บท 103: Chapter 103: Amy Pascal
After the wrap-up of To Die For, Amy Pascal returned with the crew to Galaxy Pictures.
"Arthur, you wanted to see me?" Amy Pascal entered Arthur's office. It hadn't been long, and already Orion had a new owner.
Arthur nodded. "I watched the trailer for To Die For. It should turn out well once editing is done. You did a great job!"
Amy Pascal smiled. "That's what I'm supposed to do. Being involved in a project from start to finish is very valuable for my experience. But I have to congratulate you; now you're directly in charge of Orion!"
"Amy, I think you're quite capable," Arthur said without beating around the bush. "Would you like to come over and help me? Orion needs a manager, and my main focus will still be on film production and distribution. For specific production work, I need your expertise. At Galaxy, you can realize your ambitions!"
"You want to recruit me?" Amy Pascal was a bit surprised.
Arthur nodded. "Yes, I want you to be the president of Orion. It's definitely a better position than your current one at Columbia. A salary of $500,000 per year, with an annual increase of no less than 15%, and year-end bonuses. I believe this is better than what you get at Sony Columbia!"
At Columbia, Amy Pascal's annual salary was at most $350,000.
Amy Pascal was taken aback. Her salary at Columbia was only $300,000, without any substantial involvement in film production, and bonuses were negligible.
After all, Amy Pascal was only 33 years old. Becoming the president of Orion would make her Arthur's right-hand person!
"Arthur, are you serious about running Orion?" Though tempted, Amy Pascal needed to know if Arthur was committed and not just playing around.
"Of course, I am serious. I can sign a four-year contract with you. With Orion's distribution network, I can release my films independently. Solomon Brothers, Chase Manhattan, Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, Fuji Bank — do you think they're just acting on impulse?"
Arthur stood up as he spoke. "Amy, let's make history together. Galaxy won't just focus on low-budget genre films; we'll also move towards mainstream commercial films. Not only North American distribution; I'll also establish international distribution channels. Hollywood's globalization strategy has started, and it's an unstoppable trend!"
The Soviet Union was on the verge of collapse, ending a 40-year Cold War. American hegemony was about to be realized.
For American industries, this meant breaking down most barriers. Hollywood's cultural dominance worldwide was inevitable!
Amy Pascal thought for a moment, then smiled. "Arthur, give me a few days to consider it. I'll give you an answer within a week."
"I hope you can help me. Galaxy has two medium to large projects to develop, and I don't trust Orion's current management."
Amy Pascal nodded and left Arthur's office.
That evening, at a star-studded party in West Hollywood, Winona Ryder and Nicole Kidman were chatting together.
"Why isn't Arthur here?" Nicole Kidman asked, not seeing Arthur Smith at the event.
Winona Ryder shook her head. "He's very busy now. There are many projects at Orion, and he has a lot to handle. In a few days, I'm going to London for the BAFTA Awards, and he doesn't even have time to accompany me!"
"I just finished filming To Die For with him, and now he's become the owner of Orion," Nicole Kidman said, finding it all surreal.
"I heard Orion has a lot of problems. The newspapers have been critical. Is Arthur under a lot of pressure lately?"
Nicole Kidman had only seen Arthur once at the company after returning to Los Angeles.
"Under a lot of pressure?" Winona Ryder shook her head. "No, he seems the same as always!"
"Really?"
Suddenly, there was a loud laugh nearby. "Will I get AIDS?"
It was Mel Gibson, a Hollywood action star, mocking an openly gay makeup artist while biting a cigar.
Winona Ryder and Nicole Kidman turned to look. Mel Gibson, noticing Winona, drunkenly said, "Did you escape from the crematorium?"
Winona frowned. "You shouldn't mock Jews, Mr. Gibson."
Although Winona Ryder wasn't religious, she was of Jewish descent. Mel Gibson's words upset her.
Mel Gibson, clearly drunk, laughed and walked away, making a rude gesture.
Neither Winona Ryder nor Nicole Kidman could compare to the famous Mel Gibson in Hollywood at that moment.
"Winona, let's leave," Nicole Kidman suggested, pulling Winona to leave the party.
"I need to go to the restroom," Winona Ryder whispered.
"I'll go with you," Nicole Kidman said, accompanying her.
Later, Nicole Kidman called Arthur Smith.
Arthur, watching a rough cut of Scream, answered the call. "Oh, Nicole, what's up?"
"Arthur, Winona and I just encountered Mel Gibson at the party. He was very rude..."
After listening to Nicole's account, Arthur's expression turned grim. "Which hotel are you at?"
"The Hollywood Celebrity Hotel!"
"Okay, I know. You and Winona go home first. I'll come find you later."
Arthur hung up, spoke a few words to director Sam Raimi in the screening room, and left.
Driving from Orion, he headed straight to the Hollywood Celebrity Hotel. Mel Gibson, though American, had moved to Australia as a child and became famous with the post-apocalyptic Mad Max series.
Later, he starred in Hollywood's Lethal Weapon duology, making him a top Hollywood star.
However, he was notoriously bad-tempered and an extreme white supremacist in Hollywood.
His remarks about Jews and gays didn't matter much to Arthur, but he shouldn't have insulted his women!
Arthur drove his Acura NSX to the Hollywood Celebrity Hotel, parking in the lot just as Mel Gibson, arm-in-arm with two women and visibly drunk, exited the elevator.
"Hey, you Australian savage!" Arthur walked straight toward him…
*****
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