Chapter 504: Walter Mondale

[Chapter 568: Walter Mondale]

In October, Arthur found himself in Japan.

At the U.S. Embassy in Japan, Arthur met with his old friend, Walter Mondale, the U.S. ambassador to Japan.

"You're stepping down soon?" Arthur asked as he settled into a couch, tapping the table. Walter Mondale was set to retire by the end of the year, marking the end of his term since he had become ambassador in 1993.

"Yeah, returning home," Walter replied with a smile.

Arthur took a sip of champagne. "So, back to being a regular citizen in Minnesota?"

Walter Mondale had previously served as the Attorney General of Minnesota, then spent two terms as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota, later becoming Vice President under Jimmy Carter. A few years prior, after a failed presidential run, he was appointed as the U.S. ambassador to Japan.

His only daughter, Eleanor Mondale, had joined USA Network a few years back, hosting a radio talk show and appearing as a TV actress.

"Let's wait until after the election. If you really decide to retire, you might consider joining the Galaxy board as an independent director," he suggested. Walter still only 68 years old and quite capable of continuing his political career.

Walter looked at Arthur and nodded with amusement. "The Secretary of Defense is stepping down next year; I might throw my hat in the ring. You know, Clinton has a strong chance of winning. After some friction between the White House and the Jewish community, the Defense Secretary position meant for a Jewish candidate has changed."

"That's certainly worth pursuing. No Jewish candidate should take the State and Defense positions in the new cabinet," Arthur noted, as Jews already dominated the Treasury and the Federal Reserve. He was expanding his investments in energy, with the Middle East being his next target; the State and Defense Departments could not be handed over as well.

"If the next Defense Secretary is Jewish, military aid to Israel won't diminish, and the Middle East will surely become even more chaotic. Bush had already begun to reduce or halt military and economic aid to Israel to ease tensions in the Middle East," Walter understood. "But fortunately, with Clinton enjoying your support now, there aren't as many hindrances from the Jewish community."

"Not many?" Arthur shook his head. "Do you have any idea how many Jews are involved in the White House and the President's advisory team?"

If it hadn't been for him reminding her to handle Monica Lewinsky ahead of time, the next Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State would likely be Jewish. The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Madeleine Albright, was a top candidate for Secretary of State, and William Cohen, a three-term Republican senator from Maine, was eyeing the Defense Secretary position.

Walter chuckled, patting Arthur on the shoulder. "Well, you've done very well in Southeast Asia this time, reaping quite a profit. Now international capital is focused on Asia..."

...

While Arthur was in Japan, the Galaxy Group back in the U.S. was acting on his orders.

With a sharp decline in comic book sales, Marvel's stock price was falling again due to multiple mergers, and the company was at the brink of bankruptcy.

Marvel's chairman, Ronald Perelman, was starting to break up Marvel, selling assets to pay off debts, including its superhero properties.

At that point, Tom Rothman, representing MGM, offered $60 million for Marvel Entertainment while assuming $200 million in debt.

...

Later that night, in a villa in Setagaya, Tokyo, Arthur was reclining in a warm water pool, sprawled over Norika Fujiwara. "Mmm," he savored the lady's 34E figure.

"Norika, your body is incredible," Arthur remarked, glancing up at the gorgeous woman leaning against the pool's edge, blushing and utterly enticing.

"Why didn't you call in Yasuko?" Norika asked, wrapping her arms around him. Tonight, it was just her and Megumi Oishi.

"She had some business with the company," Arthur replied before claiming her lips in a deep kiss.

Suddenly, Megumi Oishi rushed in to inform him he had an American phone call.

"I'll be right back," Arthur laughed, rising from Norika, climbing out of the pool, and grabbing a large towel to wrap around him as he headed to the next room.

"Arthur," the sexy Megumi handed him the phone.

"Thanks," he leaned back on the couch to answer.

On the line was Tom Rothman discussing the acquisition of Marvel with Ronald Perelman.

"$60 million and $200 million in debt aren't enough to satisfy them?" Arthur frowned, giving Megumi a light pat; she understood and knelt before him.

"Marvel has a 45% stake in a toy company, ToyBiz. The owner wants to merge Marvel with ToyBiz," he explained. "Meanwhile, Wall Street hedge fund investor Carl Icahn is also looking to acquire Marvel."

"Oh really?" Arthur ran his fingers through Megumi's hair, enjoying her service while scoffing, "Don't worry about Carl Icahn. He'll just use a small amount of capital to control the board, then auction off assets for profit. As for ToyBiz, it's just a small toy company. All we at Galaxy want is Marvel's assets; we don't need the toy company, card company, or sticker company nonsense. Tell Ronald Perelman that if Marvel officially files for bankruptcy and delists, it'll be completely insolvent, and he won't get anything. When it comes to cash for the acquisition, Galaxy and MGM can increase the offer by a maximum of $10 million."

"Got it, I'll keep negotiating," Tom Rothman replied succinctly.

"By the way, when will that Con Air film start shooting?" Arthur inquired, referring to the action movie featuring Nicolas Cage that Galaxy was producing following their hit with The Rock. After all, Face/Off was a Paramount production with Galaxy held international distribution rights.

"Oh, our Con Air is set to start in early December, and the collaboration with Paramount on Face/Off is already wrapped; the Vegas Sands casino plane crash scenes have been shot perfectly."

"That's great," Arthur said a few more words before ending the call.

A little while later, Megumi stood up, covering her mouth and signaling toward the restroom before heading over there.

Norika then sat on the couch, snuggling into Arthur's arms. "Arthur, I want some milk, too."

Arthur grinned, fondling her voluptuous 34E, "Alright..."

*****

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