From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

"So, when do you guys have time? I think we should sit down and discuss the specifics of the contract," Edgar's voice came from the other end of the phone, light and cheerful, brimming with enthusiasm.

However, in Mangold's ears, it felt scalding hot, his mind a jumbled mess, unable to sort out his thoughts for a while.

Pa.

Mangold hung up the phone directly.

Mangold blinked and looked at Kiche.

Kiche stared at Mangold with his jaw dropped, hardly believing his eyes. He tried to say something, but found his voice completely stuck.

Finally, Kiche scolded him with his eyes: What the hell did you do?

Mangold gasped, "What the hell did I do?"

But, what to do?

Edgar is already preparing for cooperation negotiations, but they are still stuck in the underground parking lot of Sony Columbia. What can be done about this?

Mangold's mind was a complete blur. The only thing he could do was bury his head in the sand like an ostrich.

Kiche almost suffocated, unable to believe his eyes, his head slamming heavily against the back of the chair.

However, without time to catch his breath, the phone rang again.

"Ah!"

When Mangold saw the caller ID, Edgar had actually called back. As if seeing a horror movie, he subconsciously threw the phone away.

Kiche doubted his eyes, "God, what are you doing? Edgar will be suspicious!"

Mangold also held his breath, "Then what should we do?"

Kiche, "Keep him calm first. We must find a solution."

Mangold, "How about... we tell the truth directly? Maybe he can find a solution? After all, Anson has the strength to compete with them."

Kiche, "If we tell Edgar now, it's like taking sides. We shouldn't take sides, we should sort out our own thoughts first."

Kiche felt a breath stuck in his chest—

Even now, he was still unsure whether seeking cooperation with Mangold was good or bad.

Years ago, Mangold was interested in this project, constantly hanging around Kiche and Johnny Cash, begging to join the project; but Kiche had never been satisfied with Mangold. If he hadn't been desperate, he wouldn't have helplessly sought cooperation with Mangold.

Looking at the flustered Mangold in front of him, Kiche regretted it once again.

But now is not the time to lose his temper. "Answer the phone first, keep Edgar calm. We can't reveal anything." Kiche firmly grasped the reins of reason.

Confusion. Panic.

Now neither of them could sort out their thoughts, and there were bound to be some flaws. Perhaps Kiche was right, at least they should sort out their thoughts first.

Taking a deep breath, then another deep breath, Mangold finally calmed down. He reconnected the phone, "Hey, Edgar."

"The call just dropped," Edgar said, slightly puzzled.

Mangold, "Yeah, we're in a tunnel. The signal is terrible."

Kiche gave Mangold a thumbs up. What a great excuse!

Sure enough, Edgar didn't suspect anything, "You're driving? Sorry, then let's finish quickly. I don't want the traffic police to stop your car and give you a ticket."

Mangold, "Haha. Haha." He laughed dryly twice, "Let's set a time to sit down and talk. Should I call your assistant later?"

Edgar, "Of course. I have plenty of time today and tomorrow. Let's take a specific look."

Mangold panicked a little: Today or tomorrow? So soon?

"Oh, these two days won't work. We, uh, we need to adjust the script. You know, we always hope to be perfect. How about I confirm the progress with James and call you back?" Mangold squeezed out a reason like toothpaste.

Edgar was very straightforward, "Okay, no problem. You follow your own schedule. Anson is very much looking forward to seeing the script continue to improve. You can have your assistant make an appointment for me later."

After a brief exchange, the phone finally hung up.

Mangold breathed a long sigh of relief. Only two minutes of conversation, but he was already sweating. He turned to look at Kiche and laughed heartlessly.

Kiche rolled his eyes speechlessly, but still gave Mangold a high five to celebrate, the corners of his mouth also slightly raised.

Honestly, Edgar still had many doubts about the "Walk the Line" project; but he also admitted that Anson's judgment was correct. Considering everything, perhaps this was an opportunity to break the deadlock.

Therefore, Edgar also temporarily suppressed his concerns and worries, and wholeheartedly cooperated with Anson.

As an agent, Edgar knew one cruel truth:

Is the movie important? Indeed, one hundred percent; but at the same time, the movie is not that important, because the awards season is ultimately a public relations game. Even if the quality of the work is not that good, it can still turn the tide through public relations strategies. After all, the awards ceremony is not competitive sports.

Otherwise, how could "Shakespeare in Love" have defeated "Saving Private Ryan"?

In Edgar's view, Anson was responsible for concentrating on acting, and he was responsible for fueling the flames and making overall arrangements. The prospects of "Walk the Line" did have many possibilities.

However, this phone call just now?

Mangold and Kiche have been eagerly hoping that Anson could join the crew. Now that Anson has finally nodded, they are not in a hurry to continue negotiations?

The excuse is the script? This script has been circulating in Hollywood for ten years. Kiche has always refused to modify it, otherwise he wouldn't have encountered so many rejections. Now he is actually willing to modify it again? Without Anson expressing any opinions?

Also, if it was a tunnel, not only would the signal be intermittent and unclear, but what about the surrounding engine roaring and the sound of air currents?

If it was a big deal, it wouldn't matter; but these trivial details hide some anomalies, which made Edgar's brain work quickly.

But, what else could be happening here?

To take a step back, assuming that Kiche and Mangold were not satisfied with Anson and they had found other suitable actors, they could completely refuse directly; anyway, the two parties had not officially sat down to discuss the cooperation agreement, and changes in the project progress were really normal.

Then, why be so secretive?

Could it be... some unexpected variables have occurred?

Thoughts running at high speed, Edgar still didn't have a clear direction.

Tunnel?

Where are there tunnels near Los Angeles?

Edgar had an idea in his mind. He felt that it might not be a coincidence.

On the way to Sony Columbia's office building in Los Angeles, there happened to be a tunnel; coupled with the recent high-level infighting at Sony Columbia, and the recent storms, the clues naturally gathered together, colliding into a crazy possibility.

Regardless of whether it was true or false, he would know by testing it out.

Without hesitation, Edgar picked up the phone receiver again and quickly dialed a phone number, leading to Sony Columbia's office building.

"Hey, David, how are you, are you still busy today?"