I’m at the point in my life where I have the perfect life. I’ve an amazing wife with two beautiful children. I can keep my family from living in poverty. I have the best job in the world. I have no complaints.
I just won a few awards. Not just any awards. I won three Academy awards in one night. And I’ve only been in the game two years. I beat DiCaprio at this point. He congratulated me at the after party. It was the best night of my life.
A few months later, I got a call from my agent with amazing news, “Lizzie, I just got you the best role. You alongside DiCaprio! He personally asked for you to play the leading role!”
I just couldn’t believe it. Not even an hour later I was on a plane to California to meet with Leo and talk about my role in the film. I was ready to start.
But that’s not what happened that night. Not at all.
I pulled up to a huge white mansion, away from the city life of California. The lot was surrounded by towering mountains. The sky was sapphire, and the sun burned bright. The heat kissed my forehead and droplets of sweat lingered. Leo came out from behind the front door dressed in all white, “Lizzie, darling,” he said as he lunged in with a hug and kissed me cheek to cheek.
“Leo,” I gushed, “I can’t believe you personally asked for me – “
“I would not be in the movie if you weren’t cast,” He cut me off, “Who else than you to play the devoted wife and mother. By the way how is Susan?”
“She’s even more excited than I am. Very envious. She’s been a fan of yours since Gremlins,” I said.
“Come, we need to talk,”
He led me into his home. Lavishly decorated and very eco-friendly. The walls were white and splashes of colors in every room and hall brightened the home. He led me to his backyard and we sat at a table next to the infinity pool facing the mountains.
“So,” I broke the silence, “What ideas do you have for the film and our roles? I haven’t had a chance to look over the script.”
“Forget about the movie, Liz. I’m having an intimate gathering tonight,” He looked at me intensely.
“Ok,” I said.
“I want you to be here tonight. At your own will,” he said.
“I don’t understand,”
“Liz. You have a very strong and definite career. You were mean to act. To be a household name. Three awards will mean nothing to you in a few years from now. Your children will never know what a burden is. Their children already have a rich future ahead. Susan will never have to worry about anything,”
“I’m already at that point, Leo.” I said as I tried to keep my voice steady.
“I’m talking about stardom, Lizzie. Leading roles in every movie. I know you currently ask for 30 million a movie. After tonight, you can triple that, hell, even quadruple it.”
“What do you mean at my own will?”
“Sacrifices have to be made, plain and simple. Like I said, I’m hosting a small, intimate gathering tonight. I would like for you to be here,”
“What kind of sacrifices?” I asked curiously.
“Well for one – moralistic sacrifices. Good and bad are out the door tonight,”
“Well that’s not so bad. Is it a weird sex orgy thing? Cuz I’d have to talk to Susan about that,”
“No one can know what happens here tonight. Not Susan, not god.”
“Ok,” I laughed, but Leo kept his serious demeanor.
“This is no joke. I wouldn’t just bring you up here to joke,” as he said this I straightened my face.
“I’m not doing an orgy,”
“This is not sexual. Not unless you want it to be,” he chuckled.
“Who else will be here?”
“Everyone who is anyone. Toby, Angelina, Tom, Samuel, Brad - the big names in Hollywood. All ready to welcome you. This is your party,” Leo said as he crossed his legs.
“So, I don’t know what’s going to happen, I just have to agree?”
“Yes. You must be loyal and willing to do whatever needs to be done. Don’t you want the fame? The screaming fans? The awards? The tailored dresses? A secured future? One night of sacrifice and you’ll be rewarded with everything life has to offer,”
“Can I talk it over with – “he cut me off, again.
“Look, if you can’t make a decision without Susan, I don’t think you should be here. Matter fact – “
“When does it start?”
Leo devilishly smiled, “In about ten minutes. Everyone should already be in the living room,” He stood up.
“Well, then, what are we waiting for?”
“Now are you sure you want to do this?” Leo asked.
“You just spent twenty minutes practically trying to convince me. Now you want to ask me if I’m sure? Lets’ go,” I stood up.
