Everyone wants to help:
George shut the door behind you and you realized that nearly every studio head, besides Kirk, was here.
And that was saying something because even with a look of disdain, Sid Shineberg was smiling and trying to remain civil after those American Graffiti negotiations. Yet even he was truly trying to stay civil.
And then there was Roy Disney, talking with Tomino, who was fanboying at some of the stills he was seeing just as much as Roy was producing them from his pocket.
Mike was finally sitting down. "So, we have everyone here."
You sat down. "Mike, what the fuck is this?"
"Well, to put it bluntly, it's an olive branch," Sid replied, still bitter about losing. "Cause it seems that for all of our shit throwing at each other, we also are part of the same business, and some triad asshole working for the commies tried to kill you."
"When did this become a house of unamerican activities meeting, are you thinking it's commie hunting and we need to purge?" You joked.
The older members of the group did not laugh, so it was only George who did. "Red scare talk that should stay in the past besides the point." Barry Diller started. "Honestly, we're trying to air up."
"The hell does that mean, Sids have been trying to run us out of business because he dosen't like the fact I and George succeeded despite the bullshit."
"Hey!" Sid protested but Mike quickly took over.
"Bruce this is why I am the one meets with people, unless I need a translator or a threat. Shit like that is why most people in this town are scared of you."
You shrugged. "I can be nice, it's just right now I'm very frustrated at things I can't control."
"That's Life Bruce, only in our case, we're worried about good products, rather than assassins from China rolling up into our homes," Roy stated. "But that's beside the point, and we're a little spooked too. About all this crazy bullshit that seems to be happening." He than placed a hand on his face.
"I know." You stated. "I just want things to go back to normal."
"That's what we all enjoy. More than anything." Sid replied. "Battling at the box office is far more entertaining and gentlemanly than trying to fight for our lives and… we've brought in contacts all over China, those in the film industry that were educated in the West, or Hong Kong. Most are saying all the same thing."
"And that is?" You asked.
"Seems you've made some people so mad, that they want to nuke LA. Wipe Hollywood off the map, just to make a point." Barry said. "But since they can't do that they've decided to attack Hollywood. Said they want to build a Chinese empire of cinema."
"So, they make shity films, come back when they make something good?"
"Try opening an entire film industry on the Pearl River." Sid said. "They don't do half mesures. I'm talking everything, VFX studios, uh, creature factories, film lots, everything. They even have part of the Army working as film extras as part of extra curricilur activities, and train actors and crews. Even animation experts from Korea."
"They're going to war with Hollywood, bollywood, Europe, Japan." Roy laughed. "And they aint looking to miss their shot at star light."
"So what, we're going to shake hands and forget all our animosity towards each other in the name of Castle Peace?" You laughed.
"What hell no!" Alan came into the door with scripts galore, a surprise to be sure, you thought you saw him in the room already. "But what we are interested in, is far more… artsy flair. We're great at blockbusters, popcorn films and the like, but… they want to make us seem like uncultured simpletons chasing the almighty dollar."
"Jesus Christ alan." Roy facepalmed. "We're getting to that."
"It's simple… we continue making betters films than them, and we make fun of em! And laugh our way to the bank." Alan said.
"Alan!" Sid raised his voice.
"What it's true. Everyone here has done it once." He replied.
You just sighed. "This is fucking insane."
"We live in an insane world Bruce!" George finally spoke as he held his hands up.
"I know, who knew we'd be going back to the moon so soon after nixon." Barry said.
There was more to say, but honestly, that was what you remembered.
It seemed you learned something new about Hollywood.
They may bicker. They may squabble like money-hungry gremlins trying to make a big buck and outshine the rest. They may even want to force one our on their terms, and no one elses.
But when one of their own is threatened? Seems they drop all that shit and show that they do care. At least for you.
Who knows, maybe they will care more.
Reward: All of Hollywood wants to work with you and work together to humiliate the people who want to kill one of their own, and they will come on occasion with a film for you.
They also really want to see what would happen if all of Hollywood pitched in for one film. Or a film series.
Or just even a special. Whatever makes the biggest headlines.
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AN: Uh... Avengers assemble?
