Disclaimer: Fox and Josh Schwartz own The O.C. and all things related...not me.
"So you really think that this is a good idea?"
"Trust me, Seth. Atomic County is one of America's most successful comic books in the last 25 years. Think back on all of the movies based on comics. Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Daredevil, Elektra, The Hulk, X-Men, Catwoman well sort of, The Punisher, Sin City, Fantastic Four, Wonder Woman, Blade, Hellboy, and the list goes on and on. Some of the highest grossing films of all time are based on comic books. This is where the money lies. I guarantee that a movie will double, no make that triple the sales of Atomic County. You will be a bonafide millionaire," the man reassured.
"I'm already a millionaire," Seth replied flatly.
"Seth, as your advisor, as your major publicist for Atomic County, I strongly suggest that you reconsider this idea. A movie is exactly what you need to put Atomic County on the map."
"Tim, you said so yourself, Atomic County is one of America's most successful comic books in the last 25 years. I don't think it needs a movie to put it on the map. I think Atomic County's already on the map."
"Seth, you know what I mean. This is huge. Warner Bros. wants to make a movie about your comic book!" Tim exclaimed happily.
"I know, but I just don't think that this is really the direction I want to take Atomic County in," Seth sighed.
"Think about the rest of your employees. Think about us. We could use this. The entire company could use this."
"The entire company is practically an extension of the Newport group. Most of the employees are the very people Atomic County makes fun of. Making a movie is selling out, it'd be like making a mockery of the very essence of Atomic County."
"Seth, as your friend-," Tim started.
"First you're my advisor, then publicist, now my friend," Seth teased.
"As your friend, I've gotta say that you need a life. Are you listening to yourself? The entire essence of Atomic County? It's a comic book, Seth! And this is a business world. Your comic book is a business. I know you hate that idea of selling out but you need money to make a comic book. Money makes the world go 'round."
"I thought that was love."
"What?"
"Love makes the world go 'round," Seth shrugged.
"Yes and you know who believes that?" Tim asked.
Seth shook his head.
"Poor people. Poor people believe in crazy, hippie ideas like that," Tim answered, nodding his head enthusiastically.
"Crazy hippie people?"
"That's right. Only crazy hippie people."
"Like my dad?" Seth laughed.
"Sandy's a bred all his own," Tim chuckled.
"Alright look, if it makes you feel better I'll toss the idea around in my head a little more. I'm still not loving the idea…but I'll at least give it some thought," Seth sighed.
"Thank you, Seth. That's all I'm asking…so can I call Warner Bros?"
"No, Tim! Thought! I'd give it some thought! That's not a yes!"
"Right…I'll call them later this week."
"Tim!"
"Knock, knock," Kirsten said, opening the door.
"Mom," Seth said happy for the interruption.
"I'm not interrupting a major Atomic County meeting, am I?"
"Of course not, Mrs. Cohen," Tim smiled offering her a seat.
"Thank you, Tim. I just wanted to see how my boys were doing."
"We're great, Mom. Things are good," Seth replied.
"Yes, I like the new decorations by the way," Tim added in.
"Oh thank you, Tim."
"Stop kissing up to my mom," Seth muttered.
"I'm not kissing up to your beautiful mother," Tim said rolling his eyes, then flashing a grin at Kirsten.
"So what's up, Mom?" Seth asked, ignoring Tim.
"Oh right, Ryan called. He's flying in tomorrow and something about making sure that you remembered to clear out the pool house."
"The pool ho-oh man! I forgot all about that. He wanted me to get the cutouts out of there and take the layouts to the office instead of taking up his work space. I can't believe I forgot about that," Seth whined.
"It's alright. I'll swing by and get everything on my lunch break," Tim offered.
"Good. You do that and I'll get back to work on this."
"Will do and I'll try to see if I can't set up that meeting with Emily today."
"I don't want that meeting, Tim."
"You both have been working round the clock for this latest installment in the lives of Atomic County," Kirsten remarked.
"Well we've got deadlines to meet," Seth sighed.
"Deadlines that you set up," Tim scoffed.
"Shut up, Tim."
"Hey, I'm just saying. You're the boss. You're in charge. You're the one who overworks me and doesn't pay me nearly enough."
Kirsten laughed as Seth threw an eraser at Tim.
"Did you ask Dad about that suit?" Seth asked.
"Oh yes, I did. He said that they have no grounds to file such a case. It wouldn't hold up in court if they tried," Kirsten answered.
"Good. I didn't think it would but you never know. Some of these Newpies hate being made fun of, even in a stupid comic book."
"Well some of these Newpies are probably angry that the Newport group is backing a stupid comic book," Tim replied, raising an eyebrow at Kirsten.
"It is my company and I can fund whatever side projects I like to," Kirsten smiled.
"I'd love to hear what Grandpa would say if he knew what's happened to this company since he's been gone," Seth chuckled.
"Your grandfather wouldn't care if it was a good investment…but I still doubt he'd be thrilled," Kirsten shrugged.
"Probably. But Dad and I like the way you run it."
"I run the company the same way…just the side projects are a little different…and we fund more charities now."
"You're a good woman, mother, a good woman," Seth grinned.
"And you are a good man with a self-imposed deadline to meet. I should let you get back to work," Kirsten said, standing up.
