Chapter 18: I Disagree

Jonathan Friedman walked back to his office with heavy steps. Upon entering, he saw Simon stand up and turn towards him. Jonathan nodded in greeting, moved to his desk, and sat down, facing the young man again.

Simon noticed the profound despondence in his agent and the apologetic look in his eyes. Deciding against confronting him, Simon asked with concern, "Jonathan, what happened?"

Jonathan's lips moved hesitantly as he caught Simon's earnest gaze. After a pause, he said, "Simon, here's the thing. Matthew isn't keen on working with you, so Mr. Broca would like you to step away from 'The Butterfly Effect' entirely."

Simon's expression remained calm as he asked steadily, "And what do you think, Jonathan?"

Jonathan briefly averted Simon's gaze before replying softly, "Simon, this time, I hope you can agree to step down. However, I promise to compensate you in the future. You mentioned wanting to make an experimental film, right? Let me know what you need, and I can even lend you some money personally if it comes to that."

Hearing his agent's words, Simon relaxed, placing the script he'd been holding onto the desk. He looked earnestly at Jonathan and said, "Jonathan, you know how terrible this contract is. Can you tell me what's really going on?"

Jonathan looked at the contract pushed slightly towards him but didn't pick it up. After a moment of silence, he began, "Simon, have I mentioned before? I wanted to make this film a package project."

Simon nodded, silently urging him to continue.

Jonathan took a breath and observed Simon for a moment before continuing, "From our interactions, I believe you understand a lot about the current state of Hollywood. CAA's packaging strategy has threatened our position in Hollywood. Recently, many of WMA's top stars have even switched to CAA. To stop being at a disadvantage, WMA planned to emulate CAA's business model, and 'The Butterfly Effect' was to be our first such project."

Simon pieced together everything he had experienced and the clues he had gathered over the days. He smiled bitterly and said, "It hasn't been successful, has it?"

Though reluctant to admit it, Jonathan nodded and explained, "CAA's strategy not only raises production costs but also strips a lot of power from the production companies. WMA is still several times larger than CAA, and if we start packaging too, the studios will have even less say. That's why the major movie companies teamed up to try and sabotage this project."

Simon looked at the draft contract with Fox but did not inquire further.

Hollywood's major companies often unite over common interests but remain competitors at heart. Besides, considering the content of the contract, Simon didn't think Fox was being particularly generous in taking over WMA's packaged project.

Rapidly processing his thoughts and recalling Norman Broca's recent appearance, Simon looked up at Jonathan and ventured, "Jonathan, I get the feeling that Mr. Broca also doesn't want this project to succeed too much, right?"

If WMA were fully committed to pushing this project, Hollywood's major studios would ultimately have to compromise, given CAA's successful promotion of the packaging model. Despite their reluctance, it wouldn't be too difficult for the studios to accept, given the pressure from WMA.

However, the stingy terms of the contract suggested that WMA had been the one to make concessions, sacrificing their clients' interests in the process.

Jonathan was taken aback by Simon's acuity but managed a bitter smile and a nod, without further explanation. An eighteen-year-old seeing through the internal power struggles of a company wasn't exactly flattering.

Realizing Jonathan accepted his theory, Simon, recalling the disheartened air about his agent from the start, thoughtfully said, "Jonathan, if everyone is against this project succeeding, do you think it's worth continuing? From this contract, it looks like Brian's salary must be very harsh as well."

"Simon, you don't understand," Jonathan shook his head, no longer treating Simon as just an eighteen-year-old. He explained patiently, "As I said, 'The Butterfly Effect' has become WMA's first package project, and many in Hollywood are watching. If we fail at the first attempt, it will be even harder to promote this strategy in the future. So even if it's not a success, Norman and others wouldn't allow it to completely fail. Otherwise..."

Jonathan stopped there, pausing before looking earnestly at the vibrant young man in front of him and shifting the topic slightly, "Simon, did you know? I joined WMA at 19, and now I'm 46. It took 27 years to get to where I am, and it wasn't easy."

Indeed, Jonathan didn't mention that despite being a vice president, he had not yet been granted any significant authority, a topic that had been under

 discussion by WMA's board for some time.

