[Chapter 17: Poor Book Presale]
At Chris Book House, Locke was busy directing the employees running around, the place in a mess.
"Damn it, we paid a big deposit, and now they're just postponing the printing date. They won't lose a thing! Reject those rude demands!" Locke was in bad shape, with grease stains on his chubby belly and greasy brown hair hanging messily on his face. He scolded the staff while making a gesture to Charlie.
After dismissing the employees, the two went to the office.
Charlie smiled as he looked him over, "What's going on? You don't look yourself!"
Locke appeared agitated. He lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and with wide, troubled eyes said, "I coordinated with the Simon & Schuster channels for presales. We worked overtime and managed to distribute your paperback edition of Fifty Shades of Gray throughout the entire Greater Los Angeles area just before yesterday."
"Sales results are poor?" Charlie frowned.
"Exactly!" Locke's eyes were bloodshot. "Charlie, I put decades of Chris Book House's reputation on the line to help you! If it fails, it'll be sold off cheaply to Simon & Schuster."
"Oh, don't be so sentimental about it," Charlie said with no sympathy, smirking instead. "Aren't we all just after the money?"
"Damn it, you have to help me. You gotta help me!" Locke shouted anxiously.
Charlie shrugged helplessly, "Alright, calm down. You're nearly fifty and still so unstable. I respect that you had the guts to gamble. I'll figure something out. Any investigation reports?"
"All here." Locke handed over documents. "I hired a third-party book research firm. The analysis shows I lost the bet. Fuck!" He cursed himself.
It was obvious he was under immense pressure.
Charlie took the reports and read them with puzzlement.
It shouldn't be this way. With such buzz, why would it fail? Even a badly reviewed book could sell well for some time with proper hype.
The survey was quite professional.
Minutes later, a smile appeared on Charlie's face. "I get it."
It was the audience!
...
Reading books is tough for people with lower education levels.
Plus, the book was expensive. Novels usually attract a better-educated audience.
But Fifty Shades of Gray was too down-to-earth, and Alicia's overly dramatic performance, alongside her escort background, made her less respected.
Locke looked defeated. "Damn it, I should have realized earlier. It's over. People who like this kind of third-rate writing usually only choose cheaper movies or TV shows."
"Don't worry. It's not a big problem."
"What other options do we have?" Locke grabbed Charlie's collar like a drowning man clinging to a lifeline.
Charlie didn't mind his excitement and smiled, "Did you notice the majority of readers were men?"
"And?"
"Everyone has desires. If the book's content grabs the audience, even if they pretend to be all prim and proper, there's a huge market for third-rate novels. The problem is the marketing strategy!"
Fifty Shades of Gray rose to fame riding on 20th Century Fox's coattails.
It was seen as Alicia's story -- a woman courageously pursuing love.
"You mean?" Locke was starting to understand.
Charlie explained, "Yes, people thought the book was about a lovesick woman chasing a man. Male readers, the main market, don't like 'Dominant CEO Loves Me' stories."
"Exactly. Your analogy's perfect!" Locke nodded vigorously, finally smiling again, but then frowned, "So, what should we do?"
Charlie lounged in his chair, tossing the documents aside and confidently pointed two fingers.
He gave two plans.
First, change the promotional direction. Make the theme: Want to know how rich upper-class men get women to do their bidding?
Second, lower the book's price.
Locke nodded along until the second part and then waved his hand, "No way. If I do that, the whole industry will come down on me!"
Charlie looked disdainful, "You're really stupid. I think a book about a woman striving for love and self-discovery -- showing a new independent woman breaking social conventions -- deserves support from anyone with a conscience and a sense of justice. So, we'll launch an Independent Women's Fund entirely to promote lowering the book's price.
Anyone causing trouble over this would just be discriminating against women and rejecting female independence!"
Locke was shocked, then burst out laughing, "God, you're shameless -- promoting a book in an objectifying way while lowering the price under the banner of independence. I love you."
Charlie modestly waved his hand, "Thanks for the compliment."
Locke frowned again, "Are you sure the so-called independent women will support this?"
"Why wouldn't they?" Charlie raised an eyebrow. "20th Century Fox will stir the waters."
By then, in the name of independent women, experts would invoke Stockholm Syndrome.
They'd also criticize those who try to act like men -- saying they're not truly independent women and are the biggest discriminators of their own kind.
In the end, Alicia would be hailed as a real independent woman.
America is the land of freedom, right? So let's mix it up. Anyway, Independence Day will benefit, as will the Fifty Shades of Gray book and movie projects.
Sure, some people will hate it fiercely, but who cares.
Hate or love -- that's better than obscurity. In showbiz, on top of having a decent product, you want buzz.
With that sorted, Charlie was about to leave.
...
Suddenly, there was a ruckus outside.
An assistant yelled while the door was kicked open, "Mr. Locke, I can't hold him back!"
Raymond entered with a young man, sneering, "It's him. He published the book you ghostwrote. If you want your money, go to him."
The young man looked frustrated and helpless.
"What are you doing, Raymond?" Locke demanded.
Raymond sneered mockingly, "Nothing. Just telling you I found a new partner. Oh, I heard Fifty Shades of Gray had terrible presale results?" He glanced at Charlie, "Like I said, kid, you gotta get your spelling right. Otherwise, promoting crap doesn't help."
"Get out!" Charlie glared angrily. This guy was as disgusting as dog shit.
Locke equally hated him and sneered, "Leave. Sorry to inform you Fifty Shades of Gray will sell like crazy. We have new plans."
Raymond looked fearfully at Charlie and finally gave him a contemptuous look.
...
"And you, sir?" Locke asked the young man left behind.
"I... I ghostwrote some stories for Raymond. He promised to pay me but..." The young man hesitated.
Charlie said, "Clearly, he's a lying bastard. You won't get a dime."
The young man was discouraged and about to leave.
Charlie suddenly called him back, asking Locke to bring Raymond's book so he could identify his writing. Charlie read while asking, "What's your profession, student?"
"Garen Sali," the young man replied quickly. "I'm Raymond's student, majoring in literature."
"Good writing. You probably need money?"
"Yes!" Garen nodded, "My dad went bankrupt. My family's in trouble. I still have student loans to repay."
Charlie looked up smiling, "You're lucky. I'm happy to help. I plan to give you a job immediately, first to help me coordinate publication and promotion of Fifty Shades of Gray with Chris Book House.
In the future, I'll commission your writing and help you develop into a screenwriter or producer.
Come to the Burbank Haas Building 901 tomorrow morning to sign the contract. Any questions?"
"No!" Garen was ecstatic, nodding rapidly and waving to Charlie's departing figure. "Thank you, Mr. Corleone, truly grateful!"
Locke shrugged and chuckled, "Can't figure out that kid. Garen, you've found a good boss."
*****
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