September 5th, 1978. Fantasy Pictures New Office.
In the midst of moving to new office, it was complete chaos.
Boxes kept on one side of the corner occupying most of the space.
"Glenn move that table to left."
"James help me with the clock, My hand can't reach to the hook."
Linda moved back to let james hang the clock and almost got tripped by a box left in a corner.
"Jerry move your prop boxes to storage it's taking too much space. Shelfs are almost on the way."
"Just a sec, I can't find the cutter."
The chaos continued till afternoon.
"Finally done."
James sprawled on the sofa along with jerry and paul.
Linda was sitting on chair behind the reception desk. Glenn was sitting on the main table.
Paul stroking his stomach, "I am starving..."
Glenn looked at the clock,"Me too, I haven't had anything since morning."
James utterly exhausted.
"Any voulanteers to get us some food. I don't have energy to drive."
Linda with her arms crossed on the table with her head lying on her arms.
"Not me, I am spent."
Paul got up from sofa.
"I'll go but what are we eating ?"
jerry sprawled on the sofa.
"I have got no stomach for anything fancy, Burgers will do."
Glenn crossing his legs sitting on the table.
"Yeah, Burgers are fine, I don't have energy to eat with effort."
James and linda nodded and agreed as well.
Paul took everyone's order and re-read it for confirmations.
"4 Cheeseburger, 2 Hams, 4 Quarter Pounders, 3 Large Fries, 2 Apple Pies, 4 Large Coke, 1 Strawberry Shake, Is this all ?"
James similarly sprawled on sofa tossed the cars keys toward paul.
"Yeah that will do."
While they were waiting for food.
Jerry asked james.
"How is it going on with Howard guy ?"
"Don't ask, That guy is never at his home, I called him three different times, Everytime it's the answering machine, In the end, I just left a message."
"So, What now ?"
"Nothing, Wait for a reply, if nothing comes up in two weeks, Move on to find a new person, I am already busy with loads of things."
"Busy ? with what ?"
"I am not as idle as you jerry, I still have meeting with paramount for final payment schedule of Friday the 13th, Follow up on Acquisition of Contemperory Records with David and Martha, Meeting with Architect for renovation of Warehouse, I don't have enough time as it is."
"Fair enough, Let it be then if that guy doesn't reply it was not meant to be either way."
The Time eclipsed as paul came back with food and time passed with simple banter throught out the day.
September 7 1978.
Westwood Century City.
Howard Rosenman unlocked the apartment door and tossed his car keys onto the small table by the entrance.
Location scouting had Exhausted him.
After spending the entire day driving across Los Angeles looking at gyms, hotels and neighborhoods for The Main Event.
His shoulders ached.
His shoes were dusty.
His patience had been left somewhere around the fourth location.
Howard loosened his shirt collar, kicked off his shoes and collapsed onto the couch.
Within minutes he was asleep.
A couple of hours later he woke to darkness outside the window.
Howard rubbed his eyes and glanced at the clock.
Almost eight.
He wandered into the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet and poured himself a generous glass.
Poured lots of ice with the glass in one hand, he walked back into the living room and switched on the television.
He switched between news channels and settled on a channel with Entertainment news while he sat quietly for several minutes.
Only then did he notice the small red light blinking beside the telephone.
The answering machine.
He reached over and pressed the playback button.
The first message began.
"Mr. Rosenman, this is Pacific Credit Services regarding your account. We'd appreciate a return call..."
Howard reached over and hit the Fast forward button.
"Tomorrow."
The second message started immediately.
"Howard? It's Renee."
He stopped reaching for the button.
"Listen... don't let today get to you."
Howard leaned back against the couch.
"Barbara's the star. Jon's putting up the financing through Barwood. Warner's going to keep them happy no matter what."
A pause.
"Executive Producer isn't exactly what we planned when we came up with this thing... but we're still on the picture."
Howard took a sip of whiskey.
"Call me tomorrow, alright?"
The message ended.
Howard sighed quietly.
"I know..."
The machine beeped again.
"Mr. Rosenman, this is Statewide Insurance..."
Fast Forward.
Another beep.
A younger voice came through this time.
"Mr. Rosenman, my name's James Rowan."
Howard looked back at the machine.
"Harry Rodwick gave me your number."
"I'm directing a new film and I'm looking for a producer. I thought you might be interested."
"If you've got the time, I'd appreciate the chance to buy you a cup of coffee and let you read the script."
"You can reach me at Fantasy Pictures..."
Howard reached for the notepad lying beside the telephone and quickly wrote the office number down as the message repeated it.
The tape clicked to an end.
Howard looked at the note for a long moment.
James Rowan.
He'd heard the name.
The kid who'd somehow made a fortune with a horror movie.
Howard took another sip of whiskey.
September 8th, 1978.
James sat behind his desk with copy of Payment schedule faxed by paramount it was the $2 million from Overseas Distribution.
Friday the 13th in it's fourth month raking in $42 million in domestic. It was just released last month in overseas in a staggered release and already raked in $15 million making the total Box office of the movie so far to $57 million.
Howard Richman the lawyer had already gone through everything once.
James was only making sure he hadn't forgotten anything before tomorrow's meeting.
James had barely finished checking the last page when the phone rang.
He reached over without looking.
"Fantasy Pictures."
"James Rowan?"
"Speaking."
"This is Howard Rosenman."
"Mr. Rosenman."
"Howard's fine."
James smiled.
"I was beginning to think Harry had given me the wrong number."
"No."
"I've just been busy."
"I figured."
"So."
"You wanted a me to be a producer for your movie."
"I do."
"what movie exactly?"
"A musical."
"I got that much from your message."
"What kind of musical?"
"High school, Dancing, Teenagers."
"And that's why I need a producer."
Howard changed the subject.
"Budget?"
"Around five million."
"Independent?"
"Fantasy Pictures."
"You've got a script ready?"
"Finished."
"I'd rather read that than hear you explain it."
"When are you free?"
"Next Tuesday?"
"That works."
"I'll come by your office."
The line clicked.
James slowly put the receiver back.