Stuart Woods_Stone Barrington 21

mean stabbing people in the back, the way they seem to do in Hollywood. I mean, are you willing to do the things you have to do to learn how to do it and be great at it?”
    “Yes,” Ben said firmly. “I’m willing to do those things.”
    “And are you willing not to do the things you shouldn’t do?”
    “Yeah, I’m willing not to do those things.”
    “Great! We’ll have a lot more fun if I’m not bailing you out all the time.”
    Ben laughed. “You know, my dad is always saying stuff like this to me, but coming from you, it makes a lot more sense.”
    “I’m glad, Ben. Now, because you’re my friend and I trust you, I want to tell you a couple of things that nobody else knows and that I don’t want anyone else to know until the right time.”
    “You’re right, Peter, you can trust me.”
    “First of all, you’ve probably already figured out that Stone is my biological father.”
    “Well, yeah.”
    “And he and my mother are getting married.”
    “Great!”
    “It’s better if all that doesn’t get around.”
    “I understand.”
    “Second, it should help motivate you to know that my mother owns about forty percent of Centurion Studios.”
    Ben stared at him blankly. “The actual Hollywood studio?”
    “That’s right. My stepfather, Vance Calder, was Centurion’s most important star for fifty years, and during that time he bought the studio’s stock every chance he got. A couple of times, he even took payment for acting roles in studio stock.”
    “That’s amazing.”
    “Yes, it is, but it’s going to be even more amazing for you and me. Get your mind around this: one day I’m going to own all that stock, and it’s going to allow me to make any film I want to make at Centurion, and it’s going to allow you to produce it. And it’s going to allow the two of us to run Centurion Studios.”
    Ben sank back in his chair, looking stunned.
    “Now, before you get over that idea, I’ve something else to tell you.”
    “I’m not sure I can stand it,” Ben said.
    “I’m not sure you can, either, but here goes: Ben, I’m only sixteen years old.”
    Ben sat bolt upright, looking at Peter’s face for some sign that he was kidding. “I’m going to be eighteen next month; you mean you’re two years younger than I am?”
    “You’re good at math, Ben.”
    “I can do eighteen minus sixteen.”
    “Now, Ben, my age makes me a freak, at least until I’m in my thirties, when it won’t matter. But, if people think I’m eighteen, then I’m not a freak, and life will be so very much easier for me. Can you understand that?”
    “Sure, I can. Your secret is safe with me, Peter.”
    “Good. And I have a legal birth certificate to prove I’m eighteen. Please remember: life will be easier for both of us if you continue to treat me as if I’m eighteen.”
    Ben smiled broadly. “No sweat, pal.”
    “That means I’m not going to drink until I’m twenty-one, which means until I’m twenty-three. I’m not suggesting that you should wait that long, but you’ll have a better brain in your head if you do.”
    “I’ll think about that.”
    “I’m probably not going to have sex for a while, either, and I don’t need you to give me a hard time about it.”
    “Up to you, Peter.”
    “And it will help our career plan if you don’t get anybody pregnant.”
    “Good point.”
    “Great. Now, are you ready to watch Citizen Kane again?”
    “Are you kidding? I’m ready to produce it!”

22
    O n Christmas Day Stone and Arrington were dressing.
    “Do you think this dress will be all right?” Arrington asked.
    “It’s beautiful,” Stone said, “even if it’s not white.”
    “I think I’m a little beyond the white dress,” Arrington said. Stone kissed her. “You look like a virgin bride to me.”
    She laughed. “It’s going to be fun being married to you.”
    “Let’s be sure to keep it that way,” he said, zipping up her dress.
    “Who did you say is going to marry us?”
    “Eduardo said, ‘an official.’ That probably means a judge. He knows a lot of people like that.” Stone went to his dressing room and came back with a clear plastic box. “Here’s your bouquet,” he said, handing it to her.
    “Oh, it’s beautiful, Stone. I wouldn’t even have thought about that. Where’s the wedding ring?”
    “In my pocket,” Stone said, “for Dino to convey.”
    “Who’s going to give me away?”
    “How about Peter?”
    “Perfect. I don’t guess we’ll have a