Chp 34 : Time Machine?

After the revelation, Steven didn't ask anything and stared at Al amazedly, moments passed and they continued discussing the plot of <Death Note>.

Al made <Death Note> with a different setting than the original to fit in western aesthetic and the best part was no fanatic fan would complain to him because there was no Japanese version anyway.

Stanley was fascinated by how complex the novel was from the characterization, plot, and idealism & philosophical thinking so he realized this would have taken at least a few years of research and experimenting for adapting this book to movies.

He even mad at Al and scolded him because he did not make this novel earlier. So Stanley would have to wait after he finished his new movie first then writes the script together with Al.

The film adaptation of every book that Al wrote will always be held by him as Albert R. Broccoli did with the 007 series.

He won't repeat the mistakes made by Marvel and other authors who just sold their film rights and only took the money without any say in it.

Then Steven and Stanley have a private talk about something in his study room while Al was helping Christiane and Vivian washing dishes and cutlery.

"I have never seen my dad talk excitedly with some kids before" Out of nowhere, Vivian talk while washing dishes.

"If you mean that kid does not really look like a kid and some girl asking what was that kid eating, I think I can understand it." He smirked.

She turned around and saw Al was wiping the plate and said, "Smooth talker."

She smiled and continue, "Your conversation with dad is interesting, I try to join the film industry too, but the results are not satisfying. I'm not talented like my dad."

"Do you want to be a director too Miss Vivian?"

"Just Vivian is okay, I don't really want to become a director. I just want to have the same topics as my dad, so maybe if I join this industry would make dad happy." She stared at the plate blankly.

He took the plate from her and shelved it, "Then don't become a director and be what you like, what do you like to do then, Vivian?"

She stared at him and smiled, "I like composing music, and although I don't want to become a director, I still really love movies especially <Anne Hall>. I could watch it over and over again. Do you know that I made <The Shining> documentaries and send them to BBC under the name Abigail Mead?" She smiled sweetly mentioning it.

"Abigail Mead? So that's why that name seems familiar. I really like <The Shining> and I heard someone made documentaries about it under that name. So you're the one who made it! Too bad they didn't release it in here." He said with a regretful tone.

"Well, I had it now in my room! Do you want to see it?" She excitedly said.

"Really!? I would love to!" Al said excitedly like a kid, well he is technically a kid.

"Come on, let's go!" She took Al's hand and drag him to her room.

-----------

Steven and Stanley come out from the study room and saw both Vivian and Alphonse were talking intimately in the living room while Christiane watching them.

Then Steven smirked and said to Stanley, "If I were you, Stanley, I would have to keep an eye on Al."

Stanley's brows furrowed and said, "Oooh, I will Steven, I will. Hey kids, what are you talking about?"

"Hi dad, finished talking with uncle Steven?" He nodded at her question.

"I was just letting Al see the documentaries I edited. Do you know a dad that Al also good at music, he told me that his little sister is a genius at it and invite me to the orphanage to meet her!" She said excitedly.

Not only she shown the documentary in her room, but they also watched some movie tape and they both composed some music together.

She also sometimes pestering Al about who will die in the second book of <A Song of Ice and Fire> but Al just said to wait for the release.

She now considered Al as her close friend, although they are 10 years apart she likes his company.

"Steven, should I start to worry?" Stanley said after heard what they have done tonight when they were talking about business.

"I don't know Stanley, I don't have kids yet." He said while laughing.

Al and Steven saying farewell to the Kubrick family, but when they want to part ways he told Steven.

"Steven, do you want a movie adaptation of <Jurassic Park> ? I can give you the film adaptation right, but I will still hold the full copyright of it." He asked him before entering the car.

"I thought you want to direct it yourself kid?" Steven confusedly asked back.

"It does not really match my style, I planned to only invest in it and asked someone to direct it. How about it?"

Steven smiled warmly and said, "I'm honored Al, not only did you help me realized my dream in games, but also in movies. I've asked the publisher for the author's information, but who knows that my Godson is the author. I just don't want to look bad in front of my Godson if I bring it up to you."

Al just shook his head, "No Steven, no you aren't. You are my Godfather although you are grumpy like an old man, I started to treat you like you are my father." He smiled warmly after mentioning it.

Steven came over and hugged Al, "Thank you, Al, me too, although you are still weird and bratty."

"Hey! I'm not, you are just too old to handle me!" He teased Steven.

Steven laughed and ruffled his hair and both of them calling it a day. Al still has to shoot <Back to the Future> a few days later.

