Behind The Spotlight Chapter 285
Collin led Arnold to his new office.
"This is it?" Arnold looked disgusted.
"What do you mean, this is it?"
"I was thinking of something bigger," he said shamelessly.
"The space is twice as big as your last office." Collin frowned.
"Hey, how do you know my office is smaller than this? Are you stalking me?" Arnold glanced suspiciously at Collin.
"Back at ANT, our offices were the exact same size. Of course I know how big your office is."
The two bickered back and forth. It was a normal routine for them, and Collin didn't take offense at Arnold's jabs. He knew Arnold was just a shameless bastard.
"Don't forget, I'm your boss now," Collin smirked.
"Fuck, I can't believe this is happening."
"So why don't you call me CEO or boss? Go on, say it with respect."
"Fuck off. I own 5% of this company, for the record."
After intense negotiations, Arnold had successfully snagged a 5% stake in Golden Spotlight Group. He was now officially the Head of the Film Department.
"You have to work at the company for 5 years before those shares vest permanently," Collin reminded him.
"I can't believe I agreed to that outrageous condition." Arnold sighed dramatically.
To be fair, the offer Collin gave Arnold was easily the best deal in their industry.
"Yeah, right. You wouldn't get this kind of offer at any other agency. You're lucky you have a friend like me. So why don't you thank me? Go on, I'm still waiting for you to call me boss."
"I can't believe I have a friend like you. And I even treated you like a brother."
"I also can't believe I have a friend like you. I treated you like a brother," Collin shot back.
The two laughed. Indeed, they were genuinely happy to be working together again.
"I'll call you boss if you sell me some shares of Moonrise Music."
"Bro, I need the approval of all the co-owners to do that."
For Collin to sell his shares, he needed sign-offs from Vivian, Niko, and Lila.
"Does that mean there's a chance I could buy your shares?"
"Fuck off. Go find some other company to invest in."
"I'm looking, but I don't know who I can trust with my money."
After their banter, Collin shifted to serious business.
"You have a new client. His name is Murray Fred. He has a real future in action movies."
"Oh?" Arnold listened intently.
"I know three projects he can audition for. Introduce yourself to Murray and brief him on these." Collin handed him a set of documents. Arnold read through them and immediately recognized some of the high-profile projects.
"Does he really have what it takes to pass the audition? These projects are with major studios. They won't hire an unknown actor." Arnold knew the landscape well, especially since he hadn't even met his new client yet.
"There's no harm in trying. If he doesn't land a role, you can always insert him into Unnatural."
"I suppose so."
Now that Arnold had left Apex Network Talent, two of his clients had followed him to Golden Spotlight Group: Jolyne Robs and Director Tom. Jolyne had paid out seven months' worth of damages to break her contract, while Director Tom's contract had simply expired, allowing him to leave without a hitch.
Arnold had apologized to his wife because Jolyne had to shell out $1.2 million just to escape ANT. Jolyne hadn't really minded the cost, though, she enjoyed seeing Arnold squirm and act all affectionate about it, so she thoroughly milked the moment...
As for Brody Paige and Pulse Static, they were still under contract and had no plans to walk away just yet.
Arnold genuinely regretted that he couldn't convince them to jump ship, but he accepted the outcome. Pulse Static still had three years left on their contract because they were newer signees, and given their massive profitability, the penalty fee to break it would have been astronomical.
Brody Paige, meanwhile, wasn't willing to gamble his career on an unproven startup agency and chose to wait it out.
"Also, take this." Collin slid a script across the desk to Arnold.
"You mentioned that Jolyne is interested in starring in a movie that could contend at the Academy Awards. I found a script that might fit her."
The script instantly caught Arnold's attention, and he began reading. It was a dark tale about a ballet dancer whose obsessive pursuit of perfection causes her mental state to unravel, part psychological thriller, part psychological drama, and part psychological horror.
The title was Dark Swan. Given Jolyne's impressive acting range, she could certainly handle the role, though Arnold readily admitted the material was exceptionally heavy.
Regardless, Arnold thanked Collin profusely. Script selection was one of Collin's greatest strengths, the projects he backed almost always delivered.
...
...
...
"... This is the building, right?"
A week after Arnold assumed his role as Head of the Film Department at GSG, another familiar face arrived to inquire about the agency.
It was none other than Jennifer Randon, the actress/host, and Collin's former client.
Jennifer's final stretch at ANT had been utterly mediocre. The agent assigned to handle her had shown zero interest in revitalizing her career, making it painfully obvious that nobody there believed a comeback was possible. Even though her role in Unnatural had concluded, episodes were still airing, but every single scene of hers had already been shot.
She was out of a job once again. So when her contract finally expired, neither her agent nor ANT made any effort to keep her. To them, she was a lost cause.
Her career was finished, and no one believed she could claw her way back. The weight of that reality had crushed her spirits.
Fortunately, she knew the one person who might still be able to help. She stepped into the lobby, spoke with the receptionist, and was escorted up to the 6th floor.
"Jennifer, we meet again."
"Yes..." Jennifer offered Lila an awkward smile. She was well aware that Lila was now working closely with Collin, and it was pretty clear their relationship extended far beyond the professional sphere.
"Collin has been waiting for you."
"I see..."
Lila led her down the hall to Collin's office. Jennifer expected Lila to excuse herself afterward, but Lila stepped right inside with them.
"I figured you'd show up either today or tomorrow. It's good to see you, Jennifer."
Jennifer grinned, pulled out a chair, and settled in comfortably. Her usual defensive demeanor melted away.
"It's not like I had much of a choice. Collin, you better keep your promise."
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