Midtown Manhattan, February 10th 2023

I now live in a loft. In Manhattan.

I'm living in one of the most luxury lofts in New York city.

But I didn't get it easy. It took me three years after getting my degree in Dramatic Arts to get here.

I am now living the life of fame and fortune.

Roderick?! Well he upgraded himself and now he is a dramaturg.

He got a degree in Playwriting and Dramaturgy.

He has been writing great musicals and a lot of movie scripts.

Who thought? Roderick Schultz. Born and raised in Los Angeles.

Lover of the calm and peace, would move to New York and study and work in something he didn't dream he would like.

We live together. He left his mother at L.A.

It was sad but as we grow up that's what we have to do.

I'm having a press conference in my loft. My publicist has been running around this giant house to prepare the event.

Whom she should invite. Which media magazine or channel should be here.

How should she manage my appearence and charisma.

It's a lot of pressure. But that... is something I overcame.

Now I'm quite happier than ever.

I've been in a few revivals of Broadways shows, since Broadway isn't getting new, original shows.

I've been going "home" at L.A. to shoot some movies and tv shows.

Also attending talkshows, Academy awards, Emmy Awards, Golden Globes.

It's quite weird that "everybody knows me" but I have yet to know them.

They know the person my publicist is pushing everybody to know.

I try sometimes to be myself but in this industry is quite hard and if you break the rules, they break you.

Literally.

9 p.m.

I was out for a little bit to freshen up. To get the tension out of my body.

I tried to visit Central Park, the only place which gives me peace.

But soon a crowd emerged around me asking me for selfies.

And what baffled me more, it wasn't that I had these lot of people to take a "selfie" with.

It was that people still don't get the definition of what a selfie is.

Selfie is a picture that you take of yourself.

SELFIE!! SELF-IE. It comes from self.

So people shouldn't ask, oh let's take a selfie.

No!

I took pictures with these people that admire me.

Because I don't like the term fans. I

f they want me to call them that, it's okay. But I like to refer to them as my admirers.

By this time you're probably wondering what happened to Margot, Fernando and Sam.

Well, Margot moved out from L.A. to Boston.

Fernando is a writer in the New York Times, here in NYC!!

Sam?! Well we met again a couple years ago and we got over everything we had and made peace.

We're friends now, he's even Roderick's friend. We have been through good times.

My smartphone, well now is an Iphone.

Honey, when you're famous you get to get everything that is the best.

The best clothes, the best technology, cars, houses, etc.

As I was saying.

My Iphone vibrates and I take it out of my pocket to see what's the 411.

It's my publicist, Elsie. She is saying that everybody is already waiting for me.

I forgot about the time. I am not ready. Well, in the manner of dressing though.

I'm mentally ready but I have to change clothes and fix my hair.

I call her and tell her if she can't ask my makeup/style artist to get me ready in my loft.

She tells me that that can't happen. I have to get ready somwhere far from my loft.

I guess that now that I'm late, that has always been my mark, she is taking this as a way for me to enter with a bang.

So she tells me to wait for a limousine that would get me in Central Park and drive me to my makeup/style artist studio.

I wait for the limousine, and think about Sam. I have a flashback.

It was like I was triggered. Sam's father is the CEO of a limousine enterprise.

I went to my date with Sam in a limousine. But I smile and I don't think that as a bad thing.

It's a piece of my past that can still make me happy but that doesn't mean that I should want it back.

And I do not want it, for the record.

Driver (from the limousine) – Hey Mr. Wright! It's about time.

Jordan (as I enter the limousine) – Oh yes it is. But you know me, I'm always late.

Driver – Think this way. When you're a celebrity, you're never late, everybody else is simply early.

Jordan – Thank you, that was nice. But I guess I've heard that somewhere.

Jordan – "The Princess diaries"?!

Driver – "The Princess Diaries 2" to be correct.

Jordan – Right.

I look to my left window and see people walking and people waiting for a bus.

Driver – What are your mind wondering about?

Jordan – I miss having the freedom to be like those people outside.

Jordan – To go out without having to give an interview or having pictures taken.

Jordan – I want this life but not all that comes with it.

Driver – But Mr. Wright, the showbizz rules by these terms.

Driver – And you're lucky enough to be part of it and almost entering to the A list.

Jordan - You're right. Sometimes I can be really ungrateful.

