Chapter 72
Los Gatos, California – Netflix Headquarters
Mid-2007
The sleek glass building nestled in the quiet Silicon Valley suburb looked modest compared to the empires Jake was building. But what it lacked in size, it made up for in untapped potential.
Jake stepped out of the black town car in his signature all-black outfit—tailored but simple. Callum followed, holding a leather case of documents and projections. A Netflix rep met them at the door.
"Mr. Harper, welcome. Mr. Hastings is waiting for you upstairs."
Jake gave a small nod. "Let's get to work."
Top Floor – Executive Conference Room
Reed Hastings greeted Jake with a firm handshake. "It's not every day a 13-year-old reshapes the tech world. I'm glad you reached out."
Jake smiled politely. "It's not every day a DVD company gets handed the keys to the future."
Reed blinked. "Well… I suppose we'll see."
The executive team took their seats. Jake remained standing. His energy was calm, but focused—like a chess master about to open with a queen's gambit.
The Pitch
Jake walked to the whiteboard and wrote one word:
"Control."
Then he turned to face them.
"You don't just want to stream other people's content. You want to own the content. Original shows, developed in-house. Full rights. Global distribution."
The room fell silent. One exec leaned forward. "We've… discussed original programming. But it's years out, and—"
Jake cut in, voice sharp but measured. "Not years. Months. You're already behind. Hulu is rising. YouTube is mine. Apple is building something you haven't seen yet. But Netflix could lead—if you move now."
He tapped the board again.
"You don't just license the future. You build it."
The Numbers
Callum slid folders across the table—budgets, mock schedules, resource plans.
Jake continued. "I'm investing $1.5 billion into Netflix development, immediately. It will cover:
Infrastructure for global streaming
Original content studios
Licensing deals for third-party hits
App integration for FaceOS across all FaceWorld devices"
Another folder hit the table. "I want a FaceOS-native Netflix app optimized for FacePad and FacePhone by year-end."
Reed blinked. "You're serious."
Jake looked him dead in the eye. "I don't make small moves."
Netflix HQ – Executive Conference Room (Continued)
Reed Hastings leaned back, flipping through the investment packet. The room had shifted. The skepticism that lingered earlier was fading—replaced by curiosity… and a bit of awe.
"You're serious about this," Reed said.
Jake nodded. "Dead serious. You're standing at the edge of the content revolution. Everyone else is thinking five years ahead. I'm building for tomorrow."
Reed tapped the binder. "You want originals?"
Jake pulled out a second folder—thinner, but more dangerous. Inside was a printed list, each item marked with a title, year, and suggested acquisition target.
"I don't want originals. I want these."
He handed it to Reed, who scanned the page:
Target Acquisitions – For Streaming & Original Production:
Breaking Bad – AMC still uncertain, early stage
The Walking Dead – Comic rights available, Kirkman open to pitches
Mad Men – Lionsgate Television, pre-release
Stranger Things – Still unpitched, attached to indie creators
House of Cards – BBC format, potential for U.S. adaptation
Arrested Development – Cult hit, cancellation looming
Game of Thrones – In development at HBO. Attempt buyout. Offer $25–30M
The Crown – Concept still forming in the UK. Acquire IP, fund development
The Queen's Gambit – Unadapted novel. Secure rights
Peaky Blinders – Pre-production, BBC. License global rights early
Black Mirror – UK indie project. Approach creators directly
Reed raised an eyebrow. "Some of these haven't even been pitched yet."
Jake grinned. "Exactly. That's why they're affordable."
Call to Action
Jake turned to Jessica Pearson, who had just joined the meeting via FaceCall.
"I want our legal team to begin outreach. Quietly. Focus on IP and early-stage creators. Offer preemptive buyouts if we can get exclusivity."
Jessica nodded. "What's our ceiling on the HBO title?"
"Game of Thrones is the prize. Offer $30 million flat. Deliver a personal message from me to George R. R. Martin if needed. I'll give him final say over creative involvement."
Private Moment with Reed
As the execs filed out, Reed stayed behind with Jake.
"You know, I thought I was ahead of the curve. I thought streaming was bold."
Jake smiled faintly. "Streaming is step one. Content is step two. Ownership is the game."
Reed nodded slowly. "With this kind of backing, we won't just be Netflix. We'll be the future of television."
Jake extended his hand again. "That's the plan."
Outside Netflix HQ
Jake and Callum exited into the California sun. No press. No red carpet. Just two men with the blueprint for a revolution.
Jake glanced at his FacePhone, saw the inbound traffic to FaceTV already climbing from the launch hype.
He looked up, calm and certain.
"Next stop—every screen on Earth."