May 23rd, 1980
"YOOO, what's up, James?"
James was quiet for a moment, somewhat confused.
"Dan?"
"Yeah, what's going on, man?"
"...Nothing much, what's up with you?"
"Ah, yeah, I was just wondering what you've been up to, I've been getting a lot of offers from really interesting people. There are so many creative people out there... but, yeah, I was just wondering if you wanted to work together again? I know you've had a ton of success and I don't really want to leach off of you, but could you maybe consider it? You're one of the most talented people I've met and I would really like I could work with you again."
"Let's meet up for drinks."
"If you could please just think on- what? Drinks? Drinks, where?"
"The 8 Grand on 6th Street," James said, hanging up right after.
"I don't know man, I just truly don't know anymore," James said aloud.
James felt as if he was going slightly crazy.
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Meeting Dan, they both had drinks at the bar.
This bar didn't have many people currently in it, but it was usually full.
"So, why did you want to grab drinks again? Did you want to show me something? Does this mean yes, to working together?" Dan asked.
"Yeah, something like that," James replied.
"Really?! Oh man, that's great. That is actually great news! Thank you, so much, James!"
James continued to drink.
Dan allowed him to drink, but after about a minute he began to feel awkward.
"Umm, is everything okay? What's going on?" Dan asked.
"Nothing," James replied.
"Oh, okay... hehe, umm, so what are we working on, again?"
"Alien," James answered.
Dan was confused.
"Alien?"
"Yeah, we're making a part two, you should probably know."
"Oh, well... that's great."
"I mean, isn't that really great? Like isn't that just the best news ever?! Wait, why aren't we celebrating?! Oh my gosh, I can't believe it, we are getting a sequel! We are gonna earn so much more money! OH, my gosh! Did you get your check already?! Wasn't that just insane?! And we are gonna do another one?!"
James was still contemplating his own life, but hearing Dan's simple approach to life made him smile.
It seemed as if Dan just lived in the moment. Or, I guess, he just lived regularly. James was the weird one. Not only for worrying so much, but for not being able to celebrate what he already has.
"Cheers," James said, lifting his beer.
"Well, THERE you go! CHEERS!" Dan said, splashing their drinks, and spilling most of the contents.
James was starting to feel a little relieved, he wasn't sure if it was because of Dan or because of the alcohol. But, he appreciated both nonetheless.
"So, when does filming start?" Dan asked.
"In a week."
"A week?!?"
"I'm kidding."
"OH, my goodness... ha, you scared the crap out of me. When does filming, actually start then?"
"Filming, I don't know, but the overall production is probably going to start in a month. The studio is working right now on getting things started."
"Ah, that's great, which studio? Dubois? Ah, I loved working with those guys. Did they ask you to direct?"
"Yes, but it's not Dubois."
"Wait, what, how? Aren't we under contract?"
"Yeah, they gave us permission to film with another studio."
"Wow~, that's so cool. That's just great, I never thought they would actually let another studio take over. Most studios just hold onto movie rights, no matter what, but I guess its different because of the time limit. And you're pretty popular right now, so I guess that could explain it. Is that why?"
"Something like that."
"Ah, okay, so do I get to work on set as well or production? What can I do for ya?"
"Yeah, you can come on as an advisor and your role can be open to work on whatever you like."
"Ah, man, that is so great, it's sort of like what you did when you worked with Ridley, isn't it?"
"Good times."
"Oh, man, you can say that again. It was our first big break! I'm sure I'll think about working on Alien for the rest of my life... and now we are working on part two! That is just so crazy! We did it, James, we actually did it! HAHAHA!"
Dan was getting more and more excited, screaming with joy for a whole minute before seeing that James wasn't matching his energy in the slightest.
"But, c'mon, man! I thought we were celebrating, you're starting to worry me. Shouldn't you be the most excited out of anyone?!"
"You know, Dan, I'm feeling a lot more anxious, if anything."
"What? But, why? Are the studios pressuring you or something?"
"No, it's not that. It's just a lot of responsibility, you know? A lot of things are on my mind, right now."
"Ah, oh, right. Right, of course, you would be. The responsibility. The responsibility must be crazy, I'm sure it's nerve-wracking for you, I mean, it's a lot. You're gonna be directing your second movie and it's gonna be a sequel.
And then, you have me, who's just excited about getting any kind of success. You, you're probably way more stressed than I realized. I see why you're not in that much of a mood, my bad."
"It's fine, Dan. Let's just have a toast, it'll be our last of the day. I'll have to leave in a minute."
"Aghh, okay, okay, we'll toast, but only if you have at least one more drink after this one!"
"*Sigh* Okay, we'll do it your way, 2 drinks, and that's it."