Arthur lingered at the church club for a while before leaving. After all, he thought to himself, what woman hadn't he met before?
The church club was located in San Fernando. Arthur could only think that these folks really knew how to pick a place!
After leaving San Fernando, Arthur called Jennifer Connelly in Los Angeles and they went to a cocktail bar in West Hollywood.
"What's up? Haven't you been busy lately?" Jennifer Connelly gave him a peck on the cheek.
Arthur chuckled, "What's your take on the church in America?"
"The church, huh? Over here, most of the top brass are Catholics," Jennifer Connelly knew Arthur would get it. "America's welfare system doesn't quite match up to some Nordic countries. It's the church that looks after the common folks."
"Yeah, up until now, there's never been a president who wasn't Catholic," for someone like Arthur, faith was just a slogan.
It was an unwritten rule in their circles. Whether you believe or not didn't matter, but you had to show you did.
Jennifer Connelly cuddled up to Arthur, "So, you've uncovered some church secrets? I learned that back in my Yale and Stanford days. Many school organizations have some religious activities!"
"I already knew that," Arthur shifted the conversation as he stroked the woman in his arms. "You seem to be staying in more lately?"
"Yeah, I'm slowing down. The sequel to The Addams Family didn't do so hot. The global box office was just over a hundred million dollars!"
The Addams Family 2 made sixty million in North America and another forty million overseas.
"That's okay. The Addams Family 2 wasn't poorly received. Director Barry Sonnenfeld did a good job. It's just that this gothic dark humor style is niche!"
MGM's upcoming film Get Shorty was also a dark humor satire.
To Arthur, Barry Sonnenfeld was somewhat similar to Tim Burton: one leaned toward gothic dark comedy, while the other leaned toward gothic dark drama.
Soon, the two returned to a luxurious high-rise apartment in Century City that Jennifer Connelly had specifically bought to use as her studio.
"Hmm, you have a knack for painting too," Arthur noticed the apartment had a special room for painting as he embraced Jennifer Connelly.
"Yeah, I'm pretty good at swimming, painting, and hiking," Jennifer Connelly said, slipping off her jacket to show off her alluring figure.
Arthur, having built up some tension at the church club, felt his desire grow. He casually undid her lingerie and his hand moved to her bust.
The high-rise in Century City offered stunning views of Los Angeles at night and the nearby mountain scenery.
"Feels just as firm," Arthur murmured, comparing Jennifer Connelly to Sophie Marceau as he lay on top of her.
Smiling, Jennifer Connelly rolled on top of him, playfully nudging his chest. "Lately, the Heidi Fleiss case has Hollywood all in a tizzy. Many stars are worried about getting caught up in it."
"What can you do? Hollywood's squeaky-clean reputation needs protecting. It's best to downplay it," Arthur said as his hands roamed over Jennifer Connelly in his arms.
"Has there ever been a shortage of scandals in Hollywood?"
Back in the day, Arthur's lower status meant he didn't need to worry about such issues. Things were different now. Galaxy's stake in Hollywood was among the top three. Maintaining market stability was in his best interest.
"True," Jennifer Connelly, who had been in the entertainment industry for years, understood too well. Hollywood's stakeholders seldom paid heed to such things.
As long as the foundation of Hollywood wasn't shaken, it was all fair game.
Then, Jennifer Connelly began kissing Arthur's chest, before slipping under the covers.
Arthur lifted the blanket, running his fingers through her hair, then closed his eyes...
...
The next morning, Arthur, feeling refreshed, sat on the couch with Jennifer Connelly, watching sports news on TV. "By the way, Arthur, the GoldenEye ad during the Super Bowl halftime show must have been expensive, huh?"
"Really pricey, $1.15 million for 30 seconds," Arthur said. Ever since he had Speed advertised during the Super Bowl a few years back, kickstarting the trend of movie previews, halftime ad slots had become highly coveted by Hollywood studios.
Jennifer Connelly was surprised. That was indeed a hefty price for an ad. "Michael Jackson's halftime performance back then indeed gave the Super Bowl halftime show a whole new meaning. Now it's only the hottest singers who get to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show!"
Then the TV switched to NBA news.
"This year, the Bulls aren't playing so well. They're just hanging around the playoffs," Jennifer Connelly focused on the Bulls news on the TV.
Arthur laughed, "If you've got money, you should buy some Nike stock. Word is, Michael Jordan might make a comeback. He's already been training with the Bulls. Once Michael Jordan is back, Nike's stock will definitely go up!"
To many, this kind of news was a signal, but regular folks just didn't know.
Last night, Arthur had mentioned this to Cardinal Roger Mahony of the Los Angeles Archdiocese too, suggesting to buy some Nike stock.
"Really? Michael Jordan is making a comeback?" Jennifer Connelly was surprised.
"Why not? The NBA and Nike are both pushing hard for his return. It's all about the money!"
Now, with the LA Galaxy certain to make the playoffs, it was just a matter of how far the team could go.
The team's star, Danny Manning, had renewed his contract last summer. Although he was an All-Star for two seasons, he didn't make it this season!
That meant the LA Galaxy didn't even have an All-Star player now, something Arthur couldn't stand.
At least, the LA Galaxy was still stronger than the Lakers, who didn't even have a shot at the playoffs at that time!
"Arthur, you're so good to me," Jennifer Connelly hugged Arthur and kissed him. She was definitely going to buy some Nike stock.
Arthur responded passionately, his hand moving to caress her thigh.
"What, wasn't last night enough?" he teased, resting his head against her chest, still unsatisfied.
"Not enough at all," Jennifer Connelly said, her chest rising and falling, long hair cascading down. "I'll spend the next couple days with you, and have my manager purchase some Nike stock for me!"
*****
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