As Lucas entered the conference room, Ted Sarandos stepped forward with an extended hand and a warm smile. "Mr. Knight, it's a pleasure to meet you. Welcome to our content division."
Lucas shook his hand firmly. "Thanks for having me, Mr. Sarandos. I've been looking forward to this meeting."
Ted noticed Reed Hastings eyeing them from the doorway and quickly added, "Please, make yourself comfortable. Can we get you anything? Coffee, water?"
Lucas politely declined as he took a seat at the large conference table. The content team, visibly excited and a bit nervous, introduced themselves one by one.
Hastings, still hovering near the door, caught Ted's eye and gave a subtle nod. Ted understood the unspoken message - make sure their high-profile investor feels welcome and heard.
"So, Lucas," Ted began, leaning forward slightly, "we're all very curious about what brought you here today. Reed mentioned you have some ideas you'd like to discuss?"
Lucas smiled, his eyes scanning the room. He could feel the anticipation in the air. "That's right. I've been following Netflix's growth closely, and I think there are some exciting opportunities we could explore together."
The team exchanged glances, a mix of curiosity and excitement on their faces. Ted nodded encouragingly, "We're all ears. What did you have in mind?"
Lucas smiled and said, "Well, I can cameo in your popular series, House of Cards if you want," he joked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Ted's eyes widened, his tone serious, "Seriously?"
Seeing Ted's reaction, Lucas quickly clarified, "Well, I definitely could, but that's not the main reason I'm here. I actually came to see if I can invest in Netflix's future projects. I'd love to take a look at what you've got in the pipeline."
Ted's eyebrows shot up, and he exchanged a quick glance with Hastings, who nodded slightly. "You want to be a producer on some of our projects?" Ted asked, his voice a mix of surprise and intrigue.
Lucas nodded confidently. "Yeah, I think there's a real future in Netflix series, especially with the success of House of Cards. I'd like to be a part of that."
Ted smiled, but his expression turned cautious. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, Lucas, but I should warn you - investing in content can be risky. We've had our share of hits, but there have been misses too. It's not always predictable."
Lucas leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I understand that, Ted. But in business, risk is natural. I'm prepared for that. After all, without risk, there's no reward, right?"
Ted nodded slowly, impressed by Lucas's attitude. "You're right about that. Well, if you're serious about this, I think we should discuss some of our upcoming projects. We've got a few ideas that might interest you."
Lucas nodded and then joked, "Besides, with me as one of the producers, I think it'll get some attention, right?"
Ted chuckled, "Right." He nodded, then added with a grin, "I forget for a moment you're a big name in Hollywood." His expression turned thoughtful, and he continued, "You know, honestly, since you are a big investor in Netflix, I actually think you could promote the company?"
Though Ted had said it jokingly, Lucas considered it seriously for a moment. He replied playfully, "Well, that's totally possible. But Netflix should talk to my manager about that."
Ted laughed softly, "Right, of course."
Lucas leaned back in his chair. "But hey, who knows? Maybe I'll start casually mentioning Netflix in interviews. 'Oh, what am I watching these days? Just binging some great shows on Netflix.'"
The room erupted in laughter, and Ted shook his head in amusement. "You're dangerous, Lucas. I can see why you're so successful."
Hastings, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "I think we're getting ahead of ourselves here. Why don't we start by showing Lucas some of our upcoming projects? Then we can discuss potential involvement and... promotion."
Ted nodded in agreement. "Of course, of course. Lucas, are you ready to see what we've got in the works?"
Lucas leaned forward, his eyes bright with anticipation. "Let's do it. Show me what you've got."
Ted and the content team eagerly showed Lucas the scripts for various projects in development. Lucas's eyes lit up as he scanned through concepts for "Narcos," a gritty drama about drug cartels, and "The Crown," an ambitious historical series about the British royal family. He also showed interest in a quirky comedy called "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."
After a while, Lucas nodded appreciatively. "Some of these projects have really caught my eye. I'd definitely be interested in investing in them. But, I've also got a potential project that I think you might want to produce."
Ted was about to speak when Hastings interjected, curiosity evident in his voice, "What project could that be?"
Lucas smiled, knowing he was about to drop a bombshell. "My manager scooped up a project that was rejected by TV networks. It caught my attention, and I thought I'd see if you guys wanted to produce it. I'd be willing to invest a significant sum. It's a project by the Duffer Brothers, called 'Stranger Things.'"
