Chapter 255: Chapter 255: Las Vegas
Halloween came at the end of October, which meant loads of horror movies hit the screens that month.
Ever since DreamWorks remade the Japanese horror film The Ring a few years back and saw great success, Hollywood's interest in Asian horror films skyrocketed.
Sony's The Grudge, Disney's subsidiary Touchstone Pictures' Dark Water, were all remakes of Japanese horror films.
But the most successful one was still DreamWorks' The Ring. Although The Ring 2 didn't do poorly, it didn't meet DreamWorks' expectations. As for The Grudge, it was also a low-budget film that grossed over $100 million worldwide. This year's The Grudge 2 achieved a $20 million opening weekend in North America.
"The Grudge 2 is getting mixed reviews. Looks like the trend of remaking Japanese horror films is cooling off," Charles Capet noted, looking at the newspaper filled with articles and promotions about The Grudge 2. With a low budget of $20 million, it probably wouldn't lose money.
As soon as Charles put down the newspaper, Phyllis Jones came in with a cup of coffee. "Boss, our Saw IV from Matrix Pictures, releasing at the end of the month, is definitely going to be the best-performing horror film!"
"Hah," Charles chuckled, sipping his coffee. "The American market is still more suited for bloody and violent horror thrillers, huh?"
The Friday the 13th series, the Halloween series, the Nightmare on Elm Street series, and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series were all well-known bloody and violent horror movies in Hollywood.
"Now we've got our hands in R-rated comedies and bloody horror films. Got any new ideas, boss?" Phyllis Jones inquired.
Charles shook his head, pulling Phyllis Jones onto his lap, and laughed, "I'm not God; I don't have that many great ideas!
I've heard Taylor Swift is releasing her first album this month. Everything good with that?"
Phyllis Jones shook her head. "Big Machine Records has everything set up for the official release!
Speaking of which, how's that girl Katy Perry, the one Capet Records signed?" Charles asked again.
"You mean the singer originally named Katheryn Hudson? She's still working on her first album," Phyllis Jones thought for a moment. "Like Taylor Swift, she writes her own songs too!"
Charles nodded. It was only after returning to the States that he realized Katy Perry's real name; otherwise, he wouldn't have known it.
"And how about our movie projects in Japan? Have they started filming?"
"Crows Zero is still casting. As for Departures, filming has started. The remake of Hachiko: A Dog's Story is still in the planning stages."
Phyllis Jones, as Charles' assistant, was primarily responsible for these tasks, which she needed to keep an eye on.
"Oh, there's one more thing you might be interested in!" Phyllis Jones remembered something.
"Oh, what is it?" Charles asked while his hand wandered into the woman's bra, feeling her 34D cup, blowing gently on her neck.
"Boss," Phyllis Jones, aroused by the teasing, started kissing Charles passionately.
Charles responded fervently, no longer thinking about anything else.
Before long, Phyllis Jones, blushing, got off Charles and knelt before him.
Just as Charles was leaning back in his chair, enjoying the soul-connecting experience, his phone rang.
"Mmm," Phyllis Jones lifted her head.
"No worries, keep going," Charles said, checking his phone and seeing it was Lin Chi-ling calling. He nodded at the woman.
"Charles, I'm coming to America. Do you have time for me?" Lin Chi-ling inquired over the phone.
"Oh, where are you coming to in America?"
"I'm shooting an advertisement in San Francisco. Can I visit you in Los Angeles afterward?"
"Los Angeles? Forget it; I'll take you to Las Vegas. Didn't you have a bad experience there last year?" Charles suggested, his tone growing more urgent.
"When you come, I'll take you there and see if anyone dares to mess with you again."
After all, she was his woman now, and Charles wanted her to experience the excitement of Las Vegas again.
"Oh, really? Sure!"
"Okay, I'll be waiting for you."
After putting down the phone, Charles stared straight ahead.
...
A week later, Charles and Lin Chi-ling checked into the penthouse suite of the 64-story golden glass Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
"I came here last year, and this hotel wasn't even open yet!" Lin Chi-ling exclaimed, admiring the view of Las Vegas from the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.
