Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:46:57 -0700 (PDT) From: Christian G. Subject: The Gyllenhaal Encounter - Part Twenty-Four Disclaimer: I do not know or claim to know Jake Gyllenhaal and I don't mean to imply to know any knowledge of his personal life or sexual preferences. This is a work of FICTION and nothing more. If you're under 18 or don't like to read fan-fictions about same sex romances then DO NOT read this story. For everyone else, sit back and enjoy. +++ It was a big day for everyone working in the Gyllenhaal camp; it was the day when promotion for the movie Jarhead would begin. No one was more excited than Jake himself. When he woke up that morning, he took a quick shower and pumped himself up for the endless talk shows and late night appearances he would have to do in order to get the word out for the film. After a speedy meeting with his publicist and assistant Jen, Jake was given a paper filled with names and times that he needed to make in order to start the day off on the right foot. After doing some of the smaller radio talk shows and cable networks, it was time for the big time names. First there was Late Night With Conan O'Brien. Jake and his team jumped on a plane to New York for the weekend and got ready for the shows taping to commence the next day. Jake usually got nervous when flying around to do promotion even though it was something that he had done for several years now. It never got any better, it only made him adjust to life out of a suitcase during those long months. The night before appearing on the show, Jake went out and had dinner with his friends and got ready for the coming days as this was the only time he would be able to completely and fully enjoy being around those closest to him. Jake arrived at the NBC studios in New York and was met with fans lining the back door of the building, holding out his pictures and magazines with him on the cover in hopes of getting a single mark from his marker. Jake managed to pose for some fans as he walked through the crowd but was instantly ushered inside by one of the producers of the show. "Your clothes are laid out in your dressing room," the woman with a big head mic said, walking backwards as she lead the way through the halls. "If you need anything just give me a ring, my name's Sofia." "Okay, thanks." Jake walked into the room with a golden star and his initials on the door. Inside there was a large couch, coffee table packed with food and water and a small television broadcasting what the cameras caught in their eye sight. Jen walked into the room with another woman working for the show behind her, the live band echoing inside as they practiced on stage. "Hi, Jake!" the woman said, greeting him with a smile. Huffing and puffing with a pile of papers and a thin folder cradled I her arms, Jen set everything down on the table while Jake made himself comfortable, thumbing through the grapes and carrot sticks displayed in a large tray. My name's Julian and I'm the segment director. Here's what's going to happen: In thirty minutes the show is going to begin..." "Thirty minutes?" Jake cut in. "Yeah, but Conan likes to start off with several minutes of stand up for the audience so you have plenty of time until you actually go on. Um, when you finally get to talk to Conan then he's going to ask you about your week and what you've been up to then he'll ask about your movie. The clip we're going to show is of the desert scene with Jaime Foxx." Jake only nod his head as Julian talked his ear off. "So if you could just explain a little about that and what you've gotten from the role and stuff like that, okay? Do you have any questions?" "Nope. I'm good." "Okay. Remember, lots of energy." Jake giggled to himself and asked for his privacy. He managed to change into the evening suit and was later joined again by his assistant, watching the opening segments of the show on the television in his dressing room. "My next guest is the star of the new film Jarhead. Please welcome Jake Gyllenhaal!" Conan stood up from behind his table and walked towards the entrance of the stage where he met Jake and walked him to his seat. Randy watched as Jake waved to the crowd and smiled nauseatingly. It was just past midnight and Christian was sleep upstairs. Randy lay on the living room couch with a Corona beer snuggled in his hands. He awoke minutes earlier and flipped on the TV, hoping there would be something on to keep him company. The channel automatically changed itself to the Conan show as Christian had set the timer earlier in the day. Randy watched as Jake took a seat beside the tall, red headed man and began praising his appearance on the show. "I just wanna say that I'm really excited to be here. I love you and your show." Jake smiled at Conan. Randy watched on with growing revulsion in his eyes. He wanted to switch the television off but instead only sat there on the sofa. Quietly closing in on himself. He found it obnoxious and intriguing all at once. The show went on as Jake and Conan joked with each other like little children who've known one another for years. When Jake's segment finally ended, Randy stood up from his place and downed the rest of his alcoholic drink before angrily shutting off the television and heading upstairs. +++ The day had finally arrived. The premier was being held at the venue Christian and Randy were working in. The work day started as usual but instead of opening their doors to allow outsiders to be let inside, the entire place was shut down so the theatre crew could go in and get all the needed adjustments done on time for the evening showing and guests. Christian was in charge of cleaning the screen rooms that were going to be used and also the projection