As Capet's Marvel Studios released The Incredible Hulk 2 nationwide, Capet only had one more movie left for the year: Skyfall!
Throughout 2011, Capet Universal swept the entire box office market.
Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, the 69th Annual Golden Globes Nominee Dinner.
Charles attended the dinner with Eva Green. The black-and-white silent film The Artist, which Capet acquired at the Cannes Film Festival, had also been nominated for Best Musical or Comedy Picture.
"Your movie Perfect Sense got good reviews, but it didn't even get a nomination?" Charles said to the blonde woman beside him, smiling.
Eva Green sighed, "IFC didn't market it at all, just screened it in a few commercial theaters in Los Angeles for a week."
"Alright," Charles said, realizing that it had been treated as cannon fodder. "I'll step out for a bit. If I'm not back, head over to Scarlett Johansson's place tonight."
"I know, I've been in touch with Scarlett."
Charles hadn't come just for the Golden Globes Nominee Dinner but to meet with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) President, Aida Takla-O'Reilly.
As the organizer of the Golden Globes, the HFPA held significant influence.
...
In a meeting room at the Hilton Hotel.
"Charles, what would you like to drink?" Aida Takla-O'Reilly asked warmly.
"Wine, please," Charles replied, sitting distractedly on the sofa.
After pouring Charles a glass, Aida handed him a list of HFPA members.
The HFPA, which organizes the Golden Globes in collaboration with NBC, always had around 90 members.
Charles sipped his wine and flipped through the list. "Several of them are 90 years old or more and still members?"
Ninety percent were old white men, with few minorities or women.
"Aida, many on this list aren't fit to be members anymore, wouldn't you agree?" Charles said, putting down the list and looking at Aida.
"Charles, the Foreign Press Association has been around for decades and has its own traditions," Aida responded, troubled.
Charles chuckled, "My demands aren't high. The proportion of Jewish members should drop below 10%. Right now, more than a quarter of them are Jewish. Remember, I'm not negotiating; I'm making demands. The broadcast contract with NBC and the Golden Globes doesn't matter to me. I'm not interested in the HFPA's internal politics. I just want to reduce the influence of Jewish members."
Charles spoke calmly, but his meaning was clear and undeniable.
"Changes are also needed at the Oscars. Hollywood has changed, and I'm in charge now."
Aida felt resigned hearing this. Capet's NBC was the broadcasting partner for the Golden Globes.
NBC could easily decide not to broadcast, and they wouldn't be too worried about losing that advertising revenue. But it would be a major blow to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which, despite being a nonprofit, still needed income.
Moreover, if Charles wanted to boycott the Golden Globes, he could come up with a hundred reasons to do so.
"Alright," Aida finally nodded. "I'll figure something out. The HFPA indeed needs reform. The media's sneering at our shady practices and financial dealings have eroded our credibility year by year."
"Journalists should do their job," said Charles, standing up. "Members shouldn't just write four paid articles a year and live off pensions. They should listen if they're getting paid, or the Golden Globes should switch to a profit-making venture, and I'll have nothing to say."
"Don't worry, Charles, I'll announce the reforms soon," Aida couldn't resist any longer. The Golden Globes were merely a product of Hollywood.
Now that Hollywood had a new owner, the Golden Globes had to serve the new master!
After finishing the discussion with Aida Takla-O'Reilly, Charles left the room.
...
"Mr. Capet, good evening!" Amanda Seyfried greeted Charles in the hallway of the hotel.
"Ah, Amanda, good evening," Charles replied. This year, Amanda had appeared in Universal's Snow White and the Huntsman and Les Miserables.
"Are you here for the Golden Globes?" Charles asked casually.
"Yes, In Time got a nomination, and the cast and crew are hosting a celebration party here," Amanda explained.
"You mean the time-travel movie you starred in with Justin Timberlake?"
Amanda nodded.
"Got it. How about a drink at the bar downstairs?" Charles invited.
"Sure," Amanda readily accepted.
"Mm..." In the bathroom of the bar on the third floor of the Hilton Hotel, Charles passionately kissed Amanda Seyfried from behind, his hand exploring inside her V-shaped dress.
"Charles," Amanda Seyfried breathed as she removed her panties...
Some time later, Amanda Seyfried leaned weakly against Charles, catching her breath.
"Amanda, has filming for Snow White and the Huntsman finished?" Charles asked, his hand on her chest.
"Yeah, now I'm shooting Les Miserables in the UK," Amanda replied, content and rosy-cheeked.
"Really?" Charles kissed her ear, "How about it? Satisfied?"
Amanda nodded. "It was amazing. Being your woman is such a blessing!"
Charles laughed, "I have many women."
"I can tell," Amanda replied, looking back at Charles, then turned around and kneeled.
Charles leaned against the bathroom wall, placing his hands on Amanda Seyfried's head!
"Phew, cough," a while later, Amanda finally stood up, wiping her mouth with a tissue.
"Charles, will you look for me again?" Amanda asked while fixing her dress.
"Uh, do you have a boyfriend now?" Charles asked, adjusting his suit.
"No, we broke up six months ago!" Amanda said. Her last boyfriend had been Ryan Phillippe, and they had split in May.
Charles nodded, caressing her waist. "Next time, try to win."
"Of course, next time I'll beat you..."
*****
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