At the Los Angeles King's Dock, on Charles's yacht Star, a celebration party was in full swing after the Golden Globe Awards.
Capet Pictures' The Departed won the Golden Globe for Best Director, and The Devil Wears Prada snagged the award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.
Although they didn't win Best Drama, Best Comedy or Musical, Best Actor in a Drama, or Best Foreign Language Film, Charles didn't really care much about awards anymore given his current status. The movie producers, directors, actors, and agents handled all the lobbying and worrying about such matters.
Roger Anderson, the president of Capet Television, entered the yacht's main hall and found Charles who was chatting enthusiastically with Ridley Scott, the director of The Departed.
"What's up, Roger?" Charles asked.
"We just signed a cooperation agreement with Cablevision cable network, providing them with TV series, variety shows, and reality shows!" Roger Anderson grinned. This would significantly bolster Capet Television's production capacity.
"Isn't our show Mad Men already airing on their network? And wasn't Breaking Bad also signed for a first-look deal?" Charles laughed, "It's no surprise they'd sign a cooperation agreement with Capet TV.
By the way, Roger, didn't a big news story break recently?" Charles asked.
"What big news?" Roger Anderson wasn't sure which event Charles was referring to: was it Andy Dick harassing Ivanka and getting kicked out by Charles? Or the end of the Golden Globes?
"The sex tape of internet celebrity Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend, hip-hop singer Ray J (little brother of R&B star Brandy Norwood) leaked just a few days ago. Adult film companies are already gearing up to sell DVDs," Charles laughed casually, "We should approach their family. Capet TV should produce a reality show about their lives. I bet it would get great ratings."
Roger Anderson nodded, "We considered this last year. Given Kim Kardashian's constant shadowing of Paris Hilton, there's significant buzz around her. Developing a show like The Simple Life which starred Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie could be a great move."
"Now that even the sex tape scandal mirrors Paris Hilton's past, it's definitely a good opportunity." Charles chuckled, "Her entire family is quite something. Now that Kim's gained notoriety, and since her mom is a TV producer, they'll surely want to capitalize on this buzz."
"With E! Entertainment under the same corporate umbrella as USA Network, we can easily collaborate," Charles added.
Roger Anderson nodded again. Over the past couple of years, Kim Kardashian had gained more appearances and even a spot on The Simple Life by being Paris Hilton's sidekick.
For someone like Kim Kardashian to leverage her sex tape scandal for fame wasn't surprising at all.
After Roger Anderson left, Charles pondered. A show like Keeping Up with the Kardashians was as good as inevitable.
At the same time, Freddie Mac's stock had slid from nearly $70 per share last year to about $60 per share now, reaching the levels seen last August, although still higher than the lowest price of $55 last year.
Since Charles had shorted the stock when it was nearly $70 a share, Capet Investment fund had already bagged billions even if they cashed out now.
Feeling elated, Charles thought it was indeed fortunate that Kim Kardashian's sex tape scandal broke out now. Although Charles had been anticipating Kim's rise to fame, this was like destiny.
USA Network was eager to partner with him, not just for high-rated series but also for reality TV shows that attract viewers.
The Dolan family, who owned Cablevision Group, ought to be grateful. Next time Charles met James Dolan, the owner of the New York Knicks, in New York, he should totally express his appreciation. After all, the current chairman of Cablevision Group was James's father, Charles Dolan.
"Charles, what makes you so happy?" The gorgeous Anne Hathaway walked over in a sexy low-cut dress that showed off her great figure.
"Anne," Charles warmly hugged Anne Hathaway and whispered in her ear, "I'll tell you later when we get back!"
"Alright," Anne Hathaway nodded, then asked, "Charles, why wasn't I cast in Capet Pictures' Mamma Mia!? I was really popular after working with Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada; why did you give the role to Scarlett Johansson? Am I not as good as her?"
Charles laughed and gently embraced Anne Hathaway, "No way. The Devil Wears Prada made you one of the most promising actresses in Hollywood. Mamma Mia! is a musical adapted for the screen, and Scarlett's role isn't that significant. Meryl Streep has the main part. Besides, you already have three movies to shoot this year, right?"
Anne Hathaway nodded. The Devil Wears Prada had certainly elevated her from merely a Hollywood princess to a major star.
Anne Hathaway's pay had even doubled to over $6 million, and her fame had soared.
"I have a reboot of the TV show Get Smart with Warner Bros, and two dramas, one with Sony Classics and one with Sony Columbia," Anne Hathaway admitted freely to Charles.
Charles nodded, "Great, a mix of commercial and artistic films!"
Before long, the two found themselves in one of the yacht's bedrooms. Charles held Anne Hathaway, sat on the bed, and kissed her passionately.
Ignoring the racket outside, Charles pressed Anne Hathaway down, kissing her as he undressed her.
As her low-cut gown slipped off, Charles eagerly kissed Anne Hathaway's soft, fair chest.
"Charles, I only start shooting in March, so I'll be in Los Angeles until then," Anne Hathaway said. Both she and Charles were busy and didn't get to see each other much.
Then, Anne Hathaway rolled over and pinned Charles beneath her, "Now, it's my turn to take charge!"
In that moment, Anne Hathaway, embodying a European knight, charged ahead relentlessly, determined to utterly defeat Charles.
*****
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