Jonathan Friedman returned to his office with heavy steps.
He pushed open the door and saw Simon stand up and turn towards him. He forced a smile and nodded at Simon, then sat down at his desk before looking at the boy opposite him again.
Simon noticed the strong sense of dejection emanating from his agent and the apology in his eyes. He abandoned his original intention to question him and asked with continued concern, "Jon, what happened?"
Jonathan's lips moved. Feeling Simon's bright gaze, he hesitated before saying, "Simon, Matthew doesn't really want to work with you. So, Mr. Brokaw hopes that you will completely withdraw from 'The Butterfly Effect' project".
Simon's expression didn't change much upon hearing this. He calmly pressed, "So, Jon, what do you think?"
Jonathan slightly avoided Simon's gaze and said in a slower tone, "Simon, this time, I hope you can agree. However, I promise you that if there's an opportunity in the future, I will compensate you as much as possible. Oh, right, aren't you planning to make an experimental film? You can tell me anything you need. If you don't have enough money, I can even lend you some personally."
Listening to his agent say these words, Simon's previously taut body gradually relaxed. He placed the script he had been holding on the desk in front of him, looked at his agent with a serious expression, and said, "Jon, you should know how bad this contract is. So, can you tell me what really happened?"
Jonathan looked at the contract Simon had pushed towards him, but ultimately did not reach out to take it.
After a moment of silence, Jonathan finally spoke, "Simon, I told you before, didn't I? I wanted to make this movie into a package deal".
Simon nodded but didn't speak.
Jonathan paused briefly, glanced at Simon, and then said, "From our interactions during this time, I think you're very clear about many things in Hollywood right now. CAA's operational strategy of project packaging has already threatened our company's position in Hollywood. A lot of WMA's top stars even defected to CAA because of it recently. So, to avoid being so passive, WMA also plans to emulate CAA's business model. Your 'The Butterfly Effect' happens to be the first package project we're launching".
Simon quickly wove together everything he had just experienced and many clues from these past days in his mind, then said with a bitter smile, "It's not very successful, is it?"
Although he didn't want to admit it, Jonathan still nodded and said, "CAA's packaging strategy has not only led to increasingly high budget costs for studios but has also stripped away a large part of the power that originally belonged to film and television production companies. WMA's current scale is still several times larger than CAA's. If we also start promoting the package operation model, the studios' say in front of talent agencies will become lower and lower. Therefore, the major film companies have colluded to try and sabotage this project together".
Simon looked at the draft contract with Fox still on the table in front of him, but didn't bother asking what that garbage was about.
Although the major Hollywood film companies often reach agreements on certain matters due to common interests, ultimately, they are still competitors. Furthermore, considering the content of this contract, Simon didn't feel that Fox had been particularly generous in agreeing to take on WMA's package project.
His thoughts raced. Remembering Norman Brokaw, who had just appeared, Simon looked up, gazing at his agent again, and probed with a hint of certainty "Jon, I suddenly feel that Mr. Brokaw probably doesn't want this project to be too successful either, does he?"
Given WMA's current formidable resources, which still far surpassed CAA's, if the company were determined to forcefully push this project, the major Hollywood film companies would absolutely be the ones to compromise in the end.
After all, CAA had successfully popularized the packaging model. Even if the major studios were very reluctant, under WMA's strong pressure, accepting it wouldn't actually be that difficult.
However, judging from the content of that almost stingy contract, WMA was clearly the one making compromises, and it was a compromise made at the expense of its clients' interests, well, at least the clients of one agent's interests.
Jonathan was clearly stunned when he heard Simon's words. He hadn't expected Simon's intuition to be so sharp.
However, a moment later, a hint of a bitter smile appeared on Jonathan's face, and he finally nodded slightly. Of course, he didn't explain anything to Simon. It was not a glorious thing for a power struggle within the company to be seen through by a young man who had just turned eighteen.
Seeing Jonathan implicitly confirm the matter, and recalling the dejected mood that had been lingering around his agent since they met today, Simon thought for a moment and said, "Jon, since no one wants to see this project succeed, do you think it's still necessary to continue? From the contract in front of me, Brian and the others' salaries will likely be very harsh too".
"Simon, you don't understand" Jonathan shook his head. Unconsciously, he no longer treated Simon as a young man who had just turned eighteen. He patiently explained, "As I just said, 'The Butterfly Effect' happens to be WMA's first package project, and many people in Hollywood are watching. Therefore, if the first attempt fails, it will become even more difficult for WMA to promote this operational strategy again in the future. So, even if it's not a complete success, Norman and the others won't allow this project to fail completely. Otherwise..."
Jonathan stopped there, not continuing. After a pause, he looked at the vibrant young man opposite him, then suddenly changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of weariness as he said, "Simon, do you know? I'm 46 this year. It took me 27 years to get to where I am now. This process wasn't easy."
Actually, what Jonathan hadn't said was that although he had been promoted to vice president, he hadn't yet been given any departmental authority, and the WMA board had been discussing this for some time.
His idea of turning "The Butterfly Effect" into a package project was also to add some leverage for himself during the allocation of authority.
However, what he hadn't anticipated was that this project backfired on him and had now completely put him in a dilemma.
It was already impossible to do it well.
But if he messed it up, even if his newly acquired vice president position wasn't revoked, he would likely be sidelined and left with only an empty title. He even had to consider whether the old men in the company, who were very skilled at power struggles, would directly kick him out of WMA.
