Chapter 452: Safe And Sound

At Warner Studios, the atmosphere was one of creativity and anticipation as Martin and Taylor made their way into the "John Wick" studio. Waiting in the front room was Taylor's agent, prepared for the day's work.

Upon seeing Chad holding Daisy, the dog, Martin's face lit up. "Daisy!" he called out, and the dog eagerly dragged Chad towards them. Martin, ever the animal lover, took out a bag of biscuits and offered one to Daisy, introducing her and Chad to Taylor. "This is Daisy, our animal star," he said, as Daisy happily munched on the biscuit.

Taylor, observing the interaction, asked Martin if he was fond of dogs. Martin's reply was practical yet tinged with affection, "I only like other people's dogs. It's easy to enjoy their company without the hassle of owning one."

Their conversation was cut short as Chad, after handing Daisy off to his assistant, announced it was time to get to work.

As the group convened, Louise, the producer, and the crew's sound engineer joined them. Taylor had previously signed a contract to compose and sing the theme song for "John Wick" while in New York. The deal was more about exposure than financial gain, a strategic move considering Taylor's upcoming album release, which would coincide with the film's premiere.

Louise, overseeing the project, inquired about the style of Taylor's song. Taylor responded honestly, "It's more of an alternative country style."

Chad explained the context for the song, envisioning it as a soothing end to the film's intense action, reflecting the heroine's hopes and blessings for the hero.

Martin, curious, asked Taylor about the song's readiness. Taylor confirmed, "It's ready. Titled 'Safe and Sound.'"

With everyone's attention now on her, Taylor's manager handed the demo tape to an assistant, who played it. The room filled with the sound of Taylor's voice, different from the night before, accompanied by the familiar strum of an acoustic guitar.

The song was poignant, capturing the emotional aftermath of the film's climax: "I remember the tears flowing down your face. I remember you saying don't leave me alone. But tonight, everything and the threat of death have passed. Open your eyes. The sun is about to rise. You will be safe and sound, no one can hurt you at this moment, dawn has arrived, you will be safe and sound..."

A hush fell over the room as the song concluded. Chad, breaking the silence, expressed his approval, believing it perfectly suited the battle-weary survivor, Jonathan.

Martin, thoughtful, suggested, "Would it enhance the scene to include a DV video of Jonathan and the heroine at the end of the film?" His idea seemed to add another layer of depth to the already powerful ending, blending visual storytelling with Taylor's haunting melody.

Chad considered Martin's suggestion thoughtfully. "As a ray of warm sunshine after the cold and bloody fight?" he mused.

"That's right," Martin affirmed. "It's the driving force that kept Jonathan going. But how you use it, that's up to you." Chad acknowledged the merit in Martin's idea, indicating he'd give it serious consideration.

Taylor, amidst this, clarified her position, expressing that she had no particular preferences regarding how her song would be used in the film. The details of post-production were more in Chad's domain, and Louise, the producer, was overseeing the larger picture.

The meeting concluded with the decision that "Safe and Sound" would be the film's ending theme. Martin and Louise then headed to the producer's office to discuss further details.

Martin inquired about the release schedule for the film, and Louise outlined two options: either post-Oscars or in the autumn of the following year. Martin suggested the post-Oscars slot, mindful of aligning it with another project, "Benjamin," and its award season campaign. Louise agreed, noting the strategic advantage of spacing out the releases.

Their conversation turned to the potential of "John Wick" spawning a trilogy, provided the first installment garnered enough buzz. Martin shared his vision for a series of films released every two to three years, not too frequently to oversaturate the audience.

Louise, reflecting on her journey with Martin, humorously commented on the unpredictable path they had taken together, one filled with both success and challenges.

...

In the academy studio, Lily sat contemplatively before a block of pristine marble. She had recently received a commission from Leonardo for a large sculpture, which promised to be a lucrative project.

As she pondered her artistic direction, a commotion broke her concentration. A follower from the academy burst in, urging her to watch the news. The TV flickered to life, showing images of Casey Affleck, a frequent buyer of her sculptures, leaving a police station with a lawyer.

Lily's follower relayed the news: Casey had assaulted someone over a clown statue sale, leading to serious injuries. Intrigued and sensing a connection, Lily went online to read more about the incident on TMZ.

Casey, it seemed, had paid a hefty bail and was now embroiled in a compensation lawsuit. To Lily, there was a sense of karmic retribution in the air. She had previously sensed Cassie's dubious intentions and had dealt with him by selling some of her less significant works. Now, Cassie's troubles seemed to be mounting.

Deciding to take a break, Lily left the studio for a walk, mulling over the news. She eventually found a quiet spot to call Martin. "Hello, this is Lily," she began, cutting straight to the point in response to Martin's brusque tone. "I just watched the entertainment news. Thank you." Her words were cryptic, hinting at a deeper understanding of the events unfolding around Casey Affleck.

In Santa Monica, the gravity of Cassie's situation was unfolding in stark detail. Accompanied by his lawyer, Cassie entered the office to meet Ben Affleck, who was already waiting, visibly concerned.

Upon seeing Cassie, Ben's frustration was apparent. "What's wrong with you?" he demanded. Cassie's defense was weak, simply stating that he was provoked.

Ben, having already seen the incriminating video on TMZ, was incredulous. "That person was just selling you a Joker figurine. There was no need to react so violently." His voice rose as he recounted the evidence stacked against Cassie, the video of the assault, the multiple angles of him riding the horse all of it painting a damning picture.

Cassie, overwhelmed, suggested he was set up, but Ben pointed out the harsh reality: there was no way to prove such a claim. Ben's frustration was palpable, his disappointment in Cassie's actions clear.

The lawyer, Evan, didn't mince words. The evidence was overwhelmingly against Cassie, and a criminal prosecution would spell serious trouble. He recommended reaching an out-of-court settlement quickly.

Cassie's refusal was immediate, "Impossible!" But Ben, pragmatic and concerned about his brother's well-being, pointed out the grim reality of prison life. Learning the victim demanded three million dollars in compensation only heightened the tension.

Cassie's despair was evident. He couldn't afford such a sum, and he viewed the claim as an exaggeration. But Evan, the lawyer, laid out the stark truth: with the evidence at hand, including the video, the injuries, and witnesses, combined with Cassie being a Hollywood star, the victim had a strong case.

Ben, determined to keep his brother out of prison, instructed Evan to negotiate a settlement for as low a sum as possible. Cassie's admission of having no money to pay was met with Ben's reassurance that he would find a way to raise the funds, showcasing the depth of his commitment to his brother in this dire situation.