Fang, The Movie
a.k.a.
The Canyon Stops At Midnight

Shoot-out at the Forbes Corral
Chapter-2

by TomB

Author's note - What follows, documents "the incident" that took place between Fang and Malcomb. Malcomb told this story to Sam and, later, Sam told the story to me during our motor trip into Findian country-which I will relate, shortly ...

As I said, Sam, Malcomb and Fang had always been close friends but Malcomb was tight fisted when it came to Fang and money. To be sure, Forbes was generous with deserving causes ... but he never thought that Fang was anything like a deserving cause. More important, he was not about to give a "fin" to friend, Fang, and often stated that Fang's life style was, "down right un-American. "Forbes often demanded that Fang settle down and get "steady work."

Of course Fang expected this.

But Sam remembered that, one day, Malcomb had commented that he always had a secret liking for "the little fellow" - perhaps bordering on the edge of jealousy. Both Sam and Fang knew that Malcomb's hard driving business style would not allow him to wander different paths-as Fang sometimes did.

Never-the-less, by Malcom's own admission, Fang had come to Hollywood and made an offer that Forbes could not refuse.

... and this is how it happened ...

Indeed, one evening, Forbes casually ask Fang why he had come, here, to Hollywood and this was the "opening" that Fang had waited for.

"I'm here to make a movie," said Fang and I intend to 'make it' with your money ... Forbes."

Malcomb almost shot out of his chair.

"When pigs fly!" shouted Malcomb, initially over confident.

Then Forbes's left-eye narrowed to a thin slit. "... and just what are you going to use to secure this, "movie money," asked Forbes?

It had suddenly dawned on Malcomb that this small-fry was up to something. Now Forbes was less confident.

Fang respond to this pause in the conversation. "Malcomb, I've got you an "idea" and it's for sale ... and it's one that you can't refuse..."

Fang paused to let his comment sink in, then continued.

"... and it's one that your "Think Tank Thinkers" couldn'a thought of," challenged Fang, "... 'cause it's only important to you."

Just then Fang got a flash of inspiration and decided to press Forbes, even further.

"This idea is gonna knock your sox off, Forbes ... so besides the money I'm gonna get from you, you're also gonna call Lotte-Madonna-Fish's agent and signed her over to me for the term of my movie," Fang continued

At this, Forbes had to sit down.

"Wo ... what was this rascal up to?", he thought. Certainly, it was not possible for this lil' critter to out-think his Think Tank Thinking Team.

"Hmmm ...," said Forbes, buying some time.

When he had regained his intestinal fortitude, Forbes said. Ok ... Fish, come to my board meeting early tomorrow and I'll hear this so called, 'idea'." Forbes was now all business.

He continued, "if it has merit ... you'll get what you want.

Then added, "But if it's just "old hat" ... something that we've either kicked around, used up, or tossed in the trash," his voice trailed, "then ... you, Fish, agree to take a job in my South Pittsburgh plant ..."

He pause letting this thought settle in.

Forbes continued, "... sweeping floors?"

"Agreed,!" said Fang.

This quick response surprised, Forbes. That night, Forbes was on the phone, late, talking to his "Team."

Next morning, early, they all met at Forbes office. The Forbes "Board" was there -- as were several high echelon "Tank men" were there, also.

After the necessary (but brief) introductions, Forbes said, "Ok, Fish! what's your idea?"

"Is the money, ready?" asked Fang.

"Don't you worry about the money," said Forbes, and with that his eyes glanced at the door into the conference room ... and in walks Lotte Madonna-Fish beautiful as ever ... but apparently somewhat confused about these proceedings and ... why she was there.

"Well ...?" said Forbes

"OK, I see your in," says Fang, and hops up on top of Forbes' conference table to stand directly in front of Forbes and between the rest of the people seated around the table.

"This is between you and me, Forbes!" says Fang.

"The idea is ... "

Dear Reader - this story is about Fang and not about Malcomb Forbes. At the request of Sam, I must postpone the revelation of Fang's "idea" because it would surly draw attention from Fang's story-which we are now telling. I must respect this.

Sam often said that Malcomb liked to "hog the public spot light-even at the expense of his friends." He was right because Malcomb was always after Sam to do an interview for "The Magazine." However, Sam knew that Malcomb was using this as an excuse to turn the interview into public disclosure of his apartment dwelling friend, Fang.

Of course, Sam consistently refused saying, "I'd sooner this country elect a... a... an actor for President before I'd give that guy a photo opportunity ... with Fang as the opportunity!" **1

I assure you that Fang's idea will be revealed at the end of the story ... until then, I will entertain any and all speculations about Fang's idea that Forbes *could not refuse*.

Be assured that this momentary pause is "on the up and up" and that the answer will be disclosed at the end of this story.

The question, on the table, is this: What could Fang possibly say to Forbes that would equate to the money for the Movie Production.

... but to continue this story ...

The people in the room heard nothing of what Fang said to Forbes. All they saw was Forbes' eyes "glaze over" and his mouth drop open.

After that, Fang hops down off the desk, takes Lotte-Madonna's arm and together, they strut out the door.

Forbes looks at his accountant, "Write the little **** a check!," ... and everybody, OUT!" says Forbes, as he turns to stare out his penthouse window.

It is morning, now, in Hollywood, and the Sun is just coming above the distant horizon.

