Rhett reassured her that he had faith in both her and Breck and the script they’d tailored for him.
Cassie wanted to reward that faith. One of Rhett’s former directors, Mac Landry, put them on to Sandy Sanderson, a recent USC film school grad who’d premiered his first movie at Sundance to good buzz. Both Rhett and Breck told her to screen the young man for them. She could hire him on the spot if she liked him and save them another round of meetings, which had been endless and gone nowhere in the last month as the three of them had interviewed seven other directors. The only time wasted today would be her own—if it was wasted.
Cassie didn’t think it would be. She had a good feeling about Sandy Sanderson. Call it woman’s intuition or a gut feeling but his film debut spoke to her. She believed Sanderson had what they needed to get their script shot and delivered and showcase Rhett in the best possible light.
Cassie returned downstairs as the doorbell chimed. She waved Mimi away and opened the door to a short, stocky man in his early twenties, with dancing green eyes and a wave of sandy blond hair.
She held out her hand. “Cassie Carroll. Won’t you come in?”
The young director shook it enthusiastically. “Sandy Sanderson. Thanks for meeting with me.”
Cassie led him into the living room off the foyer and indicated for him to have a seat. TJ sat atop the coffee table, ignoring both of them.
The director wandered around first, taking in the furniture and paintings and knickknacks around the room.
“Great room. Comfortable yet elegant. Excellent light.” Sandy sat, his boyish grin and enthusiasm already pulling Cassie in.
“Let’s start by seeing if you liked the script,” she said. “There’s no reason to keep talking if you didn’t.”
Sandy beamed. “Liked isn’t the word. It was amazing, Cassie. Fresh. Suspenseful. Erotic. It kept me guessing. I’ve never liked predictable and your script kept me off-balance the entire time.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “I liked Mushroom Jack myself. You took a sensitive subject and made it accessible and funny.”
Sandy blushed at the compliment. “Thanks. It really surprised me when Sundance selected it but it’s boomed since then.”
Cassie eyed Sandy. “You could probably do anything you want right now so, why this script?”
He grew thoughtful. “I’m a set decorator’s brat. Brought up on sets from the time I can remember. I had a lot of imagination as a kid, playing on a sci-fi set one week and then a Western the next.”
Sandy stood and began pacing. “My favorite director was Mac Landry. He did mostly action movies and I always enjoyed watching him work. He took time for a chunky kid like me, just two film buffs talking about the industry. He spoke to me as if I were as important as any paid person on his set. He gave me all kinds of advice. Mac made me believe in myself.”
“Rhett speaks very fondly of Mac.”
Sandy nodded. “I worked as a production assistant on a film Rhett did with Mac. I watched and learned. Rhett was the consummate professional. The two of them jawed a little back and forth over the script and his character but Mac always had the knack of knowing when Rhett was right. Rhett never put on airs. He stuck to his guns. Mac went with Rhett’s suggestions when they made sense.
“I liked that about Mac and I liked Rhett. I could see he had so much potential and I thought he was wasting it by continually playing action figures. When I read this script, I saw Rhett written all over it.”
Sandy paused in front of Cassie. “I know he can do this. Of course, I want a few script changes. Very minor ones. For two first-time screenwriters, it’s strong on all fronts. I want this as my next project.”
He blushed again like a teenager in love. “I have this fantasy that I’m the one who taps Rhett Corrigan’s deep talent pool and shows the world what he’s capable of.”
The director took a seat, his arms falling along the back of the sofa. “I’m guessing you’ve met with several directors and no one wants to touch this project because it’s so far off Rhett’s image. I should play hard to get but I’m telling you that I’ll do anything to work with Rhett Corrigan on this.”
A sense of peace rolled through Cassie and she couldn’t keep the smile from her lips. Sandy would be the one to change the direction of Rhett’s career. “I’ve liked everything you’ve said, Sandy. I believe we’ll work together well.” She eyed him for a moment. “Let’s see if you’re really the film buff you claim to be. Go three for three and we’ll open a bottle of champagne to celebrate your hiring.”
Sandy laughed. “Try to stump me. I’m the king of movie trivia.”
“Okay, I have three questions.”
“Shoot.”
“What three films swept the Oscars in all five major categories. What Nicholson’s first film role for Roger Corman was. And what cult film did Roger Ebert write.”
Relief flooded Sandy’s cherub face. “This is a piece of cake. The movies are It Happened One Night, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and The Silence of the Lambs.”
She sat up expectantly. “Go on.”
“Nicholson made a big impression in Little Shop of Horrors. And Ebert, among his screenplays, authored Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.”
Sandy brought his knuckles together and cracked them expertly. “Sure you don’t have anything harder to throw at me?”
Cassie laughed. “Rhett and Breck are going to love you. You hit the trifecta.” She pulled her cell from her pocket and hit a button before bringing it to her ear.
“Hey, it’s me. Where are you two? You need to get home and meet Sandy Sanderson, our new director.”
She winked at the young man parked on the couch. “Yes, he got all three questions right. No hesitation. And you actually know him. He worked on Mac Landry’s set.”
Cassie listened a moment. “Okay. We’ll see you in ten. Love you.”
She looked at Sandy. “I hope it won’t cause any problems but Rhett and I are involved. Engaged, actually.”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me any. Make sure Rhett shows up on time knowing his lines and we’ll be the best of buds.” The director suddenly turned and looked out the window. “Who’s that?”
Cassie glanced and saw Jolene pass by, arms swinging briskly. “Jolene Farrell. She’s Breck’s girlfriend. Maybe you’ve seen her in one of the local comedy clubs before.”
Sandy smiled. “Never been to one but I know she’s exactly right for Katelyn.”
Cassie thought a moment. “You’re right. It never hit me before but Jo would be perfect!”
She sprang to her feet. “I’ll be right back.” She dashed out of the room and threw open the front door, hollering for Jolene to stop.
Her friend turned. “Hey, your meeting’s already over? I was about to take a speed walk. Wanna come?”
Cassie hurried to Jolene and grabbed her hand, leading her back to the house.
“Where are we going? Cassie, do not tempt me with one of Mimi’s German chocolate cakes or Dutch apple crisps. I started walking this week to try and drop a few pounds and I don’t need any excuses to stop. Not with Kimmel breathing down my neck.”