Rick put the script in his hand on the table, wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked at Hugo, who had just finished talking to Adam Lancaster, and asked with a serious face, "Hugo, sue me, did you come back from the future on a time machine?" ”

This sentence made Hugo stunned, but his heart chuckled: Where did Rick's brainless words come from? Hugo subconsciously glanced at Joseph, Joseph, who knew himself better than Rick, didn't find anything abnormal, could it be that Rick found out?

However, Hugo reacted quickly, his head was thinking, and the words in his mouth had already followed, "You caught me." Hugo said teasing with a smile, shrugging his shoulders to express his helplessness, "But don't worry, I have nothing to do with Skynet." "Skynet, this is the computer system that rules the Earth in the "Terminator" series of movies.

Hugo's calm teasing made both Rick and Joseph laugh, and Samora came over with coffee, "So you're Lacey or T-800?" ”

Hugo did not answer, but raised his arm, revealing his biceps, and then pouted helplessly, as if to say: I am much worse than Arnold Schwarzenegger. One action made everyone burst into laughter.

"Recently, the crew of 'Future Water World' has had another conflict, and Costner and Universal's producer John Davis. Davis) conflicted, and the two men had a big disagreement over the editing of the film. Rick shifted the subject for a moment.

"Aren't they already set? I remember it was the fourth week of July. Joseph frowned, curiously asked, as Hugo's manager, his current work is mainly based on Hugo, and grasping the direction of the entire industry is also one of the important contents. Still haven't finished editing yet? This ......"

Rick shrugged, "That's why I think this movie is a big problem." At the beginning, they invited Hugo several times, but Hugo refused, so I wondered if Hugo had foreseen this a long time ago. ”

No wonder there was a joke just now. Hugo smiled and nodded, "If you think that my pickiness and unique taste are also a kind of 'foresight', then I do have the ability to predict. ”

Rick chuckled, "Then let's pray that this predictive ability can continue forever." Rick paused, then turned the topic to the main topic, and pointed to the script in front of him, "This is the script I picked out after two rounds of screening, you can take a look at it first, and if you like it, stay and read it carefully, and then we will discuss it." ”

Hugo nodded, leaned forward, picked up the first script and was about to flip through it, beckoning Joseph and Samora to join him. Although Samora was an assistant, especially after Joseph's job as a manager was on the right track, Hugo always regarded him as a friend, and Samora's point of view from the perspective of a general audience was also very interesting, so they would all watch the script together. Of course, it was Hugo who made the final decision.

Rick interrupted Hugo's movements again, "Here's the thing, the discussion about your salary hasn't stopped recently......" Rick just said a beginning, and Hugo looked up, which made Rick pause.

Hugo was naturally very clear about these rumors, Joseph had mentioned them to him, and even Alex and Charlize had heard about them. Hugo is also aware of the current pressure on Rick's shoulders, especially at the entire Endeavour elite agency. Although Hugo never thought that his own salary issue would be so extensive - "I am an actor, how much I am willing to be paid is my business, I am the person concerned, and everyone else is a blind concern"; But it is undeniable that social connections are not simple mathematical addition and subtraction.

Hugo didn't take the initiative to speak, though, wondering what Rick would do about it. Joseph had faced similar pressures at the beginning, but he did not handle it well. Trust is never easy.

"I think this matter should be divided into two parts," Rick looked into Hugo's eyes, did not hesitate or dodge, and continued calmly, "On the one hand, this news actually means that your current position in Hollywood is very good, so there will be a corresponding ...... Negative discussions burst out, and you know, in this circle, jealous eyes are everywhere; Although Hugo is also one of the senior partners of the company, Hugo has limited knowledge of the company's affairs, so more often than not, Rick still treats Hugo as a client - a special client, "but on the other hand, the composition of your next work must also be considered." ”

Rick cut to the topic unhurriedly, looking confident, but his eyes kept looking at the corners of Hugo's mouth, and his nervousness could be seen from this small detail - a rare sight, "If it is a literary work or an independent work, I think you should consider a more comprehensive one, including follow-up publicity strategies, distribution company selection, cooperative cast......s, etc., "In other words, it is more topical and convincing, just like "before sunrise", landing on Sundance is not enough, Going to the Berlinale is enough weight; It would be even better if it could reach the height of "pulp fiction". This is also an important reason why Rick is still able to persevere despite the huge pressure on his shoulders.

