Behind The Spotlight Chapter 56
"I worked hard because I want to provide for you and make your life easier in every possible way."
"And it's already enough. You don't have to do this. I can find ways to earn money if I really need to buy something," Aida replied.
"No, you will not work while you're studying. If you need money, you can ask me directly, and I'll make sure you're taken care of. What's the point of my hard work if you won't depend on me when you need something as simple as that?" Collin quickly retorted.
"It doesn't matter what you say, I won't accept this credit card just because it's handed to me."
"But you'll need it sooner or later. College is expensive as hell, and having a credit card is practical, you never know when an emergency might come up."
"Still, $5,000 is too much for someone like me. What if I spend it on something useless just because I got tempted? God, I don't know how guilty I'd feel if that ever happened. I can't handle that amount of money without purchasing some useless stuff."
"How about I lower the amount to $4,000? That's still more than enough, right?"
"$1,500, final offer."
"What is this, some kind of negotiation? I didn't know that even at home I have to negotiate a contract. $2,000. You're my sister. I don't want you to lack anything, even if you say you're okay. If you want to buy something, go on and don't hesitate. I'll take care of it without complaint."
"... Collin, you're making me embarrassed with how generous you are, do you know that?"
Aida sighed in resignation. Indeed, she probably had the best brother in the world, and sometimes she didn't know what she did to deserve him.
Since their childhood, Collin was the type to give up his sweets and candies for her without thinking twice.
'You became much worse when Dad died...' Aida couldn't say that out loud because Evelyn and Collin would be sad if they heard it, and she didn't want to bring up those emotions tonight.
"... Fine, $2,000, but not a penny more. I'll talk to you if there's something I can't afford or something important comes up. Make sure you have money for that!" She raised her voice in a mix of annoyance and concern, frustrated that she agreed.
She knew Collin wouldn't stop pestering her if she didn't agree, and she didn't have the energy to argue anymore.
"Nice," Collin smiled in visible relief. Now he felt relaxed, knowing Aida had agreed even if it took a bit of arm-twisting. He had never experienced college himself, but he knew women around Aida's age often loved buying expensive clothes and bags to keep up with their peers.
Collin wanted to make sure Aida wouldn't feel envious of them just because of money. He actually thought of buying her a car to help her get around, but the young woman would probably hate it if he did that without asking.
"Then, how about Mom?" Collin asked, turning to Evelyn.
"Collin, your pestering won't work on me, so don't even try. I don't need a credit card or anything fancy. In the first place, I rarely leave the apartment unless it's really necessary. Even groceries aren't expensive enough to need a card."
"But I want you to enjoy your days more. How about going out once in a while just to treat yourself? There's a shopping mall a few blocks away with cafes and bookstores. Why don't you try going there just for a change of pace?"
"Even if I go there, I won't take your credit card because I don't want to rely on it."
"Mom, don't do this to me. Please, just do it for me."
Collin tried to act childish like he used to when he was younger, but that method wouldn't work anymore now that they were older. He rarely used this tactic because he was too old for it, and it felt a bit forced.
Unfortunately, Evelyn didn't budge, and the firm look on her face said it all.
With that, Collin's plan only worked halfway, one win, one loss.
'Was it really bad to pamper your loved ones just because you finally can? What if they get used to it and depend on me more? Even better!' Collin's train of thought would probably never change.
...
...
...
Henry Greyson and Wyatt Bray entered the headquarters of Uni-versus Pictures dressed in formal clothes and filled with nervous excitement to pitch a project that had kept them up at night for weeks.
Wyatt had written a script over the course of several months, and when Henry personally read it, he completely lost his mind for laughing.
The script bore some resemblance to The Accidental Wedding Crashers, but it had a different setting and a new dynamic between characters.
It was about a group of friends on a weeklong cruise ship vacation. They gambled at the ship's casino, where chaotic events unfolded, including accidents and misunderstandings that eventually left the ship stranded in the middle of the ocean with no contact with the outside world.
