Lex was halfway through the Talon Ridge acquisition file when his phone buzzed.
Benny C.
Lex let it ring twice before answering, keeping his voice casual. "Tell me you're not calling for more money."
Benny's laugh rattled through the receiver. "Relax, Latham. This isn't a shakedown. I've got something… interesting."
Lex glanced around the office, catching Trent watching him from the far end of the bullpen. Barnie's watchdog never missed a chance to linger. Lex lowered his voice and leaned back in his chair.
"Alright, Benny. You've got my attention. What is it?"
Benny's tone shifted, dropping the usual sarcasm. "Ever heard of 'The Black Wall'?"
Lex frowned. "Sounds like a metal band."
Benny chuckled. "It's not. It's a script. Been floating around for a while—no one's had the guts to take it on. Too expensive, too ambitious, too… well, cursed."
"Cursed?" Lex repeated, eyebrow arching.
"Cursed as in two studios tried to finance it and backed out halfway. Director quit. One of the producers went bankrupt. It's one of those projects that everyone whispers about but won't touch."
Lex smirked faintly. "Sounds like exactly the kind of thing I'd be interested in."
"Yeah, I figured," Benny replied. "Listen, Jason Wilde's got his hands on it now. He's been trying to pull funding, but no one's biting. Thought of you."
Lex tapped his pen against the Talon Ridge file, considering. Jason Wilde wasn't a household name, but he had a reputation for finding talent before everyone else caught on.
"What's the story?" Lex asked.
Benny's voice sharpened with interest. "It's a psychological thriller. Set during the 1930s, on the construction site of a high-rise in Manhattan. Workers start disappearing, accidents pile up, and the lead—a young architect—uncovers that something sinister's built into the foundation. Think The Shining meets There Will Be Blood."
Lex leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing. A period thriller with a psychological edge? Ambitious, sure, but it had potential. The kind of project that could explode if done right.
"What's Wilde asking for?" Lex asked.
"Five million for production. Minimum," Benny said. "But here's the kicker—the leads aren't locked down. Wilde's been in talks with two actors. One of them's an up-and-coming Broadway star who just hit the scene. The other is someone Wilde won't name yet, but it's apparently a musician looking to break into film."
Lex's interest sharpened. A musician trying to cross into acting meant headlines—free press, buzz, and an audience that followed.
"And you're sure this isn't another dead project?" Lex pressed.
"Jason says it's ready to roll. But he needs someone with cash and… let's say less studio interference," Benny replied. "He's offering executive producer rights and sequel options to whoever bankrolls it. If you jump in now, you'll get creative control over casting."
Lex smiled faintly. There it was—the real leverage.
A project like this wasn't about the film itself. It was about the actors, the connections, and the influence that followed. Locking down leads early meant Lex could shape careers before they exploded.
"Where's Wilde now?" Lex asked.
"He's in town," Benny replied. "Wants to meet tomorrow. I told him you'd show if you were interested."
Lex glanced at the glass windows of Barnie's office down the hall, where his uncle's silhouette stood, back turned.
Lex smirked. "Set it up. I'll be there."
"Good call," Benny said. "But just so you know… this thing could go south. A lot of people have tried to make 'The Black Wall' happen, and all of them crashed."
Lex chuckled, closing the Talon Ridge folder with a soft snap.
"I like the challenge," Lex said, standing from his desk. "Let's see if the curse holds up."
Benny laughed. "See you tomorrow, Latham."
Lex ended the call, tucking his phone into his pocket.
The Black Wall.
Barnie could have his mergers and acquisitions.
Lex was about to start building his own empire—one face, one name at a time.