Therefore, from yesterday afternoon until now, Jonathan had more than once felt the urge to completely abandon this project. But he ultimately endured, even having to deliberately accommodate the various demands of his superior, Norman Brokaw.
Feeling the look in Jonathan's eyes that sought understanding, Simon nodded very sincerely and said, "Jon, I actually understand".
Simon truly understood Jonathan's difficulties.
As Hollywood's oldest talent agency, WMA, which had been operating for nearly a century, had a very rigid internal system. Power transitions were entirely based on seniority and were extremely slow.
The WMA leaders who had passed away earlier this year were all men in their seventies or eighties. These people were like ancient emperors, only willing to completely relinquish their power when they died of old age.
In such a company, even with personal ability and network support, it was extremely difficult for someone to reach a high position.
It was precisely because of this that Michael Ovitz and others, who saw no path for advancement back then, chose to leave WMA and establish their own agency.
However, not everyone had the courage of Michael Ovitz and others.
Moreover, if it weren't for the fortunate creation of a more advanced package operation model, the former CAA might have quietly faded away, just like many other talent agencies that tried to challenge WMA's authority over the past century.
In his previous life, Simon had also risen from the bottom to become a director, step by step.
Therefore, he could deeply appreciate the weakness and helplessness an individual experiences when faced with the constraints of rules within a long established competitive company or industry.
Onlookers always wonder why those involved don't resist injustice, why they would compromise? Even if they can't do these things, why don't they simply leave this circle?
Naively, they don't know what kind of eternal damnation challenging the rules without sufficient strength can lead a person into.
Feeling Simon's understanding gaze, the frustration that had been weighing on Jonathan's heart dissipated somewhat.
However, looking at the contract on the table, Jonathan sighed again in his heart, but still had to continue, "So, Simon, about this contract?"
Simon weighed it for a moment, not directly answering Jonathan's question, but instead looked at his agent and asked earnestly, "Jon, if we don't consider other factors, do you still want this project to continue in your heart?"
Jonathan's eyes flickered, realizing something. After a slight hesitation, he finally said, "No, actually, I now wish I had never even thought of making this script into a package project".
"Then, this matter is actually very easy to resolve," Simon leaned back in his chair, shaking his head, and said firmly, word for word, "Therefore, I disagree to the terms offered".
Jonathan immediately understood Simon's intention.
The script for 'The Butterfly Effect' ultimately belonged to Simon. If the boy didn't accept the contract in front of him, the entire project could not possibly continue.
Moreover, if Simon straightforwardly rejected this contract, causing the project to fall through, then as long as he handled it properly, although some setbacks would be inevitable, he could largely shift the responsibility for the project's failure onto Simon.
Jonathan even conceived some excuses in an instant.
What could he do with a stubborn young hothead?
However, Simon doing this also meant that he would face considerable pressure. After all, it would be effortless for Hollywood's largest talent agency to make life difficult for a fledgling young screenwriter.
It's just that, for this talented young man, Jonathan instinctively didn't want him to fall into such a predicament.
Thinking this, Jonathan had already risen from his leather chair and urgently advised the young man in front of him, "Simon, you'd best not do this. Really, even if it's for your own sake".
Simon, however, shook his head firmly once again, also standing up, and said, "Jon, I know it wasn't easy for you to get to where you are, but I also have my own principles. You must understand that a person cannot be without their own bottom line. So, this is all I can do to help you. Tell those people, I disagree. Then, this matter is over".
After Simon finished speaking, he nodded to Jonathan again, turned, and walked towards the office door.
Pulling open the door, Simon stopped again, turned his head, and looked at his agent, who was still standing there stunned, and said, "Also, Jon, if possible, I hope to terminate our agency contract in the next few days. I'm sure you wouldn't mind that small cancellation fee, would you? Of course, if not, I'll find other ways".
Watching Simon leave, Jonathan stood silently for a long time, Simon's last words repeating in his mind.
A person cannot be without their own principles.
All these years.
So many years.
How much conviction was left in that young man who had once been full of aspirations for the future?
And was this conviction worth holding onto?
Sitting back down, Jonathan propped his hands on the desk, feeling a long-lost energy throughout his limbs, mixed with fear of the future, and excitement. These emotions, like scorching flames, dispelled all the frustration and dejection that had accumulated in him from yesterday afternoon until now.
Finally, taking a deep breath, Jonathan Friedman picked up the phone, pressed the extension for Norman Brokaw's office, and after connecting, said directly, "Norman, I've thought about it. The 'Butterfly Effect' project ends here. I can't treat my clients that way".
After saying this, Jonathan hung up the phone without waiting for Norman Brokaw's response.
Ignoring the desk phone that had immediately started ringing again, Jonathan opened the safe at his feet, organized the contact list, memo, and other important documents for an agent, stuffed them into his briefcase, and hastily left WMA headquarters.
Jonathan's actions did not mean he intended to resign directly from WMA.
No matter what, as long as he had the option to stay, he would prefer to stay. After all, this company contained the various connections and networks he had cultivated for over twenty years.
However, since he had made that call, Jonathan was also prepared for the worst outcome.
Although his removal from office required a board decision, Jonathan dared not risk assuming that Norman Brokaw wouldn't forcibly turn hostile.
However, as long as he took these items in his briefcase out of the company and made complete backups, even if he faced the worst-case scenario of being kicked out of the company, he could still take many people with him to another agency.