After signing the agent contract, Gilbert immediately handed Sheena Boone a script.
"Is this your new project?" Sheena Boone asked.
"Yes," Gilbert nodded. "Final Destination. It continues the thrilling horror style of The Shallows, bringing an even more dangerous and exciting storyline."
Currently, the outside world and film companies perceived him as a director of B-movie horror thrillers. If he were to abruptly switch to a different genre, film companies would be hesitant. So, it was better to continue exploring this genre and accumulate more capital for himself. Ultimately, Gilbert only had one successful film under his belt. If his next film failed, the reputation The Shallows brought him would be completely lost. He couldn't afford to take risks now; Gilbert couldn't bear any failures.
Sheena Boone quickly skimmed the script, finding the concept intriguing, and then asked, "So, are we still talking to Universal Pictures?"
"Let's talk to Universal Pictures first. Isn't Robert Iger also inviting us? We can keep that as a backup!"
"Okay," Sheena Boone affirmed her understanding, full of confidence as she prepared to discuss the project with Universal Pictures.
A new week arrived. With Spielberg's Hook about to premiere, The Shallows was finally nearing the end of its reign in theaters. Gilbert also had to attend the premiere of Hook to show his support; after all, Spielberg was his mentor, and he couldn't miss it.
However, the day before the premiere, a call came in. It was from Cameron Diaz, whom he had met at the celebration party. Cameron Diaz called to apologize and offered to treat Gilbert to dinner.
"I'm sorry, I don't earn much as a model yet, so I can't afford anything too fancy," Cameron Diaz said, full of apology, as she invited Gilbert to a regular fast-food restaurant.
Gilbert gestured, "It's fine. Dining with a beautiful lady is enough for me."
Cameron Diaz plucked up her courage and asked Gilbert, "Do you really think I'm pretty?"
"Of course you're beautiful. Would anyone say you're not?" Gilbert asked.
"Of course they would. When I was modeling, people around me always said my figure wasn't sexy enough, and I wasn't sweet enough," Cameron Diaz seemed a bit lacking in confidence.
"My goodness," Gilbert exclaimed loudly, "What kind of taste do they have? In my opinion, you're absolutely stunning."
Cameron Diaz lowered her head shyly, murmuring, "Thank you for the compliment..."
After dinner, Gilbert paid the bill, not letting Cameron Diaz touch her wallet.
"I'm so sorry, I was supposed to treat you, but you ended up paying," Cameron Diaz lowered her head again, apologizing once more.
"Lift your head, Miss Diaz, be confident..." Gilbert gently lifted Cameron Diaz's chin.
Cameron Diaz's large, watery eyes looked at Gilbert, as if they could speak.
"Remember, you're not inferior to anyone. What you lack is just confidence," Gilbert encouraged, picking up Cameron Diaz's small bag. "I'll walk you home."
"Okay, thank you, Director Gilbert," Cameron Diaz said gratefully, following Gilbert out of the restaurant, step by step.
Behind Gilbert's back, unseen, Cameron Diaz broke into a cunning smile and made a small V-sign with her fingers, indicating victory.
The restaurant wasn't far from Cameron Diaz's residence, so they walked back. Cameron Diaz skipped and bounced around Gilbert, the streetlights illuminating her face, making her look like an angel.
Walking and chatting with a beautiful woman was a very pleasant experience; the short distance stretched into over twenty minutes. Along the way, Cameron Diaz recounted interesting anecdotes from her modeling career over the years, including her experiences working in Japan. She even shared a miraculous escape story about almost being scammed by some unscrupulous Japanese directors involved in certain types of films.
"I'm here, Gilbert," Cameron Diaz said, standing prettily before Gilbert when they reached her place, completely devoid of her earlier self-deprecating demeanor.
By this point, Gilbert realized that Cameron Diaz had been feigning helplessness and trying to elicit sympathy from the beginning. But faced with such a delicate beauty, who could have the heart to blame her?
"Miss Diaz is truly clever; she knows how to use her advantages very well," Gilbert chuckled.
Cameron Diaz hooked her arm around Gilbert's with a smile. "How else can I get the attention of Hollywood's rising new director? I had no choice; you're so in demand, I had to play a few tricks and use some schemes just to get this chance to talk to you. Since we're already at my doorstep, why don't you come up for a cup of coffee?"
"Alright then, since I'm here, and I'm a bit thirsty," Gilbert replied.
Cameron Diaz was delighted. She took Gilbert's hand and led him into her apartment.
Cameron Diaz lived in an apartment in North Hollywood, a place crowded with aspiring young actors, directors, and screenwriters who came to Los Angeles chasing their dreams. Of course, most people drifted further and further from their dreams, with only a very small minority actually succeeding. And what kind of effort and sacrifices it took to succeed remained unknown.
Just like Cameron Diaz now, using a little cunning and subtle tactics to get a chance to have dinner with Gilbert, and even have him walk her home. It was fortunate that Gilbert was only two years older than her and wasn't bad-looking, so even if they ended up in bed, it wouldn't be much of a loss for her. If possible, becoming the girlfriend of a potentially rising new director seemed like a good choice. As for those famous directors or producers in their forties or fifties, whether the benefits of sleeping with them were worth it—that was something Cameron Diaz would have to consider for herself.
"What would you like to drink?" Cameron Diaz asked, holding a cup.
"Isn't it coffee?"
Cameron Diaz smiled sweetly. "Okay, coffee it is."
Cameron Diaz prepared a cup of coffee for Gilbert. Someone particular might have scoffed, as it was instant coffee. But for Gilbert, there was no difference between instant and freshly ground coffee. Cameron Diaz herself, however, poured a glass of red wine, her sensual, full lips gently resting on the rim of the glass, her large, watery eyes fixed on Gilbert.
Gilbert chatted with Cameron Diaz while sipping his coffee. "Did you just arrive in Los Angeles?"
"Yes," Cameron Diaz said, putting down her wine glass with a sigh. "It was only after coming to Los Angeles that I realized how difficult it is to become famous. This place isn't lacking in handsome men or beautiful women. The beauty I was so proud of in high school is nothing here."
"That's true; Hollywood gathers the most outstanding handsome men and beautiful women from all over the world," Gilbert's words made Cameron Diaz's face fall.
However, Gilbert quickly changed his tone: "To make it in Hollywood, you first need to find a way to get people to notice you, to realize that you can replace others. Then, it's about making yourself valuable, becoming irreplaceable."
Cameron Diaz looked at Gilbert's handsome face and smiled brightly. "You must have already become irreplaceable, right?"
"No, far from it!" Gilbert touched his cuff and said, "I'm still on the path to becoming irreplaceable."
Gilbert chatted at Cameron Diaz's place until past ten at night. Noticing the late hour, Gilbert excused himself to leave.
"Why don't you just stay the night here?" Cameron Diaz's hint was very clear; after all, she only had one bed.
But Gilbert pretended not to understand. "No, I still need to go to the Dome Theater tomorrow for the premiere of Hook."
As he was leaving, Gilbert turned back and said, "Oh, by the way, when you have time, you should sign up for an acting class. While beauty can be good for a short time, acting skills are always the real deal."
"I understand. Thank you..."
"You're welcome..."
After watching Gilbert leave, Cameron Diaz called her agent. "Kate, are you asleep? Please sign me up for an acting class!"