BOOK ONE: DECEPTIONS
Chapters One to Twenty Six
Vignettes 1 - 140

BOOK TWO: YESTERDAY ECHOES
Chapters 27 to
Vignettes 141 -

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Vignette #63: Torkelson

Ian barely had enough time to gather the team and announce Jenson’s script had garnered them a guaranteed spot on the fall schedule, when David Turner made an unscheduled appearance. He was handed out champagne and he seemed to be as genuinely excited as the rest.

Before glasses was emptied, the team was already off and running on the next project. With one firmed, they were stoked to make sure they had more to offer. There was a comedy they all liked, a Jack Benny-esque show within a show format, but modernized within the setting of a local cable show that broadcast from the home of a rural housewife.

Wella and Ian both were intent on figuring out a way to bring back the old fashion variety show, but they couldn’t agree on a star for the vehicle. The rest of the team insisted that they had to find a modern twist to it, which kept them at a stalemate. Of course that lead them right back to the problem called the daytime schedule.

While Turner led the group on a heated debate on exactly where the line was in the speed of daytime story telling, Ian sat back and thought over his conversation with Amanda Jackson. He knew it was too soon to let them know, that “Blood Kisses” was theirs. The legal and moral issues of what was to happen would be a soap opera in itself.

Turner kept looking at Ian with a knowing twinkle the younger was beginning to recognize in the older’s eye. The two of them had to do some quiet investigation, hoping not to alert a media fire storm. It was going to be big but the fall out at this point could fall either way. Between the two of them they quietly had to make sure that the odds of aftermath were lined up just right to explode in their favor.

“You just name two families, and decide which hot chick from the rich family and which hot chick from the poor family are going to do nasty things to each other to win the love of the hunky doctor who just moved into town.” The voice Ian didn’t recognize said. “It’s pretty simple.”

The team stopped and all peered in unison at the stranger who had entered the discussion uninvited. The man smiled, leaning on a desk with his arms crossed as though he’d been a part of the debate from the beginning. “What? Is that not right?”

David Turner looked up. “Maybe you’d better stick to reading from the pages you’re handed.”

The man dazzled the group with his smile. “That’s what you’re paying me the big bucks to do.”

Turner extricated himself from the group and went over to shake the man’s hand. He turned to Ian’s team. “I’m sure this man needs no introduction but formally, ladies and gentlemen meet Jeff Torkelson, one of the newest additions to our family.”

The group applauded kindly. “Thank you all, forgive me for just slipping in.”

“Not at all, Jeff.” Turner slapped him on the shoulder. “What brings you down here with the masses?”

“I just finished up a meeting with Simon Kent, and thought I’d wander in this direction to see what all the fuss was about.”

Ian extended his hand to the man. “We are honored that you joined us. Thank you.”

“I’ve heard all the noise.” Torkelson said. “I thought while I was here, I’d see if I find out for myself…impressive. Don’t really know what the hell you where talking about, but it sounded like you knew what you were doing.”

“I’m glad you wandered down here.” Turner said. “I had planned on seeing if I could set up a meet with the two of you. I’m happy you did it on your own.”

“Thank you, Mr. Turner.” Ian smiled. “But I am sure Mr. Torkelson is just figuring out how things run around here. He’s been a part of a different network for almost a decade now. I’m happy he bumped into our floor.”

“Actually, I was specifically looking to run into you.” Torkelson corrected him.

“Well, I’m flattered.”

“Do you have a moment to spare?” He asked. “I see that you’re busy. I can set up a more convenient time.”

“We were just finishing up here. Would you like to talk in the office?”

The TV star smiled. “Thank you.”

Ian turned to the CEO, “Would you care to join us, Mr. Turner, if that’s alright with Mr. Torkelson?”

“Please.” Torkelson responded. “I had planned on wandering back up to speak with you as well.”

“Then by all means, I’ll join you.” Turner turned to the group. “As always, it has been a pleasure. Again I congratulate you and look forward to the excitement you are creating for this company. Please, keep up the good work.” He strode without prompting toward Ian’s office.

“Would you like a glass of champagne, Mr. Torkelson?” Ian asked as he used his arm to guide the man toward his door.

“Thank you, but no.” A few steps later, Jeff Torkelson was seated between Turner and Ian in a comfy clatch that had been arranged to enjoy the view off the balcony doors.

“Now, what may the two of us do for you, Mr. Torkelson?” Turner asked quickly.

“Basically, Mr. Turner…” Torkelson popped both hands on the arm of the chair he was seated in. “I wanted to meet the two men who were unhappy with my new show.”

“Jeff,” Turner shook his head, half smiling. “I think you have been slightly mislead. Neither Young Justyn and I are unhappy. We simply expressed reservations at the rush.” Turner looked at Ian for support.

