Bab 663: Chapter 663: New York Dreamers
"Charles, you Hollywood folks sure stirred up quite a bit this time," Sheldon Adelson said, smiling as he puffed on a cigar in his office at the Venetian Hotel and Casino. "It's given the American TV news industry quite a challenge!"
Charles smiled. "The world is always changing, and some things and some people need to change with it, don't you think?"
"By the way, Charles, your West Pacific Union Bank has investments in Sands Corporation. With the fast development of the gambling industry in Asia, are you interested in the gambling markets in Macau and Singapore?"
"Oh, the gambling industries in Macau and Singapore are real golden geese," Charles smiled. "Is Mr. Adelson willing to let me in?"
Sheldon smiled back. "You practically control Hollywood now. You're a big shot in the global media, a very special status!"
Charles shook his head. "Nah, just having some stock investments is enough. I don't have the energy for anything else."
The gambling industry was a giant money launderer. With his current position, Charles didn't need to get involved directly. Investing in gambling stocks was enough. Charles had no interest in other aspects, given that the gambling industry primarily supported the Republican Party while his Hollywood faction was firmly Democratic!
Charles was clear on Sheldon's intentions. The recent events at Fox News were significant;
They dealt a big blow to the Republican Party's biggest propaganda machine. Even though left-wing TV networks were also facing challenges, without Roger Ailes, the genius news director, FNC's recovery would take more time!
Sheldon saw a chance to pull NBC to his side as it shifted to a more neutral stance; And few could match the influence of a media giant like Charles Capet in the hearts of Americans, not even an Australian outsider who built an empire off sleaze!
"It's okay. I believe we'll get more chances to collaborate," Sheldon hugged Charles with a smile.
"Tonight, there's a boxing match. Don't you operate UFC? I've never seen you at a boxing match though?"
"Well," Charles laughed, "I've been scared of blood since I was a kid. I can't stand violence!"
Sheldon's mouth twitched. Charles Capet's life story had been thoroughly investigated - he grew up in the slums of East Los Angeles; He hadn't accomplished much as a kid, but he'd been in quite a few scrapes. Even Evelyn mentioned in interviews that she remembered Charles coming home bruised and battered many times.
Charles's meteoric rise from complete obscurity to self-made success gave him huge admiration among Americans. Mark Zuckerberg was also impressive and even younger than Charles, but his achievements couldn't compare.
Charles could get away with almost anything because of his age and extraordinary journey!
...
At night, Charles stood by the window of the Venetian Hotel, overlooking Las Vegas. The neon lights sparkled, showcasing a world of glitz and glamor.
"This place sure reeks of sweet, sweet capitalism," Charles mused.
"Yeah," said Scarlett Johansson, glancing at Charles while dabbing on perfume at the vanity,
"The sewers here have quite a population."
"Heh, I know, mole people," Charles chuckled.
In America's major cities, the vast underground water systems were home to many homeless individuals known as mole people!
"By the way, are you leaving tomorrow? Heading back to LA or New York?" Scarlett asked, wearing a seductive camisole as she walked over.
"Heading to LA first. The Universal Entertainment Building opening in New York is on the 15th, no rush!"
"Oh, I just took a role in the biography movie Hitchcock. I need to report in as soon as I get back to LA," Scarlett explained.
A biopic about the legendary director Alfred Hitchcock!
...
"Don't worry, Charles, you need to keep the investors around you calm. No one wants Capet Universal's IPO to be affected," Gavin Newsom said seriously. "Capet Universal might become the first publicly traded media conglomerate; no will mess things up.
This year, Arizona Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot, and we teamed up to deal with Fox News and one of its steering hands, Roger Ailes. Relations between the two parties aren't good right now."
Charles looked at Gavin Newsom, "So, politicians shouldn't stick their necks out, or they might really get killed," Charles shook his head. "But only those without much background would meet their maker. Most are from political families now, so they're pretty safe."
"Well, you know how high anti-Semitic sentiments have been among the public these years," Gavin Newsom smiled. "And the Jewish influence in Hollywood seems to have taken quite a hit because of you."
Charles also smiled, "Would they send someone to take me out?"
*cough* *cough* Gavin Newsom almost choked on his drink. "You in the media world are like Buffett in Wall Street; you're a titan of Anglo-Saxon media. So, you should pay more attention to your lifestyle; you're under a lot of scrutiny! Oh, whatever. You're still young; people don't care what you do in Hollywood anyway."
Charles stroked his chin, "You're not talking about my love life, are you? I'm not even married!"
Gavin Newsom gave Charles a look, "It's precisely because you're not married that people think you haven't developed a sense of responsibility. So, if you want to climb further up the political ladder, you should consider getting married. With your wealth and media power, many people would hope to ride your coattails to success."
Charles scrunched his nose, "It's too early; I'm still young..."
Gavin Newsom continued, "Europe has many old families. If you're interested, you could think about that. They provide status; you have the money..."
"Stop," Charles shook his head. "I'm already on the Forbes Billionaires list and among the top tier. This is unnecessary. Bill Gates, Buffett, the Google guys - they don't need arranged marriages. I'm not a second-generation wealthy person. I'm the first generation who built this empire in just over ten years; others can only follow me."
Gavin Newsom smiled, "Then play for a few more years. Hollywood is your playground. But in politics, marriage is a serious consideration. You better figure it out!"
Charles stood up, "Alright, I have no interest in politics. What, should I run for president?"
"If you do decide to run, I think you'd have a pretty good shot at winning," Gavin Newsom joked.
"If America were a monarchy, I'd want to be king, hahaha..."
...
Charles headed to New York for the opening ceremony of Capet Universal's New York headquarters.
As one of Hollywood's oldest movie companies, 2012 was Universal Pictures' 100th anniversary!
Capet Universal was already preparing for next year's centennial celebration and had some events planned to warm up for the anniversary.
"I heard Paramount is also preparing for its 100th anniversary celebration?" Charles asked after the ceremony, sitting in the Universal Entertainment Building in Lower Manhattan.
Phyllis Jones nodded, "Yes, since Paramount and Universal are the two oldest movie companies in Hollywood. Both were founded in 1912, making next year the 100th anniversary!"
"100 years," Charles looked thoughtfully at the Hudson River. Paramount isn't even in the same league as us now.
"By the way, what's the most popular new name for the Nets in the online vote?" Charles asked. This season, the Nets were fifth in the East and were playing the Magic in Orlando in the first game of the playoffs tomorrow night.
"Dreamers, New York Dreamers!"
"Fine, we should listen to the fans," Charles didn't care what the team was called as long as the fans liked it.
"The Knicks are the seventh seed, facing the Heat in the first round, haha!"
But Charles wouldn't go to Madison Square Garden to support the Knicks.
The old rich in Manhattan are all Knicks fans. When the Nets move to Brooklyn, they need to win a championship to attract the new wealth to support the team...
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone