Jump to new as of March 16, 1998
Intro
This is not the story yet, instead it is kind of like a introduction (mostly about the characters). The idea of this story is that the characters from Pride and Prejudice are in 1998 and are making a movie.
William Darcy is a screenwriter who has just written a script for a movie called "Golden Pond". He will also be the director and executive producer of the film. He is well respected in his field. To co-produce his film, he hires his long time friend Charles Bingley; who also happens to be acting in the movie. A well known actress, Jane Bennet, secures one of the lead roles. An unknown actress, Elizabeth Bennet auditions and receives the lead. Much to the dismay of Caroline Bingley (who just happens to be Charles's sister) who had auditioned for the lead but was turned down, only to receive the evil villain type of role.
Elizabeth is Jane's sister and they come from a family of actors. Mr. Bennet is a well respected actor and Mrs. Bennet is a talented Broadway actress. Mary Bennet is the exception in the family. She writes songs for movie soundtracks. Kitty is a model turned actress and Lydia is a singer turned actress. Their uncle Mr. Gardiner is a well known art designer and their Aunt Gardiner is actress. Mr. Collins is an agent. Charlotte Lucas is a make-up artist. Her sister Maria is the costume designer, while Mrs. Lucas and Mr. Lucas are in charge of casting. Mr. Wickham is a cameraman. Denny and Carter are stunt coordinators. Andrew Fitzwilliam is the lead actor opposite Lizzy. Catherine de Bourg owns the studio, rights... that sort of thing. Louisa and Mr. Hurst are actors as well.
Scene One
Monday, March 9,1998
In The Afternoon
It was the usual routine for Elizabeth Bennet; get in touch with her agent, go to an audition, wait for 'the call', only to find out that she was just not what they were looking for. To short, to tall, not thin enough; wrong everything (well at least according to them). She never believed that though; she knew they just did not want her. Sure she wasn't drop dead gorgeous, but her looks were above average. She had early on, before starting her acting career, decided not to let anyone talk her into changing her looks. Sure they could promise that she would get the job if she dyed her hair blonde or even red, but she knew promises could be broken. Besides this was Hollywood, a place that could either make or break you. She had dreams and she did have her name, though she did not want to rely on it. Her father was a well known British actor and her mother was an actress on Broadway. Her sisters Jane, Kitty, and Lydia were actresses. Though Jane was the only one that had really taken off. Kitty was known more as a model than an actress, and Lydia was miss rock star who thought she could become an actress. Mary was the only sister who had decided against acting, she instead chose to write songs for movie soundtracks, Lydia and anyone else who came along. So when Elizabeth went in for auditions, she did not use her name (not that she was ashamed, she just wanted to be hired for her acting talent not her other family members); she would use the name Elizabeth Benn. So it wasn't all that different, but it was enough. They would never know, and if she got the part she would tell them. But until then, they were on a need to know basis, and they didn't need to know.
The phone was ringing, but Lizzy didn't want to pick it up. It was either the studio themselves or her creep-of-an-agent, Mr. Collins. She let her answering machine get it.
BEEP:
"Hello, Elizabeth,"
It was Mr. Collins.
"...why aren't you home?"
Like it's any of your business, Elizabeth thought.
"...Well, the studio just informed me that your just not what they want. Don't let them discourage you though. Call me as soon as you receive this message."
If it was up to me I would not talk to you at all, let alone call you when you tell me to. Elizabeth said to herself.
"I hate answering machines."
Well I like them when people like you call all the time.
"Say, why don't we discuss your future in acting over dinner tonight."
Yeah, in your dreams maybe, but not in mine. Besides I'm having dinner with Jane.
"Well call me later; you know my number..."
Oops! Just lost it. Darn!
"C-ya."
CLICK
"I am so glad I did not answer that call. Whew!" Elizabeth said faintly. Oh, how she detested that man. She knew she couldn't fire him though, she had tried many times without being too blunt, but her mother insisted that she keep him. He had his connections to Catherine de Bourg she would say. Her mother paid him, not her. So, as hard as she would try her mother wouldn't fire him. Why could she not have the same agent as Jane, even Kitty's or Lydia's would be better; but no, she had to get Mr. Collins. Lizzy often caught herself wondering if she had lost some of the parts because of him. He hounded the studios so rudely and annoyingly, that it was no wonder she was never hired. Her mother never blamed Mr. Collins though, it was always "Lizzy you did this wrong... Lizzy you did that wrong...Lizzy you're doing everything wrong." She hated how much Mr. Collins actually knew about her life. Eww, he was so creepy!