Jordan – There's plenty of people like me who want to be actors and they can't.

Jordan – And I am an actor and I cry about it.

Driver – I guess you don't miss your old life, you just miss the freedom.

Jordan - Exactly. That's it

Driver – I see you like to be alone. Having individualism.

Jordan – Please get out of my head.

The driver laughs.

Driver – And we arrived.

Driver – Now while you're there for at least 2 to 3 hours choosing clothes and hairstyles.

Driver – I'm going to watch a movie and then I'll drive you home for your press conference.

Jordan – Thank you Fabian.

Driver – You're welcome Mr. Wright.

I get out of the limousine and enter my makeup/style artist studio and prepare for the madness that he always puts me in.

I enter the studio, full of racks with suits, shirts.

A boudoir full of makeup and hair brushes and hairspray.

Bastien – Mr. Wright you're late. I've been waiting for you for a long time.

Jordan – It was just one hour. Almost a hour. Forty five minutes to be more accurate.

Bastien – Enough smart talk.

Bastien – We have to think about what you should wear and which type of hairstyle you should do.

Jordan – Let's get into it.

Bastien – So you know it's February, it's still cold at New York.

Bastien – Why not wear a trench coat?

Jordan – Great choice. But indoors?!

Bastien – Why not?

Jordan – Well a camel one. I hate the color grey and dark blue is ugly on me.

Bastien – I can work with that.

Bastien – How do you feel about your hair?!

Bastien – You have a medium dark brown hair.

Bastien – I will do something to it. Dye it.

Jordan – No, please, my publicist wouldn't like that.

Bastien – Honey, she's just making you her puppet by marketing your image.

Bastien – But keep in my mind that the image that she is marketing comes from me.

Jordan – Then which color?

Bastien – Platinum blonde.

Jordan – Really?!! Isn't that too mainstream?

Jordan – Like every celebrity has been dyeing their hair platinum blonde or silver.

Bastien – Your opinion is relevant but that's what the industry wants from you.

Jordan – Oh so every celebrity have to go through the same processes?!

Jordan – We're just a copy of a copy of a copy.

Bastien – You make a lot of questions Mr. Wright.

Bastien – We have one hour to get you ready for the press conference.

Jordan – I was thinking to wear a brown suit with a white shirt and dark brown oxford shoes.

Bastien – I'm picturing that and I may say...

Jordan – Yes?!

Bastien – Yes. That works really well, you have a great sense of fashion.

Bastien – First let's start with the hair since it's what will take more time.

Bastien – It takes three to four hours to dye hair to platinum blonde.

Bastien – But I have some tricks up my sleeve to speed the process.

Bastien – Seat down and let's start this new journey.

Jordan – Always ready for a new journey.

Bastien turns my chair so I can't look into the mirror.

He starts to bleach my hair and then starts the process of dyeing my hair.

But he puts a lot of products because going from dark brown hair to platinum blond is hard.

Your hair, once bleached, gets yellow colored.

That's why Bastien uses a lot of products so he can balance that to achieve the platinum blonde hair.

Two hours has gone away and my Iphone has been ringing nonstop.

Now I'm going to a room so I can wear my outfit in private.

I try to get a peak of my hair but Bastien doesn't allow me to.

Once I'm dressed and with my hair dyed and styled, Bastien asks me to look into the mirror.

I almost cry from the overwhelming sensation of having my appearence upgraded.

Now I get why celebrities change things about their bodies, it makes them happy.

Now it's time to go home for my press conference. You're probably wondering why am I having a press conference.

Well Sam and Roderick, I know it sounds crazy, are working together and created a movie for me to star in.

11 p.m.

Roderick's POV

Jordan is really late. I'm tired of being photographed alone.

Well I got shot with Sam. But I mean, with my lover.

Even though the movie was written by me and Sam was the one who is giving me and the cast the directions to follow.

Jordan is the main attraction.

He started as a Marilyn Monroe wannabe but now he is living a life similar to hers.

He arrives late, flirts with everyone, loves to talk to the press.

But he doesn't forget his lines nor takes an abusive amount of pills.

Jordan's publicist is soon to get mad. I mean she is about to be assigned to an asylum.

Everyone has been asking about Jordan and she can't handle his tardiness.

Suddenly the full loft with people talking over each other hears a bang on the door and sees the door opening.

Is it Jordan?!

Jordan's publicist runs to the door and opens it.

