Chapter 140: Afternoon
In Santa Monica.
In the parking lot outside Daenerys Entertainment's headquarters, Simon Westeros and Amy stepped out of the car, followed by Jennifer and Amy's assistant, Vanessa, from another vehicle. The four of them walked into the office building together.
Simon was still discussing film business with Amy: "Considering CAA's last-minute change of heart, forget about Robin Williams. Hand the script, along with the outline for my ghost movie, to Robert De Niro. It would be best if you could sign him for both films at once."
Amy confirmed, "The 'Sixth Sense' that Bruce Joel Rubin is writing?"
The last time Simon met with Bruce Joel Rubin, the screenwriter of 'Ghost,' he was inspired to think of another ghost movie, the 'Sixth Sense,' which became a massive box office hit in 1999 in the original timeline. This intricately plotted thriller only trailed behind 'Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace' in its year, grossing over $600 million worldwide, more successful than 'Ghost.'
Simon nodded, "Yes, De Niro would definitely be interested in trying out the roles of a teacher and a psychologist."
Amy laughed, "Actually, De Niro was my first thought as well. But this means the budget for both films will definitely exceed $10 million."
Although Simon wished to break free from the dependency on big stars, he understood that with Daenerys Entertainment's current capabilities, it was still not possible to challenge Hollywood's traditional rules in the short term.
"Let it exceed, then. Either way, ensuring the quality of the films is the priority," said Simon, recalling another matter, "Hasn't there been another breakdown in negotiations between the Writers Guild and the Producers Alliance?"
"Yeah, looks like there's going to be another strike this year," Amy replied, grasping Simon's intent, "I'll urge Robert Harlin and Bruce Joel Rubin to finish the scripts for 'Mulan' and 'Scream' before the strike."
Listening to Amy's casual tone, Simon suddenly realized that the whole of Hollywood probably hadn't anticipated the severity of the upcoming strike.
The Basic Agreement between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and the Writers Guild, renegotiated every three years, almost always involved disputes, but were typically resolved quickly. Except for the first major screenwriters' strike in 1960, which lasted 151 days, other strikes were short, with the most recent in 1985 lasting just 15 days.
However, the 1988 Hollywood writers' strike would last 155 days.
Simon had already been considering using this strike to opportunistically expand Daenerys Entertainment's television production business. Now, with Hollywood's current optimistic attitude, if managed properly, the benefits Daenerys Entertainment could reap from this would be substantial.
Reaching the second floor, Amy and Vanessa headed to their own office.
Simon noticed Jennifer's hair was down again today. Recalling how her hairstyle seemed to oscillate between loose and ponytail, a struggle of sorts, he teased, "Are you starting to adjust your hairstyle based on your mood, like Amy?"
Over time, Simon had discovered Amy Pascal's habit of changing her hairstyle with her moods.
Jennifer, surprised Simon noticed such details and remembering Janet's words from the other night, felt an inexplicable warmth rise to her cheeks. Unsure of how to respond, she simply hung her head, pretending not to hear.
Seeing his assistant's silence, Simon didn't press further, merely suggesting playfully, "You should tie it up; I like it better that way."
As Jennifer hurried into her own office to escape the conversation, Simon was left puzzled by her reaction to his light joke.
Upon entering his office, Susan informed Simon that Ms. Bigelow had been waiting for more than ten minutes.
Pushing open the door, Simon saw Kathryn sitting on the sofa in the reception area, flipping through a screenplay. She was dressed in a dark green military-style jacket, flared jeans, and black high-heeled boots, presenting a striking profile.
As Kathryn stood up, Simon quickly stopped her, "No, please, stay seated."
Confused, Kathryn stood anyway, her height immediately surpassing Simon's. Her attire today made Simon feel as if she was about to say, 'Don't ask, because I won't tell.'
Kathryn, sensing Simon's gaze, somewhat awkwardly held up the screenplay, "Do you want to take a look at this first?"
Taking the screenplay, Simon still eyed the daunting woman before him, joking, "Could you take off the coat? I'm afraid you might hit me if I find any faults with the script later."
