TBF, Mags, you have been doing a lot of the heavylifting for the quest, so this will be in good hands.
To be clear to everyone, this is just me burning out on imagination of the quest, since my muse has been hitting me over the head a lot with so many different ideas that I just can't find myself too interested in this.
I'll still hang out here, though, since this still does have a sepcial place in my heart.
I'd like to thank you all for making this a wonderful experience while it lasted.
I'd also like to thank @Magoose, @Fluffy_serpent, and @Martin Noctis for doing so much to help prepare and write this quest. I couldn't have done it without you all.
Clint saw you at the typewriter you were using, with his usual stare of indifference as he examined the mess of papers that were sprawled out and scattered out on the script. "I see you have been productive." His sarcasm was evident as you looked back, rage in your face.
"I hate you." You stated, the anger boiling in your veins. "You said it would be easy."
Clint smiled and placed himself on the kitchen table, sitting down as he examined the entire process of your destructive paper pattering of the typewriter. He picked up a page and read it, being silent. "I think you are trying too hard with this."
"You don't say!" You exclaimed as you felt a great deal of stress release as you laid down. "How do you do it?"
Clint shook his head. "Well, for one thing, I don't try to write the entire history of the character in the pages at a time, where nothing of substance is being produced, save for the character's backstory."
"That's important?" You asked.
"Briefly yes, but this is not a novel. You are trying to convey something for a producer or an actor to understand, both to get in character and to convey what you may want to that end. You're being far too rigid, by not giving the actor, say me, time to grow into the role. You are trying to force them to be something with a far too rigid cast. The key to good screenplay writing is by giving the actor and director enough wiggle room to… create something."
"Isn't the idea of a screenplay to you know, give the actors something to act too?" You asked. "It's just like acting in Shakespeare?"
"A guideline yes. Do not mistake my view on the matter as gospel, I am very much experienced in film. Shakespeare is not much different than any other screenplay. You know all about interpreting the lines differently to make something memorable. Like, say, Hamlet being totally aware?"
"Clint." You tried to stop him, but instead, CLint raised a hand.
"Let me tell you what kid. Maybe let me have a look at one of the pages, let me pick up a line from the entire stack of pages, and say it was good." Clint said as he picked up one of the pages to read it.
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Ten minutes later.
"Clint… Clint." You said.
Clint Eastwood broke from his trance and shook his head. "This is terrible. Like I've seen some bad scripts, but you might have a future in B-movie schlop that will never get made."
"I know. I like acting more, to give that a try."
"But, I did find one line that I think was by far the best thing you ever wrote. In this trash heap of a stack of paper." He stated.
"What is it?" You asked.
"It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. You take away all he's got... and all he's ever gonna have" Clint said. "What made you come up with that?"
"Michael Collins." You said, letting your accent slip. "Appropriate, to be honest. Describes a hero and a villain all at once."
Clint took a moment to think. "Well, mind if I steal it?"
"What for, it's not really anything, why would I care?" You asked. "At least something came out of this. So could you help me burn it?"
"I'll get the Kerosene." Clint offered as you both went to burn the hellish papers that was a blight upon the earth.
Bruce had called you into the room, allowing the nervous energy that you seemed to be radiating off, to be a very smooth and very quick... problem. Brandon and Shannon were both sitting by Linda, and she was trying her best to keep the two toddlers calm as you tried desperately to control yourself. "He likes it." Bruce stated.
And it was not like you had a reason to be nervous. "He likes the option you created?" You asked as you felt all the energy dissipate being replaced by a joyous energy of happiness and cheer!
"I'm going to be in the movie, and play a very integral role in setting the tone?"
Bruce for his part only allowed a small smile to appear, as the kids cheered. "You know you've become quite a name around the house." Linda stated as she handed off Brandon to you.
You allowed yourself to shake your head, not trying to give any sort of acceptance of the praise. "You are forgetting, I'm homeless, broken and this is the first real job I have had in this industry. i should not be a staple of success. Need you remember that Bruce signed me up for a karate tournament, despite only having a few months of training, as a bet, to get this role?"
Everyone laughed. "I still don't find that funny." You replied.
"it's hilarious," Bruce replied. "But It was never about winning the tournament, but really adapting to sudden change and circumstances. Like I said-"
"I know, I know, become like Water. But you are forgetting that water reacts to sudden change, or does jumping into a pool in a belly flop not hurt?" You shot back.
Bruce's smile disappeared. "See this as an opportunity to impress, not only the director but yourself. You have been given an opportunity that even I did not get with my first real role."
"And didn't you become Kato and it was awesome?" You replied.
"Flattery will not get you anywhere." He replied. "But yes."
"I've learned from dad that sometimes, being a kissass is all one needs to get ahead in life when it comes to powerful people." you replied.
"Well having dignity also will get you far in life." Bruce replied.
