“Your proposed budget won’t be a final one. It will be something we can discuss and work on, and it’ll likely change over time. But it’ll give you a guide and a way to track what you’re actually spending, which I think you’ll seriously come to appreciate over time.
“Something else I want to do is to sit down with you each Sunday for an hour to update you on the various business ventures you have going. As well, we’ll check where you are in relation to your finances and your goals.”
Then Caryn looked at me almost pleadingly. I was about to make a smart comment but realized in time that she was dead serious about this.
“David, think of it like this. You have a lot of discipline when it comes to modeling, football, baseball, acting … yet you still have fun with each activity. Don’t you think you should exercise a little discipline and forethought when it comes to your money and your businesses as well? I’m not talking about taking the fun out of life at all, I’m just talking about having fun and being smart about it at the same time.”
How do you say no to a girl making serious puppy-dog eyes at you, especially when you realize it’s important to her, and that she’s right?
“Why include Brook?” I asked.
“Because she’s a bad influence on you. I don’t mean she’s evil. What I mean is that when you’re with her, you just do, regardless of what it costs. We both know you could absolutely afford it for now. But if you don’t learn some financial discipline now, it’ll be ten times harder when you’re older,” she said and then smiled. “And I talked to Brook’s parents, and they agreed that she needs to learn to budget.”
“I hope you don’t expect me to tell her,” I said as my eyes got bigger.
“No, I’m a big girl; I’ll talk to Brook.”
“She’s best friends with Cassidy. I’d be careful,” I warned.
“You’ll protect me,” Caryn said confidently.
She was right; I would.
“All right. We’ll do this your way,” I conceded.
I thought for a second.
“This is different from what we talked about a few weeks ago about ‘having a plan,’ right?”
“Yes,” she said. “We need to do that too, but I was thinking more about the end of the summer to do that when we might actually have a bit of time.”
I wasn’t sure if I’d have ‘a bit of time’ ever again, the way my life was going.
◊◊◊ Wednesday March 23
A six-hour time difference sucked balls. I decided Saul should die for scheduling a 10 a.m. meeting with Art Faulk (director), Joyce Heart (producer/president of Lucasfilm) and Mark Philpott (casting).
I’d forced myself awake and walked downstairs for coffee. We apparently had a butler today; it was something Rita had set up. He made me tea and ordered me breakfast. Both Caryn and Rita looked rough this morning. I probably didn’t look any better; the time change was playing havoc with all of our sleep patterns. It wasn’t even 4 a.m. at home.
I checked the news while drinking my tea. I’d set up a Google Alert on Brandon Rigby; it was something Frank had taught me. I’d also set one up on me. If there was a story about me, the alert service sent it to me.
It was reported that Brandon had implicated two other guys who were in his club or fraternity or whatever it was. He had also hired a real attorney when he was extradited back to Massachusetts. It seems Thomas Fox was back to chasing ambulances.
His new attorney talked about the goodwill Brandon was building up by cooperating. I imagined that his next move would be to begin to paint a picture that the other two had been the leaders and poor Brandon was a victim. I just shook my head and wondered when people would ever take personal responsibility. It seemed that everyone thought someone else was to blame.
I had to chuckle when I realized I was just as guilty, in a way. Caryn was right, what I’d done in Atlanta was wrong. I’d done it out of a desire to be liked, even though I knew my friends liked me regardless of whether I spent money on them. We would have had just as much fun after the party at State if I hadn’t bought the chicken. Sunglasses money wasn’t a catchall excuse to go out and blow cash.
Personal responsibility sucked.
◊◊◊
Right at ten, the Star Wars contingent showed up. The butler brought them into the downstairs living room where Rita held court. We’d planned this little show, and she played the gracious hostess. When everyone had their beverage of choice, we moved to the dining room. It was the only place where all six of us could sit in a conference room-type setting. Rita had instructed that the extra chairs be removed and that the butler offer pastries. I tried what he called a Chorley cake, a round shortcake pastry stuffed with fruit. Mine had raisins.
Rita and Caryn sat on each side of me. Across from me was Joyce Heart, with Art Faulk and Mark Philpott on either side of her. I introduced Caryn to everyone, and we jumped right in.
“I see you decided to leave Saul at home. That was a good call,” Mark said.
“I’ll bring Saul in when it’s time to negotiate money,” I said.
“You’re not happy with the numbers?” Art asked.
“To be honest, that’s what I have Saul for. I have no idea how to value a role in a movie of this stature. I rely on experts to do that for me,” I said.
“May I be so impolite as to ask why Rita James is at this meeting?” Mark asked.
I could see he was the designated bulldog at this meeting. I smiled at Joyce, who’d sat quietly during our opening sparring.
“You seem awfully quiet,” I observed, ignoring Mark’s question.
“I’m trying to figure out what you’re up to,” she said.
“Fair enough. I have some concerns about the timing of the role and how it will impact my life,” I admitted.
“I’m afraid that the schedule has been set. Tell me your concerns and let’s see if we can work them out,” Joyce said.
“The way I see it, there are two major issues. The immediate one is filming the Rogue One cameo and doing the related press junket with the announcement of my role in the Han Solo movie. Those would eat up the remainder of my school year,” I said to open negotiations.
“We would get tutors and work with your school to complete your coursework,” Joyce countered.
“That’s not the problem. I’m playing baseball and need to practice to prepare myself for this summer. I’ve been invited to try out for the US Under-18 team. If I do well, it will give me the opportunity to play college baseball and possibly professional ball.
“My second issue is that the filming schedule for the movie overlaps that of my James Bond movie. I would have to give that up to do this one,” I said to introduce my second point of contention.
“Both these issues sound like you just need to decide to do our movie,” Joyce said.
I gave her the most honest look I could.
“That was why I wanted to tell you face-to-face.”
“You’re turning us down,” Joyce said and frowned.
I looked her in the eyes.
“I made it through the process, and you were impressed enough to offer me the part. Which, by the way, I didn’t believe I had any realistic chance at, even after the audition. But I can’t take the role, given the schedules that have been set up for you to make the movie work. For one thing, it would require me to break a commitment I’ve already made to do the Bond film. I really do try to keep the promises I make to others. For another, it would mean too many of my other dreams and goals would be stillborn.
“I will be eternally grateful to you for offering me a role in such an exceptional film. From what I’ve seen of how you make movies, I want to be a part of it. You have something special here, and I don’t want you to shut me out if you can get past this,” I said.