"I am ready to give $50 million instead of the $30 million you asked but there are some conditions."
"I only understand one condition and that is profit. I am confident in myself that I will bring you a big profit so why additional conditions? " Ash asked, he didn't want to give Andrew much leverage since he didn't want anyone to interfere in the shooting. That is why he was trying to reject any condition thrown at him by Andrew without even listening to them.
"Believe me as a businessman myself I am also a worshipper of profit theory and my conditions are to ensure my profits," Andrew said with a grin on his face. "Let me state my conditions first and you can decide on them later."
"Okay. What are your conditions?"
"First, Right now my business is at a critical mode so I can't lose money, no matter what. So for that, When this movie is released $50 million will be given to me first then the profit will be divided."
"So you want to give this money as a loan?" Ash asked and Andrew nodded.
"A loan where you have to pay with profits of your business instead of the interest."
In simple terms, it meant that if the movie earned $50 million then that money will be given to Andrew and if the movie earned equal to its budget even then he will receive $50 million.
But when the movie earns more than its budget then Andrew will take a share of the profits. On the surface, this sounds like a great deal but Hollywood doesn't make this kind of deal often because it is an uncertain industry if the movie fails to earn those $50 million then Ash would have to pay him those $50 million.
Ash thought about it for a moment and, "I can agree to that but in return, you have to promise (in written) that you won't interfere in the production,"
Ash agreed because he was confident about the box office of his movie.
"Okay. I will have zero interference," Andrew also agreed and continued, "For my second condition, I want to have the right to choose the actors for the main cast myself.
Hearing that Ash's eyelashes twitched and he said, "Just a second ago, You promised me to have zero interference. Breaking your promise so soon?"
"I told you earlier that I am tight on budget. It's because I am currently expanding my business in Hollywood. Under the expansion, I had recently bought a talent agency. Now, I have to find work for the actors in my agency, don't I."
"You do know that I also own a talent agency, Don't you," Ash asked.
"That is why I only asked for the main role, not the whole cast."
Ash thought that Andrew's point was valid but he didn't want to give these roles to 'maybe his future rivals'.
Seeing Ash not answer Andrew said," You don't have to worry about the quality of actors. I will choose an A-tier actor for you."
"I don't think I can bring myself to accept this condition." Ash really didn't like someone interfering in his work. Not even a bit so he just couldn't agree with Andrew choosing actors for his movie.
"Don't be hasty. I can sense that you don't like this idea at all but can't we have a middle way?" Andrew felt that Ash might get hasty and pull back.
"I can agree to the main cast being from your company but the candidates will be chosen by me," Ash said
"Umm..., I can work with that," Andrew Baid, "Then it's a deal?"
Andrew extended his hand toward Ash and Ash shook his hand and said, "It's a deal."
After that, they discussed business for a while and it was getting late so Ash bid him farewell.
When Ash was leaving the room Andrew called him from behind and said, "I will send you the contract as soon as possible."
"No need to hurry. Please send it next week since I will be going on a holiday for a week. "
"Oh! Then please enjoy yourself."
After Ash left from there he received a message from Serena telling him to come to the Airport. So he went to his apartment to pick up his things.
On his way to the airport, he was still thinking about his talks with Andrew. His gut feeling was telling him that something was wrong but he just couldn't pinpoint it.
He put his feeling in the back of his head. He was Just convinced that since Andrew was ready to invest in him and he wouldn't want to lose money.
Then Ash arrived at the airport where he saw Serena waiting for him.
"So finally decided to show up. I have been getting anxious here that we will miss our plane," She said with an angry face.
Serena was wearing a simple dress and Ash was in simple clothes as well since they were going to meet Serena's sick grandmother.
Being a single parent Serena's mother was alienated from her family so she had to survive on her own. It was only her grandmother who had helped them in their tough times and for that Serena was very grateful to her grandmother.
And now that grandmother was old and sick she had to visit her. That was why she got annoyed when Ash arrived late.
Sorry. I was busy with Andrew Symond, "Ash said in his defense.
"It's okay. And sorry for getting worked up too."
"Don't worry about it." After that when they were going through a security check Serena asked, "So, how was your meeting with Symond?"
"It was great. He agreed to invest $50 million in my next movie," Ash said.
"Oh! that's indeed great. that's more than what we asked," Serena said while complementing Ash.
After they boarded the plane. On the plane, Serena asked Ash, "You haven't told me the name of your next movie yet, have you?"
"Oh! I don't think so. The name of my next movie is <300>.