Page 12 of The Boss I Can't Stand
“We only gave them five minutes,” I pointed out. “I’m sure Elias intends to be more detailed on theactualcostumes.”
I also knew by reputation that he would work fast enough not to gum up preproduction, and he wasn’t the type to make waves or push back. He’d get in, do the job, collect his paycheck, and leave. He was the perfect employee. To hell with passion or dedication—I wanted efficiency and reliability. And the prestige attached to his name wouldn’t hurt, either, no matter what X said.
“I’ve got no complaints,” Jillian said.
Zev shrugged. “You all know costuming is out of my wheelhouse. Both options look…fine to me, I guess?”
X grimaced at me. “Elias is all style nowadays, no substance.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked him as he sat there in his metallic olive-green leather jacket. He wore it fitted over a burgundy turtleneck with wide-legged pants and chunky, futuristicsneakers. This man wasall aboutstyle. How could he complain about that from Elias? “They don’t give Oscars out for no substance.”
“He’s coasting on his previous successes,” X said. “What’s he won recently?”
“That’s a fair point,” Jillian conceded. “Elias is old news.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. Traitor. “He’s been nominated.”
“Out of nostalgia and habit—but he hasn’t won. I doubt he will again, unless he gets a serious wakeup call,” X said. “This may be a period piece, but I don’t want us stuck in the past. You need to move forward, Finn. Roll with the times. Get some fresh ideas around here.”
I rubbed my eyes. I didnotwant Sierra Banks working on my movie.
X stood and pulled Elias’s sketch down, dropping it on the table in front of us. “This is a basic outfit for the time period.Icould have designed this.”
“No,” I protested. “That’s…that’s what the scene called for. Something simple. Understated. But he still captured crucial details.” I gestured vaguely because the truth was Elias hadn’t actually made all that many connections to the characters when he’d explained his designs. “Look at how tight the vest is cut. It’s a nod to Tommy’s strict upbringing.”
X cocked his head and arched his eyebrow. “Sierrawas the one who pointed out that the suit shouldn’t be flashy. But she still managed to give it personality—and she showed that she understood the character, the period,andthe importance of the scene.”
I scowled.
“Elias is thesafebet,” X said. Brenna, Jillian, and Zev muttered to each other.
“There’s nothing wrong with safe,” I growled as X started to sway them. “Safe is good in this world. We all know that.” Besides, the script, the directing, and the performances were the centerpieces of this film. Everyone else’s job was to not get in the way and not gum up the works.
“I think we need to go with Sierra,” X said. “I’ve worked with her before. She’s talented, creative, a real collaborator?—”
“She’s too green.”
“She’s been in the biz ten years,” X protested.
“And yet she’s never worked on a production of this caliber.”
“What youmeanis she’s never won a big award,” X said. “She doesn’t have the prestige behind her name. But once upon a time, neither did I. Didn’t mean I was any less talented.”
My gaze strayed to the board with Sierra’s design. Damn it all, Ididlike it better. She had an eye for detail—small pockets, buttons, the subtle cuts and shapes.
It all felt so much more real. She clearly had a deep understanding of the character. And yet…No.No! “She’s going to drag the preproduction schedule out,” I said, latching onto my last argument.
“She gave you a very reasonable timeframe,” X said.
“Which you know is never theactualtime frame. People always lowball in interviews.” I needed this movie to be a success, and I shouldn’t be risking production by bringing in an unstable element who could throw everything out of whack.
The article with my mother’s comments appeared in my mind’s eye. Hart of Gold was going to put out an award winner, whatever it took. We were going to be synonymous with more than just mindless action flicks.
“She’s the right choice,” X agreed. “I want her on my team, Finn.”
I heard the words he wasn’t saying.I want her and if you tell me no, I’ll start questioning my commitment to this project.Frustration coiled inside me. Signing X was the only positive press this project had gotten so far. I adjusted my watch.
He wouldn’t actually consider walking if I didn’t hire her, would he? I couldn’t take that chance. But I also wasn’t going to compromise for nothing, either. Maybe X would be up for a little quid pro quo. I didn’t want Hart of Gold to be a one-hit-wonder withEvery Day Is Sunday.
