Paul Samuel Dolman - Beverly Hills Hobo

SOUTH BEACH PUBLISHING

Published by South Beach (USA)

404 Sweet Magnolia Court

Saint Augustine, Florida 32080

First printing, June 2018

Copyright 2018 by Paul Samuel Dolman

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

ISBN 978-1-890115-05-0

Printed in the United States of America

Cover design and interior layout by Matthew Wayne Selznick

Edited by Peter Dergee

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers, Internet addresses, and other contact information at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

Anything that costs you your peace is too expensive~

Other books by Paul Samuel Dolman

Hitchhiking With Larry David

Marthas Vineyard Miracles

Seven Crazy Days On Maui

What Matters Most

The next morning I call Avi and fill him in on the details of my meeting with Mickey.

He is silent for a moment before saying, Youve been here less than a week and you already have a movie star attached to a script with a name director? Thats insane. Are you being straight with me? No offense, but Ive seen so much bullshit in this town. Its my nature now to be suspicious.

I pause for dramatic effect. Tom, its not personal. Its just business.

Yes. Thats a such a powerful line from The Godfather , and it does apply here.

Avi asks me for my e-mail so he can send me a list of what I will need from either Mickey or his agency, CAA. I promise to keep him in the loop and hang up.

I then call my other rabbi, the Brew, who proceeds to give me a masters class in film financing and distribution.

About an hour later a detailed list arrives from Avi, which I immediately forward to Mickeys assistant, Thomas. Ten minutes later, I get a call from Mr. Rourke himself.

Pauly, its Mickey. Man, youre already beating the bushes on this for me?

Well, this thing has languished long enough. Lets see if theres anyone whos sincere about getting involved.

Thanks, man. Have you called my agent?

I look up at the clock. As soon as we hang up. I wanted to have an informed idea of what is required before diving in with those cats.

Thats smart. Thanks for keeping me in the loop. Are you going to be in the neighborhood today or tomorrow?

I consider my schedule. I might be up there tomorrow.

Cool. Come by if youre around. Peace.

We hang up and I call CAA. After winding my way through a gauntlet of assistants, I end up on the phone with his agent. The guy is pleasant and professional, yet also expertly evasive.

Me: So, do you have an actual line-item budget or not?

Agent: Not written down yet. But we do have a general idea.

Me: So that would be considered by most English-speaking people as a simple no.

Agent: Laughs a bit awkwardly. I guess you could say that.

Me: Okay then. I think I will say that we dont have an actual budget for the film yet. Correct?

Agent: Technically we dont.

Me: I think its too soon for us to get technical.

After hanging up, I send him a detailed list, courtesy of Avi, of what I need to help Mickey get his project to the next step.

The agent writes back within five minutes and says, Thank you for this. A very impressive framework for us to begin with.

Of course, I wonder what theyve been doing with Mickeys project for the last two years, but I also realize that most agents dont put things together from the ground up. Only a golden few have the ability and desire to really produce for their clients, and these people usually go into the world of production where theres far more prestige and money. In their defense, its much easier to place your client in an already established studio movie, and then cash the commission check.

I send the Queen a detailed update and she calls me immediately. You dont let the grass grow under you for very long, do you?

This makes me chuckle. Well, for the past few years Ive been so low key that a forest has grown up under and around me. So at the moment it feels stimulating to dive back in, but Im a little hesitant to call myself a producer.

Why not? Fake it till you make it.

The official motto of Los Angeles.

She lets out a laugh. Yes, thats for sure. I wish I had a dollar for every date here where the guy turned out to be completely full of shit.

If you did, youd have a huge house in Beverly Hills.

Touch.

I walk out on the Brews balcony overlooking the ocean, take a deep breath of the sea air, and continue. This whole town is built on appearance and perception. Its more important how something looks, as opposed to what it is organically.

Thats true. But as a tip, I would keep all that new age mumbo-jumbo under wraps in these meetings. It might not play well.

Yes, my sage.

When are you coming back this way?

Maybe tomorrow afternoon. I should go see Mickey, and it would be fun to spend some time with you.

Why dont you come up, take care of business, and stay in the guest suite. We could go down to the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel for a light dinner and to people watch. Its always an interesting crowd there. Besides, with your luck, youll probably run into someone you know.

Its a date.

Ciao bella.