"Did Ms. Meyers use any persuasive tone or talk about anything that could have confused you and influenced your decision?"
"No!"
"Do you think you can perform perfectly in front of the camera, without fear or hesitation, and fully interpret your role?"
"No!"
"Can you adapt to a life constantly chased by tabloids, lacking privacy and a sense of security, without losing your temper when harassed?"
"No!"
"Can you handle complex interpersonal relationships flawlessly, avoiding mistakes, and ensuring you don't offend anyone, or if you do, being able to make amends?"
"No!"
"Should you consider your parents' feelings and the expectations and concerns of your family?"
"Yes!—Alright, now it's my turn. So, Dad, do you think one should constantly try new things in life to challenge oneself?"
"Yes."
"Do you believe your daughter is outstanding and amazing?"
"…Yes."
"Do you think home is the warmest place for a person?"
"Yes…"
"Would you comfort and encourage your daughter if she gets hurt or fails, helping her to regain her strength?"
"Yes…"
"Finally, dear Dad, do you think I would be the kind of child who would ignore her parents, act recklessly, drink, or stay out all night just because of a little success?"
"No!" Vincent's face darkened as he glared at his daughter for a moment before saying, "My God, where did you learn all this?"
"Well, Dad, it's the information age. You can find anything you want on TV, phone, radio, and the computer." Catherine replied proudly.
Vincent sighed and shook his head. "I really wonder if you've entered your rebellious phase."
"Come on, Dad, I'm not even in my teens yet." The little girl shrugged while secretly thinking: I went through that phase 20 years ago. Do I have to go through it again?
"Your mom says you've grown up, but I think you're already an old soul." Her father said helplessly.
Catherine stuck out her tongue subtly and changed the subject. "Dad, look, I got Disney's recognition through my own efforts. I'm starring in a movie based on my own script. Isn't that exciting? I don't care for or like the spotlight, but it doesn't mean I can't try it. I know what you're worried about, but Dad, I have the wisdom and maturity to do what I want. So, please respect my choice, okay?"
Vincent looked at his daughter, a mix of helplessness, surprise, and a bit of admiration on his face. The little one had truly outdone herself these past few days. Although Catherine had always been different, this was too astonishing. He couldn't help but pat her on the head. "Dear, I really suspect you have a 30-year-old soul."
The little girl secretly stuck out her tongue again. She wouldn't think her father had seen through her, but she had often been a well-behaved girl, so her parents' surprise was understandable. But now it was time to strike while the iron was hot.
"So, do you agree?" Catherine batted her eyes, pretending to be expectant.
Vincent scratched his head, wavering. As a father, he didn't want Catherine to act in movies. There were many ways to prove one's worth. But on the other hand, he truly understood what his wife meant by "the child has grown up." Good Lord, she was only eleven!
"Alright, I agree," he sighed, lovingly patting the little girl's head again. "Well then, good luck."
"Thank you, Dad!" Catherine cheered, hugging her father and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, don't get too excited," Vincent laughed, holding his daughter. "There's still one problem that, if not resolved, you won't be able to do anything."
Huh? Catherine was stunned.
---
"Yes, Nancy, I know. He has it right here in front of me." Catherine was kneeling on the sofa, talking on the phone while glancing at the middle-aged man waiting at the table by the window.
"Oh, alright. I'll report on the 15th... No, it's fine, I understand," the little girl smiled as she switched the phone to her other hand. "A stand-in? Why... Oh, okay, I get it. I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Bye."
Catherine hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and shrugged. She then sat at the table by the window. The waiting man stood up and bowed formally, "It's an honor to serve you, Miss Mason."
Catherine rolled her eyes exaggeratedly, "Don't be like that, Uncle Sparrow."
"I can't help it, Miss Mason. Mr. Mason has instructed, business is business." Sparrow shrugged.
"Come on, this isn't a formal occasion," the little girl frowned, resting her chin in her hands.
"Alright, Casey," Sparrow only thought for two seconds before sitting back down. He then took out a folder from his briefcase. "Here's the script contract, and here's the actor contract. Mr. Mason has already signed them. As for the script, because you're a newcomer and the script needs some modifications—Ms. Meyers should have discussed this with you—Disney pressed the price to $10,000; and for the movie, the same issue, so the pay is set at $500,000."
