“Oh, my God,” I said. “That could have killed her.”
John asked Ted, “Did they ever figure out what caused it?”
“I don’t know,” said Ted. “I don’t think I’ve asked about it since she broke her leg.”
“Man, it really was one thing after another, wasn’t it?” I said in amazement. “That poor woman.”
“It was like she was cursed,” Ted said.
“Cursed?” I repeated with sudden dread.
“But the surgery on her leg went well and it sounds like she’ll be all right,” he added. “Well, as long as nothing else happens to her for a while.”
I took a breath to steady myself. When Ted said curse, he was just using a figure of speech—a very apt one, given Mary’s run of bad luck. Max had said the death curse would work quickly and couldn’t be mitigated; and, obviously, Mary wasn’t dead. She also didn’t have anything to do with Joe Ning. Or with Benny Yee, apart from being in his nephew’s film.
“Are you all right?” John asked me. “You look a little . . . I don’t know.”
“Oh, I’m fine,” I assured him. “Mary’s story is just really upsetting, you know?”
“In that case,” said Ted, a big grin starting to spread across his face, “let me take your mind off it with some good news! My new backer has stepped up to the plate. We can keep filming after Uncle Benny’s investment runs out!”
“Hey! That’s great!” In the spirit of the moment, I gave Ted a big hug. “I’m so glad.”
“Great news, Ted. Congratulations!” John shook his hand, patted his back, then turned to give me a hug.
I was so pleased I’d be working for a while longer, and so grateful to John for introducing me to Ted, I squeezed hard.
When we let go, he murmured, “You smell nice.”
I laughed. “I think that’s crab in spicy sauce. Or maybe Nelli.”
“It’s definitely not Nelli,” he said with a smile. “I remember what she smells like.”
“Who’s Nelli?” Ted asked.
“Never mind,” said John. “So who’s your new backer?”
“I can’t really say.” Ted made a vague gesture. “He wants to be a silent partner. For the time being, anyhow. At least until we get more details worked out.”
“But he’s investing enough money for us to finish the film?” I prodded.
“That’s one of the details we have to work out,” said Ted. “Exactly how much money he’s putting in. He wants to see a budget and, well, I don’t really have one. Well, not like a detailed, formal one. Most of it is in my head.”
Somehow this didn’t surprise me. And since there seemed to be a hole in Ted’s head . . .
“Still, it’s good news,” I said, determined to look on the bright side. For a while longer, I could keep eating and continue saving toward next month’s rent, and I was acting instead of waiting tables or office temping. So it was all good.
“I have good news, too,” said John. “Since you’re not sure how much of the, um, budget your new backer will cover, I think I’ve got a plan for raising additional money.”
“Really?” Ted was suddenly alert. (Indie filmmakers are always alert when someone says they might be able to raise money.)
“Since I’m pretty much carrying my lab partner through this term, he owes me a big favor,” said John. “The upshot is that his girlfriend, who does something in NYU’s film school, says she can help us host an investor event. She’s done this before, and it worked, so she knows the ropes.”
John explained that Ted would need to prepare a short sample reel from the movie—a full scene or two, plus a short montage of some other scenes and shots. Then he’d rent a hall and invite a few dozen venture capitalists to come to view the reel. Among them, there should be a few people who’d be willing to invest in the movie. John’s NYU acquaintance would help us stage the whole evening for maximum effect and best results.
“Oh, I know what to use! I’ve got some great footage of a speech that Jianyu makes to Brian about Confucian values. Archie delivers the whole monologue while working with his nunchaku.” Ted demonstrated by waving an imaginary version of the flailing weapon all around his head. “It’s really cool.”
“Archie doing his moves might work better in the montage,” said John. “He does look impressive doing his thing.”
I shrewdly sensed that John might not be a big fan of Jianyu’s tedious speeches.
“Hmm.” Ted thought it over.
“Anyhow, I think you should definitely use one of Esther’s scenes. I know it’s mostly a Chinese story, but I think it’ll get investors interested when they see how good she is in the movie,” John said. “And you’d need to prepare some comments about the film, Ted. A short introduction, talking about the themes and the story, its meaning and message, why it will appeal to audiences. You know the sort of thing.”
Ted nodded and recited, “ABC is a coming-of-age story about a first-generation American-born Chinese guy torn between his attraction to Western culture and its emphasis on the individual, as represented by Alicia, and traditional Chinese culture, with its emphasis on family, duty, and the importance of face, as represented by Mei.”
“Well, you’ve got time to work on the speech,” John said tactfully. “You’ll also need to prepare a package to hand out. It should include a written summary of the film—”
“A treatment,” I supplied.
“Oh, right, that was the word.” John nodded. “And you’ll have to provide the attendees with a copy of the budget—so, um, it’s just as well you’ll be working on that for your silent backer.”
“Oh, right . . . A budget . . .”
“After we show the film clip, there could be a question-and-answer session with the actors. The investors would probably like to see the cast.”
“We could come in costume,” I suggested. “Archie could do a martial arts routine. Cynthia and Brian could talk about their characters. And I . . . um . . .” I could fight off hypothermia in one of Alicia’s costumes.
“You can charm the investors,” said John. “Just be yourself and say funny things, the way you do.”
Without being immodest, I had to agree that being myself would be more charming than being Alicia.
I said, “So it sounds like this event would cost time and money, but it could really pay off if done well, Ted.”
“We’d need to supply refreshments, too, obviously.” John added to me with a smile, “You can’t host anything in Chinatown without providing food.”
“In that case,” I said, “count on me being there.”
“We should make sure we invite a lot of Chinese and ABC investors,” said Ted enthusiastically. “After all, this is their story.”
Who knew? Maybe they’d see it that way, too, and sink money into Ted’s flaccid script. At any rate, it was a good idea, and I said so to John.
Ted agreed and gave him a hearty handshake, thanking him for making the initial contact that generated this idea. John offered to introduce Ted to his lab partner’s girlfriend as soon as possible, to get the ball rolling.
“Man, the morning started off so bad, and now just look at where we are tonight!” Ted said happily. “I’ve secured a new backer. John’s contact can help us find more investors. And your detective friend, Esther, will help us get our location permits. Our luck is really changing!”
As if to punctuate that statement, his cell phone rang.
“Detective friend?” John said to me while Ted looked at his phone to see who his caller was.
“Oh, no,” Ted said wearily. “It’s Susan.”
His sister probably couldn’t leave the front of the store untended, and phoning him certainly made more sense than bellowing a conversation through the multi-floor maze of this building.