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Henry and Charlize arrived at the café first. They hadn't waited long when John Crosby walked in. Charlize immediately stood and waved. "Mr. Crosby, over here."
As he entered, John Crosby's eyes instantly landed on the man standing beside Charlize. After greeting her, he asked, "Is this your boyfriend?"
Henry extended his hand first and introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Henry Brown, Ms. Theron's friend. I've been around Hollywood for a while—just here today to help her feel more at ease."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Brown. I'm John Crosby, head of Crosby Talent Management. Which agency are you currently signed with?"
John shook Henry's hand and handed over his business card. His smile was polite, but his expression stiffened ever so slightly—just enough to read as annoying obstacle spotted. It wasn't overt, more like a micro-expression one could easily miss.
Henry's own self-control was excellent. Without reacting, he calmly accepted the card and gestured toward the seats. "Please, have a seat. I'm only registered with SAG. I'm not signed with any agency."
"Oh? Well, would you be interested in signing with us as well, along with Ms. Theron?"
Henry chuckled. "I only did some background roles two years ago. A few veteran actors told me I didn't have the kind of looks that get leading roles.
"At best, I might survive on small supporting parts—enough to stay alive, but not enough to get rich. So now I have other work, and I'm not pursuing acting aggressively. But Ms. Theron knows even less than I do, so I came to help her look over the contract."
He wasn't trying to pose as an industry veteran—he'd get exposed instantly. Better to stick with the truth.
He wasn't trying to pressure this man into giving a no-name actor the red-carpet treatment. He only wanted John to understand: I'm not a clueless newbie, so think twice before pulling anything shady.
Whether John fully caught the hint or not, his gaze softened significantly. After ordering a coffee from the server, he pulled a document from his briefcase and placed it on the table.
"Yesterday on the phone," John said, "I discussed signing with our agency. We cover a broad range of work—from films and TV to music videos and print modeling.
"With Charlize's qualities, I believe she'll stand out quickly. Perhaps she won't land a film role immediately, but she can start with an acting school to hone her craft, while working as a model to earn living expenses.
"Since you've worked as a model in Europe before, this part should be very familiar to you."
On the surface, everything sounded smooth and promising. But talent scouts were experts at painting rosy pictures.
Henry kept his guard up and looked at the contract on the table. "This is the agreement? May I take a look?"
"Go ahead," John said.
With Charlize's permission, Henry picked up the contract.
Everything on paper—from agency scope to commission structure—was standard and legal. The concern lay in the upfront investment clauses.
The agency would cover Charlize's acting school tuition. And since the agency was taking on the initial cost, the contract's length and exit conditions became far more complicated.
Legally, first-time contracts are one year, with extensions up to three. But this contract included priority renewal rights.
If in the first year Charlize did not generate enough profit to cover her training costs, the agency could unilaterally extend her contract.
And termination? She could leave—if she reimbursed all upfront costs.
The actual numbers weren't listed. They would depend on "actual training expenses." Which meant it was only slightly better than signing a blank contract.
For someone with no background, no money, and no support, the terms—though containing risks—were not necessarily malicious if the agency truly intended to develop her.
But Henry's X-ray vision had already scanned the documents still in John's briefcase.
The other contract inside was far less benign.
That version covered training, wardrobe, living expenses, even a luxury women's apartment—generous to the point of absurdity.
But the required profit quota for the first year was… something that would make even white-collar workers faint. If she failed, then from the second year onward the girl was effectively enslaved by debt.
She'd have only two options:
1. Work multiple jobs to pay off massive debt
2. Continue enjoying the first-year "princess package," but become company property
This was how Hollywood produced its fallen starlets. Many girls didn't come to L.A. intending to fall—most simply signed contracts they didn't understand, believing they could be Julia Roberts, transformed from nobody to Cinderella overnight.
By the time reality sank in, it was already too late.
The very existence of that unseen contract told Henry everything he needed to know about Crosby Talent Management.
They were not saints.
John simply hadn't pulled out the worst contract because Henry was present.
But even with that knowledge, Henry couldn't just say, He's dangerous. Stay away.
There was no proof.
Those contracts were still in the bag. You can't accuse every man of assault just because he could have a gun in his pants.
Maybe—just maybe—John really did intend to develop Charlize properly.
So Henry calmly walked Charlize through the terms—line by line—without embellishment, without emotional language.
When he finished, he said:
"This contract is standard. Mostly adapted from the SAG sample, with some additions.
"The termination compensation is essentially reimbursement for the training fees. If you're willing to pay for the acting school yourself, that clause could probably be removed."
John immediately added, "Yes, Charlize—if you cover your own tuition, we can remove the termination fees. I only offered the subsidy because I know you're in a difficult financial situation.
"Whether you accept it is up to you. But if you want to be a film actress, don't say you don't need acting school.
"The instructor I'm sending you to—many top stars go to him for guidance. He's not only brilliant at acting, he's brilliant at teaching it.
"Many famous actors can perform, but can't teach. And more importantly, studying under him is like holding a credential.
"If you meet a director who values acting ability, and you don't yet have any representative work, your acting coach becomes your proof of quality."
"…I'll think about it."
The future Oscar-winning actress now stood at a crossroads in her life.
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