"I understand, business is business." Catherine shrugged and took the contract. Family status is one thing, but being an actor is another.
She only read a few lines before feeling dizzy. She still had no talent for this. So Catherine quickly returned the contract to Sparrow. "It's better for a professional like you to handle this. What else?"
"The final script and the documents for the American Children's Association." Sparrow handed over two more documents. "Regarding the Children's Association, they said if the crew violates the Child Labor Law, you can file a complaint with them, and they will send someone to the crew every five working days for an inspection."
"They're thorough. My parents know this very well." Catherine shrugged and then opened the final script. It looked more official—printed in type. She flipped through the content, noting the changes Nancy had discussed with her. However, when she saw the cast list, she took a few seconds to think, and then her jaw almost dropped onto the table—if that were possible.
"Dennis Quaid as Nick, Julia Roberts as Lisa, Meg Ryan as Meredith!" The little girl groaned, holding her forehead. "Does Nancy think Disney has money to burn?"
"Really?" Sparrow leaned over to take a look. "I think Ms. Meyers has great vision. Dennis Quaid is quite a good actor in Hollywood, and Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan are obviously valuable."
The little girl quickly realized her excitement had confused her about the timing. In '91, Meg Ryan had just started to become famous, and her breakthrough movie, "Sleepless in Seattle," hadn't even been made yet. Julia Roberts, after her rise to fame with last year's "Pretty Woman," had a flop with "Dying Young" earlier this year, even being labeled a box office poison. Nancy inviting them now was indeed a great move. As for Dennis Quaid, well, he did play the father in the original "The Parent Trap." This is going to be fun.
Catherine pouted and then looked curiously at her agent. She didn't know much about her father's HR manager or his company, but recognizing the value of Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan was impressive.
As if reading the little one's mind, Sparrow raised an eyebrow and said, "Casey, you should know that as an HR manager, one needs a sharp eye."
The little girl shrugged, then changed the subject. "My question is, I remember Mr. Quaid and Ms. Ryan got married on Valentine's Day this year. So why would Ms. Ryan choose to play... well... an unsympathetic third party?"
"I asked Ms. Meyers about that—personally. Ms. Meyers said she originally planned to invite Kim Basinger to play Meredith, and Quaid and Ryan would play the main couple. But Ms. Ryan was interested in the role of Meredith, so Ms. Meyers invited Ms. Roberts to play the mother."
Catherine was taken aback. When she plagiarized the script, she had modified the character of Meredith for personal reasons and to test her own skills. She changed the originally malicious supporting character into a somewhat silly woman who disliked children but genuinely loved the male lead—a role that added a comedic element. As Catherine put it, since it was a cute, warm, and romantic movie, there was no need for villains. Nancy had no objections to this, so the role became one that demanded significant acting skills. If the performance was average, it wouldn't matter much as the focus wasn't on her. But to play the role well—to portray someone slightly silly, yet scheming, and conflicted—was no easy task.
From Catherine's perspective, both Meg Ryan and Julia Roberts could pull this off. In their early careers, both had been cast in roles that were somewhat ditsy yet charming. However, this time Ryan had gotten the role first.
"Alright, what about school?" Catherine asked.
"I'll go to the school on Monday, so you don't need to worry," Sparrow replied with a smile.
Good! The little girl silently cheered. This way, she could avoid participating in the school celebration, sparing herself from wearing that black and white short skirt dress and playing the violin like a doll in the center of the hall. But, come to think of it, avoiding this dress only to wear more dresses for the movie—was that really a good trade?
Catherine promptly chose to forget about this and then said to her Uncle Sparrow, "Alright, there's only one problem left. Nancy hopes I can provide some suggestions for my stand-in—you know, I'm playing two roles."
Sparrow raised an eyebrow slightly. "You already have someone in mind, don't you?"
"Yes," the little girl sighed. Although Jessica was a year younger, they were about the same height and both had long, golden-brown hair. Moreover, Jessica had an immense passion for acting. What troubled Catherine was that over the past few days, she hadn't mentioned a word to Jessica, apart from confirming that her script had been purchased by Disney. Wouldn't telling her now lead to misunderstandings?