In For The Long Haul

6 July

I was more than knee deep in it now and there was no longer any chance of turning back. I was back in Austin, but it had been anything near routine now. The movie was taking on a life of its own, though possessing one was more apt, and the one it was taking was mine. I no longer had one. I can say things were shaping up. We were on a fast track to production. I was on a treadmill that wouldn't turn off. Colin had wangled and finagled and work wonders and miracles getting a crew together. Ken coming on had helped immensely. That hadn't been my intent, but it was well worth it. In the analysis I had only wanted someone I knew and whose work I was familiar with. There had been fringe benefits so far. He'd brought along people he had worked with before. It was making life slightly less taxing. The one minor detail we had yet to resolve was..where the hell were we going to get the money to pay all these people? Did I say minor, well forgive me. I was only going over the list and it was almost the last thing left. Important? I'd say so. How much? The budget was being worked on. Where the hell it was going to come from? That was still up in the air. Originally WT had set it at fifteen mil for a TV job. This was going to be more. An Indie theatrical release, not only by a new, unknown and untested production company; but two new producers. One of whom hadn't a clue what she was doing.

In any case, there was still a lot out there we had to do and it wasn't going to escape me even going out to dinner, so as I pulled up at NXNW and idled the car all I could do was try to get the ducks in a row in my head.
"Evening Mrs. DeMore."

I opened my door and handed the keys to an all too familiar voice and persona I was wishing wasn't there.

"Steve. Still working here I see. Haven't you graduated yet?"

"No one more semester."

"I see, so....."

"Hey, been reading up on you. You know, following your career."

"Why? You my groupie?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean."

"Nah, it's ok."

"I just...just wanted to apologize for what I said before. You know...about...well about all the speculation."

I dropped my keys in his hand and smiled as I stepped on the curb and he got into my car.

"Just goes to show you, you can't believe everything you read. A good lesson for you after you get your feet wet."

"Which is?"

"Check your facts Steve. Check and re-check. That business..........well, just do that for me. Remember what this did to me each and every time."

"Sure, I'll remember. Oh, your friend is already here, by the way."

"Is she?"

"Yeah. I think she's probably one up on you already."

"Ah...ok, thanks."

"She's on the deck."

He closed my car door as I turned and headed to find Hilly and listen to some good music. I needed it right now.

I had already downed my first glass of Merlot and was working on another. I had also gone through a quarter of a pack of my cigarettes and I had been here less than an hour. Do I sound stressed? You betcha! I was having serious misgivings about the success of this entire enterprise. Putting aside the issues between Diane and Colin, while they were ever present, we still had no money and no director. I had made some inquiries to my contacts in the banking industry and after they stopped laughing at me, gave me a most empahtic, "no way". I was hoping that when Diane arrived she'd be able to put some of my fears to rest. I saw her come out onto the deck and waved her over.
"So, tell me you have some good news. Want a drink?"
"Uh, no and yes. Pick the order."
"Oh just give me it to me straight. I can't take the suspense."
"Well, I'll take a drink and what news do you want? I just need a night to chill. Isn't that why you asked me out on a weekday?"
I sat facing the stage waiting for Casey to come out front and center. I hadn't heard him in a long time. Hilly had chosen the right night to be here.
"Well, not exactly. Yes, I wanted a relaxed atmosphere, but we have major issues that need to be addressed. Di, you are more than aware that we have serious unresolved issues. We have no money, no director and you and Colin... well."
"What do you mean? We have a director. Granted we have no money though."
"Hold on right there. When did we get a director and why didn't you tell me?"
"Didn't I? Haven't I? Hmm. Guess I forgot."
"Oh you forgot, you forgot!?! I have probably developed an ulcer over this entire project and you forget to tell me a crucial detail? May I ask who - or is it a fucking surprise!"
I have to admit my mind wasn't exactly focused on Hilly as the waiter finally figured out someone new was here and came to get my order.
"Just a minute Hill. Texas Tea please."
I turned back to find her animated and glaring at me.
"What?"
"I'd like a name or do you want me to guess?"
I took off my jacket and hung it on my chair.
"You sure I didn't tell you this? I had to have, come on. He's been on board almost a month."
"Uh, no or why would I have asked?"
"Good point or....you could just be testing me."
Hilly slammed her hand on the table and stared through me.
"Di, I am in no mood and in no mindset to be playing games. I have called everyone I know that could lend us the money for the project and they have turned me down flat. So that's a huge problem and if by some sheer stroke of dumb luck we manage to get the money, we have no one who can direct this damn movie. But now, you tell me you have someone, for a fucking month and yet I have no clue about this. I'm done - who is it and how much does he want to get paid? Not that we can pay him right now, but it would be nice little details to know."
"Christ, sorry. I really thought I had told you. But don't worry he's doing it gratis, or he thinks he is. He argued with me for the longest time. I feigned caving in, but I do think we can work it into the arrangements so he gets paid. Sometimes it's good that we know each other. Other times it's a pain."
I knew she wanted other facts so as she fumed at me a little more I reached into my purse and pulled out the folded paper I'd received today. It was one of the reasons I needed the time out from thinking.
"I'm done waiting, Di."
I unfolded it, smoothed it a bit and passed it across to her.
"I got this fax today. Go ahead....take a look. Seems I'm going to LA."
While I waited for her to read the wonderful news contained in that document my drink finally arrived, much to my relief. I practically grabbed it from the waiter and started quenching my parched throat.
"I don't want to go. He's being high handed again."
The fax was from Colin, short, sweet and to the point that he had managed to get a meeting with someone that would finance this venture. He gave no other details. Well this may be one problem solved..or maybe two. While she still had not told me who our director was I tabled further discussion on that front for the moment. It had not escaped my notice that she was draining her drink a bit quicker than was prudent.
"I checked the restaurant...booked myself close by. Avoids too many personal confrontations."
"I see. Yes, those personal confrontations seem unwelcome still."
"Going out on the twenty-first, late. The meeting is the next day. Going to visit my cousins and come back on Friday. Sorry, might miss your birthday."
"Just come back with the money - that will be present enough."
"It's neither the time nor the place Hilly. I imagine the next day we'll have shit to do. This business needs to be turned around fast, as I see it."
"Yea, right."
"I just hope there's enough for us to do what we want. Colin to get his money back and throw some at Ken."
My mouth dropped, no she couldn't mean, no, it must be someone else.
"Branagh is our director?"
"Yes, who did you think?"
"Well since you never told me, how the fuck was I supposed to know?"
"Oh...well..right."

