I was starving when we left the meeting with Chris and his team at Stardust, so Lucy, Mom, and I decided to find a place to have lunch.We found a place that claimed it had the best burgers in the city.
I took a bite out of the burger; no wonder this place was so crowded—it was a damn good burger. As I was eating, I thought back to the meeting. It had left me pleasantly surprised because, after the lackluster meeting with Dreamworks, I really didn't have much expectations. But I was glad I was wrong. Chris seemed genuinely excited about the project, and he wanted me involved as well, unlike Dreamworks who just wanted to buy the rights.
Lucy broke the silence, "So, Daniel, you've been silent since we left the meeting."
I held up my hand, signaling her to wait as I finished the delicious burger. It was really good; I took a moment to savor it before responding, "It's good."
Lucy arched an eyebrow. "The burger or the meeting?"
I grinned. "Both." I answered" "Might get another one." I said and took a sip of my drink.
I looked at what Lucy had ordered and I couldn't help but comment on it "Who gets a salad at the place where they sell the best burgers in the city?" I said.
"What I'm trying a new diet." she replied
I looked at her. "Huh, you do look like you put on a few pounds. What did they feed you in Missouri?"
"Daniel," my mom chastised.
"What? I am just making an observation," I said, throwing my arms up.
"It's alright, Mary," Lucy replied with a chuckle. "I'm used to his blunt honesty. And for your information, they fed me home-cooked meals filled with love and care."
I rolled my eyes. "Well love and care don't taste as good as this burger."
Lucy smirked. "Well, some of us have to watch our figures."
I chuckled. "More burgers for me, then."
"Oh, so you don't like home-cooked meals made with love and care, Danny?" my mom asked with a dangerous glint in her eyes.
Realizing I was stepping into dangerous territory, "No, no, mom, I love your cooking; it's the best in the world."
Lucy laughed, "Smooth save, Kid," she said with a hint of sarcasm.
.
.
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After finishing our lunch, Lucy steered the conversation back to the matter at hand. "So, I assume that you have decided to work with Stardust."
"Well, Lucy, you know me so well. Of course, we are working with Stardust."
"Dreamworks is still a safer option, and Stardust can't match what they offered," Lucy countered.
"I think you and I know that we can make more money with Stardust, much more," I said, looking at her.
"Yes, but that's risky, very risky. This is a new studio, and if it goes wrong…"
"Wait, I don't understand how working with Stardust makes us more money," my mom interjected, completely lost listening to our conversation.
"Dreamworks has deeper pockets, and Stardust can't hope to match them, so we won't ask them for an upfront amount for the rights…"
"We ask them for a percentage of the movie profits," Lucy said, finishing my sentence.
My mom looked puzzled. "But what if the movie doesn't do well? We could end up with nothing."
I nodded, understanding her concern. "That could happen. It is risky but it's a risk I am willing to take"
"With Dreamworks, we get a lump sum upfront, but that's it. We're out of the picture, and they take over everything." Lucy added.
"Also, you saw what Chris and his team are capable of, and he wants my creative input and involvement in the project. That's a big plus in my book."
I could see my mom contemplating the options. She finally said, "it's a big gamble, isn't it?"
"It is," I admitted. "But sometimes, taking risks is what leads to the greatest rewards. Also Chris and his team are eager to prove themselves."
"If the movie succeeds, our returns could surpass anything Dreamworks offered initially." Lucy added.
"Well, I trust both of you. If you think this is the best path, then let's go for it." mom said giving her support.
"Great, since we are all in agreement, I'll talk to Chris and get the ball rolling," Lucy said as she stepped outside with her phone in hand.
I looked at the empty plate before me and then looked at mom "Hey, so can I… "
"No more burgers, Daniel. You've had enough," my mom replied with a firm tone.
"Oh.." i said sad that i wont get another burger.
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.
.
We paid the bill and went outside were Lucy was waiting for us, but we couldn't find her there.
"Where is she?" my mom asked looking around.
"I don't know. I think I saw her over there," I said, pointing to the side of the building.
"Why don't you go look?" mom suggested.
I nodded and walked to where I think I saw her. I was right; she was there talking animatedly with two people.
'Must be her friends,' I thought. I was about to turn back when Lucy saw me and motioned me over. So, I walked to her.
As I got closer, I got a clearer look at the two strangers that Lucy was talking with. One was medium-built with dark hair; he had well-maintained stubble and an overall well-polished appearance. The other person was larger and more imposing, with an infectious smile. He was the one who was talking with Lucy. I was so sure I had seen them before may be they were actors or something.
"Cam Mitchell, this is Daniel. I work as his agent now," Lucy said, introducing me. "Daniel, this is Cameron Tucker, my friend from Missouri; this is his boyfriend, Mitchell."
We exchanged greetings. I studied them, trying to remember where I had recognized them from. Their names were very familiar too.
"It's not every day you get to meet a celebrity," Cameron said, shaking my hand.
"Oh, I'm not a celebrity," I said.
"Oh, no need to be so humble. My niece is a big fan of your book; she made me read it while I was babysitting her. I was surprised when I saw the author was only eleven."
"Oh, don't praise him too much. His ego is big enough as it is," Lucy said.
I interrupted them, "I am sorry; I have to ask, but I am sure I've seen you before. Were you on TV or something?"
"Oh! It happens all the time. People often mistake me for someone famous. I mean, I do have a certain star quality," Cam answered.
"Right, because everyone mistakes you for a celebrity," Mitchell said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"Well, Daniel just did." Cam fired back.
"Whoa, and here I thought you were feeding the kid's ego, not the other way around," Lucy said laughing.
We talked some more and went our separate ways. When I got home, I thought about the encounter with Cam and Mitchell. This wasn't the first time; there was that time I saw that Julie Bowen look-alike and her kids.
I was so sure I had seen them before. Where was it from? I laid on the couch, wracking my brain, trying to figure out where I had seen these people before. It was then my mom turned on the TV; she was watching a sitcom. I spent a few minutes watching it with her, and then I realized where I had seen them before. I stood up suddenly.
"Danny, what's wrong?" mom asked me.
"I... umm, I got an idea for the book. I'm going to go to my room," I lied and went to my room,
It was from a TV show, a sitcom I had watched a few episodes years ago. What was it called? Something... uhh... something to do with a family. Ahhhh, it doesn't matter what its name was. I was in a freaking TV show. It explained everything. That's why the world was so different. I tried to remember more details about the show, but I couldn't. I barely remembered it; I had watched what, two episodes of it? Wasn't Sofia Vergara in it? Ahh, who knows.
I really hope there were no other surprises because I really don't want to wake up one day to see aliens invading or something.