January 2005, Warner Bros HQ, Burbank, CA

  "What?" I asked, surprised. I hadn't expected this at all.

  The way Barry phrased the question didn't make any sense. If he wouldn't accept this proposal, I'd simply go to Universal who gave me the sed-best offer.

  "I have offers from other studios as well if you won't agree with this," I said after a few moments.

  "I know," Barry nodded knowingly. "I also know which of the studios offered to make this film with you. Like I know for a fact that Disney is developing something simir for year which is why they didn't made you an offer. If we get the ball rolling soon enough we beat them to it. I just o have a face-to-face chat with you about this. A chat your father would not have allowed me to have otherwise. Our offer for the musical is genuine, heless. "

  Dad, sitting beside me, said heatedly, "Didn't we agree to hahis matter quietly, Barry? Why did you have to involve Troy?"

  "You have forced my hand, Steve," Barry retorted. "Half of the [Harry Potter] cast refuses to shoot the film because they think they are being paid too little. If we allow the way you are handling things, the movie will have an unreizable cast. And the reason for that is just oroy's excessive sary. We may have signed Jamie Bell and Emma Watson for four more films, but everyone else is not on the same page. Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, An Ri, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Julie Walters, Richard Griffiths, and others are veteran actors who won't settle for less. We could have added J.K. Rowling to the list as well if you hadn't paid her from your share. If my guess is correct, Troy probably doesn't even know about this at all."

  I didn't. While I khat most of the actors had initially signed on only for four films and that Emma and Jamie had reheir tracts for up to film number eight st year, I really had no idea that other actors were banding together to increase their pay.

  "Is that why the shooting of the fifth film has been deyed again?" I asked while lookiween Barry and Dad.

  The joint filming of the fifth and sixth [Harry Potter] films has now been postpoo July 2005. Till now I had thought that it was done so the other kids could take their exams in June worry-free, but now I'm not so sure. Dad didn't reply, simply looked over to Barry, who nodded.

  "Yes," Barry replied. "Initially, it was the ck of a director. A problem Steve solved with the suggestion of Rian Johnson. I really liked his work and would allow him to direct the wo films as long as Steve is supervising him closely. But then came the actors' union. They are all being represented by a single w firm that is iating on their behalf jointly. The child actors beside Emma and Jamie were not a part of this because all of them had signed a seven-picture deal, but the adults had signed on for only four pictures."

  I looked over at Dad to gauge his rea, and it was obvious he didn't like being ambushed like this. Tobias, oher hand, was looking clueless about the meeting. It made sense because he hadn't iated anything [Harry Potter]-reted for me.

  "What do you propose then?" I asked Barry after realizing that no one else was willing to speak on this matter at the moment.

  Barry steepled his fingers and said, "They are asking for 5 million each for the four films, up from the 1 million each they had received for the fourth film. Usually, we would have argued that we aren't making that much profit to justify these high saries, but they used your sary tue back, saying that it is unfair for oor to receive all the money. And given how much the media likes to publicize your sary after each movie release…"

  "Okay," I said. "How many actors are part of this group?"

  "Nine," he replied. "We are fident that we bring their iation down to 4 million per actor per film. So here's what I'm proposing to you—you will still get your 10% share as per your tract, but it will be reduced by the additional ine of those actors. Let's say your share is the same for the film at 113 million as it was foblet of Fire]. In that case, after redug 27 milliora sary for others, you'll get 86 million."

  That didn't sound too bad. Yet, I knew I couldn't make that decision without talking to Dad first. Being a producer, he knew a lot more about Warner's behind-the-ses shenanigans than I did.

  "I o talk to Dad," I announced. "In private."

  "Of course," Barry nodded genially and pressed a button in front of him. Soon, a beautiful blonde opehe door behind me.

  "Kimberly, please show Troy and Steve to a private meeting room."

  The three of us got up in unison and followed Kimberly to the room.

  "I'll wait here," Tobias said, pointing to the cou the hallway.

  I nodded, not seeing the o have him in on the discussion as well.

  "So?" I asked Dad o was just the two of us. "What do you think of their offer?"

  "It's bullshit," Dad said bluntly. "Barry was quick t up your sary, yet he didn't say even onuch Warner made on the film, did he? I'll tell you. Sihey're taking on only half the produ, their cost for the third and fourth films was a joint 100 million, plus 200 million for the marketing and distribution of the two films. They made more than 200 million from theatrical revenue alone. If we include broadcast and home distributihts as well, they're making a lot more mohaher of us."

  "Then why did they ambush me like this?" I asked.

  "The problem is that with the revised saries for these actors, you'll be earning a lot more thaudio—at least in the emati. And they 't allow that at all. No big studio would. It's one of those unsaid rules of Hollywood because it sets a dangerous pret for other actors iure."

  I could uand their se. I didn't like their approach, but I certainly uood.

  "They were seriously pting ging some cast members," Dad tinued. "Only my insistence forced them to keep them on board aiate."

