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Chapter 199: I Persist
🕑 Added 2024-12-28 17:29:14 +0000 UTCOn the last weekend of October, Duke's studio became the focus of paparazzi and entertainment reporters as numerous top female stars, including Demi Moore, Julia Roberts, and even Madonna, were seen arriving. All of them were linked to *Chicago*, making it hard to avoid attracting the attention of well-informed journalists.
Although Duke did not participate in the initial auditions, he insisted that the crew maintain stricter standards than ever before. Both acting skills and musical abilities were essential for the roles of Velma and Roxie. Any candidate failing to meet the criteria would be eliminated from consideration.
Actresses with a background in theater had a natural advantage in this regard. For example, a pop star like Madonna was quickly eliminated after just one audition, despite having personally approached Duke.
Due to a heavy-handed incident in London, Duke guided Madonna towards opportunities in Argentina, effectively settling their grievances and cutting ties thereafter.
"Duke, you have a phone call."
As he approached the studio, his assistant Tina Fey handed him a phone. "It seems to be a call from the UK."
Nodding, Duke took the phone and placed it to his ear. "Hello, this is Duke Rosenberg."
"Guess who I am?"
The voice on the other end spoke with a London accent. Duke, busy with his work, had no interest in playing guessing games. He instinctively considered hanging up but hesitated since this was his personal phone, and few knew the number.
"Miss Zeta Jones?" he ventured cautiously.
"Zeta Jones? Who is that?"
The voice sounded displeased. "I called you last week; don't you remember me?"
"Vicky?"
Duke immediately recalled. "What's up?"
After a holiday in Spain, the two had maintained limited contact by phone for a while. However, the initially weak bond between them had dwindled under the pressures of time and distance.
"Nothing much..."
As an open-minded Scandinavian, Victoria didn't mind the fading relationship. "I just wanted to chat."
"I'm planning to visit the U.S. soon," she seemed intrigued. "I heard you're preparing a new movie. Can I come to the set? I'd love to see how Hollywood films are made."
"Of course."
Duke didn't mind hosting her if she visited.
After a few more exchanges, they hung up. Duke returned the phone to Tina Fey, shook his head, and headed into the studio.
While Victoria didn't have the looks of a Hollywood A-lister, she was refreshingly open-minded. Unlike many starlets, she wasn't promiscuous, and their ten days together on Ibiza had left a good impression. Their time was relaxed and enjoyable, making it one of Duke's most pleasant temporary relationships since entering Hollywood.
For some reason, a faint pang of bittersweetness rose in Duke's heart, but it vanished quickly.
He would eventually have a steady partner, possibly marry and start a family, but not now. Right now, he wanted to focus on his career, just like everyone else in this industry, enjoying the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
Duke glanced at the afternoon sun and decided not to dwell on these thoughts. He turned back and walked into the spacious studio, asking his assistant beside him, "Tina, is there anything else today?"
"Ms. Johnson called to ask if you have time to pick her up. She wants to have dinner with you."
Checking the work log, Tina continued, "I've already declined for you. You promised Nancy you'd have dinner with Ms. Kingsley and Mrs. Cruise tonight."
Since his mother moved to New York, Duke rarely saw Scarlett Johnson. Girls of that age could be troublesome, and he didn't want to play babysitter.
Entering the studio, Duke passed several set areas. The huge studio was primarily divided into four parts: one for a theater from the last century in Chicago, an old prison from Illinois, a vintage courtroom, and a space for the actors to rehearse.
Along with a mid-sized studio across the way, these formed the shooting location for *Chicago*.
The set construction had just begun and was progressing slowly. Duke took a brief look before heading to the rehearsal area, where some actors were already practicing, even though the selection of the main cast was not yet complete.
A group of professional dancers from Broadway was being led by Lily Fred's assistant, familiarizing themselves with several basic dance moves.
Duke watched from a distance for a while. When the dancers took a break, Tom Cruise, who had been sitting nearby, stepped up to practice the most crucial tap dance routine for his role under the guidance of professionals.
At that moment, Tom Cruise seemed entirely different from his usual self—he appeared humble and hardworking, embodying a striving actor.
