System in Hollywood

The next morning, Wayne and Mia arrived together at Hemera Productions, located in West Hollywood.

After a brief introduction by Sarah and a short conversation with the staff, Wayne met the screenwriter they'd hired—a young man in his mid-twenties with short golden-brown hair, black-rimmed glasses, and a somewhat thin frame.

"This is Bill Cratch, with whom we've worked twice before. He specializes in humorous dialogue with a comedic flair and, more importantly, works very quickly. Cratch, this is Wayne Anderson, the new owner of Hemera Productions, and I'm now working for him."

"H-hello, Mr. Anderson, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Bill said, barely able to hide his shock.

Wayne was just too young and handsome! As a screenwriter with a long-term relationship with Hemera Productions, Bill was well aware of the company's dire financial situation. "Handsome and rich," Bill thought enviously, but quickly composed himself, knowing the low status of screenwriters in Hollywood.

"Hello, Cratch, let's sit down and talk," Wayne said casually, shaking his hand before sitting down.

Wayne had studied Western film history and theory in his previous life, so he was sure that Bill Cratch wasn't a well-known name. Therefore, there was no need to be overly concerned about him.

"Okay, Mr. Anderson."

Bill nervously sat down and quickly pulled out his notebook, ready to take notes.

"My idea is this…"

Without wasting any time, Wayne immediately shared the story outline he had "come up with."

After thinking it through carefully the night before, he decided not to go for an easy-to-make, low-budget horror film. Instead, he chose the American campus comedy *Accepted*.

This film is about Bartleby Gaines, a high school senior who, after being rejected by eight colleges, is under immense pressure from his parents to get into a university.

He can no longer use his charming yet insincere ways to skate through life.

A constant skeptic of the American education system and societal rules, Bartleby now faces the consequences of being "different": no college is willing to accept him.

Faced with this grim reality, along with pressure from his parents, the 18-year-old feels deeply worried about his future. 

He feels like a lost soul abandoned by fate, and realizes he has to find a way out for himself.

"So, he comes up with a genius idea: why not start his own university? A university that accepts everyone!"

Before Wayne could even finish, everyone in the room was stunned, especially Sarah, whose formal smile widened, her icy blue eyes brightening.

"Oh my God! Start his own university?! That's pure genius!" Mia exclaimed.

Indeed, even though this movie didn't come out in the parallel timeline until 2006, the plot would feel fresh even in modern online literature.

It's an easily relatable story for ordinary students and slackers alike, which is why this low-budget campus comedy, featuring no major stars, did so well both in America and overseas.

Even though students across the ocean aren't as wild or indulgent as their American counterparts, the pressure to get into college is much higher.

"With the help of his slacker friends, they set up the 'South Harmon Institute of Technology,' or S.H.I.T., in an abandoned mental hospital."

"Pfft—"

Mia couldn't help but laugh out loud, spilling her coffee.

Both Sarah and Bill, as professionals, also showed surprise and excitement.

"An abandoned mental hospital? And they're spoofing another university?" 

"And that acronym—S.H.I.T.! Oh my God, that's brilliant!"

The university's name hit Bill right in his screenwriter's soul.

Wayne smiled and continued, "Thanks to a clever mistake during the website setup, anyone who submitted an application received an automatic acceptance letter!"

"Hundreds of students, rejected by other universities for various reasons but desperate to attend college, receive their acceptance letters from South Harmon and show up."

"One student's story reflects many: when he received the acceptance letter, it was the first time his parents told him, 'We're proud of you.'"

This touching moment made Sarah's eyes light up again.

Clearly, this wasn't just a silly comedy; it had heart, too! This added depth significantly raised Sarah's opinion of the story.

Bill felt the same.

Wayne went on, "Seeing so many students from all over arrive, Bartleby, who initially wanted to tell them the truth and send them away, was deeply moved."

"For the first time, he felt a sense of responsibility."

"He had given these people a dream, and he couldn't bear to shatter it."

"So, despite his friends' objections, he decided to make this fake university real."

"He started studying other colleges' curriculums, structures, and talking to real students, developing unique courses that slowly transformed the once chaotic school into something legitimate."

"But as their efforts grew, they eventually caught the attention of the real Harmon College."

"Unsurprisingly, Bartleby's actions amounted to fraud, and they soon faced the threat of prison."

"Bartleby was scared, unsure of what to do. But when he saw the hope he'd brought to these hundreds of students, he found new courage."

"They began preparing to fight the lawsuit."

"After a tough legal battle, Bartleby gave a heartfelt speech in court, moving not only the judge but also a state senator who had attended."

"In the end, Bartleby was convicted of fraud and sentenced to one year in prison."

"But the university he founded was allowed to continue operating, with help from the senator, and was officially recognized as a real institution."

"The film ends with Bartleby returning to the school a year later, greeted by applause and cheers from the students, both old and new, as he resumes his role as the university's president."

Wayne finished speaking.

Sarah and Bill were deep in thought, their faces still showing traces of shock.

Mia, already captivated by Wayne's charm, gazed at him, unable to hide her admiration.

Does Hollywood lack good scripts? Not really.

But a script with a solid story, low production difficulty, low cost, and almost no risk of failure? Those are rare.

And most importantly, in the year 2000, this story felt incredibly fresh. 

(End of chapter)