A Needle in a Haystack

After lunch, Aaron Anderson left CAA to run errands for clients and, while he was at it, search for potential future Hollywood stars!

"Whew." After delivering a check to a star living in Santa Monica, Aaron came to the Santa Monica Pier and gazed at the Pacific Ocean before him, feeling strangely moved.

Los Angeles was certainly not hot at this time of year—in fact, it was even a little cold—but Aaron Anderson still wiped the sweat from his forehead.

During his earlier trial in the mailroom, Aaron Anderson had done practically every kind of odd job, except anything related to being an "agent."

CAA had taught him only one phrase: "The client comes first!"

Aaron Anderson's current duty was to act as a talent scout. He needed to find himself a few clients as soon as possible.

"I need a used car." As he spoke, Aaron Anderson prepared to return to Koreatown and find a used-car dealership to buy one.

Over the next two days, Aaron spent $680 at a used-car lot in Koreatown on a 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier.

He no longer had to wait for the bus to get to work. The car was a little beat-up, but at least it got him around.

As the new year arrived, Aaron Anderson continued running errands at CAA in the mornings, while spending his afternoons wandering around Hollywood film sets, university film schools, and other places, hoping to spot promising talent!

That day, Aaron Anderson and Jack Wells came to the USC School of Cinematic Arts again.

Aaron exhaled a puff of smoke. "Picking people this way is like searching for a needle in a haystack. It's practically like buying a lottery ticket—the odds are too low."

"Better to believe in yourself than God, right?"

Jack Wells looked helpless. "What else can we do? We cast a wide net, discover suitable newcomers, and then look for opportunities for them. We still need to expand our network!"

Aaron frowned. "What about fringe actors coming over from New York? The odds should be a little better, shouldn't they?"

Aaron had also hoped to run into a few people he remembered from his previous life. Yet over the past few days, he had wandered all over Los Angeles every day without encountering a single one.

"A few years ago, quite a few actors coming from New York didn't have professional agents, so there were plenty of opportunities."

Jack Wells shook his head. "But they're hard to find now. More and more agents are casting wide nets, and even newcomers with a little potential are often snapped up by more experienced agents."

"It's still best to cultivate them from the beginning, plan and package your clients well, build their reputations, and establish long-term working relationships!"

CAA used a joint-agent model for major stars, with several agents sharing responsibility.

It was meant to prevent poaching, but many major stars were tied to their lead agents. Poaching a star often meant poaching that agent.

It looks like I should focus on actors from overseas, Aaron thought. Or perhaps he could seek out the work of new directors. Finding people through their work was far better than searching blindly like this.

"Come on, let's get a drink." Aaron could not be bothered to think too much about it. After all, his main reason for becoming an agent was to get to know more people in the film industry.

Producers, directors, actors, and screenwriters were the groups Aaron paid the closest attention to.

That evening, after returning to his rental, Aaron took two Glock pistols from beneath his bed. After playing around with assembling them for a while, he took the guns and headed out.

Before long, Aaron drove to a vacant factory complex on the outskirts of East Los Angeles and began practicing shooting by himself. The more he used this equalizer, the more he loved it. When had he ever had an opportunity like this before?

"Bang, bang, bang..."

"I really am a shooting genius." Seeing his marksmanship improve at a rapid pace, Aaron could not help marveling at himself.

He then changed magazines, finished firing again, and only then drove away.

Beverly Hills, CAA headquarters.

"Hm, you want to go to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah? What, are you planning to try your luck there?"

Paula Wagner was somewhat surprised when she heard Aaron Anderson's idea.

"That's right. I want to take a look. Maybe some up-and-coming independent directors will catch my eye."

Aaron did not hide anything. "Searching for clients this aimlessly requires too much luck. It's not what I want!"

Paula Wagner shrugged. "But you're only nineteen. You haven't gone to college, and your connections are extremely limited."

"The Sundance Film Festival is a platform created specifically for independent filmmakers. Are you sure you can recognize good films?"

The Sundance Film Festival had been founded under the leadership of Robert Redford, a Hollywood star and director. This was its fifth year.

The current market and awards scene still belonged mainly to the traditional studios. Many people called for more opportunities for independent films, but the commercial market had its own preferences.

"I want to give it a try." Aaron looked at Paula Wagner. "If I really find a good opportunity, then I'll need the company's support!"

"That's a given." Paula Wagner nodded, then wrote out a check for $1,000 and handed it to Aaron. "Your performance these past few days has made Tom and me very satisfied. Take it."

"Mm, thank you!"

Aaron accepted the check. Seeing the amount, he felt pretty good about it. A thousand dollars—Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner were quite generous.

Aaron currently had only a little over $3,000 in cash to his name. Still, payday was coming soon, which meant another roughly $2,000.

Helping Tom Cruise book restaurants and arrange New Year's plans for him and his wife over the past few days had not been for nothing!

The Sundance Independent Film Festival lasted more than ten days in total. It was just the right time for Aaron to go. When he returned to his Koreatown apartment, he ran into his landlord.

"Hey, Aaron, rent's due." The bald landlord, Rafael, licked his lips and rubbed his belly as he grinned and held out his hand to Aaron.

"My dear Rafael, you've always been so diligent when it comes to collecting rent!"

As he spoke, Aaron pointed at the wooden staircase around the corner, then said angrily, "It's way too noisy here. Is it even safe? And the lock on the front door keeps breaking too. You should get someone to fix it!"

"Oh, dear Aaron, the price here determines the conditions," the bald Rafael said, spreading his hands in a helpless gesture. He really had a face that begged to be punched.

"Then warn the people next door. If they throw another party in their room and keep me awake, I'll make sure they understand just how serious the consequences are when I don't get enough sleep!"

"Uh, I'll remind them. You're not the only one who's complained," Rafael said, deciding that he would tell the neighbors to watch themselves once they returned.

Aaron's temper had clearly become more explosive than before. When it came to things he could not tolerate, he truly could not endure them.

After taking out a prepared check for $150 and handing it to the bald landlord, Aaron opened the door and went into his room.

He packed a few clothes, preparing to head to the Sundance Film Festival as soon as possible!