Guttano returned the gesture of greeting, though his expression turned guarded. He gave Wen a tight smile as he offered her a seat. “You must be Mrs. Kaul.”
Wen sat down in the comfortable armchair in front of the studio executive’s wide desk. The translator, a prim young woman with long, thin hands, perched alertly in a seat next to her. Dudo and Tako stood against the wall by the office door. Both Green Bones were wearing their jade concealed, but Guttano studied them with faint unease before turning back to Wen. “I know who you are,” he told her, “but I can’t think of any reason I should be visited by representatives of a Green Bone clan. Diamond Light doesn’t have any projects currently filming in Kekon.”
The translator repeated Guttano’s words back to Wen in Kekonese. Wen said, “I’m here on behalf of the No Peak clan to ask you for a favor. It’s not a small request, and because we don’t know each other, I felt it was important that I come to Leyolo City to discuss it with you in person.” She waited for the translator to catch up. “The No Peak clan is a major investor in Cinema Shore, a Kekonese film studio that’s not very significant in terms of the global movie industry, but is the largest production company we have on our island. It’s enjoyed some recent commercial success, most notably a series of action movies starring Danny Sinjo.”
“The Fast Fists,” Guttano said enthusiastically, sitting forward and losing some of his initial reticence. “I’ve seen all three of them! Great entertainment. Second one’s still the best, but I like what they did with Danny’s character in the third one.”
“I’m partial to the first movie myself,” Wen said with a smile. “The Fast Fists series was domestically successful, with steady home video sales in Kekon and abroad. But they were made on a tight budget for the Kekonese audience. Cinema Shore’s next project is more ambitious. It’s a joint venture with a major Espenian studio, a big-budget action movie, the first Kekonese film poised to do well on both sides of the Amaric. But in order for the project to go ahead, it needs Danny Sinjo.”
Guttano was shaking his head before the translator even finished relaying Wen’s sentence. “I’m sorry, I’ve already spoken to Danny’s agent two or three times about this. Danny Sinjo is under a multiyear contract with Diamond Light, and it’s simply not possible for us to release him from that obligation. I know Sian Kugo from Cinema Shore and I like him, but he’ll have to find someone else for his project.”
“Danny Sinjo is the only Kekonese movie star with the international recognition to carry this film and the only major actor with the Green Bone training to pull off the stunts. The entire script was written with him in mind as the lead.”
Guttano opened his hands regretfully. “Then they’ll have to rewrite the script. Diamond Light has a filming schedule that’s depending on Sinjo as well.”
Wen folded her hands over her knee and gave the Shotarian studio executive her most calmly persuasive smile. “I completely understand that it’s not in your interest to release Sinjo from his contract. I’m here to make it in your interest to do so. Whatever you’ve discussed with Sinjo’s agent, set it aside. No Peak will pay twenty million sepas to Diamond Light to release Danny Sinjo from legal obligations to your studio. I understand that is three times what you were planning to pay him to play the underboss in the next Streets of Blood movie, which has not yet begun filming. Even accounting for the cost of potential delays and the trouble of finding a new actor to play the villain, you have to admit that is a generous reimbursement for your loss.”
Guttano had begun to look supremely uncomfortable. He swiveled back and forth in his chair and crossed his arms, still shaking his head. “I’m afraid that’s simply not possible,” he insisted again.
Wen felt annoyance rising steadily within her, but she kept speaking in the same convincing tone. She thought of the casual yet intimidating persuasiveness Hilo would have in this situation and tried to project some of her husband’s energy into her words. “Before you refuse so hastily, consider that my family would remember this favor. My husband is a powerful man in Kekon and our clan has strength in many other parts of the world as well. I don’t know how familiar you are with Kekonese culture, but we take friendship very seriously. Suppose you were to need the support of an influential ally at some point in the future—and who doesn’t, especially a man in your position? Think about how much more valuable that would be to you than the casting of a supporting actor in this one movie.”