Exactly one week was left before the grand release of John Wick. Starring Keanu Reeves, Ian had a lot of plans and expectations for John Wick.

The trailer was released exactly six weeks ago. With the trailer release, the hype to watch the movie increased.

There were rumours all around the world with people talking about how good the movie is going to be, and how this could be named one of the best movies ever made by Ian Renner.

With that news being all over, there were 2000 screenings already reserved for John Wick, although the release of the movie was still days ahead. The screenings were mostly occupied when the production studios owned them. But in Ian’s case, things were slightly different.

The Renner Studio didn’t own studios in general, but when the board decides that the hype needs to increase a bit, they commission the screening times so that extra time frames would be allocated for the movies.

This time, John Wick’s supposed season was about to get stolen with other movies—movies that would become insanely popular as they were being released from well-known studios.

But still, according to Ian who said, ‘we did our best’ when their meeting suggested the conversation topic, he thought that things would change when people see what a great movie with lots of action–John Wick is.

At the same time John Wick is going to be released, ‘Karma’, an adventure with a hint of action by Lincoln Studios was about to be released. Karma was a sequel to the already existing franchise, Heat; which basically was a series of movies about a young man who got lost in a desert.

People loved the movie, especially considering the actor was an A-listed actor with many talents backing him up—acting being on top of them.

The other competition for John Wick was Death Realism; an animated movie being released under the production of Goofy.

As it is clear now, the two movies were the talk of the town—but in this case, not just the town, but also the world. To add to them, the third movie that was building the storm was John Wick.

The attention was brought to John Wick as it was an action movie which was being done by Ian—and the weight was when it was publicized using the exact words, ‘heavy action movie’.

Ian’s normal cup of coffee was romance, adventure, animation, and things along with comedy. But a great action movie was what the fans were waiting for.

And now they’re getting it, the only prayers by the two directors were that the movie surpasses their expectations.

-

[Renner Studio - California]

“Mr. Leonard Eastman is here, sir. Should I send him in?” Murphy’s voice came through the intercom.

“In ten minutes. I’m busy with something important, ask him to stay,” Ian said and went back to typing what he was doing.

Ian was typing the request for approval to develop the newest video game idea he had with Feazel Gaming.

The discussions had been going on for quite some time. On the day of the party, Mr. Leonard—who was the active CEO after Ian took the company under his name, smoothly took over the ownership that was by Jeff.

From Jeff’s side, he didn’t know what happened, but with the information he got from his own lawyers, the Gaming company shares were shifted. With everything related to the studios that have been going on, he couldn’t put his head around the Gaming company, but let it slide away.

He wasn’t that invested in the company, either way, nevertheless, his assistant insisted it was not good and that he should focus more on it.

Jeff owned a small number of shares, but the majority was of Ian’s. That discussion between the pair hadn’t happened yet, and it would happen soon—the hope is it should end in just a discussion, but not a wrestling fight as things could and would escalate quickly.

“Send him in, I’m done,” Ian talked back to the intercom and Leonard walked in with a smile.

The last time both of them met was when the CEO walked in to warn about the ownership change, and since then, he never thought he’d want to meet with Ian again.

Because, it was when he walked into the office with much pride, ego, and certainty that he’d make Ian change his mind about the company—but then, the response wasn’t something he expected.

This time, he was smiling to his face, but deep down, he had gulped his self-respect and ego, because the only thing that kept food on his family’s table was his job.

“Good to see you, Leonard, how have you been?” Ian asked and the man walked in.

“Good. Good. So, I’m here to talk about Resident Evil.”

Ian nodded. “Yes, about that. I already sent in the overview of the story.”

“Yes, sir. Here are the documents, I’d need your signature as formalities. Also, we’d take time with the design, style, and setting. We decided to do something different with the main character. And it’d set Resident Evil apart from every type of video game that exists now.”

“Hmm… This is going to be different. I’ve several things that I need to discuss with the designers. The layout, effects, and even for the designs, I’d be meddling because I need to,” Ian said and read the paper in front of him. “Five percent for the designer?” he asked.

“Yes, sir. The designer is really talented. You should meet him, and see his work. Then you’ll know five percent is actually an understatement for his work.”

Leonard said with a huge grin.

“Make it twelve-”

“What?”

“Yes, you said he’s good right? Make it twelve percent.”

“T-That’s too much.” Leonard looked shocked suddenly.

“It’s not. You said to yourself he’s good. Why are you hesitating?” Ian asked and shrugged when he didn’t say anything. He leaned forward and kept his hands on the table. “We both know this video game is going to exceed seventy-five percent of the industry. If we’re lucky, assume eighty-five. And that’s more than enough profit—to be honest, that’s more than forty percent of income that Feazel earned for the last three months.”

Leonard gulped down visibly and shook his head. Ian noticed whenever he was nervous he’d gulp saliva down, as if he was going to hide his head under his throat—the visibility was clear to that extent.

“So?” Ian who sat opposite the table pushed to get an answer.

“I’ll make the amendments. Anything else sir?”

“Talk to Murphy and make appointments within the next two weeks with the designer and your team. Also, prepare the best team, thank you.”

-

[At a family gathering]

The family gathering was of John. The same John—Ian’s friend. If one was to walk in without knowing the context, they’d realise what the word ‘awkward’ and the word ‘intense’ mean.

The family gatherings have been intense ever since John turned eighteen. Nothing bothered his father, but John, the discussions where they all discuss how and where John’s future is headed, bothered him—a lot.

“...Now you’re saying what?” His father asked loudly.

“Are you serious? I can’t believe this! We thought the obsession with movies died with uncle! And this-”

The voice across the hall brought attention to his sister who looked as bewildered as him.

“Mom! Don’t push it! Please!”

“No, you listen to me, young man! You’re not even twenty-seven and right when you started to get the export business and fell into the rhythm… You’re taking a path that would lead you just like your uncle! What your mom was saying all these years were true! This is unacceptable!” His father yelled again.

If one were to assume what was going on, and how they were brought to this conversation, it’d be when John wanted to take another week off during the movie premiere and to participate in the functions and events that were about to happen after the release.

But as it’s clear, everything was going as he was not expecting.

“Calm down, father,” John spoke up and stood from his chair. “I’ve been listening to you my whole life, and trust me, it did us some good. The business is good now, everything is clear—and all I’m asking is for a week. Just to cover for me because this deal that we’re going to close is really important! You know it.”

“John, if you’re still not seeing the problem here-”

“I don’t. I don’t think I ever will.”

John said and took a huge breath. The past hour made him realise many things and out of all, he realised that this just isn’t going to work.

“What is it, John?” his sister asked for the first time during the entire time her parents were yelling at her brother.

“I’m going to work in Ian’s studio. I don’t think that needs any more explanation. Cover me or not, close the deal or not, I’ve had enough. I. Have. Had. enough. I’m not joking, mom!” John looked at her mother with so much pain in his eyes. His father still had a frown on his face. “I was trying to give closure to my passion so I could focus on business! But, that’s just wrong! I’m done. I’m really done this time. Thank you for everything.”

He said and walked out of the place where the people existed and crushed his dreams a long time ago. For all he knows, he was respectful of everything they provided, but he also knew that his passion, likes, and dreams aren’t worth dying for.

‘For everything, there’s got to be a start, and for John, this was it’