“I can’t speak for Mr. Turner, but I think we were both thinking the same thing. We wanted to make sure that the series was worthy of the talented people who were eager to make such a commitment.” Ian scooted closer to the edge of his chair.

Torkelson nodded his head. “You didn’t agree with Simon then, that we needed to do the spin off immediately?”

Turner chose his words. “I have to admit, it certainly would have been a contractual point I would have argued with, but when Kent approached me that he had been approached, I told him to do whatever it took with few provisions.”

“If you will forgive me, Mr. Torkelson…” Ian broached.

“Jeff, call me Jeff.”

Ian nodded his head. “Jeff, I’m not sure I understand. The contracts have all been signed. We are giving you a plum birth on the schedule. The network is committed, determined, to make the best vehicle possible. What difference is does it make now, that there were reservations about timing? I can assure you that everyone in this building shares the same goal, to make the “The Jeff Torkelson Show” more than just the most talked about new series of the fall, but to make sure it’s stays the most talked about after it’s debut.”

“Thank you.” Jeff leaned forward and put his elbows on his thighs. “I guess I just needed a little reassurance. When Kent inferred that the CEO and his latest protégé argued against the show, especially after the network approached my people with the deal of a lifetime…”

Ian looked at Turner. “We approached your people?”

“Well yes.” Torkelson looked at Ian. “Everyone else on the show has forged movie careers. I like television. This is my medium, but I’d planned on sitting back a year or two and taking my time finding the right project.”

“Jeff, pardon me for asking, “ Turner cleared his throat. “But exactly when did you decide to forge ahead with a spin off, if you’d made other plans?”

“When Simon Kent contacted me and dropped this sweet deal in my lap. I was apprehensive, but he insisted it had to be a spin off and it had to start in September. I usually follow my instincts, but everything seemed to fall in place, most of the same writers, offering the same time slot, but when he said that the two of you would probably fight us every step of the way, I was beginning to think that maybe this wasn’t such a great idea.”

“Kent approached you?” Turner sat rigid in his chair.

“Yes.”

Ian looked at Turner. Turner looked at Ian. They both turned to see the sudden panic on Jeff Torkelson’s face. Ian sat back and tried to look as relaxed as possible in his chair.

Ian smiled. “Jeff I admit that I had questions, but this is your show, yours and Simon Kent’s. I have no control and no input. I totally support you.”

“Well, thank you.” Jeff looked at Turner. “I apologize. I think you both misunderstand my reasons for wanting to meet with you. Simon has mentioned several times that Ian doesn’t like the concept and that he’s using his relationship with you to pressure Kent for changes…”

Ian was beginning to see red, “Jeff…I have in no way…”

“…But…” Jeff put up his hand and cut Ian off. “I’m not an idiot. I only play one on TV. I don’t trust Kent and I certainly don't like any of his creative ideas. I’ve been talking it over with my wife, and she encouraged me to do a little investigation on my own. That’s what I’m doing here today.”

“You are asking to be let out of your contract?” Turner couldn’t help but let slip out.

“No. The more I look, the more I like HRT. I think this is going to be good, but I am asking if it’s possible to get out of Simon Kent.”

Ian put a finger in the air. “Jeff, may I ask a question?”

“Of course.”

“I have to admit, I obviously misunderstood a lot of what was said when Kent made his announcement at what was literally my first scheduling meeting. I just want to make sure that I am clear. Is this series being produced your own production company or is it owned and produced by HRT?”

“Kent tried to get it produced under his umbrella head, but I made it a stipulation that it be network owned and produced with a codicil depending on the success to form my own company with HRT having first look at all future productions.”

“His umbrella head?” Turner was struggling to control the tone in his voice.

“Yes.”

“Torkelson, rest assured that if you want Kent to back off. Kent will back off. You and the team that you have assembled make the show you want to make. I will personally see to it that you get anything you need, and the network will take a hands off approach unless you ask for input.” Turner tapped his cane on the floor.

“Thank you, Mr. Turner. It is a relief to find that we aren’t going to be forced to make changes we have reservations about. You don’t have any reservations, do you?” He asked.

Turner shook his head. “Jeff, I look forward to what will hopefully a long and creatively profitable relationship with you. I apologize, but I feel that there have been several misunderstandings here. I hope that this chat helped to qualm any trepidation on your part, and may I reiterate on behalf of both Ian and myself, that there were never any qualms about the vehicle or your participation in it, only in the manner in which Simon Kent chose to market it.”

“Thank you, Mr. Turner.”

Turner stood. “If the two of you will excuse me.”

Torkelson stood. “Of course. I appreciate that you took time out of your busy schedule to soothe what was obviously just my ego.”