"Yea, right. So how did he get involved? How did he know about this?"
"We needed a director. I knew a director. Seemed logical and reasonable."
I sat back and took this all in for a moment. My practical side was ticking off the problems, one director found and investors most likely on board. My emotional side was still seeing red flags and warning signs. Diane called Ken, there was no doubt. Yes, he was a great director, no question there and he had the know-how and means to secure the crew. And certainly it was her way of asserting her authority in this project. However, I was sure that was not her only motive. It was now time to voice my remaining concerns to her.
"Yes, Ken is a fine choice, no argument there."
"See....director, money, star....cool."
"Yes, cool. But there's this itsy, bitsy teeny problem - still left to sort out."
'Which is?"
"My co-producers on this project are still unable to be in the same room with each other and be civil."
"Oh...right."
Okay, I hit a nerve with that and I was sorry to level a low blow at her. She took another way too healthy swig of her drink and just stared into her glass. I took her free hand in mine and lifted her chin so that we were looking straight at each other.
"Di, I don't know where you and Colin are ... personally. I am not digging for details. But the two of you need to come to a place here. A middle ground of sorts and be able to work together."
"I'll manage. This is too important. It may be edgy, but I'll make it..ok? Stop worrying."
I put down my drink as I shook off even thinking about where Colin and I were. It hurt too much to dwell. I pulled out a smile to lay the last of the news on her.
"So while your mulling that over, try also mulling over your lines."
"What lines? I can do my legal spiel in my sleep."

"Money saver Hill. You and I are. Well, we came up with us being two of the site owners at the convention. Uh...hmm. And before you go over the edge on this. You just sit there and look good in the conference scene. All you say is.........."
"No fucking way!"
"Oh come on......it'll be fun. We can giggle and act like idiots and it will work. You only have to introduce yourself to Guy, well, Cal and then the other scene you answer the door and say...please come in."
"You are nuts if you think I am going to be in this movie. I am the suit, the behind the scenes. No, it's not happening, get Adele."
"She's too young."
It was my turn to sit back and glower. I got quiet for a minute and watched Hilly. I didn't mean to freak her out, but it was a way to cut corners. I was hoping she would come around before we hit Toronto in September.
"Just think about it. I'll leave it out there."
"The last time I did any acting was in the eighth grade. I was one of the angels in the Christmas pageant. No lines and I still wanted to throw up."
"Good angle, might work. Look Hilly, we have to cut costs where we can, it's all I'm going to say on the subject for now. Roll it around. We only have three more roles to cast if you go with this. It will make it easier."
"Jack will have a field day with this, ya know."
"I'm sure."
We sat back with a second round as Casey McPherson took the spotlight away from the movie, the money and Colin.