The script's title was Week On A Cruise Ship... though that could change depending on studio feedback.
Henry had worked with Uni-versus Pictures before. Some of the movies he managed were distributed by the studio and performed modestly at the box office. He had also produced one of their mid-budget films a few years ago that became a hit.
The two men found the private room where they would present their pitch to the Head of Production. They knocked, received confirmation, and stepped inside.
"Huh?" Henry blurted under his breath.
He froze as if his shoes were nailed to the floor. He saw people in the room he didn't recognize at first glance. No, that wasn't right. He did recognize them. He just hadn't expected to see them here, especially not for this meeting.
Henry Greyson was a professional movie producer with over a decade of experience. He had calculated the budget for the movie down to the smallest line item. Around $15 to $20 million, depending on casting and location needs.
That amount was considered mid-budget in the current era.
Low-budget movies never exceeded $5 million and typically involved indie directors or limited casts.
$5 to $30 million was mid-budget, offering flexibility in production.
Anything above $30 million was high-budget. Usually action, fantasy, or major franchise projects.
Usually, a mid-budget pitch would only involve the Head of Production without higher-ups. In rare cases, top executives would attend if a pitch showed unusual promise.
But today was different, very different. Henry immediately bowed his head out of respect after realizing he had stared too long at the Chairman and CEO of Uni-versus Pictures, both seated just a few feet away.
Yes, both the Chairman and CEO were present for a project like this.
'What the fuck is happening here and why are they here?'
Henry asked himself as he swallowed hard. He'd done dozens of pitches but never had the chance to speak face-to-face with Hollywood's major decision-makers.
He glanced at Wyatt beside him, who was clutching his notes, his hand shaking slightly.
'... Shit. We might fail this pitch before it even begins.'
"You don't have to worry about us, gentlemen. We're just here to listen and observe. Treat us like we're invisible," CEO Berry Cruz said with a friendly laugh.
'Yeah, right. As if we can do that.'
The Chairman of Uni-versus Pictures, Noah Nash, also nodded with a small smile. He was a decade younger than Berry but still carried great authority. He was in his 40s but already one of the most influential names in the industry.
"Then let's begin this meeting without further delay."
The Head of Production started the meeting, prompting Henry and Wyatt to present their project. Slowly, they adjusted to the pressure, gaining confidence with every minute as they explained the overall concept with clarity and enthusiasm. They distributed the completed scripts and projected budget breakdowns to everyone present and let them read at their own pace.
Berry Cruz adjusted his reading glasses and curiously opened the script while Henry delivered his pitch with calm professionalism.
The opening scene featured the three friends waking up in a strange room with no memory of the previous night. One of them, the youngest, rushed to the toilet to release the biggest and loudest shit of all time, echoing throughout the room. While he was in the middle of doing number two, two lions appeared and surrounded him from both sides, growling in unison.
The guy screamed in horror while shitting, completely losing his mind, and the lions roared on cue, creating a symphony of shit, screams, and roars unlike anything ever seen in cinema.
Berry bit his lip, trying hard not to laugh. He clenched the pages tightly, holding back his laughter so as not to disrupt the meeting or seem unprofessional.
Suddenly, Chairman Noah Nash burst into laughter, unable to hold it any longer. Everyone in the room paused mid-read and waited while he composed himself, smiling politely.
Noah took a deep breath and waved his hand, still chuckling. His face was red, either from laughter or from embarrassment for laughing so suddenly in front of everyone.
"Continue what you're doing."
Henry resumed the pitch without skipping a beat, while Wyatt chimed in when needed. Henry was an expert, so Wyatt followed his lead and kept things steady.
An hour later, Henry and Wyatt left the room feeling drained but hopeful. The executives had asked questions ranging from budget concerns to casting ideas.
Once they were satisfied with what they heard, Henry and Wyatt were directed to a nearby waiting room while the executives privately discussed the project's potential profitability behind closed doors.