“Yes, but not all on the same day and with as much security.”
“You have a point.”
“The concert tonight will be great,” Stone said.
“Viv and I are looking forward to it.”
Peter and Ben appeared and joined them.
“Where’s Hattie?” Stone asked.
“I couldn’t get her up. I think she’s nervous about her performance tonight, and sleep postpones having to think about it.”
“Hasn’t she done a lot of performing?”
“Sure, but this is her first appearance in a professional setting. Before, it was all student stuff.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
“Dad, Dino, Ben and I have some good news.”
“Good news I can always use,” Dino said. “Pardon the rhyme.”
“You’re pardoned, Pop,” Ben said.
“So what’s the news?” Stone asked.
“The three of us are going to have a production deal at Centurion,” Peter said.
Stone looked alarmed. “When?”
“Don’t worry, Dad, it’s for after we all graduate.”
Stone relaxed a little. “What’s the deal?”
“We haven’t worked that out yet,” Peter said, “so I’ll want your help on structuring the contract.”
“You’re going to need showbiz help,” Stone said. “Let me talk to Bill Eggers about somebody in the L.A. office who does entertainment law. Leo Goldman is a nice guy, but he’s going to be a tough negotiator.”
“See? That’s just the kind of advice we need.”
“So, Ben,” Dino said, “you’re going to produce?”
“Executive-produce,” Ben replied.
“What’s the difference?”
“There are often several producers on films, even several executive producers, but that’s mostly a billing argument. We’re going to run a leaner operation, but I’ll still want an experienced line producer to do the day-to-day production work.”
“Sounds good.”
“And, Peter,” Stone said, “you’ll write or direct?”
“Both,” the boy replied, “though I can see just directing, if somebody comes to us with a good script already written.”
“Sounds good.”
“What’s really good is, Leo showed us Vance’s old bungalow, which has been empty since his death, and he’s going to redo it for us, to our specifications.”