“Okay. That is actually smart. But we still have to see what Braddockwants.”
“Hang on,” I say. “He just sent me atext.”
I open up the message on myphone.
From Scott Braddock:Congrats! I’m leaving the decision up to you re. accepting this offer or going out to other studios. I’m fine either way. See you in JoshuaTree.
He’s fine either way.Well good for fuckinghim.
“He says he’ll leave it up tome.”
“Yeah. I just got a text from Jeff. Okay. So we’ll go ahead with Adam and the finance company deal. Congratulations! Kennedy is over there doing backflips.”
“HiKennedy!”
Kennedy’s voice cuts in on the line. “I am so freaking excited for you!” And she’sgone.
“It’s never this easy,” Laurie continues. “Even with this genre. I’m sure you know that. I’d say Braddock’s your lucky charm, but he could say the same about you. And this will be one of the last deals to go through before things slow down over summer. Even with you splitting the take with Braddock, you’ll still be getting about what you got for your firstsale.”
“Wow. You’reright.”
“So you guys need to celebrate.Hard.”
“Right. For sure. Thank you, Laurie. You’re amazing. Thank Jeff too. I guess I’ll wait for Adam to callme.”
“Yeah yeah. Your very good lawyer is going to be sending us the deal points tomorrow then, probably. The really awesome thing is that these finance companies can cut a check much faster than studios, you know, because there’s less red tape and paperwork. So we’ll start hounding business affairs for your money rightaway.”
“Okay, but…do I have to keep writing withBraddock?”
“Why what did he do? Do I need to have himkilled?”
I laugh, a little. “I mean, you don’t need to, but if you wanted to, I wouldn’t stopyou…”
“Your lawyer is on the other line, I gotta jump. Look, it’s up to you if you want to write another script with him. Are you saying youdon’t?”
“I mean. I doubt he’d wantto.”
“Really? Because he told Jeff he’s pretty sure you’ll be teaming upagain.”
“Oh really? He saidthat?”
“Why wouldn’the?”
“I mean. You know how he is. He always says what other people want him tosay.”
“Oh yeah? I thought he always says things to piss youoff.”
“Well yeah. To me. But to everyoneelse—”
“Which means you’respecial.”
“No.”
“Tohim.”
“What? No. I’m justsaying—”
“I don’t have time for your ‘Scott Braddock is my nemesis’ song anddance.”
