Bab 214: Chapter 214: "Super Idol" Audition Show
After Bill left, the butler arrived with a tray and a letter.
"Mr. Hardy, you have a letter," the butler said.
Hardy was surprised to receive a letter. He picked it up and discovered it was from Victor in Hong Kong.
The letter was thick, containing dozens of pages. It wasn't just a work report but a detailed account of Victor's activities over the past two months.
Despite the convenience of telegrams, Victor opted for a more secure method to convey sensitive information.
In the letter, Victor described his progress in Hong Kong. Upon arrival, he rented a prominent facade house in a busy district, aiming to establish the Hardy Group's presence. Hardy appreciated this move; maintaining a strong public image was crucial.
Victor leveraged his connections with the consulate and organized a reception that attracted key figures from Hong Kong's political and business circles, successfully smoothing the way for future operations.
Hardy nodded in approval. Victor's worldly experience and sharp mind were precisely why he was assigned to this task. Skilled individuals often come from diverse backgrounds, and Victor's resourcefulness was evident.
Victor detailed his efforts in acquiring antiques. Initially, the collection was modest, with a few dozen pieces daily. However, when penicillin arrived, Victor sold some to a local hospital, signaling that he had a significant supply. This attracted two major buyers.
Hardy reviewed the transactions. The first buyer, a middle-aged man named Mr. Kong, brought in two full trucks of antiques. Victor's appraisal was initially high but adjusted downward for this transaction. Despite the lower price, Mr. Kong was willing to sell and indicated he could supply more antiques if needed.
Hardy was aware that some individuals exploit national crises for personal gain, such as selling cultural relics. Historical accounts mentioned similar activities during periods of upheaval.
Hardy felt a mix of anger and concern. He had initially bought Chinese cultural relics to preserve them, considering it both an investment and a way to protect heritage. The increasing acquisition of these treasures had become a significant part of his interests, reflecting his commitment to preserving Chinese culture.
Hardy decided to accept the antiques but at a reduced price, instructing Victor to offer more than a 30% discount and issue payments via Wells Fargo checks, which could only be cashed upon arrival in the U.S. Each check would be numbered for tracking purposes.
He wrote these instructions and handed them to a bodyguard for dispatch to the telegraph office.
Next, Hardy called Mark Keane, President of the Global Times. "Has the newspaper established a branch in Hong Kong yet?"
"Not yet, boss. We only have a branch in Japan," Keane replied.
"Set up a branch in Hong Kong immediately. The Hardy Group has a company there, Hardy Auction Company. It will be beneficial for the newspaper to have a local presence. Once established, send reporters to cover China, the Korean Peninsula, Southeast Asia, and other regions."
Though Keane was unsure of the exact reason for the urgent setup, he agreed promptly.
Hardy then contacted John Ston, President of Wells Fargo. "John, the Hardy Group is expanding into Hong Kong and Japan. It's essential for Wells Fargo to open branches in these locations."
"Hong Kong and Japan? You're focusing on the East?" Ston asked.
"Yes. While current conditions may not be as favorable as in Europe, they are likely to improve, and there are fewer competitors compared to Europe, where each country has numerous banks."
"I understand, boss. I'll arrange for branches to be opened in both Hong Kong and Japan," Ston assured.
In the evening, Hardy received a call from Heidi Ramah, inviting him to dinner. He agreed.
Dinner was at Heidi's studio, a casual and relaxed setting compared to a formal villa. To Hardy's surprise, Heidi cooked the meal herself.
"I attended a noble girls' school where I learned how to be a proper lady, including cooking," Heidi explained with a smile.
"Congratulations on the box office surpassing 10 million. What are your thoughts?" Hardy asked.
"I'm thrilled. It's a dream come true," Heidi responded.
Hardy shook his head. "It might not be your highest dream. The film company has applied for Golden Globes and Oscars. Taylor's 'This Killer Is Not So Cold' and your 'Human and Ghosts Are Coming' could be nominated."
"Really?" Heidi asked, excited.
"Certainly. I'm arranging for some influential support," Hardy said. Meyer, the chairman of the Oscar jury, and Hardy's role as the chairman of the actors' union made securing awards feasible.
Heidi, thrilled, showed her excitement with a kiss.
Later, as they lay in bed, Heidi turned on the TV, adjusting the stage to a show called "Vampires and Werewolves." Heidi, from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, found the show frightening but intriguing.
Hardy noticed the program was from Columbia TV, not ABC. NBC and Columbia TV had been ramping up their investments to compete with ABC's prime time, which had resulted in increased viewership for other channels.
With ABC's ratings down to 67%, Hardy realized it was time to introduce a new show. He had planned the "Super Draft" program but had previously delayed it due to high ratings.
"William, let's launch the 'Super Idol' audition show this year. It will energize the American entertainment scene," Hardy declared.
Irina, hearing this, was enthusiastic. "The 'Super Draft' will overshadow other programs and set a new standard."