  I frowned, realizing that so many iic actors could lose their jobs in one of the most iic film series ever, just because of my apparently high sary.

  "What do you suggest we should do then?" I asked.

  "Let's agree to it," Dad said after thinking it over for a few minutes. "Half of your sary is out of my profits. So if you earn 27 million less, I'll earn 13.5 million more, which I'll trao you ter. Warner is only saving 13.5 million per film, which would be 40.5 million for three films, and 54 million for four films if we were to split one of the future books."

  I chuckled as a realization hit me.

  "What?" Dad asked.

  "How entitled are we that we're saying 'only 13.5 million' like it's a paltry sum."

  Dad cracked a smile. "True. Anyway, while we'll agree to this deal, it doesn't mean we 't milk them for everything they give us for the musical."

  I looked at him skeptically. "What exactly do you have in mind?"

  "Leave the talking to me," he smiled. "I'll make them regret ever setting up this ambush for us."

  (Break)

  Barry looked up as the father-son duo came ba, followed by Troy's assistant.

  "We will agree to your terms, but we have a few ditions, Barry," Steve said without wasting any time. From Troy's demeanor, it was easy to see that he had relinquished trol of the meeting to his father.

  "Go on," Barry motioned for him to tinue.

  "First of all, Warner will distribute Troy's seven uping music albums for only a 5% cut."

  Barry frowned. While he mostly oversaw the movie business, Warner did have a music distribution arm and he knew enough about the musidustry that 5% was not a good deal at all. Usually, big music distributors like Warook a cut of 10-15% based oist's popurity. 5% was unpreted. Yet, that loss of 5% was a small pripared to the film profits they were willing to. Didn't mean he would agree to their first demand that easily.

  "Three albums," Barry tered.

  Steve thought about the terms for a moment before nodding, "Okay."

  "What else?" Barry asked.

  "You will promote the musical with a budget of at least 30 million. These promotions will include promotions for the albums as well including songs on the radio, music els, and the like."

  That was a reasonable request, all things sidered. Film promotion costs were going up year by year. Even if Steve hadn't put that dition, 20 million would have goo promoting the film regardless.

  "Go on," Barry said, sensing the big demand was yet to e.

  Steve tinued, "After dedug marketing and distribution expenses, and a 5% ission for Warner, all proceeds from the musical will go to Troy."

  Now that was an iing proposal. Something Barry would have agreed to almost immediately if the pertage had been the industry standard of 15%. Warner would have to i a lot of effort into promoting the film, so 5% seemed low. But musicals weren't very popur—especially inal musicals. [Moulin Rouge!], which was released in 2001, didn't have huge profits to begin with. At most, the lost profits would be around 4-5 million, which was much better than the 54 million they'd save over the few years.

  "I'll agree to it," Barry said, "if you agree to bear any and all losses incurred by us because of your film. So if it turns out to be a disaster, you'll pensate us for our marketing costs from your [Harry Potter] sary."

  Barry could see Steve was about tue, but Troy held up his hand, stopping him mid-way.

  "Okay, as long as you agree with our and st dition," Troy said. "As you know, I want to diversify my ag career, and Warner is the best studio in the world at the moment. So if there is a film being made at Warhat I want to do before HP is over, you will cast me in it in a role that I desire as long as the filming doesn't csh with [Harry Potter]. We discuss the sary part when the opportunity arises, but you shouldn't say something like, 'It goes against your Harry Potter image'."

  Barry turo An Horn, the COO of Warner, who was sitting beside him. Usually, casting for in-house produs was An's responsibility.

  "We allow it," An said for the first time during the meeting. "But we will only reend your he final decision about the casting will remain with the director and the team w on the film."

  Troy clearly wasn't happy with that answer, but he nodded heless. Some directors are too stubborn for their own good. If the studio insisted on casting someone against their wishes, it made life o miserable for everyone. Barry had learhat the hard way over his thirty-four years at Warner.

  Barry stood up and shook Troy's hand, followed closely by Steve. "I'm gd we could all e to a mutually satisfactreement."

  (Break)

  January 2005, Phoenix, Arizona

  "e on, Em," Emily's best friend Rachel gently poked her side as the two strolled casually through their local park. "You're doing much better now. Stop moping about that one i. You have a film premiere ing soon."

  Emily gave her a pointed look. "It's not just the act, Ray. I didn't tell you, but I had cleared an audition to guest star in [Mal in the Middle]. But because of my act, they gave the role to someone else."

  "That's…" Rachel paused, searg for words. "...bad."

  "I know," Emily said with a sad smile. "And if that wasn't enough, I just got a call from someone on the legal team of [Brick], the film I shot. They said I'd have to ge my o something else."

  Rachel frow that. "roblem do they have with your name?"

  "They don't have a problem, but when they applied to SAG on my behalf, my name was rejected because there's another actress named Emily Stone already registered with the guild."

  "That's stupid," Rachel cluded immediately. "Why 't two people have the same name?"

