I watched them carefully, but I don’t think they recognized me.
They asked me what I thought of him. I had been speaking normal American. I answered them in my best English.
“I think he’s a prat.”
They both looked at me like I was crazy then it dawned on them who they were riding with. That started the questions.
“What was it like to do a movie?”
“ A lot of work?.”
“Is Mary really that cute?”
“She is cuter.”
“What will my next movie be?”
“I don’t know if there will be a next.”
That last really opened the flood gates. I had to explain I was going to school in England and really enjoying it and didn’t know if I would have time for any movies.
We discussed that in great detail and they actually helped me decide on a direction. I wanted it all, school and movies. I would make an appointment with Mr. Monroe and see if it would be possible for me to work with Pinewood studios.
We parted company at the end of the trail. We didn’t exchange any contact information but it was a pleasant outing, my best in weeks.
After grooming George and cleaning up I called the studio and made an appointment with Mr. Monroe for the next day, Tuesday.
As I came downstairs Mum and Ms. Romanov came in the door. They headed to the kitchen for a cup of tea so I joined them. I was getting partial to Earl Grey.
After they showed me their purchases and described how much they had saved, Woman logic, I told Ms. Romanov about Senator Kennedy’s request.
“He and Bobby his younger brother have been chasing me for years. I think they may have a bet going. Anyway, you have done your duty.”
I let that hot potato drop. Anna and Mum exchanged a look that said there would be further talk when the children weren’t around, namely me.
On Tuesday morning I was on time for my appointment with Mr. Monroe. He was pleased to see me and was excited about the movie’s reception. He had forgiven me about the points. The studio wouldn’t make a fortune but it would make money.
I told him about my donating my share to the Shawnee Tribe for an educational fund. He thought that was great and asked if they could use it as publicity. I didn’t see any reason why not, so I gave my permission.
After that, he explained the tax advantages that could be had for both the studio and me.
Then he wanted to know what I wanted to speak about. He was receptive to working out a deal with Pinewood. Warner Brothers would offer to rent me out to Pinewood for a movie package deal, meaning two or more movies. Part of the deal would be that it wouldn’t interfere with my schooling.
That sounded like a win for everyone. Pinewood could capitalize on my current fame, Warner Brothers would make a profit on my rent and I could continue to do what I liked.
We had lunch in the canteen. As I was getting ready to leave I ran into Sharon Wallace who was there on behalf of another of her clients. She had in tow her latest, ‘star’, a kid named Steve Martin. He was just getting started as a comedian but she was shopping him around trying to find him a movie.
We were introduced and he was, but you could see him restraining himself from some smart-aleck remark. If it had been about someone else it would have been funny, but since it would be about me, it was smart-aleck.
I asked Sharon if I could have a few minutes with her. Mr. Monroe was kind enough to take the kid off her hands.
When we were alone, I told her about my concern about her conflict of interest. She took it in good part and told me she wondered if it was going to work. I updated her about Pinewood Studios, and that made her decision easy. She would be my agent and a silent partner. In turn, she would find a replacement publicity agent. Also, she would put the screws to Pinewood. They would pay through the nose to have me.
Chapter 15
A day I hadn’t been looking forward too arrived. Wednesday was the day of my business update meeting to be followed by a meeting of my Board of Directors. Even though I owned it all I felt inadequate to run things. I don’t mean the day to day operation; those I didn’t touch, as there was no way that I had the skill set or training to run those.
It was the high-level decision making that scared the heck out of me. The better the business units did, the more people worked for the company, the more families depended on me for their livelihoods. What if I made a terrible decision that destroyed everything?
These thoughts and many others went through my head as I did my morning run. I tried to set them aside but they kept coming back. I was out in the park so there were many miles of trail. When I got back to the house I realized that I had run over fifteen miles.
My time wasn’t good, but I could go forever. Arriving back home I had worked up a sweat but was far from exhausted. If I ever had to run for my life I would have a chance, that is if I had a head start.
I cleaned up and donned a suit and tie for the big event. Maybe
