Hollywood Director 1992

[Chapter 34: Signing the Contract]

"Link, do you have time this afternoon?"

"What's up?"

"I know a fantastic restaurant nearby. How about we check it out together?"

"Sure, it's about time to eat. I'll treat!"

...

Link, along with Monica Bellucci, left the office and drove to the French restaurant she recommended, Bouchon. Located on Santa Monica Boulevard, part of the Thomas Keller restaurant group, its proximity to Beverly Hills and the Michelin-starred chef made it a pricey spot.

Unfamiliar with French cuisine, Link ordered the chef's recommended dishes, including a bottle of '88 Bordeaux, a filet mignon, a truffle soup, and a French sandwich. Monica, preparing for her role as the lead, opted for a vegetable salad and a sandwich.

"Link, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

Setting down his fork, Link dabbed his mouth with the napkin.

"How does someone like you end up in our apartment?"

Monica blinked her long, curled lashes, her brown eyes sparkling under the restaurant lights, framed by rosy lips that nearly matched the allure of the food on the table.

"Isn't it appropriate for a dreamer and aspiring star like me to live in such an apartment?"

"No, I don't think so. I've only seen you a few times, but it's clear you're not like the rest of them. They dream big but don't put in the effort. You, on the other hand, have goals and aspirations. You're always grinding away and never hanging out with them. You know, the thing I noticed most about you after we met is..."

Monica held her wine glass delicately, her eyes locked on his.

"My stunning good looks?" Link joked, supporting his chin with his hand.

Monica chuckled, "Link, what I'm about to say might not be very polite, but in my eyes, a man's looks don't mean much. What I admire more is his character, depth, and reputation. Before you became a well-known director, what I found most striking about you were your eyes -- so bright and fiery. They exuded positivity, ambition, and drive. A man like you is either bound for craziness or success, and you succeeded sooner than I expected."

"Your insight is sharp. While I was at the apartment, I tried to tone down my shine and fit in with everyone, but I guess I was still an open book to you. Fine, no pretense anymore -- I really am from Mars, with fire in my eyes."

"Seriously?"

Monica bit her lip, trying to stifle a laugh.

"You can take it a joke."

"You're genuinely funny -- so much more than during work."

"I thought women appreciated serious men."

"When you talked about the script and the scenes, you were certainly compelling, but you looked so serious -- furrowing your brow made you look pretty intimidating. At that point, I was just trying to figure out how to please you; I didn't even have time to appreciate you."

Monica pointed to her forehead, casually sweeping her long hair back.

"That's my fault, but I won't change. I take my work seriously and maintain strict standards for actors. So, before shooting begins, you need to prepare yourself mentally -- don't back down just because I'm tough."

"Thanks for the heads-up; I've already felt a lot of pressure from your words."

Monica rested her chin on her hand, smiling. "And that's why I say you shouldn't be in a such an apartment. You're more mature and grounded than your peers, with talents beyond the ordinary. You're charming and well-mannered, and your work ethic doesn't resemble that of a rookie director at all. The more I interact with you, the more I realize you're quite remarkable. If you claimed to be from a noble family instead of Mars, I might actually believe you."

Link smiled gently, raising his glass to clink with Monica's.

As for her words -- whether they were sincere compliments or strategic flattery -- he didn't mind too much. When dealing with women, the key was to remain clear-headed and understand what they wanted, to know what he had to offer, and to grasp what they might seek next; that's how he kept control.

...

After finishing their meal, Link and Monica left Bouchon, strolling along Santa Monica Boulevard under the warm hues of the Los Angeles sunset, engaging in light banter.

This wasn't wasting time; it was about deepening their understanding of one another and building a harmonious working relationship to prepare for their upcoming filming. They were set to portray a married couple, so establishing a close-knit relationship would help them immerse themselves in their roles more easily.

---

That morning at the gym, Link bumped into Jim Carrey again. They worked out together and played a game of tennis.

...

