"What is it, exactly, that you want from me?"
"I want you to invest in my studio."
"Right, but how does that benefit me? How is that 'an opportunity?'"
"It's an opportunity to expand. You have your studio now, but you could be a part of mine as well. It would allow us to work closely with each other, again. My studio would be like Dubois' sister company. You would get a share of the profits we make. We would, hopefully, have some synergy between the two. Although, for now, it would be mostly Dubois helping us get started. But, as soon as we are more established, you'll see the ways it would be beneficial to you. If not in a creative capacity, then at least financially."
"Right, but if that was the case, why wouldn't I just start another studio or expand Dubois and invest in it myself."
"Ah, well I know that you are too busy to do that and it would not be very time-efficient. I've seen how hard it was to start and it doesn't seem like you'll ever find the time to do something like that. Maybe when you're around 60, you'll be able to comfortably start another studio, but in the meantime, you're way too busy working on sets for the big movie studios.
If you invest in my studio, I'd take on most of the responsibility and you would act as a board member. And, hopefully, yeah, you and your company could help me out."
"I don't know if I want to place all of my trust in you just yet, James. Seems like too big of a risk for me."
"I know it's risky, but you also know it's me. You know how many ideas I have. I'm nowhere near running out of ideas, Mr. Dubois. I have so many more. It'd take a lifetime for me to run out of ideas."
"That sounds well and good, James, but it takes a little more to run a business."
"Yes, that's why I want you as an investment partner, to show me the ropes. I'm good for everything else."
"Okay, but what other benefit could you actually give me?"
James felt like Mr. Dubois was starting to bite.
"I have some property, to store equipment. I could lend some of those out to you," James said, jokingly.
"Hahahahah." Dubois started to laugh at the unexpected offer.
"And what am I going to do with that?" Dubois asked.
"Well, you said to offer you something and that was the only thing I could think of. I don't really have much more to offer you, Mr. Dubois. I only have my ideas and some land to my name.
"Well, that doesn't sound too enticing for your future investor."
"Huh? Does that mean you're going to invest?"
"You could say that."
James gets up to shake his hand.
"You won't regret it, sir."
"I hope not."
"I'll make sure I work hard."
"Alright, well, we can talk around some of the details first before we get our lawyers to work out the rest."
---
James and Dubois would talk a little about the details. How Dubois could provide support for right now.
James' plans to run multiple productions, and what Dubois' share of the profits would be.
James also had to meet more investors, some recommended to him by Mr. Dubois.
-------
Dubois Studios.
Catheryn is currently in the conference room, talking with her father.
"So, you're investing in James' studio?"
"Don't be like that Cate. He's good."
"I'm not saying he's not good."
"Then, what? Do you think he's gonna flake on me? Or is he not going to work hard?"
"I know he'll work hard. He'll probably kill himself trying to get as many productions done as possible."
"Then what's the fuss?"
"There is no fuss! I'm just asking..."
"Listen, Cate, I know there were some problems between you two, but is it really that hard to get over it? Just makeup..."
Catheryn hurriedly leaves the office room of her father.
"...Women."
----
How could James do this without telling me?
He just goes directly to my father?
I'm gonna call that son of a b...
***Ring Ring. Ring Ring***
"Hello? Catheryn?"
"Hey."
"...Hey."