Chapter 4: The Arab Rescue of America

The night was deep, and an apartment in North Hollywood was brightly lit. Michael Davenport sat in front of his laptop, his ten fingers continuously tapping on the keyboard.

"In 2029, America was thriving, its people living in peace and prosperity, with crime rates steadily declining, and freedom and democracy reaching unprecedented heights."

"However, all of this was merely a beautiful illusion."

Michael typed the setting for his screenplay.

"To maintain this beautiful state, the American government launched a project called 'The Purge' to allow people to vent their negative emotions."

"The specifics of this project were: from 7 pm on March 21, 2029, to 7 am on March 22, 2029, all crimes—including murder—would be legal. During these twelve hours, emergency services like police, fire, and medical aid would be suspended. So, during these twelve hours, all human activities would be self-reliant."

By Hollywood standards, a movie that didn't appropriately criticize the American government was not a good movie.

This facade of prosperity and underlying filth was a true reflection of the country.

Most importantly, this appealed to those who disliked America.

For instance, Arabs.

Although some Arab countries were close to America, Arabs generally disliked Americans, considering the US as the patron of their mortal enemies.

In essence, choosing this horror film was driven by financing needs.

For the sake of money, Michael had no psychological burden in portraying America negatively, though he would control the extent.

The American government had always been a primary antagonist in Hollywood films. Michael had read many research articles on this topic, and American audiences also enjoyed seeing movies that criticized their government.

This mindset was quite common—domestic films criticizing their own government were well-received by audiences.

The horror film he was writing had a setting and theme similar to the one from his previous life, "The Purge," but to secure Arab financing, it definitely needed significant Arab characters.

As the protagonists' neighbors? Michael paused to think. That didn't seem appropriate.

Although this project was mainly a ploy for money—not a complete scam—he also wanted to try producing it. If the four main characters were Arabs, it wouldn't even get into theaters; no distribution company would touch it.

This wasn't twenty years later, where having a minority, transgender, or LGBTQ+ supporter could lead to widespread acceptance in the entertainment industry.

Also, making Arabs the main characters felt too unrealistic.

If encountered by someone with even a slight understanding of Hollywood, seeing four Arabs as protagonists would immediately expose the deception.

Even though the primary goal of this project was financing, the initial operations had to appear as genuine as possible.

Michael soon had an idea: how about having an Arab character appear as the savior?

The protagonists' neighbors could be Arab. The male protagonist could be unfriendly towards them, but when the family was about to perish during the Purge night, the Arab neighbors would save them.

Arabs rescuing Americans.

Michael decided on the basic setting for the Arab characters, with details to be expanded in the screenplay.

In his previous life, he had worked as a producer on some small projects and was familiar with scriptwriting. The previous Michael Davenport had outstanding abilities in this area but lacked experience.

Initially, Michael wrote slowly. After nailing down the outline and setting the framework, he added details, which sped things up significantly.

This film had few characters and limited scenes, making it one of the simpler types in scriptwriting.

However, even with just six hours of sleep each night, it took Michael a week to complete an 80-page first draft.

The first draft was a bit rough. After a simple revision, he decided not to make any more detailed edits.

Time didn't allow for delays.

A recent bank loan was due soon. If he couldn't repay it on time, he would face significant trouble. Judith from the bank called weekly, which was incredibly annoying.

The bank might even withdraw the funds early, which would be even more problematic.

The distributor for "Surviving the Killzone," New Line Cinema, hadn't pressed for their cut yet, but they couldn't delay forever.

The NASDAQ was still soaring.

Michael needed to secure funds quickly.

As the new week began, Michael signed a copyright transfer agreement with Blockbuster, securing $150,000. He called an all-employee meeting in the office.

"First, some good news."

Michael started with reassurance, "You might already know, the $150,000 transfer fee for 'Surviving the Killzone' has been credited to our account this morning. There will be no issues with payroll before the bank loan is due."

Hearing this, George Clint immediately said, "We can weather this storm together!"

Mary and Robert Lee remained silent but visibly relaxed.

At their age, a salary meant a lot, such as mortgage payments and supporting families.

Simply boosting morale wasn't effective for this age group.

Michael turned to the main topic, asking, "George, did you contact your friends in the media industry?"

