Ch 25: How To Deal With A Blockage

4th March, 2008

{1st Person POV: Oliver}

"What do you mean they're not going to greenlight it?!" I shouted, losing my cool and slamming my hands on the desk. Realising how my behaviour was, I immediately apologised. "Ah, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shouted at you like that. It's just that... " 

"Don't worry, all of us have moments like that." Mr. Bird said, trying to comfort me.

Exasperated, I let out a sigh. 'Why? Just why do they not want to let me create 'The Prestige'? What's wrong with the film?' I thought in confusion and a bit of anger.

"Hey, look. Not all of them thought that the film was worthless, okay?" I looked back up at Mr. Bird. "It's just a few of them, but those few execs hold significant power. They didn't like that you were given free reign on 'The Departed', so now they don't want to repeat tgt and want to have control over you." He explained and I closely listened to his words.

"To be fair, 'The Prestige' is a far harder film to sell than 'The Departed'. It's about two magicians trying to kill each other without using magic, which I wouldn't have wanted to watch either if I didn't know about your capabilities."

Another sigh left my mouth. 

'Mr. Bird is right.' I thought. 'But, If that's the case, then I'll just have to show them that 'The Prestige' can still sell!' 

I brought out my smartphone and quickly dialed in a number.

A few seconds later, someone picked up the call on the other side.

-Hello?-

"Hello, Michael. Remember how I told you about holding off the deal we had for a few days?" I started.

Mr. Bird looked quite confused, but I continued talking over the phone.

-Yeah?-

"Well, I want you to execute that deal. Preferably before 'The Departed' premiere's on Friday. You see, I have a bit of a blockage stopping me from getting the 'Prestige' greenlit." I explained.

-Is that so? Well, consider it done, then-

"Oh, and also tell everyone that you're going to be working with me on my next film."

-... I think I know what you're trying to do-

"Isn't that great? If you know what I'm trying to do here, then you should be able to help me, no?" 

-Alright, alright. I'll do it. How about tomorrow?-

"Seems good to me. Anyways, bye." I said and cut off the call. A smirk formed on my face.

'Just you wait, you damn execs! I'll show you that you made a grave mistake. Surely, you can't deny Michael too. If you still continue to persist, you'll just have a sour relationship with one of the most bankable stars alive.'

"You look like a villain." Commented Mr. Bird.

"Do I?" I cooked my head and asked in a innocent manner. "Well, I guess it's great practice for Robert Angier, no?" I said with a playful grin.

"*sigh* Sometimes, I wonder what's going on with you. You have quite the personality switch. Are you sure you don't need to get diagnosed?" 

"Okay, that kinda hurts. And as for your question, the answer is no. I don't have a personality disorder. This is just how I am... and it definitely helps for business talks."

Mr. Bird just shook his head and walked out of the room.

***

5th March, 2008

{1st Person POV: Oliver}

"I've already said it before: This will NOT get greenlit!" Exclaimed Billy Turner, one of the executives who didn't want 'The Prestige' to be made. Mr. Billy was a quasi-leader of the group who wanted to have more control over MY films.

I was currently sitting in a meeting room. It was basically the same as the room where I let Michael watch 'The Departed', the only difference was that this room was far larger, and instead of being on the ground floor, it's on the third floor.

"But why?" I asked. I wanted to know the why, because that would be of great help to steer away from executives like him in the future.

'I need to be calm here.' I thought. 

"Huh? Don't you get it? Who's going to watch a film about two 'magicians'," He put the emphasis on magicians with air quotes, "trying to one up each other, and that too WITHOUT any action!"

"What's the problem with no action? And also, what's wrong with two magicians one upping each other?" 'Really, what's worng with either of the two concepts? 'The Prestige' was an amazing film even without those, and there have been a lot of films like that in this world too which were quite successful.

Mr. Turner looked angry as hell at my remark, and quickly retorted. "What the hell do you mean 'what's the problem with no action'?! Action would be the only thing that would sell this film! Nobody likes watching magicians! People want a fantasy film with REAL magic, not a movie with fake magic! Fake magic doesn't sell! You think we want to lose money??"

"Oh? Is that so? Do you really think people won't show up for a film with fake magic?" I asked.

"Yes! And I'm very confident in that belief! Just because you've made good films doesn't mean you know about the way bussines in Hollywood works!"

I slumped back in my chair, and looked at the time on my smartphone. 

"Mr. Turner." I began. "You remember that Michael Young wanted to see 'The Departed', right?" 

"S-so?" 

"Well, he raved about the film to me, and even said he wanted to work with me on my next project." I explained with a smug face and started searching for something on my smartphone.

Mr. Turner looked absolutely gobsmacked. "W-what? don't lie to me, kid!"

"Oh, I'm not lying. Here's the proof." I brought my smartphone to his face and showed him an article from 'The Hollywood Daily'.

The headline read as follows:

'Michael Young has seen 'The Departed' and he absolutely loved it'

"H-huh?" Mr. Turner quickly turned his head to look at me. "What are you trying to say here?"

"What am I trying to say? That I have quite possibly THE biggest draw in Hollywood waiting to work with me. I have the upper hand here, Mr. Turner. It'd be wise that you let 'The Prestige' be greenlit." I advised him.

"Alright, I'll believe that Michael Young liked the film, but where's the proof that he wants to work with you? Did he publicly state that or something? Private talks won't matter unless Young brings that idea to us himself." 

A bit annoyed that this old man just won't give up, I explained. "It's in the article." I looked through the article to find the line, and after a few seconds, I found it. "Here, have a look." 

I handed him my smartphone, and after looking at it for a while, Mr. Turner started sweating a lot.

' "I liked 'The Departed' and 'Halloween' so much that I wanted to work with Oliver, which he agreed to." Said the actor. '

This is what was written in the article.

"So, Mr. Turner, will you allow me to film 'The Prestige'?" I asked one last time, quite amused.

Mr. Turner handed me my smartphone and in a defeated tone agreed. "Fine, do whatever the hell you want. Just… don't tell about this feud to the upper management and get me fired."

"Well, that depends more on you than it does on me. if you plan on being a nuisance even in the future, then I'll spill the beans." I said and walked out of the room.

'Mission successful.' I thought. 

As I got out of the room and closed the door behind me, I could hear muffled screams and noise of some stuff being thrown.

I frowned and just got into the elevator.

"Phew, that was nerve-racking." I said.

'System, open Skill tab in System Shop.' I ordered.

Immediately, the familiar and trusty blue translucent screen formed in the air ahead of me. On the screen, there were numerous skills presented in an orderly manner. 

I sorted by the 'Film' category, and clicked on the 'Screen Acting' skill. I looked through the description and other stuff till I found the 'Buy Skill' button. Clicking on the button, different 'Tiers' showed up. They were (in ascending order): Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert. I chose Advanced.

[Buy Skill 'Screen Acting: Advanced Tier'?]

[Yes]

[No] ←

'Yes.' And with that I had bought the most necessary skill for 'The Prestige'.

Now, I needed to wait till 'The Departed' was released, and then I could start the pre-production for this thing.

~~~

A/N: Whoo! Here's chapter 25.

Not much to say except here that this isn't really that great and pretty short all things considered.