While having breakfast, Link received a call from William Mason. Turner Network Television wanted to invite him for a special feature to discuss his film Buried. Since Turner didn't have his contact details, they dialed United Theatres.

"Alright, William, I'll have someone reach out to Turner shortly."

"Link, don't you have an agent? You're a star director now; you need someone dedicated to managing your career."

"Thanks for the reminder; I almost forgot. I should call my agency today."

...

At Guess Pictures, Link called Sam Haskel to express his gratitude for the offer. WMA was a promising agency, and he was eager to collaborate.

Sam Haskel replied he was glad to receive the call and asked when Link would be available to sign the agent contract. After that, WMA would take over all his representation affairs.

Sam also expressed his excitement about becoming Link's agent. Link shared the address of Guess Pictures, and they arranged to meet that afternoon.

---

Around nine, Lily arrived at Guess Pictures, bringing him coffee.

Link called the real estate agent, Ellen Herbert, to inquire if she had found suitable housing options. Upon receiving a positive response, Link picked up Lily and set off with Ellen to tour some nearby apartments.

...

Ultimately, they decided on a mid-range apartment in the Rex complex, just three kilometers from the office. It had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a living room, fully furnished with appliances.

The neighborhood had good security and was near a private kindergarten and Archer School for Girls, meaning Cecilia could attend school in the area once she grew up.

Due to the apartment's high rent, Link agreed to cover two years' worth of rent up front as an advance from her salary.

"All set, Lily, the place is booked. Take the next few days to familiarize yourself with the area, get some essentials. If you need a ride, you can call me or Chris Barnes; don't hesitate. For now, you don't need to worry about company matters. I'll arrange that once you're settled."

"Got it!"

Lily surveyed the elegantly decorated apartment, a satisfied glimmer in her eyes. Turning back to him, she smiled, "Link, I feel like I owe you more and more; it's going to be impossible to repay."

"The road ahead is long -- no need to rush; take your time."

---

Returning to Guess Pictures, Link called Turner TV to discuss the upcoming interview with host Billy Crystal. He needed to prepare in advance.

...

Just as he hung up, Sam Haskel knocked and walked in, dressed in a formal suit, tie in place, and carrying a briefcase. His hair was impeccably styled, and his dark eyes sparkled with a smile as he spotted Link.

"Ha! Link, you finally called! I haven't slept well for two days waiting for you."

"Once we wrap up the contract, you can get some rest."

Link took the agent contract from WMA and gave it a glance. Most of the document was a standard template, with only minor edits made to a few clauses.

The contract stipulated that they wouldn't interfere with his personal projects and wouldn't take any commission from his earnings. The penalty for breach was a mere $50,000 -- a symbol of trust, creating a relatively loose partnership for both parties.

With both lawyers present, Link signed the representation contract with the WMA, officially becoming one of their clients.

...

Link chose WMA over the more prominent CAA because WMA had a higher number of directors among its clients, including James Cameron, Clint Eastwood, and David Lynch.

Joining WMA would also facilitate internal communication, allowing him to learn from established directors.

In the past few days, CAA had approached him but offered less favorable terms than WMA. He didn't go for CAA since it had rapidly expanded over the last few years and effectively represented half of Hollywood's major stars, including Steven Spielberg, Sylvester Stallone, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr., Nicolas Cage, and Julia Roberts.

CAA's founder and president, Michael Ovitz, was named Hollywood's most powerful player by Premiere Magazine for three consecutive years.

With so many major clients, competition was fierce, and as a newcomer, he wouldn't have access to meaningful resources. Additionally, when Ovitz and Ron Meyer left for Disney and Universal, it threw CAA into chaos and led to numerous scandals.

Many star clients departed around that time, moving to WMA, ICM, or UTA.

Since he foresaw CAA's decline, there was no need to join the chaos. Opting for a more stable environment with WMA felt right.

...

"Ha! Link, welcome to WMA! Here's to our partnership and future success!"

"That's what I hope for too!"

They shook hands in the conference room as Sam's associate took pictures of them for keepsakes.

*****

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