"I did." George's face was full of wrinkles. "I met with over ten friends this week, including three entertainment reporters from Variety, the Los Angeles Times, and The Hollywood Reporter. As long as we can afford the space, most are willing to help us publish news. However, space…"

"Space isn't an issue. We can accept even third or fourth-page coverage," Michael said. What he needed was media coverage for the new project.

The Los Angeles Times was one of the top three newspapers in the US, and Variety and The Hollywood Reporter were the two major publications in the entertainment industry. Even small film projects would have difficulty getting coverage, even if they paid for it.

Michael pondered for a moment and then told George, "Keep in touch with them, especially Variety, the Los Angeles Times, and The Hollywood Reporter. I will soon hold a press conference for the new project."

"The new project…" George began to ask, but Michael raised his hand to stop him. "We'll discuss the new project shortly."

He looked at Robert Lee. "Did you contact the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority?"

Robert Lee placed a file folder on Michael's desk, saying, "A friend of mine contacted a director at their office. He mainly assesses the feasibility of cultural and entertainment investments…well, how should I put it? He has a very poor impression of Hollywood and somewhat hates it, saying Hollywood is an accomplice of Jews in vilifying the Arab world."

"Assessing cultural and entertainment investments?" Michael caught the key point.

"Yes, including films," Robert said. "However, his progress has been very slow. You know, the industry isn't very welcoming to Arabs."

Michael nodded lightly. This wasn't surprising. Saying Hollywood was controlled by Jews was an exaggeration, but their influence was indeed significant.

The portrayal of Arabs in Hollywood films was quite telling.

For example, James Cameron's "True Lies" had sparked collective protests from the Arab world, and almost no Arab countries had screened the film.

But what about Hollywood and the American media? No one cared, and the vilification continued.

Of course, there was also plenty of negative material about Arabs.

Michael quickly skimmed through the information Robert Lee had gathered about Abu Dhabi. Compared to Saudi Arabia, the UAE was relatively open. Saudi Arabia banned public movie screenings, so ordinary Saudis flew to the UAE to watch movies.

This ensured that Emiratis had some familiarity with films.

However, due to distance and information dissemination, while Emiratis were relatively familiar with Hollywood films, they were very unfamiliar with its operations.

It wasn't just the UAE. In the '90s, Hollywood was shrouded in a veil for most countries.

Michael put down the documents and asked, "Robert, can your friend arrange a meeting with that director?"

Robert Lee thought for a moment and said, "He mentioned that the director would attend a 20th Century Fox appreciation dinner this weekend."

"Is it easy to get an invitation?" Michael asked.

"Leave it to me," Robert replied.

Michael took out three copies of the script titled "The Purge," placed them on the desk, and said, "This is the new project's script. Take a look."

As the three picked up the scripts, Michael ran his fingers through his messy hair and added, "Our next task is to create buzz for this new project. I will formally register it with the Producers Guild. Mary…"

Michael looked at the middle-aged woman. "Next week, we will hold a press conference. Find a venue in the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel. George, you're in charge of contacting media reporters. I will prepare PR fees and gifts for you. Whether big or small publications, even if you have to hire paparazzi, make sure there are at least fifty reporters present!"

With money and gifts, George Clint immediately responded, "No problem."

Michael then turned to Robert. "Invite Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio on behalf of Seagull Entertainment and leak it to the tabloids. Try to ride on the popularity of 'Titanic.'"

George Clint suggested, "Also invite stars who might act in a horror film. That way, we can create more buzz."

Michael agreed and, thinking aloud, said, "Invite Jamie Lee Curtis, Drew Barrymore, Johnny Depp, and George Clooney."

"Their agents won't even respond," Robert Lee, a veteran in the film industry, said. "They won't even bother to decline."

Michael stroked his chin. "It's better if they don't respond. Robert, make sure to send formal public invitations."

"I got it." Robert closed the script and said, "Is this script suitable? The setting is interesting, but having Arabs…"

Mary and George had similar concerns and looked at Michael.

Michael didn't mind the script being questioned. He directly said "Don't forget, we need financing from the Arabs. Once we secure the investment…"

Robert immediately understood. "As soon as we get the funds, we can make any changes to the script as needed."

"Exactly," Michael affirmed. "So let's get to work."

