Chapter 64

Just two days later, Elsie got a call from the director—he was practically begging her to help secure funding. The script was one Aiden brought in, said it was his cousin’s debut film, and hoped she’d star in it. She read it over—really solid—so she said yes. Now, the director wasn’t some amateur. He used to shoot documentaries on ethnic minorities and even bagged an international award or two. Skill-wise, no problem. But money-wise? Dude was broke. So broke he’d try to shoot five scenes with just two setups. On the phone, his tone was already pretty awkward. “I—I need your help. Can you come with me to pitch an investor?” Elsie knew the director wasn’t the type to sell her out to some sleazy businessman just for money, but still, she asked, “Who’s the investor?” The second she spoke, you could hear hope creeping into his voice. “Harding Group. Aiden told me not to ask you, but the pre-production budget’s blown. If we don’t get more money, we’re screwed. We won’t even be able to start