He had conceived of making 'The Butterfly Effect' a packaged project as a means to leverage more power during the reshuffling of responsibilities.

However, he hadn't anticipated that this project would put him in such a difficult position.

It was impossible to succeed now.

But if it failed, even if he managed to keep his new vice presidency, he might just be sidelined completely, holding a mere nominal title. He even doubted whether the adept old guards within the company might kick him out of WMA altogether.

Thus, from yesterday afternoon till now, Jonathan had been tempted more than once to give up on the project entirely. Yet, he had endured, even had to cater deliberately to Norman Broca's various demands.

Feeling Simon's understanding gaze, Jonathan's accumulated frustrations seemed to dissipate somewhat.

However, looking at the contract on the desk, Jonathan sighed again but had to continue, "So, Simon, what about this contract?"

Simon considered for a moment, not answering Jonathan's question directly but asking seriously, "Jonathan, if you disregard other factors, do you still want this project to continue?"

Jonathan hesitated, his eyes flickering with realization, and finally admitted, "I don't. Actually, I wish I had never thought of turning this script into a package project."

"Then, it's quite simple to resolve this," Simon leaned back in his chair and said with firm clarity, "So, I disagree."

Jonathan instantly understood Simon's intent.

'The Butterfly Effect' script ultimately belonged to Simon. If the young man rejected this contract, the entire project could not possibly proceed.

Moreover, Simon's open refusal of the contract, leading to the project's failure, meant that Jonathan could, with careful handling, largely attribute the project's failure to Simon.

Jonathan even quickly devised a few justifications.

What could he do against a stubborn young writer? But Simon's actions would also ensure he faced significant pressure. After all, dealing with a novice screenwriter was easy for Hollywood's largest talent agency.

Yet, for this talented young man, Jonathan instinctively didn't want to see him trapped in such a situation.

With these thoughts, Jonathan stood up, urgently advising, "Simon, you really shouldn't do this. Seriously, even just for your own sake."

But Simon shook his head again, also standing up, "Jonathan, I know your path hasn't been easy, but I have my principles. You should know, a person can't be without their principles. So, the most I can do for you is this. Tell them I disagree. And then, this matter is over."

After saying this, Simon nodded to Jonathan and walked towards the office door.

Pausing at the door, he turned back to the still-standing agent and said, "Also, Jonathan, if possible, I'd like to terminate our agency contract in the next few days. I suppose you won't mind the cancellation fee? Of course, if that's not possible, I'll find another way."

Watching Simon leave, Jonathan stood silently for a long time, replaying Simon's words in his mind.

A person cannot be without their principles.

All these years.

So many years.

How much of the ambition and principles of that young man who once had the same aspirations remained?

And were those remaining principles still worth holding onto?

Sitting back down, Jonathan rested his hands on the desk, feeling an unfamiliar trembling through his body mixed with fear of the future and a sense of fearlessness. These emotions, like a fierce flame, dispelled all the defeat and despondence he had accumulated since the previous afternoon.

Taking a deep breath, Jonathan Friedman picked up the phone, dialed Norman Broca's office number, and said directly, "Norman, I've thought it over. Let's end 'The Butterfly Effect' project here. I can't treat my client like this."

After speaking, he hung up before Norman could respond.

Ignoring the ringing phone, Jonathan opened the safe by his feet, gathered important contact lists, memos, and other documents into his briefcase, and hurriedly left the WMA headquarters.

Jonathan's actions weren't a sign of him planning to resign from WMA outright.

If possible, he would still choose to stay. After all, he had built numerous relationships and networks there over more than two decades.

However, having made that call, Jonathan also prepared for the worst.

Although any change to his position would need the board's approval, Jonathan didn't dare assume Norman Broca wouldn't turn hostile.

But by taking these documents out of the company and making thorough backups, even if he faced the worst scenario of being expelled from the company, he could take many people with him to a new agency.

With the client resources he had accumulated over the years, neither CAA nor ICM would refuse him, and he could even consider setting up his own agency entirely.

re would be no problem.