My Hollywood System

Chapter 113:

“Bravo Six, Going Dark!” A figure clad in SAS military uniform said, as he put on a pair of night-vision goggles.

“Aaaand Cut! That’s a wrap, perfect shot Robert!”

The director of the movie [A Bullet to kill] announced, and Michael “Robert” Elrod, who had just completed the shooting for the final scene of the movie, nodded to the prop assistant, who came and collected the airsoft gun and military equipment from him.

Everyone who was part of the movie started celebrating having worked very hard throughout the shooting. Robert quickly got changed into more casual clothing and said his goodbyes to the director and exited the Krown Studios facility.

Outside, there was an elegant, brushed-up gunmetal Rolls Royce Phantom waiting for him. Walking up to the opened door of the back seat, he saw that it was occupied by two people, one of whom he knew very well, and the other just happened to be a famous director who happened to be working on a movie produced by Will’s agency.

“Hello, Robert. Congratulations on finishing the shooting of [A Bullet to Kill]” Jeffery said, passing him a glass of chardonnay after Robert had taken his seat inside the luxurious car.

“What’s this? Are we in some super-secret spy agency, and now you’re going to assign me my mission?” Robert snarked.

“Something like that….” Jeffery smiled mysteriously.

Shaking his head and rolling his eyes, he took the glass from Jeffery and smiled while peering at the document that was in the hands of the director.

“Wait, seriously? That better not have an action report for me, and tell me you’re not shipping me off to the isles.” He remarked playfully.

The two men just looked at each other, chuckling a little, and then, Lucas informed him “We have a scene for you, in [1917], a cameo. It’s of a British Commanding Officer, Colonel McKenzie, why don’t you read it over while we drive?”

“So, I am being shipped off to the isles, aren’t I! Alright, hand it over. What’s Will working on now, anyway Jeffery?” Robert asked, after finishing his chardonnay.

“Will has a new project that he’s been working on for some time. But, for now, I think he’s taking care of a few small issues related to business. What do you think of the script?” Jeffery redirected his attention back to the matter at hand.

Nodding to Jeffery, Robert perused the script and then said “A little uptight, and prideful huh? I will have to brush up on my world history and military rankings, I don’t know the order, but I can do this, when is it?”

“The shooting starts in December, we can take that first if you like.” Lucas offered.

“I will be done with preparing for this by then, and you don’t have to adjust your shooting schedule for me, but thanks for the gesture, if there’s another gig up for me, call me, I will be there, no need for the special treatment.” He affirmed while trying to remain humble.

“We will send you the contract for this, and you can go through it with your team later then.” Jeffery relaxed, taking in the passing city skyline around them.

***

On the top floor of the office building of Dream Vision Studios, Los Angeles California, Will Evans was completing the company-wide email that he had to send out the next morning when his secretary Alexia buzzed in the office intercom.

“Sir, your Uncle Charles is here, and he’s requesting a meeting.” She informed him.

Sighing in his seat, while looking forlornly at the work that was still pending for the day, he replied “Send him up, Alexia. Thank you.”

Turning his computer to sleep for a moment, Will turned around at gazed at the nighttime skyline of the city that was visible from his office. He knew what the upcoming meeting would be about. It was a bitter pill for him to swallow, knowing that his actions had put his uncle on the spot at his job. He had a few plans to remedy that, and it all depended on this meeting.

Hearing a knock and the opening of his office door, he turned around and looked at the man, who had helped him through the start of his journey. He looked stressed and overworked. The lines and wrinkles forming on his face clearly showed that. The man looked at Will and smiled, a half-smile.

“Good evening, Uncle. Please, take a seat.” He said.

“Thank you, Will. It’s been too long since we’ve met.” Charles remarked.

“Yes, that it has, tell me, uncle, you’re here about the role of Tom in [500n days of Summer], aren’t you?” Will asked.

“Yes, Will, I am. I know that we’ve said some very untoward things to you and your company, and I apologize, but I think we can make a concession for five percent at the box office, my CEO wouldn’t settle for less.” Charles sighed.

“I don’t like it, uncle. Your company’s CEO blatantly insulted my credibility and tried to take more credit than he was due. But, I digress, uncle, I agreed to this meeting for you, not the MCA. I know you’re sticking with MCA due to your loyalty and seniority in the company, but that hasn’t given you a powerful position, despite having worked there ever since my father and you started working together after film school, and I don’t think you will ever get one because of the nepotistic nature the company has based its upper hierarchy on.” Will informed him.

“Will, can nothing be done about the deal?” Charles pleaded ignoring Will’s remarks about his company and its workings.

Will sighed and said “No uncle, I am afraid we already have a few favorable actors in mind, Jeffery, has an entire list of actors waiting for the role, from at least two of the Big Six studios, we only approached your studio for Reagan Norris, because while he did fit the position well, it was more a choice made due to our shared history and your involvement in the company.”

“I see, if that’s the case, what will you have me do Will? With this, the CEO of my company has already made remarks about ‘Showing fangs, and tigers and dragons and what not’ and while he may be blinded by ignorance, his threat is not a joke. Your company and my employer’s company will be at odds for the foreseeable future.” Charles pointed out.

“I don’t know Uncle Ben, the only thing I do know is that your company is run by parasites like the Collins family and your CEO’s autobiography says that his biggest fear is ‘seeing my grandfather’s company fall, because of my own blood.’ That clearly implies that no one apart from a Collins would ever be responsible for running that company. Take that as you will uncle, but I would look to move on from there if I were in your position.” Will revealed.

“It’s not that easy, Will. I have worked there for almost my entire life, I can’t just leave everything behind!” Charles exclaimed.

“And why not? What is it there, that’s left? All of your colleagues from the time my dad was alive, have moved on to bigger things, other companies. Only you are left and are hanging there holding on to the last remnants of a past that’s no longer visible!” Will rebuked, and while it may have been a little harsh, Will believed it was necessary to be able to reason with his uncle. “You are wasted there, Uncle. They do not value your work as would others. And if you disregard my company entirely, there are much better alternatives for you to find work where your value and potential is respected for exactly what it is worth.”

A silence followed Will’s statement and Charles sighed as he stood up and said “I… I will think about it, Will. First, let me inform the news to my CEO and we’ll see how he reacts. Though I have no doubt it will be something big. Thank you for meeting me.”

“You’re welcome in my office anytime, Uncle Charles. I will see you soon.” He promised.

Will watched as his uncle stood and left his office. He wondered what more will the future hold for him, as he turned on his computer and went back to finishing the company-wide email he still had pending, before he could return home to June and forget about the day.

***

It was two days later and Will had just arrived at his office, after spending a very lovely morning with June at his mansion.

He was just about to call on Alexia via the intercom, for some tea, when Amanda barged in his office holding what looked like a copy of the local Tabloid Reuters.

“Will! You have to see this” She demanded, slamming the paper on his desk.

“Calm down Aman –” He tried to say, but was cut off.

“Read the headline Will!”

Taking a glance at the headline of the Tabloid, Will knew exactly how Matthew Collins had decided to retaliate against his company, for it read.

“Hollywood has its own Judas, Will Evans backstabs the MCA!”

…

//DreamNote//

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