The Last Don - Mario Puzo [96]
“Let’s see if I understand this,” Molly said. “You pay the Studio the fifty million they invested. Right now. You put up the money to complete the picture, minimum another fifty million. So you’re going to gamble a hundred million that Athena goes back to work. Plus you’re gambling that the picture will be a hit. It could be a flop. That’s an awful risk.”
Cross could be charming when he wanted to be. But he sensed that charm would not help with this woman. “I understand that with the foreign money, video, and TV sales, the picture can’t lose money even if it’s a flop,” he said. “The only real problem is getting Miss Aquitane back to work. And maybe you can help on that.”
“No, I can’t,” Molly said. “I don’t want to mislead you. I’ve tried and failed. Everybody tried and failed. And Eli Marrion doesn’t ever bullshit. He’ll close down the picture and take the loss, then he’ll try to ruin Athena. But I won’t let him.”
Cross was intrigued. “How will you do that?”
“Marrion has to get along with me,” she said. “He’s a smart man. I’ll fight him in the courts, I’ll make his Studio miserable on every deal. Athena won’t be able to work again but I won’t let them take her to the cleaners.”
“If you represent me, you can save your client’s career,” Cross said. From the inside of his jacket he took an envelope and handed it to her. She opened it, studied it, then picked up the phone and made some calls that established the check was good.
She smiled at Cross and said, “I’m not insulting you, I do this with the biggest movie producers in town.”
“Like Skippy Deere?” Cross said, laughing. “I invested in six of his pictures, four of them were hits and still I haven’t made money.”
“Because you didn’t have me representing you,” Molly said. “Now before I agree, you have to tell me how you can get Athena back to work.” She paused. “I’ve heard some rumors about you.”
Cross said, “And I’ve heard about you. I remember years ago when you were a criminal defense lawyer, you got some kid off a murder rap. He killed his girlfriend and you got an insanity plea. He was walking the streets less than a year later.” He paused for a moment, deliberately letting his irritation show. “You didn’t worry about his reputation.”
Molly looked at him coldly. “You have not answered my question.”
Cross decided that a lie should carry a little charm. “Molly,” he said. “May I call you Molly?” She nodded her head. Cross went on. “You know I run a hotel in Vegas. I’ve learned this. Money is magic, you can overcome any kind of fear with money, so I’m going to offer Athena fifty percent of any money I make from the movie. If you structure the deal right and we’re lucky, that means thirty million for her.” He paused for a minute and said earnestly, “Come on, Molly, would you take a chance for thirty million?”
Molly shook her head. “Athena doesn’t really care about money.”
“The only thing that puzzles me is why the Studio doesn’t give her the same deal,” Cross said.
For the first time in their meeting, Molly smiled at him. “You don’t know movie studios,” she said. “They worry that all the stars will pull the same stunt if they set such a precedent. But let’s go on. The Studio will take your deal, I think, because they will make a great deal of money just distributing the film. They will insist on that. Also, they will want a percentage of the profits. But I’m telling you again, Athena will not take your offer.” She paused, then said with a teasing smile, “I thought you Vegas owners never gambled.”
Cross smiled back at her. “Everybody gambles. I do when the percentages are right. And besides I plan to sell the Hotel and make a living in the movie business.” He paused for a minute, letting her look into him to see the desire to be part of that world. “I think it’s more interesting.”
“I see,” Molly said. “So this is not just a passing fancy.”
“A foot in the door,” Cross said. “Once I do that, I’ll need your help further on.”
Molly was amused by this. “I’ll represent you,” she