Kathryn shot Simon a reproachful look but sat down again.
Simon joined her on the adjacent long sofa, crossed his legs, and placed the screenplay on his lap. The title read, 'Blue Thunder Angel,' Kathryn's second feature film after 'Night of the Blood Zombie.'
Recalling
his previous viewing of 'Blue Thunder Angel,' Simon's primary thought was to ensure that Jamie Lee Curtis did not play the female lead. He appreciated many actresses with androgynous qualities, but he always felt that Curtis didn't just appear androgynous; she seemed entirely masculine.
As Simon began to flip through the screenplay, the office fell into a quiet focus.
Kathryn, glancing at Simon's profile engrossed in reading, suddenly realized she should say something to break the ice, perhaps asking how he had been.
But since late October, his actions seemed to always make the newspapers.
Suddenly rich, nearly investigated, and even during the holidays, he stirred up trouble for a major company like Motorola.
That little rascal.
And yet.
He wouldn't start a conversation on his own.
Definitely on purpose.
After a moment of silence, Kathryn lifted her coffee cup, "Do you want some coffee?"
Simon looked up, "Sure."
Noticing his glance at her cup, she suddenly worried he might grab it from her and stood up hastily, "I'll get it for you."
At the door, she realized he had locked the office door earlier, probably planning some mischief.
That little rascal.
Quietly cursing again, she made coffee herself in the outer office, returned, hesitated, and locked the door again.
Pouring him a cup, she sat down again, then said, "You must be busy, right? If you want, I can leave, and you can just let me know when you're done."
Simon shook his head, "No, I only have your matter this afternoon."
Hearing his matter-of-fact tone, she pretended to sip her coffee, then noticed his mischievous smile and kicked at him with her rigid boot heel, not too hard.
Her boot, however, got caught between Simon's feet. Trying to pull back, her black boot remained with him.
Looking at her boot, she wanted to retrieve it but dared not come closer. Instinctively, she felt if she did, she might not be able to leave at all.
"You can't do this."
"Hmm?"
"I'll tell Jennifer."
"Hmm."
"Give me back my shoe."
"No."
"That little rascal."
"Thanks for the compliment."
After a standoff, she grew increasingly annoyed and couldn't help but stand up and try to retrieve her shoe.
Then.
As expected, she was completely caught.
After some time, on the long sofa, Simon remained in his spot while Kathryn lay reclined on the other side, covering her face with an arm, her breathing still slightly hurried. The military-style jacket that had given Simon a sense of oppression was off, revealing a form-fitting black turtleneck. Her feet, clad only in thin stockings, lay limply over Simon's legs.
Simon continued flipping through the 'Blue Thunder Angel' script, and once Kathryn calmed down, he ventured, "How about coming to my place tonight?"
"No," Kathryn instinctively refused, then added quietly, "If it gets out... I won't want to see anyone. Plus, Jennifer."
Remembering the constant paparazzi around him, Simon frowned. Hearing Kathryn mention Janet, he fell silent for a moment before admitting, "I'll be honest with Jennifer. I'm too greedy to be a good man."
Kathryn quickly interjected, "Don't tell her."
Simon said, "Jennifer's smart."
Kathryn insisted, "Still, you can't tell her."
"Alright," Simon reluctantly smiled, "I'm going to San Francisco soon for a location scouting for 'Basic Instinct' and some other things. Why don't you come too? If we're careful, we probably won't be noticed."
Kathryn, still covering her face with her arm, shook her head, "No, I don't want to be part of that."
Simon chuckled wryly, "Then what do we do? You don't want to be here, you won't go to San Francisco, and you're afraid of being seen at my place."
Kathryn lightly kicked Simon's leg, "That's your problem, not mine."
Unable to resist, Simon tickled her foot, earning a few more kicks before conceding, "Alright, let's talk about the script. What are you trying to convey with this story?"
"I don't want to talk right now."
"Okay, then let's not talk."
Simon nodded, gently stroking her leg resting on him, occasionally turning a page of the script, quietly spending this intimate afternoon.
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