Bab 241: Chapter 241: How Obvious
Approaching noon, a black Mercedes-Benz sedan entered the film studio land purchased by Daenerys Entertainment, following the widened mountain road. Even though it was Saturday, people were still bustling around in the work site nestled among the hills, a stark contrast to its original overgrown state.
Nancy Brill stepped out of the car at the edge of the construction site and was greeted by Amy Pascal. Nancy, surveying the terrain surrounded by mountain ridges on both sides and close to a cliff, commented to Amy, "From the choice of this plot, our young boss must be someone who lacks a sense of security deep down."
Amy, curious, asked, "Why do you say that?"
Nancy gestured around and then embraced the air, saying, "Isn't it obvious? This is a terrain choice full of a defensive mindset indicative of introversion. So, it's no wonder he prefers older women."
Amy, somewhat resigned to Nancy's frankness, warned her, "We're having lunch with Jenny later; please watch what you say."
"Of course," Nancy replied. "Besides, an Oedipus complex isn't something to be ashamed of. Many people have this mindset. Given our young boss's upbringing, it's even more normal for him."
Amy, feeling more helpless after their conversation yesterday, which had brought them closer, and now able to discuss topics beyond work, half-jokingly threatened, "Keep talking like that, and I might secretly tell Simon and have you kicked out of the company."
Nancy, sensing Amy's protective stance towards Simon, wisely changed the subject. "About the incident yesterday, has he responded?"
"Simon agreed, but he demands a more detailed plan from you. He also warned you to communicate better with Paramount, to avoid repeats of yesterday's board meeting mishap," Amy said, glancing at her watch. "It's about time. Let's head to Doom Cape."
Surprised at Simon's easy agreement, Nancy responded cheerfully, "I'll ride with you. We can talk on the way."
Saying so, Nancy returned to her black Mercedes, retrieved her handbag and a thick folder, and joined Amy in the passenger seat. Being a Daenerys Entertainment construction site, she wasn't concerned about leaving her car there; she planned to drive it back later.
Due to the 18-hour time difference, while it was still Saturday noon here, it was already Sunday morning in Australia.
Once Amy settled in and started the car, her mobile phone rang. After a gesture to Nancy, they switched seats, with Nancy driving and Amy answering the call.
"Is it about Meg Ryan?" Nancy inquired after Amy finished her call.
Amy nodded, her brow furrowed in thought.
Since Daenerys Entertainment's fallout with CAA, despite being bound by the option contract, the company couldn't just prevent Meg Ryan from accepting other movie roles. Doing so would comply with the contract but cast Daenerys Entertainment in a negative light within the industry.
Freezing out actors was a thing of the past in big studios.
If Daenerys Entertainment employed such tactics against a top actress like Meg Ryan now, it would surely draw the ire and discomfort of other Hollywood stars.
Thus, Amy adopted a strategy of delay, constantly introducing projects to Meg Ryan that were never meant to be signed. After a month of fruitless discussion over "Pretty Woman," CAA, perhaps sensing the ploy, requested a script change.
And now, this month's discussion had shifted to "Ghost."
As the month wore on, it became clear to CAA what Daenerys Entertainment's intentions were.
Josh Lieberman, Meg Ryan's agent, called just now, claiming that if a new film contract for Meg wasn't finalized within a week, he expected Daenerys to let his client take other film roles.
Otherwise, CAA would sue Kirstie Alley to prevent her from appearing in "Leap of Faith," a Daenerys and Warner Bros collaboration.
Kirstie Alley, who recently replaced Meg Ryan as the lead in "Leap of Faith" and was its original lead actress, had switched from CAA to WMA. During the transition, she agreed that CAA would still receive a cut from any film deals she made in the following year, a common practice among stars changing agencies and generally accepted by Hollywood agencies.
However, if pressed, the situation would inevitably become complicated.
Seeing Amy's nod, Nancy suggested, "Then just let Meg Ryan go. Let her pay a hefty penalty and star in a likely flop. That's better than forcibly keeping her. Daenerys is already a target in Hollywood; we shouldn't give our enemies easy ammunition."
Amy, caressing her mobile phone, eventually nodded. "I'll discuss it with Simon."
"For a small matter like this, I wouldn't bother consulting him if I were you."
Amy chuckled, "You really are eyeing my position, aren't you?"
