Chapter 9: The Negotiation (Edited)

After that, Mrs. Alice called Grann, her trusted advisor, and CEO of Random House, to discuss Alan's latest demands regarding the book's adaptation. "Grann, you know how much I've been pushing for Alan to write the second part of the book," she began. "But he's adamant about filming it directly. After some persuasion, he's agreed to submit the book for publication on the same day as the film's release."

Grann's initial reaction mirrored Alice's disappointment. "I understand your frustration, Mrs. Alice. But perhaps this compromise will still yield positive results," he offered optimistically. "Simultaneous publication and release could generate significant buzz, especially if we handle the marketing strategically."

Alice sighed, acknowledging Grann's point. "You're right, Grann. If we play our cards right, this could work in our favor; after all, Alan wants to film his bo, ok," she conceded.

With Alice's encouragement, Grann made the necessary calls to major Hollywood companies to pitch Alan's unconventional plan. "Mr. Alan W has expressed his desire to retain the adaptation rights for the first part of the book," she explained to each representative. "However, he's open to discussing direct adaptation for the sequel, with himself serving as producer."

Despite initial skepticism from most companies, Disney and Columbia Pictures expressed interest in the unique proposition. Grann engaged in discussions with their representatives, who insisted on meeting the author before finalizing any deals.

When faced with this condition, Grann informed Alice, who hesitated momentarily before agreeing to the meeting. "But they must sign a confidentiality agreement first," she insisted, mindful of protecting Alan's identity.

Unfortunately, not everyone was receptive to the idea. The CEO of Disney, Card Walker, felt insulted by the request for confidentiality and declined the meeting altogether. "It seems Disney is not as open-minded as we had hoped," remarked Alice, disappointed but undeterred.

On the other hand, Frank Price, president of Columbia Pictures, saw potential. After all, not everyone will hide himself if he could gain fame and money; that means there's something extraordinary, and so he agreed to the terms. "We'll proceed with caution," he assured Grann during their negotiation as he took office as the president of Columbia Pictures in 1979; he needed to prove himself.

With the agreement in place, Grann relayed the details to Alice, who nodded thoughtfully. "Let's set the meeting for two days from now," she suggested. "A private restaurant in New York, near the Plaza Hotel, should suffice."

After confirming the arrangements, Alice briefed Alan on the situation. His initial tension gave way to a determined resolve as he formulated his strategy. "I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to see this through," he assured his mother, his eyes reflecting a steely determination that belied his tender age.

Two days later,

"Good morning, Mr. Frank Price," greeted Alice, accompanied by her son, Alan. Frank, taken aback by their presence, struggled to conceal his surprise. "Alice Walton, from the Walton family?" he murmured incredulously, recognizing her from her family's illustrious reputation.

Alice nodded, offering a warm smile. "And this is my son, Alan Walton," she introduced proudly, gesturing to the young boy beside her.

Frank's astonishment grew as he made the connection between Alan Walton and the mysterious author of the Caligula stories, Alan. W. "I should have realized sooner," he chided himself silently, marveling at the boy's audacity in concealing his true identity.

After sitting, As the conversation shifted towards the book, Alan, ever direct and impatient for action, couldn't hold back his eagerness. "Sorry, Mr. Frank, but can we talk about the book?" Alan interjected, aware of the limited time before his afternoon performance of the weekend with Ama

Frank, internally amused by Alan's youthful impatience, nodded understandingly. "Of course, Alan. Before we dive into the adaptation details, I'm curious—did you write the Caligula stories yourself? And how did you come up with such an intricate tale?"

Alan, prepared for this line of questioning, responded with a calmness that belied his age. "I started writing Caligula when I was eight. The idea came naturally to me; my head's always been filled with stories waiting to be told. But there's more to it," Alan shared, his gaze briefly meeting his mother's before returning to Frank.

"The protagonist's journey reflects my own experiences to some extent. Like him, I was abandoned at an orphanage's doorstep. That sense of solitude, the quest for identity—it's all there in the narrative," Alan explained, his voice steady.

He continued, "The rigorous training the protagonist undergoes from a young age? That mirrors the challenges I set for myself. Together with a friend whom I met when I was eight years old, we embarked on a personal journey of discovery, pushing our limits every weekend and seeking out new challenges. It wasn't just physical; it was about proving to ourselves that we could overcome whatever life threw at us."

Seeing Frank's interest, Alan elaborated on the magical elements of his story. "The grimoire, the awakening of powers at ten—it all symbolizes the transition into a world of endless possibilities. It's a metaphor for personal growth, the awakening of one's true potential."

Frank listened intently, clearly impressed. "It's fascinating to see how your personal experiences have shaped Caligula's world. Your story isn't just imaginative; it's deeply personal, reflecting a journey of growth and self-discovery. It's truly inspiring, Alan."

The discussion then smoothly transitioned back to the potential film adaptation, with both parties feeling a renewed sense of connection and understanding. Alan's explanation not only provided insight into his creative process but also highlighted the depth and authenticity behind the world of Caligula.

Now the problem is that Alan wants to be the producer of the film, and that's a headache for Frank.