booths above while Randy worked most of the bottom section of the theatre; working the concession stand, manning the ticket booth and making sure the lobby was clean and tidy. Everyone was working on overload. An hour before the doors could open, the event coordinator showed up with his posse of workers and checked out the building, making sure everything was in order and working as it should be. Seeing as the theatre was given a new look for the premier, the ushers had to have the same for them. Instead of the red vests and white button down collar shirts, they were given an attire that consisted of all black. Everyone looked as if they were going to a funeral. Christian made his way around the men and women working outside the building, putting up the velvet ropes and rolling out the stereotypical red carpet. It was unusual to see such things happening around him but Christian was proud to be representing his theatre at such a dire and exciting. After hanging a large "Jarhead" backdrop across the front side of the building with help from his co-worker, Christian set up the blown up movie posters around the venue to remind people of what movie they came to see. It wasn't long until the place resembled those on the television screen and on channels like "E!" and "Entertainment Tonight." Before the work was completely done, Mr. Anderson called everyone back into the lobby of the theatre for one last pep rally before the fans and stars started to arrive. The entire outside of the theatre was packed with men holding large cameras and microphones in their hands. Christian watched as more and more people filled the sidewalk across the street, hoping to get one shot of their favorite movie stars. There were even some die hard Gyllenhaalics holding signs with "I Heart Jake" and "Mrs. Gyllenhaal" above their heads. It all brought a smile to Christian's face, he knew how much support Jake had behind him and how many devoted fans that were willing to stand out in the heat for hours. The sun went down and the black short limos started to pile in. William Broyles Jr., Sam Mendes, the actual Anthony Swafford, all the people behind the film, stepped onto the red carpet and down the photo line to pose with each other for photos. The paparazzi all yelling different commands and directions as the bulbs of flashed rapidly in their face. "Over here! This way!" they continued while those being photographed talked amongst themselves. It was definitely a chaos not to be missed. "Hello, welcome." Christian repeated at the doors once everyone finished their walk down the line. "Welcome." His heart was pounding and his palms were moist. He couldn't wait to see Jake up close again. It had been nearly a month since they've last seen each other due to Jake's busy promotion tour overseas and around the states. The anticipation for Jake's arrival was imminent as everyone's excitement level heightened every time another car pulled up. Randy wasn't in the same mood as everyone else in the world. He dreaded seeing Jake again. It's enough to see him on screen but he couldn't bare to see him face to face. He knew Christian felt differently and yet there was nothing he could do about it. All he could really do was stay close to Chris so Jake would keep his own distance. It didn't matter to him how ridiculous he would look while doing it. If it meant following Jake around all night then he was willing to do so. Deep into the party, Jake, Peter and Maggie all arrived on the red carpet and, before heading inside, they were dropped off across the street where they posed and signed autographs for the many, many fans waiting to catch a glimpse of them. They rushed back across the street to allow the paparazzi to do their job. Once they walked the line, Jen made sure they were let into the over crowded theatre to mingle with the best of them. Christian was away from the doors and now handling the concession stand when Jake entered the building. Mr. Anderson, the theatre manager, came out into the lobby and riled everyone in the overbooked room to commence his speech. "Hello, my name's Edward Anderson," he began, "And I would like to welcome you all to our little theatre. We're very honored to hold such an event as this one and hope you all enjoy yourselves and the film. I'm now going to hand the spotlight over to director Sam Mendes." Mr. Anderson stepped aside and Sam took his place across the rug. While he talked about what the movie meant to him and the actors, Jake stood near the back with Peter at his side. Christian ran a towel over the counter top, half listening to the speaker up front and half concentrating on the faces in the crowd. He scanned each person tolerantly, looking for Jake's familiar face but due to the overwhelming number of human heads in the room, he was unable to locate the one he searched for. From across the room, Jake had a clear view of Christian and he used it to his advantage; glaring over at him and peeking around to see if Randy was anywhere near. "I'll stop talking now so we can move into the rooms for the screening. Thanks again for coming out tonight." Sam concluded he speech and the sea of people slowly scattered into four different screen room. Having missed his chance, Christian gave in and walked around with a broom and dust pan, sweeping up the business cards from those trying to exchange information, hoping to create a network of businesses. +++ The movie finally ended and, as if in reverse, men and woman poured back into the lobby of the theatre. Some still talking about the film while others wiped away tears from their eyes. Jake walked out with Sam's hand around his neck and Maggie patting him on the back for a job well done while Peter enjoyed the attention