"Mrs. Cohen, Kirsten, Love, as a major investor in Atomic County, what do you think about the prospect of a movie based on it?" Tim asked with a sly grin.
"I think it could be a strong investment. I've heard that comic book based movies tend to have a strong market."
"Walk with me, talk with me…then we'll try to talk some sense into that son of yours."
Seth rolled his eyes as Tim led Kirsten out of the office.
Just then the phone rang.
"I swear I will never get any work done," Seth fumed as he answered the phone. "Hello."
"Seth, it's me."
"Hey, don't worry; Tim's moving all the crap."
"Ok. Good. Just checking. But the real reason I called is-," Ryan began.
"No, I haven't talked to Marissa yet so I don't know if she's back from England," Seth cut in.
"Ok so she didn't like tell you anything?"
"I haven't talked to her. Why? Are you having problems again? Drama? Did something happen?"
"Well I guess you could say that something happened," Ryan said, trying to find the right words.
"Why don't you just call the girl? I'm sure she'd love to hear from you and you guys can figure out how to deal with whatever happened."
"I-I can't. It's not like that. I need to tell you-,"
"Ryan Atwood does not back down from a challenge and calling the lovely Marissa Cooper right now is most likely a challenge but don't back down. Just call her," Seth sighed.
"Are you completely stressed out?" Ryan asked.
"Yes, entirely."
"New edition?"
"The latest," Seth replied.
"Well good luck with that, man."
"Hey, you didn't say whether or not you'd call her."
"You have work to do," Ryan said uneasily.
"Yes, and you have a woman to woo. Let's not ignore that fact," Seth pressed on.
"A woman to woo? Who talks like that? You need to get out more."
"That's funny, Tim was just telling me the same thing- hey wait a minute! Don't change the subject! Call Marissa. Tell her you'd like to have dinner. You can figure everything out over dinner."
"I'll call her when you call-," Ryan started, trying to change the subject from him and Marissa.
"Don't say it. We've been over this. I have not talked to her in five years, five very good years. Why break the streak we have going now?" Seth interrupted.
"Why break my streak with Marissa?" Ryan countered.
"Because you're dating each other. You have no streak to break. You don't have a streak to break do you? You didn't break up, did you?"
"No we're good, but you and-," Ryan started.
"There's a big streak going on. We're not dating. We don't speak. We haven't even spoken since graduation. We're happy living our lives. You and Marissa are happy living your lives together. That girl you tried to speak of and I are living our lives separately…and happily. Besides, you know you and Marissa will figure this out so why prolong the inevitable? Just call her."
"It's not the inevitable. Seth I have to tell you something-," Ryan began.
"Ryan, buddy, ol' pal, amigo, compadre, listen to me. You and Marissa are like the ultimate couple. You may break up from time to time but you keep going back to each other and we all know that you're just going to get married anyway. Just save us all the drama and get married already. Stop the breaking up and just get married," Seth reasoned.
"Hey, it's not always me."
"Yes, I realize that she breaks up with you just as much as you break up with her. And that first time that you had to be on business for the Newport group for a month and a half in New York, I could understand the breakup. But that was one time when distance for a prolonged period could be a strain on your relationship. The business trips are short now, the relationship is going strong. Just ask her to marry you. I know you want to."
"I don't know. I just think that it would be best to wait and talk to your family and just sort everything out before the whole marriage conversation goes any further. It would just be easier," Ryan replied.
"How? Is it easier to pretend that you don't want to marry her? Or that there's some freakish chance that you'll find someone else? Keeping your options open? You haven't gone out with a woman other than Marissa since high school. She hasn't dated anyone except you either. You guys don't even go to dinner with the opposite sex unless it's with each other. This is ridiculous. You have a solid relationship so just take the next step," Seth rambled on.
"She's in England right now so it's not like that's something to discuss over the phone."
"Yes, she's been there for a little over three weeks…while you were in Miami for almost four weeks. Another sign for the getting married thing. Your careers totally work around each other. Just marry the girl and get it over with," Seth said replied.
"I don't know. Seth, I need to tell you something else though,"
"What are you waiting for? You're both not getting any younger," Seth continued on, ignoring Ryan.
"Some could say the same thing about you," Ryan snorted.
"And who would I marry myself? I don't have a serious girlfriend…or even a girlfriend for that matter," Seth replied.
"Yeah, but you could at least date around. You're not getting any younger."
"Yes, but I'm getting more successful. If I get rich enough, it won't matter how old I am. Girls will still want to be with me for my money."
"You're insane."
"I prefer too brilliant for words but whatever suits your mood I suppose."
"So you really think this marriage thing would be a good idea?" Ryan asked, sounding nervous or something.
"Are you hiding something from me?" Seth asked suddenly catching on to the nerves and uneasiness.
"Nope. I'm just wondering," Ryan replied too quickly, but Seth let it slide.
"I think it's a great idea…so you're calling her as soon as we hang up?"
"Yeah. I'll invite her for dinner for whenever she gets back and think over this whole marriage thing," Ryan sighed.
"I knew you had it in ya," Seth laughed.
"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Later, man."
Seth hung up the phone, "Now back to work."
(AN: And so begins the journey of my Atomic County story that I've been working on. Hope you enjoy! If you read it, I'll write it. Keep on reading. It's good to be back! I hope you all are too! Thanks!)