Jordan appears, he has gone blonde.

Oh gosh, he is really taking this Marilyn Monroe life thing really serious.

But he looks hot.

End of Roderick's POV

Publicist (mumbling) – What the fuck did you do to your hair?

Jordan – Please don't get mad at me. Isn't it beautiful?!

Jordan – I look good and that's what matters.

Publicist – But this is not the image of you I have been marketing.

Jordan – I thought that at this point you would know me better.

Jordan – I'm always changing. And your job is to market my image no matter what it is.

Jordan – Are we clear?!

Publicist – Sure.

Publicist (to everyone) – Hi Everyone. All of Jordan's guests, here it is Jordan Wright.

Publicist (to everyone) – A man that doesn't need to be introduced but it's a pleasure to say the name of a great star.

Everyone claps.

Jordan – Thank you everyone. Thank you for being so kind and patient to attend my party and still stay.

Jordan – I know I'm known by my tardiness but let's not make that my trademark.

I sit in a chair that is between Roderick and Sam's chairs.

There's people from "The New York Times" and from "New York Daily News".

They're all standing amongst the paparazzi.

A middle aged man from "The New York Times" starts talking to me.

TNYT reporter 1 – Goodnight Mr. Wright.

Jordan – Goodnight sir.

TNYT reporter 1 – Mr. Wright, I was thrilled to see you on the Broadway shows you made part of.

TNYT reporter 1 – You were terrific in all of them but I have to congratulate you for your performances in "A Chorus Line" and in "Wicked".

TNYT reporter 1 – Great vocal power and such dramatic acting. You're a great actor.

Jordan – Thank you sir. I'm really glad to know you liked my perfomances in those shows.

Jordan – It means a lot to me. Hope "Wicked" gets a movie adaptation so I can star in as well.

TNYT reporter 1 – I would see it, only if the "Fiyero" character is played by you.

Jordan – I'm really flattered.

Publicist – I guess you all could talk about Dreaming Nights.

Publicist – And ask questions to Samuel Hastings and Roderick Schultz as well.

TNYT reporter (annoyed) 1 – Sure... miss.

TNYT reporter 1 – Miss Wright can you talk about your character on the upcoming movie Dreaming Nights?!

Jordan – Sure, but I can't promise to say much about it.

Jordan – I'm playing the lead character.

Jordan – Let's say he thrives for a dream of helping people who have trouble in achieving their dreams.

Jordan – So he creates a group called Dreaming Nights.

TNYT reporter 1 – Can't you tell more?

Jordan – I'm sorry but I'm not allowed to talk much about it.

Jordan – But stay tuned because the movie is about to hit the theaters.

TNYT reporter 1 – I'll always stay tuned for you.

Jordan – Thank you sir.

TNYT reporter 2 – This is question is for Roderick Schultz.

Roderick – Yes.

TNYT reporter 2 – How is it like to live with the biggest new star in the showbizz?

Roderick – Uhmm... wow.

Roderick looks at me, but I'm posing for the paparazzi.

Roderick – It's quite... great. He is an amazing lover.

TNYT reporter 2 - You sounded quite reluctant about it.

Roderick – Well I do love him.

Roderick – But I guess we were supposed to talk about Dreaming Nights.

TNYT reporter 2 (mumbling) – Quite a diva.

Roderick – I'm sorry?!

TNYT reporter 2 – Well then.

TNYT reporter 2 – Mr. Schultz how hard was for you to write the script?

Roderick (more pleased) - Well it wasn't hard at all to write.

Roderick – You know there's always a bit of a struggle to write but this one was quite easy.

TNYT reporter 2 – Where did the idea came from?

Roderick – This movie is inspired in moments of my life and Jordan's life.

Roderick – You all know about his dream to become a successful actor.

Roderick – But he is great at giving advices and helping people with their problems.

Roderick – I wanted to focus the movie about dreams. In something positive.

Roderick – Problems are negative things that happen to us but we overcome them.

Roderick – But dreams, even the hardest to fight are positive things.

TNYT reporter 2 – Thank you. I never knew about that.

TNYT reporter 2 – Jordan is a box full of surprises and he is quite an amazing person.

Jordan – Oh thank you so much. What's your name sir?!

TNYT reporter 2 – Gerald Greene.

Jordan – Thank you for your kind words, Gerald Greene.

