61 Inside Job

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10th November 1997 (Monday)

Ricky Stirling (POV)

I sat there staring pensively at the man sitting across the table, practically lounging on his armchair as he stuffed his smug face with biscuits and coffee.

So bottom line," I speak with a start as the man turned his head towards me, "... is that I'm about to be fucked… really fuckin' hard."

The man snorts loudly, before saying, "Harder than you've ever been Ricky… But don't worry- ok no, you've got to worry- a lot. I'm sorry I don't know why I said that. But there are steps we can take to mitigate this. An optimal solution, involving the least number of physical engagements, to reap and harvest as much as we can. But for that we need to start work ASAP. There's not a second to waste here, lest we fall back, so the question is… what do you say? Am I on board bossman?" He asks, an eyebrow up.

A few seconds of contemplation later, "Yes," I nodded before meeting his eyes again, "You're in. I've been fooli- no, naive for the most part… just like every other hopeful, I was wooed in by the glitz and glamor… no more. I place my resources, considerable that they are, at your disposal. I'll ensure the cast and main staff make themselves available for the next few months. Feel free to dictate our schedules at your leisure… just don't go overboard." I warn with a raised eyebrow.

He quickly acquiesces, and proceeds to scurry out of my office, barely being able to contain his giddiness at landing such a monumental opportunity… as for what opportunity you ask?

(Flashback)

Yash enters my office with his friend in tow… the so-called specialist. There are numerous in Hollywood, these self-proclaimed consultants who come up with tactics to 'win oscars'... every studio hires them weeks before the awards season begins, as a way to secure a few categories for themselves.

Yash cleared his throat before speaking, "Ricky, this is my Travis. Used to be my room-mate in college, and Travis, this is my boss, the youngest golden lion winner in history, Ricky Stirling."

Travis nodded before reaching out for a handshake that I reciprocated, "I've seen your movies Ricky, all 3 of them in fact… you've got potential." He smirked annoyingly, like he knew a secret that I didn't… I don't know why, but it felt like his eyes were mocking me.

I instantly developed a dislike for him… out of sheer pettiness.

"Nice to meet you Travis, I've heard great things about you from Yash. Please, have a seat." I gestured towards the armchair opposite mine.

Yash rubbed his hands awkwardly for a handful of seconds, before coughing out, "Okay so, I'll get out of your way. You two-" He pointed his fingers at us, "hash things out."

And right as he was about to leave he hesitated, before turning towards Travis and whispering softly, "Go easy on him will ya?"

Travis nodded with a smirk, before Yash walked out of the room.

"Ok I gotta ask," I start, "what was that?"

"What was what?" He smirked innocently… oh this cocky motherf-

"What did he mean by 'Go easy'?" I asked with air quotes.

He snorted, "Oh that. Yeah… I'm gonna ignore that. I mean I could break it to you gently… but something tells me you won't appreciate it. I'm a good judge of character Mr. Stirling and you strike me as a fellow no-nonsense kinda guy, someone who doesn't like dancing around and just going straight for it… Are you?"

I ignored his question and chose to discard most of what I heard, but picked up on one little statement of his, "Break what to me gently?"

He bursts out laughing at that, "Splendid way to answer that one Ricky! Then again you're an acclaimed director… 'show not tell', am I right?"

"I am several things Mr…"

"Linklater."

"- Mr. Linklater, my schedule is unimaginably tight so if you would kindly get to it-"

"Fine! Fine! Now, Ricky… I saw Good Will Hunting in the theaters last week with a few industry friends, and Yash showed me the other 2 unreleased ones in your private screen… you Mr. Stirling, are a supremely talented man… and don't let anyone tell you otherwise." He said grandly, raising his voice by an octane, as he stared intensely at me.

And I could detect not a hint of deceit from him… curious.

"I am flattered. But now, if you would kindly get to the brass tacks-" I started, only to get interrupted again.

"Patience Ricky, patience! Please, I'm getting there okay? …Fine, I'll speed it along for you. Ricky… you remind of a certain someone. I have known her for over a decade now, and the situational resemblance is uncanny… You Ricky, remind me of Anastasia."

…

"What? What the- what?" I responded with adequate incredulity. "Who- who is Anastasia?"

He nodded and replied with complete seriousness, "She's a hooker from Ukraine. She is fantastic Ricky… one of the best in the biz. And that's why she's got more dicks flying at her than anyone else. You know what happens Ricky? Huh?"

…

Dreading the answer and the direction this conversation was going at, I ask out of sheer fucking curiosity, "What?"

