He puts on his negotiation skills hat

Matt grit his teeth and led Tanya back into the abandoned department store.

"So," Mr. Adams said, greeting them with a big smile (a smile that looked a little over the top to Matt), "I assume we have a deal."

"We're definitely interested," Matt said. "But I think you added an extra zero on your percentage. You get 5% and we can shake hands right now."

Mr. Adams laughed. "I put up all the money, keep you afloat when you're ruined, unleash my lawyers and lobbyists for you, and I get 5%. I don't think so."

"You're not risking anything. You said you could use this facility yourself and it's not like your cameras are going to walk. As for the lawyers and lobbyists, we appreciate you helping out but if you won't do it, you won't do it. Five percent seems fair."

"FIve percent is an insult."

"Come on, Mr. Adams. Tanya and I provided the concept. We're doing the filming, the scripting, the sound work, direction, production and talent recruitment. Tell you what, though. How about we just make it a loan. We'll pay you back in two years plus say ten percent interest."

"I told you, I want in. I want ownership."

"I offered you five percent and you thought it an insult. I'm trying to make you happy, here."

"I told you what would make me happy. Half the business."

"That just isn't happening. Tanya, we can shoot with our phones, right."

"Video should be okay. Audio would suck but that's par for the course on most of the sex streaming services anyway."

"Buying some decent mikes couldn't be too hard considering we're in L.A. County. We should be able to rent a motel room in Long Beach for the next couple of shoots. It's a pity because I really would have liked to do business with you, Mr. Adams."

"You're walking? Nobody walks from a deal with me."

"A deal is when both sides offer something. You aren't budging from your insane demands."

"I told you, I'm in this business. So, if you insist on going it alone, I'm going to be coming after you with everything I've got."

"What's the saying... any publicity is good publicity. So, yeah, you come after us. Let the world know that you're going to destroy the company your daughter is building because you can't stand being left out and we'll get ten times the traffic volume with everyone wanting to find out exactly what this daughter is doing that's so wild and naughty."

"Don't threaten me."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Adams. Here I thought it was you who was threatening us."

"Twenty-five percent. It's the least I can do."

Matt looked at Tanya who stared back at him, her expression unreadable.

"Twenty-five percent and you back off from Tanya."

"How I treat my daughter is my business."

"Well, we're in business together so that makes it my business too. I don't want my partner messed up by her dad and, really, I don't think you want that, either."

Mr. Adams laughed. "Yeah, well, I already got myself a replacement... she's eighteen but she looks real young so no problem. Take her and enjoy."

Shit, this guy was a creep. Still, the he was a creep on their side. "Okay, let me summarize and we can have the lawyers draw up the contract. You provide legal and lobby cover for us, this facility as a studio, modern lighting, sound, computers and cameras, and some minimal set construction... let's say no more than $100K. The streaming concern pays you a buck a year for two years and, after that we negotiate rents at market rates. You get 25% ownership. We'll structure as a limited partnership unless the lawyers want incorporation. And you lay off Tanya. Does that sum it up."

"Yeah, deal." Mr. Adams stuck out his hand.

Matt looked at Tanya one more time... had that been too easy? She didn't shake her head, though. He wished Karen had been there... she was ten times the negotiator he was. Still, this was likely to be the best deal he could cut.