I lived in LA in the 90s and worked on the fringes of the entertainment industry. My company printed movie posters, which allowed me to interact with many industry professionals. I also had a part-time job at Banana Republic, where many employees were aspiring actors and writers. I had unique experiences at house parties where coffee tables were often covered with designer bags, allegedly gifts from industry insiders.
I once helped Alan Rickman find pants, and his friendly demeanor made the encounter memorable. A story about a pop star's uncle selling personal information for cash is also mentioned, along with the practice of seating audience members by attractiveness for TV shows