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Chapter 62: Wishful Thinking
🕑 Added 2024-10-10 21:27:00 +0000 UTCThe next day, Ethan drove to the company.
He noticed that Mike had recently been contacting him much less frequently. Previously, Mike would urge him to shoot the music video multiple times a week, but over the past two weeks, he hadn't reached out at all.
Ethan sensed that Mike's focus was shifting, or perhaps he just wasn't as invested in him as before.
Even though the song by Avril was still popular, proving Ethan's capabilities, Mike seemed unimpressed, thinking that the song's success was solely due to the music and not the video.
In the weeks before and after the song's release, Mike had recruited several other directors and photographers for his roster. Although Ethan wasn't with CAA, Jimmy's keen sense of the industry quickly brought the news to him.
It didn't matter much to Ethan, though; he was already planning to end his contract with Mike once the one-year agreement expired and find a new manager.
Just as he drove out of the neighborhood, his phone rang.
"Hello?" Ethan answered, looking straight ahead while holding the phone in one hand.
"Is this Ethan? This is Shelly, Brady's secretary..."
Two minutes later, Ethan hung up and turned his car around, heading for the CAA building.
Brady, an executive vice president at CAA, had summoned him for a meeting. Ethan wondered if it had to do with the unexpected success of Avril's song.
Not thinking much of it, Ethan soon arrived and found Shelly waiting in the lobby.
With her hair pinned back, she wore a sleek black suit, nude stockings, and red heels, exuding a refined elegance.
"Hello," she greeted him with a slight air of superiority. Her gaze conveyed a sense of looking down on him.
Ethan immediately recognized her as one of Brady's "personal assistants."
Without much conversation, they entered a special elevator that went directly to the 28th floor, restricted to CAA executives.
Shelly led him to an office door, knocked, and then slowly opened it.
Inside, a man stood with a golf club in hand, practicing his swing as sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Ethan smirked inwardly. Even Henry, the CEO of Heinz Group, didn't have an office this grand.
Brady, the CAA executive vice president, clearly enjoyed a sense of prestige and status.
After Ethan entered, Brady finally spoke: "Come, take a look at those buildings and people. Doesn't it all seem so small?"
Ethan joined him at the window, glancing at the view below before turning his gaze to the Empire State Building in the distance.
Brady followed his gaze and raised an eyebrow. Since the tragic event at the World Trade Center, the Empire State Building had reclaimed its former glory, towering over the city.
"If you want to see a higher view," Brady said, "you have to endure things that most people won't understand."
Ethan shrugged. "If it's about things that others don't understand, I've already been through plenty."
Brady, assuming he was referring to his background, patted him on the shoulder. "Indeed, Ethan. When I saw your resume, I was shocked. A graduate from a third-rate university, working as an underground magazine photographer. But in just half a year, you've risen so quickly, shooting hit music videos for two major singles."
Handing his golf club to Shelly, Brady sat back on the sofa. "I wouldn't have been able to do it better myself."
"Thank you for the compliment," Ethan replied, noting Brady's tendency to embellish his own importance.
Brady continued, "I studied in Tokyo for a while. The scenery there is captivating, and I'm an admirer of the arts—books, paintings, you name it. I've collected quite a few. Unfortunately, I haven't been to China yet. What's it like there?"
"It's probably even better than Tokyo," Ethan said. "I haven't been there myself, but my father always told me about it."
"It sounds enchanting. Maybe I'll visit one day. But what about you? Planning to take a break? We have more music videos waiting to be shot. Interested?" Brady asked, holding up a piece of paper in front of Ethan.
Ethan noticed that the paper didn't list several names like before; it only had one: Eminem.
He was surprised.
"What do you think? Would you like to direct the video for his new album? I hear they're about to start shooting but haven't confirmed a director. I could put in a good word for you."
Brady saw Ethan's surprise and wore a self-assured smile.
However, Ethan became wary. Brady wouldn't hand over a major artist's project to him without strings attached.
Feigning excitement, Ethan said, "I'm a fan of his! I never imagined I'd get the chance to direct his new music video. Thank you, Mr. Brady."
"There's more to it than gratitude," Brady replied, shaking his head slightly.
"What should I do? Is there a condition for this directing gig?"
Shelly interjected, "Of course. Mr. Brady fought for this position on your behalf during a company meeting."
"Oh, Shelly, don't overstate things…" Brady waved a hand to stop her and then turned back to Ethan. "It's not too complicated, Ethan. All you need to do is sign this agreement."
Shelly handed him a thick document, and Ethan quickly skimmed through it, frowning at the terms.
The agreement required him to follow the company's schedule, taking on assignments each month with limited rest time. It also extended his contract with Mike as his manager, but for five years instead of one.
To Ethan, it was practically a servitude contract.
Brady spread his arms wide, as if giving a motivational speech. "No one can guarantee success every time—not me, not you. But I can ensure you always get the chance to direct top-tier videos for top artists. Think about the Grammys, the MTV Awards. That's what you should aim for, and I can help you get there."
It was a compelling sales pitch, but Ethan could see right through it.
Now he understood Brady's true intention: to tie him down with a long-term contract.
There was no way Ethan would accept such an agreement. He could get where he wanted on his own terms, even if it took a bit longer.
But he didn't plan to burn bridges with CAA just yet. Going independent would mean losing access to resources and connections he currently had, and he preferred the convenience of a platform.
After some thought, Ethan replied, "Honestly, I'm very interested, but I'm not great at making quick decisions. I need some time to think it over."
Brady nodded generously. "Of course, but don't take too long. Many people want this opportunity, but I'm offering it to you."
His tone was full of admiration, but Ethan knew it was also tinged with calculation.
"I will. May I take this document with me?"
"Go ahead."
After a few polite words, Ethan took the contract and left CAA, maintaining a polite smile until he reached his car.
Back in his office, he tore up the contract and threw it in the trash.
"Wishful thinking," he muttered to himself, before calling Jimmy over. "Which executive VP does your manager work under?"
