Chapter 21: Simplified Version

Lou Weiss glanced at Jonathan Friedman, the subordinate who had caused quite a bit of trouble, and said, "Jonathan, on your end, Brian De Palma will still direct and also serve as a producer for 'The Butterfly Effect.' Fox has offered a compensation of $2 million, plus a 10% share of the North American box office profits."

Jonathan Friedman nodded in agreement.

If it hadn't been for the recent unsuccessful films, Brian De Palma's directorial fee would normally be around $3 million. Now, with Fox offering $2 million along with a 10% share of the North American box office profits, Jonathan had no complaints. What he had originally hoped to secure for his client was merely a fixed fee of $2 million.

Of course, Jonathan understood that the relatively generous contract for Brian De Palma was mainly due to the series of harsh agreements exposed in the recent days, which sparked internal conflicts within WMA. Both Fox and WMA needed to 'refute' the media's leaks with 'facts'.

Thinking along these lines, Jonathan started to look forward to Fox's offer for Simon's screenplay. However, he didn't broach the subject himself, choosing to wait for Lou Weiss to continue.

After discussing Brian De Palma's deal, Lou Weiss glanced at his notes again and said, "Regarding the screenplay, the price has been raised to $200,000. $160,000 for 'The Butterfly Effect' screenplay, and $40,000 to secure the first option on the screenwriter's next two scripts."

Jonathan paused before asking, "Lou, is it still a buyout contract?"

Lou Weiss shook his head, "This is the base compensation; profit-sharing terms will follow industry norms."

Jonathan felt relieved. If it had still been a buyout agreement, even if Fox had doubled the base price, he wasn't sure if Simon would accept it.

Now, with only an added first option on two scripts, Jonathan believed Simon would know what choice to make.

Seeing Jonathan had no objections, Lou Weiss continued, "Besides these three individuals, the original packaging deal is off. Fox has provided a new budget of $10 million. Based on this, you'll need to compile a list of the main roles and submit it to me by tomorrow. Any problems?"

Jonathan realized Lou Weiss simply wanted to quickly sign a simplified packaging agreement with Fox that only involved the core creative team, given the current situation didn't allow WMA any second choices. He nodded again, "No problem."

Pleased with Jonathan's response, Lou Weiss closed his notebook and waved him off, "That's it then. You can go."

As Jonathan left the conference room, he knew the other three would likely discuss how to handle the recent leaks. Such detrimental insider trading would undoubtedly be investigated thoroughly by WMA.

However, Jonathan doubted the management would uncover anything. Whoever leaked the information to the media would have been fully aware of the severe consequences. Unless they had covered their tracks completely, they wouldn't have dared to act.

Walking through the corridor, basking in the morning sun filtering through the glass walls, Jonathan felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation.

Discussions about the WMA incident continued in the media.

Jonathan knew that although they had overcome this immediate hurdle, the incident would make it nearly impossible for him to advance further within WMA. Moreover, if Lou Weiss, now 75, stepped down in the coming years, Jonathan might find himself completely ousted from the company without Lou's support.

Yet, letting go of the constant need to carefully navigate the treacherous waters of office politics, Jonathan felt years of frustration and resentment evaporate.

Jonathan realized that compared to many in the industry, he was already quite powerful. With decades of experience and connections, even outside of WMA, he could thrive, perhaps even more so.

Now, without the need for constant compromises, his sole focus was on his clients' best interests. Jonathan believed that, no matter what the future held, many would remain steadfastly by his side.

Arriving at his office, Jonathan remembered the young man who had instigated all these changes. He asked his assistant for Simon's contact information.

Jonathan had 37 clients, and with Western naming conventions being somewhat limited, there were inevitably others named Simon.

However, his assistant, Owen Wright, understood immediately who Jonathan meant and efficiently found the information.

Taking the details, Jonathan handed them back to his assistant, saying, "I'll be out for a bit, back by noon."

Owen nodded, watching Jonathan leave, thinking it might be a good idea to get to know this Simon Westeros a bit better.

Leaving the WMA headquarters, Jonathan drove straight to the Griffin Supermarket in Santa Monica's Midtown.

It was a new week, and Simon was back on the morning shift.

At 9:40 a.m., the supermarket was relatively quiet. Simon was conducting a routine inventory check on his assigned aisle when Courtney Cox, wearing a pink T-shirt and shorts

, casually approached.

Smelling the faint scent of her perfume, Simon turned and smiled, noting her hands full of groceries, "Do you always shop like this?"

Used to brusque exchanges, Courtney replied, "Yeah, got a problem with that?"

"No, not at all," Simon chuckled, "If all customers were like you, our shopping carts would last much longer."

"I'll use a cart next time," she said, picking up a bottle of ketchup and holding it close, noticing Simon focusing back on his paperwork. After a pause, she casually asked, "That thing in the papers the last few days, um, 'The Butterfly Effect,' did you write that?"

Courtney hadn't been overly interested in the specifics beyond 'Run Lola Run', and the whistleblowers hadn't mentioned Simon's personal details—likely to avoid making the allegations seem less credible.

Her disbelief mirrored the skepticism many would feel knowing that the young, unremarkable man before her was capable of stirring such significant upheaval in Hollywood.

Yet, she knew that Jonathan Friedman had only one screenwriter named Simon on his client list.

Simon glanced at her, smiled, and nodded, "Yeah."

Though Courtney had suspected, his confirmation still surprised her, "Really?"

Before Simon could respond, Roger Griffin's bulky figure appeared from around the aisle, "Simon, someone's looking for you."

Acknowledging with a nod, Simon marked his place in the folder and headed toward the front.

Following with her arms still full, Courtney noticed Jonathan Friedman, WMA's top agent, standing near the checkout, waving at Simon.

Recognizing the agent, her expression of surprise returned. In all her dealings, she'd never seen such high-level attention directed at her. Now, watching Jonathan approach Simon with clear familiarity and respect, she couldn't hide her astonishment.

As Simon approached, Jonathan shook his hand warmly, then patted his shoulder, "I didn't expect to find you here. I could have helped you find a better part-time job long ago."

Simon joked, "It's not too late."

"Now, well, now you won't need it," Jonathan replied, smiling. He turned to Courtney, extending a hand, "Courtney, didn't expect to see you here. Do you know Simon?"

She nodded, noting the different way Jonathan treated her compared to Simon, "Yes, I live nearby and shop here often. We just met by chance."

"Oh, that's quite coincidental," Jonathan responded. He then turned back to Simon, "Can you take a few hours off? We need to talk."

"Sure," Simon agreed, turning to inform his boss, Roger Griffin, who after a glance at the distinguished-looking man, readily consented, "No problem, just make sure to be back by noon. You'll only be marked for two hours of absence."

With everything settled, Jonathan, Simon, and Courtney left the supermarket under the bright morning sky, ready to discuss the unpredictable paths their lives had taken.