Chapter 65

Seeking recommendations!

"Good job, Murphy." Bill Roseth walked over first with a smile, "Better than I expected."

"Thank you." Murphy replied with a polite smile.

Following Bill Roseth was Joel Graham. He merely glanced at Murphy without saying anything. Murphy extended his hand and said courteously, "Thank you for coming to see my film."

Joel Graham nodded at him and gave his hand a light shake before turning and walking toward the exit of the screening room.

Murphy didn't need to say much to see that this person had no interest in "Hard Candy."

The black woman, Jones Butler, came over next. She greeted Bill Roseth first, then smiled at Murphy, "Very nice film."

Murphy shook her hand firmly, "Thank you, your praise is an honor."

Compared to these two, the last one to come over, Baker Larsent, was much more casual. He waved at Bill Roseth and Murphy, "Can we talk while we walk?"

"Of course." Murphy gestured for him to go ahead, leading the way and catching up with Joel Graham and Jones Butler, who were being guided out by Paul Wilson. He invited them at the right moment, "I've booked a table at Fairo Restaurant. Do you have time?"

"Sorry," Jones Butler spoke first, "I have to rush to the next screening."

Joel Graham also shook his head in refusal.

The group had now walked out of the cinema. The car Bill Roseth had called was already waiting. After Paul Wilson opened the door, Jones Butler and Joel Graham quickly got in, clearly in a hurry to get to their next screening.

Murphy, after adjusting himself, had completely calmed down. Being rejected was normal; compared to these buyers from distribution companies, he was just an insignificant newcomer.

Baker Larsent walked over from behind, not getting into the car but stopping in front of Murphy, "Director Stanton, your film is very interesting, but the audience is a concern..."

His gaze, which had been on Murphy's face, gradually moved downward, "Personally, I like this film a lot, but considering the audience, we have to be cautious."

This gaze made Murphy feel uncomfortable, but he didn't know what to say.

Baker Larsent's eyes finally settled on his muscular chest, and he suddenly changed the subject, "Dinner is off, but I know a bar three streets away. If you're interested, we can have a drink."

His eyes lifted, looking at Murphy, as if waiting for an appropriate answer.

If Murphy had just arrived, he might not have understood the implications, but now he knew exactly what was being suggested.

Without hesitation, he shook his head in refusal, making up an excuse, "I'm sorry, I've quit drinking."

"Pity..." Baker Larsent didn't press the issue, turned, and got into the car, "Goodbye."

Watching the car drive away, Murphy remained calm. Of these three professional film viewers, at least two would no longer pay attention to "Hard Candy."

He never expected that he would attract the attention of a gay man. He had no problem with homosexuals, but he had no interest in such advances.

Indeed, following some of the unwritten rules in Hollywood could make things smoother, but that didn't mean he was willing to sell himself.

Standing alone, Murphy turned and looked back. At the steps of the theater entrance, Paul Wilson and Bill Roseth were standing there, looking somewhat curious, probably not having heard what Baker Larsent said.

Not far behind them, a middle-aged man was watching from a distance. He had been standing there when they came out.

The screening of "Hard Candy" had ended, and it was much quieter than Murphy had anticipated. The imagined scene of numerous distribution companies fighting over the film did not materialize. Only Jones Butler and Baker Larsent had expressed interest, and the latter might abandon the film due to Murphy's refusal.

Shaking his head, Murphy sighed. The path in Hollywood was far more difficult than he had imagined.

But no matter how difficult the road, it wouldn't scare him or stop his determination to climb higher. He was determined to carve out his own place in this highly realistic and complex industry.

This was just the beginning!

Turning around, Murphy walked back to the theater entrance. Just as he stepped onto the stairs, the middle-aged man behind Bill Roseth and Paul Wilson suddenly walked over and stood in front of him.

"Hello..." the middle-aged man said politely, "May I ask if you are the director of 'Hard Candy'?"

"Yes," Murphy looked at him, remembering he had seen him in the theater, changing seats several times from the back row to his row, "May I ask who you are?"

"My name is Tony Guzman." As he spoke, the middle-aged man extended his right hand, "From Fox Searchlight."

Murphy shook his hand, "Hello, Mr. Guzman, nice to meet you."

This was his sincere response. The man was clearly a professional film viewer and buyer, and he had come on his own after watching the film, indicating at least some interest in "Hard Candy."

"Hello, Mr. Guzman." Bill Roseth came over and introduced himself, "Bill Roseth, Murphy's agent, from CAA."

Hearing the name CAA, Tony Guzman gave Bill Roseth a serious look and shook his hand.

Indeed, the name CAA was quite prestigious.

"Gentlemen..." Tony Guzman asked directly, "Who is the producer or investor of the film?"

"The film was produced by my Stanton Studio," Murphy knew why he was asking, "All the funding came from my personal investment, and the copyright is entirely with Stanton Studio."

Tony Guzman nodded, "To be frank, Director Stanton, I have some interest in this film. I may need to bring my colleagues to watch it."

"No problem." Murphy took out a business card and handed it to him, "You're always welcome."

Taking the card, Tony Guzman put it away and then gave Murphy his own card. Having achieved his purpose, he didn't stay any longer.

"I have to rush to another screening." He said goodbye, "I hope we have the opportunity to work together."

Murphy shook his hand in farewell, "I also hope to have the opportunity to work with Fox Searchlight."

After seeing Tony Guzman off, Murphy didn't plan to stay any longer. He and Paul Wilson stored the film reels and returned to the hotel. The next morning, he received a call from Bill Roseth, informing him that Jones Butler wanted to bring a few others to watch "Hard Candy" again.