Hollywood Zenith

" You should have told me before! I know I am a shark, but how could you expect me to go against a whale?" Alastair complained to Samuel over the phone.

" I don't know what you are talking about. Does something happen during the negotiations?"

" You don't know? I thought you set me up deliberately."

" I really don't know what you are talking about."

He heard Alastair's sigh through the phone but soon, he started to explain.

[A few hours ago ]

" Just tell me you called because you have some work for me. I have been sitting bored over here." Alastair said after picking up the phone.

" Yeah. I am sending over some documents. Lead your team to negotiate. The target is Warner studios; for further details, you can review the files."

" I can't just barge in there. Tell me the details; I have to prepare too."

Samuel briefly explained his interest in investing in the upcoming Harry Potter movie. He also stated that he had made a verbal agreement and that a team would meet him when he reached the company's headquarters.

" Are you sure? It may be risky business. I know we have been making money like crazy, but you don't know if the movie will succeed."

" Why not? I will be in it. At least give me some credit."

" You? When do you start acting?"

"It's been a few months. I am ok at it."

" You better be. We are talking about millions of pounds. I know that is not much to you, but I don't want our streak to fail."

" Me too. Don't worry about it. I am considering making a new subsidiary that deals with entertainment production. Kind of like Disney."

" Wo, wo. Hold on. You are running without learning to walk first. Even I am afraid, and people call me ' the devil,' for God's sake."

" Alright, maybe after a few months. The firm has its hands full preparing for the event."

" That's right! Ok, I will look into it. I might press for more; that's fine right?"

" Yeah, do your thing."

They ended their conversation. Alastair informed his team to go over the legality issue. They were on a time crunch, but it was a reasonably simple contract and negotiation.

After going over it, he took two of his colleagues to visit the Studio headquarters for further negotiations. Verbal agreements were never reliable, but he trusted Samuel that it would not be a fool's errand.

The address was close to their office building, a few miles from the center of Westminster, the heart of London.

Alastair reached the spot, and when he entered the building with his team, someone was waiting for him downstairs in the reception area.

It was not a busy morning, so both parties quickly spotted each other.

" Sir, Are you Mr. Alastair?" to which he nodded.

" Yes, I am here on behalf of my client. I was told that someone would be waiting for me here."

" Sam R. Moore, right?"

" Who? Yes, yes." Alastair said with a puzzled look but soon recovered. He almost forgot that Samuel went by this stage name now.

" Pardon?"

" yes, that's my client."

The lady stared at him suspiciously. She was discerning whether he was lying, but looking at Alastair's whole team, their clothes didn't look cheap.

" Ok, Please follow me."

She took the three to the top floor outside the president's chamber. He didn't know that the head of the department was currently visiting the London office.

Courtenay Valenti was the President, Production, and Development for Warner Bros. Pictures.

Currently, she oversees and manages the division's live-action and animated development teams and budget and works closely with the Chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group on overall slate development.

Alastair was confused; he didn't have appointments with her but was scheduled to meet some high-level executives.

" I think you have been mistaken. I was set to meet someone named Rob. " He expressed his concerns.

" No, the president canceled that she wanted to meet you personally." The lady replied.

Alastair could only agree to it. But he has to change his approach as he would go against someone more capable than what he previously anticipated.

He decided to head alone, not to intimidate the other party. She might get defensive which was terrible for the deal.

" Hello, Miss Courtenay; I am here because of my appointment."

" Yes, sit down. Oh, this is my mentor, Eleanor. I know we had the meeting, but she visited abruptly. I am sorry about it."

Alastair looked at the woman and recognized her instantly. She was a famous figure in the finance world. He politely greeted her too.

" I hope you don't mind my presence. You both can carry on. Just treat me like an old lady sitting in the back." Eleanor said while encouraging them to continue.

" It is alright. Not every day do I get to meet a person like yourself. It is my honor to receive your guidance."

" I heard the details, but it will be hard to get you on board. I know your reputation regardless; we don't start a business with new people easily," Courtenay explained her reasoning.

" If you heard that much, I would like to elaborate a little to make the offer more appealing. How about this? My client would invest in the first three films in the franchise for a total investment of forty-five million USD to get a ten percent profit cut. I heard that the movie's budget is around a hundred and twenty million; by default, you will get two percent off the profit."

Courtenay listened to his proposal but was not impressed by it.

" It is disappointing, it may sound a lot to others, but for bug business like us, it is a drop of water in a vast ocean. Besides, we have no shortage of investors. Why should we share the profit with you?" She paused before continuing.

" I heard that you were famous for your negotiation skill. It baffles my mind that you would represent a client with such a low budget. ' The Devil' title should not be wasted like this. No offense to your client, but you could work for us if you want."

" It is an enticing offer, but I have my reasons; you may find my reason in the future."

" If that is all, then I don't think we could agree."

" I haven't even begun. You asked me earlier why you should give me a chance to me? I will tell you why if you still find it unsatisfactory, then there is nothing more we could offer."

" Ok. but I don't like wasting time."

" How about you could gain some support from your biggest competitor? My client wants to offer you a gateway to make this movie the biggest next Christmas."

" Now, you are being mysterious. Get to the point."

" The Disney company is known for its animation, and there is a huge demand for it. What if they agreed to put little previews of our film in some of their biggest names? My client states three movie spots will be included free of charge if you agree to the deal."

" Nonsense! I know your client. He is a little kid with a wealthy family, no matter how much influence they have. Bending a company worth billions is not child's play."

" Calm down, Courtenay. If anyone could do it, it has to be him. I have always taught you to stay focused, right? I have trained you better than this."

" Eleanor, I know, but this is ridiculous. Don't tell me you believe him?"

" Of course I do. His client is my grandson." Eleanor said nonchalantly, like everyone knew about it.

" What?"

" What?"

" Oh, don't look at me like that. Both of you are getting lazy if you don't even know this. I believe that you need to do your research properly with all this technology. Samuel is the son of my daughter."

" Samuel? What's he doing being an actor? Shouldn't he be in school or something?"

" He can do whatever he wants. Besides, he is a genius, so I am not worried about him. I was before I met him."

" So, Rumors are true that he is adopted. I can't believe Laura would do something like this. I can't even picture her loving anyone; she was pretty wild in the past."

" That is surprising for me too. Seeing her settling down with anyone was a miracle; no one could hold a candle to her as she deemed every man incompetent. I have seen her make boys cry with her harsh tone, but somehow she found her love. Now, you wouldn't even recognize her if you looked at her."

" I am getting flashbacks. But they are a good match."

" Excuse me?" Alastair, being left out, was listening to them reminiscing about the past. Before his time, he was a student when this was unfolding.

" You, young man. I am disappointed. You should learn some history about Samuel and the family."

" I am sorry! But I thought being the Rothschild was enough. It is my mistake to not look into it more. I will remember this in the future." Alastair learned a hard lesson today.

" If you think like that, you will forever stay blind to your surroundings. There are many hidden forces in the world, and you may say that currently, Rothschilds have an advantageous position, but nothing is set in stone."

Alastair felt chills down his spine, he could not imagine anyone more influential, but Eleanor hinted at something ominous.

They concluded their deal according to the contract. Alastair secured a ten percent investment in three movies in the series with additional advertisement promises. It was a win-win situation for both parties.

He was still shaken about today's encounter; he thought it was a deliberate move on Samuel's part. Hence, he called him as soon as he went outside the building.