he got from another source of people. Randy and Christian stood talking by the area where the ticket line would have been. They didn't care to cater to the crowd and decided to act as if they were working instead. Christian still hadn't seen Jake but by this point, he had forgotten Jake was even in the same room as he. It wasn't until Maggie came up to him and Randy that he realized Jake was somewhere near. "How are you?" Maggie enthusiastically asked. She looked beautiful in her lavender dress and simple hair-do elegantly pushed back behind her ears. She smelled sweet and sounded even sweeter. "I haven't seen you in a while. How was your trip?" "Yeah," Christian replied, "It was good. Thanks--You remember Randy, right?" "Oh, yeah." Maggie smiled. "I remember you. How're you?" "Good," replied Randy, returning the smile. "Has Jake come over yet?" As soon as Maggie mentioned his name Christian's heart sank to the pit of his stomach. It was made even worse by the fact that Randy was standing right beside him. He wanted nothing more than to steer away from any sort of Jake talk but couldn't avoid the subject. "No, he hasn't." There was a bit of an awkward silence beginning to arise. "Anyways, I think the toilet paper's low in the bathroom. It was great seeing you again." Christian began to turn away after Maggie waved him goodbye. He pushed through the crowd and entered the bright bathroom to get away from Randy, knowing he would ask how Maggie knew of his trip out of town when Christian assured him earlier that he hadn't seen any Gyllenhaal. From afar, Jake watched as Christian disappeared into one of the bathrooms and quickly went to follow, excusing himself from the circle of people trying to get a word in about his role. Jake swung the bathroom door aside and let it close again with a loud squeak of the hinges. He turned the corner and there he saw Christian standing in the middle of the room with his back to him. Once Christian heard the door close, he turned back, expecting to see Randy but got Jake instead. "Hey." Jake solemnly replied, taking one hand out of his pockets to wave. "Hi." "I was going to come up to you out there but I was trampled when everyone went in to see the movie," Jake smiled. "It would've been nice to get you in the dark." Christian giggled and lean back on the tile counter top. "How was the movie?" "Good. Everyone seems to like it so..." "Hopefully I'll get to see it sometime." Out of no where, Jake moved in an took Christian in his arms. Christian pushed away as the element of surprise was still strong. Anyone could walk into the bathroom while he and Jake are in there together and that made Christian nervous. What if Randy was to walk in? Or worse, a gossip columnist who needed new fuel for their magazine? It was far too risky. "I want to see you again." Jake insisted. "What's your new address?" "Why do you want it for?" Christian panicked. "So I can go and see you." "I can't give it to you. It's Randy's house and he might be home when you come around. I'll come to you instead." "Alright. But I really want to see you again." The bathroom door swung open again and someone walked in to use the restroom. Jake act as if he was busy washing his hands and Christian quickly exit the room where he bumped into Randy just outside the door. Christian walk passed him with out acknowledging him then Jake walked out a second later. Randy stared Jake dead in the eyes but walked away as if he was just passing by. It was a tense moment that made both their blood boil. +++ It was a quiet night at home. Randy was in the living room, downing bottle after bottle while sprawled out on the couch, eyeing the television screen while Christian took the dining room table, sipping on a cup of piping hot coffee and enjoying the latest in Entertainment Tonight. The house was still and the atmosphere calm until the doorbell suddenly echoed through out the rooms, breaking the calm mood in the air. "Are you going to get it?" Christian called at Randy after the third time the bell rang. With no answer, Christian stood up from his chair and traversed to the door, he undid the lock above the door handle and swung the plank aside. To his surprise, he found Jake on the other end, staring back at him with a childish grin on his face. Realizing that Randy was only a few feet away, Christian stepped halfway outside, holding the door close behind him. "What are you doing here? How'd you find me?" "I asked one of your co-workers." "I told you I'd go and see you." "I know but I couldn't help it. Come on, let's go." Jake tugged at Christian's arm. "No," Christian replied, holding his place at the front porch. "Randy's home. If I leave he'll ask all these question about where I'm going and who I'll be with." "So, lie." Back inside the warm house, Randy sat up on the couch and wearily tossed the empty beer bottle on the coffee table with the rest of them. "Who is it?" he cried. "It's no one." Christian went to close the door but Jake placed his foot in the way. "Just for a couple of minutes. Tell him you have to go with a friend or something." "No, I'll see you later. I have to go." Randy stood up and jadedly moved towards Christian behind the front door. He was certain that it wasn't no body that kept Christian outside, whispering and gossiping for minutes at a time. "Who is it?" he asked again, this time stepping out through the small door opening. Jake locked eyes with Randy and a strong wave of goose bumps showered his entire body. His arms were covered in tiny knobs when Randy added, "What's going on?" To Be Continued... +++ Thanks for reading! Hope you all enjoyed this section and stick around for the final sections coming up. Email: synful_romance@sbcglobal.net -Christian