------------

Today is the day of the shooting, Al invited Drew to accompany him to observe and let her gain some experience.

Last month, <Firestarter> was screened but it got a negative response from critics and the audience.

Bad plot, abstract script, and bad acting but luckily Drew performance was praised. They said that Drew was choosing the wrong script, but see that there aren't many little girl movies in 1984, so that opinion was unjustified.

That's why Drew and Ari are inclined to choose <Return to Oz> movie script rather than work with Stephen King as the screenwriter again.

He is a great novelist, but he is new in the screenwriting and movie field.

In his previous life, <Return to Oz> had trouble in funding, no star to carry it, and delayed production lead to bad execution.

So Al will make sure to support this film from funding and promotion for Drew, and how her performance goes will depend on her.

He met with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, discussing a script with them. In his previous timeline, this script was rejected 40 times by every studio until Steven decided to invest in it.

And what could he say, without Universal interference, the script became better. The jokes, drama, and common sense are all perfect.

For example, the Libyan terrorist who chased Marty like some mad dogs in Mad Max films while driving Volkswagen Combi. They still using terrorists as villains but they act more like the mafia and more sensible.

Maybe it's just propaganda by the American government in Reagan's time but Zemeckis won't let it now, he has a name to argue with them.

If there was no Al, Michael J Fox would be played as Marty. Al won't copy his performance because he got his own style of acting and performance.

He also meets with Christoper Lloyd, who will play as Emmett "Doc" Brown. He is such an interesting and funny guy.

The other cast like Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson who will play as his parents, Thomas F. Wilson played as Biff Tanen, his archenemy.

Fun facts, Biff Tanen is named after Ned Tannen, Universal ex-president who Zemeckis hated so much until this time because he discredited Zemeckis films.

There's also the legendary time machine car, DMC-12 DeLorean that has been customized. Even Al wanted to take the car but unfortunately, the studios forbid it.

The car has been stopped its production in 1982 because of bankruptcy. Looks like Al needs to persuade Universal and dug a deeper hole from his pocket to get this customized car.

"Hello Mr. Brandt, it's nice to meet you." A short-haired woman come over and greeted him.

"Nice to meet you too Ms. Cox, I hope you can get adapted here quickly, this is your second time starred in movies right?" Al smiled warmly.

Courteney was surprised that Alphonse Brandt recognized her and knew that this is the second time she got a role in big production movies.

She now believed the gossip that said Alphonse Brandt chose her personally when auditioning.

She saw him became taller than in his last movie <The Sixth Sense> and his face almost loses his baby fat. She then looked at his eyes and charmed by them.

Courteney who was almost lost in his eyes snapped quickly, "YES, I mean yes Mr. Brandt. I'll do my best so I won't be a burden to you."

"Call me Al Ms. Cox, I can't wait for us to play together." He smiled.

"Then you can call me Coco, my friends call me that." She smiled.

'Yep, friends' They have another pleasant chat and the shooting begins.

---------

Months have passed and the shooting was going according to plan. Coco left after a week of shooting because her scene was all finished.

The shooting was half complete, and because the shooting was held in Universal Studios, Al can go back and forth from the studios and orphanage.

Drew also learned a lot in this, commercial movies different from art in terms of acting. The commercial film doesn't need the actors to really deepen the characterization, as long as the play is in the right dosage and could make the audience happy.

So Al won't really turn his plays into hard drama, he made sure to put comedic talent and action scene in this movie in full use.

Robert also let his actors discussed the script when they set up a bonfire night once or twice. He opened up any suggestion that actors could improvise, he's not a tyrant director.

Crispin Glover who plays George McFly commenting about the ending of this film. He felt that the ending is too marginalized that money brings happiness.

Al had a different view, although from the simple point of view is like that, he explained that the perseverance and hardship that George faced to chase his dream of writing a book lead him to a happy life.

Although money had some interference in that, but he explained that with enough money to live and how to share your happiness with others is lead to a happy life.

Another month passed and finally, the shooting is complete.

"From this day, I announce that the shooting of <Back to the Future> is now complete."

A loud cheer was heard from all of the crews, too bad he didn't see Coco here, there was her part in the last scene but it was shot first, so she was missing from the farewell party.

Al said farewell to everyone else and went back to the orphanage.

It's already late August and Al need to prepare some things before he starts High School life, he was thinking that maybe he should make a guide for surviving High School's daily life and he will name it Al's Declassified School Survival Guide.

To be Continued.....