frh ) Dave Wants to Buy Wayne’s Podcast Deal, But Wayne Refuses!

THE PODCAST DEAL

A Party Night • A Business Proposal • An Unexpected Refusal
INT. HOTEL – PARTY HALL – NIGHT
The hotel is alive with music, laughter, and colorful party lights. Guests move around the crowded hall, enjoying themselves.
Dave stands near the entrance with Amber, greeting people as they arrive. Amber looks around the room, smiling as the party continues.
Suddenly, the entrance doors open. Wayne walks into the party.
DAVE

Wayne! Man, I’m glad you made it.

Dave reaches out and warmly welcomes him.
WAYNE

Yeah, I made it. Looks like you got a pretty good crowd here tonight.

DAVE

Of course. I wanted everybody to have a good time.

AMBER

Hey, Wayne. Good to see you.

WAYNE

Good to see you too, Amber.

Wayne looks around at the party. For a moment, everything seems completely normal. Dave watches Wayne carefully. There is something on Dave’s mind.
DAVE

Wayne, can I talk to you for a second?

WAYNE

Sure. What’s going on?

DAVE

I need to talk to you about something important.

INT. HOTEL – PRIVATE ROOM – NIGHT
Dave, Amber, and Wayne enter a private hotel room away from the noise of the party. Dave closes the door behind them.
The music from the party becomes faint in the background. Wayne looks between Dave and Amber. His expression becomes more serious.
WAYNE

All right, Dave. What’s this about?

Dave takes a breath. He looks at Amber before turning his attention back to Wayne.
DAVE

There’s a special reason I invited you to the party tonight.

WAYNE

A special reason?

DAVE

Yeah.

Dave pauses before revealing what he really wants.
DAVE

I wanted to talk to you about your podcast deal.

Wayne immediately becomes more attentive.
WAYNE

My podcast deal?

DAVE

Yes. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I want to make you an offer.

WAYNE

What kind of offer?

DAVE:

I want to buy the deal from you.

Wayne is caught off guard. He stares at Dave for a moment.
WAYNE

You want to buy my podcast deal?

DAVE

That’s exactly what I’m saying.

WAYNE

Dave, I didn’t expect that.

DAVE

I know. But I’m serious. I think the podcast has a lot of potential, and I believe I can take it in another direction.

WAYNE MAKES HIS DECISION
Wayne looks toward Amber. Amber remains silent, watching the two men. Wayne slowly shakes his head.
WAYNE

I might have sold it to you before, but not anymore.

DAVE

Then maybe we can still work something out.

WAYNE

No. Not anymore.

The room becomes quiet. Dave’s expression falls.
DAVE

Why not?

WAYNE

Because of the way you invited me here tonight.

DAVE

What do you mean?

WAYNE

You personally invited me to your party.

WAYNE

But now I’m sitting here realizing that you didn’t invite me just because I’m your friend.

Dave remains silent. Amber looks uncomfortable.
WAYNE

You invited me because of my work.

AMBER

Wayne, that wasn’t—

WAYNE

Amber, let me finish.

WAYNE

I came here thinking I was coming to celebrate with a friend. But now you’re asking me to sell you something that I worked hard to build.

DAVE

Wayne, I’m not trying to disrespect you.

WAYNE

Maybe you’re not trying to. But that’s how it feels.

THE TENSION RISES
Dave walks toward a table and places his hands on it. He looks frustrated but tries to remain calm.
DAVE

Wayne, listen to me.

DAVE

I respect what you’ve built.

WAYNE

Then respect my decision.

Dave looks up, realizing Wayne has made up his mind.
DAVE

I’m just asking you to think about the offer.

WAYNE

I already thought about it.

WAYNE:

And my answer is no.

DAVE

You’re really not willing to discuss it?

WAYNE

Not tonight.

WAYNE

Because tonight was supposed to be about friendship. We’re at your party. I came here to celebrate with you. I didn’t come here to negotiate my business.

DAVE

I understand.

WAYNE

Do you?

DAVE

Yeah.

BACK TO THE PARTY
Dave, Amber, and Wayne return to the party. The lively music fills the hotel hall once again.
DAVE

I don’t want this to ruin our friendship.

WAYNE

Neither do I.

WAYNE

But my podcast is important to me. I built it, I worked for it, and I’m not going to hand it over just because someone makes me an offer.

DAVE

Fair enough.

AMBER

Maybe you two should just enjoy the party tonight.

WAYNE

That’s what I came here to do.

Dave opens the door and the sound of music becomes louder. The three return to the crowded party.
DAVE

Come on. Let’s enjoy the night.

WAYNE

Now you’re talking.

FADE OUT

The party continues, but the podcast deal remains firmly in Wayne’s hands. Dave may have accepted Wayne’s answer tonight, but the business conversation could be far from over.