Hollywood What If Chapter 169


    Kazir spent all his time in his office early in the morning. He had a hot cup of coffee with him. The training for The Bourne Identity was still going on, so Kazir was not very busy. He had some time to himself.


    But early in the morning, his assistant Erica Mendez greeted him with a set of work.


    "Sir, Enrico Pusi from Warner Bros wants to see you."


    "Okay, make an appointment for him," Kazir replied. This was nothing new. Some people would contact him about his scripts. He was expecting it.


    "Sir, about that... Enrico Pusi is waiting for you downstairs in the lobby."


    "Okay. Give me five minutes, I''ll meet him." Kazir nodded and stood up. He looked in the mirror and confirmed that his appearance was fine. In fact, he looked young and handsome now that he had shaved his beard.


    He even saw a few women on the street giving him flirtatious looks.


    "Sir, about that... Shirley Lansing from Paramount is also waiting for you in the lobby. She''s sitting a few feet away from Enrico Pusi, and I don''t think they like each other."


    "Okay. I''m going to meet her now."


    "Sir, about that..."


    "Erica, tell me everything."


    "All right. Nancy Utley from 20th Century Fox also wants to meet you, she is also in the lobby. Even Camille Green is in the lobby, she is wearing, um, a very nice dress. It seems that Universal Pictures is interested in working with Grey Pictures. Another thing is that Colin Dacopps from Walt Disney is with them... The lobby almost melts with their presence".


    Of course, the last sentence was metaphorical, since it would be impossible for people to melt a concrete wall with their presence. Still, Kazir noticed the possible atmosphere in the lobby.


    He suddenly felt that it would be bad if he showed up. Unfortunately, he had to do his job.


    He sighed and decided to mediate the war. He imagined each of the producers holding a blade, attacking and parrying each other.


    The lobby wasn''t that big, only 10 meters wide, and it couldn''t hold the producers.


    As Kazir went down, he saw the producers glaring at each other. He even saw Enrico Pusi holding a fucking vase!


    "Enrico? Why are you holding a vase? What are you doing?"


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    Kazir Grey frowned. The vase cost 300 dollars and for a cheapskate like him that was already expensive.


    "Me? I''m just interested in the vase. It looks good. What do you think of me, a maniac? Of course, I won''t use it to attack these bastards, that would be barbaric."


    "Phew. That''s good to hear..."


    "I have my own fists to use. I will smash their faces with my bare hands!"


    "..."


    Looking at the situation, it seemed that something had happened while Erica was away.


    Kazir looked at Erica and his assistant shook her head. She had no idea what was going on.


    "Okay, calm down. Let''s talk about this. Like civilized people."


    "Civilized? Kazir, they are ready to pounce on you just to get your scripts. I think being civilized is not an option. Look at that bitchy producer, she''s wearing an office blazer, but she''s obviously accentuating her cleavage by unbuttoning her blazer!"


    Camille Green just giggled. There was nothing wrong with her dress code, she firmly believed...


    Seeing the situation, Kazir sighed. He thought his expectations were exaggerated, but this was much worse than he expected.


    "Let''s all sit down first. Enrico, drop the vase. It cost 450 dollars with the flowers."


    "That''s okay, I can pay."


    ''Of course you can! I heard you got a 7-figure bonus from Warner Bros for The Hangover Part 2! The Hangover Part 2 has already grossed $254 million in North America!''


    Kazir replied in his head. That should be at least $1 million. Maybe that was the reason why Enrico Pusi was willing to fight for a contract with Kazir Grey. Because his script is a sure way to make money.


    ''Unfortunately, Grey Pictures is too small to film these projects. Even two films in one year is difficult. All I can do is sell these scripts and negotiate a better deal with the Big Six.''


    The Big Six were the Big Six because of their ability to distribute movies worldwide. One of the best reasons why they were better than any other movie company in Hollywood.


    There were hundreds of production companies in this industry, but only six could monopolize the market, it was impossible to be equal next to them.


    Not even the old Metro Goldwyn Mayer or the blossoming DreamWorks. Not even Lionsgate of the future.


    Once everyone was seated, Kazir decided to speak.


    "I''m going to sell three scripts and possible scripts for their sequels."


    The Big Six producers listened intently.


    "Bruce Almighty, Anchorman and Horrible Bosses. I think you already know what I want, right?"


    Kazir looked for his coffee, but remembered that he had left it in the office. By the time he got back to his office, the coffee might be already cold.


    He sighed... The outcome of Meet The Parents was already affecting him.


    "Director Grey! Paramount has decided to continue working with you! As long as we maintain the contract of a 25% box office distribution fee, I believe we will have no problem!"


    "Thank you, Shirley."


    Kazir smiled. This contract was already sincere. Very sincere, to be honest.


    But Kazir Grey was being shameless right now. Instead of showing approval, he looked at the others.


    "I think you have better conditions, right?"


    The producers gritted their teeth at Kazir''s toothy grin. He was like the devil tempting them to sin!


    Anything less than 25% box office fee would affect their production. Basically, bleed them to possible death!


    However, the producers and higher-ups gave them the green light to negotiate with Kazir. Believing that Kazir Grey would be their money maker!


    Shameless! Impudent! You don''t deserve to be a director! You should be an agent instead!


    Kazir reminds them of talent agents who would suck the budget out of movies to satisfy their greed.


    +++++


    [Which company do you think will Kazir work with next? Paramount, Walt Disney, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros or 20th Century Fox? Sony-Columbia is also allowed, I just didn''t include them in the chapter because they didn''t have much of a relationship with Grey Pictures].