  "That's what I said!" Emily excimed. "But that's how things are in Hollywood, or so they told me. On-s, I'll be Emma Stone now."

  "I'm still calling you Emily," Rachel announced haughtily.

  "I'll hit you if you call me Emma," Emily shot back.

  "Okay, enough of that," Rachel ged the topic. "You old me, and you know I'll op asking. So, how does it feel to kiss Troy?"

  Emily groaned out loud. "God, not that again! Fi was beautiful. One moment, nothing, and the , it just happened. He's just so damn cute that I didn't want to stop."

  "Cute?" Rachel asked in disbelief. "Girl, have you seen his body in [Goblet of Fire]? It should be reo Harry Potter on Fire. He is sexy AF!"

  Emily couldn't argue with that.

  "I knht? He's… just out of this world," Emily said wistfully.

  Troy was the hottest teenager she knew. Unfortunately, he was taken. He may have denied having a retionship with Emma Watson on record, but Emily k was all a gimmick to fool the media—just like Emma's fake boyfriend.

  Rachel turo Emily, her eyes widening momentarily before she grinned and asked, "Where do you think Troy is at the moment?"

  Emily shrugged. "God knows. Probably in London, preparing to take a flight to Utah for Sundance. Why?"

  "No reason," Rachel shrugged. "Just asking... if you got a ce to be with him, like seriously, would you take it?"

  Emily gave her a skeptical look. "What's gotten into you? You know how much I adore him! I'd kill a new-born baby if it meant I could feel him up close once again. It's not just about his looks, either—he's so siderate and genuine, you 't help but fall for him a little every time you're with him."

  "A! You didn't tell me you felt that way about me, Emily."

  Emily froze in her spnizing that voice. She looked up to see the shit-eating grin on Rachel's face, and the realization dawned on her immediately.

  'You're dead,' she mouthed to Rachel before slowly turning around to firm her fears.

  True to her worst nightmare, Troy was standing right there. He was wearing a form-fitting white tank top that did nothing to hide his well-defined chest and arms. It aired with light blue denim shorts, a blue baseball cap, sungsses, and of course, his signature Crocs. An easy-going smile was fixed on his face, the kind that could melt the hearts of hundreds of girls worldwide.

  "Hey, Emily," he greeted her casually.

  Emily closed her eyes in mortification before turning back to her now ex-friend. "You bitch!" she hissed. "Who does that to their friend?"

  "Hey, none of that," Troy stepped beside Emily, draping an arm around her shoulders. "I motioned her from behind you keep quiet."

  Emily covered her fa shame. "Why did I have to embarrass myself so pathetically? How much did you hear?"

  Troy hummed audibly as he rubbed his ent beard. "I heard that I'm hot, Harry Potter on Fire, sexy AF, out of this world, and that someone adores me and wants to kill babies. Just a suggestion, don't do that."

  Emily groaned again.

  "If it helps, you didn't embarrass yourself," he insisted. "I adore you too—probably much more than you adore me."

  "I'll die of diabetes if you two tinue…" Rachel poi the pair in mock fusion. "...whatever this is."

  Troy pced a hand on his chest dramatically. "Don't die on me. Wait at least until I'm away. I don't want another sdal right now."

  The three teenagers ughed at that joke. Troy had dealt with quite a few sdals in his career. Noruly his fault, but they sure left an impression on the public that he liked having sdals to market himself.

  "Troy," he offered a handshake to Rachel.

  "Rachel," she replied smartly. "Won't this cause a sdal? You meeting Emily so openly."

  Troy shrugged, "Look around. You see my guards if you look carefully. They'll warn me if some reporters are nearby. And given how basic attire I have chosen for the day, I hardly think anyone will even notice me."

  Emily did a 180 spin, and true to Troy's words, she could spot at least three guards trying to look inspicuous but failing miserably.

  "I noticed you," Rachel retorted.

  "Because I wanted you to notice me," Troy said with a grin. Theuro Emily. "I really like your friend."

  Emily knew what Troy really liked—the fact that Rachel didn't go weak in the knees seeing him in person. From what she'd observed o of [Brick], it teo happen a lot with young girls around him.

  "As much as I'd love to chat with you about your likes," Emily said, "why are you really here? We were meant to meet in Park City in a few days for the premiere of [Brick]."

  Troy shrugged. "A few reasons, I didn't have anything else to do for a few days, and my pne was free. So I thought I'd e to see my dear friend and offer her a ride to Sundance. I couldn't e to you after your act because I was w, so I decided to e now. Hope you're doing well?"

  "Yeah," Emily nodded. "I'm okay now. Mom wouldn't let me go to Sundaherwise."

  "Good then," Troy smiled. "This will be perfect. I'm doing another film, this time in London, and we need a female lead. What do you think about it? Wanna do it?"

  Emily's mouth dropped open at the offer, uo e up with words.

  "You don't even have to audition," he tinued. "I showed your ses from [Brick] to the director, and he's agreed to cast you directly."

  _____________________________________

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