Chapter 323

California, Raymond County, Carmel Ranch.

After the New Year, Jennifer Aniston returned to the crew, and Arthur and Monica Bellucci, who hadn't yet joined the Interview with the Vampire crew, came to Arthur's 9,000-acre ranch.

Arthur loved the large vacation villa he built for $4.5 million!

In the morning, in the bedroom, Monica Bellucci lay on top of the man, enjoying the lingering warmth. Arthur was on the phone with his assistant, "Help me invite Mr. Jack Valenti and Mr. Lew Wasserman to Carmel Ranch for a vacation."

"Understood, I'll get on it right away."

"Mhm," Arthur hung up the phone.

Monica Bellucci, still lying on the man's chest and kissing him, looked up, "Arthur, Galaxy did great last year, the newspapers are full of praise!"

Arthur smiled, feeling the touch of Monica Bellucci's 36D, "If I perform well, the newspapers will praise me like I'm God. If I don't, they'll mercilessly trample me into the sewer."

"Yeah, that's true," Monica Bellucci agreed with this view, then hugged Arthur and gave him a sweet kiss.

"Mm," Arthur flipped over, pressing down on the lady, ravaging her 36D with his head. Soon, the room echoed with Monica Bellucci's passionate moans...

Two days later, MPAA President Jack Valenti and MCA Universal Chairman Lew Wasserman arrived at Arthur's Carmel Ranch Estate.

"Arthur, your guests are waiting for you in the living room, aren't you going there?" In the room, Monica Bellucci leaned against the wall while Arthur held her, kissing her 36D fiercely.

"Mhm," Arthur smiled, lifted his head, and looked at disheveled Monica Bellucci, "Perform well tonight!"

"Okay, go ahead now," Monica Bellucci helped Arthur straighten his clothes, "You can do whatever you want after you're done."

Quickly, Arthur arrived at the living room, "Welcome, both of you, to my estate. Are you used to the climate here in Carmel Valley?"

Arthur enthusiastically hugged Jack Valenti and Lew Wasserman.

Lew Wasserman smiled, "Arthur, you sure know how to pick a place. The climate here is pleasant, the scenery is beautiful, and it's very quiet. Perfect for a vacation!"

Jack Valenti nodded, "We enjoyed the scenery along the way, it seemed to ease many worries."

"Shall we have a drink?" Arthur opened a bottle of wine, "This is wine from Napa Valley. Let's see how it compares to the ones from Europe."

Arthur poured three glasses of wine, handed them to the two, and took one himself.

Lew Wasserman took a sip, "Not bad, it's delicate, smooth, and balanced. Napa Valley wines are selling well in America and are also gaining overseas markets, right?"

Arthur nodded, "Yes, Napa Valley wines are expanding their market abroad!"

"It's a pity it doesn't have the historical depth of European wines, otherwise, American wines would be even more famous," Lew Wasserman sighed.

Jack Valenti was momentarily stunned, then observed the two men. Lew Wasserman was looking at his wine with some regret, while Arthur Smith still smiled as if unaffected.

"History is just history. Perhaps we should focus more on the present, right?" Arthur gulped down his wine.

Then, he looked at Jack Valenti, "Mr. Valenti, what's your take?"

Lew Wasserman represented a few established film companies. Whatever reasons he might have to block Galaxy's entry, Arthur understood. However, Jack Valenti was different; he had to consider the overall interests of Hollywood and America's cultural exports.

Jack Valenti smiled helplessly, "You already understand; why ask? Hollywood's internal relationships are complex; it all boils down to profit distribution. Galaxy is new, it's not publicly traded, and lacks other shareholders. How can its network compare to the other companies?"

Arthur nodded, "Thank you! Although this isn't the official reason MPAA rejected Galaxy, it's close enough. Looks like everyone sees me as too much of a threat."

Galaxy, being new, lacked history, wasn't publicly traded, and therefore didn't have the supportive network other companies had.

"Arthur, Galaxy's only been around for four years, there's no need to rush. Everyone knows you'll eventually become a Hollywood leader. Building a strong foundation now wouldn't be a bad idea," Lew Wasserman had no doubt about Arthur's abilities. Whatever Galaxy became in the future, Arthur Smith would be at the helm as a major Hollywood power.

Arthur smiled, "I know. I actually agree with Summer Redstone's view: Content is king. As long as Galaxy produces works that make audiences willingly buy tickets and distributors make money, Galaxy will continue to stay strong!"

Lew Wasserman shook his head, "Arthur, no one can succeed all the time, unless they're God."

Arthur poured himself another glass, "But what methods do you have to stop me?

Sony and Panasonic tried to grab the market by offering high salaries, and they suffered great losses.

Paramount's Sherry Lansing is cautious and has a good eye, but she's too petty.

As for Disney, I don't even want to bully them in live-action films, but I do want to challenge them in the animation market.

Only Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox pose any threat to me."

Arthur's confidence shocked Jack Valenti and Lew Wasserman. Galaxy was indeed strong in live-action films, but to challenge Disney in animation? Disney ruled the animation market for half a century; it wasn't to be underestimated!

Lew Wasserman's expression shifted, "Arthur, you really..."

Jack Valenti sighed, "There's actually another way, Arthur."

Arthur shrugged, "I know, by acquiring another film group? I do think Hollywood has too many film companies now."

Lew Wasserman's face changed. Now with MGM under Credit Lyonnais Bank, MGM was also an official MPAA member, even though its film business greatly diminished after Kirk Kerkorian's acquisition. After several ownership changes, MGM's trademark and film rights library were its biggest assets. Was Galaxy going to take action against MGM?

*****

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