From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

The early bird catches the worm.

As the sun rose, Century City was already bustling with activity. This area, located west of downtown Los Angeles, is not only the city's most concentrated area of office buildings but also the heart of Hollywood.

Movie studios, music companies, talent agencies, public relations firms, and other industry-related companies are all clustered here. Although more than fifty thousand people flood into Century City to work every day, fewer than six thousand can actually live in this center of power.

William Morris, the oldest talent agency in Hollywood history, is located in Century City, witnessing the comings and goings of countless people. After a century of refinement, it has long become a landmark of Century City. Even though Creative Artists Agency has stolen all the limelight, this place is still a pilgrimage site for agents at the beginning of their careers.

Three hundred and sixty-five days a year, without a break.

Including today.

"Edgar…"

"Edgar!"

The calls grew louder as they approached. Edgar Cooke had no choice but to cover the phone receiver and shout back in the direction of the voice, "I'm on a call with a producer…"

But clearly, the other person didn't care, not even glancing at Edgar as they called out, "Partners' meeting, in three minutes."

After dropping the sentence, the person quickly left, catching up with Harry Smith, who was texting ahead—

Harry didn't look at Edgar once, his attention focused on the matters at hand. The two of them had already turned and walked away.

Edgar was speechless, rolling his eyes, but he took a deep breath and managed to control himself.

Donald Morin, the agent's assistant at the next desk, deliberately raised his eyebrows exaggeratedly and joked, "Others want to attend but don't have the chance."

Edgar gave a smile, "How about you replace me at the meeting? Just right, I can finish up the work here, the budget meeting."

Donald's smile lingered at the corner of his mouth, his expression becoming a little embarrassed as he retreated, "Heh heh, you're just saying that. If I actually went, I'd be the one making a fool of myself, being treated like a monkey in a circus."

Edgar ignored the other person, took a deep breath, and smiled back into the phone, "…How about this, I'll organize what I just said and email it to you, so the details are clearer. We can then discuss the specifics based on the email as a checklist. How does that sound to you?"

Quickly, he wrapped things up, and then Edgar hung up the phone.

Only then did Edgar look up at Donald, "I'm serious. Do you think I can speak in there, or at least get my face known? No, I'm just the secretary."

He paused for a moment, then repeated, "Secretary."

After speaking, Edgar packed his notebook and quickly walked towards the meeting room—

These were all the truth.

Although Edgar had been promoted to junior agent several months ago and had successively signed three actors during this time, officially entering the work of an agent, the situation had not fundamentally changed.

Those three actors were all blue-collar actors, suitable for certain roles. Their situation was rather simple. They were the type that could be plugged and played in any movie or television show, never lacking work. Each performance fee was low, but the workload was always very stable.

To be honest, they were much more stable than those young actors with outstanding looks. Acting truly became a job, perhaps never becoming a big star, but making a living was no problem, just like an office worker.

However, the problem lay in—

Their work was stable, and each negotiation was relatively easy. In addition, they didn't have other matters that required an agent to handle, so Edgar's income was not high. He had to juggle his original assistant work.

At William Morris, or rather, at all traditional agencies except for Creative Artists Agency, unless an agent had actors who could play important supporting roles or several actors who could maintain a stable income, junior agents still needed to juggle assistant work, handling trivial matters for those senior agents and partners.

Of course, they were also very willing. These trivial matters not only earned them assistant income but also allowed them to come into contact with producers, directors, and superstars. Inside information was even more readily available, and opportunities were often hidden here.

Thus, Edgar found himself in his current situation.

Although he had been promoted to junior agent, he didn't have his own office. He not only sat with the assistants but also had to be responsible for the secretarial work of some senior meetings.

For example, the partners' meeting.

May I ask, who would be willing to give up their career and become a typist?

Moreover!

At the moment, Edgar originally had his own work that needed to be handled properly. Who knew, perhaps that opportunity could become a turning point in Edgar's career; but now he needed to temporarily put down his work to play the role of a secretary.

Heh heh.

But…

What else could he do? This was the necessary path.

Edgar longed to have his own exclusive artist, and one who could break through the situation, a potential rising star. Just one person could completely subvert his situation. That desire was burning fiercely in his chest.

Huff.

Breathing out, regardless of whether he was willing or not, Edgar still pushed open the door and entered the partners' meeting room, silently entering the innermost part of the meeting room, ready to record the meeting.

One. Two. Three…

In the blink of an eye, the meeting room was almost full. Edgar was a little surprised. Such a situation was rare. It could be seen that the weight of today's meeting might be different, but he didn't know what the topic of discussion was.

What rumors had been circulating within the company recently? Or what important project, a large project, could mobilize everyone?

Edgar's brain was working at high speed, but he didn't have an answer for a while.

Moreover… If it really was a big project, it wouldn't be his turn to interject. Anyway, he was just an observer. Those excitements didn't belong to him.

Creak.

The glass door of the meeting room opened, and a man in a dark blue suit entered. His not-so-strong figure appeared well-proportioned and sturdy, fully supporting the lines of the suit. His neat short hair was mixed with a lot of white hair, but it didn't make him look old. Instead, he had a refined and sophisticated temperament.

Upon entering, without hesitation, directly, and getting straight to the point, he raised a photo high, displaying it in front of everyone.

"Whose client is this?"

Cough.

Edgar almost choked on his own saliva.

Fourth chapter.