Chapter 189: Silicon & Synapse

In the evening, at a nightclub near Northridge in the San Fernando Valley, two old friends, the chubby Simon and Arthur, sat down together.

"Didn't you start working in Silicon Valley after you graduated last year?"

Simon, who studied computer science, found Silicon Valley a perfect fit.

Simon took a sip of his drink. "Ah, I recently switched to a game company in Irvine, which is closer to Los Angeles!"

Irvine, a city in the southeastern part of Los Angeles, has a robust economy and a rich academic atmosphere.

"No wonder," Arthur nodded, understandingly.

"By the way, Arthur, I saw in the news that Galaxy Entertainment's debt is quite high. Are you alright?" Simon inquired.

Arthur chuckled, "What's the big deal? My name carries weight in Hollywood now."

"You've become quite the big shot in Hollywood!" Simon nodded. "Even Tom Cruise is starring in your movies. You've been amazing these past few years."

"Alright, I'll introduce you to some actresses someday," Arthur said while patting Simon's shoulder.

Simon smiled and pointed to the dance floor. "I like them with big butts!"

Arthur facepalmed, finally understanding why the Kim Kardashian type would become so popular in the future.

"Alright, Arthur, I've got to go back. My company is in Irvine, a small game company. Next time you get the chance to come over, let's have a picnic on the beach!" the chubby Simon suggested cheerfully.

Arthur nodded. "No problem," then casually asked, "A small game company? What kind of games do you make?"

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Simon scratched his head. "Well, our company mainly ports games developed by other developers to platforms like NDS, iOS, and PS. But, we've also accepted a commission from Nintendo to develop a game for them. The company was just founded last year by a few students from UCLA. It's called Silicon & Synapse!"

Arthur was stunned. "What's the company called?"

"Silicon & Synapse."

"Founded last year?"

"Yes, early last year," Simon smiled.

Arthur looked at Simon. A few UCLA students, Silicon & Synapse? Isn't this the future Blizzard Entertainment? Is Simon just lucky or is there another reason he joined the future Blizzard?

"It's hard to attract investment, isn't it?" Arthur laughed.

Simon awkwardly nodded. "The company has only been established for a year and doesn't have much business yet."

"Alright, tell the founders that my California Pacific Investment Fund is willing to invest in Silicon & Synapse," Arthur said, knowing he couldn't pass up investing in this budding game company.

Of course, he couldn't let it go; this company would eventually produce titles like Diablo, StarCraft, and World of Warcraft.

"Arthur, are you really going to invest in Silicon & Synapse?" Simon was astonished.

"Don't worry, it's not a big deal for me. In the meantime, you should learn as much as you can from the company," Arthur said, patting Simon's belly.

Simon nodded. Silicon & Synapse wasn't worth much at the moment; it was founded with just a $30,000 investment from three people.

With Arthur's financial support, Silicon & Synapse would undoubtedly develop better. Maybe Arthur was just using this method to help his old friend.

"Thank you, Arthur..."

...

Very soon, Arthur received a call from Simon. Since Silicon & Synapse was a startup, Arthur's California Pacific Investment Company directly acquired 70% of its shares for $800,000.

The studio's founders, UCLA graduates Mike Mohan, Alan Yardham, and Frank Pierce, had no objections.

"Work hard, and you'll be able to develop your own games," Arthur encouraged the young men at the Irvine office of Silicon & Synapse.

"Don't worry; we have high hopes for the future of computer games," Simon said as he hugged Arthur. "We won't let you down!"

Arthur smiled. "I will invest again when more funds are needed.

Remember to send my regards to your parents when you go back. Today is the Oscar nomination luncheon, so I need to head over. See you!"

Simon nodded. "Go ahead, and make sure to leave a strong impression at the Oscars."

Then, Arthur drove off from Irvine in his Mitsubishi 3000GT.

"Simon, who would have thought that you and Arthur Smith go way back," said one of the three young founders of Silicon & Synapse, contrasting themselves with Arthur. "You must meet Hollywood actresses all the time, right?"

"You must often attend events with Schwarzenegger and Stallone, huh?"