Hardy outlined the details: the "Super Idol" show would focus on singing, open to all ages between 12 and 28, regardless of nationality. It aimed to find talented singers and potentially sign them to record deals, creating future revenue streams for the company.
"I'll arrange suitable judges for the show. I have candidates in mind," Hardy said, concluding the discussion.
The next steps were clear: it was time to make a significant impact on the entertainment industry.
Bab 215: Chapter 215: Girl's New Name
February arrived, bringing with it mild temperatures in Los Angeles, ranging from 18°C to 12°C. It was the perfect weather for windbreaker jackets, and Hardy found it much more comfortable than the summer heat.
Today, he was at the airport to welcome the crew of "Across the World" back to Los Angeles, but more importantly, to pick up Ava Gardner.
As the crew disembarked, the director and actors greeted Hardy with respect. He exchanged a few encouraging words with them before leading Ava to the car.
In the car, Ava hugged Hardy excitedly. "I'm so happy to be back! Now I can finally get some rest."
Hardy smiled. "It's up to you how you spend your time."
They chatted as they drove. Ava mentioned watching "The Ghost and the Human" in New York. "That movie was fantastic. Even though it wasn't full of big scenes, it left a lasting impression."
"And the theme song is incredible. You've created another classic, Hardy. The song's popularity has definitely contributed to the film's success."
"By the way, how did the show do? What's the box office like?"
"The film has officially ended its run. MGM hasn't released the final figures yet, but they told me the total box office is $11.2 million."
"Wow, that's a lot!" Ava exclaimed.
"I was wondering if 'Across the World' could compete with 'The Ghost and the Human,' but now it seems challenging," Ava said.
"Don't worry. With the right promotion, 'Across the World' can still be a big hit," Hardy said confidently.
"What's your plan for promotion?"
"I've got a special role lined up for you that will definitely boost the film's visibility," Hardy said.
Ava raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, just came back, and you're already putting me to work? You're such a capitalist."
"Just hear me out," Hardy continued. He introduced Ava to the 'Super Draft' program, which involved a nationwide audition leading up to finals.
Ava listened, intrigued. "It sounds like a fantastic opportunity."
"I want you to be a judge alongside Heidi Ramah, Johnny Fontaine, and Gary Grant. I think this lineup will be impressive enough," Hardy said.
The judge panel was indeed stellar. Ava Gardner was a renowned female singer whose record "Scarbro Market" had become a classic. Heidi Ramah, a top actress, had gained popularity from her role in "The Ghost and the Human." Johnny Fontaine, a celebrated American singer, and Gary Grant, an Oscar-winning actor, rounded out the panel.
"Alright, I'm in," Ava agreed.
With the judges decided, the rest was up to ABC TV. A production team was formed and preparations began.
Meanwhile, Bill orchestrated a covert operation to acquire a bottle cap factory in the suburbs of Atlanta. He spent over $10,000 to secure it and produced a batch of counterfeit Coca-Cola bottle caps. After production, the factory was sold off, and the workers were sworn to secrecy.
These fake bottle caps were distributed across major U.S. cities and stored in warehouses. A few weeks later, Bill reported to Hardy, "Everything's set. We can start in three days."
Hardy had already informed Andy of the plan to undermine Coca-Cola. Andy arranged to short Coca-Cola stocks using secret accounts.
During this period, Coca-Cola's sales surged due to their prize redemption activity, with 70 to 80 million bottles sold in just over a month. However, many people were accumulating bottle caps, but very few were winning prizes.
Distributors began exchanging caps for prizes, which initially seemed normal. But soon, the volume of exchanges grew suspicious. Coca-Cola's head office was alerted when the redemption amounts reached millions.
The CEO of Coca-Cola was overwhelmed and issued an immediate halt to the redemption process. Distributors were instructed to stop processing claims, but reaching the small grocery stores and supermarkets was a challenge.
The media quickly picked up the story. Newspapers reported on the scandal, highlighting the massive losses and Coca-Cola's declining reputation. The company's stock price plummeted by 26% in response to the crisis.
Pepsi-Cola capitalized on the opportunity, with Chairman Walter Mack announcing new, secure redemption methods for their bottle caps.
Coca-Cola's failure to address the situation properly led to further declines in credibility and stock prices. The company's internal strife continued as the new president was forced to deal with the fallout from the scandal.
As Hardy moved on to focus on the "Super Idol" talent show, February 14 arrived—Valentine's Day.
The Global Times announced the launch of the talent show hosted by ABC TV, inviting participants from around the world to Los Angeles. The show promised a chance for aspiring stars to secure record deals and make a name for themselves.
In a modest Los Angeles apartment, a girl carefully reviewed the newspaper ad for the show. She considered her chances and, despite her doubts about her singing, decided this could be her opportunity. She remembered her previous struggles and the fruit photo offer she'd turned down.
Determined, she dressed up and made her way to the registration location. The line was already long when she arrived, but she felt hopeful.
As she filled out her registration form, she hesitated before writing her name. Finally, she made a decision and signed with her new name:
Marilyn Monroe.
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