G'Day USA Read Online Free PDF Page A

dial it back a notch guys. We had fun on the movie. Best of buddies. Sweeney is history. Ancient history. I’ve decided I’m going to enjoy my life. Sweeney can go fuck himself. The odds of me ever crossing his path again are slim to none.’
    ‘ Or our paths,’ said Charlie.
    ‘ Crazy talk. Serious, Charlie, you should get back in the business.’ I looked at Kent. ‘I didn’t know about your foot until way later. Thought it was a surfing accident or something. You shouldn’t let your foot slow you down. Despite the Beast reviews, you were - are - good.’
    Kent took a deep breath and seemed to be thinking about what to say. ‘Let’s say for a minute you didn’t know what Sweeney did, and I’m not convinced yet, there’s still no way I’m going to be able to get any serious roles with a foot that still hurts like hell if I’m on it for more than an hour or so. It even cuts into my surfing.’ He shook his head. ‘I’ll be bit parts. Nice of you to say otherwise, but I’ll deal.’
    I scratched my head. ‘What did he do, exactly?’
    ’ Third, fourth and fifth metatarsi. Fractured all three of them. They didn’t set right because the ass forced me to do the role or he’d sue me for breach.’
    ‘ You mean it’s going to hurt all your life?’
    ‘ Unless I get surgery I can’t afford because my insurance is calling it a pre-existing condition.’
    ‘ And how much would surgery cost?’
    ‘ Don’t even. I don’t need your help.’
    I sighed. ‘I’m obviously not going to force it on you, but think about it. I really want to help. And I can. Money isn’t as much of a problem.’
    ‘ Don’t rub it in.’ Charlie looked like he was getting steamed and I really didn’t need that aggravation.
    ‘ Hey, mate. It’s your decision to get out of the business. I can only suggest you get back in. You were good. I’d love to see you making movies again.’
    Charlie pushed back his plate. ‘Nice seeing you again Ellie, but we’ve got to go.’
    ‘ Hang on a sec, Chaz. Ellie here is just trying to be friendly. Right Ellie? Listen, while we’re in the neighborhood, why don’t you show us your digs? Never seen a movie star’s place before.’
    I didn’t want to come across like a dick. Dickette? Whatever. ‘Sure. Not long though. I’ve got heaps of stuff to get done before the premiere tomorrow.’
    Kent stood. ‘So when did you buy the place?’
    ‘ Six months ago. I’m leasing though. Might buy something bigger up in Malibu later.’ I caught Charlie throw Kent a glance. ‘Hey, boys, don’t make me feel bad for doing well. I had to work hard to get here, and I’m going to enjoy it. Come on up. It’s not much, but the view is great.’ I stood and left a fifty under the edge of my plate. ‘Were you two surfing here last night? I thought I might have seen you. Or I saw someone who looked familiar.’
    ‘ Charlie and I caught a couple waves.’
    Charlie pushed his chair in. ‘Not very good here. Not compared to Huntington, anyway.’
    He had a point there. ‘And Huntington isn’t even close to North Narrabeen. Am I right boys?’
    ‘ You ever miss home?’
    I opened the building door and stepped to one side to let them in. ‘Sometimes. But the opportunities are much better here. What about you?’
    Charlie shrugged. ‘Sure. It’s nice there. But like you said, there’s more business here.’
    I locked the front door. ‘What is it you do?’
    ‘ Telecomms engineer doing work for a couple of different companies as a contractor. On and off work, but when it’s on, it’s pretty good money.’ He followed me into my apartment. ‘But sure as hell not this good. This is nice.’
    I smiled and waited for Kent to come in before locking that door. ‘Yeah. It is. Beats the hell out of the guesthouse in the Valley.’
    Kent plopped onto the sofa. ‘So were you doing something with him?’
    ‘ Who, Sweeney?’ I opened the doors to the balcony. ‘Are you kidding me? No. He was like a