"Simon, have you met Demi Moore?"

Simon and the three founders of Silicon & Synapse continued their discussion, but Arthur headed straight to Los Angeles.

In the afternoon, Arthur took Sophie Marceau to the Oscar nomination luncheon at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The Oscar ceremony is usually held in late March, with nominations announced a month in advance, as is tradition.

Rob Reiner's A Few Good Men was completed and in post-production, and as the lead actress, Sophie Marceau needed more publicity. The nomination luncheon was co-hosted by Carl Malden, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and actress Kathleen Turner.

The American gangster film Bugsy, directed by Barry Levinson and starring Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, led with 10 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

The political thriller JFK, written and directed by Oliver Stone, and starring Joe Pesci and Kevin Costner, received 9 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor.

The thriller The Silence of the Lambs, produced by Orion, directed by Jonathan Demme, and starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, received 7 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

"Annette Bening is pregnant. Warren Beatty really got her knocked up," Arthur said to Sophie Marceau with a smile. "Bugsy's global box office didn't even hit $50 million. The gangster genre really is on the decline."

Sophie Marceau shook her head. "JFK's box office is pretty good, and it has more nominations than your The Silence of the Lambs."

JFK grossed about $70 million in North America, but performed well in the international market, breaking $100 million overseas. With the Oscar nominations announced, global box office could hit $200 million.

However, The Silence of the Lambs has already grossed $100 million worldwide, with a significant portion from North America alone!

Arthur gently patted Sophie Marceau's hand and smiled, "How about staying next month for the Oscars?"

"No, thanks. I don't have any nominations," Sophie Marceau, taking it in stride, said, "I'll join when I have something to show in the future."

"Alright, there will be plenty of opportunities. For now, why not get to know some Hollywood filmmakers?" Arthur had no objections.

Soon, Arthur started chatting with the crew of The Silence of the Lambs, especially since Jonathan Demme was filming Philadelphia at the time.

"There are no issues with the filming progress of Philadelphia. Both Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington are very professional," Jonathan Demme explained with a smile.

Arthur nodded, then glanced at Anthony Hopkins, who was chatting with others nearby, and remarked, "Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs has had quite an impact. Thomas Harris should consider writing a sequel to The Silence of the Lambs."

Jonathan Demme shook his head. "For now, I haven't heard anything about Thomas Harris working on a sequel novel. But what about the prequel, Red Dragon? Arthur, do you have any thoughts?"

Arthur shrugged. "The movie Manhunter based on Red Dragon came out only five years ago, and it wasn't very successful. If there's a sequel to The Silence of the Lambs, that would be better. We can always adapt Red Dragon again in a few years!"

After all, the film adaptation rights to Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon were currently held by Orion. Given the phenomenal success of The Silence of the Lambs, who wouldn't want to develop a sequel?

Jonathan Demme understood Arthur's thoughts. With a hundred-million-dollar box office haul from The Silence of the Lambs, who wouldn't be tempted?

If a sequel were made, it could very well pass $300 million at the box office!

"Arthur, have you already asked Thomas Harris?" Arthur nodded. "Unfortunately, he said a sequel won't be coming anytime soon."

"I see. A best-selling novel is certainly not easy to write," Jonathan Demme consoled with a smile.

"Arthur, you change companions really quickly," Jodie Foster said, approaching Arthur after a while. "I heard she's the French Kiss. Don't you like young and pretty Hollywood girls anymore?"

Arthur laughed. "Sophie Marceau needs to promote her new movie, A Few Good Men. But Jodie, you've been quite impressive, directing and starring in a movie Little Man Tate last year!"

Jodie Foster excelled in acting and directing. "Unfortunately, my directorial debut didn't have that big of an impact. So, I'm thinking of starting my own film production company to develop projects!"

"You're starting a studio?" Arthur was not surprised. Given Jodie Foster's current fame and status, she certainly didn't lack scripts. "Once you establish your studio and produce films, we might work together again."

Jodie Foster shook her head. "Probably not that soon. I need to set everything up first. I've even thought of my production company's name: Egg Pictures..."

*****

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