Marvel: A Lazy-Ass Superman Chapter 278 278: A Request

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"Enough about —what about you?" Charlize asked. "Are you a born-and-raised Los Angeles local?"

I'm a transmigrator. If I said that out loud, it would scare you to death.

Henry said, "Alaska—pretty much as boring as where you grew up. The only advantage is all the snow. Skiing isn't a pasti, it's practically a survival skill.

"So my childhood wasn't worth talking about. Boring place, boring life—I don't even want to think back on it. I only started feeling truly alive after coming to Los Angeles."

He didn't ntion anything from his pre-transmigration childhood—there was nothing worth ntioning anyway. After growing up to beco a corporate drone with the classic 'strict father, gentle mother' combo al, what glorious mories would there be?

Maybe because their experiences aligned, Charlize never once ntioned a 'father,' and Henry never asked. And since Henry never said 'parents' either, Charlize didn't ask him anything about it.

They spoke with a kind of mutual understanding—selectively touching upon their pasts, but never poking at the parts left unsaid.

As they continued talking, Charlize shared her experiences in Europe and New York—naturally choosing the pleasant bits.

Henry told stories from the period when he served as Audrey Hepburn's assistant, traveling alongside her from one corner of the world to another.

The children who looked angelic in the public reports and photographs… well, the things that didn't make it into the record were often chaotic, absurd, or downright comical.

Language barriers were the biggest problem. It wasn't like those kids—most of whom had never received proper schooling—could speak fluent English.

All in all, the lunch passed pleasantly. As long as they avoided poking at each other's sore spots, Henry was surprisingly good at keeping the atmosphere light, and Charlize laughed more than once.

But as they finished eating and sipped their coffee, it was impossible not to notice how Charlize kept fidgeting, wanting to say sothing but hesitating.

Henry chuckled. "If you need a favor, just say it. But just know—if you're hoping I'll hand you a ten-million-dollar lead role tomorrow, that's sothing you tell a genie in a magic lamp, not ."

"Okay… my wish isn't that dramatic." Henry's joke loosened her nerves. Charlize finally said, "I t a man yesterday who said he's a talent scout. His na is John Crosby.

"He helped out in a big way. And he said he wants to discuss a managent contract with —we agreed to et this afternoon. I don't know anything about L.A. yet… could you go with ?"

Henry agreed imdiately. "Sure. Where and when?"

"On Hollywood Boulevard, a café. Three p.m."

Henry nodded. "Alright, we have so ti. Before we go, let tell you what I know about first-ti talent agency contracts in Hollywood.

"Initial contracts usually last one year, with options to extend up to three more. Only big-na actors can dump their agents on a whim.

"For normal people, there are termination clauses, but typically it relates to commission. Any deals your agent negotiated during the partnership—whether or not you terminate—you still have to pay the agreed commission.

"As for penalties, usually none—unless your agent invested in you, like paying for training or acting classes. If they put money into you, they can demand compensation for early termination.

"Commission rate: legally capped at ten percent. And agents can't be part of production or take a share of their client's work revenue—that's the law, ant to keep agents aligned with the client's interests, not the studios'.

"Of course," Henry added, "that's just the law. There are always ways to… skirt the edges. For example, an agent's ten percent is his compensation.

"But what about operating expenses? Training, coaching, headshots—they can charge that under different nas. It's standard in the industry.

"So legally, I can give you so amateur advice. As long as it's not an obvious trap, the rest cos down to whether you are willing to accept the terms.

"And the most important thing: newcors don't have much bargaining power. You said he helped you—tell what exactly happened?

"If it's just a favor, you might have so room to negotiate. If it's sothing bigger, you may end up with only two choices: sign, or repay the favor and walk away."

Charlize thought for a mont, then decided to explain. "Yesterday I received a check from my mother. But when I went to cash it, the bank refused because it was from out of state, and I'm not a U.S. citizen.

"That money was my lifeline. I argued with the teller. John Crosby happened to be behind —he helped cash the check, then gave his card."

"I see." Henry considered it.

Cashing checks always involved delays within the inter-bank clearing system. Bounced checks were common in the U.S. And if the bank cashed it and the check later failed, even with fees, the bank would still lose money.

Different state, different banking network, non-citizen—there was risk. So it wasn't surprising they refused Charlize.

Henry asked, "When Mr. Crosby cashed it for you, did he deduct the fee? Or did he hand you the full amount?"

"He deducted it. I've cashed checks before—I know there's a fee. I wouldn't take advantage of soone helping ."

"Then it's just a favor, not a debt."

He didn't add the rest: the size of that favor could vary. Crosby essentially used his own credit to gamble that Charlize's mother's check wasn't bad.

If the check bounced, the bank would go after John Crosby—not Charlize.

If the check cleared, then no problem. But either way, the man did help her.

Henry glanced at the restaurant clock. "It's about ti. Let's go et this talent scout. Want to ride together?"

"Yes." Charlize nodded.

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