Dear Kate,
How have you been lately? I'm very glad to have received your letter again, and I hope you're enjoying your time at Cambridge.
Regarding stage plays, I'm sorry I can't offer much advice. However, I know that many famous actors have had stage experience, even in Hollywood. Many have performed on Broadway because stage plays don't allow for retakes. So, if you want to become an outstanding film actor, stage experience will definitely be beneficial. As for how I guessed your thoughts, haha, don't forget, I'm a genius!
Now, let me tell you about myself. Remember the little girl I met at Niagara Falls that I mentioned in my last letter? I regret giving her my address. Since I replied to her last letter, I now receive letters from her every week. She always talks about music. While I don't mind her passion for music, she's just too enthusiastic, and that's not a good thing. I don't like it.
Oh, there's something else I need to tell you. Jessica and I haven't spoken in a few days. We... we kissed. Don't laugh at me. Yes, it's normal, but... ever since that accidental kiss a few days ago, we haven't talked. Whenever our eyes meet, she turns her head away. I want to say something to her but can't find the words. I'm very troubled. We had a small argument after I returned from London, but we made up quickly. This time, I really don't know what to do. Can you help me?
Love,
Catherine
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"Alright, let's go." Catherine came bouncing down the stairs, looking lively in her black-and-white T-shirt and overalls, her long hair tied into a ponytail.
Waiting in the living room, Sparrow was chatting with Susan. Seeing the little girl come downstairs, he immediately stood up from the sofa, walked to the door, and opened it.
"Come back early, dear." Her mom hugged the little girl and kissed her cheek.
"I know, Mom, don't worry. I'm just recording three songs." Catherine, trying to act grown-up, said nonchalantly. When she reached the door, she remembered something and called out, "Aunt Jennifer, could you mail the letters in the tin box in the left drawer of my desk?"
"Got it, Cathy," Jennifer nodded.
After bidding farewell to the two ladies, Catherine and her agent got into the silver-gray Chevrolet PV her father had bought for her, and they slowly drove out of the garden.
"The price for the two theme songs for 'The Lion King' and the song 'I'll Be There for You' has been agreed upon with Disney. Would you like to review it?" Noticing that the little one had been somewhat downcast since getting into the car, Sparrow thought of a topic to discuss.
"Thanks, I know, but no need," Catherine replied listlessly.
"Well, I have some invitations. Would you like to consider them?" Sparrow asked again.
"Invitations? What kind of invitations?" Catherine was a bit puzzled.
Sparrow pulled out a folder from his briefcase and flipped through it. "There are two movie roles inviting you to join the cast and two advertisers wanting you to shoot commercials."
"Movie roles? Commercials?" Cathy was surprised. "What movies and what commercials?"
"The movies are called 'Sam's New Mom' and 'Summer Camp Pranksters.' Both are from independent producers. The commercials are for a children's cough syrup and a children's toothpaste," the agent replied, looking through the documents.
Never heard of them. The little girl shrugged. Hollywood produces numerous films each year, most of which are low-budget, especially from unknown independent producers. Even if the films are completed and well-made, they often only screen in second or third-tier theaters at odd times. While this showed she was gaining some fame, she had no interest in participating. As for commercials...
"What do you think, Uncle Sparrow?" Catherine asked.
The former HR manager shrugged. "My suggestion is to turn them down."
"I agree," the little girl nodded and stared out the window. She was preoccupied with how to mend her relationship with Jessica. As she had written to Kate, since their "passionate kiss" that day, Jessica avoided eye contact and didn't initiate conversation. Even when Catherine occasionally asked her questions, Jessica would respond with very short answers. Catherine, feeling guilty, also found it hard to speak up. Though they still rode the school bus together, the atmosphere between them grew increasingly awkward. Catherine didn't dare or want to talk to her mom about it, so she sought Kate's help in the letter, desperately hoping for a solution. It was both frustrating and helpless—what should she do?
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"Good, good, very good, Miss Mason! Just like that!" Hollywood Records' music director, John
Burns, shouted excitedly. He was astonished by Catherine's performance. Initially, he was displeased, feeling that it was annoying for George from the film company to meddle in the record company's affairs, questioning his capabilities! And the recommended person was just a little girl! Damn it, were all the singers in America dead? Though the two songs were decent, how could a little girl have written them? If that were true, all pop songwriters could switch careers.