“Jeff, one thing you will learn, hopefully very quickly about this company, if I thought this was only about your ego, I’d have tossed you out on your ass.” Turner shook the star’s hand, and tipped his head to Ian. “Young Justyn, will you stop in my office before you leave for the day? I’ll tell Barbara to show you right in.”

“Of course, Mr. Turner.” As soon as the door was closed, Ian turned to Torkelson. “Is there anything else I can do for you, Jeff?”

“Do you guys always do that?”

“Do what?”

“Bounce ideas around like that.”

“You mean outside with the team? Yes, several times a day. It’s our version of the think tank.”

“Have you discussed my show that way?”

“No. As I told you earlier, other than eagerly awaiting to see a finished product, it’s nothing I’m involved in. I’m busy trying to get a few of my own ideas polished to hopefully get a slot or two on the schedule.”

“Have you read the pilot script?”

“No, again. Not privy to that. Kent keeps his projects under lock and key. I have trouble even getting copies of contracts that directly affect me, but that’s the way he does things. It works for him.”

“You don’t like the way he does things?”

“It doesn’t affect me, Jeff. Well, it does is if one of his projects knocks mine out of contention, but I’d like to think that meant that he had the better project. It’s all subjective.”

“I can only assume that the two of you don’t get along.”

“Interesting turn of phrase, Jeff. I have nothing against the man personally. I don’t know him. He’s made a point to keep me as far away as possible, which is sad because I think there’s a lot I could learn from him.” Ian walked over to the cabinet on the far wall of his office. “I’m in the mood for some hot tea. Would you like some?”

“That would be nice, thank you.”

Ian filled a small kettle with water and placed it on a hot plate. “Simon Kent has been a part of this network and this business for a long time. It saddens me that someone as green as I am has been banished from enjoying the history and knowledge that would come from working with and beside someone with that lineage.”

“May I ask, what caused this, from what I see, rather lop sided rift?”

“I have no idea. I showed up for work, and he made it clear almost from the moment we met that I was person non grata, and I simply accept that. Growing up, coming from where I do and the way I did, I learned the only thing I can do to change one’s opinion is to do the best I can, and earn it. I truly hope that at some point, even if we never become “bestest buds” that I manage to earn a little of the man’s respect. His longevity has certainly earned mine.”

“That’s not what I expected at all.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad?”

“Good. I’m understanding what everyone seems to be talking about.”

“Jeff, I never know how to take that statement. As an executive, any good buzz is to be savored, but as a human being and a self proclaimed artist, I would hope people had better things to talk about.”

“It’s always frustrating when people seem to be talking about your every move, but believe me it’s just as frustrating when they stop.” Jeff stood and walked toward the bar where Ian was filling a tea ball with black leaves. “I’d be interested in your opinion of what we are doing with the show.”

“All I know is that you are taking the character and moving him to a new town with a new set of friends. My understanding is this is more of a star vehicle than an ensemble show.”

“And?” Jeff smiled. “Be honest.”

“I think you as a talent are very worthy of a star vehicle. I fear the character is not.”

“Ouch.”

“However, taking a look at successful spin offs, with good writing and a strong format almost any character can be made into not only a successful series, but a great one no matter how much the new guy goes…” Ian did his valley girl impression “I don’t see it.”

“May I send you some of the scripts?”

“Actually, I’d like that, but I’d rather not rankle the ire of Simon Kent. I’ll wait for the debut like the rest of America.”

“No, I’d really like to know what you think, and Kent doesn’t have to know. I do owe the man for putting this deal together for me, but I have recently been assured by the CEO of this company now that the ink is dry, Kent doesn’t really have any input in to what I do or don’t do.”

“Ah, you don’t but I have to share a building with the man.”

“Our secret. I give you my word.”

Tea was shared and the conversation for the next half hour meandered from existentialism to workout regimens to whether or not a Snickers bar was better frozen or just a little “melty’. When Jeff Torkelson was escorted to the elevator, Ian was laughing to himself to the odd turn of events that happened each and every day in his office, in his life.

Ian called David Turner a brief two hours later, asking if it would be a good time to come to his office. Ten minutes later he was seated there being apologized to by the CEO and chairman of the board.

Turner was upset that Kent had basically lied to all involved in order to snag a hot property. He was also worried that Ian might be feeling that Kent was presenting to his cronies that Ian was little more than a yes man.

David Turner wanted to assure Ian that not only was his tenure at HRT assured, but it was because he was any thing but a yes man, proving to have a natural ability to spur creative confidence among the talented and influence quality.

Ian was humbled at Turner’s words. He thanked him with honest humility and promised that he would do his best to keep the man’s opinion of him so high.

No comments:

Post a Comment