Hollywood King

The talk regarding the crew started among them, while they knew they were going to be in some trouble due to it.

"Many of them left due to the losses," Mason stated.

"Yeah, I didn't think of this. I mean, what about others?"

"They wouldn't be enough. We'll need more."

Ian knew what he meant. He also knew whoever remained with Renner films was just because of loyalty. They were the employees who had been with the studio ever since it had started.

But while producing the soft porn movies, they had to hire another crew that was experienced at shooting porn movies. But that won't work in this situation.

It sounded hectic to find people in all this hurry, especially when the state they are in doesn't sound trustworthy.

"I know, uncle. Just try to get a small crew. Mainly the most necessary people for the movie, you know what I meant right?" Ian asked.

"Hmm.. yes. I'll.. try-" Mason sounded so unsure that Ian felt like this movie wouldn't even start.

But suddenly, an idea popped up in his mind. The image of a person passed through his mind as he said.

"No, wait. I think I can solve this."

"What? How? Do you know some-"

Ian cut him short, "Yes, I do have someone in mind." He stated sure as ever.

Mason doubted Ian as he was never trustable in his eyes. Though, at this moment, there was nothing else he could do but to trust him and trust in his so-called process.

With time, Mason was turning page by page while listening to Ian and his plans for this project. He always thought that this kid was not someone good with talks yet much to his surprise he was wrong.

He remembers how Ian's father kept saying things about him like how he always thought Ian would learn, grow and become the best version of himself. Maybe the time has finally come, Mason's thoughts came to an end as the rest of the morning passed by.

-

It was quiet, yet the surroundings hid an unsettling feeling. Ian was at a cafe which was near the studio but was not with anyone, he was still waiting for somebody.

A small bell rang every time someone came in, and each time Ian's eyes focused shifted towards the door without missing a beat.

The environment of the cafe was perfect for what Ian had in mind. The small whispers around calmed his soul and gave him more confidence because he had no room to overthink.

He was waiting for somebody he knew. Someone who can solve a major part of the problem he was currently facing.

Just after a few minutes passed by, the bell rang once more. A fat man, dressed in a suit, with perfectly combed hair along with a clean shaved face, and an expensive watch with posh-looking shoes came in. Ian took a second to observe all of this while he knew this man was exactly who he was waiting for.

According to his memories, John was the former body owner's childhood friend. After graduating college, he had fooled around for a while and then decided to join his father in the export business.

The matter of their friendship was, that Ian's former body owner never stopped fooling around even after John quit the antics, which made them part ways.

Seeing John from the farthest table, Ian raised his hand and waved just to grab his attention. Just like he thought, John's eyes looked up towards him while he walked straight to the corner of the cafe.

"Been long, hasn't it?" John asked while sitting right in front of him.

"Iced latte, as usual?" Ian asked in return while trying to show generosity. He nodded as if to answer his previous question,

"It has been very long, indeed. Never heard from you in a year. I was surprised to know you haven't died from STDs yet." Ian tried to show his playful side which was one of the traits of his previous body owner.

"Not my fault. You were too busy," Ian continued

"Our paths divided on what we chose, Ian." John didn't seem to be pleased with how Ian was. "I changed for good, helped dad a bit here and there. Now I'm good. I didn't have time because of that. Although I very well wonder to what I owe this surprise of meeting you."

"Huh- can't I even remember my good old friend?"

"What is it? I know there's something, spill."

From what Ian knew, John wasn't this clever. It was evident that he had learned something here and there.

"Hm.. you're right." Ian smiled in defeat. No fooling this man, he thought. "I need your crew."

As soon as the words left Ian's lips, surprise and shock were evident on John's face.

"I don't handle it anymore," He composed himself in a millisecond and replied sternly.

Ian clicked his tongue while stating, "There's no way you gave up the crew entirely. I know you too well for that shit," He chuckled under his breath.

John was someone who loved the cinematography and always used to skip management classes for filmmaking ones. And much to his favor, his uncle was a renowned cinematographer who also had a studio.

From childhood, John had spent a lot of time with his uncle and because of him, John had been influenced by movies a lot. Even during Halloween, he would always dress up as a famous Hollywood horror character.

They used to hang out a lot while sharing so many ideas about filmmaking because Ian had a large Hollywood influence too. This was the very reason they became friends.

John knew things like how to operate a camera, which his uncle taught him personally. Not just a camera, he learned a lot from his uncle which he was grateful for and something he could never express with words.

But unfortunately, some years ago, his uncle passed away. After that, he got to know that his uncle had written off the entire studio in his name in his will long before dying. It was heartwarming for him but his parents didn't like the idea of the film industry. It was partly because his uncle and father had friction.

Therefore, they forced him to get into the export business which was bound to be successful. John had no say in any of it. It was not like he didn't try to object, but every attempt of his turned into failure.

Ian knew all of this because of his memories, but something that surprised him was the behavior of the current John.

The silence took over them for a while when the waiter brought what Ian ordered.

"Ian, you weren't surprised to hear this from me at all, I figured from your voice. And I heard something about you." John smirked and laughed.

"What did you hear about me?"

"That you, a party animal who can't stay without clubbing and partying every night suddenly was nowhere to be found." He scoffed. "How so?" He questioned.

Ian wished he could slap the daylight of the former body owner. As much as a playboy he himself is, he kept his reputation in his 'world' achieving things little by little. But his reputation as the Ian of this world was already ruined by his playboy behavior long ago. I've got so much clean up to do, he thought to himself.

"Huh- it's just-"

"Oh and… heard you went to the studio, too. What's the plan?" John was straightforward with his questions.

"Oh well, I decided to carry forward my father's dream. I'm directing a movie. The real matter is, I need a crew. That is why I contacted you. But, I see you've done plenty of research to know so much stuff about me,"

"Haha… don't act like you don't know me. Had to check the waters before jumping in," He was right. "And again, I don't really handle the studio, but tell me about the movie." His interest started showing.

Ian recited a small summary of the movie while John kept asking questions here and there. He even explained what type of actors he wanted and the film crew he needed.

"Ah right. Do you even know how to direct? I mean, as long as I know you've known how to work with your dick, not with-"

"I wrote the script myself, John. I can obviously direct. Uncle Mason will act as the producer." Ian said almost annoyed.

"Hmm… Uncle accepted the entire idea, I see?"

John was surprised that Mason would accept Ian as a director but his friend was indeed looking pretty different. At least he sounded more mature.

Ian slightly nodded and came to the real question, "Now the question is who is handling the studio?" He asked.

At that, John frowned before telling.