Los Angeles welcomed Alex Hayes back with the familiar, dry warmth of a late autumn day. He was instantly swept up in the vortex of his own success. After signing the final papers for Manchester United, his first stop was the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) office in Century City.
The CAA lobby, usually a hive of controlled energy, felt different now—more reverent. Alex was no longer just a major client; he was a phenomenon. His box office numbers spoke louder than any agent could.
He was ushered straight into Paula Wagner's expansive office.
"Alex! You absolute maniac," Paula exclaimed, rising with a genuine smile to embrace him. "Congratulations on everything. Top Gun is a massive hit; it's a huge commercial success. We've broken records, and you are currently the most sought-after star in the industry."
Alex grinned. "Thank you, Paula. Though, I must admit, I knew it was going to be a hit, but the scale of this... it's surreal."
Paula laughed, then gestured to a large stack of bound screenplays on her mahogany table. "Well, you're not going to be resting yet. Tell me, have you read any of the scripts we sent over?"
Alex settled onto the plush sofa, reaching for the scripts. "It's funny," he mused, picking up the nearest pile. "Not so long ago, I was struggling to get a single audition, let alone a script. Now I'm getting them in the tens, and the vast majority are complete noise. The moment Top Gun broke, the industry instantly decided every script needed a cockpit or a combat mission. It's creatively bankrupt."
He held up a blue script binder. "However, there are a few worth mentioning. First, Young Guns from 20th Century Fox. It's a Western, which I haven't done yet, and it's got a strong ensemble potential. I think it will be successful, but," Alex paused, tossing the script back down, "it's just not engaging enough. It won't move the needle for me right now."
Paula nodded, making a note. "Fair assessment. We agree it's an okay project, but not a priority."
Alex picked up the next script. "Then there's Cocktail from Touchstone Pictures. Pure audience bait. It's exactly the kind of glossy, commercial romantic drama that people line up for. It'll be a huge hit, but critically? Zero artistic merit. Just a massive paycheck and more commercial appeal."
Paula smiled. "So, easy money, but no challenge. "
Alex then slid a thick script titled Twins from Universal Studios across the table. He raised an eyebrow, looking at the two lead character descriptions.
"Wait, isn't one of the leads supposed to be an older, very muscular guy? And the other, well, the other is a short and stocky guy," Alex said, confused. "Why did they send this to me? They're looking for a specific type."
Paula smiled conspiratorially. "They are open to changing the script if you agree to do it. They'd rework the entire premise to fit your profile."
Alex shook his head, pushing the script away. "Leave it. If the script changes, the tone changes. Pass."
Alex moved on to a sleek black cover. Dangerous Liaisons, from Warner Bros.
"I liked this one," Alex said, tapping the title. "The Vicomte de Valmont role is brilliant—cynical, seductive, a real character study. We should work with this."
A flicker of awkwardness crossed Paula's face. "Alex, I'm sorry. We tried to push it, but the director, Stephen Frears, and the screenwriter, Christopher Hampton, both respectfully rejected you for the role."
Alex froze, a genuine look of surprise spreading across his face.
"Rejected me?" Alex chuckled, an almost disbelieving sound. "They rejected me? Knowing the kind of commercial appeal I bring to a project?"
Paula quickly explained, "It wasn't personal. They were dead set on getting someone with more traditional dramatic training and a distinctly non-action star persona for Valmont. They were worried your current image would overshadow the period drama's tone."
Alex considered this. His shock gave way to an unexpected sense of respect. "You know what? Good for them. They're sticking to their artistic beliefs, commercial success be damned. I respect that level of conviction."
Finally, he picked up the last script on the stack, which had been set slightly apart. The title was Rain Man, from Paramount.
"What about this one?" Alex asked, flipping through the pages.
Paula immediately focused, straightening her posture. "Ah, Rain Man. This is the one. Paramount acquired it from the screenwriter under the noses of MGM, right before a deal could be finalized."
"They are thinking of Dustin Hoffman to play the lead, Raymond Babbitt. If you were interested, they would be more than happy to cast you in that role."
"Not Raymond. I am talking about the role of Charlie Babbitt?" Alex asked.
"Charlie? I thought the main character was Raymond," Paula replied, confused.
"I am thinking about playing Charlie Babbitt," Alex confirmed.
Paula hesitated. "But… Charlie is clearly the secondary lead. Raymond, the autistic older brother, is the dramatic center of the story. And Raymond is the type of performance the Academy loves. That role could easily get you an Oscar nomination."
Alex leaned back, analyzing the plot in his mind. "Maybe. But to play Raymond, I would need to do an immense amount of research to do the character justice. And honestly, I like Charlie better. Charlie starts as a selfish prick only interested in his inheritance and ends up a genuinely concerned brother. That's the real story arc."
Paula sighed, accepting his choice. "Okay. I will contact Paramount. They'll likely be ecstatic to have you in any capacity."
Alex started to rise. "Is that it, then? What about Moonstruck?"
Paula confirmed, "The film is scheduled for a December 1987 release in about 1,250 theaters. It's a romantic film, and you're a supporting actor, so that's a decent showing. If you weren't in it, they'd have released it in limited theaters first. You need to start your promotion activities soon."
Alex nodded, agreeing to the schedule. But just as he reached the door, Paula stopped him.
"Alex, wait a minute." Her tone had shifted completely, dropping the business edge for something soft and maternal. "How are you? Really?"
Alex paused, genuinely confused by the unexpected personal query. "I'm fine. Why are you asking?"
"Because you are moving non-stop. Filming, promotion, buying a football club, and then script selection. You need rest."
Alex laughed, shaking his head. "I'm fine, Paula. Maybe other young actors can't handle the pressure, but I can. And don't worry, if I'm at a breaking point, I'll say so. I have enough influence now that I can take a year or two off, and it won't affect my standing."
Paula nodded. With the massive success of Top Gun, Alex had moved from one of the biggest stars to the biggest star in the business. He was, for the time being, untouchable.
"Besides," Alex added, "I was going to Texas for Christmas anyway, after the Moonstruck release."
Paula smiled. "Good. Get some rest. I will talk with Paramount and get back to you on Rain Man."
Alex departed the CAA offices, leaving Paula with the crucial task of reaching Paramount immediately to commence negotiations for the Rain Man project.