snapped up anything with the original Carbon Man on it.”
Scarlett looked to the RCDS team. “That’s the short version of my pitch to the Rylon executives. What I need from you now is to help me find holes in my arguments. Any insight you can provide would be helpful.”
“You hit the nail on the head regarding salaries,” Rhett said. “Wynn is already expensive and will only grow more so as the franchise continues, especially when it’s time to renegotiate for future sequels. He balks? The whole series could be put on an indefinite hold, costing Rylon millions of dollars. No studio execs want that kind of power placed in an actor’s hands.”
“They would also be afraid of Wynn talking to the other superhero actors once contracts expire and extensions need to be put into place,” Sydney noted. “Everyone in town learned that lesson years ago when the cast of Friends banded together during negotiations. They said each one would be paid the same—one million per half-hour episode—or they all walked from a hit show. The only other TV cast that has been able to pull that off was The Big Bang Theory. And that was years later.”
“Having a new actor as Carbon Man—one they could pay peanuts to—would really appeal to them,” Breck said. “And they would be smart enough not to give him any points as they did Wynn.”
“As a writer, the idea of being able to develop a whole new character within an established character would appeal to me,” Cassie said. “That would fire my creativity to the max and lead to countless other storylines. If any of the Alpha Tharra screenwriters can sit in on your meeting, they would point that out.”
“Being a numbers guy, I still go back to the merch,” Dash said. “The boost from losing Wynn as Carbon Man would make items fly off the shelves. Yes, it puts money in Wynn’s pocket—but also in the studio’s, as well. And then they get to introduce an entire new line of Carbon Man goods with a new face so, in a way, they’re selling two lunchboxes for a single character. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
“Except the poor sap who is an unknown and signs on for pennies just to get to be in Alpha Tharra movies,” Rhett said. He looked to Scarlett. “Keeping the other actors on a tight leash by having a way to cut them lose if their demands get out of line is also a strong point.” He grinned at his sister. “I don’t see any holes in your arguments, Scarlett. You don’t have only one point to entice them into letting Wynn go. You’re spreading breadcrumbs all around for them to nibble on.”
“Good.”
She slipped back into her seat next to Wynn who, along with those seated around the table, couldn’t think of a single weakness in her scheme to make him a free man.
“What do you think, Wynn?” she asked.
“I think you’re absolutely brilliant.”
“Good to know,” Scarlett replied. “Because you and I have a meeting with the head of Rylon Pictures at eleven tomorrow morning.”
◆◆◆
Scarlett led Wynn around the Lymon McGraw offices, introducing him to attorneys, paralegals, and assistants, as well as a few clients. He gamely shook hands and took pictures with several people before she brought him to the conference room where the three generations of Lymons awaited them. She’d promised all the Lymons that she would have their new client visit the office. Today seemed perfect because they could leave from here and go straight to the Rylon meeting. Scarlett thought arriving together would show a unified front to the top brass and their multitude of attorneys.
Wynn opened the glass door for her and she walked in. Old Man Lymon used his cane to push to his feet and she went to him. He greeted her with a kiss to the cheek. The co-founder of Lymon McGraw only came into the offices once a week now. Though in his late seventies, he remained sharp and inquisitive. She’d already briefed those present on her strategy but wanted them to meet Wynn. Bringing a client of his magnitude on board had already earned her praise during the partners’ meeting.
Scarlett introduced Wynn to all three Lymons and watched the interaction between them. The old man scrutinized Wynn but was cordial as he sized up the actor. Little Lymon, her nickname for the youngest Lymon who’d graduated from law school a few months ago, appeared starstruck. Henry Lymon, the son of the