Page 58 of The Actor: Harrison

I didn’t expect this topic to come up again, at least not during a weekend vacation. But it seems like Harrison is almost more worried than me about this situation. Those two wrinkles between his eyebrows deepen when he’s thinking hard.

“Yes, I guess we have to, at some point.” As much as I don’t want his money, I could use his connections to get what I need.

Kevin won’t be happy with my request for new funds, but maybe he’ll be more willing if I bring him a solution.

“I know you don’t want my money. I get it, but let me help you find someone else,” he almost pleads, and I’m surprised by his intensity.

I get it. He needs this movie to give him the recognition he deserves, but I didn’t think it was so important to him. Maybe firing his manager was scarier than he let on.

“I could use your help with that. Thank you,” I whisper, and I almost push him when I spot the surprise on his face. I’m not that bad when it comes to asking for help. Am I? Okay, maybe my first instinct is to say no, but then I’m not so unreasonable. I think.

“I can ask the company that funded the first time if they want to chip in again,” he suggests.

I frown. I didn’t know he was so close with them. I mean, they suggested him for the lead role, but I didn’t know he had such a deep connection with them to feel comfortable asking for more funds. Who exactly are those people to him? I never asked Kevin for more details, and I don’t know if I want to.

I nod at his suggestion but a strange feeling sneaks into my chest, like a bad disease I don’t want to acknowledge. What exactly am I getting into?

Sienna didn’t say no. It’s a big step forward compared to what I got the last time I suggested giving her money. Now I just have to find a way to actually transfer my money to her without her suspecting anything. Easier said than done. When I called Edward this morning, after we landed yesterday from Aruba, to meet me for a chat, he was very suspicious.

I met him a few years ago when I was running near a location we were filming and his dog tripped me on the curb. He thought I was going to sue him, but it turned out I loved Pepper Jack, his Jack Russel, so much we had a great chat about dogs and dog food. By the end of the week, I invested in his company that makes healthy dog food to expand from his home kitchen to a more appropriate environment for a business.

That more or less sums up how a dog food company ended up investing in an indie movie. And it also explains why I’m in the parking lot of said company nervous about a meeting to ask for more money.

When I walk into the reception area, I’m greeted by the unmistakable sound of dogs barking and playing. One thing I love about this company is that every employee absolutely lives for their dog. And everyone brings them to work. Hence, the daycare and play park where the furry friends can stay while their humans work at the establishment.

I greet Brenda at the reception desk and she points toward the hallway leading to the offices. “He’s waiting for you in the Rottweiler conference room.”

“Thank you.” I wink at her and she blushes a bit. I love to flirt with her, especially after she gave me a homemade cookie while showing me pictures of her grandchildren.

I walk toward the room she pointed out and I smile. Everything in here is about dogs. They love them so much they name the rooms after the different breeds. When I walk into the room Edward’s smile is almost blinding. He looks like a kid, though he’s in his late twenties. His mop of black, unruly curls doesn’t help him look more adult.

“Harrison! How are you doing?”

“Actually…great!” I say, realizing I haven’t felt this happy in a long time.

“I’m glad to hear that. How’s the movie coming?” His smile is genuine. I don’t think he’s following his investment in our production much. He’s a good guy but his only focus is the dogs. Nothing else exists for him.

“Good, we finished filming a few weeks ago, now it’s in post-production,” I answer, not wanting to bring up money just now. I mean, I need to, but it makes me nervous. They did me a huge favor last time and I feel a bit guilty using them to solve my problems.

“That’s fantastic!” The smile on his face never falters and I don’t know how to bring up the topic.

I had this big speech in my head this morning but now I’m not sure what to say. I don’t know if it’s because I feel like I’m betraying Sienna or because I’m taking advantage of Edward and his kindness.

“You need more money, don’t you?” he finally asks after a way-too-long silence.

I let out a low breath and nod. His grin never leaves his face, but I can see the answer in his eyes and it’s not a good one for me.

“I’m sorry, Harrison, I would really like to help you. You know I love your movies, but I can’t invest more money in that project.”

Oddly, I feel partly defeated because I have to start all over searching for money, and partly relieved because it avoids putting me in an awkward position.

“I’d pay you. I wouldn’t ask you to use your company’s money,” I point out, just to be clear I’m not here trying to scam him out of his funds.

He nods. “I know and that’s exactly the problem. Our accountant said we can’t play with sponsorship like that without raising a million red flags with the IRS,” he explains.

“Oh. I didn’t think about that,” I admit.

Out of all the explanation he could have given me, this one didn’t even cross my mind. Since when am I so careless about something as crucial as my finances?

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