Jane often tried to persuade her to take acting jobs that would come up on the films she would be acting on. It was a sweet gesture, but this was something she had to do on her own. Besides she didn't want some small dinky part, she wanted a role she could put her heart into. Sure it was a start, but she had enough of those roles. She was a good actress and she had gotten leads in school productions, but when it came to the world outside, she would be turned down. In England, she had good roles, but not in any big productions. If she did become famous, she didn't want it to change who she was. She saw what it had done to others, and didn't want it to happen to her. There was no reason to be gloomy yet, she was only twenty-four; she did have her whole life in front of her.
William Darcy had just exited a meeting with the CEO of De Bourg Studios' when his cell phone rang, "Hello, William Darcy speaking."
"So how is it goin' Will?" it was William's best friend, Charles Bingley.
"Everything's going good. I have just signed a contract with De Bourg Studios' to start production on my screenplay 'Golden Pond'. Some of the arrangements were not to my liking, though I liked most of them. So how are you, Charles?"
"Great! I'm assuming you'll be the director?"
"Yes, I am. I am also going to be executive producer and I have creative control."
"So, what's the budget like?"
"They have given me a budget of seventy-five million."
"Well, that's good. Everything is good! What could be wrong."
"I do not have any say in the casting."
"Were you expecting too?"
"I don't know, I hoped too. These are my characters, I pictured them. I have certain expectations for the actors and actresses. Could I ask a favor of you?"
"Sure, what do you need."
"A co-producer."
"I would be more than happy too."
"Well I assume you called for a reason, so what can I do for you."
"I want you to meet this model I am dating."
"So it's a model this month."
"I'll have you know that my last relationship lasted for three months." said Charles. He hated when people thought he would never enter a serious relationship.
"Let me know when and where and I'll see what I can do."
"That's a boy..."
"A boy! I'll have you know that I am twenty-eight years old." William said, half mocking Charles.
"That's the amazing part. Look at the life you are leading. You're talented, well respected, you've accomplished a lot (look at all the box office hits you've directed). What more could you want?"
If you only knew. Sure it was great doing all those things, but it was lonely. Sure I'd have the occasional fling with an actress, but nothing special. thought William. Though he answered, "Who said I wanted more? Well I can't stay on the phone all day debating whether or not my life is complete."
"Yeah, Yeah, I got the hint. I suppose I'll take it too. So I'll talk later to you later about dinner plans."
"Talk to you then, Bye."
"C-ya."
Scene Two
March 9, 1998
Later In The Afternoon
"So, Lizzy I am so glad that you have come to Hollywood, you know. I know I tell you it all the time, but I mean it." said Jane, as sat beside her on the sofa.
"Jane, I have been here for five months." answered Lizzy.
Sensing her sister's distress, Jane replied, "Yes, I know, but you are still new. That's the reason you've not found a job, your just new. You are a great actress, you'll find your part soon."
Getting up from the sofa, and heading into the kitchen, Lizzy said, "Well I hope my 'part' comes soon. I am tired of living on father's money."
"You must not forget mother's money, she would be extremely vexed if you did."
"And mother's money too,... would you like some tea?" asked Lizzy
"No, thank you"
"You," said Elizabeth, while she placed the tea pot on the stove, "Lydia, Kitty, and Mary, all get job after job. I haven't got a single one since I moved here. I admit I wasn't no hot-shot actress back in England , but at least I was employed."
"Oh, Lizzy, you'll find a job, you're a great actress," replied Jane, placing her hand on her sister's shoulder, "you must believe that Lizzy. It's hard at first, but you'll make it, I know you will."
Turning towards her sister Lizzy replied, "I wish I was like you Jane. You find the good in every situation. Your sweet and kind. No wonder your 'miss thing'."
"Lizzy, my fame will not last. You realize that?"
"Jane, of course it will! You are the best actress I know. And Hollywood knows a good thing when they see it. By the way when is that issue of Vogue coming out with you on the cover?"
"That's not true Lizzy, you must not flatter me so. You will give me a big head."