"She gets fucked by 3 dicks at the same damn time… you Ricky," He pointed at me, ignoring my 'wtf' expression before continuing, " -are Anastasia. You're so damn good at your job, that Oscar season is coming, and you've got 3 movies to promote… at the same… damn… time. Do you understand your predicament?"

What? But what's the big deal? Most of the marketing is already underway, with conventional tactics locked and loaded, not to mention Good Will Hunting and Whiplash are gonna be coasting the filmfest route all the way… so what the hell is he going on about?

A few seconds later I finally respond, "Ok Travis, I don't see what the big deal is. I mean, I understand the FYC campaigns are gonna eat into my time, but Yash will make sure the movies take the spotlight! We'll maximizer the exposure, and with billboards and posters-"

"Ricky," He started, cutting me off yet again, "what do you think an FYC campaign is? As in… what's your understanding of it?" He asked with an inquisitive expression

That very instant I realized I was missing some vital information… but I nevertheless prattled my clearly incomplete knowledge of it. "An end of the year marketing push for movies, to generate Oscar buzz and appeal to the artistic integrity of the voters- ok I saw that," I was referring to a twitch in his face, "am I… am I wrong?"

…

"In the broad sense… no. Your understanding is right, but- and this is a really big but… it's woefully incomplete. I'm sorry, I believe your father is Mr. Ambrose Stirling?"

Seeing me nod he continued, "And he didn't tell you anything? About the- oh God. I feel like I'm gonna scar your innocence Ricky-" He palmed his face before rubbing it incessantly, all the while muttering under his breath.

A minute later, he… revealed a few things. Pulled the wool off my eyes really.

(Flashback Ends)

You see, I knew the FYC campaigns were needed to secure nominations but… I had mistakenly assumed that there was still an iota of fair-play in the industry… that the wins and nominations, while not completely unbiased, were still awarded to the movies the voters 'believed' were the best… I was too damn idealistic for my own good.

You know how lobbying works? Private companies throwing a boatload of money at politicians to get certain bills passed and halted at their leisure? The sophisticated term for bribery? As it turns out… the oscars work the same fucking way. It's not about the movie they think is the best… It's about which campaign did they enjoy the most. Which production studio showered them with more expensive gifts, and which cast members of the movies were the most charming in private luncheons and screenings held for them, all at the expense of the studio, etc.

Their votes still won't be guaranteed by a long shot, so critical acclaim and artistic merit do matter… but so do mass appeal, runtime, themes, genre, and a coterie of factors that should not have any effect on the nominations in an ideal world.

Too bad this is NOT an ideal world.

And worse than the Oscars are the golden globes. Considering the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HPFA) consists of less than 100 members, and all their identities are public… they are campaigned to, directly by studios and producers, often receiving expensive gifts, and private time with prominent cast members to secure their votes and support… It's a fuckin' travesty.

And now, to gain industry recognition, I'll have to take part in 3 campaigns simultaneously, each of which will consist of private luncheons and screenings of the movies, Q&A sessions, charity balls, galas, charity auctions, etc... and I'll have to pay the cost of it all from my pocket… nearly 7 million if I want to win, at least that's what Travis estimates will take for my 2nd and 4th productions.

Usually it would've taken less, but considering I'll be a first time nominee in numerous categories, I don't have any credibility in their eyes, and so winning will be astronomically difficult… unless I account for public perception. Sometimes, to get votes, you have to make yourself an unlosable prospect in the eyes of the voters.

And that includes gaining the support of critics, journalists and general audiences.

It'll be arduous sure… but more than worth it

once March comes around.

Sadly, I will have to go against my own convictions for this. I had told Missy, no public appearances until March next year… who knew I would be eating my own words so soon after I uttered them.

I take out my mobile phone, and punch in a number.

TRING - TRING!

CLACK.

"Hello! Hi! Yes, it's Ricky Stirling… yeah now listen. You told me to call if I ever changed my mind about this deal… Well, I did. I don't want to just endorse it Marly, I wanna be the brand ambassador… no listen, you're the PR expert here. You know exactly how many fingers I've got in how many pies… I'll take a pay cut then. Just talk to your higher ups, I want this Marly. I want this, and you want your sweet little commission, how about a little collusion? Hmm… yeah that works. No listen, I'll take the pay cut, if you accept in the next 24 hours. If you wanna hold out till December when my movie hits the theaters, no pay cut. My brand image solidifies, and my value appreciates drastically, well guess what? So does the moolah I earn out of this… we'll discuss the specifics in person then. Yeah, Goodbye."

And with that I cut the call, already gearing to call up a few publications and critics associations for further interviews and insights.