Jordan – May I call you like by your name?!

TNYT reporter 2 – You can call me as you want.

Jordan – Oooh.

Roderick starts to look at me not really pleased.

Sam is trying not to burst in laughter. I don't know what's so funny though.

The paparazzi start to get annoying even though I like them.

But when you're supposed to go through a lot of time acting like someone your publicist wants you to, that's tiring.

NYDN reporter 1 – This question is for Samuel Hastings. Hello.

Sam – Goodnight sir. Goodnight everyone.

NYDN reporter 1 – What are your functions in this movie?

Sam – I'm a filmography graduate. So I guess that means I direct and produce movies.

Sam – My part in this production is to direct the cast and give life to the words of the script that Roderick wrote.

NYDN reporter 1 – Okay I see. That was quite obvious though.

Sam – Well if it was quite obvious. Why did you ask me about it then?!

NYDN reporter 1 – Nevermind. Mr. Wright. Can I ask you a question?

Jordan – Yes you can. A lot actually. I love public relations.

NYDN reporter 1 – In your last movie, you played a sexy man who would attract everyone.

NYDN reporter 1 – Would you like to continue on starring in movies playing that type of role?

Jordan - I wouldn't mind. But to play that character in every movie it would be a bit boring for the audience.

Jordan – I have so much to give. I do love that type of role.

Jordan – I love all the roles that I get. But I don't like to stick to just one.

NYDN reporter 1 – But wasn't that type of role that got you this far?!

Jordan – Maybe. But listen, my career hasn't ended yet.

Jordan – So who knows if there's another type of role or genre that will launch me even further?

NYDN reporter 1 – Good point. You're quite intelligent.

Jordan – Oh thank you so much sir. That makes really glad.

NYDN reporter 1 – Don't mind that. You're worth more than everything.

NYDN reporter 1 – You embody what this business is really about. I bow down to thee.

Jordan – Oh thank you once again. But please don't treat me like that, I'm no king.

NYDN reporter 1 - Hey since there's Queen Bey, why can't exist a King Wright?!

Jordan – I prefer Mr. Wright. Or Jordan.

NYDN reporter 1 – As you prefer.

Publicist – Do you have more questions?!

Publicist – It's getting late and Jordan has to rest because he has a reading through tomorrow and movie shootings.

NYDN reporter 1 – I guess that's all.

TNYT reporter 1 – I agree.

TNYT reporter 2 – Me too.

Publicist – Well then...

Jordan (to the publicist) – Allow me.

Jordan – I thank you all for the bottom of my heart from being here. It was a pleasure to talk to you.

Jordan – You're great reporters and I loved that you didn't abandon my loft as I was late.

TNYT reporter 1 – It was my pleasure Mr. Wright. You're an amazing person.

TNYT reporter 1 – You have great charisma and talent.

Jordan – Thank you.

Jordan – I will see you all there in the business.

Jordan – See you.

Publicist – Please everyone proceed to this door and leave.

Publicist – Thank you for your presence.

After everyone left the loft, Roderick, Sam and I have time to breathe.

But the environment starts to get intense.

Publicist – Jordan you were amazing with them.

Publicist – You are the best artist in this century to handle the press with such patient and love.

Publicist – There's never been a person like that since Marilyn Monroe.

Roderick – Since we're on the subject. Yeah you've been acting like Marilyn indeed.

Roderick – I'm sick of you flirting with every reporter or paparazzi. That is not you.

Jordan – I'm not flirting with anyone, I just love to talk to the press.

Jordan – And what's bad with liking to get shot by the paparazzi?! You're making things up.

Roderick – I'm not. You were flirting with them.

Jordan – That's not flirting

Roderick – By adressing them by their name.

Jordan – That's called being nice. How should I address them?!

Jordan – You're overreacting.

Roderick – You're becoming a male version of Marilyn Monroe.

Jordan – Please stop with that.

Sam - Can I stay for the night?

Jordan – Sure. I have four bedrooms so pick one, but from the first story.

Jordan – The second story is my resting room.

Sam – The entire story?!

Jordan – Yes, I have a jacuzzi, a suite and a room to express my art.

Jordan – So yes, the entire story.

Jordan – Night, Sam.

Sam – Night, Jordan.

Jordan – Night, Elsie.

Publicist – Night, Jordan.

Jordan – Let's go Rody.

Roderick – Night, everybody.