Chapter 411

Arthur didn't stay long in New York before heading back to Los Angeles, as the Oscar season was approaching, and various guild awards and critics' awards were about to take place. At the same time, the British Academy Film Awards and the French Cesar Awards would also be held before the Oscars.

From late January to March, the period after the Golden Globe Awards and before the Oscars was the most crucial time for award publicity.

In the evening, at a live cocktail party at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles, Arthur had just finished chatting with the President of the Academy, Arthur Miller.

Just then, he saw a very happy Madchen Amick walking over.

"Director Robert Zemeckis and Mr. Tom Hanks are too popular," though Madchen Amick was also the leading actress in Forrest Gump, her popularity couldn't compare to these two. Moreover, because Madchen Amick didn't have much screen time in Forrest Gump, she was participating in the awards with a nomination for Best Supporting Actress, the same category she was nominated for at the Golden Globe Awards.

"You're doing great too," Arthur hugged her affectionately, "Forrest Gump has put you on the map, and The X-Files Season 2 just won the Golden Globe for Best Drama Series."

"Yeah, I'm getting more and more scripts now," Madchen Amick said, kissing Arthur on the cheek. "You're really something; the TV series by Galaxy TV are awesome. ER is doing well in ratings too. But the best one has to be that sitcom Friends. The first season is almost over, and it's hugely influential and widely discussed!"

Madchen Amick, as the lead actress of The X-Files, had gained some popularity, but the impact of Forrest Gump was something that a TV show like The X-Files could never match.

"You should be going to the British Academy Film Awards, right?" Arthur asked. After all, the Golden Globes and the British Academy Film Awards were seen as the major indicators leading up to the Oscars.

"Yes, I'll go with the cast and crew to London, and then I'll attend the first Screen Actors Guild Awards," Madchen Amick had never been this busy before and now she finally felt what it was like to be famous.

Compared to the Directors Guild and Producers Guild, which had their own award ceremonies early on, the Screen Actors Guild Awards were holding their first guild awards this year.

"Let's go, we should leave," Arthur put his arm around Madchen Amick. "Let's have a drink at a bar. I went to Africa earlier, and it's not a nice place."

Madchen Amick smiled, "It should be summer in South Africa now, great for vacation."

"Oh, I went to East Africa, and it's not peaceful over there."

Talking idly, they arrived at a nearby club. Indeed, during the awards season, Los Angeles was the liveliest, with more people in nightclubs than usual.

"Oh, Mr. Buss, good evening," Arthur greeted Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who he bumped into at the club.

"Good evening, Arthur," Jerry Buss saw Arthur with Madchen Amick, "Ms. Amick is really beautiful!"

Madchen Amick smiled, "Thank you."

Arthur and Madchen Amick then sat down together. "By the way, hasn't the oil tycoon from Colorado, Philip Anschutz, become a Lakers shareholder?"

Jerry Buss shook his head, "We have no intention of selling any Lakers shares."

As for Magic Johnson's 4% share in the Lakers, it was to offset his long contract, plus he was a symbolic figure for the Lakers.

"Philip Anschutz and businessman Stan Kroenke bought parts of the NFL team Los Angeles Rams," Jerry Buss said with a smile. "Since you own the NBA team Los Angeles Galaxy and the NHL team Los Angeles Kings, it's hard to get into the LA sports scene."

Moreover, it was no secret that the Rams were moving to St. Louis, Missouri.

"It's a shame that both the Rams and the Raiders are leaving Los Angeles," Arthur said, appearing amused. "In the future, for Angelenos to watch football, they'll have to go to San Diego!"

Once the Raiders moved to Oakland and the Rams to St. Louis, Southern California would be left with only the San Diego Chargers.

Jerry Buss didn't seem to care, "If the city government builds a proper NFL stadium, there might still be hope."

Arthur shook his head, "Let's stop talking about this. The NBA's labor negotiations last year haven't ended, and both sides took a step back to start the 94-95 season. The negotiations will definitely be back after the season. What's your take?"

Jerry Buss sighed, "We in LA are a big market city, and we tend to support a soft salary cap favoring players. But most of the league's owners support a hard cap like the NFL's. It's gonna be tough."

"True," Arthur shrugged, "Let's take off; we'll have a drink next time!"

The Los Angeles Galaxy was managed by Frank Gray now, so there was someone to worry about it. Arthur then took Madchen Amick to an upstairs room.

"Arthur, later this month the NBA All-Star Game will be held in Phoenix. Will you watch it live?" Madchen Amick asked, sitting on Arthur's lap.

Arthur shook his head, "Not interested. Michael Jordan hasn't even come back yet."

"Yeah, is Jordan really coming back? There are a lot of issues within the Chicago Bulls," lately many basketball legends were calling for Jordan's return. Magic Johnson even knelt on TV, hoping Jordan would come back to invigorate the NBA.

Last season, without Jordan, NBA viewership and ticket sales had dropped significantly.

"He probably will," Arthur rubbed Madchen Amick's thigh, kissing her. "He went to play baseball but didn't make it to the MLB Chicago White Sox. He played poorly in their minor league games too. It's clear Michael Jordan isn't cut out for baseball!"

Madchen Amick smiled, holding Arthur's neck and kissing him, "Are you planning to bring Michael Jordan to LA?"

"It's tough," Michael Jordan's contract with the Bulls ends in 1996. After next season, they could compete for him.

"Enough talking, we came to relax tonight," Arthur said, kissing her lips. At the same time, he reached into her chest, feeling its softness.

"Mmm," Madchen Amick embraced him tightly, passionately responding.

*****

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