"If it's a commercial film, I hope that the investment can reach a certain scale, and the salary must go up, and $10 million is the bottom line." Rick didn't hesitate, and spread out the topic in one go, neatly and boldly, and could clearly feel it, which was the result of his careful consideration.

In fact, Rick's attitude is very clear, he will not limit Hugo's options - to put it bluntly, he will not force Hugo to take on commercial films and get paid 15 million dollars, but he hopes that the next work can give Endeavor elite agencies more leverage to fight back.

It has to be said that Rick is indeed a very good agent, and the whole conversation not only takes into account Hugo's personality and actual situation, but also takes into account his own position and concerns, and finds a suitable solution as much as possible within a limited range. The compromise was tough and clear, thoughtful and thoughtful, and left room for negotiation and maneuver, which made it difficult for Hugo to say "no".

Hugo could feel that Rick had clearly been thinking about the salary for a long time. Although it is not obvious on the surface, in fact, Hugo is also relieved in his heart, at least from the current point of view, it was a wise decision to choose Endeavor Elite Brokerage and Rick.

"Is anyone still shouting about the recent 20 million salary?" Hugo's sudden words made Rick stunned, he didn't expect Hugo to react like this, but Hugo continued, "If others hear it, they will probably laugh, everyone else wants their salary to be a little higher, a little higher, but I dislike the salary here is too high, it's really pretending to be high." ”

This made Samora laugh directly, Hugo's words were quoted from the previous comments of the "New York Post", and Hugo repeated it with a mocking tone, which seemed very joyful.

Joseph looked at Hugo, whose face was full of lightness, and couldn't help but sigh lightly. Although Joseph has long accepted the fact that he is not suitable to be a good agent, he still can't help but sigh at this time when he witnesses Rick's handling of difficult problems. However, relatively speaking, Joseph's ability is highlighted in the position of manager, and Joseph has grown a lot in the past nearly a year.

Samora's laughter relieved Rick, and he tugged at the corners of his mouth, "It's true that there are fewer projects, but there are still some, and Columbia Pictures and Paramount are still very positive." ”

"Paramount?" Columbia Pictures Hugo wasn't surprised, but Paramount didn't expect it, "Is it still James Bond?" ”

Rick smiled mysteriously and instead of answering, he pointed to the script on the table, "You can find the answer here." ”

It can be seen from this that the New York Post articles not so long ago were still influential, and as Colin Mailer put it, the development of "Life and Death", "Pulp Fiction", and "Before Sunrise" raised some concerns.

However, it is not the so-called "box office decline" that insiders are worried about, they all know that this is a ridiculous statement; They are concerned that Hugo's selection of works is becoming more and more remote, and the major studios are often reluctant to bet on such obscure productions - in fact, the cost is not too high, which means that the salary must also fall.

Therefore, the number of projects shouting "20 million" is gradually decreasing.

Hugo held up the script he had just taken in his hand, and he couldn't help but babble "$20 million ......" while chattering. Imagine that the new contract between Glory to Death and EMI Records is 20 million two albums - and it will be shared among the five members, but Hugo can get 20 million for a film, and the film industry is really much more dynamic than the record industry. "Three movies are a Beverly Hills mansion, can you buy a small island in the Caribbean for ten movies?"

Listening to Hugo's joke with a strong sense of ridicule, Rick couldn't help but laugh, "If you have the ability to get the film company to sign the checkbook for three or ten films in a row." ”

This is Hollywood. Becoming a superstar overnight, you may be able to enjoy a lifetime of worry-free work in one year, but once the scenery is no longer there, then all the scenery will fall apart.

"So many actors, in their prime, will take on a lot of stupid works for the sake of salary." Joseph pouted and said, but let Hugo look at him more: Does Joseph know that this is the future of Nicolas Cage? Is Joseph complaining about Nicolas Cage? But Joseph's puzzled expression told Hugo that he was just talking casually.

Rick brought the topic back to the topic, "Look at the script in your hand, there's a stack of ...... over there," Rick confirmed, "It's a script from Columbia Pictures, they are very sincere this time, and they really hope to work with you again." ”