Arthur Smith's Hollywood Odyssey

"Today's audition went very well. The director is looking for a younger actress to play the Godfather's daughter," said Winona Ryder, feeling good about her audition as they returned to West Hollywood that evening.

Arthur nodded in agreement. "It should be. We even saw Madonna today, but judging by her expression, she probably failed the audition. She's over thirty, definitely not what Coppola wants."

The Godfather series is essentially a men's film. In The Godfather Part III, the most significant female role is the Godfather's daughter. Madonna must have auditioned for that role, but since the director wanted a younger actress, she wouldn't be chosen.

"I'm heading back to San Francisco tomorrow. When are you going to Seattle?" Winona Ryder asked, leaning against Arthur.

"Thursday, in two days," Arthur said, yawning. "Let's get some sleep."

Winona kissed Arthur on the cheek, then snuggled up to him with a teasing smile. "You must be exhausted. I thought you still had some energy left."

"Nora Ephron is directing for the first time, so she's very detail-oriented. This is also my first time involved in movie production, so I have to be diligent," Arthur said, his hand moving to Winona Ryder's chest. "Besides, when haven't you begged for mercy?"

"Alright, I know you're the best," Winona said, patting Arthur's stomach. "Let's sleep."

The next day, after seeing Winona off at the airport, Arthur prepared to head to Seattle.

That night, Arthur invited his friend Simon to experience the nightlife of West Hollywood.

"Arthur, you're really something now," Simon said, amazed at hearing Arthur had sold two scripts and acted in a movie.

Simon took a sip of his beer. "When will the movie you're in be released?"

"Uh, not sure. Maybe next year. That's up to the film company. I'm just a minor character."

"Will you walk the red carpet then?"

"Red carpet?" Arthur shook his head. "I don't know. Whether they want me to help with promotion is also uncertain. I'm a newbie, no one knows me."

"Oh, if you ever meet Jodie Foster, remember to get an autograph for me," Simon said, patting Arthur on the shoulder.

Jodie Foster just won the Best Actress Oscar for her daring performance in The Accused this year.

"Sure," Arthur nodded. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

"Go ahead," Simon said, heading to the dance floor.

Arthur stepped into the dimly lit restroom of the bar. As he went in, he heard someone cry for help from the ladies toilet. When he looked in, his gaze fell upon someone cornering a young woman.

Arthur recognized her. It was Julia Roberts. And he recognized Richard Gere as well.

Arthur had been busy in Seattle for a month, only returning to LA twice. He knew that the Pretty Woman crew had been filming for a week. Arthur had always been thinking of how to sabotage the production, and tonight in the nightclub, encountering Richard Gere gave him a bad idea.

Smiling, Arthur closed and locked the door, leaving the "Under Maintenance" sign on the outside.

Drunk and oblivious, Richard Gere was an easy target. Arthur covered Gere's head with a cloth.

Seeing someone intervening, Julia Roberts hurriedly said "Thanks," and rushed away.

"Who?" Gere managed to utter before Arthur slammed his head into the toilet, then tightened the cloth and repeatedly bashed his head.

The toilet broke, blood stained the cloth, and Gere's moans of pain filled the room until he finally lost consciousness.

Arthur then stripped Gere, leaving him naked on the floor. Arthur then retrieved some drugs from Gere's pocket and shoved them into his mouth using Gere's clothes as a barrier.

Feeling refreshed, Arthur exited the restroom, carrying Gere's clothes wrapped in the bloodstained cloth. He left through the side door, placing the bundle in his car's trunk, and returned to the nightclub to find Simon.

That night, Arthur drove to the outskirts, burning the clothes. "By now, someone should have found Richard Gere in the restroom," he thought.

There were no cameras inside, so Arthur wasn't worried about being traced. He had no connection to Gere, making it unlikely anyone would suspect him.

After burning the evidence, Arthur drove home, singing along to the radio, anticipating the next day's headlines.

The next morning, Arthur bought several newspapers. As expected, many entertainment sections featured news about Richard Gere:

"Hollywood Star Found Naked and Beaten in Club Restroom!"

"Veteran Idol Richard Gere Brutally Attacked!"

"Teeth Knocked Out, Nose and Eyebrows Fractured, Facial Bones Shattered..."

Arthur looked at the photos of a bandaged, mummy-like Richard Gere and chuckled. "Pretty Woman will surely have some troubles now."

*****

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