the company assets. His spies throughout Hollywood were always on the lookout for new or established talent that could be added to the company roster, he was now in discussions for a film project he'd be producing called "Spotlight" that would hopefully star Lea Michelle, and a long delayed European trip with Mrs. Tyler was in his plans as well. And outside of the agency he was also building diverse interests in real estate. One of which was Malibu Athletics.
Malibu Athletics probably sounded like something from the 70's, but it would be decidedly modern in its approaches to healthy living and exercise. No surprise since its founder was Brooke Burke. She'd had a long relationship with several fitness companies but only as a spokesperson, with Chuck she'd found a willing backer to open her own club where she could call the shots.
"Whaddya think, Hollywood?" he asked as he showed me some blueprints.
I rubbed my chin and tried to look intelligent before stating the obvious.
"I think you're looking at them upside down."
"Well, other than THAT?" he said in an annoyed tone as he flipped them over.
"It's a big space, I guess the location works good for you, right?"
"You bet it will! I'm putting the company resources on this one and that includes you."
"Me? I've already got a gym membership and they know me pretty well there."
"But I know you better, and your input will be most beneficial."
"How? I'm no gym rat."
"Ah! But you've got contacts through your work for us."
"What contacts? I don't scout talent, that's your job...and anyway Jeff is the contact guy not me."
"Nevertheless, you can be a big help here."
I shrugged my shoulders in response.
"I don't know how but if you say so..."
"Of course I do!" he said quickly "Now, I've gotta get back to the office, you hang around here."
"And do what?"
"What you always do, and do well." he said over his shoulder as he headed for the doors.
After about 10 minutes of wandering around, I felt ridiculous.
"Screw this..." I mumbled to myself as I now headed for the door.
My escape was short-lived though.
Chuck was outside chatting to someone sitting in a white Range Rover. I quickly tried to figure a way to get to my car across the lot without being seen.
"Hollywood! Over here!" Chuck yelled.
My "escape" foiled I slowly walked over to him.
"Perfect timing, kid..." he said "Meet Brooke."
Whoa!
Brooke Burke was sitting in the Range Rover. Her brunette hair casually mussed and with dark aviator glasses that she slowly pulled down her nose.
"Hi, so you're the guy he calls Hollywood..." she said with that electric smile "I'm Brooke."
"Good to meet you."
"I probably look like a mess, I just got back from Pilates."
"Nah, you look great." Chuck quickly replied "I was just telling Jim about the benefits of membership.
"He was?" I thought.
"It'll be great, Jim. I'll really make it worth the effort." she said before looking me over closer "But it looks like you're already there."
"Well, uh, there's always room for improvement with me I guess."
"I think I can help there." she replied adding an effortlessly sly tone "I've gotta get going now...good to meet you, Jim."
"Yes, you too."
Brooke drove away leaving me with Chuck.
"Why was she here, anyway?" I asked
"Checking on her, I mean, our investment." he said confidently.
"I hope you know what you're getting into here. Places like this are like a dime a dozen."
"Of course I do! These next few months are gonna be big, Hollywood. The agency's doing well, you're doing well...I've got this joint running like clockwork."
"Then, uh, do you mind my asking what was going on in New York before the merger?"
Artists Unlimited's corporate offices were based in New York City, that was where the real big shots of the company were based. I'd only met them (including our CEO, Walter Murphy) once during the time Marty O'Brien was suing the company, they handled that like pros, but strangely chose to stay on the sidelines when I (and the agency) got caught up in the Villa del Sol scandal. What I was now referring to were some high-level meetings Chuck had been summoned to before the big merger with Talent Associates went through. I only heard about these when I was in Miami. And my suspicions were raised even further when Chuck's New York equivalent, Scott Jackson, started talking about how he was following my work, past, present and future. It was the "future" I was concerned with, probably for no reason.
Someone once told me the only exercise I got was jumping to conclusions, maybe they were right. Scott was long gone from the company, and Artists Unlimited's status in the industry had only grown.
"Who told you about that?" he asked with a look of surprise on his face.
"Sarah Smith, I met her when I was in Miami."
Chuck bit his lip and looked skyward, like he was trying to control his temper.
"Let me tell you about Miss Sarah Smith..." he said slowly with a building fury in his voice "...she has been the biggest pain in the ass to me. You wanna know why she's down in Miami? So I could get her outta what's left of my hair. THAT'S why I had to spend so much time in New York! THAT'S why I put everything on the line to buy up Talent Associates and get her and Scotty-boy out of my life!"
"OK, I was just asking-"
"Well, DON'T ask!" he yelled before lowering his voice "I'm sorry...look, don't worry about things like that. You've always got a place in this company, I guarantee that. I've always kept my promises to you and I don't intend to let the Sarah Smith's of the world get in the way."
That reassured me.
"Look, I'll see you tomorrow, Hollywood." he said as he got into his BMW and drove off.
He was right, he had been very generous and kept his promises since I'd joined the agency. I had full control over any photo projects, a nice office, cool car, new apartment in a highly desirable location...I guess that's why he calls me "Hollywood".
Two months later, the spotlights were out in full force at the gala opening of Malibu Athletics. I arrived alone and could already see how Chuck had turned this into the event of the year, or at least of this moment. The building's bright white exterior glowed in the colorful spotlights and a full contingent of paparazzi were everywhere looking for the ideal shot, but more likely wanting to see celebs in their workout clothes. I never knew how to handle myself at these events, I tried not to act starstruck but it was always tough.
"Hollywood!" I heard Chuck yell "Ya made it, kid!"
Chuck looked, well, a little ridiculous in his workout gear. His pastel-colored tank top showed tufts of black hair on his shoulders and the less said about his shorts, the better.
"Here's your goody bag!" he said as he tossed me a small duffel bag loaded with promotional materials from the club.
"Use it in good health."
"Oh, yes. I can never have too many t-shirts."
