Capítulo 477: Chapter 477: Lachlan Murdoch
[Chapter 539: Lachlan Murdoch]
Australia, Queensland, Gold Coast.
Arthur lay on a beach chair by the sea, enjoying a sip of juice. "This is a great place!"
Gold Coast City, as a tourist destination located in the middle of Australia's eastern coastline, featured beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate.
At that moment, Nicole Kidman, wearing a bikini, walked over. "If you like it here, why not stay a little longer?"
"Hmm," Nicole said as she sat in Arthur's lap and started kissing him.
After a passionate kiss with the sexy Nicole Kidman, Arthur smiled. "Aren't you supposed to be at the set of The Portrait of a Lady?"
Nicole shrugged. "It doesn't matter if I take a few days off, as long as you're here."
"How about tonight we head back to Brisbane and meet Lachlan Murdoch?" Arthur suggested, his fingers toying with her hair and a smirk on his face. "He's Rupert Murdoch's eldest son, after all!"
A few years ago, Arthur and Lachlan Murdoch had met several times.
"Alright, let's head back to the hotel and get ready," Nicole replied.
...
Brisbane, located 80 kilometers north of the Gold Coast, is the capital of Queensland and the third largest city in Australia, after Sydney and Melbourne.
"Arthur, welcome to Australia!"
"Nicole, good evening!"
Lachlan Murdoch hosted the two at a club by the Brisbane coastline.
Arthur greeted him with a smile and a handshake. "When do you plan to head to the U.S. for your career?"
Lachlan shrugged. "Should be soon. I've joined News Corporation's board, after all. I will probably be going to the United States soon to be in charge of the distribution of the New York Post."
Arthur, holding Nicole Kidman in his arms, said wistfully, "You're just going to manage the New York Post? Not to mention the FOX Broadcasting Network, and there's also 20th Century Fox Film Entertainment -- that's News Corporation's key business. Managing just the New York Post is pretty insignificant. Even overseeing a cable network would be more substantial!"
Lachlan Murdoch, still only 25, considered his time in Australia as an internship.
After all, the profits for News Corporation came mainly from the U.S. So, can mere management of the New York Post keep him satisfied?
Nicole Kidman nearly laughed, patting Arthur's hand to signal him to stop.
Lachlan felt a bit awkward and explained, "Arthur, I don't have much experience yet. I'm starting with the New York Post. But I will also be involved in managing News Corporation's television channels. I'm still young."
Then Arthur raised his glass and clinked it with Lachlan's. "True, News Corporation started from newspapers. Their newspaper business in Australia and the UK is quite strong. The New York Post is also among the top ten newspapers in the U.S."
"Right now, FOX is fully building the FOX News Channel, and Fox Sports Network is launching this year."
"That's the future for News Corporation. I'm looking forward to seeing you in the U.S. Young folks like us should take the stage, right?"
Arthur was only two years older, but he had acquired CBS's Galaxy, which was bigger than the entire News Corporation.
If Lachlan remained in Australia, he would be too far from the core of power. His sister Elizabeth Murdoch and brother James Murdoch were both in the UK or the U.S.!
Lachlan Murdoch took a sip of his drink and changed the subject. "Arthur, this year the Australian government is supporting the film industry. They're providing financial assistance and tax incentives for films shot in Australia. Does Galaxy have any interest in this?"
Arthur thought for a moment and then replied, "Australia's nice, but it's vast with a sparse population and a smaller market. The film industry's development is limited, and funding is a major issue. Local films don't have much of a future."
"Australia speaks English, has abundant land and resources, and a well-developed film industry. With cheap labor and tax incentives, Hollywood could definitely shoot films here," Nicole Kidman chimed in.
Arthur smiled. "Exactly, that's Australia's advantage. Geographically, it has a wide range of landscapes and ecosystems. Stunning beaches, vast deserts, majestic mountains, dense forests, magnificent coral reefs, and so on -- these diverse landscapes give filmmakers a wide range of creative space and rich background options."
Arthur said this while playfully patting Nicole Kidman's thigh. "And let's not forget about the cheap labor, which is attractive to Hollywood!"
However, being in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia's weather and climate conditions differed from those in the Northern Hemisphere, which posed challenges for film production.
Some films required specific climates and natural landscapes, and Australia's unique environment often needed extra costs and resources to adapt. Plus, due to the time difference, film release dates and promotional activities might require adjustments.
