The General Council, Robert dropped by the house the minute he found out we were home. Zeena is all over him sniffing him. "Ok. Ok." He laughs, as he pulls a plastic shopping bag that he had tucked in his coat. He opens it up and gives Zeena a big fresh bone. It has lots of meat still stuck to it. He smiles as Zeena trots over to her bed with it. "I got it from Roy's down the road from us at lunchtime. She deserves a reward for saving you."
We sit and talk. He is upset and concerned that I was attacked. I promised him I am fine. "William & Robert took great care of me, and I would use them again in a heartbeat if I needed them." I say.
"Hopefully there is never another next time like this." He says. "Crowd control is one thing, actionable threats is another."
A week later I am back in training for the movie. First it's getting back into movie shape. Which means diet, heavy protein for building muscle and a handful of supplements every morning before our workouts. Strength and conditioning in the morning. Fight training in the afternoon.
My assistant Marie has been great. She stops in at least once a week between training sessions to keep me up to date, have me sign contracts, and sometimes she just catches me up on office gossip.
One of the good things that came out of me getting attacked in Canada was the "stain" on the New York agency. When the news broke that Big Al was arrested, and mobsters were involved in the agency, a lot of their talent left. I didn't even need Ezzie. We have picked up a lot of new talent from them. Goldstar Talent Agency is booming.
Tom's third payment is coming due, and I want him gone. Between Tom's clients, June's, the extra clients we picked up from the New York agency, and all the talent Ezzie has helped me sign, The Goldstar Talent Agency has grown from Tom's original value of about $1.5 Billion to $2.75 Billion now.
I could waive most of my pay this year and just pay him the $300 million he is due for the last few payments. My pay is a little over 15% of the value of the contracts. That has bumped my pay up from the original $250 million. Up to just shy of $450 million. Goldstar will be mine free and clear.
Robert tries to talk me out of it. He even cheats and calls Mike on me. Mike tries to talk me out of it. I would be losing out on a lot of interest I could make on the money. Mike admits. "I can't stop you since you aren't using your inheritance money, but I think..". He says but I interrupt him.
"No Mike, you can't stop me." I say a little too meanly. "I am sorry, Mike." I say and I pause. "He is an asshole and I want him out of my life."
Mike's face softens. "I understand, Mary. It's my job to advise you of what is in your best interest. I told you that a long time ago."
"I know Mike, and I truly do appreciate it, but I want to do this." I say.
"Ok it's not like you are strapped for cash. This will all be paid out of Goldstar's wallet, or their payroll. However they want to do a little creative accounting. You won't be draining your personal bank account." Says Mike.
I smile at Mike. "Thank you for understanding."
The next day Marie shows up with paperwork from Robert for me to sign. To give up my pay and then pay off Tom early. I know thanks to Ezzie, he has nothing but my best interests in mind.
I start filming The Agency on Monday. Training has been a lot, but kind of fun too. I come home late after our last fight training, battered and bruised. I kept missing a block and getting hit over and over again with my trainer's padded fist. My ribs are feeling it. We were all told to rest up over the weekend. The real thing starts Monday.
I walk in my house and Anna is sitting on my sofa smiling? "Hi Cous." She says.
"Anna!" I yell and I run to her to hug her. I wince as she hugs me, but I don't care. "What are you doing here?" I ask, as I look and see Jim & Larry in the kitchen
She looks at Larry. "Someone is here for his stuntman experience." She says.
"Really! That's great. What movie?" I ask, and everyone smiles.
"Tell her." Says Anna.
Larry smiles. "The Agency."
"WHAT? No way." I yell and everyone is smiling. "Wait how long have you known you were doing The Agency?" I ask Larry
"Well." He says.
"Ezzie?" I ask.
I can hear the laughter in Ezzie's voice. "Since the cookout at the cabin."
"What! And you never told me?" I ask, but I know the answer as she says it.
"I didn't want to ruin a surprise." She says.
I know I will never win with Anna, but I bet I can with Larry. I walk right up to his chest, and start poking my finger in his chest with every word as I look up at him. "You knew and didn't tell me?"
Larry steps back and points at Jim. "I told him. He knew. They conspired against you." He says as he scurries around me to stay out of reach.
I look at all three of them. "You are all." I say waving my hand around at them. "On my shit list." As I think in my head. "That includes you too."
"I know." Giggles Ezzie.
Jim wraps me up in a hug, smiling. "Now now. Don't be cranky. Did you get beaten up again today?" He asks, rubbing my back.
"I did." I say with an over exaggerated whining voice.
"How about Larry and I go to Johnnie's and pick up some dinner, and while we are gone you can soak in the pool for a bit." He says.
The fries would be a cheat, but it sounds so good. "Ok." I sigh.
The guys leave and I start stripping. "No bathing suit?" Asks Anna giggling.
"Honestly my ribs are too sore. I don't want anything wrapped around me." I say.
"And when the guys come back." Says Anna.
"Fine." I sigh as I grab a robe off the back of my bedroom door.
"What about me?" Anna asks.