"Mary," he called, stopping her before she left. "Hire a small team to create posters and storyboards based on the script. Make sure they are as polished and professional as possible."

Mary nodded. "I'll get on it right away."

"And recommend a stylist," Michael added, pointing to his disheveled hair. "I need to look more like a successful, mature producer."

At twenty, Michael's youthful appearance lacked the gravitas needed to instill confidence. He needed to transform his look to match the persona of a seasoned, successful producer.

As Mary left to carry out her tasks, Michael felt a renewed sense of determination. The plan was in motion, and though there were numerous hurdles ahead, he had a team that believed in the vision and a clear path forward.

Over the next few days, Seagull Entertainment buzzed with activity. George tirelessly contacted media outlets, ensuring they would have a significant presence at the press conference. Mary coordinated with a design team to produce eye-catching promotional materials, while Robert worked on securing the elusive invitation to the Fox event.

Michael spent his days refining the project pitch, ensuring every detail was meticulously planned. He knew this was their best shot at turning the company's fortunes around, and he was determined not to squander it.

When the day of the press conference arrived, the Beverly Hills Hilton buzzed with anticipation. Reporters and photographers from various media outlets gathered, curious about Seagull Entertainment's new venture. The room was adorned with professionally designed posters and storyboards showcasing "The Purge," adding an air of legitimacy to the project.

Michael stepped up to the podium, now sporting a more polished and mature look thanks to his new stylist. He greeted the crowd with a confident smile, ready to deliver his pitch.

"Thank you all for coming today," he began. "We at Seagull Entertainment are thrilled to announce our latest project, 'The Purge.' This film explores the depths of human nature and societal constructs through a thrilling and provocative narrative."

He outlined the film's premise, emphasizing its unique appeal to both Western and Middle Eastern audiences. He spoke passionately about the creative vision behind the project and the potential it had to resonate globally.

As Michael concluded his presentation, he opened the floor for questions. The reporters, intrigued by the project, asked about casting, production timelines, and the film's unique approach to its themes. Michael answered each question with poise, reinforcing the project's potential and Seagull Entertainment's commitment to quality.

The press conference was a success, generating significant buzz around "The Purge." Media coverage highlighted the innovative premise and Michael's confident leadership, painting a promising picture for Seagull Entertainment's future.

With the press conference behind him, Michael turned his focus to the upcoming meeting with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. He knew that securing their investment was crucial for the project's success and the company's survival.

On the evening of the 20th Century Fox appreciation dinner, Michael and Robert arrived at the lavish venue. The atmosphere was electric, filled with Hollywood's elite and influential figures. Michael scanned the room, spotting the representative from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

"Remember, be confident but respectful," Robert advised as they approached the representative.

Michael nodded and introduced himself, presenting a compelling case for investing in "The Purge." He highlighted the film's unique appeal and the potential for significant returns, emphasizing the cultural bridge it aimed to build.

The representative listened intently, his initial skepticism slowly giving way to interest. Michael's thorough preparation and genuine passion for the project shone through, making a strong impression.

By the end of the evening, the representative agreed to a follow-up meeting to discuss the details further. It was a promising sign, and Michael felt a surge of optimism.

Back at the office, the team eagerly awaited news. When Michael shared the positive outcome, a wave of excitement swept through the room. They were one step closer to securing the crucial investment needed to bring "The Purge" to life.

As the days progressed, Michael and his team worked tirelessly to finalize the investment deal. Meetings were held, contracts were drafted, and plans were meticulously reviewed. Each step brought them closer to the goal.

Finally, the day arrived when the investment agreement was signed. Seagull Entertainment had secured the funding needed to move forward with "The Purge." The relief and joy were palpable as the team celebrated this significant milestone.

With the funds in place, Michael shifted his focus to the next phase: production. He knew that turning the vision into reality would require careful planning, hard work, and unwavering dedication. But with a talented team and a clear roadmap, he was confident they could achieve success.

As Seagull Entertainment embarked on this new chapter, Michael felt a renewed sense of purpose. The journey ahead was filled with challenges, but also with immense potential. He was determined to make the most of this second chance, rewriting the future not just for the company, but for himself.

And so, with a bold vision and a resilient spirit, Michael Davenport set out to disrupt Hollywood's timeline, one groundbreaking project at a time.