"It only opened in the second half of last year," Charles replied with a smile, walking over to enjoy the city views and the surrounding magnificent mountains.
"No wonder," Lin Chi-ling understood, then added, "But when I was in San Francisco, I noticed so many house sale ads. The real estate market in the US is really hot!"
"The real estate market is hot?" Charles was puzzled for a moment.
"Yeah, you see ads for houses everywhere on the streets," Lin Chi-ling reminded him.
The real estate market in the US had been rising for several years, with prices and transaction volumes both high, although there had been a bit of a drop this year.
"Haha, it is quite hot, but maybe we shouldn't buy a house in the next couple of years," Charles laughed. Lin Chi-ling's understanding wasn't wrong.
"By the way, when I was in Beijing, I found a script that was pretty good. It's about a man and twelve women, and it needs twelve actresses!"
Listening to Lin Chi-ling, Charles quickly understood. She wanted to act and enter the film industry.
"How much more funding does the producer need?"
"5 million RMB. The movie's budget isn't too high. Most of the actresses are just making cameo appearances, and the producer has a very extensive network," Lin Chi-ling quickly explained.
"Let Hong Kong's East Asia International invest," Charles said, hugging Lin Chi-ling. "Can you get a role?"
Lin Chi-ling nodded, "I can, but I'm a bit worried since I have no acting experience."
"Since it's just a cameo, it shouldn't be a big problem," Charles didn't mind much. The movie probably wouldn't lack investment, and East Asia International investing 5 million RMB just to get Lin Chi-ling a role wouldn't upset the producers.
"What if we lose money?" Lin Chi-ling pouted and wrapped her arms around Charles' neck.
Charles smiled, holding the ladies' waist and whispered in her ear, "Then you'll have to pay me back yourself!"
After saying that, before the lady could respond, Charles kissed her on the lips.
In the evening, Charles planned to take Lin Chi-ling to the nearby Wynn hotel for a stroll. After all, Trump International Hotel was one of the few five-star hotels in Las Vegas without a casino.
Visiting Las Vegas and not seeing the Venetian or Wynn or Sands casinos would feel like missing something.
"Oh my God, Charles, is that you?" As Charles and Lin Chi-ling waited for the elevator, a voice startled Charles.
"Good evening, Donald," Charles greeted with a smile, recognizing Trump walking over, a man he had met in New York.
Along with Donald was his tall, blonde, and stunning daughter, Ivanka.
"Charles, welcome! This is my daughter, Ivanka," Donald introduced, shaking Charles' hand.
"Good evening, Ivanka," Charles greeted.
"Good evening, Charles," Ivanka smiled and asked, "Are you heading out?"
"This is my friend, Miss Lin! We are going to Wynn Casino," Charles introduced casually.
The group entered the elevator, and Donald and Ivanka exited midway.
"Who were they?" Lin Chi-ling asked as they left the hotel.
Charles glanced back at the hotel's dazzling golden sign, "That hotel's named after him."
"So, he's the owner of the big hotel!" Lin Chi-ling stuck out her tongue in realization.
Meanwhile, Donald and Ivanka entered the hotel office.
"Dad, how do you know Charles Capet?" Ivanka asked.
"Oh, we met at a New York party when Capet Pictures acquired the New York Observer," Donald explained.
"The New York Observer? The weekly that Jared Kushner wanted to buy? No wonder he couldn't compete," Ivanka shook her head. She had only recently met Jared Kushner.
"The Kushner group wants to expand in New York, but the head of the family is still in jail. Buying a well-known newspaper to boost their influence is smart," Donald commented.
"They're trying to connect with Mr. Murdoch for media support," Ivanka wasn't too concerned since they had only met at parties.
"For my birthday party, should I invite Charles Capet?" Ivanka, in Las Vegas to celebrate her 25th birthday, asked.
"Give it a try. We don't know how long Charles will stay in Las Vegas, but your birthday is the day after tomorrow. Just send an invitation!" Donald smiled, finding it beneficial to associate with a Hollywood mogul.
*****
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