"I speak nothing but the truth."
"Lizzy, I have made dinner reservations for around seven, at the usual place, for us. Will that be all right with you?" replied Jane, trying to change the subject.
"You have changed the subject Jane, and I will let you. Yes that time is agreeable for me. Are you bringing anyone?"
"No, Lizzy, we agreed, just us two. So we could catch-up, gossip, discuss our love lives; that sort of thing. You did remember, did you not?"
"I did, I just wondered if I was finally going to meet the new man in your life. What does he do again?"
"He is in a band. The singer to be exact." answered Jane, quite sure that she already told Elizabeth this.
"Ah, would I know the name of the band?" asked Elizabeth, although she already knew.
"Probably not, there not famous." replied Jane, now knowing that she had told her sister because she saw her cheeky smile.
"Do I get to know his name?"
"You already know his name, you just enjoy seeing me blush."
"I confess I do enjoy giving you the third degree, but only a very little."
"Now, I must be going, I have to meet with my agent. I'll stop by my place and pick up my cloths, then I'll come back here and get ready. Is that Okay with you?"
"Yes Jane, that is fine. I will be here, most likely curled up on the sofa reading a book." said Elizabeth, as she went to get her sister's coat.
As Elizabeth handed her her coat Jane asked, "What will you read?"
"Well I just picked up a copy of Charles Dickens's Great Expectations. So I'll probably read that."
"Okay, well I'll see you in about three hours." replied Jane as she put on her coat.
"Okay, I'll see you then."
Elizabeth did exactly what she told her sister she would do, she curled up on her sofa, reading Great Expectations and fell asleep.
William Darcy was sitting in his library reading Charles Dickens's Great Expectations. For some strange reason Darcy had this feeling to read the novel, he did not know why, he had read it before. Lately he was having a lot of strange feelings about usual activities. His pondering was then interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in." he answered the person outside the door.
"Sir, Mr. Bingley is here to see you." informed Mr. Darcy's butler.
"Thank you, Stevens. Send him in."
The butler exited and returned with Charles.
"Thanks, Stevens." said Charles cheerfully.
"Bingley, I didn't expect to see you. I thought you would have telephoned." William said looking up from his book.
"Ah, well I have some good news and some bad news. Which would you like to here first?"
"The bad news, if you would be so kind."
As he took as seat, Charles said, "Well it would seem that my girl can't make it."
"So if that was the bad, what's the good?" asked Darcy.
"We still have dinner arrangements for 7:15."
"You call that good news." said Darcy, putting his book down.
"I call it excellent news; it'll give us time to catch-up."
"I see I am in for a treat."
"Don't sound so gloomy, Darcy. Maybe you'll meet someone."
"How do you know I haven't already?"
"Well, have you?"
"No--"
"Well, see there's my point."
"You playing matchmaker. Ah, this night is going to be hell."
"I will thank you to keep your opinions to yourself. I am determined to have fun, with or without you."
"How can you be so pleasant all the time?"
"Ah, that's easy, never complain or find reason to. You should try it, I highly recommend it."
"Thank you for your advice, but I don't think I'll take it."
"Suit yourself. So, you think I could see the script?" asked Charles, pointing to Darcy's desk, and the script that lay upon it.
"Yeah, here," replied William, walking to his desk and picking up the script, "I wanted your opinion on it."
"Yes of course." said Charles, amazed that his friend would want his opinion.
"Take it with you, I have more copies. Perhaps you would want to try out for the character, Matt Raymond." William told Charles as he handed him the script.
"I'll keep it in mind...when will they start casting?"
"I am not positive, but I believe they shall start in a week."
"Have you ever considered acting."
"No, I don't think I could do it. Would be nice though, wouldn't it."
"Yeah, you could play the main character, who of course is based on yourself." said Charles getting ready to leave.
"To bad I don't have a talent for it. I don't think I would be able to imitate an American accent, either."
"Where you lack in acting skills, you make up in other skills."
"Maybe,...Thanks."
"Yeah, don't mention it."
"So are we dining at the usual place?"
"Yes."
"I'll meet you at 7:15 then."
"Sure, I'll meet you then."
"Okay, bye."
"Good-bye."
After Charles left, Darcy walked over the window, and gazed up at the sky. He was having that funny feeling again.