Chapter 18: Don’t Be a Freeloader
The rustic bar hummed with the strains of country music.
“What’ll you have? Whiskey?” Eric extended a hand adorned with a gleaming gold Rolex, pouring a drink for Hawk. “District Heights isn’t making it to theaters.”
Hawk raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t Castle Rock Entertainment buy the rights outright?”
“They’re pushing it straight to the DVD and VHS market,” Eric explained. “If things move quickly, it’ll hit stores right after the Oscars.”
“At least tens of thousands of people will get to see it,” Hawk offered.
“Compared to most directors, I’m still lucky.” Eric raised his glass to Hawk. “With Katherine investing in me and meeting you in Park City, this film sold only because of you. Otherwise, I’d have been dropped by Katherine, and finding future opportunities would’ve been nearly impossible.”
Hawk responded diplomatically, “Katherine seems to treat you well.”
Eric shook his head. “A director with no successful projects doesn’t raise a wealthy woman’s status. What use would she have for him?”
Pointing at Hawk, Eric continued, “But you, my friend, gave me a chance to keep making movies.”Hawk poured them another round. “Here’s to your next project coming to life soon.”
Eric, brimming with ideas, added, “When it does, I’ll hire you to handle film operations. You’re the best I’ve ever seen at it.”
“Thanks,” Hawk said, a bit proud.
Eric’s follow-up jab took the wind out of him. “Of course, I haven’t seen many film operators.”
Hawk quickly recovered. “I’m not a film operator—I specialize in media operations.”
Several drinks later, Eric grew more inebriated, and the conversation turned to one of men’s favorite pastimes: bragging.
Pounding the table, Eric declared, “When I start my own film company, you’ll be my media operations director!”
Hawk, also loosened by alcohol, quipped, “Will Katherine agree to that?”
“If I’ve got the money to start a company, who needs Katherine?” Eric blurted out, letting slip a deeper truth. “If I could finance my own films, do you think I’d rely on that crap?”
Hawk poured another drink and said, “I need a favor.”
“Anything that doesn’t involve eating that crap,” Eric muttered, clearly harboring a lifelong resentment.
Hawk smirked. “Help spread the word about my work. You don’t need to do much—if someone calls to ask about my operations, can you speak honestly?”
Eric was surprised. “Haven’t you had plenty of successes?”
Hawk rehashed his standard explanation. “The groups I’ve worked with always attribute their wins to artistic triumphs. My contributions are considered trivial.”
“Bullsh*t!” Eric raised his glass and clinked it against Hawk’s. “If anyone questions you, tell them to call me.”
Breaking into the film festival was tough, but Hawk knew he had to keep the momentum going to secure more clients and profits.
Before they could finish the bottle, Eric got a call from Katherine, forcing him to leave early. “Take their money, follow their rules,” he said, downing his glass. “Don’t be a freeloader!”
Hawk chuckled. “Don’t worry—if freeloading is an option, I’ll do it with flair.”
Eric didn’t catch the nuance, waving as he staggered off. “I’m heading to L.A. soon. If you’re ever there, give me a call.”
Hawk raised his glass for a final toast. “I’ll be in touch when I need you.”
With Eric gone, Hawk eyed the bottle and decided to drink solo.
The country tune on stage shifted to jazz, and Hawk hummed along until the chair next to him was pulled out.
It was Gina, the reporter, signaling the waiter for a glass. “Drinking alone?”
“Not anymore,” Hawk replied, pouring her a drink.
Gina didn’t waste time. “Any big news?”
Hawk deflected with a question of his own. “How’s the response to this morning’s story?”
“Explosive,” Gina said with a satisfied sip. “For the first time in Sundance history, it’s drawn nationwide attention. And the George Hanson situation? Wild.”
Hawk raised an eyebrow. “That bad?”
“They extracted something nearly seven inches long,” Gina said, leaning in conspiratorially. “Absolutely insane.”
She continued, “George Hanson’s opened a Pandora’s box. What happens if future productions compete for rights by sabotaging each other’s screenings? Imagine movies pulling the plug on rival screenings—it’s absurd.”
Hawk clinked glasses with her. “You journalists love stories like this. It’s great news material.”
“If you’ve got more stories like this, let me know. Money’s no issue,” Gina said.
Hawk shook his head. “If scandals like this were everywhere, I’d already be rich. I’d be at a hotel with Hollywood starlets instead of drinking alone in a bar.”
Gina sized him up, clearly unconvinced he had that kind of money. She handed him a card. “Call me if you get a lead. If it’s valuable, I’ll pay a finder’s fee.”
Recalling the $1,000 he’d made from her earlier, Hawk asked, “The bigger the story, the bigger the payout?”
“Generally, yes,” Gina replied. “But it depends on the industry. For entertainment news, if it involves a celebrity, it’s worth a lot more than the same story about an average person.”
She elaborated, “Take the Great Salt Lake Theater incident—imagine if Spielberg had been involved. That video would fetch $100,000, maybe more.”
Hawk nodded thoughtfully.
Gina went on. “Hollywood is full of rumors. For example, there’s longstanding speculation that Tom Cruise is secretly gay. Tabloids like Us Weekly and The National Enquirer have offered millions for photos or videos proving it. Anyone who captures proof would become a millionaire overnight.”
Hawk chuckled. “Or they’d get sent to meet the Scientology gods in the cosmos.”
“Exactly,” Gina agreed. “In this line of work, you need to know when to stop. Don’t mess with the wrong people.”
Hawk gained some useful insights from Gina and ordered another bottle.
As a faux media professional, Hawk took the opportunity to glean even more information from her.
When Gina had too much to drink, she tried to drag Hawk home to “study the camcorder.”
Hawk wasn’t one to take advantage of a drunk. Besides, the risk of puke could leave lasting trauma.
He drove Gina home in her car and then walked back to his accommodation.
One tidbit from Gina stood out—there was a Brazilian production called Intruder preparing a press screening, aiming to gain attention in North America.
The next day, Hawk began gathering information on the production.
This time, not only did Brandt assist, but Larson and the deputies joined in.
Having one successful case made landing the second much easier.
Hawk arranged a meeting with the production’s director and producer, Beto Brant. After calling Eric and Castle Rock Entertainment for confirmation, Brant didn’t hesitate to sign a deal with Hawk.
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