If Duke hadn't been there, no one else in the studio would have been on par with Tom Cruise; his pride didn't need to show in front of these people. It would have been pointless, and even someone as arrogant as Tom Cruise understood a simple truth: every success in Hollywood comes with great effort, and improving one's status requires constant hard work.
How could a director or actor, who mingled with women daily and assumed others would manage their work, ever achieve success?
After watching for a while, seeing Tom Cruise's practice conclude, Duke walked over.
"Hey, Tom."
Duke waved at Tom, who was wiping sweat off his forehead, and stood beside him. "You danced well; I believe you'll become a tap dance expert by the time filming starts."
"I certainly will." Tom subtly raised his chin as he headed towards the break area, casually saying to Duke, "Make yourself comfortable."
Even though Duke didn't particularly like Tom Cruise, he didn't mind such minor details. Having achieved fame young and enjoyed years of success, Tom naturally had developed many bad habits, often being careless with his words. Otherwise, he wouldn't have faced such backlash when things went wrong.
Just as Duke sat down, he heard Tom say, "I heard the first round of auditions has concluded?"
"Yeah," Duke nodded. "The crew will choose the cast soon."
"Can I participate in the second round of auditions?"
The tone suggested that Tom believed it was a given. "I can provide some suggestions for the crew."
"No, thanks." Duke certainly wouldn't agree to such an overstepping behavior. "The crew has enough personnel."
Tom Cruise's smile gradually faded, his handsome face tightening slightly. "Duke, the audition was for my partner. I believe I should have a say in this matter."
Was he truly so arrogant and foolish that he didn't even have PR, agents, or Nicole Kidman reminding him?
Turning to face Cruise, Duke said sternly, "Not necessary!"
"I insist!" Tom Cruise showed no intention of giving up.
Duke stood up, unwilling to engage with someone who had always had it easy, and simply remarked, "I'll have someone talk to Ms. Kingsley."
Was choosing to employ this guy a mistake for commercial interests?
As he got into the car heading to a nearby restaurant, Duke suddenly had this thought. However, he didn't plan to replace Tom for now, as Pat Kingsley was unlike Tom Cruise, who was always in a one-way street.
As long as the profits were high enough, Duke dared to collaborate with the devil, even risking a headline like in *Independence Day*. How could he not manage someone like Tom Cruise?
At 6 PM, Duke arrived punctually at an Italian restaurant, where Nancy Josephson, Pat Kingsley, and Nicole Kidman were already waiting.
Duke sat beside Nancy, casually ordering a few dishes, then turned his gaze to the two across the table. Their connection with Nancy likely extended beyond simply treating him to Italian food.
"Hello, Duke." Nicole Kidman, with her red-gold curls neatly tied back, revealed her pale, smooth forehead and smiled. "Long time no see."
"Hello, Mary. Hello, Pat."
After greeting the two, Duke fell silent, guessing that this dinner was likely related to *Chicago*. If he recalled correctly, Nicole Kidman had a decent background in musical theater.
Nicole Kidman seemed in no hurry. Until the dishes arrived, she hadn't mentioned the movie or roles but rather discussed the rising box office numbers of *Saving Private Ryan* and the dismal earnings of *Braveheart* in North America and overseas, subtly elevating Duke and diminishing Mel Gibson in her remarks.
This was the simplest social tactic—making Duke happy would make the conversation flow more smoothly.
Both sides ate little, just sampling the dishes. Nicole Kidman kept observing Duke's reactions, her face adorned with a polite smile throughout.
Nicole Kidman exchanged a glance with Pat, who quickly understood. She leaned over to Duke, whispering, then stood up with Nicole to leave.
"Duke." Nicole Kidman wasted no time and said directly, "I participated in the audition for Velma."
"I know."
She was a very smart woman, likely sensing Duke had made some promises or deals with Naomi Watts, avoiding competition for Roxie.
Looking at Nicole Kidman's smooth, pale face, Duke couldn't help but recall Tom Cruise's demeanor earlier that afternoon, suddenly wondering if he should intervene between them.
