7
They resumed their seats as the judge looked angrily at the studio team "It has been brought to my attention over the lunch break that these allegations that are without merit and were not even dealt with within the terms of Mister Harness-Jones' contract making this a breach of contract case … this case is to be dropped."
"No" Walter rose before George could "They started this. They can't back out now. No. I want it all to go forward. I do not agree to a mistrial or a retrial or anything else but this. They wanted this. They are getting it. All of it. Even if you do drop their case I do not agree to withdraw my countersuit … my charges stand!"
"Your charges?" someone asked.
"Yes. Mister Harkness-Jones is also countersuing the studio for breach of contract. This trail will not only decide his guilt or innocence but that of the studio. He is right, if he does not want back down …you can't leave either. This will continue."
"Thank you" Walter sat.
George then said he had nothing further to add, the contract was there in front of the judge to read, the signatures of the studio heads there to show they agreed to the contract and past contracts to show this was a normal contact.
Now the studio were listening, glancing at their legal team with confusion, trying to understand why Walter's contact was being brought up … Dale at looking decidedly green around the gills as it were while some simply stared holes into him, finally wondering if he had gone too far.
"Anything to add?" the Judge looked around the room and sighed.
"Well … I have no choice but to rule in the favour to the defendant Mister Harkness-Jones on his countersuit. Not only has each and every allegation been disproved, the counter suit is proven. I rule in the favour of Walter Harkness-Jones." The judge shrugged and slammed down his gavel, Walter huffing with shock as it was done just like that. No conversation, no discovery about the contract or talk of what the studio could do … just… all his? Shit. He looked back at his father who shrugged.
Then they went to Starbucks and settled around coffees to talk, those from the studio that had been on his side coming with.
"Listen, I appreciate the loyalty shown here by you good buddies, we all know there will be no jobs for you tomorrow." Walter started.
"Don't' care. Fuck em!" came the reply from more than one who told him they had already packed their desks.
"Well … how about switching camps permanently then? My new production company is called Phoenix Films and I invited each and every one of you to come talk with my people and sigh up, join my team and resurrect the show as we wanted it to be, not what they turned it into." Walter said happily.
"What do you mean?"
"There are clauses in my contract the judge just upheld. The show and all it's licences are mine. With my own company, I can now provide it myself without the studio's name." Walter said with glee "The set is mine and everything in it … we can pack it up … relocate… and continue to work without them getting a bloody red cent! Since you all work with me already … you know the show inside and out we can simply rehash it and start those movies we wanted … I think one a year. Maybe Christmas ones … an occasional one out of the blue foe fans … fuck the studio. We ARE the studio now"
"You are kidding me."
"Nope. Welcome to the new world! Are you in?"