We walked back inside the house and met all the guest in the living room. Leo went around the room introducing me as I praised every single one of them.
They asked about my family. My job. My goals. And then they would all either ask me if I was ready for tonight or tell me how much I would enjoy it.
“You’re going to be fantastic tonight,” Meryl said, “No doubt in my mind. Remember, if you can’t do, act,” she took a sip of wine.
What did I get myself into? I thought.
Leo gathered all twelve of us at the round dining table. Waiters wearing black tuxedos with red napkins folded neatly inside the pockets served us drinks and food. Their hands were covered with gloves and their faces with a white mask. They spoke very little. I could tell that no one but I found this odd, yet it didn’t faze me.
“How do you like the steak?” asked Toby
“It’s delicious, it’s very tender,” I said as I stuffed my mouth with another mouthwatering bite.
“I’m glad you like it,” he cut his steak, “I found him on an island in Hawaii,” he shoved it in his mouth as he smiled.
“Him?” I looked down at my food.
Leo laughed, “He means the animal. It was male. Did you think-?” He laughed.
At this point everyone laughed, but me. I felt like the new kid in school.
“That’s cute,” Angelina said, “What do you want out of life, Elizabeth?”
“Wow. I haven’t been called that since I was a kid. Wow, um. Love?” I swallowed my food.
“Love? Is that why you became an actress? To remarry?” she smirked, “What do you really want?” She elegantly took a bite of her steak.
I leaned back in my chair without breaking my gaze, “I don’t want to be forgotten. I want my legacy to live on,” I took a gulp.
The conversations happening around the table came to a halt. If a pin fell, we all would have heard it. I felt their stares as their eyes burned holes in my head.
“What else?” another voice said.
“I want,” I paused, “I want it all,”
The room was quiet until the sound of the door swinging, and light footsteps filled the room.
“What are you willing to do for it all?” Leo asked.
I looked around at all those who sat with me. I knew what I needed to say, “What do I have to do?”
They giggled like children who just heard their first dirty word and soon after, dinner resumed.
Once we finished we made our way back to the living room which had been decorated while we were waiting. As conversations were continued the doorbell rang and Leo made his way to the door.
“Look who’s here.” Leo announced, “Susan!”
I quickly turned, and my face lit up, “Oh, Susan,” I leaned in to give her a kiss.
“Leo DiCaprio just announced me!!” She squealed
“It wouldn’t be a party without the love of your life,” Leo said, “Be a doll and introduce her to the others,” He nodded to Meryl.
I happily watched her leave.
“Now, here’s where it finally begins. This is your initiation party. Word of advice, just go with it. If you really want it,” he said.
“Initiation?” I asked bewildered.
“Yes. It’s tradition. We want to welcome you with open arms to our world. But what are you going to give us?” He broke the gaze as he looked over my shoulder taking a sip of his drink.
“Anything. It can all be replaced,” I smiled and looked in the same direction.
As I looked everyone made their way into an adjacent room. The lights were dimmed and there were candles everywhere. The paintings that were hung were menacing. I felt fear creep over me. My head began to fill with dread, yet I was able to carry myself.
I noticed the others began to place themselves around the room slowly. Susan, unbeknownst to her, continued her conversation with Julia. Julia continued to play the part.
I looked at Leo and he gave me a kiss on the forehead, “You can do this,” and he nudged me away from him as he placed an item in my hand and closed it. I turned to look at the others’ melancholy faces as they nodded in unison, approving of what was going to happen. We all knew.
I walked towards Susan and smiled as she turned to look at me, “I love you, Sue,”
“Baby, I lov- “she gasped as she slowly looked down at her belly and then back up to my face in horror. I twisted my hand, “But I love the fame even more,” I took the silver blade out of her and lunged it back in with no remorse.
The others, one by one, came to me and thanked me for my sacrifice as we all watched her die in agony.
“Now, let the festivities begin,” Leo said as the waiters came in holding trays with champagne filled glasses.
