:17:01
Because you let 85 million popcorn eaters
pull you this way and that way.
:17:05
To write a movie, you must forget
anyone's ever going to see it.
:17:08
You're gonna make damn sure
nobody sees this one.
:17:11
Well, maybe I am. But I figure
there's two ways to live in this world.
:17:15
One is you can crawl and kiss ass
and write their happy endings...
:17:19
...sign their long-term contracts and never
take a chance on anything and never fly...
:17:23
...never leave Hollywood. Save all
your goddamn money, every cent of it.
:17:27
And then when you're a healthy-looking 50,
you die of a stroke...
:17:31
...because whatever was wild in you
has eaten away the muscles of your heart.
:17:35
The other way is to let the chips
fall where they may.
:17:39
Refuse to sign their contracts and
tell off the guy who can cut your throat...
:17:44
...and flatter the little guy
who's hanging by a thread that you hold.
:17:48
John, maybe you shouldn't be
in the picture business.
:17:50
Well, maybe you're right, kid.
Maybe I shouldn't.
:17:53
Maybe I should've wandered the planet
gambling on oil wells...
:17:57
...or stolen diamonds
or pimped for maharajahs.
:18:01
Maybe you should've
but you know why you didn't?
:18:03
Because somewhere deep inside of you
is a small, tiny spark of hope.
:18:08
Hope, hell.
:18:10
I'll die broke in a downtown Los Angeles
flophouse. And I won't be bitter.
:18:16
I'll have contributed maybe five,
10 damn good pictures.
:18:20
They'll name a special Academy Award
for me. And you know something?
:18:23
All the wrong guys will get it.
And I'll be in hell, laughing my ass off.
:18:30
Romantic futility.
:18:32
- Your one true love.
- Nothing to be ashamed of, kid.
:18:35
No, no, no, I didn't say that.
:18:37
But I admit, you are right
about the ending, John.
:18:39
I think you should kill them all
and blow everything up!
:18:43
I knew you'd ultimately see it my way.
:18:47
Morning, boys.
:18:49
If it isn't the producer, right on cue.
:18:51
I have just come from a meeting...
:18:54
...and I think the financial deal is finally set.
:18:58
- Good. When do I get my take?
- Oh, you'll get it.