sixwordstories | (no subject)

Dealing with your agent again?

Oh, heaven forbid. Jay's a hell of a great man. If anything he's one of the brighter faces of the job. No, I'm dealing with everyone else. People all rant about what a cesspool Hollywood and the industry is, but you can't even begin to know until you work there.

Sounds like you had a bad day. Why are you dealing with everyone else? For whatever you're doing next?

I've dealt with everyone else for years now, as you know. Shooting a picture in Hollywood is pretty much wading up to your waist in the filth. Going to a press party or awards ceremony, you're up to your neck in it. And even now, when I'm talking about my next project and my support for stuff like civil rights, UNICEF, stuff like that...all the rats come crawling out of the woodwork to gnaw on my face.

I like my job, I like the pay, I like some of the people, but I hate the industry.

Yeah, that's a bad day alright. What can I do to make up for it?

*looks up at her affectionately and puts a hand over hers* Not a whole lot. Sometimes people forget that just being around for someone can make all the difference.

But this isn't just a bad day, Connie. This is a thorn in my side that'll scratch me up as long as I'm an actor. Probably as long as I live. It's the kind of stuff I live with on a regular basis just so I can live and pay the bills. But it's a heavy price.

*smiles and squeezes his hand* Well then, this cheering up thing will be easy as hell for me. I don't mind just hanging around.

There has to be something about acting you like. I don't see you as the kind of guy to stay in a job that makes him miserable just because it pays well.

*half smiles* Oh you don't, huh? Well you'd be surprised, Connie. It's true, there are occasionally some rewarding things about acting, especially if it's a personal challenge and the material is good, but that's not always how it works. Sometimes, that's exactly how it works...I do miserable work for high pay. And even on the great days, there are people and things that piss me off to the bone.

You've got to take the bad with the good, right?

Yeah, kinda like with your job only a lot less dignity. Your job involves killers, weird stuff, the supernatural, unexplainable people/things, things like that...Those things are a picnic compared to some of the truly soulless, lifeless pricks in my line of work.

Hey, I deal with lawyers all the time. Defense lawyers. You want to talk about truly soulless, lifeless pricks, you talk about lawyers. *grins* Haven't you heard the lawyer jokes?

*smiles back* Oh of course I have. It's Hollywood, home of lawsuits, court scandals, and legal struggles within the industry. Producers are filled with jokes about lawyers. Which is kinda hypocritical since some of them are even sleazier and scummier, but they do know their lawyer jokes.

Like the one about why you don't change defense lawyers if the first one representing you doesn't cut it....'cause switching lawyers is like moving to another deck chair on the Titanic.

Hey... *cups his face in her hands* Let's just stop talking about Hollywood, okay? I want to keep that smile on your face.

*smiling calmly* Well you know Murph, sometimes we gotta be able to talk about things like that. I mean sure, venting goes a long way, but when you thing about it, there aren't a whole lotta people out there we can tell troubles like these to.

*sighs and drops her hands* Is this going to turn into another discussion about how I keep my job from you?

*puts a hand up to her face in response* No...no, not at all. It's just about how we do more than just distract each other from our problems. We also listen and help each other cope with 'em. It's a wonderful thing, Murph.

Oh. Well, never mind me then.

*smiles* I don't mind at all. You stick around with me for something deeper and bigger than just fucking and making innuendo-filled banter. That ain't something I take for granted.

*chuckles* Like you said, Murph. You take the bad with the good. *kisses her forehead*

Of course I stick around for something more. I need a reason to stick, you should know that by now. No matter how pretty you are, I need more than just good looks.

And I work very, very hard to make sure I have and keep the things I have to offer you, things that'll help you be happy and secure. And confident in us. Though I'm sure the looks don't hurt at least.

You do make me happy, Marlon. And you've got plenty to offer.