I am in Hollywood (18+ version)

Chapter 5: Conditions

In a cafe located in North Hollywood, Eric and Michael Klaus were negotiating the profit distribution of Jurassic Park.

Eric had already agreed upon receiving 7% for the novel's royalties. However, the negotiations entered a stalemate when it came to the novel's film and television adaptation rights.

Michael Klaus was an experienced publisher, so there was no way he would be unable to gauge the potential within the novel's film and television adaptations.

Eric didn't raise any objection to receiving a smaller share in the royalties distribution which made Michael Klaus fall under the misconception that he was young and inexperienced.

Therefore, he proposed that his publishing company receive the rights to the adaptation while they would both share the profits from the adaptation.

Hearing Michael's proposal, Eric bluntly refused, "That's impossible, Michael."

Michael Klaus was somewhat taken aback by Eric's decisive refusal, but he quickly composed himself and said, "Eric, hear me out. When 20th Century Fox had wanted to buy the film and television adaptation rights for the novel I previously told you about, I was the one who negotiated with them.

As a result, the author and I each made over $1 million. If the author had personally negotiated, he might not even have made $500,000. Such is the difference between an individual and a publishing house."

The two continued discussing for more than ten minutes. Michael Klaus continued to entice Eric, even taking the initiative to lower his own share of the novel's royalties.

In the end, to his disappointment, Michael Klaus discovered that Eric was not the inexperienced youth he had believed him to be. Instead, he was more like a shark who had swam through troubled waters for years.

Despite not being very familiar with the publishing industry, he had been able to make keen and accurate guesses as to the industry's ins and outs.

What left Michael Klaus even more surprised was that Eric was not impulsive despite his youth. Despite discovering his intentions, Eric did not bluntly point out his discovery, but rather subtly implied it.

Michael Klaus was forced to swallow the bitter pill and finally gave up on Jurassic Park's film and television adaptation rights.

Afterwards, the negotiations went smoothly, and the two of them quickly signed a contract.

"Nice doing business with you, Eric. You will definitely not regret letting me take care of Jurassic Park." After signing the contract, Michael Klaus went back to his gentle demeanor as if his shrewd and cunning demeanor earlier had been nothing but an illusion.

"Nice doing business with you too, Michael. I hope you're right."

In order to gain the upper hand during the negotiations, Michael Klaus put his cunning fox mask back on. He had been wallowing in frustration due to being unable to obtain Jurassic Park's film and television adaptation rights, so this was his chance to make a profit.

Eric smiled faintly. How could he not see through Michael Klaus' thoughts? He stretched out five fingers and directly said, "50% commission!"

"What?!" Michael Klaus exclaimed.

Eric continued, "Michael, you heard correct. If you are able to sell my script, I will give you 50% of what I get for it as commission. However, I have a condition."

Sure enough, there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world, Michael Klaus heard Eric's words and sighed at how this young man had him wrapped around his little finger.

"What is it?"

"I want to play the role of young Mike O'Donnell."

"That's impossible!" Michael Klaus immediately denied him, "Even the film's director might not necessarily have the power to make such decisions regarding casting, not to mention you, a fledgling writer."

"You know there is a saying: man proposes, God disposes," Eric said, "Without trying, how would you know it's impossible? Also, with Big's release, the chances for it happening have gone up a notch."

Michael Klaus was taken aback and he could not help but ask, "What does this have to do with Big?"

Eric casually stirred his cup of coffee with a spoon and replied, "I think that film is likely to earn more than $100 million at the box office, and if I'm right, someone might consider taking a look at a script with a similar genre and a plot that does not lose out in the slightest."

Michael Klaus had yet to see Big, but he didn't doubt Eric's words and said, "Alright, Eric. I will try, so about the commission"

"Michael, you greedy old man, are you trying to make more out of this than I, the author!"

Michael Klaus scratched his nose in embarrassment and said, "Hey, don't say that. Even if you were to be cast as a newcomer actor, your pay wouldn't be any less than $500,000. As for the script, it would already be considered great if we even get $200,000."

Despite saying that, Michael Klaus didn't mention the commission again. When they were about to part ways after leaving the coffee shop, he suddenly said, "Actually, Eric, I can't help but think that you truly would be perfect for the role of young Mike O'Donnell.

While we were discussing the contract, I truly felt like I was negotiating with an older, experienced businessman, not an 18-year-old fresh out of high-school."

Eric smiled, "Don't mind the details, Michael. I'll give you the script in two days. I hope you'll be able to bring me some good news."