But after hearing the little girl play and sing "Big Big World," he could barely resist hugging George and giving him a kiss, thanking him for finding such a genius. Her voice was like heaven; aside from a few places where technique was slightly lacking, her performance could be described as perfect! Whatever Burns told her, she grasped immediately and could express her ideas through various instruments, none of which posed a challenge to her—even the harp, which she could strum to create a melody.
"Miss Mason, you are the most amazing talent I've ever seen!" Burns exclaimed with a beaming face.
"Thank you for your compliment, Mr. Burns. I just work very hard," Catherine replied politely. She was right; although she had great musical talent in this life, it was also due to her intense studying when she was younger. Imagine working so hard that the American Children's Association came knocking, thinking her parents were abusing her—that's how determined she was.
"Alright, let's start recording now. But are you sure you won't consider my suggestion?" Burns asked again.
"No need. I think this is good enough for now," the little girl shrugged. Burns had suggested not rushing to release an EP but instead inviting famous musicians to write some good songs for a full album release. Of course, it would be even better if Catherine wrote the songs herself.
However, Catherine wasn't interested in this proposal. She decided to release an EP through Disney's record label and sell them "I'll Be There for You" mainly to avoid future complications if the original author wrote the same song later. Although she loved music, she hadn't thought about becoming a singer. The EP consisted of three songs: "Big Big World," "Je m'appelle Hélène," and "Smile," which she had sung while traveling. Since she had already sung them, she decided to release them together. Sorry, Avril.
Despite his reluctance, Burns had no further ideas since they had already signed a contract, so he directed the staff to start the recording. Everything went smoothly, and by 3 PM, they had finished recording two songs. The little girl's performance was exceptional; each take was completed in no more than three attempts, astonishing Burns and the staff. Was this really her first time recording an album? Only the little girl knew that she was focusing all her attention on the task to avoid thinking about her relationship with Jessica, just as she had once used music and art to avoid contemplating her identity.
Although they wanted to finish recording "Smile" as well, time didn't allow it, and Susan had instructed them to return early, so they had to wait until Sunday to complete the recording.
When she got home, her mom was sketching designs on the balcony, and Jennifer was watering the garden. Catherine greeted them and then headed to her room. As soon as she entered, she flopped onto her bed.
"Jessie, what happened between us?" the little girl mumbled into her bedspread.
She rolled over and thought for a moment, then got up and opened the left drawer of her desk. The tin box inside was empty; Jennifer had evidently mailed the letters. Hopefully, Kate would receive her letter soon and reply with advice. Of course, if she figured out a solution before then, that would be even better.
But why did something still feel off? Catherine thought for a moment. Oh, right. Besides the letter to the Canadian girl, there was also the script for "Sleepless in Seattle," which she had put in an envelope. She was so absent-minded today that she could have brought it with her to the recording session instead of mailing it.
Catherine smiled and shook her head, about to close the drawer when the nagging feeling persisted. She looked at the empty tin box again, and her expression changed. She jumped up and ran downstairs to the garden door, took a deep breath to steady herself, and called out, "Aunt Jennifer, did you mail all the letters?"
"Yes, I did. What's the matter, little one?" Jennifer said, holding the hose. She seemed to remember something and smiled. "Don't worry, dear. I didn't peek at those two unsealed envelopes. I made sure they were sealed properly before mailing them."
"Thank you." The little girl forced a smile and slowly walked back to her room. She climbed the stairs calmly, but once she closed and locked the door, she collapsed against the wall, staring blankly at the ceiling. "This is a big problem," she muttered.
Unfortunately, those two envelopes contained scripts like novels. She sometimes took out those half-novel, half-script works she had written before to amuse herself, storing them in that tin box until she finished reading them. She hadn't expected Jennifer to be so diligent. The envelopes, already addressed, had been sent without her realizing the implications.
One envelope contained the script for "Hide and Seek," a thriller starring Robert De Niro and Dakota Fanning, which was released in 2005. If that wasn't troubling enough, the other envelope was even worse. It was addressed to Paris, to Jean Reno, and contained the script for "Léon: The Professional!"