“What about her?” I asked without looking at her dying body.
“We’ll worry about that in the morning.”
I just won a few awards. Not just any awards. I won three Academy awards in one night. And I’ve only been in the game two years. I beat DiCaprio at this point. He congratulated me at the after party. It was the best night of my life.
A few months later, I got a call from my agent with amazing news, “Lizzie, I just got you the best role. You alongside DiCaprio! He personally asked for you to play the leading role!”
I just couldn’t believe it. Not even an hour later I was on a plane to California to meet with Leo and talk about my role in the film. I was ready to start.
But that’s not what happened that night. Not at all.
I pulled up to a huge white mansion, away from the city life of California. The lot was surrounded by towering mountains. The sky was sapphire, and the sun burned bright. The heat kissed my forehead and droplets of sweat lingered. Leo came out from behind the front door dressed in all white, “Lizzie, darling,” he said as he lunged in with a hug and kissed me cheek to cheek.
“Leo,” I gushed, “I can’t believe you personally asked for me – “
“I would not be in the movie if you weren’t cast,” He cut me off, “Who else than you to play the devoted wife and mother. By the way how is Susan?”
“She’s even more excited than I am. Very envious. She’s been a fan of yours since Gremlins,” I said.
“Come, we need to talk,”
He led me into his home. Lavishly decorated and very eco-friendly. The walls were white and splashes of colors in every room and hall brightened the home. He led me to his backyard and we sat at a table next to the infinity pool facing the mountains.
“So,” I broke the silence, “What ideas do you have for the film and our roles? I haven’t had a chance to look over the script.”
“Forget about the movie, Liz. I’m having an intimate gathering tonight,” He looked at me intensely.
“Ok,” I said.
“I want you to be here tonight. At your own will,” he said.
“I don’t understand,”
“Liz. You have a very strong and definite career. You were mean to act. To be a household name. Three awards will mean nothing to you in a few years from now. Your children will never know what a burden is. Their children already have a rich future ahead. Susan will never have to worry about anything,”
“I’m already at that point, Leo.” I said as I tried to keep my voice steady.
“I’m talking about stardom, Lizzie. Leading roles in every movie. I know you currently ask for 30 million a movie. After tonight, you can triple that, hell, even quadruple it.”
“What do you mean at my own will?”
“Sacrifices have to be made, plain and simple. Like I said, I’m hosting a small, intimate gathering tonight. I would like for you to be here,”
“What kind of sacrifices?” I asked curiously.
“Well for one – moralistic sacrifices. Good and bad are out the door tonight,”
“Well that’s not so bad. Is it a weird sex orgy thing? Cuz I’d have to talk to Susan about that,”
“No one can know what happens here tonight. Not Susan, not god.”
“Ok,” I laughed, but Leo kept his serious demeanor.
“This is no joke. I wouldn’t just bring you up here to joke,” as he said this I straightened my face.
“I’m not doing an orgy,”
“This is not sexual. Not unless you want it to be,” he chuckled.
“Who else will be here?”
“Everyone who is anyone. Toby, Angelina, Tom, Samuel, Brad - the big names in Hollywood. All ready to welcome you. This is your party,” Leo said as he crossed his legs.
“So, I don’t know what’s going to happen, I just have to agree?”
“Yes. You must be loyal and willing to do whatever needs to be done. Don’t you want the fame? The screaming fans? The awards? The tailored dresses? A secured future? One night of sacrifice and you’ll be rewarded with everything life has to offer,”
“Can I talk it over with – “he cut me off, again.
“Look, if you can’t make a decision without Susan, I don’t think you should be here. Matter fact – “
“When does it start?”
Leo devilishly smiled, “In about ten minutes. Everyone should already be in the living room,” He stood up.
“Well, then, what are we waiting for?”
“Now are you sure you want to do this?” Leo asked.
“You just spent twenty minutes practically trying to convince me. Now you want to ask me if I’m sure? Lets’ go,” I stood up.