Ted's eyebrows shot up, clearly intrigued. "Can we see the script?"
Lucas nodded, reaching for his phone. "Sure, I've got it right here." He opened a document on his phone and handed it to Ted and Hastings.
As they began to read, their expressions remained focused, with a hint of growing interest. Ted looked up, his eyes thoughtful. "This is interesting. A sci-fi horror set in the 80s with kids as the main characters? It's certainly different from what we've been seeing."
Hastings nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. "It's got a unique concept. There could be potential here."
Lucas watched their reactions carefully. "So, what do you think? Is it something Netflix might be interested in exploring further?"
Ted and Hastings exchanged a measured look, then Ted turned back to Lucas with a cautious smile. "I think we'd definitely like to take a closer look at this, Mr. Knight. It's an intriguing concept that could have promise. We'll need to discuss it further, of course, but it's certainly caught our attention."
Hastings nodded and added, "The concept is definitely new and original. Our company is always hungry for fresh content, and this script certainly has that creativity we're looking for."
Lucas nodded, a hint of passion in his voice. "That's exactly why I'm interested in Netflix. Hollywood these days seems to be heading down a path of reusing content and relying heavily on superhero movies to hit that blockbuster level."
Ted and Hastings exchanged surprised glances, impressed that a star of Lucas's caliber had such insight. Hastings said, "Though the movies like 'Gravity,' proved that it's not only superhero films that can reach blockbuster status."
Lucas chuckled, appreciating the compliment. He then leaned forward, his tone growing more serious. "About 'Stranger Things,' I really hope Netflix can produce it. I'm willing to invest substantially in this project."
Hastings raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Lucas's conviction. "You really think this project, rejected by TV networks, has that much potential?"
Lucas nodded firmly. "Yeah, I do. Sometimes the most groundbreaking ideas are the ones that don't fit into the traditional mold. I have a good feeling about this one."
Ted interjected, "Well, your instincts have certainly served you well in your career so far. We'll definitely give this serious consideration."
While Ted spoke, Hastings' mind was working overtime. He saw an opportunity to get on Lucas's good side, recognizing the potential long-term benefits of having a Hollywood A-lister in their corner. He decided to take a bold step.
"Well," Hastings interjected, "maybe there's no need to consider it further. If you, Lucas, with your proven track record and keen eye for quality, believe in this project, then our company can definitely make time to produce 'Stranger Things.'"
Ted shot a surprised glance at Hastings, his brow furrowing slightly. Inwardly, he wondered, 'Is he forgetting about all our other projects in development?'
Lucas looked at Hastings, a bit surprise evident in his eyes. "Seriously?"
Hastings nodded, a confident smile spreading across his face. "Yes. Netflix is willing to take this risk." Then, with amusement in his eye, he added, "That is, if you're willing to do that cameo in 'House of Cards' after all?"
The room erupted in laughter, the earlier tension melting away. Lucas grinned, shaking his head in amusement. "Why not? I'm always up for a good challenge."
Ted, recovering from his initial surprise, joined in the laughter. He realized that Hastings' quick thinking might have just secured them not only a promising new series but also a valuable ally in Lucas Knight. Despite his initial reservations, he couldn't help but admire the bold move.
***
Lucas spent a bit more time chatting with them before finally saying, "Well, I should be heading out now. I don't want to take up any more of your valuable time."
"It's not a trouble at all," Hastings said politely, smiling warmly.
After a round of handshakes and obliging a few employees who asked for pictures, Lucas made his way out of the Netflix building, a slight smile playing on his lips. Everything had gone as expected. It seemed Hastings was really keen on making a good impression, which wasn't unusual. Lucas had grown accustomed to this kind of treatment since his rise in the entertainment industry.
As he approached his car, Lucas noticed some odd-looking individuals observing him from a distance. He sighed inwardly, recognizing them immediately. These people had been shadowing him for days, never approaching, just watching. They weren't paparazzi, but in Lucas's mind, they weren't much better.
Lucas paused for a moment, his hand on the car door. He debated whether to confront them or just ignore their presence as he had been doing. They hadn't done anything threatening, but their constant surveillance was starting to wear on him.
Deciding it wasn't worth the potential scene, Lucas slid into his car, his earlier satisfaction slightly dampened by the reminder of his lack of privacy.