"Francis, would you mind if I join you, maybe I can help too ?" Alex offered his services.
"Well..." Francis looked at Tom and seeing Tom's nod he said "It's a bonus if you can join us."
Tom was not stupid he knows that Alex's word was more precious than gold for all the studios now-a-days. And one day maybe he to can acquire that kind of power.
Nicolas was not upset that he was on sidelines. He knew that today belongs to Tom Cruise and if Alex wants to support Tom he had no way to stop that.
At 7:30 PM, the film's screenwriter and director Steve Tisch arrived at the restaurant. Alex remembered the material about Steve Fischfrom his memory. Steve was an Oscar winning producer for the film "Forrest Gump" and co-owner of the NFL team NewYork Giants after he purchased 50% interest in 1991.
Both Steve and Paul were quite surprised seeing him there as they were not informed.
"Steve, we just met Alex and he was just interested about the film." Francis indirectly said to Steve that it was not pre-planned.
Steve had some doubts but ultimately believed as Alex doesn't have the need to lie.
"Mr. Brickman, if you don't mind could I see the script ?" Alex asked Paul Brickman politely.
"Of course, I always carry a copy with me." Paul agreed as he knew the Alex's knack for delivering phenomenal scripts.
Alex started reading the script blocking out their conversation from his mind.
The main character is a teenager named Joel. His family lives in a suburb on Chicago's North Shore. It's the sort of family that has three cars: the family station wagon, Mom's car, and Dad's Porsche. As the movie opens, Mom and Dad are going off on vacation to a sun-drenched consumer paradise and their only son, Joel, is being left alone at home. It's a busy time in Joel's life. He's got college board exams, an interview with a Princeton admissions officer, and finals at high school.
It gets to be an even busier time after his parents leave. Joel gets involved in an ascending pyramid of trouble. He calls a number in one of those sex-contact magazines and meets a young hooker who moves into the house. He runs afoul of the girl's pimp. His mother's expensive Steuben egg is stolen. His dad's Porsche ends up in Lake Michigan. The family home turns into a brothel.
Joel buys back the stolen stuff from the pimp using the money he earned from the party before night and Joel is accepted to Princeton.
The script is same as he remembered from the movie. There is always somrthing about the film that bugged him. If some changes are made to the script then it will connect to the audience more effectively.
Alex stopped reading to see that five pairs of eyes are observing him.
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"I know I'm handsome but it's uncomfortable if you all worship me like that." Alex cracked a joke.
After a small laughter Paul asked " Any suggestions ?"
"It's good and it has the potential to be a hit but....." Alex hung the sentence there
"But what ?" Paul's curiosity was picked.
"But how big of a hit are you expecting ?" Alex questioned.
Steve and Paul looked at each other and Steve said "It's budget will be $6 million and we are expecting box office gross in the range of $30- $35 million."
Francis nodded at that as it was conservative estimation.
Alex shook his head and said "My estimate is north of $60 million."
Everybody was gasped at that figure. Maybe for Alex it's normal to deliver a big hit but to not all of them. In the early 1980s if a film grossed $60 million domestically then it will be in the list top 10 grossers of the year. So, you can understand their surprise.
Steve recovered from shock "Maybe you are overestimating, Alex."
"Had I ever been wrong Steve ?"
Steve shook his head in denial as he knew that Alex always selected the scripts for Kim Basinger and they were all hit. Inside word in Hollywood is that Alex have a 'Midas Touch'.
Alex turned to Nicolas and questioned, "Nicolas you read the script right ?"
Nicolas nodded in answer.
"Then what do you think of Joel ?"
Nicolas thought for a moment and said "He is an intelligent, smug and sex-starved teenager with serious lack of backbone. Even in the end he lacks the courage to stand upto that pimp."
Alex turned to Paul and said, "Paul you wrote a story about the materialism which is a major problem in this decade. But you have to remember that we are selling a dream to the public. They want to see the hero do things that we won't normally do. It's not have to be a great thing but simple things like, beating up the bullies, nerd getting hot girl, a normal employee telling his boss to go fuck himself."
At that line everybody laughed.
"1980's belong to teenagers and the teenagers want to lash out at everything. So, make Joel stand up to that pimp in some way and you will get the script that is the embodiment of teenage psychology." Alex stopped at that.
Everybody were in silence thinking about Alex's words.
"Well anyway, what about Tom's role ?" Alex broke the silence.
Tom's face show disappointment and Alex guessed but he still asked.
Paul said in a low voice "Alex, Tom's role in his last film "Taps" is a psychotic soldier, maybe audience won't accept it."
"Paul, 'Taps' is a good movie but how many people had seen that movie? Moreover Tom's going to have a complete makeover for the film anyway."
Paul and Steve are still hesitant about casting Tom.
Alex sensed their fear and took matters into his own hands. "Ok, listen to my offer then. If you cast Tom in this film I will owe you a favour."
That's it, the deal is done. In Hollywood the success is the best collateral. Alex put down his success as collateral to make the deal. And he gained the gratitude of a future superstar.
"Alex, I don't know how to Thank you." Tom said emotionally.
"It's nothing Tom. I thought you are apt for the role and I have absolute confidence in my decision."
After saying goodbye to everyone Alex returned home. Alex had the fear of not finding Kim in the house and the agonizing thoughts of what might have happened between Kim and Bob/Rob.
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Steve Tisch Francis Ford Coppola
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