An offer he couldn't refuse

"Everywhere I go," Mr. Adams said after he'd unlocked Matt's door and led he and Tanya into the deserted department store, "I hear people claiming that theirs is a dog-eat-dog business. Let me tell you something, Matt, Hollywood is where bad dogs go. You want a place where a bunch of Mafiosas, **** cartel chiefs looking to launder their money, Arab princes who can order their secret services to **** anyone, Russian oligarchs with ties to the old KGB and the current regime, and Chinese tongs hang out together to make money, come to Hollywood."

"I see, sir." That seemed like the most diplomatic response.

"So, we don't let a few pissy-ant bureaucrats push us around.

"Huh?" Matt had more been expecting to be introduced to one of those Arab assassins or Mafia hitmen than to hear a political speech.

"Tanya, I've got some cups and shit behind that counter. Why don't you be a darling and pour for us. You know how I like mine. Black, Matt, or do you like it sweet?"

"Black is fine." Actually he wasn't much of a coffee drinker but he wasn't going to let Mr. Adams think he was a pussy.

"Okay." She looked nervous. Apparently she was as unsure what was going on as he was. At least Mr. Adams hadn't brought in thugs or attacked. Matt figured he could put up with Mr. Adams's talk if it meant he didn't have to put up with his fists.

"One thing I learned early, and you're going to have to learn if you want a chance to survive, is to keep personal feelings out of business. You see an opportunity, you go for it."

"That make sense," Matt admitted.

"Or you become a dinosaur like this old store."

Had Mr. Adams just dragged him here to brag about how cool and smart he was? Because Matt would happily have just admitted that and spared himself the worries.

"Here's the deal. I want in," Mr. Adams concluded as Tanya arrived with the coffee.

"Huh?"

"I'm looking for a stake in your streaming business. I think you have the potential for a major franchise here and I'm looking for a stake."

"We've been doing fine without you." Matt went into negotiation mode. "We're not looking to sell out."

Mr. Adams shook his head and put his hand on Matt's shoulder. "You're looking at this wrong. What you're doing is high concept, which is a good thing in Hollywood, but it's strictly amateur... although I have to say you've been doing a better job than most of the masturbation streaming out there. Look at what happened with the cops. You know what they're going to get you for? Not child-porn. They're going to get you for zoning violation... for using your apartment as a place of business without a permit. That's bullshit but they have you fair and square. And when you can't pay the fine, you're out of your house and out of business. Which is why I bought this store."

"Huh?" He had to admit that his side of this dialogue had gotten a little monotonous. On the other hand, Mr. Adams kept shocking him.

"I'll lease you few thousand square feet of the store as a studio for a dollar a month... for the first two years. I'll use the rest for my own work. I'll replace the video and sound equipment you lost with current technology. I'll get some of my talent to kick up a ruckus about censorship and art... and give you some positive publicity, and I'll have some smart entertainment attorneys let the Sheriff know that he's stepping on industry toes. How does that sound?"

"Frankly, it sounds expensive."

"Yeah, it is. I want fifty percent."