[Chapter 20: Direct Confrontation with the Uninvited Guest Tupac]
Outside a crowded theater in Los Angeles, people were packed shoulder to shoulder. The movie Independence Day and Will Smith were the hottest things in town, drawing massive attention.
Alicia trailed behind the crowd, enviously watching Will being swarmed by media and fans. She said with conflicted feelings, "I'm about to be Will's girlfriend -- a big star. Why bother with a low-budget indie film? The pay is too low. I want to grab bigger opportunities. You said otherwise before, why the sudden change?"
Halle quickly covered Alicia's mouth, cast a cautious glance at Lamont, and whispered, "Besides the pay, Fifty Shades of Gray is an amazing project. It's hot! More importantly, do you dare to abandon Charlie?"
Lamont sneered. "Hmph, shortsighted fools. Our boss got Spike and others to figure out your scheme in just a few words. Even 20th Century Fox respects the boss immensely, yet you dare underestimate him and even pull dirty tricks."
Alicia evidently lacked strong opinions, and Halle's pressing arguments seemed to influence her a bit.
...
A little further away, Charlie stood calmly next to a Mercedes, smiling at Kevin and Etto as they watched the lively scene. "Watch, someday, we'll make a movie that gets this kind of spotlight."
"Absolutely!" Etto said excitedly.
Kevin nodded. "20th Century Fox inviting the Godfather shows goodwill. Looks like our efforts lately have attracted a lot of attention and recognition."
Charlie laughed heartily. "Right, let's not keep the big shots waiting. Hopefully, we'll get good news from Chris Book House before the party ends."
"We will!" Kevin said confidently. "Godfather, your promotional campaign will definitely work."
...
After changing the book sales strategy, Locke had successfully test-marketed in a limited area. So, Chris Book House had been working overtime printing copies and began full-scale sales earlier that day.
Charlie was eagerly awaiting the book sales results. Good sales would help his financing efforts.
Pure hype worked to an extent, but film projects also needed to demonstrate their inherent appeal.
The final script for Fifty Shades of Gray, along with actors and locations, was all set in the past few days.
It had cost Charlie a lot of effort. When renting a mansion in Beverly Hills, he had to accompany real estate agents, property managers, and spend two days managing all the details.
He was physically and mentally exhausted, which made Rachel somewhat unhappy.
A producer needed to understand not just the film industry but also how to deal with various professionals.
Now that everything was ready, it was time to raise his bargaining power one last time to negotiate better financing terms.
Charlie had already contacted Yorkton Securities and Mafia Films' Mitch, tentatively agreeing on some terms.
But the total investment, combined with Fox's $700,000, and some scattered private funds amounting to around $3.5 million, was still insufficient.
Moreover, terms regarding contracts and copyrights were not satisfactory to Charlie.
He was waiting for the book sales results to improve his negotiation position.
...
"Hey, Godfather, congrats, you're now an important part of Hollywood!" Benjamin teased warmly from a distance.
"Hey, everyone!" Charlie smiled broadly and shook hands with them.
After some small talk, they walked side by side into the theater. This group was all behind-the-scenes personnel, not bothered by reporters.
"Ah, look, isn't that our good man Will? Should I congratulate you on your engagement a month early?" Charlie joked as they reached the entrance.
Will and Fox executives nodded, then looked over at Charlie with a mixture of resignation and complex feelings -- gratitude and resentment both.
Will rolled his eyes and smiled slightly. "Hello, Godfather."
Alicia shrank back, trying to lower her profile. Standing before Charlie, memories of their past made her timid.
But Charlie ignored her, busy greeting the Independence Day creators and Fox executives.
"Alright, let's not hang around here. Let's go inside," he said minutes later.
...
Suddenly, Benjamin glanced to the right front with a slight laugh and tapped Charlie's shoulder. "Don't rush, looks like someone is looking for you."
A dozen or so African Americans pushed their way forward in a colorful burst of attire.
The leader was familiar -- it was Tupac!
Charlie's face darkened. He looked at Benjamin, who wore a sly half-smile.
Damn!
Cursing silently, Charlie reacted swiftly and decided to take the initiative. He burst into laughter and spread his arms wide, "Oh, welcome, my friend! You must be here to celebrate Will's movie release."
Tupac's originally aggressive and arrogant demeanor turned into confusion.
Uncountable reporters eagerly snapped pictures without hesitation.
Even fans craned their necks to catch the spectacle, hoping to hear some news.
No one understood why Tupac, caught in the midst of East Coast-West Coast rap war troubles, had come here.
Under the eyes of all, the usually domineering Tupac could only blankly say, "Oh, yeah, I definitely want to congratulate Will."
"But at the same time, I'm sure you're here because of Jada, who's currently detained!" Charlie shouted back, "You're good friends. She got arrested after attacking me."
Reporters tried to break through barriers to interview.
These guys were like flies after shit.
Well...
Charlie certainly was not the shit.
He put an arm around Tupac's shoulder with a sad but touched expression, "Man, I'm moved that only you care about Jada at a time like this. You're a good brother and friend. But I'm sorry, I can't interfere with the justice system."
Charlie's quick response caught Tupac off guard. He could only nod in front of the cameras.
Reporters probably realized Charlie was the author of Fifty Shades of Gray, and many, being savvy, knew the inside details.
Previously uninterested in producers, reporters now clamored to interview with a rap superstar present.
Tupac finally snapped out of it. He growled, "Get lost, you bastard. I'm here today to teach you a lesson!"
Charlie would never fight openly in front of a crowd. Even if he won, he'd become Tupac's mortal enemy.
These gangsta rappers valued pride deeply -- it was their livelihood.
Charlie smiled and put his arm around him again, speaking quietly into his ear with an icy tone, "Listen, I don't think you're a child."
"Fuck, let me go!" Tupac struggled. He was much shorter and felt like a grizzly held him tight, unable to move.
"Calm down, don't get worked up," Charlie said casually, waving to Will, "Man, your homie is here to celebrate."
"Yeah," Will hesitated then stepped forward.
Unobtrusively, Charlie had Etto, Kevin, and Will form a barrier between him and Tupac, creating a small space for talking.
"What do you want?" Tupac, tense, exchanged looks with his crew.
Their group of over ten men surrounded the area tightly.
The atmosphere instantly grew tense, like gunpowder awaiting a spark.
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.