We walked back inside the house and met all the guest in the living room. Leo went around the room introducing me as I praised every single one of them.
They asked about my family. My job. My goals. And then they would all either ask me if I was ready for tonight or tell me how much I would enjoy it.
“You’re going to be fantastic tonight,” Meryl said, “No doubt in my mind. Remember, if you can’t do, act,” she took a sip of wine.
What did I get myself into? I thought.
Leo gathered all twelve of us at the round dining table. Waiters wearing black tuxedos with red napkins folded neatly inside the pockets served us drinks and food. Their hands were covered with gloves and their faces with a white mask. They spoke very little. I could tell that no one but I found this odd, yet it didn’t faze me.
“How do you like the steak?” asked Toby
“It’s delicious, it’s very tender,” I said as I stuffed my mouth with another mouthwatering bite.
“I’m glad you like it,” he cut his steak, “I found him on an island in Hawaii,” he shoved it in his mouth as he smiled.
“Him?” I looked down at my food.
Leo laughed, “He means the animal. It was male. Did you think-?” He laughed.
At this point everyone laughed, but me. I felt like the new kid in school.
“That’s cute,” Angelina said, “What do you want out of life, Elizabeth?”
“Wow. I haven’t been called that since I was a kid. Wow, um. Love?” I swallowed my food.
“Love? Is that why you became an actress? To remarry?” she smirked, “What do you really want?” She elegantly took a bite of her steak.
I leaned back in my chair without breaking my gaze, “I don’t want to be forgotten. I want my legacy to live on,” I took a gulp.
The conversations happening around the table came to a halt. If a pin fell, we all would have heard it. I felt their stares as their eyes burned holes in my head.
“What else?” another voice said.
“I want,” I paused, “I want it all,”
The room was quiet until the sound of the door swinging, and light footsteps filled the room.
“What are you willing to do for it all?” Leo asked.
I looked around at all those who sat with me. I knew what I needed to say, “What do I have to do?”
They giggled like children who just heard their first dirty word and soon after, dinner resumed.
Once we finished we made our way back to the living room which had been decorated while we were waiting. As conversations were continued the doorbell rang and Leo made his way to the door.
“Look who’s here.” Leo announced, “Susan!”
I quickly turned, and my face lit up, “Oh, Susan,” I leaned in to give her a kiss.
“Leo DiCaprio just announced me!!” She squealed
“It wouldn’t be a party without the love of your life,” Leo said, “Be a doll and introduce her to the others,” He nodded to Meryl.
I happily watched her leave.
“Now, here’s where it finally begins. This is your initiation party. Word of advice, just go with it. If you really want it,” he said.
“Initiation?” I asked bewildered.
“Yes. It’s tradition. We want to welcome you with open arms to our world. But what are you going to give us?” He broke the gaze as he looked over my shoulder taking a sip of his drink.
“Anything. It can all be replaced,” I smiled and looked in the same direction.
As I looked everyone made their way into an adjacent room. The lights were dimmed and there were candles everywhere. The paintings that were hung were menacing. I felt fear creep over me. My head began to fill with dread, yet I was able to carry myself.
I noticed the others began to place themselves around the room slowly. Susan, unbeknownst to her, continued her conversation with Julia. Julia continued to play the part.
I looked at Leo and he gave me a kiss on the forehead, “You can do this,” and he nudged me away from him as he placed an item in my hand and closed it. I turned to look at the others’ melancholy faces as they nodded in unison, approving of what was going to happen. We all knew.
I walked towards Susan and smiled as she turned to look at me, “I love you, Sue,”
“Baby, I lov- “she gasped as she slowly looked down at her belly and then back up to my face in horror. I twisted my hand, “But I love the fame even more,” I took the silver blade out of her and lunged it back in with no remorse.
The others, one by one, came to me and thanked me for my sacrifice as we all watched her die in agony.
“Now, let the festivities begin,” Leo said as the waiters came in holding trays with champagne filled glasses.
“What about her?” I asked without looking at her dying body.
“We’ll worry about that in the morning.”
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