“I’ll tell you if you can answer one question,” Ian’s words made everyone shush in anticipation.

“What is the question?”

“Well, before that, I’d like all of you to meet some people…” Ian looked at Murphy and gave a brief nod.

Raelynn immediately looked at Ian, as did the others.

“Who?” Rae asked immediately, to which Ian stayed silent.

In a matter of minutes, seven other gentlemen walked into the conference room. All of them were dressed in suits, which gave them a business-like appearance.

“Wait, is it... Mr. Arrow. Nice to see you, sir!” Raelynn stood up immediately and shook hands with the man who came forward. “I’m a big fan of your work, sir,” Rae said.

“Please have a seat, gentlemen. Thank you so much for coming. I had expected another director, but I think he was not interested in the script. Anyhow, Niko, Rae, Martin, and Maxin, please meet these top-tier directors in the industry. Mr. Arrow, Mr. Sun, Mr. White, Mr. Lin, Mr. Johns, Mr. Joseph, and Mr. Brown.”

Niko gasped as he saw the people sitting in front of them.

“Thanks for having us,” Mr. Sun said with much enthusiasm in his voice.

Among all the men, Raelynn sat silently, as she already knew who these important gentlemen were. All seven directors in front of them were A-listed directors who had created at least several masterpieces.

Three of the directors had won Oscars and Academy Awards for their endless creativity in bringing stories to the screen.

“Let me give a proper introduction as to why we are all here. First and foremost, we are all aware that Godfather would be the next masterpiece the world would get to see if it is properly executed. But for that, I need a director to work with me, which is why I sent out eight manuscripts and let the directors decide if they wanted to be a part of it.” He took a moment to look around. “Only seven are here, but that's fine.”

“Ian?” Mr. Brown, who was the bald-headed man among the group, suddenly questioned.

“Yes?”

“Before going into further details, I’d like it if you could explain why did you think to collab with another director for your next movie? What’s the motive? Is it simply due to creativity or is there any other reason?” he asked with a frown that fell upon his forehead.

Ian smiled.

“Exactly, Mr. Brown. What else would the reason be? I’d like to look beyond my lenses with every new project I take on. And that’s something I look forward to doing in the future too. As I’m very well aware, all of you have very different approaches to the screen, and all of your works are vastly different from each other. And it’s something I highly appreciate. But here’s the thing,” as Ian was standing while talking about everything, he leaned forward. “For this time, for Godfather, specifically, I’d like to work with someone who has an equal mind. The movie is already vintage, it’s a classic, or so I’d like to present it as. So, I’d like to have an equally minded person with an elevated set of skills, rather than change things and see things differently.”

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Ian’s words left the crowd speechless.

“What are you suggesting?”

“There’s one thing that I’d like to do. And that is…” Ian paused before continuing. “To ask a question.”

“Go ahead, Renner. What is it?”

“How was the script? Was it liking to your style?” Ian asked.

The directors nodded. They were all of a certain age, not less than fifty, which made sense in the industry. And if there was anything that wouldn't make sense, it would be how Ian, at such a young age, is at the top.

“Yeah, I actually liked the premise. I think it has great potential.”

“You, Mr. Johns?”

“I didn’t read the script. I’m here just to see what it was all about.”

Ian nodded, understanding where he came from.

“How about you?”

“It was good, Ian. Nice work,” White said.

“I believed it could change a few dialogues here and there, but it was good overall,” Lin commented.

“Yeah, I wished some situations changed from already existing ones, at some points I felt it could be much different.”

After Mr. Brown gave his response, Mr. Joseph replied, “I saw potential.”

“Okay, here’s the real question. Did any of you,” he looked around as everyone fell into silence, “notice anything about...oranges?”

He asked, making people frown.

“Oranges?”

“What do you mean, Ian?”

“What?”

“Did I hear it correctly?”

“Did he just say oranges?”

Everyone questioned what Ian had just asked. What was the relation with The Godfather and oranges? Was there something they missed? Or was there a hidden clue in the script?

“Mr. Joseph?” Ian asked finally, noticing that he had been silent for the most part.

“Yes?”

“What do you think? Did you notice anything?”

Mr. Joseph smiled slightly and adjusted his glasses. He put his long white hair back off the shoulders and looked at Ian, completely avoiding all the gazes that were on him.

“Well, I believe I noticed something.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized how quiet the entire room had become.

“Well, Ian…”

“Yes?”

“Whenever I read a manuscript, I always imagine the entire story. If the story or the pictures in my mind aren’t worth my time, I don’t give it. So, let me tell you what I saw related to the movie, and you should know that this could or could not be it.”

“Go ahead, Mr. Joseph.”

“Well, in the script, "The Godfather," oranges are often seen in scenes before a character's death or injury. I believe that the presence of oranges in a scene is a foreshadowing of tragedy…” He rubbed the back of his neck before continuing, “Uh, well, one example is when Don Corleone buys oranges from a street vendor just before he is shot, and umm… another is when Sonny Corleone is killed while reaching for an orange. However, I have no idea if this entire thing was intentional or if it was just a coincidence.”

Ian smiled at his response.

“Yes, that’s it. I think I found the person I’ll be working with next,” Ian said, looking at Joseph.

He walked closer to Joseph and shook hands with him.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

The rest of the directors kept looking at them.

“Somehow, I’d like all of you to join the party which will be held in my mansion. I’ll extend personal invitations to all of you.”

Mr. White, who had been silent the whole time, decided to speak up just as Ian had made his decision.

“Are you sure that’s your decision? I mean, Ian, you have much more experienced and talented directors-”

“And I’d be hoping to work with them very soon. Hopefully, sooner. It’s just that all the reasons I stated before the question were true. If one was able to notice the little thing in the manuscript and imagine the movie, that’s something very special to me, and the movie, I believe.”

Mr. White smiled humbly. “Hope you make it a success, then. Looking forward to the party. A good night is what we look forward to. Thanks.”

Ian smiled back with equal emotions running through his head.

“Thank you for coming once again. But join me for tea or coffee before you leave. It’s not every day that I have such experienced directors in my office.”

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