"Of course, I even have my sights on our boss's position. Unfortunately, I lack his peculiar talents. Amy, I sometimes wonder if the original Simon Westeros died, and this one's a centuries-old vampire. How else do you explain a twenty-year-old knowing so much?"
"Next time you see Simon, ask him if he's a vampire."
"I'd rather not be silenced," Nancy chuckled, shrinking back playfully. Glancing at Amy, she noticed the more sophisticated mobile phone in her hand, sparking interest. She nodded towards it, "Which brand is that mobile phone? I've wanted one, but they're usually so bulky."
Amy showed her the black Micro-TAC by Motorola, only palm-sized and advanced as modern smartphones. "Motorola just released it. I got mine a few days ago."
Nancy, deciding to buy one later that afternoon, suddenly remembered something and laughed, "I bet this phone will be popular. Motorola, huh? I guess someone will regret dumping Motorola stocks last year. Also, I think his recent selling of Apple stocks isn't smart either. Apple still has great potential."
Both women, corporate elites, though not in electronics, had keen business acumen.
Westeros Company's divestment from Motorola had caused a stir last year. Now, with Motorola's launch of a potentially game-changing mobile communication device, any increase in Motorola's stock could lead to ridicule for Westeros Company.
"Simon must have his reasons," Amy said, still defending her boss. She then tapped the folder Nancy had handed over earlier, "Is this your birthday gift for Simon?"
"It's in my bag. I chose a pen," Nancy shook her head, explaining, "This is the plan for 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,' along with some concept samples from the studio. I'm thinking of having Jenny take it to Melbourne for Simon to see."
Amy flipped through the folder, containing thick documents and a few computer floppies – presumably the game prototypes Nancy mentioned. "Simon's so busy, and you're giving him more work. You're really squeezing the boss."
Nancy, unabashed, nodded in agreement, "Of course, no rule says employees can't squeeze their boss. Besides, he's a man; that's what they're for."
Amy paused, then chuckled, "I didn't expect you to make such jokes."
"Such jokes?" Nancy looked puzzled at Amy, then realized what she meant and shot her a glare, "I didn't expect you to be so vulgar."
Amy's smile didn't wane, "Okay, I'm vulgar."
As they chatted and passed Doom Cape Manor, which was also being developed into a private property, they unexpectedly saw Jenny and Katherine walking out. Nancy stopped the car.
Simon had recently started building a replica of the 'Iron Man mansion' at Doom Cape after purchasing the park.
Jenny was heading to Australia to celebrate Simon's birthday, and Katherine didn't plan to join. Therefore, Jenny had roped her into overseeing the Doom Cape Manor construction.
The four women knew each other and exchanged pleasantries before heading to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Amy's purpose for coming was similar to Nancy's, and she also needed to hand over other executives' birthday gifts for Simon.
After lunch, Amy and Nancy left, while Jenny began packing a pile of luggage at her and Simon's villa in Doom Cape Manor for her trip to Australia.
The next day, Jenny boarded a private plane to Australia at 8 a.m.
After a 16-hour flight, she arrived in Melbourne on Monday afternoon.
Instead of going to the Johnstons' suburban mansion with the driver who came to pick her up, Jenny headed straight to the "Batman" film set downtown after arranging her luggage.
Today's shoot involved a scene between Batman and Catwoman in a back alley in Melbourne's West Fyshwick area. When Jenny arrived, the alley was already closed by the crew, and dusk had set in.
Simon was busy instructing three actresses dressed as Catwoman.
Yes, three stand-ins for Catwoman.
Although Daenerys Entertainment had arranged sufficient physical training for Adam Baldwin and Valerie Golino, the film still required stunt doubles for many scenes, especially for Catwoman, whose physical and combat demands were higher.
In fact, Catwoman had a total of seven stunt doubles for various high-risk and complex athletic scenes during the filming.
Hollywood action scenes at the time were relatively basic, but Simon was setting his "Batman" action scenes in line with the advanced Hollywood standards of the future. Thus, scenes that appeared for a few seconds on screen often required hours of meticulous shooting.
By 2 a.m., the shoot wrapped up.
After managing the wrap-up, Simon asked Jenny whether to return to the Johnston estate or stay at the Kendal Hotel where the crew was lodging.
Jenny chose neither, claiming to have an apartment downtown where they could spend time alone, then had Neil Bennett drive them to a high-rise apartment in central Melbourne.
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