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Outside, you and Bruce stood out, looking at the sunset. "What did you promise him, Bruce?" You asked.
Bruce raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"Bruce, be honest with me. what the hell did you offer the director to get him to accept your proposal?" You asked.
Bruce chewed on his lip for a moment before he stretched a little, moving his arm left and right before he sighed. "I waved my fee. I'm doing this for the Hong Kong minimum wage."
You frowned. "Bruce, you shouldn't have-" you asked.
"Oh no, I managed to snag a better deal for myself, I get 7% of the Gross." He stated. "I even did you a favor, and snagged you a 1% of the Gross."
Your jaw fell to the ground. "How, and why?"
"I have talked to Clint, and he seems to think that this movie will be successful, very successful, enough to where I am willing to risk such a gamble." He stated.
"Clint talked to you? No offense, I thought you two didn't see eye to eye to each other?" You asked.
"We don't. But we both agreed that, in the manner of speaking, insight was needed, even from a source that is not normal... or liked." Bruce was very adamant in his statement.
"So that's it?" You asked. "You just talked to each other because you thought he had a good idea?"
"Clint wished he managed to swing a percentage on the Gross for when he did Westerns with Leone. I think he believes that it's a good idea."
Wow.
"Though there is one thing I should tell you," Bruce stated. "Your name in the script, your name is 'Goose' Garfield. That is nonnegotiable."
And there was the other shoe. When the hell would you escape that nickname?
"WHAT!"
Reward:
Fee negotiated by Bruce, you will now earn 1% of the Gross for The Big Boss.
Due to the Success in the roll, you will receive 2 Rerolls for reshoots.
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Do you time skip to the beginning of Production of The Big Boss (Fists of Fury)?:
[]Yes: Will automatically negotiate fee and script changes, and it will be January of 1971, in Hong Kong, for storyboarding and scripting. You will also be celebrating a birthday.
[]No: You aren't ready for production just yet.
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If you choose no,
You have 4 actions:
[] Do auditions(Movies and TV Shows): You are going to go to some of the casting calls that are in the place that you can find work in. DC 20(Possibility of only getting a commercial or TV show job, or extra work in a low budget film)
[] Ask Clint if you can act in a movie of his: You know you hate yourself for doing this, but you are going to ask Clint for some help, see if he can give you a role. DC 80 (Clint may be helping you, but not enough to give you a role in one of his films, or risk his reputation on getting you into a movie without some assurance.)
[] Gophering, and other signs of stuff: You want to try and learn how work behind the camera works, and what better way than being a gopher. DC 50 (You have no idea what the hell they were doing, and you have no idea either)
[] Take a walk: Dad always said that the best ways to get inspiration are by walking, talking, and being open-minded. So you'll try that. DC 10 (You are just going for a walk, what could be really said.
[] Register in a theater: There are quite a few theater troops that are looking for some seasonal help for some play's that the regulars could not get to. Perhaps you can work there for a while. DC 60 (Everyone wants to be famous here in Hollywood.)
[] Go to a bar or something to make jokes: You wanted to try some comedy, perhaps you can try. even with your shit timing. DC 50 (Your Lack of comedy chops is going to be something that will bite you.)
[] Practice writing: You want to write something, maybe even a script. At least to learn the craft. DC 20 (You try your hand at screenwriting, and maybe get something that is worth a damn. Please note that your script quality will have a roll malus due to never trying something like this before.) Nope.
[] Research stuff, see if anything piques your interest: You may have graduated High School as a kid, but you never stopped trying to learn. DC 15 (Write-in what you want to learn about below)
[] Talk to Clint: You want to ask Clint a few questions, like how he met your father? DC 0 (You just ask Clint about ancient history)
[] Learn to play an instrument: You want to learn how to play something DC 80 (You have no idea what the hell you are doing.)
[] Call your parents: You need to call mom and dad, see how they are doing? DC 10 (You call your parents and see what they are doing)
[]Uncle Bruce: Your sister, Cat needs you to take care of your niece. DC: 5 (You are a good uncle)
[]Babysitting, and other signs of Adulting: Bruce asked you to take care of Brandon and Shannon for the next few days while he does some final production stuff and planning. It can't be that hard... can it? DC: 10 (You and Brandon and Shannon all have a nice, fun-filled evening.)
[]Networking: Well time to start finding out who might actually be interested in meeting you. (Write-in what you want to try and network with)
A/N:
Apologies for the late update, I procrastinate posting stuff. I take full blame for the late update.
[] Practice writing: You want to write something, maybe even a script. At least to learn the craft. DC 20 (You try your hand at screenwriting, and maybe get something that is worth a damn. Please note that your script quality will have a roll malus due to never trying something like this before.)
[X]Yes: Will automatically negotiate fee and script changes, and it will be January of 1971, in Hong Kong, for storyboarding and scripting. You will also be celebrating a birthday.
I take full blame for the late update.