**1: Dear Reader, Forbes (almost) got his way ... inside the November, 1995 issue of "FORBES" magazine you will find an article and picture of Sam (sans Fang!)

Next ... "On to Findian Country"

Previous .. Announcement .. Home

- 02 -

Top

Fang, The Movie a.k.a. The Canyon Stops At Midnight

Shoot-out at the Forbes Corral Chapter-2

by TomB

Author's note - What follows, documents "the incident" that took place between Fang and Malcomb. Malcomb told this story to Sam and, later, Sam told the story to me during our motor trip into Findian country-which I will relate, shortly ...

Of course Fang expected this.

But Sam remembered that, one day, Malcomb had commented that he always had a secret liking for "the little fellow" - perhaps bordering on the edge of jealousy. Both Sam and Fang knew that Malcomb's hard driving business style would not allow him to wander different paths-as Fang sometimes did.

Never-the-less, by Malcom's own admission, Fang had come to Hollywood and made an offer that Forbes could not refuse.

... and this is how it happened ...

Indeed, one evening, Forbes casually ask Fang why he had come, here, to Hollywood and this was the "opening" that Fang had waited for.

"I'm here to make a movie," said Fang and I intend to 'make it' with your money ... Forbes."

Malcomb almost shot out of his chair.

"When pigs fly!" shouted Malcomb, initially over confident.

Then Forbes's left-eye narrowed to a thin slit. "... and just what are you going to use to secure this, "movie money," asked Forbes?

It had suddenly dawned on Malcomb that this small-fry was up to something. Now Forbes was less confident.

Fang respond to this pause in the conversation. "Malcomb, I've got you an "idea" and it's for sale ... and it's one that you can't refuse..."

Fang paused to let his comment sink in, then continued.

"... and it's one that your "Think Tank Thinkers" couldn'a thought of," challenged Fang, "... 'cause it's only important to you."

Just then Fang got a flash of inspiration and decided to press Forbes, even further.

"This idea is gonna knock your sox off, Forbes ... so besides the money I'm gonna get from you, you're also gonna call Lotte-Madonna-Fish's agent and signed her over to me for the term of my movie," Fang continued

At this, Forbes had to sit down.

"Wo ... what was this rascal up to?", he thought. Certainly, it was not possible for this lil' critter to out-think his Think Tank Thinking Team.

"Hmmm ...," said Forbes, buying some time.

When he had regained his intestinal fortitude, Forbes said. Ok ... Fish, come to my board meeting early tomorrow and I'll hear this so called, 'idea'." Forbes was now all business.

He continued, "if it has merit ... you'll get what you want.

Then added, "But if it's just "old hat" ... something that we've either kicked around, used up, or tossed in the trash," his voice trailed, "then ... you, Fish, agree to take a job in my South Pittsburgh plant ..."

He pause letting this thought settle in.

Forbes continued, "... sweeping floors?"

"Agreed,!" said Fang.

This quick response surprised, Forbes. That night, Forbes was on the phone, late, talking to his "Team."

Next morning, early, they all met at Forbes office. The Forbes "Board" was there -- as were several high echelon "Tank men" were there, also.

After the necessary (but brief) introductions, Forbes said, "Ok, Fish! what's your idea?"

"Is the money, ready?" asked Fang.

"Don't you worry about the money," said Forbes, and with that his eyes glanced at the door into the conference room ... and in walks Lotte Madonna-Fish beautiful as ever ... but apparently somewhat confused about these proceedings and ... why she was there.

"Well ...?" said Forbes

"OK, I see your in," says Fang, and hops up on top of Forbes' conference table to stand directly in front of Forbes and between the rest of the people seated around the table.

"This is between you and me, Forbes!" says Fang.

"The idea is ... "

Dear Reader - this story is about Fang and not about Malcomb Forbes. At the request of Sam, I must postpone the revelation of Fang's "idea" because it would surly draw attention from Fang's story-which we are now telling. I must respect this.

Of course, Sam consistently refused saying, "I'd sooner this country elect a... a... an actor for President before I'd give that guy a photo opportunity ... with Fang as the opportunity!" **1

I assure you that Fang's idea will be revealed at the end of the story ... until then, I will entertain any and all speculations about Fang's idea that Forbes *could not refuse*.

Be assured that this momentary pause is "on the up and up" and that the answer will be disclosed at the end of this story.

The question, on the table, is this: What could Fang possibly say to Forbes that would equate to the money for the Movie Production.

... but to continue this story ...

The people in the room heard nothing of what Fang said to Forbes. All they saw was Forbes' eyes "glaze over" and his mouth drop open.

After that, Fang hops down off the desk, takes Lotte-Madonna's arm and together, they strut out the door.

Forbes looks at his accountant, "Write the little **** a check!," ... and everybody, OUT!" says Forbes, as he turns to stare out his penthouse window.

It is morning, now, in Hollywood, and the Sun is just coming above the distant horizon.

**1: Dear Reader, Forbes (almost) got his way ... inside the November, 1995 issue of "FORBES" magazine you will find an article and picture of Sam (sans Fang!)

Top

Fang, The Movie
a.k.a.
The Canyon Stops At Midnight

Shoot-out at the Forbes Corral
Chapter-2

I assure you that Fang's idea will be revealed at the end of the story ... until then, I will entertain any and all speculations about Fang's idea that Forbes could not refuse.