But overall, Australia was indeed another suitable overseas base for Hollywood, following Canada and the UK.
Since they were heading to Sydney the next day, Arthur and Nicole Kidman decided to leave early and get some rest at the hotel.
...
[T/N: I have removed a minor story line of face slapping James Packer, son of media mogul Kerry Packer because he was interested in Nicole Kidman.]
[Chapter 540: The Gap Is Too Wide]
In a beachfront resort in Brisbane, Nicole Kidman lay on the bed in a sexy tank top. She saw Arthur emerging from the bathroom and playfully asked, "We're heading to Sydney tomorrow. I'm thinking of returning to the set. Are you going back home?"
"Not so fast. I have some business in Indonesia, so I'll wait a few days," Arthur replied, as Indonesia was just north of Australia. He planned to wait for Carl Anderson to update him on some news.
Arthur climbed onto the bed and started kissing Nicole on the neck. As her nightgown slipped off, Arthur pressed against Nicole, kissing her soft skin!
Nicole responded passionately, wrapping her long legs tightly around his waist.
...
In Sydney, at MGM's Australian office, Arthur sat in a chair, flipping through the film distribution business in Australia and New Zealand. Shortly, Carl Anderson walked in.
Arthur put down the reports and looked at him. "How are things going with the oil fields near Surabaya on Java?"
Carl Anderson shook his head. "As it stands, it's not looking good. The surrounding coastal land is a joint venture between the Indonesian National Oil Company and the Prabowo Subianto family. Even for crude oil sales, our oil field would need a pipeline directly to the port, but we would have to give up much profit to make it happen. Prabowo Subianto is the son-in-law of former President Suharto and has a military background!"
Arthur's expression remained neutral. "I spent $80 million on that oil field; it has to be developed."
Moreover, this oil field was rich in reserves, and even if it was tough, it had to be exploited. Of course, the Western oil company had already spent $200 million plus 30 million shares to acquire the mining rights.
Arthur wanted this matter handled beautifully!
"What did the CIA say?" Arthur inquired.
Carl shrugged. "Get Prabowo Subianto to have a stake or pull in higher-ups."
"He's Suharto's son-in-law," Arthur tapped the table. "Send someone to Jakarta to get in touch with Prabowo Subianto."
Carl nodded. "We bought a small island near Sulawesi as a secret base, and we also stocked supplies near the islands close to Mindanao in the Philippines!"
"Good. If Prabowo Subianto is too greedy, we'll find another way," Arthur glanced at Carl.
"If he doesn't cooperate, we'll send him to meet his maker."
Carl was taken aback. "Sir, this isn't Africa, and he's Suharto's son-in-law!"
Arthur smirked. "Suharto's approval ratings are in the dumps; the U.S. government isn't too happy with him. If the time comes, Suharto may well be in trouble himself. I want the oil on Java; once the moment is right, partner with BP and Mobil to take over Java Island!"
"Suharto's two sons are also involved in the Indonesian National Oil Company," Carl reminded him.
"Just small fry for now; let's deal with Prabowo Subianto first," Arthur mused.
"Also, gather all the info on Suharto's close aides, and also his family, like his sons and daughters!"
Carl thought for a moment. "Sir, Prabowo Subianto is very greedy, and his father is also a high-ranking official in the Indonesian government. The cost isn't going to be small!"
Arthur closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them. "Then we'll go after him first; so many people die every day. Killing a few soldiers isn't a big deal; there are plenty of mercenaries out there, and we can team up with the CIA to take him out. Remember, whoever stands in our way dies. If $50 million isn't enough, I'll add another $50 million. If Prabowo Subianto and his family aren't enough, we'll also take out a few more families!"
Arthur's face was fierce.
"Understood," Carl said, gasping; this was bringing the mentality of African warlords to Southeast Asia!
...
After Carl Anderson left, Arthur's face returned to normal. He was indeed a good man; at least he could send them all to hell to reunite.
After a while, someone reported that Mr. Graham Burke, chairman of the Village Roadshow Entertainment, had invited him.
"To the Sydney Opera House to enjoy an opera performance?"
Arthur reclined in his chair lazily. Vista Entertainment was currently collaborating with European film companies and didn't have anything that would attract Hollywood.
Was Graham Burke up to something?
*****
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