[Chapter 39: 20 Million and a Bolt from the Blue]
This move was to preserve the last bit of Fox's dignity and ease their discomfort. Little issues like these were actually big deals in the world of business etiquette.
Charlie understood this and took the initiative to settle it, which pleased Tom and the others even more. The distribution method had long been discussed within Fox. Rothman and his team believed the terms shouldn't be too harsh. If Charlie was cooperative, they intended to offer him a sweet deal as a goodwill gesture.
Great bosses always cared about their outstanding employees. Charlie asked, "So, what's your idea? Buyout or percentage?"
"There's good news: Fox values your future and plans to offer you a percentage contract."
"Thank you very much," Charlie said. "But I believe in being satisfied with what you have. I plan to buy out. 20 million dollars, excluding the North American market, plus all the theatrical, home entertainment, merchandise channels, and priority overseas rights for sequels will be yours."
"Here is the box office forecast for Fifty Shades of Gray, compiled from movie ratings and data agencies. Also, there's the overseas market research..." Kevin handed over the files. "Mr. Rothman, we are sincere!"
Tom and others exchanged glances and nodded slightly. The 20 million buyout price for overseas channels wasn't high for Fifty Shades of Gray.
"You want to recover funds quickly, Godfather. You're really motivated," Tom astutely pointed out Charlie's thinking, who smiled slightly without defending.
Dealing with a big company like this, it's better to get the money in hand. Although revenue sharing overseas channels could yield more, it took too long.
Tom pondered briefly. "I heard you have two projects on hand. Interested in having Searchlight invest and distribute?"
"Not yet. We're cooperating with Miramax. But for global distribution, we might approach Fox," Charlie answered vaguely.
He prepared this in his mind but certainly wouldn't reveal all his plans upfront.
Tom and his colleagues spoke quietly, "20 million overseas channel buyout, Fox basically agrees. Let's discuss some details. Remember, you are always welcome to cooperate with Fox. I heard you had some trouble recently; we can help you solve it."
"Of course, thank you very much, if I need it!" Charlie smiled.
Help always came at a price. Unless it was a burning emergency, Charlie didn't want to sell himself out.
Tom didn't press it. Nowadays, the Godfather was barely a friend, and on the Fifty Shades of Gray project, Fox was happy to show a little goodwill. But Fox wasn't so infatuated with him that they wouldn't go without him.
The company's major energy was focused on chasing James Cameron's matters. James Cameron, the Canadian truck driver, starting with the 1981 Piranha, up to the Terminator series, with only six directed films, had already become one of Hollywood's top commercial film directors, producers, and project initiators.
Charlie was now an interesting kid who could create some benefits. For Fox, that was enough.
The atmosphere was very amicable. All contract details were finalized in one day.
...
Having settled two matters successfully - including landing Tupac, which sounded implausible - made Charlie excited beyond words.
After leaving Fox's building, they had a simple celebration dinner, all in high spirits, ready to embrace new work and challenges.
Charlie painted a career blueprint. After saying goodbye to Kevin and the others, he drove alone to his apartment rental in Burbank, and on the way, he called Halle Berry.
This Black Pearl gave a special vibe; Charlie was addicted and decided to continue their cozy chats for a while.
Since Will had given him a ride home last time, he moved out and rented a decent place closer to the company.
As he took the elevator, some noise came from the hallway. Charlie pulled out his keys and walked a few steps, then froze.
...
Rachel opened a big door, carrying some boxes, moving quickly in and out. Seeing Charlie, her steps also halted. After a moment, with a face full of resentment, she coldly said, "I'm here to get my stuff!"
"Oh, of course," Charlie politely stepped aside, watching the woman do the heavy lifting.
A few minutes later, Rachel suddenly threw down a box, tears streaming. "You really have nothing to say to me?"
Charlie smiled calmly. "What's left to say? We've already broken up. I don't want to plead or pretend anymore. Sorry, darling, you've seen I'm a downright super asshole. I hope you remember the three wonderful months we had. Isn't that enough?
After breaking up, you should be happy. You didn't waste any more love or energy! That's something to be proud of. You should laugh about it."
"Fuck, bastard!" Rachel furiously punched him several times. Charlie didn't resist.
After more than ten minutes, the woman was tired and done crying. Choking back sobs, she glared at the former lover. "God, I can't believe I loved you! You blew my mind to see there was a shameless bastard like you in the world."
"Now you have," Charlie smiled gently. "Let's end it here, dear. Sorry to trouble you. Congrats on escaping misery and best wishes for becoming a Hollywood star and truly finding happiness! I guess I don't need to walk you out?"
Rachel looked at the familiar expression on the man she once loved. Now her heart held no affection, only disgust.
For some reason, all her bottled-up emotions dissipated; she took a deep breath and shook her head hard. "No need, bastard! Hope we never meet again."
Charlie watched her walk away. When the elevator doors closed, he smiled bitterly, standing there dazed and a bit melancholic.
He had long lost the ability to love; a heart full of decay and weariness could not hold any woman.
...
"Hey, Godfather. Were you waiting for me?" Suddenly, Halle Berry's voice appeared.
Charlie immediately size up the stylishly made-up woman and smiled. "Oh, yes. Did you eat dinner?"
"Sorry, I already ate, but I brought two bottles of Harlen red wine!" Halle, overly optimistic, thought Charlie had prepared a candlelight dinner.
"What are we waiting for? A long night ahead, time to get drunk!"
Striding over, Charlie lifted her up and slammed the door shut behind them.
While trying hard to heal his ex-girlfriend's emotional wounds, he got ready to cozy up with another for a long talk.
At least in cold-blooded shamelessness, the Godfather had big boss charisma, maybe even better. Unfortunately, the road to big boss was still long.
...
At 10 a.m. the next day, after working until 4 a.m., Charlie yawned and got up, quickly getting ready. He drove alone to the company.
Mord had many trivial matters, and the boss's irregular working hours made coordination difficult.
Charlie bought a chicken wrap and black coffee from Saint Helier on the way, rushing to the company.
With funding channels and resources in place, he was ready to unleash his energy, speed up projects, and aggressively grow his career.
He was eager, showing no sign of slack.
However, when he arrived and called Kevin and Gore to discuss things, a bolt from the blue struck.
Lamont burst through the door excitedly, "Good news, boss! That piece of shit Tupac was shot dead at 4 a.m. this morning on the spot!"
*****
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